Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure in the Komodo Archipelago

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and take a pre-booked private transfer or the cheaper Kura-Kura tourist shuttle to Ubud (~£8–12). Check into a guesthouse or budget hotel near central Ubud. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace — the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (entry ~£3), rice terraces, and ancient temples are all walkable. Head out for a solo dinner at a local warung; Nasi Campur or Babi Guling will cost you under £3–5.

🚌Kura-Kura shuttle or pre-booked private transfer from airport to Ubud (~£8–12). Or negotiate a Bluebird taxi (~£15–20).

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Ubud (e.g. Pondok Pundi Village Inn or similar) — ~£15–20/night twin share

• →Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport
• →Take shuttle or private transfer to Ubud
• →Explore Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£3 entry)
• →Wander Ubud's temples and rice terraces
• →Dinner at a local warung

Book a half-day guided cycling tour in Kintamani through GetYourGuide or directly with a local operator (~£25–35pp). Tours depart from Ubud and take in Balinese village compounds, Panempahan Temple, rice fields, Goa Garba Cave, and Samuan Tiga Temple. Lunch is typically included. Return to Ubud mid-afternoon and relax by your guesthouse pool or explore more of Ubud's art market and galleries.

🚌Cycling tour transport typically included. Return to Ubud via tour vehicle.

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Ubud — ~£15–20/night twin share

• →Guided cycling tour through Kintamani villages (~£25–35, bookable via GetYourGuide)
• →Visit Balinese house compound and Panempahan Temple
• →Explore Goa Garba Cave
• →Visit Samuan Tiga Temple
• →Afternoon free in Ubud

Book a guided waterfall trekking tour to Sambangan's 'Secret Gardens' through GetYourGuide or a local Ubud tour desk (~£20–30pp). Tours depart early and cover jungle paths, rice terraces, coffee plantations, and a series of stunning waterfalls with natural swimming pools. Lunch is often included or grab a local meal at the trailhead (~£3–5). Return to Ubud in the afternoon to pack and prep for tomorrow's flight to Flores.

🚌Tour vehicle from Ubud to Sambangan and return (usually included in tour price).

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Ubud — ~£15–20/night twin share

• →Guided waterfall hike through Sambangan Secret Gardens (~£20–30, bookable via GetYourGuide)
• →Swim in natural jungle pools beneath waterfalls
• →Visit emerald rice terraces and coffee plantations
• →Pack and prep for Flores departure

Take an early taxi or shuttle to Ngurah Rai Airport for your flight to Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo. Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, and Wings Air fly this route — book in advance for ~£40–60 one way. From Labuan Bajo, hire a shared vehicle or negotiate a private car (split with fellow travellers) for the ~3-hour drive to Repi village (~£10–15pp). Repi is the gateway to Wae Rebo and the villagers run a basic clifftop campsite — contact them directly via Wae Rebo tourism contacts or book through a local Labuan Bajo tour agent (~£10–15pp for the night). Wander the village at dusk and enjoy the sea views.

🚌Taxi to DPS airport (~£10–15). Domestic flight DPS–LBJ (~£40–60). Shared vehicle Labuan Bajo to Repi (~£10–15pp).

🛏Clifftop community bunkhouse or camping at Repi village — ~£8–12pp including basic meals

• →Fly Denpasar (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) — ~£40–60 one way, book via Traveloka or directly with Garuda/Citilink
• →Private or shared vehicle transfer to Repi village (~3hrs, ~£10–15pp)
• →Explore Repi village and meet local farming community
• →Sunset views from clifftop campsite

Rise early for an optional beach walk, then be driven to the trailhead for the 4–5 hour hike up to Wae Rebo village. The trail climbs through Todo forest into an ancient volcanic caldera — a moderate but rewarding trek. You must register and pay the official community entry and homestay fee at the trailhead (~£15–20pp, payable directly to the village committee). You'll be welcomed by village elders with Luwak coffee and stay overnight in one of the iconic cone-shaped traditional huts (Mbaru Niang). All meals are provided. Bring cash — there are no ATMs here.

🚌Vehicle from Repi to Wae Rebo trailhead (arranged via local guide or village contact, ~£5–8pp).

🛏Traditional thatched communal hut in Wae Rebo village (~£15–20pp, meals included)

• →Morning walk to a remote beach near Repi (optional)
• →Drive to Wae Rebo trailhead
• →4–5hr guided hike up to Wae Rebo village through Todo forest
• →Welcome ceremony with village elders and wild Luwak coffee
• →Overnight stay in traditional Mbaru Niang hut (~£15–20pp including meals, paid to village)

Spend a final morning in Wae Rebo village, then hike back down to the trailhead (~2hrs). Your arranged vehicle will drive you back towards Labuan Bajo via the south Flores coastal road. Stop at Pante Hera for lunch with cliffside sea views (~£4–6). Arrive in Labuan Bajo by late afternoon. Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse close to the harbour. Walk Labuan Bajo's waterfront at sunset and pick up any last supplies before boarding your liveaboard tomorrow.

