Flores is one of the most special islands to explore in Lesser Sunda Islands
Adventure seekers and hikers will be in their element climbing the volcanoes Kelimutu and Inerie, while divers and snorkelers will find around Komodo, Labuan Bajo and Maumere one of the best marine life in the world. Wildlife lovers will see the prehistoric Komodo dragon, the planet’s largest living lizard. Beach lovers will enjoy the boat tour of 17 Islands, and those drawn to living culture will find centuries-old Ngada villages, and a deep-rooted Catholic faith that gives Flores a character found nowhere else in Indonesia.
GOOD TO KNOW
It is good to know that Flores is much less developed than Bali or Java. For us, that is exactly what makes it so special. You will find far fewer tourists and plenty of places that still feel authentic and untouched. The trade-off is that accommodation is generally more basic. There are a few beautiful exceptions, but most places offer simple, cute homestays rather than luxury hotels.
Best visited: April to October
Low season: November to March, with occasional tropical showers
Languages: Locally, various Manggarai and Ngada languages are spoken, Indonesian is widely understood, English is common in tourist areas
Population: around 2 million inhabitants
How to get to Flores: You can start your journey from destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bali. One thing to keep in mind is the Lewotobi Volcano near Maumere. When the volcano is active, flights can sometimes be redirected to Ende.
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ADVENTURE
Mount Inerie is one of Flores’ most impressive volcanoes. We set off in the middle of the night for hiking through complete darkness to reach the summit in time for sunrise. Strong winds, and a very steep mountain with no marked trail made this an unforgettable experience.
Liang Bua Cave & Homo Floresiensis in Flores
CULTURE & HISTORY
At Liang Bua Cave, we stepped into the place where Homo floresiensis, the “Hobbits of Flores”, once lived. What we discovered there made us see the island, and our own human history, from a different perspective.