Bali and Flores Adventure

13 Days / 12 Nights

Day 1Arrive Bali

Upon arrival at Bali Denpasar Airport, proceed to Ubud, the famous cultural heartland of Bali nestled among spectacular rice paddies and steep ravines. 

Overnight at Ubud

Day 2Encounters with a Balinese Hindu Priest, Ubud Town

Meet a special host this morning who is on the highest Balinese caste of Brahmana and dedicates his life to preserving the Balinese culture. He is also a teacher of Keliki, a traditional style of painting with shades of black and white.  

Enjoy an easy nature walk around his village and rice paddies to see spices, plantations and a tropical forest. Along the way, he will explain the way how Balinese cultivate rice and the Subak irrigation system. Learn about traditional medicinal herbs and plants used commonly by locals. After a picnic lunch, drive about 30min to a hidden holy shrine at Sebatu Village. About 200 steps down to a small natural spring waterfall and a temple shrine, you will participate in a cleansing ritual “Melukat” with a holy bath by the waterfall and a sacred blessing ceremony to release all the bad things while praying for a good future. 

 Afternoon explore the Art Market in Ubud town to shop for traditional crafts and visit the Palace of the Ubud Royal Family. Continue to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a 27 acre range of cool and dense jungle in the Padangtegal area of Ubud.. This exceptional nature reserve and mysterious temple complex is inhabited by a tribe of grey-haired long-tailed macaque monkeys. The village’s residents view the Monkey Forest as an important spiritual and conservation center for the village.  

 Overnight in Ubud 

Day 3Village Cycling, Cooking with a Balinese Family

Start the morning with an hour’s drive to Penelokan Village located on Batur Volcano rim about 5,600 feet elevation. Enjoy a traditional coffee break at a small food stall with stunning view of Mount Batur before cycling through an orange plantation at Pisang Village. Stop to meet some friendly farmers before continuing pedaling through rice fields, tropical rain forest valley and an irrigation river.  

Pedaling down to Pejeng Aji Village, known for its Garuda Wisnu wood carvers to see a local carving artist. Then continue to Bentuyung Village, made famous by the novel, Eat Pray Love. Your bike journey ends at a local restaurant where a delicious Balinese lunch will be served. 

This bike journey is mostly on descending paved roads except for a few miles through rice fields. It is not technical and suitable for all fitness level. Along the ride, you will be followed by a support van and you can continue by van anytime. 

Afternoon meet your friendly hosts in their traditional multi-generation home for a cultural and culinary experience. At their gardens, gather fresh vegetables and herbs before a short walk of 10 minutes to Dewa’s family compound where you will learn Balinese cooking technics using a traditional wood-fired stove. Expect a very hands-on, communal cooking experience during which you grind spices and chilies in their heirloom mortar and pestle, which dates back 3 or 4 generations! Enjoy a sumptuous meal before returning to your hotel.  

Overnight at Ubud 

Day 4Tukad Cepung Waterfall Hike

Early morning drive about 1.5h to visit a spectacular waterfall hidden among rock formations. It’s best to arrive before 9am to avoid the crowds. From the parking lot, it’s a simple 15min walk on a flat trail followed by a few hundred steps (some steep sections) down to the river level. Then you will need to wade through a stream (sometimes knee–high waters) and crawl over a few rocks to get to the hidden rock formation. It is not technically difficult but takes a bit of effort to experience this magical place, a round trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Considered one of the most beautiful hidden falls in Bali, it is well worth the effort!  

For rest of the day, enjoy your resort spa services or go on an exciting river rafting experience with professional guides.  

Overnight at Ubud 

Day 5Fly to Maumere, Drive 3h to Moni

Transfer to Denpasar Airport for a flight to Maumere, the largest city in island of Flores. On arrival, proceed on a 3-hour drive to Moni Village, gateway to the famous 3 colored crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu.  

Accommodation for this overland trip through the heartlands of Flores are simple lodges and guesthouses. Rooms will come with private bathrooms, but services and food options are limited.  However, due to its remoteness, you will be rewarded with amazing experiences with authentic tribal culture and some of the most picturesque landscapes.

