Sea Kayaking the Komodo archipelago

You are about to embark on an adventure in a place and among people whose lives are very different from your own. This program in Komodo islands is for adventure seekers. You will have great fun paddling, snorkeling, hiking and camping between pristine clear water and white/pink sand beaches islands. Come and join a group!

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Welcome to Indonesia - Arrive in Labuan Bajo Komodo

    Welcome to Indonesia - Arrive in Labuan Bajo Komodo When you arrive at the airport of Labuan Bajo. Your driver will wait you at the airport and transfert you to your hotel in Labuan Bajo.

    - 30m drive in Labuan Bajo
    - Night in PURI SARI BEACH HOTEL - 3*: superior room
    - No Meals

  • Day 2 Labuan Bajo - Menjerite - Pungu Island

    Labuan Bajo - Menjerite - Pungu Island This morning is the start of your Komodo Kayaking adventure. After a safety briefing at Puri Sari beach with your Guide, we’ll begin things with a relatively easy paddle to a local pearl farm. From there, it’s on to Menjerite, famous for its crystal clear water, colourful coral reefs, and majestic views. We’ll overnight on Pungu Island, where we’ll camp in Safari style tents on its white, sandy beaches.

    - Overnight in Safari style tents on Seture Island
    - Kayak 5.3km & 30km by boat (approximately).
    - Meals: B,L,D

  • Day 3 Pungu Island - Gado - Rinca Village - Kaaba - Toro Buaya

    Pungu Island - Gado - Rinca Village - Kaaba - Toro Buaya After waking, and an optional early morning swim, you will board the support boat for breakfast before starting our first paddle to Gado – with its wonderful mangroves and some amazing snorkelling, we’ve a special spot with giant table corals, plenty of fish and fingers crossed, turtles, who hopefully swim by to say hello. We’ll then kayak to Rinca Village School. To end our day, we’ll take in the sunset at Kaaba, a small mangrove island which is inhabited by bats. This is a wonderful sight enjoyed from our top deck – watching thousands of bats flying into the night sky in search of their evening meal. Overnight on board our boat at Toro Buaya

    - Overnight on board our boat at Toro Buaya
    - Kayak 12.5km (approximately)
    - Meals: B,L,D

  • Day 4 Toro Buaya - Padar - Kalong Island

    Toro Buaya - Padar - Kalong Island We’ll weight anchor early, with our support boat ferrying us to Padar Island where we’ll warm things up with a picturesque walk. Journeying on to Pink Beach, we’ll take time both in and on the water with a lovely snorkel and kayak. Tonight, we’re again aboard the boat, moored off Kalong Island.

    - Overnight in Safari style tents
    - Kayak 7.2km & 9km by boat (approximately)
    - Meals: B,L,D

  • Day 5 Kalong Island - Komodo - Manta Point - Sebayur Kecil

    Kalong Island - Komodo - Manta Point - Sebayur Kecil This morning, our boat ferries us to one of the highlights of the trip, Komodo Island. It’s here that we’ll cautiously spy these impressive beasts in their natural environment. We’ll then again ride our support boat to Manta Point. One of the highlights of this trip is snorkelling at Manta Point, and hopefully, these gracious animals will delight us with their presence. After lunch, you will then start paddling towards Sebayur Kecil for your last beach camp of the expedition. Sebayur Kecil has a beautiful beach with some great coral reefs and fish population so a spot of snorkelling in the late afternoon or early the next morning is certainly encouraged. Overnight in Safari style tents.

    - Overnight in Safari style tents
    - Kayak 10 km and 9km by boat (approximately)
    - Meals: B,L,D

  • Day 6 Sebayur Kecil - Kanawa - Gua Rangko - Seraya - Labuan Bajo

    Sebayur Kecil - Kanawa - Gua Rangko - Seraya - Labuan Bajo After enjoying your last breakfast out in the beautiful Komodo National Park and maybe a swim or snorkel just off the beach you will then make your way paddling through the mangroves towards Kanawa for one last snorkel and swim before you hit the last open stretch of kayaking. It will be then time to say goodbye to the crew before you arrive back at the Puri Sari Beach Hotel by mid afternoon.

