DURATION
10 nights
LOCATION
Indonesia
ANNUAL LEAVE
9 days off work
SEASON
May-Sep
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Hotel · Bunkhouse · Homestay · Boat
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
No experience is needed but you should feel comfortable on the water and able to hike for up to four hours at a time.
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
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 the volcanic landscape of Mount Batur
Cycling
3hrs · 20km · 150m up · 150m down
Enjoy an early breakfast, then drive for about an hour to Kintamani, one of the most scenic areas in Bali on the slopes of Mount Batur. Admire the dramatic beauty of this sacred, active volcano as you pedal off the beaten track, travelling along easy forest trails and across rocky, black lava fields. Finish up at a natural hot spring, where you can soothe your muscles and admire the views looking out to the lake and the caldera. 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
4hrs · 8km · 700m down
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, 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
4hrs
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
4hrs · 9km · 700m up · 50m down
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
2hrs · 9km · 50 up · 700 down
Driving
4hrs
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
2-3hrs
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
3hrs
Snorkelling
2hrs
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
1.5hrs · 100m up · 100m down
Kayaking
2hrs
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
1hr
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.
Included
Internal flights
Two internal flights - from Bali to Flores and back
Guides
Expert, English-speaking local guides
Accommodation
5 nights in hotels, 3 nights on a liveaboard boat, 1 night camping, 1 night in a homestay
Meals
All breakfasts, all lunches and 7 dinners
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in between
Permits
All permits and entry fees
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Some meals as described
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Bunkhouse · Mixed dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Homestay · Mixed dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7 – Day 9
Boat · Mixed dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Hotel · Twin share
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 one of the village's traditional thatched buildings. 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.
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. 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.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
Bags
-Soft duffel bag or rucksack -Daypack 20+ litres
Clothes
- Fleece jacket, or similar lightweight jacket, for the evenings
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts (men and women are expected to cover knees in villages and small towns)
- T-shirts (men and women are expected to cover shoulders in villages and small towns)
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear (acceptable to wear this while kayaking and on the boat, there's no need to cover up)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots or hiking shoes (worn-in)
- Sandals
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
Sleeping
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner
Other
- Shawl, sarong or scarf (for temple or traditional village visits, these can be bought locally)
- Padlock for luggage
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Spare camera batteries
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream (reef-friendly only!)
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle (1 litre capacity)
- Quickdry towel
Your host does a lot of work with the local community and has set up a project that donates reading glasses where needed. If you have any knocking around, or can source a couple of pairs from a charity shop, they will go a long way.
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Additional Night in Bali Double/Twin/Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Bali Double/Twin/Single Room
…
Private airport transfer (one way, 1-2 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private airport transfer (one way, 1-2 people)
…
The booking experience with Benny was really easy and any extras quickly sorted out. The local host Dewa Merta was fantastic and able to help with many extra requirements (ie doctors!). Fantastic varied group experience, met some wonderful people from all over Europe. Would definitely recommend this trip!
I was initially a little apprehensive but will now probably do the majority of my holidays with much_better_adventures. Great fun - lots of flexibility if you need to take a day off - like minded people - and a fully arranged trip from all pickups, transfers, entrance fees, etc which is often not the case with other companies. Above all, the tour guides are exceptional. I’ll be back next year!
What an experience. This formed about half of our entire trip to Bali/Indonesia, and there is no way our travels would've been as memorable as they are without it.
Great holiday, a wonderful range of activities . The boat trip was great , the scenery was spectacular and the activities were well planned. The local support were brilliant and the food on boat was amazing.
We thoroughly enjoyed a real adventure with MBA. Flores is a stunning island to explore from the scenery, to the wildlife, to the people. By foot, boat, kayak and snorkel we saw pink beaches, wild jungle, bustling coral reefs and mighty komodos. Our guide, Gusti, was knowledgeable and patient as he expertly wove our western expectations with the laid back local way of life, exemplified by the phrase "there's UK time, and then there's Flores time". 10/10
This was my first trip with Much Better Adventures and I am already thinking about my next one. I loved this trip and would definitely recommend it to others. Highlights included the Wae Rebo experience which I thought was fab and a unique experience. Further highlights included the going on the boat. I enjoyed everything about the boat - the food, kayaking, snorkelling, landscape from the boat. Throughout the tour, the guide told us about the culture and lives of people from Flores, which gave us a better understanding of what we were experiencing. This trip was an adventure, full-on a lot of the time, and an amazing experience.
This trip was a fabulous experience. It was very busy and you need a sense of adventure. It's rustic and earthy, but in the best way. The people we met were delightful and the places we visited were amazing. From the first sun rise at mount Kilimutu to the last sunset at Flying Fox island it was action packed and filled with adventure, I enjoyed every second. I'd recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip starts as every morning is an early start, be prepared for long journeys by bus and some fabulous experiences.
Cannot recommend this enough. The best trip I have ever been on, I am still reeling from it. It was my first time travelling in Asia and I was blown away by the experience. A perfect mix of physical adventure and cultural insight - Gusti was very experienced and knowledgeable and I learnt a lot. For me the highlight was Snorkelling and swimming alongside a turtle, I felt like I was alone in the world with it. It was magical! I loved all of our time on the boat - the scenery, the swimming, the kayaking, sunsets, the food! And the trek and stay in Wae Rabo, meeting the community there was an special moment. Hard to choose, it was all brilliant.
I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for adventure. There is something different to experience everyday, the local food is delicious and the local people are so friendly and inviting. By going to less touristy areas we really felt that we could experience the culture authentically
This trip was amazing! The hiking, kayaking and snorkelling were all really well organised and a great way to experience and engage with Indonesian people, culture and wildlife. A great team and a great adventure - thank you Gusty and the team!
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 1023kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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 on gentle forest trails and rocky lava fields, climbing only a few hills along the way. The ride is conducted at a leisurely pace and there is a support vehicle should you prefer to skip part of the ride.
There is a mix of double and single kayaks. The single kayaks are Kazakazi Skua touring kayaks with a maximum weight limit of 160kg. The double (tandem) kayaks are "HUG" touring kayaks with a maximum capacity of 210kg.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Clean drinking water will be provided throughout. Please pack your own reusable bottle, it will be well used.
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.
Your luggage can stay with you for the whole trip and will be transported for you. If you are staying longer in Bali, you can leave some things at the hotel at the beginning of the trip if needed. We would advise you to pack light due to the amount of transfers in the trip.
20kg is the standard luggage allowance on the internal flights but extra weight can easily purchased if needed.
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.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
Tips are not included in the trip cost and are not expected by the crew. If you have extra support throughout the trekking element, there may be an expectation for a little something. Small gifts from home are always appreciated instead.
For current advice about travelling in Indonesia, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
