Bali - Lombok - Komodo

Tropical island journey: Bali - Lombok - Komodo

14 days, March, 2017

Tropical journey to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesian Archipelago, one of the most diverse countries in the world. We will travel to the heart of Indonesia, the famous Bali Island, cross the Wallace Line to explore wild forests, white-sand beaches and coral reefs of neighboring Lombok and head to remote Komodo Island in warm and clear Flores Sea to watch its mysterious Komodo dragon.

Trip schedule:

Day 1. Meeting at Bali Denpasar international airport. In order to adapt to the tropical climate, we will travel to a cooler Ubud town, situated at 200 m elevation, which is the cultural capital of Bali. After check-in at our hotel, we will have a short orientation walk around the town to see the local life and introduce to the unique and rich culture of Balinese.

Day 2. After a good rest from long travel, starting our day from a visit to Sacred Monkey Forest, a large piece of lush forest, where we get a chance to meet first representatives of Indonesian nature. Later we head to the slopes of Batukan Mount to see Bali’s village life and picturesque, green centuries-old rice terraces, unique in their technological design. We will visit one of the Bali’s holiest seven-roofed Luhur Batukan temple and learn about fine spiritual world of Balinese.

Day 3. Most of Bali’s mountains are volcanoes. Above the level of rice terraces starts cool, misty, volcanic lake country, which will be the aim of our day-trip. Visiting several picturesque mountain lakes, hiking through misty mountain forest and small villages with beautiful temples.

Day 4. After exploring Balinese culture, we leave Ubud and head to the coast of the island. Crossing by ferry the Lombok Strait, also the famous Wallace Line, separating Asian nature from Australian. Landing Lombok Island. Transfer to Senggigi town and hotel check-in. Resting on the Bali Sea shore and in the coastal town.

Day 5. Next morning chartering a boat to the offshore white-sandy Gili Islands, where we can enjoy snorkeling in azure Bali Sea, rich with tropical fishes and invertebrates. We spend the day on the Gilis.

Day 6. Early in the morning we leave Senggigi and head to the northern slopes of Mount Rinjani National Park (UNESCO candidate). Check in picturesque Senaru village on the border of the national park, and surrounded by rain-forest and mountains. The villages around gave birth to unique animist belief known only on Lombok. Forest is inhabited by rare ebony leaf monkeys, two species of deer, Sunda porcupine, various interesting insects and other invertebrates. Some birds have Australian affinities: honey-eaters, cockatoos and other parrots. After getting park permits we explore the traditional Lombok village, forest, beautiful waterfalls and enjoy stunning views.

Day 7. Rinjani Mount in an active volcano with beautiful crater lake. It takes half-day of hiking through the national park to reach the caldera with breathtaking views over the lake, mount summit and surrounding rugged area. Starting ascend before sunrise to explore forest life at night and reach the rim by midday and return back before sunset.

Day 8. Return to Senggigi. Ferry trip through Lombok Strait back to Bali. Check in little Padangbai town, where we can rest, swim in the Bali Sea and enjoy Balinese food.

Day 9. Understanding the history and culture of Balinese would be impossible without a visit to Bali Aga people, original inhabitants of the island prior Javanese arrival. They live mostly in isolated mountain villages of the eastern part of Bali, where they practice distinct crafts, e.g. books written on dried palm leaves. Return to Padangbai.

Day 10. Departing Bali. Flying to Labuan Bajo Komodo. Check in Labuan Bajo. Exploring the small town on the coast of Flores Sea.

Day 11. Early in the morning departing to Komodo National Park (UNESCO heritage site), situated on several islands in Flores Sea. The biggest ones are Komodo and Rinca Islands. The park was specifically established to protect world’s biggest lizard, Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its savannah habitat. Park also includes marine aquatories with some of best snorkelling sites in the world. Except for the dragon we can see deers, wild buffalo, monkeys and many interesting birds, for examples megapods, typical for Australian region. Hiking on Rinca Island. Overnight on Rinca.

Day 12. Exploring Komodo Island. Hiking, visiting local villages, snorkeling on a beach with pink (really pink) sand.

Day 13. Return from Komodo Island to Labuan Bajo. Departure flight to Bali. Transfer to Seminyak. Hotel check-in. Farewell dinner.

Day 14. Departing from Bali. However, somebody may prefer to stay and enjoy more days on the island.

Price: 1250 euros

For children of age 6 to 16, accompanied by an adult, discount 50%.

For students (min. 2 participants, travelling together) discount 25%.

Price includes:

1. hotel and lodge accommodation.

2. travel inside the country (taxi, bus, train, ferry, boat, domestic flights)

3. national park entrance fees, permits and local guide services

4. services of travel design, organisation and travel leader before, during and after the trip

Not including international flights, visa and food.

The final price may vary to small extent depending on personal accommodation preferences.

Family and group discounts are possible.

Travel conditions:

Western Sunda Islands enjoy tropical climate with moderate rainfall and rotation of rainy and dry season. June is a dry season month, which makes possibility for easy exploration of rural areas. Our international airport is Denpasar – Bali. To travel within Islands we will use public buses, taxi and rented minivans with a driver. Islands are connected between each other by regular ferries, boats and aviation. In this journey we do not need tents and other camping equipment. Indonesia features cheap accommodation and food - we will stay in hotels and guesthouses and eat in restaurants. Visiting national parks will require permits and local guides, which shall be officially arranged at the park entrance.

Travel leader: biologist Dr. Mikhail Daneliya.

What to take (minimum):

Summer clothes, including long sleeves, light long pants, shorts, several t-shirts

Swimming suit

Hygienic set

Hat or something to cover head

Sun cream

Sneakers or hiking shoes

Sandals

Rain poncho

Warm sweater or jacket

Flashlight

Hiking poles

Mosquito repellent

More information and reservation by e-mail: info@biogeotraveller.fi

Welcome!