    - Night in PURI SARI BEACH HOTEL - 3*: superior room
    - Kayak 19km (approximately)
    - Meals: B, L

  • Day 7 Farewell Komodo - End of your trip

    Farewell Komodo - End of your trip You driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfert to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of our service.

    - 30m drive
    - Meals: B

This itinerary can vary due to local conditions and strength of kayaking team. Days can be shortened or lengthened depending on many factors. 

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: KAYAKKOM

Included

- Kayak use with all safety gear including vest, paddle etc
- 3 Nights in Safari Style tents in National Park

- 1 nights accommodation in cabin on support boat

- 2 nights at 3* hotel in Labuan Bajo

- Professional local English speaking guide throughout expedition

- Eco toilet and toilet tent
- All meals on expedition as mentioned on the trip (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Diner)
- Mineral Water on expedition
- Pick ups and drop offs in Labuan Bajo between hotel and port, hotel and airport



Not included

-International and domestic flights

-Airport Tax

-Travel Insurance for your trip
-Still and movie camera fees in the Komodo National Park
-Tips (advise: US$50 - US$60 per kayaker/guest/trip)
-Alcoholic beverages
-Komodo National park fee (it's changing every year, pls advise ALTAI travel consultant)


Notes

- For the one night onboard, cabins are shared by group members of the same gender and we might not be able to accommodate couples in the same room that night.

Please note that sailing distances are in nautical miles. Sailing times are indicative and may vary depending on tides, weather conditions and route variations. Your guides reserve the right to modify the itinerary or cancel excursions for safety or unforeseen logistical reasons.

The Hotels are indicated for information only and subject to availability.

Before you proceed with confirming and paying for your bookings, please check with our sales team to verify the availability of spots.

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with Altaï Indonesia implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 35% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Altaï Indonesia reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altaï Indonesia require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date Altaï Indonesia receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altaï Indonesia in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Indonesia may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your trip with Altaï Indonesia as soon as your booking is confirmed. We advice you to purchase a travel insurance policy which covers flight cancellations, luggage loss and emergency health care. Please look carefully at which activities are covered by your insurer and do not forget to bring all necessary documents and information with you (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number...)

Practical info

Staff

- English speaking kayaking guide + Local crew onboard of the boat

Food

We are able to cater to all common special dietary requirements. Whilst on the expedition most of your meals will be Indonesian-based meals. Please advise us prior to your departure if you have any food allergies we should be aware of.

Please be aware that the tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable.


If you are suffering from severe food allergies please advise our team beforehand. Further, we request to bring along an Epipen for on-the-spot treatment!

Accommodation

- The boat :  Escorting us in the Park will be our new 19m X 4m support boat and small tender.   The boat is crewed by a Captain, a Cook and a Deck Hands.   The boat has a bath room, with a western toilet, and a shower. At the front there is plenty of space for relaxing along with a large covered in dining room at the rear of the boat.  Our boat is equipped with 4 cabins and the upper deck has a sun lounge deck with bean bags and deck chairs. We can even set up a hammock for you.

- The tents : When on the islands we have very comfortable insect resistant Safari Style tents that you can stand up in. You will sleep on stretcher style beds which are very comfortable and we even have small stools to sit on around camp. We set up a bush toilet with a toilet tent for some privacy and a nice toilet seat to sit upon.

- In hotels in a double / twin room (standard equivalent to 2 or 3 * French). Private sanitary facilities.
- In losmen some nights (equivalent to hostels or local guest house held by locals), simpler comfort.
- Homestay: basic comfort, sleeping can be common, sanitary to share. These accommodations, although more rustic, allow you to immerse yourself in local life.
If you wish, to promote the exchange and sharing, you can provide a little attention for our guests (eg local specialty of your region, ...)
* Hot water is sometimes not available in all rooms.


