How to Visit Flores Island Indonesia: Itinerary and Things to Do

Flores Island in Indonesia is home to a number of stunning natural and cultural attractions, making it a must-see destination for any traveler. We visited Flores Island as part of our 3-month Indonesia trip.

Here is a sample one-week itinerary that highlights some of the top things to see and do on the island:

Flores Island Itinerary

We decided to do a one-way Flores Island trip, flying in Maumere and out from Labuan Bajo. This Flores itinerary allowed us to minimize travel time while exploring some of the lesser-known Flores attractions. That travel plan is based on a 7-day Flores itinerary though we turned it into a 10-day Flores itinerary as we added a full-day diving and a 2-day sailing trip.

See what to do in Flores Indonesia, on this 1-week Flores itinerary. Don’t forget to take a map of Flores Indonesia with you!

Day 1: Bali to Maumere

Fly from Bali to Maumere, and rent your car with a driver.

Relax your first day at the beach on the Flores Sea for your first night on Flores.

Chilling on the Flores Sea

Day 2: Maumere to Moni

Start your day with a visit to Maumere. Wander the halls of Maumere’s market and make sure to buy some fresh fruits.

Maumere Market

Then drive to Moni for an early night in before your sunrise hike the next day.

Day 3: Kelimutu National Park

Visit the Kelimutu National Park, famous for the three incredible crater lakes that are the main features of the 1,639-metre-high (5,377-foot) Kelimutu volcano. These volcano lakes are known for their changing colors. You can take a hike to the lakes and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The best way to experience it is to do a sunrise hike, so rise early. Be prepared for a busy hike, as many people want to have the same experience!

The mountain is close to Moni town in the Ende district.

Kelimutu National Park

Day 4: Scenic Drive from Moni to Bajawa

Stop at the Wologai Village

Explore the Wologai Village, which features traditional houses in the Lionese architectural style. The 800 years old village takes you back in time as you see how local people live.

Wologai Village

Soak at the Malanage Hot Springs

On the road to Bajawa, stop at the hot springs for an awesome soak! Perfect for relaxing the tired muscles from your previous day’s hike.

Malanage Hot Springs

Drive by the

Walk along the Blue Stone Beach

Aptly named after the stones that line the shore, the area is simply beautiful! There is a little coffee shop there, where you can grab a drink as you admire the view and listen to the waves.

Blue Stone Beach

Admire Inerie Volcano

As you arrive close to Bajawa, make sure to stop for a view of the Inerie Volcano.

Inerie Volcano

Day 5: Bena & Tololela Traditional Villages

Visit the traditional villages of Bena and Tololela for a glimpse into Flores’ traditions.

The Bena village is known for its megaliths. Indeed, the Bena Megaliths are thought to date from the Stone Age and are where the Ngada inhabitants bring their disputes between the members of the tribe. The stones are called as “lenggi”, and there is one for each of the village’s clans.

Bena Village

Bena Art

Tololela is less touristy than Bena, which means less crowded and gives a more authentic view of the traditional way of life.

Day 6: Bajawa to Denge

Appreciate the green rice fields where local women work hard to maintain.

Rice terraces

Rice fields on Flores Island

Day 7: Wae Rebo Village

High up in the mountains, the Wae Rebo Village is the home of the Manggarai tribe with ancestral traditions.
Head to the village of Wae Rebo, a traditional Manggarai village that is known for its unique circular houses called “mbaru niang“. You can take a guided tour of the village and learn about the daily life and culture of the Manggarai people.

Definitely one of the top things to see on Flores Island Indonesia!

Wae Rebo Village

Day 8: Wae Rebo Village to Labuan Bajo

Arrive in Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the Komodo National Park. Take some time to explore the town and visit the local markets and shops.

Boats in Labuan Bajo

Day 9: Komodo Diving

Experience some of the best diving in Indonesia, if not in the world.

In addition to Komodo, Flores Island offers several scuba-diving sites on the north coast, like Maumere and Riung. Around Labuan Bajo, whale sharks can be spotted as well.

Diving Komodo

Day 10: Komodo Cruise to See Komodo Dragons

The Komodo National Park is home to the famous Komodo dragons and is a must-see while in Indonesia.

So head to the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the famous Komodo dragons and various other wildlife. You can take a guided tour of the park, visit Rinca Island, and go snorkeling or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the park.

Komodo Dragon

Day 11: Komodo Cruise

In the morning, visit Pink Beach, a stunning stretch of coastline that is known for its beautiful pink sands. You can go swimming or snorkeling in the warm waters or relax on the beach and soak up the sun.

Cruising around Komodo islands

Return to Labuan Bajo for your flight to Bali and connecting flight back home.

Overall, a one-week trip to Flores Island and the Komodo National Park is a great way to experience the beauty and culture of this amazing region. With a mix of natural wonders, cultural attractions, and activities such as snorkeling and diving, there is something for every traveler to enjoy on this beautiful island.

Strong Traditions

From the art pieces – be in wowen, painted, carved, or danced, traditions are still strongly present on Flores Island.

Traditional dance

Food on Flores Island

Familiar Indonesia staple is of course available, but fresh fish can be found everywhere given the extensive coastline of the island.

Satay Skewers

Fresh seafood

How to Visit Flores Indonesia?

Not to be mistaken with Flores Nicaragua, the island can be reached by boat or by plane.

Getting to Flores Indonesia

Most people travel from Bali to Komodo and Flores, as it is usually easier and cheaper to fly into Bali first.

By Plane

There are three airports on Flores Island: Labuan Bajo/Komodo (LBJ), Maumere (MOF) and Ende (ENE).

By Boat

You can organize a boat tour from Bali to Flores Island.

How to Plan Your Flores Trip

Plan a combined Flores Komodo tour, as you get to see the top Flores attractions and the famous Komodo dragons.

(Semi) Independent Travel

As we were traveling with my in-laws, we chose to rent a car with a driver instead of going our usually fully independent way. That car with a driver allowed us the complete flexibility to organize our trip how we wanted while enjoying a comfortable ride.

Organized Tour

Of course, you can also join a fully organized tour which will take care of the details, from booking your hotel, purchasing entrance tickets, and handling all the logistics.

Have you been to Flores Island? What was your experience or preferred thing to do in Indonesia? Share with us your adventures!

If you are looking for more Indonesia trip ideas, wildlife-watching tours, or outdoor adventures, check out our Indonesia travel blog posts on:

Borneo Orangutans | Scuba Diving Raja Ampat | Papua Baliem Valley Trekking

Stay tuned for more adventures
from our travel around the world!

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