Kayak, Hike & Snorkel Komodo

Arrive Labuan Bajo. Our group hotel offers a complimentary airport to hotel transfer, about a five minute drive. Room check in is from 2pm. The rest of the day is at your leisure until a group dinner with your kayak guide at a local restaurant. Overnight: Meruorah Komodo (or similar)

Meals:  D

Breakfast is included at the hotel and the rest of the day is at your own leisure until a 5.00pm pick up for the transfer to our liveaboard (the exact time will be confirmed by your kayak guide). Things to do and see in and around Labuan Bajo include an early morning trip (before it becomes too hot) to the rolling hills north of the city for spectacular views of the Komodo National Park. Further afield, is Rangko Cave with its’ hidden underground lake and crystal clear waters surrounded by towering limestone stalagmites. Melo village, about 40 minutes inland from Labuan Bajo, gives a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Manggarai people with daily tours. Cunca Wulang Waterfalls, about 30 minutes from the town, is a great spot for a hike and a refreshing swim. For the cave, village and waterfall trips, it would be best to talk to hotel reception on your arrival for availability, costs and importantly, timings of the excursions. If you’d like a more relaxed day, it’s a 15-minute walk from the hotel to Wae Rana Beach, or take a trip into town for an authentic Indonesian lunch (some cafes and restaurants have fantastic views). Room checkout is 12 noon and bags can be left at reception. Meet your guide at 5pm at the hotel for the transfer to the liveaboard, Indo Master. On boarding, there will be crew introductions and a ship and kayak safety orientation. After settling into cabins, it’s time to gather on deck for dinner under the stars. (Please note: lunch is not included today.) Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,D

Today we have an early sail to Rinca Island where we transfer by dinghy to the shore at Loh Buaya. We’ll be welcomed by rangers at the little pier and taken to the national park office for instructions. Guided by a ranger, our walk will last between 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the circuit chosen. Komodo dragons are commonly seen close to the ranger’s station and along the circuit. After our time observing the Komodo dragons, we head back to Indo Master for a refreshing swim and a cool drink. Our kayaking outing may take place in Loh Buaya Bay where we’ll enjoy weaving our way throughout the mangrove channels. Conditions allowing, we sail to Pulau Padar, the third largest island in Komodo National Park, for our overnight anchorage. Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,L,D

An early morning start is a reward for those wanting to see the sunrise from the top of Padar island, accompanied by magnificent views over the archipelago. Breakfast is followed by a swim or snorkel before our kayak outings along the west of Rinca Bay and/or Padar Island. While kayaking, paddlers may be rewarded with the sight of turtles as they rise to the surface for a breath of air. After lunch, divers and snorkellers can explore the Secret Garden, a site with a large variety of soft corals and huge numbers of reef fish. Return to Indo Master for relaxation as we sail to Komodo Island. Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,L,D

We’ll aim for a second dragon trek on Komodo Island this morning. Afterwards, our kayak outings will encompass Loh Lawi, located just south of Komodo Village. On approach to the village, we usually encounter kids playing in the water and adults working on their moored boats. All houses in the village are built on stilts to protect against tides, to catch a cooling breeze and for Komodo dragons to walk freely under, rather than into kitchens to steal food! A walk around the village is a great way to observe life on the island and there’s also the opportunity to buy handcrafted souvenirs on our visit. Back on board, Indo Master anchors or moors at Pulau Siabah while we take to the water and explore Makassar Reef, the famous manta ray cleaning and feeding station. This is a rewarding site where we hope to see manta rays or eagle rays gathering on the surface to be cleaned by small fish, a fantastic display of mutualism, a partnership in which both individuals benefit. We anchor off Central Komodo tonight. Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s paddle explorations centre around Siaba Besar Island, located east of Komodo Island. A highlight is the stunning snorkel and dive site on a reef 4-6 meters deep with a massive coral garden and abundant marine life. The nickname of the site is Turtle City and we’re bound to spot Green and Hawksbill turtles. Indo Master will then sail north west and moor in Gili Lawa Laut, facing Crystal Beach, known for the clarity of its waters. Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,L,D

Early risers may like to climb Gili Lawa’s main view point to enjoy the sunrise over the Komodo archipelago (subject to the island being open for trekking). We’ll enjoy a day of exploration around Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut, known for the varied sea life and stunning coral gardens. Overnight: Indo Master

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is our last onboard Indo Master and we’ll make the most of it with an exploration of Sebayur Kecil Island, with it’s beautiful beaches, clear warm water and short easy treks across the island. We return to port for a late disembarkation at 4pm. After farewelling the captain and crew we disembark and transfer to the hotel in Labuan Bajo. Dinner tonight will be in Labuan Bajo and will be a celebration of our Komodo adventures. Overnight: Meruorah Komodo (or similar)

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip ends with breakfast at the hotel and a transfer to Komodo airport.

Meals:  B