If you're planning a trip to Labuan Bajo or dreaming of seeing Komodo dragons in the wild, this is a real, first-hand itinerary — not a brochure. Over five days in Flores, we explored a hidden blue cave, trekked across three islands inside Komodo National Park, snorkeled with manta rays and sea turtles, and visited a community weaving center run by local women artisans. Here's exactly what the trip looked like, what to expect, and why it's one of Indonesia's most rewarding adventures.
Our long-awaited trip to Labuan Bajo began with a plot twist. Just days before departure, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, forcing us to postpone everything. It felt like nature was telling us to slow down — but we held onto hope. Once conditions improved, we rearranged our plans for early December 2024. Traveling with my colleague Deni, we finally set our sights back on Flores.
With no direct flights from Yogyakarta, we took a morning flight to Denpasar and connected to Labuan Bajo in the afternoon. By the time we arrived, the sky was turning golden, almost sunset. Labuan Bajo is famous for its magical sunsets, but during our stay the weather stayed mostly cloudy and rainy — proof that even the "legendary" sunset isn't guaranteed, and worth planning a few extra days for if it's on your bucket list.
We spent five nights in Labuan Bajo for site inspections, and used two free days to explore some of the region's highlights: Rangko Cave, Amelia Hill, the iconic Komodo National Park, and a meaningful cultural stop at Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli.
Rangko Cave — Swimming in a Hidden Turquoise Pool
Our journey to Rangko Cave began after lunch, with a 30-minute drive out of town toward Rangko Village. Rolling hills and sparkling ocean views kept us company along the way — Flores has a habit of captivating you before you've even arrived.
From the village, we boarded a wooden boat for a 15-minute cruise across calm water to the cave area. A short walk later, we stepped into what felt like a secret world: a natural turquoise pool lit beautifully when sunlight hits it at the right angle. Morning is the best time for that glow, but even without direct sun, the cave had a quiet, almost mystical atmosphere.
We'd planned to snorkel on the way back, but incoming rain forced us to skip it. Instead, we headed to Amelia Hill, hoping to catch a sunset break through the clouds.
Komodo National Park — Dragons, Islands & Turquoise Seas in One Day
Our Komodo National Park tour began at dawn. After hotel pickup, we reached the harbor where a shared speedboat was waiting — about 15 travelers in total, mostly from Europe and the US, with just three Indonesians in the group, including us.
Padar Island — Sunrise Trekking With Wild Deer
Our first stop was the iconic Padar Island. Before we'd even started hiking, wild deer were roaming casually along the beach. The trek to the viewpoint takes 20–30 minutes over a mix of dirt paths and stone steps, with almost no shade — the early morning breeze made all the difference. Afternoon golden hour would be beautiful too, with warm light across the island's three bays, but midday is best avoided unless you enjoy walking on what feels like the surface of the sun.
Pink Beach — Snorkeling With Turtles
Next came the dreamy Pink Beach, its rose-tinted shoreline glowing under the sun. Several people in our group snorkeled and came back buzzing — swearing they'd spotted turtles gliding through the coral, and one insisted they'd seen a dugong drifting nearby. As a less confident swimmer, I opted to walk the shoreline instead, letting the waves lap at my feet — a peaceful trade-off, and a good reminder that this trip has options for every comfort level.
Komodo Island — Trekking With Wild Komodo Dragons
This was the highlight of the entire trip: the land of the legendary Komodo dragon.
The moment we stepped off the boat, a few baby Komodo dragons were already wandering near the shore — an exciting, slightly nerve-wracking welcome. Our ranger and guide stayed close throughout, which made all the difference in feeling safe.
We chose the short trekking route. Along the way we passed local plants, spotted several bird species, and came across an empty Komodo nest. Then our luck kicked in: two large Komodo dragons resting in the shade, and a third lounging nearby. Our ranger told us some visitors see none at all — we felt genuinely fortunate.
After 15–20 minutes of trekking, we reached the beach for a simple lunch of rice, fish, vegetables, and pudding — made memorable by yet another Komodo dragon relaxing under a nearby tree as we ate. Only on Komodo Island do you share lunch with a dragon.
Taka Makassar — A Sandbar in the Middle of the Sea
In the afternoon we reached Taka Makassar, a small crescent-shaped sandbar brushed with pale pink sand, surrounded by bright turquoise water. I finally worked up the courage to snorkel here, and I'm glad I did — vibrant coral, colorful reef fish, and a couple of turtles gliding by as calmly as if they'd been expecting us.
Manta Point — Swimming With Giant Manta Rays
Next was the much-anticipated Manta Point. Our guide's instruction was simple: "The moment you spot a manta, jump." The second a dark shape appeared below the boat, we slid into the water — and found several giant manta rays gliding beneath us with slow, effortless rhythm. Unforgettable, and easily one of the standout moments of the trip.
Siaba Island — Turtles & Coral Gardens
Our final stop was Siaba Island, known for friendly turtles and colorful coral gardens. The waves were a bit strong for me that day, so I stayed on the boat while the rest of the group snorkeled — even from above, the turquoise water and reef below made it feel special.
Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli — A Cultural Stop Supporting Local Women Weavers
On our last day, we visited Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli, a community-driven weaving center supporting local culture and empowering women artisans across Flores. Inside, beautifully handwoven textiles filled the space — each pattern carrying its own story, each thread connecting generations of tradition. It felt like a meaningful way to close out the trip. There's also a small coffee corner and souvenir shop; the local coffee was rich and genuinely excellent, and we picked up a few handmade pieces to bring home.
Planning Your Own Labuan Bajo & Komodo Trip
Our journey started with a volcanic eruption and ended without the sunset we'd hoped for — but the wildlife, the islands, and the people made it unforgettable regardless. From a hidden blue cave to a face-to-face encounter with Komodo dragons, from manta rays to handwoven textiles, this is Flores at its most memorable.
Ready to experience Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park for yourself? Talk to our local travel experts at Kekayon Journeys to start planning your own custom itinerary.