Flores and East Nusa Tenggara: places beyond Bali
Explore the lesser-known regions of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, beyond the typical Bali circuit. This route showcases the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of Flores and surrounding islands in the Indonesian archipelago.
- Distance
- 764.3 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Lemukih, Indonesia
- End
- Lemukih, Indonesia
- Stops
- 1
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Lemukih, Indonesia
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo (Komoda airport) costs $80 per person and takes 50 minutes. Motorcycle rental agencies are located directly across from the airport.
- Transport
- Motorcycle rental for 9 days costs 3 million rupiah (~$200). Deposit is additional 4.5 million rupiah (~$300). Full insurance, additional cargo box, phone holder, and USB charging are included.
- Timing
- Trek to traditional village of Wairebu is 2-2.5 hours covering 9 km. Check weather conditions before attempting; lightning storms can make the route dangerous. Pay 20,000 rupiah for a guide.
- Where to stay
- Spring Hill Hotel in Ruteng offers good rooms with green grounds and decent dinners. Room costs $44 per night.
- Tip
- Spider Rice Terraces (Sawah Terasering) viewpoint is located near Ruteng. The terraces resemble a spider web when viewed from above and are relatively empty of tourists.
- Food
- Half-day snorkeling tour in Riung Marine Park (17 islands) costs $45 per person, includes fins, lunch, and multiple snorkeling stops. Tours depart at 8:30 AM and return around 1-2 PM.
- Where to stay
- Nirvana Bungala in Riung costs $27 per night including breakfast. Hot water and air conditioning available. Owner helps arrange tours.
- Tip
- Hot springs (15 minutes from Manulalu village) resemble a natural river/waterfall with warm water temperature. Two water streams meet—one cold and one hot.
- Where to stay
- Manulalu Jungle Resort near Inararo volcano offers bungalows with volcano or mountain views, priced around $27-35 per night. Cozy atmosphere with on-site restaurant.
- Timing
- Driving from Labuan Bajo to Mount Kelimutu volcanic lakes takes approximately 5 hours. Plan accordingly and use roadside cafes for meals along the way.
- Food
- Roadside diner meals (fried rice with chicken, chips, egg) cost approximately $3 without drinks, $5 with Coca-Cola. These small establishments are reliable for lunch during long drives.
- Avoid
- Road conditions on Flores vary significantly—asphalt sections alternate with rough off-road terrain. Some roads are very poor quality; ride carefully and expect travel times to be longer than estimated.
Video on this route
BALI takes a break! Unexplored Indonesia: the island of Flores.