Trip dates: 10-16 Sep, 2026
Trip dates: 10-16 Sep, 2026
Indonesia is not one place. It’s thousands of islands stitched together by the sea. Life here moves with the tides, not the clock. And we are heading to one very specific corner of it — Flores, far away from everything familiar.
This is not going to feel like a regular Indonesia trip. It leans closer to an expedition than a holiday. When you travel together on boats, share simple meals, walk into majestic waterfalls, and drive towards the crater of a volcano, something changes. Strangers slowly begin to feel like a small community.
Now, let us tell you what’s waiting for us.
For the first three days, our home will be a boat. We’ll sleep on the sea, wake up to the sound of water, and start our mornings by slipping straight into the ocean. On some days, snorkeling happens even before coffee. That’s how close we’ll be to the water.
One morning, the boat will pause near a quiet mountain edge. We’ll get down, walk a short trail, and stop without saying much. Below us will be the ocean. Around us, countless islands. And the realization will hit — we sailed through this landscape while the rest of the world was asleep.
During these three days of sailing, you will come across a rich marine life and also Komodo dragons.
When the sailing ends, we leave the sea behind and fly into East Java. The next chapter of the journey takes us through Surabaya and deeper into Malang, where the landscapes turn raw, dramatic, and wild.
We’ll spend our days chasing towering waterfalls hidden between cliffs, walking through lush mountain scenery, and crossing volcanic landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. The journey ends with a sunrise above the clouds — one of those rare moments that quietly stays with you long after the trip is over.
This itinerary is packed. There isn’t much space for doing nothing. That’s intentional. We want this journey to feel fulfilling, not comfortable. This will be an Indonesia you’ll always be proud of experiencing — because you didn’t just visit Indonesia.
You lived it.
Story of how the inspiration of doing this trip came to the mind of the one who explored and wrote this itinerary?
"About ten years ago, work took me often to the far edges of Java in Indonesia. While moving between oil rigs in offshore sites, I kept hearing stories from fellow travelers about a place that sounded unreal — islands where dragons still roam, colour-changing lakes, pink beaches, and old wooden boats sailing between wild islands. Back then, there wasn’t much online, No reels, no detailed videos. Just stories. And that made it even more powerful.
That’s when the thought stayed with me — if CAC ever travels to Indonesia, it cannot begin with the obvious. It has to begin here.
In 2023, I explored Flores for myself, along with Raja Ampat, and the experience stayed with me long after the journey ended. That eventually became our first Far From Familiar: Flores departure with the CAC community in 2026 — a trip that turned out even more special than we imagined.
And now, after completing that first journey, we’re returning to Flores once again. Not because it’s popular, but because some places deserve to be experienced more than once. This second departure carries the same spirit — slow travel, raw landscapes, life on the sea, and moments that stay with you long after coming back home."
We have given the option for choosing between a short trip and long trip, as follows.
Short trip: Only Flores (4 days)
Long trip: Flores & Java (7 days)
Please note: Both groups will be doing Flores together.
Flores Island welcomes you
Land in Labuan Bajo, a charming fishing town on Flores Island in East Indonesia - East Nusa Tenggara, which serves as the gateway to the Komodo National Park.
We will land at Komodo International Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, any time on this day.
Check-in at a hotel in Labuan Bajo.
Evenings for food streets and night market, just to get a feel of this far east town.
📌 Inclusions:
Airport pickup at Komodo International Airport (LBJ)
Meals: NIL
Accommodation in Labuan Bajo
📌 Exclusions:
Dinner
Sailing into the Wild
Morning, we board the traditional Indonesian sailing vessels—Phinisi boats—for our four-day island expedition.
Once on board, the crew will welcome us with a short safety briefing, after which the CAC trip lead will assign your rooms. The boats are equipped with basic washroom facilities, and you can comfortably freshen up and bathe each day.
