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Komodo Dragons and the Tribes of Flores, West Timor and Sumba
offered by supplier M15964 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 15
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Indonesia
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
Season: April - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2880 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2880 US Dollar (USD)
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Komodo Dragons and the Tribes of Flores, West Timor and Sumba
14 Nights / 15 Days
This nicely crafted journey will take you first to Flores Island, home of a unique culture, natural beauties and vivid tribal life. Flores lies between Sumbawa and Timor Islands and its name is an abbreviation from ‘Cabo da Flores’, which was used by Portuguese sailors in the 17th century to identify this island, because of its ‘underwater gardens’.
Divided by mountain chains and volcanoes, the island is populated by ethnic groups (tribes) - all with their own traditions and languages. A short boat ride will take us to Komodo to see the famous Dragons.
Then we go to Sumba, one of the most fascinating islands of Nusa Tenggara. Sumba is off the beaten path, but for those willing to make an effort one can witness an authentic, ancient culture with layers of majesty and mystery found nowhere else in the world.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Denpasar – Bali, Indonesia
After our arrival in Denpasar - Bali, we are welcomed warmly by our friendly hosts and later transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation and small ‘discoveries’. Overnight: Hotel Kuta Paradiso, Kuta – Bali. (1 night) (Dinner)
Day 2: Denpasar / Labuan Bajo (Flores) / Komodo (flight & boat ride)
After our breakfast at the hotel, we are taken back to the airport for our short flight to Labuan Bajo – Flores. Upon arrival here, we will transfer to the harbor to board a wooden boat and cross to Komodo Island. Lunch will be provided onboard. Overnight: The Ranger's House. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Komodo / Labuan Bajo / Ruteng (boat ride & drive)
After an early breakfast onboard the boat, we start our walking tour through the forests to explore the Komodo Dragon Island. We’ll encounter wild animals and various species of tropical birds and sometimes we can also spot wild buffalo, deer and boar. A local ranger will lead us when we enter the ‘Dragon Park’, which will be today’s main attraction.
Once in, we must follow the strict rules of this Natural Preservation Area. Later we return to our boat and sail back to Labuan Bajo. Our delicious lunch will be served onboard. Upon arrival in Labuan Bajo, we are driven directly to Ruteng, a small local town. En route we visit Cara, where one can witness Lingko – the spider-shaped rice fields. Overnight: Hotel Losmen Dahlia, Ruteng. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Ruteng / Bajawa (drive)
Ruteng is a small town in the backbone of Flores and neighboring the Ruteng Nature Conservation Park - the home of Ngkiong, the endemic singing birds. It’s worth it to visit the Park early in the morning to witness the nature’s unique concert of singing birds. There is also an active volcano in the park, and maybe we’ll have the chance to look into the crater too.
Afterwards we drive to Bajawa, along a countryside road with beautiful panoramic views. We’ll take a few photo stops along this drive, and a memorable one will definitely be at Ranamese, a crater-lake with ‘forests in the clouds’. Our Lunch today is in Bajawa followed by a visit to Wogo, one of the most representative traditional Villages of the Ngadha ethnic tribe. Overnight: Hotel Bintang Wisata, Bajawa. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Bajawa / Bena / Riung (drive)
After breakfast, we start our full-day excursion and drive first to Bena. On our drive we will pass through a huge bamboo plantation, we will then photograph Inerie volcano and take short walks in the vicinity. Once we arrive in Bena, we’ll see traditional houses and megalithic tombs, we’ll learn the meaning of Ngadhu and Bhaga symbolizing male and female of ancestral spirit, and meet with the friendly locals.
Later we return to Bajawa for lunch. From here we drive to Soa, with en route stop in Naru - a village with huge megalithic monuments. Once we arrive in Soa, we’ll visit the Mengeruda, a natural hot-water spring & spa and possibly enjoy a bath for our relaxation. From here we proceed to Riung. Overnight: Hotel Pondok, Riung. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Riung / Ende (drive)
There is a Nature Conservation Park in Riung, mainly to protect the underwater ecosystem. We’ll go this morning to explore the Park and the small isles off shore Riung – all known for their beautiful ‘coral gardens’ and white sand beaches.
These are islands with unspoiled mangrove forests inhabited by thousands of huge fruit eating bats. We’ll have the chance to explore the Park on a half-day tour program, followed by a picnic lunch. We proceed afterwards to Ende; with en route stop at Penggajawa Beach – where we can spot the local people collecting blue pebbles, for inter-insular trading purposes.