🚌Arranged vehicle from Wae Rebo trailhead to Labuan Bajo (~3–4hrs, ~£10–15pp split with others).

🛏Budget guesthouse or hotel in Labuan Bajo (e.g. Golo Hilltop Hotel or similar) — ~£15–22/night twin share

• →Morning in Wae Rebo — chat with locals, photograph the village
• →Hike back down to trailhead (~2hrs)
• →Scenic drive along south Flores coast back to Labuan Bajo
• →Clifftop lunch stop at Pante Hera (~£4–6)
• →Sunset walk along Labuan Bajo waterfront

Book a 3-night liveaboard boat directly with operators in Labuan Bajo harbour or via platforms like Komodo Liveaboard or local agents. Budget liveaboards covering Days 7–9 run from ~£120–180pp for 3 nights all-inclusive (meals, snorkelling gear, basic kayaks). Shop around at the harbour — deals are often available for last-minute bookings. Board mid-morning and get acquainted with the boat and crew. Kayak to Rangko Beach and explore the secret cave with its luminous turquoise pool. Snorkel the surrounding reefs. Sleep on deck or in your cabin under a blanket of stars.

🚌Boat departs from Labuan Bajo harbour — walk or take a short ojek (motorbike taxi, ~£1) to the pier.

🛏Liveaboard boat — multi-share cabin (4 berths, A/C, ocean-view windows). Cost spread across Days 7–9.

• →Board 3-night liveaboard boat from Labuan Bajo harbour (~£120–180pp for 3 nights, book directly or via Komodo liveaboard agents)
• →Kayak to Rangko Beach and explore sea cave with turquoise pool
• →Snorkel around Rangko reefs
• →First night aboard — stargazing from the deck

A full day of paddling and snorkelling through the world-famous Coral Triangle — one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Expect encounters with manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and thousands of coral and fish species. The boat crew will guide you to the best spots based on tides and currents. Snorkel gear is provided on the liveaboard. Meals are all included on the boat. Enjoy the sunset from the deck.

🚌On board — boat navigates between snorkel and kayak sites.

🛏Liveaboard boat — multi-share cabin (included in 3-night liveaboard cost).

• →3hrs kayaking through the Coral Triangle (gear provided on liveaboard)
• →2hrs snorkelling — spot manta rays, turtles, dolphins and reef fish
• →All meals on board
• →Sunset from the boat deck

Rise early and head to Komodo Island to spot the world's largest lizard in the wild. Entry to Komodo National Park requires a permit (~£10–15pp, payable at the park office — your liveaboard crew will usually handle this). A mandatory local ranger guide is assigned at the park entrance (~£5–8pp tip appreciated). Walk through the island's centre on a 1.5hr trail with near-certain Komodo dragon sightings. Return to the boat for more kayaking and snorkelling before your final night aboard.

🚌Boat navigates to Komodo Island. Dinghy to shore.

🛏Liveaboard boat — final night, multi-share cabin (included in 3-night liveaboard cost).

• →Komodo National Park entry permit (~£10–15pp, arranged via liveaboard crew)
• →Guided 1.5hr hike through Komodo Island with local ranger — spot Komodo dragons in the wild
• →Afternoon kayaking and snorkelling around Komodo Island
• →Final night on the liveaboard — sundowner on deck

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final snorkelling session around tiny Bidadari Island near Labuan Bajo — crystal-clear water and easily one of the best snorkel sites in the region. Return to Labuan Bajo harbour and take an ojek or walk to the airport. Fly back to Bali (~£40–60, book in advance). Check into a budget beach hotel in Seminyak or Kuta for your final night. Toast the end of the adventure with a Bintang at a beachfront warung.

🚌Ojek to LBJ airport (~£1–2). Domestic flight LBJ–DPS (~£40–60). Grab or Gojek from DPS airport to hotel (~£5–8).

🛏Budget beach hotel or guesthouse in Seminyak/Kuta, Bali (e.g. Puri Dalem Sanur or similar) — ~£18–25/night twin share

• →Morning snorkelling at Bidadari Island (gear from liveaboard)
• →Return to Labuan Bajo harbour
• →Fly Labuan Bajo (LBJ) to Denpasar (DPS) — ~£40–60, book via Traveloka or Citilink
• →Check into Bali beach hotel for final night
• →Celebration dinner and Bintang on the beach (~£8–12)

Enjoy a final Indonesian breakfast at your hotel or a nearby warung — try bubur ayam (rice porridge) or nasi goreng for a fitting send-off. Book a Grab or Bluebird taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (~£5–10). Depart at your leisure. Ngurah Rai is well-connected with direct and one-stop flights back to the UK and Europe.

🚌Grab or Bluebird taxi to Ngurah Rai Airport (~£5–10).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final Indonesian breakfast at a local warung (~£2–4)
• →Grab or Bluebird taxi to Ngurah Rai Airport (~£5–10)
• →Depart for home