As the journey begins, a freshly prepared seafood lunch will be served—vegetarian options will also be available. From here on, we sail away from the city into open waters for the next three days, stopping only at uninhabited islands. Nights are spent on the boat, where open decks turn into quiet spaces to sit back, share stories, and watch the stars before retiring to cozy, air-conditioned cabins.
After lunch, the day’s exploration begins. Our first stop is Manta Point—if luck is on our side, we may snorkel alongside manta rays or even spot turtles, reef sharks, and other marine life.
The boat then sails towards Padar Island, surrounded by three striking turquoise bays, each with a different coloured beach—pearly white, charcoal black, and a rare shade of soft pink.
From there we make a pitstop at Taka Makassar, a crescent-shaped pink beach surrounded by turquoise waters worthy of a postcard.
Towards the end of the day, we trek up Padar Island for panoramic sunset views from the hilltop.
The night unfolds in one of the most secluded corners of the world—filled with conversations, laughter, and a few rounds of mafia under the open sky. No city lights, no noise—just the sound of the sea and the quiet presence of your fellow travellers. It’s one of those moments that stays with you, long after the journey ends.
📌 Inclusions:
All local transports
Boat transfers (to travel from harbor to Phinisi boat)
National Park entry fee
Snorkeling equipment
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation in Phinisi Boat
📌 Exclusions:
Meals: Breakfast
📌 Note:
Knowing swimming is not mandatory. You will be snorkeling with life jackets.
Among Dragons & Open Waters
In the morning, we sail towards Komodo Island, home to the legendary Komodo dragons. Accompanied by local rangers, we will explore the island and visit Komodo Village, where these fascinating creatures roam freely in their natural habitat.
After the visit, we return to the boat and continue our journey through the islands, spending time unwinding along the beautiful Pink Beach.
Later we reach to Pimpe Island, one of the most idyllic of the Komodo archipelago, fringed by a small but interesting reef and rich of fish. This uninhabited island is the best place for our snorkeling adventures.
By the end of the day, we pause near Kalong Island to witness a breathtaking sunset over the ocean as thousands of bats, often called “flying foxes,” fill the sky—creating a truly unforgettable spectacle against the changing colours of dusk.
As night falls, we gather once again in the common area—sharing stories, music, laughter, and a few dance moves. With no network to distract us, it’s all about the people around you—travellers from different parts of Tamil Nadu, slowly turning into a close-knit group.
📌 Inclusions:
All local transports
National Park entry fee
Snorkeling equipment
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation in Phinisi Boat
📌 Exclusions:
None
End of boat trip and fly to Java
We wake up at Manjarite Island or Strawberry Rock, another beautiful snorkeling spot
Next, we will visit Kelor, a small uninhabited island. You can hike to the top for the panoramic view of the archipelago and snorkel around the Kelor Island (Baby Shark Point).
After lunch, we’ll board a smaller boat bound for Labuan Bajo pier, then travel straight to Komodo Airport to catch our flight to Surabaya.
It's a 1.5 hrs flight from Labuan Bajo (Flores) to Surabaya.
Once reaching Surabaya, we will proceed to Malang and relax for the day.
Note: If you're joining only for the Flores trip, you will be dropped at the Labuan Bajo airport on this day.
📌 Inclusions:
All local transports
Boat transfers (to travel from main Phinisi boat to the harbor)
National Park entry fee
Snorkeling equipment
Flight ticket from Labuan Bajo to Surabaya
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation in Malang
📌 Exclusions:
Meals: Dinner
Into the Valley of Waterfalls
We begin the day early with a visit to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall—often called the “Waterfall of a Thousand Waterfalls.”
The real adventure unfolds as we trek down towards its base, navigating bamboo ladders, ropes, and muddy steps, all set against a dramatic landscape of cliffs and flowing water.
From here, we continue to Kapas Biru Waterfall—a massive cascade set against striking orange rock walls, surrounded by dense, almost prehistoric-looking forests and towering bamboo groves.
By evening, we make a brief stop at Teras Semeru before heading to our accommodation, wrapping up a day filled with raw, immersive experiences.
