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CULTURE OF FLORES

INFORMATIONS

YOU WILL LOVE:

  • The vestiges of the Portuguese influence in Maumere 

  • The snorkeling excursion in Maumere

  • Swimming with turtles, sharks and hundreds of fishes

  • The art of weaving Ikat

  • The Kelimutu volcano and its lakes of 3 colors

  • The traditions of the Ngada clans 

Day 1: Maumere airport - Maumere

Arrival in Flores 

Arrival at Maumere airport, you meet your private driver and your guide Ryan. You visit the old church of Sikka, one of the oldest churches in Flores, remnants of the Portuguese colonization. Built entirely of wood, you can hear the ocean from inside. Then you go to the traditional Sikka village of Watublapi, where women still use traditional weaving machines to make ikats. These patterned textiles, made by hand, are true works of art, and it takes months to complete one.

 

20 min drive. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: comfort hotel.

Day 2: Maumere

Snorkeling day tour

Today you leave for a full day snorkeling tour along the 3 main islands of the Northeast coast of Maumere: Panggabatan Island, Babi Island and Tanjung Padang Island. They are famous for their beautiful snorkeling sites in the clear blue water with colorful fish and corals. If you are lucky, you can also see turtles, small sharks, rays and bumphead parrotfish. 

 

Full day boat excursion. Accommodation: comfort hotel. Meals: breakfast & lunch.

The beautiful coast of Maumere, Indonesia

Road along the coast in Maumere

The lakes at Kelimutu volcano

Panorama over the Kelimutu volcano and its lakes

Day 3: Maumere - Kelimutu

Visit to the local market of Gelinting

Today you leave Maumere and drive to Moni, a small village at the foot of the Kelimutu volcano. On the way, you stop at the local market of Gelinting. Get ready to be overwhelmed by the smells, the people and the roosters. This huge market sells fruits and vegetables, clothes and also ikats. Then you continue on the amazing Transflores road before taking a short break at Koka beach. Once in Moni, you can take a short walk to the waterfall in the neighborhood, which is great for taking a dip.

 

3 to 4 h drive. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: standard hotel. Meals: breakfast.

Day 4: Kelimutu - Bajawa

Climbing Kelimutu volcano and visiting its hot springs

Around 7am you drive to Kelimutu volcano. Kelimutu means "boiling mountain" and is home to 3 stunning lakes of different colors. The hike is easy. When the sun rises the clouds disappear and  you enjoy a good view over the lakes. During the year the lakes change their colors and go from green to red to blue to white. The locals strongly believe that during the color change, offerings must be made to honor the spirits of the deceased. In fact, the first lake is said to be for the spirits of the young, the second for the spirits of the old, while the last is for the spirits of the wicked. Later, you stop at the hot springs of the volcano and then drive to your next destination: the mountaineering village of Bajawa, in the region of Ngada.

 

1 h walk. 5 h drive. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: standard hotel. Meals: breakfast.

Bena village in Flores Indonesia

The traditional Ngada village of Bena

Inside Bena village, Ngada tradition of Flores, Indonesia

Bena village

Day 5: Bajawa

Visit the traditional Ngada villages

After breakfast, you head to a cultural day tour of the Ngada villages around Bajawa. Your guide Ryan was born into a traditional Ngada clan. His knowledge of Ngada clan culture and rituals is passed down in his family from father to son. Be prepared to be invited to many coffees by the Ngada people in Ryan's presence. You first drive to Bela, the oldest megalithic village of the Ngada ethnic group, where only 23 families live. Life here is organized around the ancestor poles, where the souls of the elders are worshipped. Castes, ceremonies, sacrifices, weddings, funerals, births, matriarchal system; these Ngada villages are of immense cultural richness. You continue to the village of Bena, impressive by its size. The women there weave ikats. You continue with an easy hike through the jungle to reach the last Ngada village: Tololeda. Your driver meets you there and you are back in Bajawa in the afternoon.

 

1 h drive. 2 h walk. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: standard hotel. Meals: breakfast & lunch.

Day 6: Bajawa - Ende airport

Transfer to Ende airport

You enjoy a last breakfast and then, depending on the departure time, your driver takes you to the airport of Ende. End of our services.

 

3,5 h of drive. Meals: breakfast

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Price and conditions
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PRICE & CONDITIONS

Price per guest, based on a shared double room:

Single guest
1 270€

2 guests
750€

3 to 6 guests 
670€

ENQUIRY

PRICE INCLUDES

  • 5 nights in standard and confortable hotels

  • Tours as per itinerary

  • Private driver

  • Private english speaking local guide from day 1 to day 5

  • All transfers

  • All entrance fees

  • Meals: breakfast & lunch on days 2, 5; breakfast only for the rest of the stay.

  • Snorkeling equipment for the snorkeling excursion in Maumere (it is highly recommended to bring your own snorkeling equipment)
     

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • International & domestic flights

  • Additional drinks and personal expenses

  • Costs for excess luggage

  • Tips

  • Any trekking equipment

  • Sleeping bag for the trek

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SEE YOUR TRIP IN PICTURES
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