Wildlife
Komodo Dragons
Trek with a park ranger on Rinca Island among the world's largest lizards before the heat of the day brings them to the shade.
Private Charter Itinerary
Eastern Expedition
A 10-night passage along the Ring of Fire, Komodo to Maumere.
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Komodo to Alor
Route
10 Nights
Duration
554 NM
Distance
Apr to Oct
Season
The Journey
Where the Road Ends and the Sea Begins
Begin in Labuan Bajo, sail through Komodo National Park, then head east into the least-visited stretch of Indonesia's Ring of Fire. Past the seventeen islands of Riung, through the Solor Strait with its volcano backdrop, on to Lembata to see the whale-hunting village of Lamalera, into the Pantar Strait for dolphins, and east to Alor where ikat weavers and traditional warrior cultures survive side by side.
This is not a destination itinerary. It is a passage through a region where the islands are still shaped by fire, the seas are still fished by hand, and ten days of sailing barely scratches the surface. For adventurers who have done Komodo and Raja Ampat and want to go further, this is the route that most others have not taken.
The itinerary ends in Maumere on Flores, a 45-minute domestic flight from Bali. The voyage moves one-way east, which means each anchorage is new. No site is revisited. In order to cover this distance in 10 nights, the schedule includes several overnight passages.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsPast Komodo, the islands thin out fast. Lamalera's whaling families, Alor's moko drums, Batu Tara erupting in the dark, this is the part of Indonesia most yachts never reach.
Active volcano rises from the Flores Sea at dawn, East Nusa Tenggara.
Experiences
Journey Highlights
The encounters that define this voyage into Indonesia's rarely visited east.
Volcanic
Batu Tara Volcano
Cruise past Ghost Mountain as lava flows into the sea. Anchor in Kawula Bay where the water runs warm above underwater vents.
Culture
Alor's Living Traditions
A village where ikat is still woven on back-strap looms and a traditional war dance still carries genuine weight in the community.
The Route
Labuan Bajo to Maumere
- Day 1
Labuan Bajo
- Days 2 to 3
Komodo National Park
- Day 4
Riung, 17 Islands
- Days 6 to 7
Lembata, Lamalera
- Days 8 to 9
Alor
- Day 11
Maumere
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Expedition
01
Day
Labuan Bajo, Gili Lawa
Into the Park
Board in Labuan Bajo and cruise to Makassar Reef, where manta rays are often sighted. Hike Gili Lawa for a sunset view across the park.
Cruising
19 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Sunset Hike
Highlight
Possible Manta Sightings
02
Day
Rinca Ranger Station
Dragon Territory
Take a morning trek with an experienced park ranger to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Snorkeling and water sports follow lunch, before an afternoon departure and overnight sail to Riung.
Cruising
15 NM
Activity
Ranger-led Dragon Trek
Highlight
Passage to Riung
03
Day
Riung, 17 Islands
Seventeen Islands
Beaches wait to be explored, with water sports and snorkeling throughout this protected bay. At sunset, watch thousands of flying foxes take to the sky for their nightly hunt.
Cruising
94 NM
Activity
Snorkel, Kayak, Beach
Highlight
Fruit Bat Colony at Dusk
04
Day
Pemana Besar, Northern Flores
Bugis Fishermen
Snorkel clear, fish-filled water while the crew sets up a beach lounge for a relaxed close to the day. Watch seafaring Bugis islanders fish from their handcrafted wooden outriggers.
Cruising
75 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Beach Lounge
Highlight
Bugis Outrigger Boats
05
Day
Larantuka, Solor Strait
Ile Boleng Backdrop
Visit the island market to taste traditional salted seafood, then tour the fishing village of Lamakera. Cruise the Solor Strait against the backdrop of the Ile Boleng volcano.
