Indonesia Community Stay
This challenging mountain bike ride will take you through the dramatic, volcano-strewn (14 active) island of Flores in Eastern Indonesia!
It is a trip I have wanted to do for a long time - ever since I 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 - and finally I managed to arrange it for a Swedish couple in December 07 who raved about it.
The trip starts 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 you west to the fishing village of Labuanbajo 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 you 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. You may have a chance to witness a caci - a ceremonial whipfight - and visit a village famous for its exquisite ikat weavings.
On arrival in Labuanbajo, you 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! YOU WILL BE AMONGST A VERY FEW TO HAVE CYCLED THROUGH THIS ISLAND.
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.
See a some more pics on the Symbiosis blog, courtesy of Tim Peterson and Louise Neilson who completed this trip in Sept 09.
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 and a few dive shops have already mushroomed along the coast. So, an optional boat trip out into the bay to dive or snorkel is possible too. O/n Sea World Club (B)
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 its 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)
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
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. Return to Riung, rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Pondok SVD (B,L)
D7: Riung ~ Bajawa
D8: Bajawa: Visit traditional villages of Bena and Wogo.
D9: Bajawa ~ Borong. 75 km
D11: Ruteng ~ Labuhanbajo
D12: Komodo National Park
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 you may also encounter 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)
D14: Departure home or for your onward journey.
