8 Nights Luxury Hotel Optional 1 Night Safari Camp
Transportation
Multi Activity Mostly by Private Boat
Included Meals
8 Breakfasts 4 Lunches 4 Dinners
Trip Grade
Category 2 Balanced Break
Group Size
6 – 8 Maximum
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay Watching the tide roll away Ooh, I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay Wastin’ time
Life moves slowly in the Komodo Islands. It is like a time capsule, harking back to prehistoric days.
Waves lap the nearby shore. A pod of spinner dolphins plays just at the mouth of the bay.
Kingfishers, plovers and egrets keep a watchful eye out for the menacing white-bellied sea eagle.
Fishermen slowly come and go and a fresh breeze cools your brow as you dangle your feet in the warm clear waters of Menjaga Bay.
The scene beckons. What is beyond that island? What is below the surface of the water? Rumour has it, Dragons call this “their” domain.
You look up, and gliding up to the pier is your private boat, your very own exploration vessel.
What an amazing holiday, thank you to Peter and Irene of No Road Expeditions for a wonderful experience from the very beginning of our trip until the end. Your Luxury Komodo Experience was just that – we never had to think or worry about anything – all our needs were met to ensure that we had the best experience with every aspect of our trip. We were able to experience snorkeling with the manta rays, sea turtles, capturing the most beautiful sunsets. An insight to the life of the Komodo dragons. Your amazing crew added to the overall experience, always available as needed. This holiday is on the top of our list as being one of the most memorable. Forever grateful Wayne & Karen (Australia)
This is no, sit by the pool drinking mojitos holiday (though there is time for that). This is an active journey and for us to appreciate everything the incredible World Heritage Komodo National Park has to offer, we have to move.
Needless to say, there will be copious amounts of snorkelling. And for those who want to go further, there is access to SCUBA diving as well.
Activities include hiking on Rinca and Padar, sea kayaking the blue waters of the Komodo Islands, snorkelling Pink Beach and other secret reefs and swimming with manta ray.
All of this will be done via your own private boat, which will give us access to every part of the park.
For those willing to really immerse themselves in nature we will even do an overnight beach campsite utilising our Safari Style tents.
Our goal is to get you back to nature, so that you return home refreshed and reinvigorated.
On arrival in Bali, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Balquisse Heritage Hotel, a unique gem in a verdant, natural environment. Every space is artfully curated—handcrafted furniture, elegant textures, and heritage touches that make this boutique property truly one of a kind in Bali. If time allows, relax and enjoy the hotel’s tranquil surroundings before meeting a No Roads Representative in the evening to receive your domestic e-tickets and final trip brief. Overnight at Balquisse Heritage Hotel.
Fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo and transfer directly to the harbour, where your private vessel is ready to cast off. A leisurely 1.5-hour crossing brings you to Menjaga Bay, with lunch served on board and the archipelago unfurling ahead—an elegant prologue to your luxury komodo journey.
On arrival, enjoy a chilled welcome and settle into your room before an unstructured afternoon: explore the resort’s quiet corners, slow the tempo, and toast the day at the pier as the sun fades from 5pm. Overnight: Menjaga Bay. (B, L)
This morning moves at a considered pace. Breakfast, then a clear, efficient briefing with our crew—calm preparation for the first full day of your luxury komodo journey.
We cast off toward Rinca, with time for a snorkel over bright reef and, if tides favour us, a stop at Warloka to view striking megalithic stones that predate much of Komodo’s known history.
Arriving on Rinca, a ranger-led walk (1–2 hours) offers close, responsible encounters with Komodo dragons and the broader island ecosystem. Later, we visit the village of Rinca to understand what it means to live alongside these prehistoric predators.
As the light softens, we reposition to Kaaba Island for the evening bat migration—thousands rising at once into the amber sky. Dinner on board follows, then an easy cruise back to Menjaga. (B, L, D)
We head deep into the park with Padar Island as our opening act—its ridge path revealing three immaculate bays, each a different shade of blue. After the viewpoint, we skirt Padar’s little-seen southern flank, a route few itineraries attempt, before tracking north toward Komodo.
