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Maumere, Indonesia
We should all arrive at 1630 with the Kupang-Maumere flight (Wings). Ito should pick us with the car. Hotel booked. Things to do: Babi island grilled fish (snorkelling place), Ikat village. Blikon Blewut museum. 1 day Chat itinerary:
08:30 – 12:00 | Snorkeling or Island Hopping
• Take a local boat from Maumere Bay. Options:
• Pangabatang Island – beautiful reefs, white sand, often a highlight.
• Babi Island – farther, pristine coral, fewer crowds.
• Snorkel straight from your resort if you prefer something more relaxed (Amrita, Coconut Garden).
• Arrange through your resort; usually ~IDR 500–700k for boat + guide (shared if lucky).
Instead of snorkelling local market?
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🍴 Lunch
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch by the Sea
• Amrita Resort restaurant (if not staying there, still worth it for grilled octopus or fresh seafood).
• Or Nelayan Restaurant in town — local seafood in a casual setting.
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🌺 Afternoon: Cultural & Village Visits
13:30 – 15:30 | Watublapi Ikat Weaving Village
• ~40 min drive from Maumere town.
• Famous for traditional ikat weaving demonstrations — you can watch the process (cotton spinning, natural dyeing, weaving) and buy directly from the women’s cooperative.
• Performances and music sometimes included if arranged.
15:30 – 17:00 | Sunset Spot & Local Impressions
• Maumere Cathedral (St. Joseph’s) – striking modern design, huge Christ statue; short stop.
• Then continue to Alok / Maumere seafront for sunset view.
• Alternatively, head back to your resort and enjoy the beach sunset with a drink.
Here’s a clear summary of Watublapi for you 👇
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🧵 Watublapi Village – Ikat Weaving & Tradition
📍 Location
• Small village ~10 km southeast of Maumere, Flores (about 30 min by car).
• Set in hilly countryside with views of forest and valleys.
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🏛️ History & Background
• Watublapi is famous for its ikat weaving tradition.
• Ikat = a dyeing technique where threads are tied, dyed, then woven into fabric with symbolic patterns.
• The motifs here often reflect mythology, daily life, and nature.
• This tradition has been passed down for generations, mostly by women, and Watublapi became one of the main centers preserving this heritage in Flores.
👀 What to See & Do
• Weaving Demonstrations – villagers show the full process: spinning, dyeing with natural colors (like indigo), and weaving on backstrap looms.
• Cultural Welcome – visitors are often greeted with local songs and dances.
• Hands-On Experience – you can try weaving yourself or participate in the dyeing process.
• Ikat Shopping – authentic handwoven textiles, directly from the weavers (great souvenirs, fair prices, supports the community).
• Village Walk – see traditional houses and daily village life.
🌟 Why Visit?
• One of the best places in Flores to see authentic ikat weaving in action.
• A living tradition — not just for tourists, but still part of everyday life.
• Warm, welcoming community with genuine interactions.
⏰ Typical visit duration: 1.5–3 hours, depending on whether you only watch or also join in activities.
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Puskesmas Moni, Moni, Flores, NTT, Indonesia, Indonesia
🚙 Day 2: Drive Maumere → Moni
(~100 km, 3–4 hours driving time without long stops, but with sightseeing you’ll want most of the day)
First stop Wuring (village on stilts in the sea)?
🏖️ Stop 1: Koka Beach (Pantai Koka)
• ~1.5 hours from Maumere.
• White sand, turquoise water, two coves divided by a rocky hill. Great for swimming and photos.
• Small warungs serve coconuts and fried bananas.
• Spend about 1.5–2 hours.
⛪ Stop 2: Sikka Village & Old Portuguese Church
• ~20–30 minutes from Koka.
• The Sikka Old Church (built in 1899) blends Portuguese and local styles.
• Villagers are known for ikat weaving too (different motifs from Watublapi).
• Nice cultural / historical contrast.
• Allow 30–45 minutes.
🍴 Lunch
• Options:
• Paga Beach warungs – fresh grilled fish by the sea. Recommended Laryss!
• Koka Beach warungs if you prefer to eat earlier.
