This trip comprises two of the most spectacular in its pure wilderness areas of Indonesia – Sumba island and Komodo. My absolute favourites to explore in Indonesia. And I am going to take you on a trip like no other. Unique, wild and wonderful. Let’s explore together.
Sumba! The wilderness pure gem. Dancing trees paradise. With its rugged rolling hilled savannahs together with fields of maize and cassava, the island of Sumba in the East Nusa Tenggara Province offers its own distinct splendours. Sprinkled throughout its countryside are hilltop villages with thatched traditional clan houses clustered around unique megalithic tombs where villagers still pay homage to their ancestors in the ancient belief of Marapu and have retained most of the indigenous culture and traditions for generations. The island is also known for the origin of the strong and agile Sumba Ponies or Sandalwood Horses. They can swim in the sea!
Located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the East Nusa Tenggara province, nested the wonderful Komodo National Park. The Komodo National Park encompasses a total of 29 volcanic islands (including the 3 major islands Rinca, Padar and Komodo) and is home to approximately 2,500 Komodo Dragons and other terrestrial fauna such as various species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. Moreover it has impressive landscape – pink beaches, coral reefs and such beautiful mountains and cliffs. All of that we will explore in sea cruise dedicated specifically for photographers. You will stay on the boat, will be served amazing seafood and enjoying every day landings.
Day 1, 12 August
Welcome to Tambolaka airport! The starting point of our Sumba Photography Tour. Please arrive before 12:00 noon. Straight from the airport we drive to Ratenggaro village. Ratenggaro Sumba is a traditional village with tribal people living with megalith tombs made in Stone Age about 4500 years ago. Ratenggaro will impress you with unique shaped houses with tower like roofs made of straw. They called Uma Kelada – Ratenggaro’s traditional house, and its height depends on the social status of the owner.
We will have opportunity to photograph men on Sumba horses. Sumba horses can swim in the sea! After the sunset we are heading back to our hotel to have dinner and settle down for the night.
Day 2
Early rise and today’s mission is to continue to East Sumba! On the way you will make a stop to visit the Lapopu Waterfall. Approximately 15 minutes of easy short walk will bring you to a wonderful 90-m high waterfall dropping into the turquoise lagoon! You can bring your swimming clothes to take a dive in the refreshing water pool! Next, we continue to cultural part to meet wonderful people of Praijing village. We meet and photograph charismatic elders who occupy most of the houses and interact with kids who will be always around smiling and happy to see such a rare foreigner. People are super friendly here and always ready to be photographed and have a conversation with you. Praijing also have a wonderful vantage point so you can photograph it from above! From Praijing we continue moving East to one of the main gems of the tour so long awaited – Walakiri beach! It is our first sunset here, and we spend at least 2 sessions here depends on the weather. I’ve chosen perfect dates for the trip because we will have low tide and mirror like paddles in which you can get reflections at exact sunset time. You will be able to make your own series of Sumba Dancing trees. Walakiri is perfect for sunset as the sun sets in the ocean behind the trees. Dinner will be served at local hotel restaurant with amazing seafood.
Day 3
We will meet sunrise at Tanarara hill which has a wonderful winding hilltop trail or Tenau hill which has a wonderful shapes and textures of rolling hills. From the high vantage viewpoint, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise before going back back to Waingapu for breakfast and a break.
After short break at hotel, we are heading to Waimarang waterfall which is another must see destination in Sumba. Like Lapopu waterfall it is surrounded by turquoise small pond and embraced by sharp cliffs. Swim and photograph!
For sunset we plan second attempt to Walakiri beach as it offers amazing compositions, and you still have low tide at sunset that day. You have a chance to review photos from yesterday and do even better or different compositions exploring further corners of the beach with different dwarf mangrove trees.
Day 4
Sunrise spot – Puru Kambera savannah. It is a prairie which will make you feel like you are in the midst of Africa’s grasslands. We will try to find Sumba horses roaming in the endless savannah. With first rays of light flaming on golden grass! Head back for breakfast and break to hotel.
Today we head to another Epic waterfall – Tanggedu. It is one of the most interesting photography spots in Sumba, and it is quite often referred as the “Grand Canyon” of East Sumba.
After plenty of time of shooting and swimming at Tanggedu we travel to Wairinding Hill for sunset! It is located on the way back to our hotel at Waingapu.
Dinner and rest. Sumba hills Photos by our guide Fikre (see below).
Day 5, 16 August
Departure on the recommended flight at 6:30 a.m. to Labuan Bajo. 6:30 am– 12:15 pm Lion Air
1 stop KOE 5h 45m WGP to LBJ. There are no direct flights from Waingapu airport to Labuan Bajo but there are flights with one transfer! We travel together as a group on recommended flight you must book yourself. Upon arrival to the airport our group will be transferred to our wonderful newly built Phinisi boat! Our home and base for next 4 days exploring Komodo national park.
We will embark the boat, have lunch and head out to our first photography spots. Photos by our guide Fikre (see below).
Day 6
Today we start the early morning with departure to Padar Island. We walk to meet sunrise at Padar Island’s hilltop. Here we witness the most spectacular landscape around Komodo National park. Rugged mountains and bays all over the island!
After short hike, we go back to boat for breakfast and later on disembark to a wonderful Pink Beach to snorkel and relax. Later we navigate to Takka Makasar – the half moon island. Here you can swim with Manta-rays!
Day 7
Today we continue our adventure to Komodo Island for an afternoon walk to find Komodo dragon! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and stay overnight on Phinisi boat around Komodo Island. Nature and wildlife photography in the park with local rangers and guides who help us find dragons!
Day 8, 19 August
Sailing back to Labuan Bajo harbour on Flores island, and dropping off at the airport around noon. You may depart to Bali to continue adventure or Jakarta to catch international flight.
Pricing:
Total price (twin shared cabin): 4900 USD
Difficulty: easy
Single supplement for rooms in Sumba: +400 USD
Single cabin onboard phinisi in Komodo part: +1200 USD
Tour includes:
- Accommodation double/twin cabins sharing phinisi
- all meals and non-alchohol drinks,
- all transportation during the tour
- photography tuition,
- entrance fees to Komodo national park and all local taxes.
Not included in the price:
– Airfare
– Visas (if applicable)
– Single supplement
– Tips to the phinisi crew
We stay and cruise on this boat:
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm. Be sure to have additional tripod mount to this lens.
– Set of filters for seascape photography: ND 3, 6, 10 stop and CPL filters
Special Deal!
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Tour leaders
Daniel Kordan
Landscape and travel photographer based in Bali, Indonesia. Partner with Iceland photo tours, instagram @Danielkordan with 1.8 Million followers, Nikon and Gitzo ambassador.
Fikri @fikrilifetrip @lifetripjourney
Landscape and travel photographer based in Indonesia. Organisation master of amazing trips all over Indonesia. Some of his works illustrate this announce.
