01One island, from east to west
An overland trip through Flores usually starts in Ende or Maumere in the east, then heads west through Moni, Riung, Bajawa and Ruteng before ending in Labuan Bajo. On combined Komodo and Flores tours it runs the other way: sail Komodo first, then travel east across Flores.
02Kelimutu Lakes
The three volcanic lakes at the top of Mount Kelimutu each have a different colour, and the colours can change over time. Visitors usually leave the village of Moni very early to reach the viewpoint at sunrise.
03Bajawa, Bena Village and Riung
Near Bajawa lies Bena, a traditional village of ancestral houses and megalithic stones that keeps the old culture of Flores alive. Programmes of 6 days or more also stop at Riung, a coastal area of small islands and clear water.
04Cancar rice fields and Wae Rebo
Near Ruteng, the Cancar rice fields are famous for their spider-web pattern, rarely seen anywhere else. The trip then continues to Wae Rebo, a village among the mountains with cone-shaped traditional houses. You reach it on foot through the forest, and spending the night with the villagers is an experience that stays with you.
05Travel tips
Roads in Flores are winding and distances between towns are long, for example from Wae Rebo to Labuan Bajo. Plan your schedule carefully and add a transit night if needed. For the most complete experience, combine Flores with a Komodo sailing trip in a 6 to 9 day programme.