Sleeping and Camping Arrangements

You will spend most nights of the trip in a mosquito-proven safari-style tent. We also provide you with a stretcher bed. While camping on the beach we do not provide any sleeping bags, pillows, or sheets due to hygiene reasons. Nights in the Park are fairly warm, especially in the tents, however, we suggest bringing a lightweight sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner and a couple of sarongs which can be used as a sheet or blanket. The crew will install a toilet tent with a toilet seat for your use at the campsite. Our support boat facilities include two bathrooms, with a hand shower, a flushing toilet, and hand basins. The boat has multiple socket outlets. However, we suggest charging your phones and any other devices during the day while the engine is running The boat has air-conditioned sleeping cabins. However, the AC is powered by a generator which will be switched off during the night to avoid noise pollution. During the night you are free to make use of the battery-powered marine fans in the cabins. Bedding and towels are provided in the cabins. Once you have boarded the support boat on the first day of kayaking, you will be shown to your cabin, where you can store your belongings. During your trip, you might have the unpleasant experience of noticing some rubbish, left by local tourists or swept ashore by the sea, on some of the islands we visit. Please refrain from littering at any time and make sure you take back everything you brought to the islands. During the trip, we clean up the beaches of every island we set camp on, but this is an ongoing process. You are welcome to join in the beach clean-up if you wish. Further, we suggest that if you take any batteries into the country, take them with you out of the country once you are leaving. Most of the lesser developed countries do not have the proper facilities to take care of used batteries.

Budget & exchange

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah, Rp (IDR)

Visit http://www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates. You can withdraw Indonesian Rupiahs from in- country ATMs or exchange money at the airport/local currency exchange offices. ATMs and exchange desks are only found on bigger islands like Bali (Denpasar, Ubud, Sanur). The cost of an average meal in Java is around 3US$ to 8US$; in Bali it is 4US$ to 11US$.

When purchasing souvenirs, we ask that our travelers resist the temptation to buy traditional items which are part of local families/the countries heritage. We also ask our travelers to respect the Species Protection Agreements (CITES) which aims to protect more than 2,500 species of animals and 30,000 species of threatened plants by prohibiting the trade of hides, ivory, scales, corals, shells, and the import of live exotic animals.


Tips

In case you would like to show your appreciation to a particular Guide or Crew for a job well done, please do so at your own discretion. Please remember to mention any good service provided by a member of the Crew tour local manager Fitri or myself. This is a good encouragement for our Guides and Crew to keep up their good performance. A typical daily tip is approximately Rp 150,000 or AUD$15. This is per kayaker/guest not per support staff member. Thus on a 5-day kayak, a reasonable tip would be Rp 750,000 or AUD$75 per kayaker/guest.

Vital equipment

Kayaking Clothing
  • -  Kayaking booties or trekking sandals to protect your heels
  • -  Kayaking gloves or trekking gloves to protect blisters
  • -  Kayaking glasses with a retaining cord
  • -  Long sleeve shirt or rash shirt (sun protection shirt)
  • -  Knee long shorts
  • -  Trekking hat with cord to protect you from the sun
  • -  Small dry bag to store your personal gear on your kayak

Sun protection
Indonesia is located on the equator and while kayaking you will be exposed to its strong sun rays for longer periods of time. We suggest wearing a long sleeve shirt or rash shirt and a hat at all times while in the kayak or exposed to the sun. Ensure to apply sunscreen regularly and take it along with you in your kayak to be able to re-apply if required.

You also need to bring: 

a lightweight sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner and a couple of sarongs which can be used as a sheet or blanket.




Helpful equipment

Snorkeling in The Komodo National Park

Your Guide will show you where to snorkel and where to find the best coral or fish. Please follow his instructions at all times. The Komodo Park is known for its strong currents and our Guide will point out where it will be safe for you to snorkel. You are snorkeling with wildlife and at no time should you chase or touch any dolphins, turtles, manta rays or other fauna. You are welcome to watch or swim with them as long as you keep your distance and they do not feel threatened by your presence. Some of them might be curious and might come closer to check you out. Avoid touching any coral or fish with your flippers while snorkeling and do not snorkel in low-tight as you could injure yourself on the corals. Coral can give you nasty cuts which often get infected. We recommend bringing some waterproofed dressing and alcohol swabs. Further, we suggest wearing your rash shirt while snorkeling to protect your skin from sunburn.


Trekking in The Komodo National Park

The Komodo National Park is a protected wildlife zone and trekking in the Park should only be done in the allocated areas. Please follow your Guide or the Rangers at all times and do not divert on any other tracks. Please wear appropriate walking boots and clothing (enclosed shoes or trekking sandals, sun-protecting gear, and a hat). Please bring along sunscreen and mosquito repellent.