• Simple but atmospheric.
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🌊 Optional Scenic Stops Along the Road
• Paga Beach – another wide sandy beach, good for a quick dip or walk.
• Coastal viewpoints – the road between Maumere and Ende is very scenic, with cliffs, fishing villages, and blue water.
🏡 Arrival in Moni
• Arrive by 16:00–17:00 depending on stops.
• Check into your guesthouse Gecko/
• Relax with mountain air, maybe short village walk.
• Early dinner, then early sleep (since Kelimutu sunrise means a 04:00 wake-up!). Dinner is actually prepared by Florez and his family (75k pp) and recommended. Owner tells a lot about Flores.
Check with Ito what we need for Kelimutu trek
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✅ Summary of Day 2 Flow
• 08:00 Depart Maumere
• 09:30–11:30 Koka Beach
• 12:00–12:45 Sikka Church & village
• 13:00–14:00 Lunch (Koka/Paga Beach)
• 14:00–16:00 Scenic coastal drive
• 16:30 Arrive Moni, check-in, rest
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Kelimutu, Indonesia
Here’s a clear, practical summary for climbing Kelimutu from Moni 👇
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🗻 Climbing Kelimutu – What You Need to Know
🕐 Timing
• Best time: Sunrise (lakes show most colors, magical atmosphere).
• Wake-up: ~04:00 from Moni.
• Drive: 30–40 min by car/motorbike to the Kelimutu National Park parking area.
• Walk: 30–45 min paved path + stairs to the main viewpoint (Inspiration Point).
• Sunrise: ~05:30–06:00 (varies slightly by season).
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🚗 Transport
• From Moni:
• Car or motorbike (your driver or guesthouse can arrange).
• Parking fee at the entrance.
• Entry tickets:
• ~150,000 IDR per person (weekdays, foreigners).
• Slightly higher on weekends/holidays.
• Pay in cash.
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👀 What You’ll See
• Three crater lakes that change colors due to minerals & volcanic activity.
• Viewpoint with railings; you can walk along short trails for different angles.
• On clear mornings: views of surrounding valleys, mountains, and sometimes the Savu Sea.
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✅ Do’s
• Bring warm clothes → it’s chilly before sunrise (10–15°C).
• Good shoes → path is paved but can be slippery with dew/rain.
• Headlamp/phone torch for pre-dawn walk.
• Cash for tickets, parking, and small vendors (coffee/instant noodles at the top).
• Arrive early → by 05:00 to secure a good spot and enjoy twilight before sunrise.
• Check weather the evening before (clouds can cover the view).
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❌ Don’ts
• Don’t arrive too late — mist often rolls in by mid-morning, hiding the lakes.
• Don’t expect to swim or get close to the lakes (strictly forbidden).
• Don’t forget sunscreen & hat if staying after sunrise (sun gets strong quickly).
• Don’t leave trash — it’s a sacred site for locals.
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🌟 Extra Tips
• If you’re not a morning person → late afternoon (15:00–17:00) can also be beautiful, quieter, with soft light (but colors may be less vivid).
• Local legend: The lakes are believed to be resting places of departed souls — one for old people, one for young, and one for the wicked.
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Riung, Indonesia
1 Night booked in Nuna Bungalows. Quite new (1 year old), run by Dutch/Indonesian couple (plus little daughter). Breakfast included.
Next morning boat trip to 17 islands, perhaps with seafood BBQ lunch there (Alex is a recommended boat guy, but we will try Ito). For F&B Rico Rico seems to be the happening place. Also mentioned is Ratong café.
Kelimutu to Riung, things to see and do:
Here’s a list of highlights you can include between Kelimutu (Moni area) and Riung (north coast, ~6–7 hrs drive, ~200 km):
🚗 Sights & Stops: Kelimutu → Riung
1. Moni Morning: Kelimutu Sunrise (pre-departure)
• 04:00 wake-up, drive 30 min to the park entrance, 30–45 min walk up.
• See the three crater lakes in different colors.
• Back to hotel for breakfast, then depart towards Riung.
Karlijn also recommends to see a traditional house in Wolu Waru....
