Go Indo is a proud travel-specialist of Flores island. Not only is this beautiful island the home and roots of the Go Indo family, it is as well an unique travel destination. With enthusiasm, while caring about the local community and environment, we’d love to show you our home. Get off the beaten tourism track and travel fair and far to Flores with Go Indo.

Go Indo is a proud travel-specialist of Flores island. Not only is this beautiful island the home and roots of the Go Indo family, it is as well a unique travel destination. With enthusiasm, while caring about the local community and environment, we’d love to show you our home. Get off the beaten tourism track and travel fair and far to Flores with Go Indo.

Flores Highlights

Flores is THE destination for travellers preferring to avoid the common tourist paths. Flores has several World Heritage Sites protected by UNESCO. The most famous one of them ‘Komodo National Park’, an archipelago that inhabits the last existing lizards ‘Varanus Komodoensis‘ or Komodo dragons. Komodo’s unique bounty islands are surrounded by colourful coral reefs. Protected by UNESCO are as well the three-coloured crater lakes ‘Kelimutu National Park’ and traditional villages in Ngada. Besides these impressive, world-known tourism spots there’s lots more beautiful places to visit on Flores island. Come discover it with Go Indo!

Don’t miss out while traveling on Flores and learn all about the beautiful places flaunting the island!

 

Komodo National Park & Labuan Bajo:

  • Padar island: uniquely shaped island with panorama viewpoint over its beaches and valleys.
  • Long beach: One of the best pink coloured beaches of Komodo National Park.
  • Komodo island: Witness the Komodo dragons in its natural habitat during a trekking.
  • Taka Makassar: Seabank in the middle of the ocean.
  • Siaba Besar: Colourful coral reefs guarded by many turtles.
  • Goa Rangko: Clear water cave where you can swim, reachable by small boat.
  • Batu Cermin: Mirror stone cave, not far from Labuan Bajo.
  • Bukit Golo Moro: Scenic view point of Komodo National Park.
  • Hatamin island: Good snorkeling spot. There is a traditional Bajo village located on Hatamin island.

Manggarai regency:

  • Pulau Mules: Splendid remote island where trekking, camping and snorkelling can be done.
  • Wae Rebo: Traditional, remote village high in the mountains.
  • Tengkulese: Isolated, wild waterfall surrounded by lush ricefields, best reachable from Ruteng.
  • Ruteng Pu’u: Unique traditional village, still quite unknown for tourism.
  • Lingko Cara: Spiderweb shaped ricefields, possible to do trekking & picnic here.
  • Ruteng hiking and cycling: Don’t miss out on the mountainous view points, waterfalls and green scenery, just outside the town of Ruteng.
  • Kampung Nekang: visit a typical Manggarai neighbourhood, their traditional market and have a coffee with the locals.
  • Museum Liang Bua: Archeological site within a cave opening where the extinct ‘Homo Flores‘ has been found.

More in Manggarai regency:

  • Wasewengke: Panoramic, wide view point on top of a table mountain. Little Maria cave on top of Wasewengke for locals to pray.
  • Todo: Traditional village
  • Lembor: Village in the valley. Possible to do a ricefield tour.
  • Cunca Rami: Waterfall
  • Cunca Wulang: Waterfall and canyon, reachable after short trekking (25 minutes).
  • Poco Ranaka (2300m): highest volcano of Manggarai. Morning trekking with splendid views on the way. The volcano owes its name to parrots or ‘Ka’ in Manggarai language.
  • Gunung Mbeliling (1300m): Mountain trekking in beautiful forest nature park. Recommended for birdwatchers!
  • Sano Nggoang: Biggest crater lake of Flores, located at Gunung Mbeliling.

