Hike and Kayak Indonesia's Remote Islands
Trek through Bali's jungles, paddle between paradise islands, live aboard a boat and hang out with Komodo dragons
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesAll accommodation
5 nights in hotels, 3 nights on a liveaboard boat, 1 night camping, 1 night in a homestayMeals
All breakfasts, all lunches and 7 dinnersInternal flights & transfers
Return flights between Bali and Flores are included, plus transfers to and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment & Permits
All your cycling and kayaking equipment, plus all permits and entry feesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Hike along lush jungle paths to discover waterfalls and secret pools, and cycle the forest trails and lava fields around Mount Batur
Kayak, swim and snorkel the pristine waters of Komodo National Park, sleeping on a liveaboard boat and spotting wild Komodo dragons
Discover Indonesian tradition and culture first-hand in the remote villages and agricultural communities of Bali and Flores
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Bali!
Your airport transfer will whisk you off to your hotel in Ubud, the cultural capital of Bali. If you’ve got the time and energy, there’s plenty to explore nearby: from ancient temples and prolific gardens, to the spectacular landscape of rice fields and the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Join your group and your guide later for dinner at a local restaurant, where you can sample Indonesian cuisine and get to know your fellow adventurers.
Day 2
Cycle past villages, temples and caves in Kintamani
Cycling
Enjoy an early breakfast, then drive for about an hour to Pukuk village in the Kintamani region, one of the most scenic areas in Bali. Soak up the pace of rural Balinese life as you pedal along village roads and dirt tracks with stops to visit a Balinese house compound and Panempahan Temple, an 11th-century village temple. Leaving the road behind for a while, take a dirt track through rice fields to Goa Garba Cave and explore this former royal meditation site. Ride for another hour on small roads and tracks to your endpoint at Samuan Tiga Temple. Return to your hotel after lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon by the pool, or explore more of Ubud's enchanting sights and temples.
Day 3
Hike the waterfalls of Bali's 'Secret Garden'
Hiking
Rise early and drive north to the untouched ‘Secret Gardens' of Sambangan, where lush jungles, natural pools, clear rivers and cascading waterfalls await. The hike will start from Bali's secluded and picturesque highlands, where you'll find authentic villages rarely seen by travellers. Hike past emerald green rice terraces, local farms and coffee plantations, before heading deep into the forest. Here, you'll discover some of the island’s most spectacular waterfalls, surrounded by lush trees and exotic flowers. Enjoy a barbecue lunch (weather permitting), then cool off in the rejuvenating natural pools. Head back to Ubud in the afternoon, and get some well deserved rest before tomorrow's exciting journey to the island of Flores.
Day 4
To Flores Island
Driving
Hop on a flight from Denpasar to the town of Labuan Bajo, located on the rugged island of Flores. Flights are usually direct to Labuan Bajo and the total flight time is approximately 1.5 hours. Continue your journey by vehicle for a three-hour transfer to the village of Repi. Locals here are the direct descendants of the Wae Rebo people, who you'll visit tomorrow. Wander around the village and see daily life in this remote farming community, then settle in for the night at a spectacular cliff-top camp site overlooking the sea.
Day 5
Trek to Wae Rebo
Hiking
Wake up to the sound of waves, fuel up on breakfast and enjoy an optional early morning walk to a remote beach. Get driven to a trailhead on the remote roads along the south of Flores, from where you'll hike to the isolated village of Wae Rebo, nestled in an ancient volcanic caldera and surrounded by panoramic mountains and the dense Todo forest. Wae Rebo is a true example of successful community-based tourism - here, the locals use your visit to supplement their traditional agricultural lifestyles and help keep their customs alive. You'll be welcomed by the elders and offered a drink of wild-harvest Luwak coffee. This evening, you'll enjoy one of the best homestay experiences in Asia as you snooze in one of the Wae Rebo's traditional, conical-shaped huts.
Day 6
The gateway to Komodo National Park
Hiking
Driving
Spend the morning in Wae Rebo village, then hike back down to your pick-up point for the drive to Pante Hera, where you'll stop for lunch on a clifftop overlooking a long, sandy beach and the Savu Sea. There may be time for a quick dip before hitting the road again, to reach the port town of Labuan Bajo. Enjoy a sunset walk on the beach or relax by the pool - there'll be time this evening to refresh and prepare for your liveaboard boat adventure in the Komodo National Park.
Day 7
Sail, swim and kayak in Komodo National Park
Kayaking
Board your boat - home for the next few nights. You'll get acquainted with your kayak and begin your island-hopping journey. Visit Rangko Beach to explore a secret cave with a deep turquoise pool. If time and conditions permit, plunge into the underwater world with your snorkel before spending your first night on board – don’t forget to look up and take in the blanket of stars overhead.
(Due to the currents and changing tides in the Komodo National Park, the schedule for the activities during your liveaboard is flexible and will be adjusted accordingly to ensure your safety and enjoyment.)
Day 8
Island hopping in the Coral Triangle
Kayaking
Snorkelling
Kayak and snorkel through the stunning Coral Triangle. Home to migrating manta rays, dolphins, turtles and over a thousand identified coral and fish species, it has one of the richest concentrations of marine life on earth.
Day 9
Meet the dragons
Hiking
Kayaking
Rise early and head to Komodo Island in pursuit of the world's largest lizard: the Komodo dragon. Averaging between two and three metres long, these legendary creatures can only be found on a handful of islands within the National Park. In order to see them in their natural habitat, you’ll walk through the centre of the island alongside a guide from the local village. Enjoy a little more kayaking and snorkelling before spending your final night on the boat, soaking up another dramatic sunset.