Today’s destination is Pink Beach, a rare sweep of rose-hued sand created by the abundance of red coral offshore. Expect standout snorkelling—gentle entries, vibrant coral gardens, and excellent visibility—an ideal blend of beauty and ease on this luxury komodo journey.
We return to Menjaga in the late afternoon, just in time for a sunset cocktail and a leisurely dinner. (B, L)
An all-star day on the water. First stop: Manta Alley, where 4–5m reef mantas gather daily to be cleaned. Conditions permitting, you’ll swim alongside these graceful giants—sometimes a single ray, sometimes a dozen—always extraordinary.
Post-lunch we continue to Pungu Island for a behind-the-scenes visit at Atlas Pearls, learning how pearls are cultivated and harvested in these pristine waters. Adventurous guests can then sea kayak a scenic coastal stretch to our private sunset cove, where safari-style tents and a relaxed beach dinner await. A petite house reef sits just off the sand for effortless snorkelling.
If you’d rather sleep back at base, we’ll transfer you to Menjaga Bay after dinner. Consider it the perfect blend of access, comfort, and wonder—hallmarks of a luxury komodo journey. (B, L, D)
A restorative pause in the itinerary: a day designed for recovery and choice—hallmarks of a luxury komodo journey. Keep it light with a casual paddle in the resort’s sit-on-top kayaks or take a short guided walk nearby. Prefer to go deeper? This is the ideal window for an optional SCUBA day, arranged to suit conditions. (B)
This morning we make for Labuan Bajo with a scenic stop at Kelor Island. A brief hike brings superb views across the archipelago you’ve been exploring—an ideal last look before the mainland.
We continue to the Labuan Bajo jetty and transfer to Sudamala Resort. Optional massages are available on arrival for those keen to unwind in style.
Sundowners follow at Aliya Resort, after which you’ll dine at the home of Ibu Fitri, our local manager—an intimate evening of regional flavours and conversation that adds cultural depth to your luxury komodo journey. (B, D)
Farewell to Labuan Bajo and the blue maze of Komodo as we fly to Bali for our last evening on the Island of the Gods. The luxury komodo journey concludes in style with a convivial group dinner at a local restaurant—an elegant finale to days of salt, sun, and rare access. (B, D)
Following breakfast, your luxury komodo journey concludes. You’re free to set off on onward plans or return home—rested, inspired, and a little more in love with the wild. (B)
Journey Extensions
Check out our Journey Extensions for those that want to stay a little longer or try something different along the way.
Do you love coffee as much as we do? Forget wine tasting tours, it’s all about coffee appreciation and Indonesia is home to some of the best coffee in the world. Take a guided tour of a local coffee plantation, see how the coffee is harvested, dried, ground and roasted. Return to Labuan Bajo to Cafe Inn Hit for a “Flores” coffee and morning tea.
Duration: 3 hours (9am-12.00pm) Price: AUD $75 per person (minimum of 2 guests)
Tour Includes
Collection and return to Hotel by air conditioned car
Guided Tour of coffee plantation & surrounding area
A free packet of ground coffee (packaged)
Coffee and morning tea at Cafe Inn Hit
*Please ensure that runners or light hiking boots are worn on this extension.
Do you want to learn how to cook Indonesian food like a local? This half-day tour begins with a visit to the local market with the chef and you can help purchase the ingredients for the food you are about to make (and eat)!
Cook and eat three delicious traditional Indonesian meals, and take the recipes home.
Duration: 3.5-4 hours (9am-12.30pm) Price: AUD $75 per person (minimum of 2 guests)
Tour Includes
Collection and return to Hotel in a air conditioned car.
