Tour description
We’ll meet up in Ubud, Bali, where we spend two days before heading for the paradise of Gili Air, just off Lombok. It is renowned for its coral reefs, sandy beaches, palm trees, bars and restaurants.
Rinjani volcano and Tetebatu
Moving on to Tetebatu at the foot of the Rinjani volcano, we’ll pause at the Lingsar Hindu temple to see the holy eels and the 'source of eternal youth’ at Narmada. The volcano is surrounded by paddy-fields, tobacco plantations and Sasak villages. It’s a great place to hike or ride in a dokar (horse and carriage). We also recommend the pottery centre in nearby Masbagik.Sumbawa
On day 7 we’ll set off for Sumbawa, the nearest island in this archipelago, passing picturesque Buginese houses supported by wooden poles. We’ll land in Tano then drive to Sumbawa Besar where we’ll stay in exotic beach-front bungalows and where the former sultan’s palace is.Pulau Moyo
The nearby island of Pulau Moyo has a national park featuring coral reefs, wild boar, monitor lizards, bats, deer and crab-eating macaques. We might also watch the buffalo racing here! We’ll then traverse volcanic mountain slopes, passing paddy-fields and picturesque villages, to the fishing town of Bima.Komodo archipelago
On day 10 we’ll sail to the Komodo archipelago, swimming and snorkelling en route. On Komodo and Rinca we’ll see the legendary Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. We’ll sleep on board and be cooked for, and then move to Flores, Labuhanbajo - a bay filled with outrigger fishing boats. Ashore, lilies and sunflowers grow from cracks in the dusty 16th century streets of this scintillating sandalwood-trading Portuguese colony. Visit the Batu Cermin cave, and treat yourselves to delicious seafood.Ruteng
On day 12 we’ll drive to Ruteng, the domain of the Manggarai whose tribe still hold traditional whip fights, and we’ll enjoy the abundance of flowers, rice fields and smoking volcanoes at Flores.
On day 13 we’ll go to Bajawa, where you can go to the village of Bena - home of the Ngada people renowned for their hand-spun ikat cloth, intricately patterned and coloured with plant and mineral dyes. Or you could doze in the hot-springs at Soa!Detusoko
On day 15 we’ll arrive in Detusoko, beneath the Kelimutu volcano, where we’ll stay (very sensibly) at the Francis Caner mission-post/nunnery/orphanage.
We’ll observe sunrise from the Kelimutu volcano which has three lakes that, because of the water’s mineral content, continually change colour. Tradition has it that the souls of the dead rest in these lakes: the old men in one lake, the young men in another and the witches in the last. (Which leaves women who aren’t witches precisely where?)Maumere
On day 16 we’ll go to Maumere, on Flores’s southern coast, to snorkel and dive. Then on day 17 we’ll fly to Bali to enjoy the wonderful sun, sand and sea at Sanur, before heading for home on day 19.