Indonesia Family Holiday

Welcome to Bali! We will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Seminyak, where there are some nice beaches. The rest of the day is free on your own.

► Recommendations for Early Arrival
Your hotel is only a 10-minute walk from Double Six Beach, one of the liveliest beaches in Bali. Soak in the laid back ambience and enjoy the live music by the sea. There are many exquisite restaurants and bars along the beach. You may enjoy a dinner at Double-Six Rooftop, which provides excellent viewpoints for sunset. Taste delicious food against the backdrop of the vast Indian Ocean. The cost per person is about USD 15.

► Packing Tips
Indonesia is renowned for its rich historical relics, colorful islands and diverse landscapes. Comfortable walking shoes work better when you climb volcanoes and explore Komodo Island, and flip-flops that are easy to clean are necessary for kicking back on the beach. During a snorkeling or other underwater activities, a waterproof phone pouch can keep your phone dry and make it easy for you to take photos underwater. In addition, carry mosquito repellent with you to protect yourself from mosquito bites and even the dengue fever virus.

► Money Exchange
Generally, the most touristy places have the worst exchange rates, so it’s not recommended to exchange money at the airport or around the popular attractions. You could find an Authorized Money Changer to get some Indonesian rupiahs. Kodak Shop-Authorized Money Changer, 150 meters east of your hotel, is a good choice.

► Ride-hailing
Taxis are available in most cities in Indonesia. Through the mobile phone app - Grab or Gojek, you could easily book a taxi ride. If you want to book a ride in Bali, Blue Bird is also convenient with lower price.

Accommodation: The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort (4 stars) or similar

Today, you’ll have a whole day to relax on the island. Recline in a deck chair on the beach and sunbathe in the sun, or go surfing and diving to explore the colorful coral reefs and encounter a variety of sea life. Collect some beautiful seashells in the breeze, and have a cup of coffee while reading a book. The local flea market is also worth a visit to take in the lively atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort (4 stars) or similar

Today, you’ll take a flight to Ende on Flores Island. Upon arrival, we will take you to visit Saga Village, home to the Lio tribe, the indigenous people of Ende. The splendid culture of the tribe is deeply rooted in their daily lives, and the centuries-old historical heritage is hidden in the houses of the village. People here still follow their ancient traditions and customs. Go through the village, rice terraces and coffee plantations, and admire the iconic traditional dwellings with tall roofs. After the visit, we’ll transfer you to stay overnight at Moni, a small town at the foot of Kelimutu Volcano.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kelimutu Crater Lakes Ecolodge

If you’re an early-riser, this would probably be one of the most memorable mornings of your Indonesia holiday. Let’s start the trip early and climb up to the top of Kelimutu Volcano to watch the sunrise. There are 3 adjacent craters of Kelimutu, among which the highest one is 1,639 meters (5,377 ft.). Enjoy the beauty of the 3 respective crater lakes: Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens), and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake). Witness the coloring game of nature by seeing how the lakes change reddish-brown, green, or blue like a chameleon. After that, we’ll continue to move forward to Bajawa and check in at the hotel. It is a 5 hours’ ride with fascinating view along the way.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Edelweis Bajawa

★ Dig Deep into Culture and Lifestyle of Ngada People

This morning, we’ll head to Bena Traditional Village, where the history can be traced back to the Stone Age. Walk around this village, and visit the traditional houses decorated with buffalo horns and boar’s tusks. Have a cup of tea at a local family and your guide will introduce the customs of the Ngada people. After lunch, we’ll transfer to Belaraghi Village. You could find old houses adorned with intricate carvings in this unsophisticated village. The ancestors of Ngada people were hunters, and they emigrated from Java and lived an undisturbed life here. It is a real escape for everyone to slow down and feel the breath of history. You’ll be welcomed by the local Ti’i Ka Ebunusi ritual, and invite you to participate in their daily activities, such as weaving, playing music and dancing. Appreciate the exquisite handicrafts, taste authentic rural delicacies, and share your stories with the villagers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Belaraghi Village Homestay