Visit to local market with Chef to purchase food for the cooking class
Water/mineral water
Cooking instructions & participation in cooking of 3 main meals
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights Price: AUD $1050 per person (twin share). Single Traveler $1450 ex Labuan Bajo
For those that have just completed the Komodo Dragon trip, our 5-day 4 night Flores Road Trip is a perfect trip extension. Please note that this itinerary can also be done in reverse to work with your kayaking itinerary.
Flores is one of the most diverse landscapes on earth with an amazing array of cultures mixed in. Dramatic mountain landscapes, lush fertile valleys, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and more await those that wish to explore the island. To top the trip off we will take you to a volcano (Kelimutu) that has three different colored lakes.
Please note that Flores is a rugged and mountainous island and as such the road trip can be long. The hotels used are the best available. They are usually very basic with hot water. The Eco Lodge in Moni has excellent facilities throughout.
Day 1 Labuan Bajo to Ruteng
After breakfast, we will start our road trip to Ruteng. The road will wind its way eastward for a couple of hours before we reach Cancar (pronounced Chanchar). There we will head out to Cara village and climb a small hill that looks over a wide valley. Cara is famous for its spider web rice fields. More technically the agriculture they persist with is known as Lingko in which a field is divided up among the various families of a village from one central location. A wooden pole known as the lodok is placed in the centre of the land. A string is run out to the field’s extremities and then divided into moso (meaning hand) forming the wedge-like fields. As the contours of the land are taken into account across this moso, the field starts to resemble a spiderweb. There are great views of these fields from this hill.
We continue on after lunch to Liang Bua about 1 hour from Ruteng. Liang Bua is the resting place of the Homo Floresiensis, a 106 cm high humanoid that lived in these parts. Discovered in 2003, scientists now speculate why the Hobbit as they are being dubbed, died out. Was it because of Homo Erectus or was it something else? This large grotto cum cave is just off a side road that winds its way through beautiful rice fields and mountain terrain. A local guide will come and show you through the place including a small side cave and the opening to a deep 27-meter hole that leads to another cavern (this is not accessible by non-scientists).
From Liang Bua we will head back to Ruteng and the Susteran Maria Berduka Cita convent run by some very nice Sisters. The rooms are very clean and there is even BBC available on the TV.
Day 2 Ruteng to Bajawa
We continue eastwards into more rugged mountain roads. Along the way, we will stop at a small lake called Ranamese with sweeping views of the coastline. From there we continue to the seaside village of Lega Lapu where we will sample some Arak or Palm spirits. While you may have tasted Arak before, this brew is quite good and actually drinkable.
From Lega Lapu we continue back into the mountains for Bajawa. This is a great yet strange town with bareback cowboys and a beautiful landscape to boot. In the afternoon we will head to Soa which is a natural hot spring just out of town. This is a great place to relax and soothe aching muscles. Tonight we will dine in a timber restaurant (Lucas) that makes great fried potatoes.
Overnight Bajawa Roo Hotel. (B)
Day 3 Bajawa to Moni via Ende.
This is our last day of driving and possibly the most spectacular of them all. After an early breakfast, we will head by car toward an amazingly beautiful valley near the Ngada village of Bena. However, Bena is where we will end our 1.5-hour trek from Gurusina down in the valley. Our trek will take us along small paths back up the mountain, through several Ngada villages.
Ngada culture is based on the balance of the male and female. Houses and smaller structures are either characterized by a male or female spirit. Ngada culture is matrilineal, meaning that property ownership and clan names are passed down through the woman’s side. The men however have great influence in day to day functions of the village. Ngada villages are welcoming and are fascinating and beautiful places to trek through.
We finish our hike in Bena, a large Ngada village overlooking the valley. Keep an eye out for small wooden houses and people sitting atop the homes in these villages.
From Bena, we continue on to Ende and then onto Moni. The road from Ende to Moni would have to be some of the most beautiful on the planet, with sweeping valley views and dozens of waterfalls cascading in the distance. We will arrive in Moni quite late so dinner at the Eco Lodge is suggested.