📌 Inclusions:
Entry ticket to Tumpak Sewu & Kapas Biru waterfalls
All local transports
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in Malang
📌 Exclusions:
Lunch and Dinner
Dawn Over Mount Bromo
The day begins early—by 1 AM, we set out towards Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s most iconic volcanoes.
We ride in 4x4 jeeps across the vast, barren volcanic landscape to reach the sunrise viewpoint at Mount Penanjakan. As the first light breaks, the entire valley slowly reveals itself in a surreal, almost otherworldly view.
After sunrise, we descend into the Sea of Sand and take a short trek, followed by a climb up the staircase that leads to the crater’s edge—offering a close look into Mount Bromo’s steaming caldera.
Post the exploration, we return to our stay, freshen up, and then proceed back to Surabaya.
By evening, Surabaya offers a more lively contrast—perfect to step out for a relaxed dinner or explore a bit of the city before winding down for the night.
📌 Inclusions:
4x4 Jeep trip to Bromo crater
All local transports
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in Surabaya
📌 Exclusions:
Lunch and Dinner
Fly back to India
As the journey comes to an end, we say goodbye to Indonesia. We board our flights from Surabaya, a little tired, a little full, carrying memories from boats, waterfalls, conversations, and long days.
What started far from everything familiar now feels close to us. We didn’t just travel this week. We lived it.
📌 Inclusions:
Airport Drop
📌 Exclusions:
Breakfast
Early bird cost: valid for those making advance payments on or before 30-June-2026.
General Cost: For others who are making advance payments from 01-July-2026.
EMI option available - Please contact us for details on EMI payment.
The trip cost is calculated based on the current USD–INR exchange rate (1 USD = ₹95 as of 8-June). The final cost may increase or decrease marginally depending on the exchange rate one week prior to the trip.
Refer to day-wise itinerary above for each day's inclusions in detail.
All food & accommodations as mentioned in the day wise itinerary.
Activities as mentioned in the day wise itinerary.
All local transports as mentioned in the day wise itinerary.
Airport pickups and drop-offs (there could be small cost added if you don't travel along with the group, and if we have to arrange a separate airport pickup for you).
International Flight Tickets
Tourist Visa on arrival (Approx. ₹2,750 as of 1-June-2026)
Travel Insurance (Approx. ₹1,000)
Meals which are not mentioned in the itinerary are excluded.
Any personal transport expenses for places not mentioned in itinerary.
Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks, landslides, floods and/or any factors beyond control. If flights get cancelled due to weather, we will arrange alternative stay at minimal cost.
Total number of slots: 12
Age group: 18 to 39
A valid Indian Passport with at-least 6 months validity from your date of travel.
Gender ratio: We will ensure that there is a min of 40% female participants.
First preference for solo participants. Couples are welcome to register.
Group registrations of more than 2 persons will most likely get rejected.
Please note that there could be small changes in the itinerary due to local restrictions & weather conditions, and suitable alternative plans will made in such cases.
All activities are subject to weather and local rules.
We will assist you to get your currency exchanged before your travel.
The list of things to carry for the trip, and how to pack for the trip will be provided to you, one month before the trip. It will be a basic list.
You may not find connections to Flores (Labuan Bajo Airport) from most airports in India. You will have to fly to a major city in Indonesia like Bali, Surabaya or Jakarta, and then fly to Flores Labuan Bajo Airport. Our flight booking guide will have detailed info to help you book the perfect flight.
We recommend that you book the flights yourself for the best fares. If required, we will be happy to book the flight tickets for you.
We will guide you with flight bookings to ensure the group travels together. At the time of confirmation, we’ll inform you about the specific flights that need to be booked.
Please book flights only after you make the advance payment for the trip, and after receiving an acknowledgement from CAC about your slot confirmation.
All accommodations during the trip will be on a 3-sharing basis (sometimes 4-sharing in larger rooms), with separate rooms for men and women as always.
During the two-night stay on the Phinisi, accommodation will be provided on a double-sharing basis by default.