2. Ende Town & Surroundings (~1.5 hrs from Moni)
• Traditional Market – colorful, lively, mostly food and betel nut.
• Soekarno’s Exile House – where Indonesia’s first president lived (1934–1938).
• Blue Stone Beach (Penggajawa) – 30 min west of Ende, with smooth turquoise and green pebbles. Photogenic and unique.
3. Scenic Coastal Drive Ende → Riung
• Pass through small fishing villages and stretches of undeveloped coast.
• Remote, dramatic views of the Sawu Sea.
5. Stop: Mbay (transit town)
• Main town in Ngada Regency, good for a coffee/snack/lunch break.
• Not touristy but useful rest stop.
6. Arrival in Riung
• Small coastal town, gateway to 17 Islands Marine Park (Pulau Tujuh Belas).
• Very quiet, with simple guesthouses.
• In the afternoon (if not too late):
• Short walk along the coast or mangroves.
• Sunset by the fishing port.
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⏰ Suggested Timeline
• 04:00 Kelimutu sunrise
• 08:00 Depart Moni
• 09:30–11:30 Ende town + Blue Stone Beach
• 12:30–13:30 Lunch (either Ende or roadside warung)
• 14:00–16:30 Drive north towards Riung via Mbay
• 17:00 Arrive Riung, check-in & relax
🌊 Day in Riung + Transfer to Bajawa
🌅 Morning – 17 Islands Marine Park
• Boat trip (half-day, ~5–6 hrs)
• Arrange with your guesthouse or local boatmen.
• Stops usually include:
• Pulau Tiga / Rutong → snorkeling, white sand beach.
• Pulau Ontoloe (Kalong Island) → huge colony of flying foxes (best at sunset, but you can still see some in daytime).
• Pulau Tembang → picnic lunch (often grilled fish cooked by the boat crew).
• Very relaxed, quiet, often you’ll have islands nearly to yourself.
• Back to Riung town around 13:00–14:00.
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Bajawa, Indonesia
🚗 Afternoon – Drive Riung → Bajawa (~70 km / 2.5–3 hrs)
• Winding but scenic mountain road.
Stops along the way:
• Soa Hot Springs (Air Panas Soa) – ~1 hr before Bajawa. Natural pools where hot water meets cool river. Great place to relax after boat trip + long drive.
• Local villages and viewpoints – the route climbs from coast to highlands, with sweeping views.
Booked Manulalu Jungle for 2 nights. Bit expensive, but unique. We will share a room (2 floors) with Simone. From there it is close to some of the tribes (ie Bena). Also on the way to Ruteng.
Below an idea for a 1 day itinerary for Bajawa, though I believe that Ito will take care of this.
🚗 Full Day Itinerary in Bajawa & Surroundings
⏰ 08:30 – Depart Bajawa town
• Pack water, snacks, swimwear (for hot springs), and a light sweater (highlands can be cool).
🏡 09:00–12:00 – Traditional Ngada Villages
• Bena Village → the most famous, with megalithic stone altars and traditional Ngada houses, all with Mount Inerie looming behind.
• Luba or Tololela Village → smaller, quieter, less touristy alternatives just nearby.
• Spend time walking, talking with villagers, and taking photos.
• Allow ~2–3 hrs total to cover at least two villages.
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🌋 12:15–13:15 – Lunch in Bajawa or En Route
• Options in Bajawa town: Lucas Restaurant, Dito’s, or simple warungs.
• If you prefer a picnic-style lunch, some guesthouses can prepare food to take.
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💧 13:30–15:30 – Malanage Hot Springs
• About 30–40 minutes from Bajawa.
• Unique spot where hot spring water meets a cold river, so you can choose your perfect temperature.
• Natural, local atmosphere (bring swimwear, towel, and sandals).
• Spend 1–1.5 hrs soaking and relaxing.
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🌄 16:00–17:30 – Inerie Volcano Viewpoints
• Drive towards Mount Inerie base for stunning afternoon light.
• Short hikes are possible if you want (not the full summit — that takes ~6 hrs pre-dawn).