Overnight Kelimutu Eco Lodge (B)
Day 4 Moni to Kelimutu
We will rise early, around 430am, to walk to the summit of Kelimutu. We can get a small breakfast hamper put together of banana pancakes, water, and a boiled egg to have on Kelimutu. The park’s car park is a 30-minute drive from Moni and then from there a fairly easy 30-minute walk to the top. If we are lucky, the cloud will part at sunrise and the beautiful turquoise lakes of Kelimutu will reveal themselves.
Kelimutu is 3 dormant volcanoes that have been filled with water. Due to minerals being dispersed into the water, the lakes exhibit varying colours. The strange thing is that the lakes are so close to each other but the lakes can have different colours such as red, blue, and black.
If the summit is shrouded in clouds (which is common) and you don’t see the lakes, don’t worry. We will head back down to Moni with a possibility of a 2-hour walk through the fields to the Eco Lodge. We can shower and get another bite to eat there watching the Kelimutu summit from your room waiting for the cloud to clear. We can return to the summit in the afternoon or if all else fails, we can go up again the next day.
We suggest dinner at the Eco Lodge and our personal favorite, Mori’s Moni chicken. (B)
Day 5: Moni to Ende to Bali
This morning, assuming you have already seen Kelimutu, we will go for another walk through the valley. We can even arrange for a horse ride through the villages at your own expense. We will also visit the 10000 Rp market where every bunch of vegetables is 10000 Rp. The stall next door will sell for the same price so the price is not negotiable. The fruit and vegetables are displayed beautifully and it is a nice place to wander.
From there, we will head down to Ende for your flight back to Bali. (B)
Included: – Accommodation between Labuan Bajo and Moni – Expert No Roads Guide throughout – Vehicle use throughout trip – All meals as outlined in Itinerary
Note: If you are adding this extension to a 10 Day Komodo kayaking trip, then your flight to or from Ende before or after your road trip is included in the Komodo Kayaking trip. Otherwise flights are not included in this trip. Please contact us directly to confirm dates if you wish to add this extension on to a Great Creatures Expedition.
Not included: – Accommodation in Labuan Bajo – Flight to and from Flores, unless part of a 10 Day Komodo Kayaking trip – All other incidentals including lunches and dinners
Do you want to go beyond the tourist hot spots and experience what life is like in rural Indonesia? Then this half day tour is the perfect experience for you. Come along and join Matias, one of our Kayaking Guides, in his village to see their simple way of life. Accessible from the main road by motorbike only, this only adds to the feeling of remoteness and adventure, where you are unlikely to come across any other tourists in this off-the-beaten-track village.
Duration: 4-6 hours (May-Oct) Price: AUD $85 per person (2 guests or more) Price: AUD $115 single guest
Tour Includes
Collection at your Hotel by air-conditioned car
Transfer on the back of a motorbike from the main road along a dirt road into the village
Guided tour of vegetable crops and banana plantations
Guided tour of the village
Lunch in the village
5-20 minute trek through the rice fields to the “pregnant lady rock” and will be told the local story of how the rock formed. Guests will then head back into the village, where once again they will get on the back of a motorbike for a trip to see the fossilized trees and local hot springs.
Mbeiling Eco Lodge is a haven for wildlife and the lodge contributes significantly to the conservation and sustainability of the local communities and species of the area.
Stay overnight at this stunning Eco Lodge, which is 45 minutes from the centre of Labuan Bajo.
We can arrange activities such as the Mbeliling Trek, Bird Watching, Flores Coffee & Nature Appreciation Tour, Cunca Wulang Waterfalls or Cecer Village Visit all from Mbeliling Eco Lodge.
Price: AUD $200 per room per night twin share includes return transfers from Labuan Bajo
Check in – 2.00pm – check out 12.00pm
Inclusions:
Return transfer to and from Labuan Bajo by air-conditioned car.