Participants who prefer double-sharing accommodation for all days of the trip can opt for it at an additional cost of ₹5,000 per person, subject to availability. Kindly inform us at the time of trip confirmation.
Couples who wish to have a separate upgraded double-sharing cabin on the Phinisi can opt for a premium cabin on the main deck, featuring a private balcony and bathtub, at an additional cost of ₹9,000 per person for the two nights aboard the Phinisi (subject to availability, as there is only one room like that).
Vegetarian food will be hard to find in most places. But we will try to get Indonesian veg food arranged for you. However, vegetarians must carry some ready-to-eat food packets from India.
Please note, we will strictly NOT visit any Indian Restaurants, as it will be really hard to find them, and we might get deviated from our travel plan. We expect all those who join us to enjoy Indonesian local food.
Flores islands are usually very rarely visited by Indians. And chances of Indian food are almost NIL. Specially in the Phinisi boat, there is no possibility of getting Indian food. If you are expecting the chef there to try an Indian dish, we are sure that meal will be a disaster 😂.
Remember we are visiting another country, and it is important to respect local traditions and culture. Be kind to everyone.
In Indonesian local flights, strictly you are allowed to carry only one piece of checked-in baggage (15kgs) + one piece of cabin baggage (7kgs).
Payment details:
Payment Schedule:
First payment (For slot confirmation): ₹20,000
Until 30-Jun-2026: You can cancel the trip, and the advance payment can be transferred to other international trips, but not transferable to another person.
From 01-Jul-2026 onwards: Advance payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Second payment (By 1-Aug-2026): ₹30,000 (non-refundable)
Balance payment to be settled during the trip in Indonesian Rupiah IDR or US Dollars.
Option to pay the advance amounts through credit cards / wallets are also possible. Do request us at the time of payment.
Payment details will be shared if you are shortlisted for the trip.
We do have EMI option, but there will be processing fee and interest.
Registration & Selection Process:
Registration: If you are interested in joining this trip, please complete your registration by clicking on the link provided at the end of this itinerary.
Invitation and Selection Process: Once you register, shortlisted participants will receive an official invitation (over WhatsApp) to join the trip along with details for making the advance payment. Please note that the selection process is solely at the discretion of Coimbatore Adventure Club. If all slots are filled, we will notify you and place you on a waitlist.
Advance Payment: Shortlisted participants will receive advance payment instructions. Your slot for the trip will be confirmed only upon successful payment of the advance.
Flight Tickets: After your advance payment is processed and confirmed by us, we will provide you with the flight booking instructions. You may proceed to book your flight tickets. However, if you want us to book your flights, we can help.
Note: Registering for the trip via the provided link does not guarantee a slot. Confirmation is subject to the selection process and availability of slots.
Cancellation by participant:
Advance paid during trip confirmation is strictly non-refundable at any circumstances, as we group book the transports, accommodations and activities. Also note that the advance payment will strictly be not transferrable to someone else or to a future trip, in case you are not joining the trip.
Cancellations made within 15 days of the trip require participants to cover 75% of the total trip cost, since most bookings are confirmed and non-refundable by this stage. You will be required to settle the applicable amount. Please note that non-compliance may affect your eligibility for future trips with CAC.
Cancellation due to unforeseen situations beyond our control:
In the event of trip cancellations due to natural calamities or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., extreme weather, political unrest, or government-imposed restrictions)—essentially, any situation beyond CAC’s control—cancellation charges up to ₹5,000 will be non-refundable. The remaining amount can be fully transferred to rescheduled dates or applied to any other trip of your choice.
Important Notice:
Coimbatore Adventure Club reserves the right to remove any participant from the trip at any time if they engage in any illicit or inappropriate behavior. This policy is in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all travelers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Send your queries to 9488800444 (WhatsApp text only).
At present, we're available from 10 AM–6 PM (Mon–Fri) and 10 AM–1 PM (Sat) via WhatsApp text messages only. If you would like to connect over a call, we’d be happy to schedule one at a mutually convenient time.