Lombok
Island
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Mount
Rinjani |
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Gili
Island |
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Komodo
Island |
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About
Us |
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The Gates
of the Rising Sun |
FLORES ISLAND
There is a saying ’’Ulu gheta leja geju eko ghale bajo bima’’
which means the head faces the sunrise (in the east) in east
flores, and the tail towards the sunset (in the west) in
labuan bajo, manggarai, west flores. This metaphor symbolizes
a dragon, lying with its head at the eastern end of flores,
and its tail in west manggarai, or Nusa nipa, the name
of flores island before the arrival of the Portuguese.
Manggarai, whose capital is Ruteng, was once
ruled by the kings of Bima. The influences of Bima and Goa are
evident in prevailing titles, such as karaeng, and in the
manner of dress.
The shape of the roofs, with the buffalo horn symbol, may be
an element inherited from the Minangkabau. The cool town of
Ruteng lies at the foot of a mountain. It can be reached by
air from Denpasar and Kupang or overland from the western part
of the island via Labuan bajo, or from the eastern part
via Ende - Bajawa. |
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In previous centuries, Reo
was a part of considerable trading potentials. Beside the
famed komodo lizard, the area has many attractions to offer
tourists, such as the Caci dance, a wildlife reserve, and
archeological caves.
Liang Bua is a cave 13 kilometers from Ruteng, which
not so long ago caused minor sensation due to the finding of
rare prehistorically fossils.
Ulumbu, lying far behind the mountains and near the
southern coast, has a geyser, spurting water 15 meters high
into the sky. The places, however, is not easy to reach.
Caci is an interesting dance. Two warriors wearing
traditional clothes face each other, each holding a shield in
the left hand and a lash whose tip is covered with dried
buffalo skin, in the right. This dance is accompanied by gong
beats, and preceded by chants, Sung by males.
Horse races can be seen in karo village, south of Ruteg.
In former times, such races drew participants from as far as
Bajawa, Boawae and even Ende. Magic is said to be often
involved. Usually held during big holidays.
Mount Pocoranaka is the highest mountain on flores
island, and practically unexplored.
Ranamese is a big lake in the mountains. The air is
cool and sometimes misty. Good for relaxing, water sports,
fishing. Some lodgings and modest restaurants are available.
Labuhan Bajo is the jumping board for tours to the
Komodo National Park and other areas in east Nusa Tenggara.
Batu Cermin Cave is five Kilometers from the town
Labuhan Bajo. The grotto is 75 by 75 meters large and contains
stalactites and stalagmite.
Some tunnels are arrow and dark but in other sunlight falls.
Historic Ende, Ende was the site of a kingdom that
excised around the end of the 18th century. The name today
refers to capital of ende regency, which includes the
autonomous territories of Lio and Ende. The people of the area
are therefore known as Lio-Ende people.
KeliMutu is Holy Mountain with three crater lakes,
filled with water of different colors. Far removed from the
civilized would, utter silence reigns around these lakes. The
1.690 meters high mountain, 60 kilometers from Ende was
“discovered” by a Dutchneb van suchtelen and Le Roux, who came
to explore it after hearing stories about the mountain which
the local people regarded as the location of Heaven and Hell.
According to legend, the man kelimutu was punished by the gods
due to his cruel treatment of the weak. The story presumably
refers to the giant Ata Polo Ria, who ill treated the
orphans Ata Koo Fai and Ata Nuwa Muri, as well
as the old man Ata Bupu. As a punishment the gods put
the giant to death.
Those three lakes are believed by certain people who still
adhere to the old ancestral beliefs to be Heaven and Hell. The
guardians holding the key of the gates are Konde and
Ratu. The color of the water that fills the lakes
constantly changes. As a result, the red like is now
light-green; the green one has turned black, while the dark
blue one has not changed. |
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FLORES DISCOVERY TOURS |
RTCKM 03: KOMODO, FLORES
and Mount KILIMUTU Adventures
 Day
1: Mataram - Labuhan Bajo ( Flores )
Upon arrival at L.Bajo Airport Flores, transfer direct to
hotel. After lunch in a local restaurant, spend the afternoon
Tour Labuhan Bajo city by local "Benhur" pony cart. Overnight
in Labuhan Bajo Flores.