• Great photo opportunities of the conical volcano and surrounding valleys.
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🌆 18:00 – Back to Bajawa
• Stroll through town’s small evening market.
• Dinner at Lucas, Dito’s, or hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
• Cool evening → perfect for relaxing with tea or arak (local spirit).
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✅ Summary Flow
• 08:30 Depart Bajawa
• 09:00–12:00 Ngada villages (Bena, Luba, Tololela)
• 12:15–13:15 Lunch
• 13:30–15:30 Malanage Hot Springs
• 16:00–17:30 Inerie Volcano viewpoints / short walks
• 18:00 Return Bajawa, dinner & relax
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👉 If you have a second day, you could do:
• Soa Hot Springs (larger pools, near main road),
• Aimere Village (arak distillation),
• More remote villages like Gurusina,
• Or a longer trek around Inerie’s lower slopes.
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Ruteng, Indonesia
That stretch between Bajawa and Ruteng is one of the most beautiful drives in Flores — full of culture, mountains, and villages. Since you have your own car, you can stop freely. Here’s a list of highlights and things to see/do along the way:
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🌋 Around Bajawa (before leaving town)
• Bena Traditional Village (and/or Luba, Tololela): Iconic Ngada villages with megaliths, traditional houses, and views of Inerie volcano.
• Inerie Volcano Viewpoints: Even if you don’t hike, you’ll get stunning panoramas when leaving Bajawa.
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🚗 On the road Bajawa → Aimere
• Malanuza Hot Springs (Soa area): Natural pools where locals bathe, nice if you want a short soak.
• Aimere: Famous for arak distilleries (palm liquor). You can see small family-run setups along the roadside.
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🌾 Bajawa → Borong section
• Ranamese Lake: A peaceful crater lake surrounded by dense forest, just off the Trans-Flores road, before Ruteng. Great spot for a short nature walk.
• Borong & Rana Tonjong: Borong is a small town, but nearby you’ll find Rana Tonjong lake, dotted with lotus flowers (seasonal).
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🏞 Villages & Culture on the way
• A traditional Manggarai village: Between Aimere and Ruteng, you may pass smaller Manggarai communities with cone-shaped houses (less famous than Wae Rebo but authentic).
• Local markets: Roadside produce markets are lively — you’ll see piles of cloves, cinnamon, candlenuts, and coffee beans.
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🌄 Approaching Ruteng
• Spiderweb Rice Fields (Lingko) near Cancar: The Manggarai’s unique farming system with radial plots from a central point — one of the most famous photo spots in Flores. Best seen in late afternoon light.
• Ruteng town itself: Cool climate, cathedral, coffee culture. It’s a good overnight stop before continuing west.
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✅ Driving tip: Bajawa → Ruteng is ~130 km but winding mountain roads make it a full day (5–6 hrs with stops). Better to leave after breakfast and enjoy the journey slowly.
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Wae Rebo, Indonesia
Wae Rebo is often described as the most magical village in Flores 🌿🏡. It’s remote, set in a mountain valley, and famous for its cone-shaped thatched houses (Mbaru Niang). Staying overnight is the only way to truly experience it.
Here’s everything you need:
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🥾 The Wae Rebo Trek
🚗 Getting There
• Starting point: Denge village, accessible by road from Ruteng (3–4 hrs) or Labuan Bajo (6–7 hrs).
• The road is paved most of the way but quite winding.
• Many travelers overnight in Denge or nearby Dintor before the trek.
🥾 The Trek Itself
• Distance: ~7 km one way (uphill).
• Elevation gain: ~600 m.
• Duration: 2.5–4 hours depending on pace and fitness.
• Trail: Well-trodden forest path, shady, with some steep sections. Not technical, but you need sturdy shoes.
• Atmosphere: Lush jungle, birdsong, misty mountain views.
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🛖 Staying in Wae Rebo Village
• Homestay system: Guests sleep inside one of the Mbaru Niang communal houses.
• Facilities:
• Simple mattresses on the floor with mosquito nets.
• Shared toilets (basic but clean).
• Meals (dinner + breakfast) are included — usually rice, vegetables, local coffee.