Ngada regency:

  • Ngada ethnic traditional villages: Belaragi, Guru sina, Bena, Tololeo, Wolondopo, Langa and Magilewa. The villages can be reached by trekking or car.
  • Riung: Coastal town in front of the national park ‘Pulau 17’. Here is the perfect place to do some island hopping in between the 17 bounty islands of the national park. Amazing for snorkelling as well!
  • Moke processing farm: In Aimere are plentiful farmers producing the famous local liquor. Here you can see the full process of Moke making & do some tasting yourself as well!
  • Wolobobo: Meaning ‘sleepy mountain’, a beautiful view point above the clouds.
  • Inerie volcano (2245m): Highest volcano of Flores island. Quite challenging trekking to the top which takes around 3-5 hours.
  • Ogi waterfall: Only a 15 minute walk from Bajawa.
  • Hotspring So’a: take a warm bath in the natural hot springs sprouting from the volcano Inerie.
  • Hotspring Malanage: Volcanic hotsprings, there’s a cold and hot water river.
  • Inerie vulcano: it takes a 4-5 hour hike until the top of this majestic volcano.
  • See the process of making the local ‘arak’ liquor.
  • Padang savana mausui: Beautiful savannah landscape, great for camping spot or enjoying the trekking views.

Nagekeo regency:

  • Tutubhada: Traditional village
  • Kawa: Traditional village
  • Gunung Ebulobo (2096m): Volcano top can be reached between 3-4 hours rewarding you with a wide view.

Ende regency:

  • Kelimutu national park: Three-coloured crater lake of Kelimutu vulcano.
  • Waturaka ecotourism: A local village awarded as ”The best ecotourism village” in 2017 by the Indonesian ministry. Learn local crafts, follow a cooking class and merge with locals in Waturaka.
  • Exile house of Bung Karno, the founding father and first president of Indonesia.
  • Tenun Ikat: Museum of the traditional weaving practices of Ende’s
  • Pantai Penggajawa & Pantai Batu Biru: Blue stone beach. Light blue stones make this volcanic beach a true eyecatcher.
  • Pantai Nanganesa: Black sandy beach with view of mount Iya.

Sikka regency:

  • Pantai Koka: Beautifully shaped beach with 2 bays.
  • Pulau Babi: Small white sandy beach island reachable by boat from Maumere. Possible to do snorkelling here and explore the little village on the island.
  • Kampung Wuring: Village of the Bugis people, originally from Sulawesi, living on wooden houses above the sea.
  • Blikon Blewut museum: Old museum of traditional weaving.
  • Nangahale: See the process of salt production and traditional boat manufacturers.

East Flores regency:

  • Cathedral church of the Reinha Rosary
  • Danau Asmara: Calm and deserted lake in the forest of East Flores.
  • Pantai Kwuta: White sandy beach.
  • Tanjung batu payung: Umbrella-shaped rock formation.
  • Larantuka: Fishermen town. During Eastern celebrations called ”Semana Santa” pilgrims coming from far to witness the procession.

Lembata regency:

  • Bukit Cinta: view point on top of Lembata’s hilly landscape.
  • Pantai Waijarang: Beautiful, calm beach with view of Ile Mandiri. Our homepage photo, is in case taken from this beach!
  • Lamalera: Whale hunting village.

History & Culture

Cabo de Flores: a piece of history

In the eastern seas of the Indonesian archipelago blooms Flores island. Flores belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands, is estimated around 14,000 km2 and inhabits 1,8 million Floresians.

In the 16th century Portuguese traders were the first Europeans who came to Flores during their search to dominate the lucrative spice trade. Amazed by the islands lush wildlife and many flowers, they named the island ‘Capo de Flores’ meaning cape of flowers. Portuguese fortresses can be found on the island from which the trade in spices, mostly sandalwood, was controlled. Due to the Portuguese colonization the majority of the inhabitants nowadays are Catholic. Although, the Floresians still maintain the traditions of their ancestors in the current practice of their religion. Flores has many interesting traditions that our guides are happy to tell you about.

Local inhabitants

The cultural richness of Flores is reflected in the different languages, traditions and lifestyles of the local people. The most used languages are: Manggarai, Ngada, Nagekeo, Bajawa, Ende, Lio, Palu’e, So’a, Sika and Lamaholot! The Indonesian language, called Bahasa Indonesia, became the official language for all Indonesians according to the declaration of independence of Indonesia in 1945. A Floresian therefore speaks at least 2 languages: the language of his tribe and Indonesian.

The majority of the population in Flores is Catholic due to the effort of Portuguese missionaries. Nowadays, various religions live peacefully side by side in Flores. Many ancient customs and traditions can still be found within the practice of the local religion. Besides the exuberant celebration of for example Christmas and Easter, special ceremonies aimed at honoring ancestors and natural spirits are an everyday habit.