Cruising
63 NM
Activity
Market & Village Walk
Highlight
Ile Boleng Volcano
06
Day
Lamalera, Lembata
The Whale Hunters
Visit a whaling village still rooted in ancient tradition, with giant whale skeletons and the traditional boats used to hunt sperm whales. Continue to a Pantar seaweed farm.
Cruising
39 NM
Activity
Village & Seaweed Farm
Highlight
Lamalera Whale Traditions
07
Day
Pantar Strait
Dolphins in the Strait
Anchor in a sheltered bay for jet skiing, paddleboarding, and surfing. Lucky travelers may see dolphins moving through the Pantar Strait. Explore the area on a RIB ride.
Cruising
53 NM
Activity
RIB Ride & Watersports
Highlight
Dolphins Possible
08
Day
Alor
Ikat and War Dances
Visit a village where you can watch a traditional war dance and learn how ikat's intricate patterns and colors are made. Alor's sheltered bay is also well suited to diving and snorkeling.
Cruising
31 NM
Activity
Village, War Dance, Ikat
Highlight
Dive or Snorkel the Bay
09
Day
Batu Tara, Kawula Bay
Ghost Mountain
Cruise past Batu Tara, the volcano known as Ghost Mountain, where active lava flows and low booms mark its small eruptions. Anchor in Kawula Bay, where underwater vents warm the water in places.
Cruising
67 NM
Activity
Kawula Thermal Bay Swim
Highlight
Active Lava Flows
10
Day
Babi, Maumere
The Fault Line Reef
Snorkel a rich reef set above an earthquake fault line. Enjoy a white sand beach BBQ and stargazing on the final night.
Cruising
77 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Beach BBQ
Highlight
Fault Line Reef & Stargazing
11
Day
Maumere Bay, Flores
Journey's End
Cruise into Maumere Bay, disembark, and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Cruising
21 NM
Disembark
Maumere
Depart
MOF Airport
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
East Nusa Tenggara is quieter than Komodo and asks more of whoever is planning it. Which village will welcome a visit, which current runs the Pantar Strait on which tide, when the fruit bats lift off Riung ahead of weather: these are the things that decide a good day here. Some groups want to keep moving east, others would rather slow down and let the villages open up. Tell us which sounds more like yours, and we will route the week to match.
"
Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Voyage
Yachts equipped for the Ring of Fire passage: extended range east of Komodo and the expedition capability for the remote villages along the way.
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Practical Reading
Charter Guides
Everything you need to know before chartering in Indonesia. From costs and logistics to destination comparisons and packing lists.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this itinerary differ from a standard Komodo charter?
The Eastern Expedition starts in Komodo National Park but immediately moves beyond it, heading east into East Nusa Tenggara: an entirely different region. Riung, Lembata, Alor, and Kawula Bay see almost no charter traffic. The villages, reefs, and volcanic landscapes east of Komodo feel genuinely remote in a way that Komodo alone, however well-traveled, no longer does.
What activities are available for non-divers?
This itinerary is built almost entirely around land-based and surface activities: dragon treks, village visits, beach exploration in Riung, war dance performances in Alor, market walks, volcanic landscape cruises, and RIB rides through the Pantar Strait. Snorkeling is excellent throughout. Scuba diving is available for certified guests but is not the focus of this voyage.
How do I get home from Maumere?
Maumere Airport (MOF) on Flores connects to Bali via Kupang or Denpasar, usually with one connection. The flight is around 90 minutes. Alternatively, some guests choose to disembark at a different point along the route or to fly from Labuan Bajo instead, and the itinerary can be adapted around your departure logistics. We handle all transfer arrangements from the point of disembarkation.
When is the best time of year for this route?
April through October is the preferred window, when the Flores Sea is at its calmest and the diving and snorkeling visibility is best. The route heads southeast, so the prevailing southeast winds from June through August can add a lively sail on some passages. The cultural sites and village visits are year-round, though some Indonesian festivals in August and September can align beautifully with a village stop in Alor or Lembata.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.