Nights Flores Overland Tour 5 days 4 nights

Route: Labuan Bajo – Ruteng – Bajawa – Ende – Labuan Bajo
Start & End Point: Labuan Bajo

Overview

Experience the best of Flores on this 5-day overland journey through the heart of the island, from the western coast to the volcanic highlands of Bajawa and Ende before returning to Labuan Bajo.
This adventure offers a perfect blend of cultural encounters, mountain landscapes, and authentic local life — featuring traditional villages, hot springs, crater lakes, and panoramic rice terraces.

Ideal for travelers seeking an in-depth exploration of Flores with comfortable pacing and local immersion.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Labuan Bajo – Melo Village – Cancar – Ruteng

Morning:
Pick up from your hotel in Labuan Bajo. Drive inland toward the cool highlands, stopping first at Melo Village for a warm local welcome and insight into Manggarai culture, traditional houses, and the Caci whip dance.

Continue to Cancar Village, home to the unique Lingko Spider Web Rice Fields, a symbol of community cooperation and traditional land division.

Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then proceed to Ruteng, a peaceful mountain town surrounded by forest and coffee plantations. Visit Ruteng Pu’u, a traditional Manggarai village that preserves ancient architecture and culture.

Evening:
Dinner and overnight in Ruteng.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ruteng
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – Ruteng – Lake Ranamese – Aimere – Bajawa

Morning:
After breakfast, visit Lake Ranamese, a beautiful volcanic lake located inside a dense forest — a perfect stop for short walks and photos.

Drive toward Aimere, where locals produce traditional arak (palm wine) using fire-heated bamboo tubes. Learn about this handmade process and sample if you wish.

Afternoon:
Continue to Bajawa, a highland town famous for its cool climate and ancient Ngada culture. Check into your hotel, then visit Soa Hot Spring to relax in natural warm pools surrounded by nature.

Evening:
Dinner and overnight in Bajawa.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bajawa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Bajawa – Bena & Tololela Villages – Malanage Hot Spring – Ende

Morning:
After breakfast, explore Bena Village, one of the most iconic traditional settlements in Flores. Walk among megalithic monuments and cone-shaped Ngada houses, learning about ancestral worship and daily life.

Continue to nearby Tololela Village for a quieter, equally authentic cultural experience with stunning mountain views.

Afternoon:
Stop at Malanage Hot Spring, where hot and cold rivers naturally meet — a perfect place for a refreshing dip.
Then, continue eastward through scenic landscapes and local farming areas to Ende, a coastal town rich in history and culture.

Evening:
Dinner and overnight stay in Ende.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ende
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Ende – Wologai Village – Kelimutu – Return to Bajawa

Early Morning:
Depart early (around 4:00 AM) for Kelimutu National Park, home to the Three Colored Crater Lakes — one of Flores’ most breathtaking natural wonders. Enjoy sunrise over the lakes, whose colors change with mineral content and sunlight.

Morning:
After exploring Kelimutu, visit Wologai Traditional Village, known for its beautiful Lio-style wooden houses and cultural heritage.

Afternoon:
Lunch in Moni village, then drive back west toward Bajawa, passing scenic landscapes and small villages along the Trans-Flores highway.

Evening:
Dinner and overnight in Bajawa.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bajawa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Bajawa – Aimere – Lembor – Labuan Bajo

Morning:
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Labuan Bajo. Enjoy scenic stops along the way, including Aimere (arak distillation) and Lembor Valley, home to the largest rice fields in West Flores.

Afternoon:
Lunch en route, then continue the final drive back to Labuan Bajo, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
End of tour.

Included

• Private car/driver for the overland route
• English-speaking local guide
• Drinking water during the trip
• Itinerary planning and coordination
• Parking fees and basic road tolls
• Pick-up and drop-off at city or airport (Labuan Bajo / Ende / Maumere)

Excluded

• Meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner not included unless specified)
• Entrance fees to all tourist sites (Kelimutu National Park, traditional villages, museums, waterfalls, etc.)
• Flight tickets to/from Flores (Labuan Bajo, Ende, or Maumere)
• Personal travel insurance (highly recommended for overland trips)
• Accommodation before or after the tour
• Personal expenses (snacks, laundry, souvenirs, tips)
• Optional activities (local performances, guide tips, cultural experience fees)
• Additional transportation outside the stated itinerary
• Alcoholic beverages or extra drinks during the trip

What to Bring

• ID card or passport
• Comfortable walking/trekking shoes
• Lightweight clothing + warm layer for Kelimutu sunrise
• Raincoat or poncho
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Personal medication
• Power bank
• Cash for entrance fees and local markets
• Camera or phone for photos

How to Book

1. Choose your travel dates and preferred route (Labuan Bajo–Ende, Maumere–Labuan Bajo, or day trips).
2. Contact the operator with details: full name, number of participants, and desired start/end point.
3. Receive the itinerary proposal and quotation.
4. Confirm availability and secure your booking with a deposit (typically 30–50%).
5. Receive your invoice and final itinerary.
6. Meet at the agreed pickup point on the tour start date.

Recommended Payment Methods

• PayPal – Fast and secure for international payments.
• Wise – Best exchange rates and low transfer fees.
• Bank Transfer – Local or international transfer to the operator’s Indonesian bank account.