Join us on our first exploratory mountain bike ride through the dramatic, volcano-strewn (14 active) island of Flores in Eastern Indonesia!
This is a trip we have wanted to do for a long time - ever since Chris visited in the late 90's and was awed by the rugged beauty of the island and the fascinating peoples who have largely been left behind by the developing world.
We plan to start the trip in the eastern city of Maumere, located in a large bay on the northern coast - site of a devastating tsunami in 1992 that wiped out the entire population of an island just offshore, Pulau Babi. Before that event, the coral gardens and reefs offshore were regarded as the most beautiful marine garden in Indonesia. Fifteen years later it is showing miraculous signs of recovery and scuba divers have returned to set up shop here.
The roads that will take us west to the fishing village of Labuhanbajo on the westernmost tip of Flores will be rugged and challenging, climbing over the cordillera of volcanoes to the south coast and back into the mountains again before descending to the west. En route we will be able to explore several volcanoes, including the famous Kelimutu with its three different coloured crater lakes, ancient traditional villages and extraordinary and unique rice terrace formations that look like spiders' webs. We may have a chance to witness a caci - a ceremonial whipfight - and visit village famous for their exquisite ikat weavings.
On arrival in Labuhanbajo, we can, of course, then take a boat out into the stunning Komodo National Marine Park that lies between Flores and Sumbawa islands to look for Komodo Dragons, the world's largest living lizard, a true hangover from prehistoric times.
THIS IS A TRIP FOR ADVENTURERS ONLY! WE WILL BE THE FIRST TO CYCLE THROUGH THIS ISLAND AND, WHILST WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF HOW IT WILL FEEL HAVING TRAVELLED THROUGH FLORES IN 4WD VEHICLES BEFORE NOW, WE DO NOT EXACTLY KNOW WHAT SORT OF EXPERIENCE IS IN STORE US.
Cyclists will be backed up by 4WD support vehicles - number depend on how many of you decide to join us. If you are bringing your won bikes, make sure you also carry essential spare parts - we will be far from modern civilisation.
Maumere ~ Labuhanbajo
D1: Fly Bali to Maumere, East Flores.
Check in to the Sea World Club. (B)
D2: Explore Maumere Explore Maumere and the surrounding countryside by bike. There are several islands offshore in the bay which used to be considered the coral gardens of Indonesia until a tsunami devastated them in 1992, also killing the entire population of Babi Island that you can see from the shore. However the corals are now recovering a d a few dive shops have already mushroomed along the coast. So, an optional boat trip out in to the bay to dive or snorkel is possible too. O/n Sea World Club (B)
D3: Cycling: Maumere - Moni.
After Breakfast visit Wuring, a Fishing Village in Maumere. Onwards to Ledalero Museum. In this small museum you will see a collection of woven Ikats and precious stones. Sikka is known for is old church from 1899 and Ikat which is enthusiastically sold by the local people. At Paga Beach a moment to relax and if you like you can swim here. Before Moni a visit Traditional village Jopu. In Moni you'll stay overnight at Floresare. Rooms are non AC in this cool hill climate. At night you could make a stroll through the small village of Moni. O/n Floresare hotel 100 km (B)
D4: Moni ~ Kelimutu ~ Ende
Early rise to cycle or walk up to Mt. Kelimutu, the the volcano with its 3 famous multi coloured lakes. Most visitors like to rise early enough to watch the sunrise from the rim. 
Return to hotel for breakfast before setting off by bike through beautiful landscape to Ende on the south coast. Here you can visit Soekarno's House where he stayed after he was captured by the Dutch. O/n Mentari or Dwi Putra +/- 50 km (B)
D5: Ende - Riung
. This trip will take you from the south coast, with stop at green stone beach Pengga Jawa, to the dryer north coast of Flores on the Flores Sea. The last part of the road is still in a poor state. O/n Pondok SVD +/- 130 km (B)
D6: Riung: 17 island boat tour
Today a boat trip to the National Park 17 islands near Riung. Here a great variety of fish and coral can be seen. 
Snorkels are included in the tour. But the first stop is at the hundreds of Flying Foxes that hang in the mangrove forests near the coast. Lunch at one of the remote islands. On return to Riung rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Pondok SVD (B,L)
D7: Riung ~ Bajawa
Set of by bike for Bajawa. En route visit Soa hotspring where the hot water boils to the surface. You can take a bath if you like. Check into the Hotel. In the afternoon visit the village of Boloji where the local Bajawanese will entertain you with a traditional dance and flute performance. Overnight Bintang Wisata Hotel in Bajawa. Cycling 72 km.
D8: Bajawa: Visit traditional villages of Bena and Wogo.
In the morning a visit to the traditional Ngada village of Bena. Besides still in tact, with the megalith stones besides the old houses, this village has beautiful location with views of Mount Inerie. In the afternoon visit traditional village Wogo. Here too the people still preserve their ancestral believes and spiritual way of life. Overnight Bintang Wisata Hotel (B).
D9: Bajawa ~ Borong. 75 km
In the morning depart for Borong. At Aimere you can see how Arak is distilled from palm trees. O/n Hotel AA - Borong (B)
D10: Borong ~ Ruteng
In the morning depart for Ruteng. On the way visit Lake Rana Mese. Here you can walk around the lake. In the afternoon a visit to the old centre at Ruteng Puu. O/n Dahlia (B)
D11: Ruteng ~ Labuhanbajo
A long day's riding to Labuhanbajo on the western end of Flores, looking out to Komodo National Park. En route visit the extraordinary spidersweb ricefields at Cacar. Hotel EcoLodge in Labuan Bajo for overnight 120 km. (B)
D12: Komodo National Park
Full day boat trip to visit the islands of Rinca & Komodo, home to the infamous Komodo Dragons. These. the largest living lizards on earth, live on 3 islands: Rinca, Padar & Komodo and some parts of West Flores. Its length can reach up to 3 meters with a weight of up to 90 kilos. Early morning wake up call. Breakfast at the hotel before transfer to the harbour. At 6.00 am depart for Komodo island. This trip over blue tropical waters and past hundreds of small island will take approximately 4 hours. On our visit to Komodo island we make a walk (1 hour) with a local ranger in search of the dragons. During your visit also wild buffalo, deer, pigs and various species of tropical birds like the Cockatoo can be seen. 
At Pink Beach lunch and time to discover the splendid underwater world of these rich waters (snorkels and fins are provided). Onwards to Rinca. Led by a local ranger 1 hour soft trekking through forest and savanna. Komodo Dragons are often spotted on the way. From the highest point on this hike a beautiful panorama of the surrounding island. The return journey to Labuan Bajo will take around 1 1/2 hours. Upon arrival at the harbour transfer to Hotel EcoLodge for overnight (B,L)
D13: Labuhanbajo ~ Bali
Morning at leisure until transfer out for flight to Denpasar, Bali. Overnight at Kind Villa Bintang
D14: Departure home or for your onward journey.
Notes
Price indicated is for 2 people travelling together. This will drop considerably for bigger groups.