• Electricity: Limited solar; no charging points for phones/cameras.
• Atmosphere: Very authentic — you’ll share meals with villagers and other guests.
👉 Important: Staying overnight supports the community directly; fees go into a village fund.
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💰 Costs (approx.)
• Overnight stay: IDR 350,000–400,000 per person (includes dinner + breakfast).
• Local guide/porter: IDR 200,000–400,000 (highly recommended — they help with navigation, carry bags, and facilitate village entry).
🎒 What to Bring
• Good walking shoes/boots.
• Light rain jacket (weather in the mountains is unpredictable).
• Refillable water bottle.
• Snacks (nuts, chocolate, fruit).
• Flashlight/headlamp (electricity is minimal).
• Light sweater/jacket (nights are cool at 1,100 m altitude).
• Sleeping bag liner (optional; mats/blankets are provided but basic).
• Cash (no ATMs).
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📅 Itinerary Suggestion
• Day 1: Drive Ruteng → Denge. Afternoon trek up (3 hrs). Arrive in Wae Rebo, welcome ceremony, dinner, overnight.
• Day 2: Sunrise in the village, breakfast, explore, trek back down. Continue by car to Labuan Bajo or Bajawa depending on route.
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🌟 Experience
• Arrival is marked by a traditional welcome ceremony (you give betel nut & a donation to the elders).
• Sunrise in Wae Rebo is magical — mist lifts to reveal the mountain-ringed valley.
• It’s not a luxury stay, but it’s one of the most authentic cultural highlights of Flores.
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Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
🚗 Things to See/Do: Waerebo → Labuan Bajo
(~6–7 hrs driving without stops, but usually a full day with sightseeing)
1. Denge / Dintor Village (start of Waerebo trek)
• If you didn’t see much before trekking up, these coastal villages are worth a quick stop.
• Traditional weaving, coconut plantations, and sea views.
2. Todo Village (optional detour)
• Historically important — once the royal center of the Manggarai kingdom.
• Traditional drum house and cultural history.
• A bit off the direct road, but good if you want more culture after Waerebo.
3. Lembor Rice Fields
• The largest rice fields in Flores.
• Wide open valley, quite different from the smaller spiderweb fields near Ruteng.
• Good for panoramic photos, especially in planting or harvest season.
4. Cunca Wulang Waterfall (near Cecer village)
• Short hike (30–45 mins) to a beautiful canyon with a waterfall and natural pools.
• Great place to cool off if you want some activity before reaching Labuan Bajo.
5. Melo Village (Cecer)
• Traditional Manggarai village near Labuan Bajo.
• Known for Caci whip dance (sometimes performed for visitors).
• Beautiful hilltop views back over the islands.
6. Labuan Bajo Sunset Points
• If you arrive by late afternoon, head to Bukit Sylvia or Amelia Sea View Point for a first sunset before your schooner trip.
✅ Suggested Flow (Waerebo → Labuan Bajo day)
• Morning: Depart Waerebo trek (early, after breakfast).
• Midday: Stop at Lembor rice fields for lunch/photo break.
• Afternoon: Option for Cunca Wulang waterfall swim.
• Late afternoon: Visit Melo village for views/culture.
• Evening: Arrive Labuan Bajo, check in, enjoy sunset dinner by the harbor.
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Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Boat Soe Besar Vanrei, leaving hotel 10 am (pickup), 3 days, 2 nights on the boat, return 16 November 12 pm. Flight around 1730. Lunch at Ayana...?
Include:
Wifi
Kayak
Paddle board
Beach towel
Ensuite bathroom with hot water
Liquid Shampoo, soap, bath towel
Life vest
Snorkeling vest
Free flow water, coffee tea, complimentary soft drinks
Variety menus and snacks
Bbq on boat
Guide
Dokumentation/ drone, GoPro, camera, videos + free short video trip
Transfer in out
Snorkeling set + fin
Outdoor jacuzzi Ini phinisi yang lowong utk periode 14 - 16 november 2025 Kamar yang tersedia;
Master suite Private Balkon
Deluxe ocean
Superior
Sharing bunk bed