At Moni, your riverside lodge is located by the edge of a rain forest and a picturesque valley of rice fields. You can take short easy walks around organic vegetable gardens, coffee fields and the traditional Chief’s house in the village.  

 Overnight at Moni 

Day 6Sunrise Hike to Mt Kelimutu, Drive 2h to Ende

Rise early morning at 4am and drive about 45min towards the base of Kelimutu National Park. Walk about one mile over the sand ocean and up 127 steps to the crater rim. Enjoy spectacular sunrise views over the changing colors of the green, blue and black crater lakes, a phenomenon that locals believed to be caused by neglected souls of their ancestors. After the breathtaking experience, return to your lodge for breakfast before visiting the market of Moni to mingle with local villagers.  

About an hour’s drive from Moni, arrive at Ologai Village where you will explore a traditional Lionese village located on a beautiful forested volcanic ridge. Unlike other tribes in Flores, the Lionese make use of strong characters and symbols in the architecture of their houses, arts and Ikat (fabric).  

From here, it’s another hour’s drive to Ende where you will spend the night.  

Overnight at Ende 

Day 7Drive 5h to Bajawa via Tanggo Beach

Depart this morning on a scenic route through rice fields and rolling hills as you head towards Bajawa. After about 3 hours’ drive, take a break at Tanggo Beach to enjoy a picnic lunch. This beach has a unique feature with egg sized volcanic stones scattered along a 10km stretch and the stones create a beautiful musical sound as the waves come rolling in. From here, it’s about 2 more hours’ drive to Bajawa.   

Overnight at Bajawa 

Day 8Belaraghi Village Hike, Drive 2.5h to Ruteng

This morning you will explore the remote mountain village of Belaraghi, home to the Ngada people. The first 35km of the drive is on paved roads and the last 10km can be rugged. You will then take a gentle hike with gradual ascents for about 1.5 hours with views of the ocean below. On arrival at Belaraghi Village, explore their traditional houses owned by different clans and their unique culture. Each clan also owns a pair of ancestral shrines ngadhu and bhaga located in the center of the village. After meeting the friendly villagers, hike back down to Mbala beach for your picnic lunch and a refreshing swim.   

From the beach, it’s about 2.5 hours’ drive to Ruteng.  

 Overnight at Ruteng 

Day 9Ruteng Waterfall & Cave

Ruteng is a small Catholic city and center of the Manggarai tribal people. Because of its slightly elevated location, Ruteng enjoys a cool and pleasant climate. Spend the day exploring the hills around Ruteng, drive about an hour to a waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip at a pool nearby. Visit a famous cave at Liang Bua, discovered in 2003 to be the home of homo floresiensis, an extinct species nicknamed the “Hobbit Man” who would have stood at 1.1m (3.6 ft) tall.  

Overnight at Ruteng 

Day 10Drive 5h to Labuan Bajo, 45min Boat Ride to Seraya Kecil Island

Your overland trip through Flores ends at Labuan Bajo, gateway to pristine islands where the Komodo Dragons roam free. Your beachfront resort is located on a small pristine island just 45 min away by boat. For the rest of your stay, you can enjoy snorkeling by the house reefs, kayaking or paddle boarding right by the crystal-clear waters. Your resort also has a professional dive center to arrange diving trips if you are PADI certified or snorkeling trips with Manta Rays.   

Overnight at Seraya Kecil Island 

Day 11Seraya Kecil Island Free Day

Today is free for a relaxing day or arrange a snorkeling trip with your resort.  

Overnight at Seraya Kecil Island 

Day 12Full or Half Day Trip around the Komodo Islands

Spend the day out on a speedboat with an experienced crew as you explore various islands around the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several stops will be made throughout the day to snorkel at pristine areas to see spectacular marine wildlife and a short hike to search for Komodo dragons.  

Overnight at Seraya Kecil Island 

Day 13Fly to Bali

Cruise 45 minutes by boat to Labuan Bajo followed by a 15-minute drive to the airport for a direct flight to Bali. You can extend your stay at Bali or connect with another flight for your onward journey.