Today we’ll drive 4 to 5 hours to Ruteng, a picturesque town on Flores. On the way, have a layover at Aimere to taste the popular local drink - Arak. This kind of distilled alcohol is made from the fermented sap of palm trees, coconut, grain or fruit. Arak usually has a distinctive smooth taste with a high alcohol content. It has played an important role in religious ceremonies and festival activities for centuries and has become one of the local cultural symbols. Later, we’ll continue to drive through the central part of Flores and you’ll see jungles, active volcanoes and rice fields until you arrive the destination in Ruteng. In the afternoon, we will head to the most bustling craft market in Ruteng, where you could find fresh produce, spices and textiles. Try some street food, such as the featured dessert called Jajanan Pasar. Appreciate the fine wood carvings, palm leaf artworks, bamboo products, and handcrafted jewelry made by local artisans. Don’t forget to bargain over the price if you want to purchase something.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santa Maria Berdukacita Hotel, Ruteng

Ruteng has misty mountains, spectacular waterfalls and vast paddy fields. More importantly, there are countless historical and cultural heritages. Today, you’ll visit some fertile villages around Ruteng, where you could see houses with unique thatched roofs and intricate carvings and decors, and altars for ceremonies and activities. Lush woods and green farmland surround the villages. You’ll be greeted by the hospitable villagers in their traditional way, and know something about the culture and customs here. Next, we’ll transfer to the fishing town Labuan Bajo, and visit Lingko Spider Web Rice Fields en route. With its special web-shaped layout, Lingko indicates Manggarai people’s way of land allocation that has existed for thousands of years, showing their wisdom and cultural traditions. Overlook this agricultural wonder, or step into the fields to embrace the green and feel the comfort and tranquility.

► Recommended Activities in Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is the starting point to Komodo Island and Rinca Island. You may enjoy the view and watch the sunset on the private beach of your hotel. If you want to explore the small town, you can go to SO Bajo Night Market (Pasar Malam), where you could find the best seafood in Labuan Bajo. Choose some fresh fish, let the vendor grill or fry it for you, and eat like a local by the seaside.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Puri Sari Beach Hotel (3 stars) or similar

Komodo National Park, which comprises 3 major islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, is home to the world’s only remaining wild Komodo dragons. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. This morning, we will take a cruise to Rinca Island. Upon arrival, the ranger of the national park will take you to enter the habitat of Komodo dragons. As the largest lizard in the world, Komodo dragon can be 3 meters long (10 ft.) and weigh more than 160 kilos (360 lb.). They look greyish-brown, with scaly skin, sharp claws and teeth that can kill the prey easily. You could search for traces of the dragons, and take some photos with them. Later, go back to the cruise ship and continue to sail. There are many snorkeling opportunities around the island. This evening, we’ll dock near an island with lots of mangrove forests where thousands of flying foxes inhabit. Marvel at the shocking scene of numerous bats flying under the setting sun and the orange-red sky dotted with black silhouettes.

★ Special Experience: Stay Overnight on a Liveaboard

Experience Komodo’s unique liveaboard and spend a wonderful night on a traditional Indonesian wooden boat, adding fond and romantic memories to your holiday. As it’s getting dark, enjoy your dinner on the deck. The boat is well-equipped with air-conditioning, showers and snorkeling gears. Drinking water, coffee and tea are available as well. Enjoy the starry sky in your cabin, and fall asleep on the serene sea. Watch a sunrise over the horizon the next morning, or catch some sun on the deck.

