A Fast-Paced Journey Across Flores Island

Trip date: Middle of March, 2026

Departure and Return Airport: Bali (Denpasar)

Other Airports: Kupang (West Timor), Maumere (North Flores), Ende (Flores), Labuan Bajo (West Flores)

Airline: Lion Group (Lion, Batik, Wings (prop planes)

A multi-leg journey across Indonesia by air

Flores in a tight window best describes this trip. Day one was travel. Bali to Kupang, a few hour layover here, then a short flight to Maumere and then a 3 hour drive to the Kelimutu Ecolodge, outskirts of Moni, arriving after dark. All this in preparation to scale Kelimutu Volcano the next morning.

The Ecolodge is the nicest accommodation in the area and the setting is spectacular. The rooms are fine but not modern. The lodge has a good restaurant and with some driving there are some small dining spots in Moni. Separate lodges, a setting abutting a river, a great view, friendly and attentive staff, and the proximity to Kelimutu Volcano are the salient Ecolodge features.

Kelimutu Ecolodge - simple comfort surrounded by nature

Trekking to the Kelimutu summit from the parking lot is not difficult and takes approximately one hour. Different color volcanic lakes are the famous Kelimutu attraction. The hike and the summit are worth the trip, but the lakes are the stuff of postcards, if anyone sends them anymore. In offseason, chances of seeing the lakes and the sunrise decrease. I was lucky to see two of the three lakes before fog descended and found them worth the effort. They are if nothing else unique.

The iconic tri-colored crater lakes of Kelimutu

After returning to the Ecolodge for breakfast, the road trip continued. Fifty kilometers west of Kelimutu lies Ende. Native villages, coffee plantations, panoramic views highlight the Moni to Ende trip. Flores has great coffee and durian. Stop and purchase both before arriving in Ende.  Keep in mind that few things are as controversial as a durian.

Local life and flavors—coffee, villages, and the infamous durian

Mid-afternoon finds one in Ende. Without much time to explore, I can say there is not much in this town except a suitable hotel, local restaurants and an airport that has an early morning flight to Labuan Bajo.

The last 5-10 years have witnessed serious changes to Labuan Bajo. A new airport welcomes visitors and 5-star hotels dot the coast north of the town. The local market is still local but almost everything else has evolved upwards. The Katamaran Hotel was built in 2024 it looks like every room has a view. It is not just a view but a magnificent view of the harbor, islands and everything in between. Marriott, Plataran and others also have nice properties along this coast, about 10 minutes from town and the airport. Labuan Bajo is no longer the sleepy town it once was.

Labuan Bajo’s rising luxury—resorts with sweeping ocean views

The Komodo dragon makes all this happen. It is found on Komodo and Rinca (pronounced Wrencha). Some kind of boat takes you to one or the other. Speedboats are nice. The tour is guided and supervised by a ranger and takes an hour or two.

Up close with Komodo dragons under ranger supervision

Typically, one spends a day or less visiting the dragons and other islands for swimming and snorkeling. Pink Beach is nice.

Labuan Bajo is an alternative or compliment to Bali and might be more expensive. Bali has many options while Labuan Bajo is more limited. I talked to several people who like LBJ better than Bali. As for Flores, the island is worth visiting. I’ve heard that Maumere can be a great spot, particularly for water activities. Koka Beach is well known and about a 1.5 hour drive from Maumere. While the lodgings in the North side of Flores don’t match those in LBJ and there are no Komodo dragons, the volcano and the lakes and the general environment are memorable.

Untouched beauty in northern Flores—quiet, raw, and memorable

For the luxury traveler demanding 5 star hotels, Labuan Bajo and a helicopter ride to the rest of Flores might be the best approach.

A luxury perspective—exploring Flores from above

If you’re inspired to experience Flores and beyond, explore our tailored Indonesia tours here