We then drive towards Nuabosi until we reach the vantage point and enjoy an aerial view of Ende town. Ende is ‘fortified’ by volcanoes and beautifully located on the south coast of Flores. Overnight: Hotel Dwi Putra, Ende. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Ende / Kelimutu / Maumere (drive)
Early morning we drive uphill to the ‘three-colored lakes’ of Kelimutu Volcano, one of Indonesia's most mysterious and dramatic sights. The three lakes, set in deep craters at a height of 1,600 m side by side, have all different colors or shades of blue and green, yet another ‘unsolved mystery’ of Mother Nature. These lakes are separated by low ridges and are filled with three distinctly different colors of water.
We’ll walk to the ridge and go up the 127 steps to view Kelimutu’s green, turquoise and black waters. Later we descend to the village of Moni where beautiful hand-woven clothes and fabrics are made. Then proceed to Kowanara village, famous for its traditional Lionese houses.
After lunch, we continue drive to Wolosoko, perched on a hill overlooking the main road. On our way to Maumere will have several other stops and see the Lio hill tribes of Jopu and Ranggase. Overnight: Flores Sao Resort, Maumere. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Maumere / Kupang (West Timor) (flight)
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we have time on our own to explore the bazaars and shops of Maumere, for meeting local people and wandering around. Later in the afternoon, we are taken to the airport for a short flight to Kupang in West Timor. Overnight: Hotel Sasando, Kupang. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Kupang / Tambolaka (Sumba) (flight) & Waikabubak (drive)
Today we continue the exploration of the tribal life on these Indonesian Islands and we leave Flores and fly to Sumba. We’ll fly from Kupang to Tambolaka and continue to Waikabubak. Here we’ll visit the beautiful traditional tribal villages of Tarung and Puunaga.
In these villages we can observe the unique high roofed houses, the stone tombs and even see the Andung - the branched wood pole used to hang the skull of the village enemies after an inter-clan war. Later we return to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel Newa Sumba, Tambolaka. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: West Sumba Tour
Today we’ll have a full-day tour of the western part of this Island and discover some of the many traditional tribal villages of West Sumba. We will visit the villages in the Kodi area, where we can spot the tallest traditional Sumba houses, which are the homes of the Marapu (fetishist) believers. The famous ceremonies of the Sumbanese people are: the wedding and the funerals.
If we are lucky enough to witness one of these ceremonies while there, we’ll understand that how spirits, both natural and ancestral are worshipped here. In the tour of Sumba Island we would learn that this island is famous for arts and handicrafts and would also satiate those who desire the white sand. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Waikabubak / Waingapu (drive)
In the morning we drive eastward to reach Waingapu. En route we stop at Anakalang, where a huge carved stone-tomb is located. From here we go and visit three of the most prominent villages of East Sumba, all famous for their uniquely designed hand-woven textiles, the Ikat Weaving.
Those villages are Prailiu, Pau and Rende. The visit here will reveal that this part of the Island is quite famous for its sandalwood, horses, megalith tombs, hand woven textile and untouched beaches. Overnight: Hotel Elfin or Merlin, Waingapu. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12: Waingapu / Denpasar – Bali (flight)
After breakfast and what was a thrilling tribal Islands experience, we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Bali. Upon arrival we check in to our hotel, located in the Kuta area. This will be our ‘home’ for the next three days. Overnight: Kuta Paradiso, Bali. (3 nights) (Breakfast)
Day 13-14: Bali
These days are kept free for you to relax, enjoy the beach and the Sun, or to explore the bustling bazaars and commercial area of Kuta. (Breakfast)
Day 15: Denpasar / Homebound
After breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight home. This will end our journey and our most exciting tribal cultural experience ever. (Breakfast)
- End of our tour and services -
Tour Details
Price includes:
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar
- Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Return airport transfers with Air Conditioned cars (where available)
- English-speaking local guides / tour-escort
- Air Conditioned transportation during Tours and Sightseeing
- Entrance fees to Villages, tourist objects, museums, monuments
- Parking fees, road taxes, Driver’s overnight wages
- All Domestic airfares (as per flights mentioned in the itinerary)
- Boat ride, ferry ride, where mentioned
- Tax and service charges at all hotel
Price does not include:
- Airport taxes at all airports
- Visa fee on arrival and insurance
- Excess baggage fee on local carriers
- Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, phone bills, drinks
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips or other such costs
- Any other expenses not mentioned above
* Tour Size: This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 12 participants.
* Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS)
- The Komodo Dragons
- Ruteng Nature Conservation Park
- Wogo Village of the Ngadha ethnic tribe
- Nature Conservation Park in Riung
- The ‘three-colored lakes’ of Kelimutu Volcano
- Waikabubak
- Villages of West Sumba
- East Sumba Ikat Weaving Villages
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour cost for 2008
USD: 2,880.00 / CAD: 3,025.00 - per person in double occupancy
Single supplement USD: 335.00 / CAD: 350.00
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
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