Flores means “flowers” named by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. For this reason, Flores is the only major island in Indonesia where Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Nevertheless, there is an existence of a unique mix of traditional beliefs with Catholicism, evidenced by churches sit alongside megalithic stones, ancestral shrines and houses crowned with buffalo horns. For example, in Ngada communities for instance, if a person dies prematurely or unexpectedly then it is believed to be the result of evil spirits that must be chased out. So while the deceased might receive a Catholic burial service, the village ancestors must also be appeased with a ritual animal sacrifice. Flores' rugged topography is formed by a chain of volcanoes featuring a landscape punctuated by volcanic cones, its coastal waters fringed with nature reserves and a marine park. The most famous attraction in Flores is undoubtedly the Mount Kelimutu, distinctive with its trio of crater lakes at the summit. Each lake stands out from the others, too, tinted by differing levels of minerals and oxidisation, and changes shade throughout the year. Apart from its natural wonders, Flores is also home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, each has its own distinct traditions, languages, and crafts. Visit traditional villages like Bena, Wae Rebo, and Ruteng Pu’u to witness the authentic way of living of the local communities. These villages offer a glimpse into the traditional houses adorned with intricate carvings, traditional ceremonies, weaving demonstrations, and the opportunity to engage in conversations with the villagers.
Wae Rebo, Cancar, Bajawa Villages; Liang Bua Cave, Maumere Bay, Mount Kelimutu; Pink, Penggajawa Beaches; Seventeen Islands Marine Park; Bidadari Seraya Islands; Sano Nggoang Lake, Cunca Wulang Waterfall.
Have a day trip to Komodo Island, trek to Wae Rebo Village, visit the spider web fields, snorkel at Seventeen Islands Marine Park, watch a Caci dance, experience a sunrise at Kelimutu Lake.
By air via six domestic airports and by boat from other islands in Indonesia.
This 13-day adventure will allow you to see some of Indonesia's best islands. From Bali, off to the island of Flores to travel overland from east to west where you’ll visit authentic local villages with unique traditions and culture, see some natural wonders, and embark on an overnight cruise through the breathtaking Komodo National Park. Prepare to encounter the famous Komodo dragons in their native environment and relax on the stunning beaches before returning to Bali to wrap up your trip soaking up Balinese culture and arts in Ubud.
Only From $3835/person
All Inclusive ServiceThis 13-day adventure will allow you to see some of Indonesia's best islands. From Bali, off to the island of Flores to travel overland from east to west where you’ll visit authentic local villages with unique traditions and culture, see some natural wonders, and embark on an overnight cruise through the breathtaking Komodo National Park. Prepare to encounter the famous Komodo dragons in their native environment and relax on the stunning beaches before returning to Bali to wrap up your trip soaking up Balinese culture and arts in Ubud.
Only From $3835/person
All Inclusive ServiceLarge volcanic island Samosir, also known as Samosir Island, is situated in Lake Toba in the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Six of the nine districts that make up Samosir Regency are responsible for overseeing Samosir Island administratively. Approximately 75,000 years ago, a supervolcano erupted, creating the lake and island. The island was formerly a peninsula that was joined to the surrounding caldera wall by a narrow isthmus. To facilitate shipping, the Tano Ponggol Canal was built in 1907. Samosir is the biggest island inside an island and the sixth largest lake island in the world, covering 630 square kilometers (243 sq mi). Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang, two of its smaller lakes, are also present. To the east, across the lake lies Uluan Peninsula. A small isthmus that connects the towns of Pangururan on Samosir and Tele on the mainland of Sumatra connects the western portion of the island to the mainland. As a result, Tele provides one of the best views of Samosir Island and Lake Toba.
Welcome to the biggest city in Sumatra Island – Medan, is the commercial and economic hub of this island. Medan is well known for its special traditional cuisine which is rich with many flavours. Take a Medan Tour which will help you gain an insightful view into the daily life and culture of this bustling city – visit the Tjong A Fie Mansion and the Grand Mosque, taste a bowl of soup at Soto Kesawan and know more about the history of the province at the Museum of North Sumatra.
Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, is the most visited part of Indonesia. Its diverse landscape of mountainous terrain, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to its unique colourful and spiritual culture. Home to world-class surfing and diving sites, and a large number of cultural, historical, and archaeological attractions, Bali is one of the world's most popular island destinations which consistently wins travel awards. While most of Indonesia is Muslim, Bali is unique in that most of its local people are Hindu. Hinduism was the dominant religion in the country before the arrival of Islam and is one of the six official religions of Indonesia today. Nevertheless, Hinduism in Bali is not quite the same as Hinduism in India and other parts of the world, shown in the differences of the architecture of Bali's temples. Hinduism came to Indonesia in the 1st-century through Indian traders, sailors, scholars and priests. A syncretic fusion of pre-existing Javanese folk religion, culture and Hindu ideas, that from the 6th-century also synthesized Buddhist ideas as well, evolved as the Indonesian version of Hinduism. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species, especially fish and turtles. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found which is about seven times as large as in the entire Caribbean. Surrounded by reefs, wrecks, and coral gardens, Bali is a pure heaven for underwater explorers with snorkeling and diving activities. The best snorkeling beaches are on the East, Northeast and West side of the island such as Padang Bai, Tulamben, Amend... In these areas, the sea is calm and there are vibrant coral reefs close to the shore in shallow water offering perfect conditions to explore the underwater world.
Ubud is a town located in the central part of Bali island, known for its rich arts and culture, as well as its lush landscapes of rice fields and tropical jungle, offering a contrast to the southern beach areas.
Lovina Beach (often known as just Lovina) is a coastal location on Bali's northwestern side that is famous for its black sand beaches, coral reefs, and dolphins. From east to west, it includes the small villages of Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan, Banyualit, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem, and Temukus. Although it has grown in popularity among travelers, it is still much quieter than the island's south side tourist hotspots. Visitors can enjoy diving, snorkeling, and early-morning boat rides off the coast to observe dolphins. These dolphin sighting cruises often run two hou
Candidasa is a beach town on Bali's eastern coast that sits on the edge of a freshwater lagoon known as Candi Dasa Lagoon. The town's main street, Jalan Raya Candidasa, is lined with hotels, restaurants, and stores. It is a popular tourist destination, drawing divers and those seeking a more relaxed alternative to the crowded, nightclub-filled Kuta region or the huge, groomed resorts of Nusa Dua. Due to their remote location away from the island's popular beach resorts in the south, Candidasa and the majority of East Bali provide rugged beauty and laid-back seascapes with hidden gems under their waves.
Menjangan Island, surrounded by pristine white sand beaches, breathtaking coral reefs, and an enthralling undersea world, epitomizes the essence of natural beauty. Part of the West Bali National Park Conservation Area, the little island of Menjangan is situated around 10 kilometers northwest of Bali's mainland. The island is encircled by a coral reef that features intricate rock formations and dramatic drop-offs that reach about 60 meters. These unique characteristics have led to the formation of numerous big and tiny caverns, many of which are festooned with sponge and soft corals. It is typical to spot tuna, batfish, angelfish, shoals of jackfish, sea turtles, and occasionally sharks, especially off the outside corners of the island, due to the depth, moderate current flow, and protection from high winds.
Munduk is one of Bali's hidden treasures. It provides a peaceful getaway into nature's embrace, away from the touristic parts of southern Bali. Munduk, a tiny mountain village in northern Bali, is well-known for its scenic environment, temperate atmosphere, and green environs. This area is less popular with visitors, making it an excellent destination for people seeking peace, natural beauty, and a look into traditional Balinese rural life. The region is surrounded in lush forest, rice terraces, and clove plantations, with various waterfalls dotting the landscape, many of which are hidden from the tourist path.
View more
Adventure Travel Trade Association
American Society of Travel Agents
Family Travel Association
TripAdvisor
Wikipedia
World Travel Awards
As local Southeast Asia Tour experts with over 15 years of experience, Southeast Asia Travel company has built a solid reputation as experts in designing custom tours across Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines... Every Southeast Asia tour we offer is exclusively private, ensuring flexibility to suit individual preferences.
Read more