You may also want to bring:

  • A camera and spare batteries/portable charger
  • A power plug travel adapter
  • A head torch and spare batteries
  • A pocket knife

  • A fast drying micro-fibre beach towel
  • A bath towel
  • Blister plasters
  • A small personal first aid kit

  • Zip lock bags to protect your important documents and electronics
  • A laundry bag/bin bag for your dirty clothes
  • Tissues
  • Earplugs


Luggage

Please bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the airplane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You will also need a larger bag to store your other clothes and belongings in, please ensure that this is a soft bag like a rucksack or holdall rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical. We recommend packing all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of wet weather.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

To go to Indonesia travelers need a passport which is valid for at least six months after the date of entry. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and proof of onwards travel is required.

Visa

Travelers staying in Indonesia for less than 30 days do not need to obtain a visa. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements.

Health information & recommendations

It is your responsibility to check that your personal insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip. Malaria prophylaxis is advised if your trip goes to Flores, Komodo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, the Sundra Islands or Kalimatan. Anti-malaria treatments are not necessary in Bali, Java or Lombok. Avoid contact with mosquitoes as much as possible: apply repellents, wear long trousers/sleeves and sleep with a mosquito net. The World Health Organisation can provide further details of the latest health news and medical advice.

Weather

We are running our kayaking trips in the dry season, so in the perfect situation, you should not experience much or any rain. However, the influence of climate change has arrived here too and you might experience a few showers during the trip. Conditions can be windy at times depending on the season. If it is too windy or unsafe to kayak we will cover the distance with our support boat. Temperatures in the park are always warm ranging from mid 20’s - the mid-’30s during the day and low 20s - mid-’20s during the night. The sun is very strong so you must protect yourself at all times even if the sky appears to be cloudy. Please click here for more weather information in the Komodo National Park.

Kayaking in The Komodo National Park


Conditions

In the park, the areas we kayak in, are mostly protected by the surrounding islands, which
means we should not encounter large swells or waves. However, the park is known for its
strong currents due to the water channeling in between the islands. We try to avoid kayaking against the current but if you find yourself in a situation with strong currents, swells or waves involved, stay calm and seek attention from your Guide. Follow your Guide at all times and try not to drift away too much. If you are drifting away or falling behind, please seek attention from your Guide.

Electricity

Indonesia uses European-style plugs with two round pins. Voltage is normally 220 V 50 Hz except in a few places where it is 110 V.

Local time

Indonesia is spread across three time zones. The Lesser Sunda Islands use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +8. Indonesia does not use Daylight Saving Time (DST).


Topography

School Visit

A lot of guests are asking what they can bring along to hand out to the children during the school visit. We suggest you only bring a small number of supplies, something light to carry in your luggage. The school and the children are always happy to receive any donations like writing materials, colouring books, cards, pens, pencils, stickers, and sports equipment, such as tennis balls, skipping ropes, bats, balls, etc. Please do not feel obliged to bring anything with you to donate to the school as this is a personal choice. Please refrain from handing out lollies. There are no dentists located on the islands.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.
We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during our trip...


1. Be prepared
2. Stick to trails and camp over night right
3. Stash your trash and pick up waste
4. Leave it as you find it
5. Be careful with fire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.
Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.

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Yang Yang

My local agent
Yang Yang

  • I was born and raised in China, in a region where I was surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. Since I was very young, I've hiked mountains two and three thousand meters high and rafted in the long mountain rivers.
  • I'm fascinated with new places and cultures. When I finished high school in China, I decided to go to study in France. Since then, I have traveled around Europe, Middle East and also Asia. First France, then Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Nepal, and Vietnam. I traveled by foot, on cycles, and even rafting and snorkeling.
  • When I turned 27, I decided to move to Bali, Indonesia, wanting to discover a new world with a natural tropical environment. It was here that I took up traveling as a profession, sharing my experience and tips with other travelers.
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Region
Flores & Komodo
Activity
Bestseller Hiking & Outdoor Trips Sea Kayaking Travel to unknown corners
Duration
7 days
Group
2 to 8 people
Code
KAYAKKOM
Price
From €2,035
Level
3/5
Comfort
2/5
Language(s)
English

Strengths

- Meet with the famous Komodo dragons
- Paddle through an archipelago of white and pink sand beaches islands
- Snorkel great coral reefs and get the chance to swim with manta rays
- Enjoy camping in remote areas 

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