► Please note that the itinerary for today and the next two days may be adjusted according to the local weather as well as the wind and wave conditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramadani Star - Komodo National Park

Today, we’ll continue the cruise to arrive at Komodo Island. We’ll start another safari to discover Komodo dragons, buffalo and deer. In the daytime, Komodo dragons are usually not active and bask in the sun shortly after sunrise. But, do remember that they are still formidable wild animal and their behaviors are unpredictable, so maintaining a safe distance and taking photos behind them are necessary. After returning to cruise, we will sail to the Pantai Merah, literally the “pink beach”, on the other side of Komodo Island. The red corals in the sea are crushed into tiny particles under the erosion of seawater and gradually mix with the sand, giving the beach a rare pink color. The clear blue water and the pink sand make Pantai Merah look like a dreamy fairyland. Take some stunning photos here and admire the epic sea view. We’ll also have some time for snorkeling to explore more marine creatures underwater. Tonight, we’ll dock at the bay of Rinca and spend another night onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramadani Star - Komodo National Park

Today is the last day of your Komodo tours. We will get up early to arrive at the view point on Rinca Island to catch the first light of sunrise. Mostly covered with grassland, Rinca Island is home to more than 1,000 Komodo dragons. We’ll spend the last morning to find the Komodo dragons. After lunch on board, you can experience snorkeling in the pure clean sea. Since there are few fishermen fishing around the islands, the unspoiled coral reefs burst with colorful fish, starfish and sea urchins, and you may even encounter manta rays and whale sharks. After that, we will say goodbye to the crew and return to Labuan Bajo. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Puri Sari Beach Hotel (3 stars) or similar

Today, take a morning flight to Lombok. Upon arrival, board our private car to Tetebatu, and stop to visit the villages of Masbagik and Loyok on the way. Masbagik is an important site of pottery manufacture on Lombok Island. The traditional techniques and skills of the handmade pottery has been passed down by women from generation to generation in this small village. This kind of distinctive pottery has become a major source of income in Masbagik. Handicrafts from Loyok are also the representatives of Lombok’s culture and art. Artisans make beautiful and practical weaving crafts with large amounts of bamboo growing here. After checking in the hotel at Tetebatu, you could take a break or walk freely to indulge yourself in the beautiful environment. Or pay a visit to the nearby Rice Fields, Waterfall, & Monkey Forest, where there are verdant terraced fields and magnificent waterfalls, and you may see the unusual native ebony leaf monkeys.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tetebatu Mountain Resort

After breakfast, let’s walk around to enjoy the countryside scenery and meet our driver at Kampong Village. Then drive to Pringgasela, which is renowned for the traditional hand weaving. Visit some workshops and witness how the women dye the yarn with natural materials and make the fabrics by the traditional Sasak loom. Learn the symbolic meanings of different patterns on the textiles and understand the local history and customs. Later, you’ll have a home-made lunch in the village, and have a chance to interact with the local people. After lunch, we’ll drive 2 hours to Senggigi, a small town where you can relax yourself on the beach.

► Recommendation for Dinner (at your own expense)
Nuf’said Warung is one of the most popular restaurants in Senggigi. Located by the beach, this restaurant offers magnificent sea view, delicious seafood and Indonesian cuisine like satay – traditional grilled meat. Like most Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia abounds with spices that are widely used in the cuisine. Cooked with palm oil or coconut oil, Indonesian food is a blend of various flavors. Gado-gado and grilled mahi mahi are highly recommended.
Average Cost per Person: USD 6
Address: Jl. Raya Mangsit, Senggigi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Puri Saron Senggigi Hotel (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, the guide will take you to a bike starting point, which is no more than one hour distance from Senggigi beach. Enjoy your cycling along the farm land, villages, temples and mosques. Later, we’ll visit the Lingsar Temple, a 300-year-old temple where Hinduism and Islam coexist harmoniously. The local Sasak people usually meditate and purify themselves in the sacred springs in the temple. Take a stroll around the fish ponds and beautiful gardens, and meet with people of different faiths. After that, we’ll return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free for you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Puri Saron Senggigi Hotel (3 stars) or similar

Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport to take your departure flight. Your memorable Bali and Komodo tour package finishes here.

► If you want to extend your holiday to other cities, such as Jakarta where there are lots of well-preserved colonial buildings, and Yogyakarta which houses the country’s most significant cultural heritage - Borobudur Temple, don’t hesitate to tell us and we could customize a private itinerary for you.

Meals: Breakfast