The highlight of this three day tour is the fully guided climb up Mt Inerie to see the sunrise. Mt Inerie is 2,245 meters above sea level and is also one of the highest volcanoes in Flores, the trek takes six hours and starts at the very early time of 2:30 am. Tour also includes a visit to the local hot springs and a visit to the traditional village of Bena. This trip is a wonderful example of the incredible sights that you can discover when you go off the beaten track and take the road less traveled.
Flores is a relatively unexplored part of Indonesia. This mountainous island hides beautiful villages from the normal tourist, but with this 2 day trek, you will venture into this wonderland and experience the great hospitality of its’ people.
Itinerary
Day 1: We will leave Labuan Bajo at around 8am and head up into the mountains to Dintor Village (approx 4 hours drive). Along the way we will have lunch and witness the ruggedness of the Flores landscape. Once we have arrived at Dintor Village we will start our trek for Wae Rebo village. After a short motorbike ride we will start hiking, which will take us through the amazing open mountain terrain where we will see the fantastic cone shaped houses (approximately 2 hours). In Wae Rebo we will stay in a traditional home and be the guest of the village. They will show us their way of life high in the mountains. This is a great experience for those who want to witness traditional lives in Flores. Dinner and Breakfast will be provided in the village. (L,D)
Day 2: After breakfast you will have some time to immerse yourself in the local village before we start our trek down to Denge Village and then drive to Dintor Village where we will have lunch. From there we will return back to Labuan Bajo in the early evening for you to continue your travels. (B,L)
Included
Car and driver Local Guide Overnight accommodation in Wae Rebo Village
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (as per itinerary)
Exclusion
Accommodation on the night of Day 2 (your return to Labuan Bajo). We can offer accommodation in Labuan Bajo for AUD$95 Twin Share subject to change and availability.
Price
We can run this trip for 1 – 5 Pax
1 Person $650 2 Person $375 per person 3 Person $345 per person 4 Person $315 per person 5 Person $300 per person
Includes
2 nights luxury accommodation in Bali twin share
5 nights luxury accommodation in Menjaga Bay twin share
1-night luxury accommodation Labuan Bajo
1 night Safari style camping (optional)
All domestic flights
Kayak use with all safety gear including vest, paddle etc
Snorkel and mask use
National park fees
Professional guide throughout the journey
Labuan Bajo Town Tour
Ranger and local guide fees
All meals on expedition (8 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 4 Dinners)
Airport transfers to and from accommodation in Bali and Labuan Bajo
Basically a great time!
Excludes
International Airfares
Airport Tax
Travel Insurance for your trip
Tips
Alcoholic beverages
If you are travelling alone and do not want to share accommodation, a Single Supplement of $1200 will apply. Single Supplement is subject to availability.
This is a fully supported and guided journey
Throughout this journey, you will be supported and guided by our local team. They are on hand to ensure your needs are met and the journey runs smoothly.
Accommodation throughout the trip
This is a luxury journey and as such we have chosen some superb places to rest our heads in Bali and Labuan Bajo.
In Bali we have chosen the beautiful Balquisse. This is a superb place, so different from what you may have ever stayed at in Bali. We are sure you will love it.
In Menjaga Bay we stay at the Menjaga Bay Resort in over water huts. These are beautiful rooms with outdoor showers and a small private landing where you can relax and watch life pass you by.
In Labuan Bajo, we are staying at the Sudamala Resort. This beautiful and quaint resort has a small village feel with all the necessary luxury you require to be comfortable.
We also have the option of staying in one of our Safari-style tents on a deserted beach. These are tall tents in which you can stand up. In each tent we have 2 stretcher beds, each with an inflatable mattress. They are mosquito-proof tents, although mosquitos out on the islands are not usually an issue. We provide a small pillow and a light blanket for each bed.
This is your adventure so you can do as much or as little as you like
One of the great things about our Luxury Komodo Explorer is that it caters to so many different types of adventurers. For those who want to be active all day, from sunrise to even after dark, there is plenty of opportunity to hike, snorkel, and paddle. Our guides are there to accompany you, no matter what you wish to do, so they are ready for anything.