Day 10
Back to Bali
Snorkelling
Depending on the flight schedule, you may have time for a final snorkel in the crystal clear waters around tiny Bidadari Island before you return to dry land and transfer to the airport in Labuan Bajo. Catch a flight back to Bali (approximately 1 hr 20 minutes, direct). Settle in to your comfortable beach resort, situated amidst palm trees and tropical gardens, and toast the end of your epic island adventure with your fellow travellers.
Day 11
Goodbye Indonesia
Enjoy a last tropical breakfast before your transfer to the airport in time for your return flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali
Depart any time on Day 11
Transfers
Transfers are included at any time if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 11. The journey time generally takes between one and one and a half hours depending on traffic. If you would like to arrive early or extend your stay, your host can arrange airport transfers for an extra cost. See Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Bali from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7 – Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 11
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Indonesian food varies greatly by region, but there is one thing you can always depend on finding: rice. You can expect to eat a range of curries, noodle dishes and soups. All Indonesian dishes are prepared by combining the four main tastes groups of salty, sweet, sour and bitter. Nasi Goreng is a popular dish that is often served with a spicy 'sambal', a chilli-based paste that you will find everywhere.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for, just double-check with your host upon booking if you have a specific request.
What is the accommodation like?
Bali
You’ll spend the first three nights in a locally-owned hotel - usually, the beautiful Radha Phala which is nestled among the verdant paddy fields of Kumbuh Village, just a stone’s throw away from Ubud's lively centre. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and on-site spa facilities, free WiFi and elegantly decorated air-conditioned rooms.
On the final night, you'll usually stay at the comfortable Rama Beach Resort and Villas. A tranquil sanctuary in the southern part of Kuta Bali, it has superb facilities including a spa, a pool and gym. It's also surrounded by hectares of lush greenery.
Repi
In Repi, you’ll stay at a remote clifftop camping site. This is a new operation run by the local villagers, who will host you in basic bunk houses (mixed dorm) or on a tent platform. There are two cold water showers, a western bucket-flush toilet, a kitchen operated by local staff and a lovely common dining area with panoramic views.
Wae Rebo
Here, you'll stay in the same manner as the locals - in a large communal room in a traditional thatched building. There are shower facilities, but you should be prepared for a basic set-up. You may wish to pack earplugs!
Labuan Bajo
You'll stay in twin rooms in a comfortable hotel in Labuan Bajo, usually the charming oceanfront Luwansa Beach Resort.
On the water
You’ll spend 3 nights on a liveaboard boat in multi-share cabins (usually 4 berths per cabin). All cabins are air-conditioned with sea-view windows, a light and a power source. There are several hot water bathrooms on the boat, as well as deck space for relaxing on.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own space, you can request a solo room upgrade for the five nights in hotels. This option is not available in Wae Rebo (one night), the clifftop campsite (one night) and on the liveaboard boat in the Komodo Islands (three nights). Please request on booking, as this is subject to availability. See Optional Extras for prices.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
This trip is designed for those of average fitness. You should feel comfortable kayaking for a couple of hours at a time and may benefit from some upper body strength to enjoy it more, however, the boat is always close by should you need it. And if you have enough of kayaking, snorkels are on hand if you fancy jumping in instead. The hikes are mostly three to four hours, on local jungle and village trails and dirt tracks, and although there are a few hills to climb, they are relatively gentle. However, the heat and humidity can make them feel more tiring than usual. The short cycling trip in Bali is suitable even for novice cyclists. You'll cycle mostly on gentle village roads and dirt tracks with little elevation gain. The ride is conducted at a leisurely pace with regular stops to visit sites along the way and there is a support vehicle should you prefer to skip part of the ride.
Life on the boat is all about kayaking, snorkelling, eating and sleeping. Each day is a mix between action packed activities for all levels and leisure time. All water activities are supervised by the dinghy boat in case anyone wants to cut them short and they are also entirely optional, so you are free to take things at your own pace. Evenings can be spent enjoying other travellers' company or stargazing.
What will I need to carry?
You'll only need to carry a small day rucksack (20-30 litres) containing personal items (spare layers, snacks, drinking water, camera etc.) during the activities. Your main luggage will be transported for you.
Komodo and the surrounding islands are one of Indonesia’s driest regions. The rainy season is short and tends to run from January to mid-march. April to June is a great time to visit the islands as they are full of life and extremely green, post-rain. Temperatures range from 26-31c and nights are usually cooler and fresh. July to August can get a little warmer and rainfall is barely heard of as things start to get hot and dusty on the island.
Incredible from start to finish!
I'd been considering booking an MBA for a while and decided to take the plunge for my first trip to Indonesia. The itinerary is well thought out, jam packed with activities, culture and an amazing Island adventure. It's executed in such a way that you see both well known tourist areas and lesser known spots, without having to navigate large groups due to the timing of the visits. Personal highlights were the boat trip, inc snorkelling, sunrises, kayaking, food and the visit to the mountain village home stay. Our group was like minded and we felt like old friends after the first few days. We met lot's of local Guides who added value to the experience, especially our main lead guide who's stories and local knowledge were an amazing added bonus.
Best of Indonesia
So impressed with the trip. It has such a fantastic mix of activities and places to stay. From an epic home stay, lovely hotels, a great boat stay and sleeping under the stars. Guido was a great guide taking us cycling, kayaking, snorkelling, watching sunrises and sunsets, up close with incredible animals, hiking, plus seriously amazing food. Loved every moment
Indonesia is really amazing and
Indonesia is really amazing and the trip allowed you to see a lot of it. The guides were great. Would highly recommend.