The unique Komodo, Flores, Alor region

Kararu Cruising and Culture Voyages

7 - 10 nights

Join Kararu Cruising & Culture Voyages for this spectacular itinerary to one of the most spectacular regions in Asia - offering immense cultural and natural diversity! Towering active volcanoes, thick jungles with high mountain ranges, clear water seas, beautiful & remote Islands, black and white sand beaches, dry savannah with wildlife unique to this area, remote villages with friendly people, colorful markets and beautiful crafts - a sailing adventure with so much to experience - above & below water!

This cruise itinerary will cover the Komodo region for a couple of days of snorkeling, beach exploring and hiking through one of the most beautiful National Parks of Indonesia. The Flores Highlands will be an opportunity to visit some remote villages, a trek to the famous 3 colored crater lakes, witness cultural aspects, as arts & crafts of the local people.

Some of the best snorkeling (and diving) can be found in the Alor Archipelago!

Our Crew will spoil you aboard the luxurious, majestic CHENG HO with tasty meals, wine or cocktails on deck. Enjoy a picnic on a deserted palm tree fringed beach.

Discover enchanting places, fascinating people, learn of culture – explore some remote Islands, trek through the jungle, see some rare wildlife and encounter tribal villages.

Relish the unsurpassed scenery of gigantic volcanoes, bamboo forests and intriguingly colored crater lakes. What an adventure!

---

Day One: Arrival & Boarding

After flying from Denpasar to Labuanbajo, we transfer guests from airport to harbor for the embarkation aboard the majestic Cheng Ho.

Our crew will welcome you aboard and after setting sail, we cruise to the picturesque Bidadari Island, where guests can enjoy swimming, snorkeling or exploring the interior.

Sailing on to Saboloan Island – another d towards Nusa Tenggara – overnight sailing to Rinca and Komodo Island

Day Two: Komodo Island National Park

Komodo National Park is the home to the Komodo dragon, found nowhere else on earth. The gigantic Komodo dragons are the largest member of the monitor lizard family. They grow over 50 years to 100 kg and can reach almost 3 m from head to tail end!

Approximately a third of the park is taken up by the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Mota, Nusa Kode and Padar, while the rest is marine territory consisting of coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove, and semi-enclosed bays. The 1,817 km² Komodo National Park established in 1980 was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and lies in the famous Coral Triangle – the global heart of marine biodiversity.

A guided morning trek takes us along a well marked path to the natural realm of the Komodo Dragons! Along the 2 ++ hour walk, sulfur crested cockatoos, deer, monkeys and other unique wildlife are regularly encountered and photographed along the trail. Komodo Park Rangers provide the "jungle eyes" and make the Komodo experience a memory, everyone will cherish forever~!

Enjoy a hike to the beautiful hills with a spectacular view to the valleys and the bay, accompanied by a local guide for safety and comfort.
The park is also a sanctuary for almost 280 animal species including the buffalo, wild pigs, orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat and the Timor deer which can be seen on Game walks.

It is the home to the Komodo dragon, found nowhere else on earth. They bask in the sunlight during the day to raise body temperature and then they burrow into the ground at night to maintain it. They stalk, ambush and devour wild dear, pigs, buffalo and even horses!
Unfortunately it might be the last chance to see these fascinating creatures. Only seven years ago there were 3,300 of them - now only approximately 1,100 dragons are left in the on Komodo Island, Rinca and Gili Motang.

 

Day Four: Komodo & Rinca

Spending another day in this area, visiting local villages and beaches – exploring fauna, flora, culture, according to guests preferences. Snorkel and swim the unique, spectacular RED BEACH of KOMODO ISLAND – where the beaches are red-colored by pulverized red coral.

Rinca Island, the second biggest in the Komodo archipelago, is also the richest in terms of fauna. We will go trekking and looking for wild horses, water buffalo, wild boar, monkeys and of course the famous ‘Komodo dragons’ in spectacular scenery of savannah and emerald coves.

Overnight sailing towards ENDE – SE of Flores.

Day Five: Ende - Kelimutu Crater lakes and Moni Village

Situated on a narrow peninsula with flat-topped Gunung Meja and the active volcano Gunung Ipi at the sea end, the port of ENDE is the largest town on Flores and provides access for the spectacular Kelimutu crater lakes – each which their own color and the handicraft village Moni. Black sand beaches stretch down both east and west coasts

 

Ende is the ideal starting point for exploring villages - specializing in the traditional ikat weaving.