For those that wish to dabble in paddling, do a short hike, and maybe not even snorkel, that is fine too. You can do as much or as little as you like. Many of our guests love spending an afternoon sunbathing on the upper deck of our support boat, lounging into one of our bean bags, and either catching a quick cat nap or reading a book. The beautiful water of the Komodos is just overboard, so a quick dip, a rinse off, and back on the upper deck for another read is a common activity.
You also have the option just to stay back in Menjaga Bay and relax by the pool.
It’s your time, you do with it as you wish.
We get asked a lot of questions about our Komodo trips. The following are certainly the most common however if you have another question please let us know or the answer may be found in our Trip Notes section.
What's sea kayaking like? Is it easy to learn?
Sea-kayaking is a most wonderful way to explore the world. It’s environmentally-friendly, does not require months of training and superior strength, and is good for the body and soul. Sea-kayaking can take you beyond the reach of civilization into the natural world, into the space between earth, sea and sky.
No prior experience is necessary. As long as you are in good health and have a good general fitness along with a sense of adventure, you will quickly master the skills needed to paddle and steer your kayak. Our experienced guides will give an introductory lesson at the beginning of the journey, and will be there to help and keep everyone happy and safe throughout.
Is this a good family trip?
This journey is perfect for families wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time together exploring the amazing Komodo Islands. We have a minimum age of 10 years on our journeys and we offer a 10% discount off the journey price for all children 14 years of age and under.
How does the SCUBA Diving option work?
For those who would like to incorporate a SCUBA Dive into the trip, this can be done and is highly recommended. The Menjaga Bay Resort has a Dive Master and diving facilities. These can be organised at the resort on the Rest Day.
What is the food like at Menjaga?
There are several meals not included in the trip which will need to be taken at the Menjaga Bay Resort. The food there is excellent and can cater for all dietary needs.
This journey is so unique because you can unpack your bags in one place and explore the Komodo islands from your very own boat, swimming, snorkelling, hiking and even sea kayaking. We get to see all the main sites PLUS another side of the Komodo islands few visit. This is such a beautiful way to experience my backyard. And who knows, maybe you will come and have dinner in my home together. I look forward to seeing you there.
Ibu Fitri Komodo Islands Ops Manager
These trips might also interest you...
5 Day Komodo Kayaking
Where the modern world meets the Jurassic, Komodo National Park is in short, one of the most amazing natural places on this planet. There's no more intimate way to see it, than on the water...
Don't worry if you have never heard of this place before, very few have and that's one of the reasons why this remote sea kayaking journey is so unique. Crystal clear waters, pristine reefs, palm fringed beaches and the locals are incredibly hospitable. This adventure is a great mix of nature and culture unique to PNG.
For those with a little less time to travel, our 6 Day Komodo Kayaking adventure will take you deep into the Komodo National Park, immersing you immediately into its prehistoric energy. We take care of everything including flights from Bali, accommodation, transfers and of course the adventure.
Do you love coffee as much as we do? Forget wine tasting tours, it’s all about coffee appreciation and Indonesia is home to some of the best coffee in the world. Take a guided tour of a local coffee plantation, see how the coffee is harvested, dried, ground and roasted. Return to Labuan Bajo to Cafe Inn Hit for a “Flores” coffee and morning tea. 
Do you want to learn how to cook Indonesian food like a local? This half-day tour begins with a visit to the local market with the chef and you can help purchase the ingredients for the food you are about to make (and eat)!
Do you want to go beyond the tourist hot spots and experience what life is like in rural Indonesia? Then this half day tour is the perfect experience for you. Come along and join Matias, one of our Kayaking Guides, in his village to see their simple way of life. Accessible from the main road by motorbike only, this only adds to the feeling of remoteness and adventure, where you are unlikely to come across any other tourists in this off-the-beaten-track village.