Day
2: Labuhan Bajo - Komodo Island
After breakfast transfer to L. Bajo harbor to Cross the Sape
strait by open fishing boat to Komodo Island (approx. 4 hrs).
Lunch on boat. Arrival late afternoon at Loh Liang, then set
out on foot for a 30 minutes walk to the feeding ground of the
komodo, in a small valley which ensures safe observation as
the huge reptiles attack their captive prey, their tails
lashing as they vie for the right to an easy dinner. Return to
the Boat for Dinner and overnight on the Boat.
Day
3: Komodo - Rinca - L. Bajo
Continue to red beach, the beach with pink color sand;
snorkeling and waiting for breakfast.
after breakfast continue to Rinca island and explore tha other
habitat of the dragon, here the komodo more wild then in
komodo island, beware your legs. then sail back to L. Bajo,
arrive in labuhan Bajo around 4 o'clock then check in to hotel
for overnight.
Day
4: Labuhan Bajo - Ruteng
After breakfast we set out towards Ruteng. On the way we visit
Pan Village, Old Katedral and Golo Curu hilltop. Dinner and
overnight in hotel.
Day
5: Ruteng - Bejawa
After breakfast on the way to Bajawa we visit Bena, Lang and
Wage Villages, Soa hot spring. Lunch box will be provided.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
6: Bejawa - Ende - Moni
After breakfast departure for Ende. On the way we visit Non
Bose hilltop, and Ndona village famous for hand weavings. Late
afternoon arrive in Ende. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
7: Explore the Kalimutu Lake
After breakfast transfer you to Moni, a small village at the
foot of Kelimutu lake . Start the 2-hour hike to the lake.
Return for dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
8: Moni - Maumere
After breakfast we set out towards Maumere. On the way we
visit Leonardo Museum, Nita village famous for hand weaving,
and finally Bola fishing village. Dinner and overnight in
hotel.
Friday March 24, 2006
Day
9: After breakfast, transfer to Airport for your next
destination. |
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RTCKM 04: FLORES and
Mount KILIMUTU Adventures
Day
01: Labuhan Bajo - Ruteng
After breakfast we set out towards Ruteng. On the way we visit
Pan Village, Old Katedral and Golo Curu hilltop. Dinner and
overnight in hotel.
Day
02: Ruteng - Bejawa
After breakfast on the way to Bajawa we visit Bena, Lang and
Wage Villages, Soa hot spring. Lunch box will be provided.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
03: Bejawa - Ende - Moni
After breakfast departure for Ende. On the way we visit Non
Bose hilltop, and Ndona village famous for hand weavings. Late
afternoon arrive in Ende. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
04: Explore the Kalimutu Lake
After breakfast transfer you to Moni, a small village at the
foot of Kelimutu lake . Start the 2-hour hike to the lake.
Return for dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day
05: Moni - Maumere
After breakfast we set out towards Maumere. On the way we
visit Leonardo Museum, Nita village famous for hand weaving,
and finally Bola fishing village. Dinner and overnight in
hotel.
Friday March 24, 2006
Day
06: After breakfast, transfer to Airport for your next
destination. |
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| Packages
Included: |
- All Transportation
(Air Condition Car, Local Transportation and
Boat Cabin or non cabin).
- Hotel (
Standard ), 1 room for 2 person.
-
Meals during on the boat.
- Fresh
fruit, Breakfast and Drinking water.
-
Fishing and Snorkeling Gears.
- Guide
assistant during the trips.
- Insurance
and Entrance
fee. | |
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Descriptive
day to day tour itinerary, price, flight schedule,
hotel/accommodation, weather condition etc, Please do not
hesitate to contact us. |
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