Ikat, or Ikkat, is a style of weaving, which uses a resist dyeing  process similar to tie-dye  on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design.  Ikat means "to tie" or "to bind" in the
 
Dyes are traditionally hand made from local plants and minerals, and these give ikat its characteristic earthy brown, red, yellow and orange tones, as well as the blue of indigo. It can take months, even years, to complete the dyeing process using some natural substances.

Day Six: Lembata

Wajenga Bay Village Tour

Explore Waienga Bay on the North side of the island at the foot of the majestic Ile Api volcano. This region is known to produce the best ikats of Lembata.

 

Whale Hunting Village of Lamalera

Larantaka is a village dedicated to the traditional primitive form of hunting of sperm whales and other whales. This hunting is carried out from small rowing boats with a small and simple sail. Afternoon - we sail on to another remote Island, beach or village.

Day Six & Seven: Ternate & Watubalu, Reta, Pura, Pantar

Cruising and exploring all these small & beautiful islands of Pura and Ternate in the Pantar Strait - it is very likely to run into dolphins, which are indigenous to these waters. We will try to cover the best of the best – to provide the best sights and spots for our guests. Spectacular beaches invite us for swimming, snorkeling and land based explorations.

Afternoon we plan a nature a trek on the island of Watubalu, which is uninhabited by humans but has a population of wild deer. Guest may snorkel, swim or relax on the beach.

 

Day Eight: KUMBA Island

Overnight sail towards KUMBA Island – maybe with an anchor stop at beautiful KEBOLA BAY.

KUMBA Island is a smoldering volcano in the middle of the Flores Sea. Guests may go ashore on this unique pebble beach to swim, snorkel, take photos and explore.

Enjoy an idyllic picnic lunch on a secluded beach.

Sailing towards Maumere (Pulau Babi) and overnight on to Riung National Park

 

Pulau Babi >

Day Nine: Riung Archipelago – 17 Islands

Wake up early morning at the beautiful small archipelago of 17 Islets – named Riung.

Pulau Tujuhbelas is known for its awesome coral gardens & white sand beaches. The north coast of Ontoloe Island, which is famous for its unspoiled mangrove forests and its inhabitants of thousands of huge fruit eating bats. Snorkel, swim, sea kayak or climb one of the summits enjoying the awesome panorama over the sea of Flores. Another attraction further along Riung’s coast is the giant lizard, although it is quite rare to actually see one. These lizards are much more brightly colored. For lunch we plan a picnic or BBQ at a secluded beach – evening sailing towards Labuanbajo.

Day Ten: Spare day according to our guest’s preferences.

Either prolong stay at Riung Archipelago or re-visit the incredible Bidadari Island for more swimming, snorkeling and relaxation or we organize a tour to a nearby village to attend the Caci (whip-) dance - which the Manggarai district of Flores enjoys national fame!

Option > Montong and Banta Island

Banta is a peaceful un-inhabited Island. Guests, who enjoy some quality time off the boat to explore can take a trail from the beach to the top of a hill, which provides a spectacular view and many colorful photo opportunities of this multi blue Sea surrounding the Komodo Islands.

Day Eleven: Labuan Bajo

Disembark the CHENG HO, wave good bye to our CREW – transfer to Airport after hearty breakfast. Check in for their flight to Bali with assistance of our Crew.

Optional excursions from Labuanbajo:

Cunca Rami: a waterfall with a refreshing natural swimming pool (2 hrs, drive from Labuanbajo – plus trekking for I hr. approx both ways)
Cunca Wulan: A series of beautiful cascading waterfalls nestled in a tropical rainforest setting (approx. 1 hour drive from Labuanbajo – plus trekking for 2 hours both ways)
Caci: the traditional fighting dance of Manggarai people
A visit to the petrified wood forest near the village of Tobedo (1 hr.drive from LB)

Note: Please be informed, that the itinerary and program of our Cruises may occasionally be adjusted, due to factors such as not favorable weather conditions or currents.

Cruise director and captain of Cheng Ho will adjust the program accordingly to the best interest of our guests. Please note that the domestic flights are not included. The KARARU team would be glad to arrange them for you

---

available cruises for this itinerary

2011 cruises No available cruises in 2011 for this itinerary

2012 cruises No available cruises in 2012 for this itinerary

2013 cruises No available cruises in 2013 for this itinerary

---