The local inhabitants mostly live from agriculture. Each family owns a piece of land where they mainly grow rice, cassava, vegetables, coffee, macademia, cacao and vanilla. Most families live from their own harvest and gain income by selling harvest as well.

Travel tips for Flores

Preparation from your home country

  • Before traveling to Indonesia contact your local health care provider about travel vaccines.
  • Double check your health care insurance: often health care insurances partly cover travel insurances as well. It is advisable to take a temporary travel insurance to cover any unexpected costs for you and your travel family.
  • Bring your favourite toiletries from home such as contact lens solution, menstrual care products and sunscreen as the local pharmacies don’t offer a big choice of above products.
  • There are ATM’s suitable for debit cards & creditcards in every city of Flores, so it’s not necessary to prepare the local currency (IDR) or dollars from home since you will not benefit from the valuta course. Paying with credit card in a restaurant or hotel is usually not possible.
  • Get information about tours and flight schedules. Example: during the rainy season, there’s less boat tours to Komodo National Park available due to bad weather. Also, during low season there’s less flights going to Flores. Prepare your holiday well to avoid disappointments.

Wet and dry season

There are only two seasons in Flores: wet and dry. The wet season lasts approximately from November-March and is characterised by longer and heavier rainfall. The dry season lasts from April-October with short tropical rain showers to hot days without rain. At the end of the dry season, the coastal landscape and natural colours of Komodo National park are yellow and brown-ish while as during and after wet season, the landscape is lush green and flourishing. In the countryside, Flores is always green due to humidity and tropical rainfall. Some weather tips for traveling in Flores:

  • Protect yourself against the sun and bring SPF cream and hats/caps to protect while trekking.
  • Don’t forget to bring warm clothes as well! In the mountain area it cools down at night (approx. 12-18 degrees).

Respecting the local culture

Flores inhabitants are very hospitable and welcoming. To ensure a positive travel experience & contribute to a healthy cultural exchange all you really need is a smile! And keep in mind our suggestions:

  • When visiting traditional villages cover your shoulders and knees. Bring a sarong if you prefer shorts. In some villages you will be given a sarong that covers the legs. Covering yourself is important due to sacred ancestral worship sites in traditional villages.
  • There are no clothes regulations in Flores islands and it is completely fine to use bathing clothes when on the beach. When visiting churches or attending local ceremonies do cover your knees and shoulders.
  • Use your right hand to give or receive something. In Indonesia the left hand is considered impure as it’s used for cleaning themselves after a toilet visit!
  • Don’t give money to children. If you’d like to give gifts, please check with your tour guide for the best approach.
  • Small tips are customary in Indonesia when someone offers a service (Carrying a suitcase, motorbike/car parking security, visiting a place of worship etc). The tips are given with the right hand or donated in a donation box. A tip can range from 10K IDR to 50K IDR, depending on the service.

Mosquitos

It is recommended to protect yourself against mosquitos by taking necessary precautions. Mosquitos are mostly active during rainy season in the 1,5 hours after sunrise and 1,5 hours before sunset. In high, mountainous areas (for example in Ruteng, Bajawa and Moni) are no disease carrying mosquitos. Here’s some tips to prevent mosquito bites:

  • Use DEET insect spray or, for sensitive skin, an insect spray infused with lemongrass.
  • When walking in forests, mangroves or parks wear protective clothing.
  • Travel in the dry season when there’s a lower risk of catching a mosquito borne disease.
  • Get advice from your health care provider or travel clinic regarding malaria tablets and the (new) Dengue vaccination. Most travellers bring an emergency kit for malaria.
  • Still some questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Food & drinks

  • Only drink bottled mineral water, not from taps. The tapwater in the mountainous areas is drinkable after cooking but bottled mineral water is available everywhere. Brush your teeth with mineral water to avoid diarrhoea.
  • Flores is known for its local farmers producing alcohol. It is very interesting to see the process-making of Arak, Moke or Sopi, the names for the liquor in Flores. The liquors are often used during local ceremonies.
  • Everywhere in Flores are warungs, local restaurants and Indonesian food is available widespread. Western food is mostly available in bigger restaurants. Let your Go Indo tour guide know if you have any preferences or allergies. There is lots of vegetarian options but vegan options are quite hard to find.