I just had a 3D/2N Komodo private tour with one night on the boat and one at the Golo Hiltop Hotel in Labuan Bajo. Everything from pickup to tours and hotel was completely organized and they adjusted to the lateness of the plane.
We visited Rinca on the first day and saw about 10 dragons, mainly in the ranger station area when then sailed to a bay at Komodo Isl for the evening and saw hundreds of flying foxes at night. The accomodation on the boat is somewhat rustic and basic, but that is part of the adventure. All of the meals were plentyful and delicious with a good variety. I would have prefered more fish or seafood however, but I got fish for one of the three main meals. On Komodo Isl, komodo dragons were pretty much absent except for a small one. I would definitely recommend the longer trek for a better chance to see some, as they are supposed to be bigger than those on Rica. From there, we went to Pink beach for a bit of snorkelling, and came back to Labuan Bajo. The Golo Hiltop is a georgeous small hotel with killer sunsets, very clean and comfortable.
The staff, at all steps of the tour was very friendly and eager to please.
All in all, it was a bit expensive for my personal budget, but was headache free in terms of not having to lift a finger for organization and it is one more item crossed off from my bucket list. There is no need for spending more money while on the trip, except for drinks, souvenirs and tips. I enjoyed my trip and the company I was with and would recommend this tour to my friends.
We have just used this company for a 1 night/2 day tour. I cannot say enough how wonderful this tour was. The company organised everything perfectly, from pick up from our hotel to our drop off on return trip.
The flights were organised so no messing around to do, plus transfers. Our tour guide Vincent, was professional, helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. The staff on the boat could not do enough for us. The boat was basic, but the food was absolutely delicious and way more than enough, including mineral water. We were 2 women but our safety was paramount to all the staff. We saw about 10 dragons on Komodo, plus a HUGE spider, wild pigs and deer. Snorkelling at Pink beach was very relaxing and beautiful. We saw 2 turtles and dolphins in between on journeys around islands. Then Kalong island for the flying foxes. We didn’t see them, too many pesky humans on boats!! But saw 3 eagles, so a complete bonus. The next morning we went to Rinca Island and saw a dragon on the way, then 10-11 on Rinca. Including some large females. We also plenty of monkeys, deer and wild buffalo.
The whole trip was completely amazing and I would recommend the company to anybody. It’s a truly memorable lifetime experience.
My wife and I recently returned from a vacation in Indonesia. A highlight was our one-day trip to Pink Beach and Rinca Island with Explore Komodo Tours. Explore Komodo Tours went out of its way to craft a special tour just for us, as we needed to fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo in the morning and return to Bali that evening. We were so afraid that we would have to return to the United States without seeing Pink Beach or Komodo National Park due to our tight schedule. Kadek, with Explore Komodo Tours, however worked with us to turn our hopes into a reality.
As for the tour, Vinsen (our tour guide) spoke excellent English. He was extremely knowledgeable and briefed us everything we were about to see and do. He, and everyone else associated with Explore Komodo Tours, went out of their way to make our trip memorable, including taking pictures of us for our photo album.
The tour was everything we hoped for and more. Pink Beach was gorgeous and the snorkeling was amazing. Pink Beach’s cove was filled with beautiful coral and there was an abundance of fish. We even saw a foot-long cuttlefish. It was the best snorkeling experience we had while in Indonesia.
Rinca Island was memorable in its own right, begining with the monkeys perched under our landing dock. We saw approximately ten Komodo Dragon. Vinsen and his team arranged for an awesome picture to be taken of us crouched behind one of them. An extra was the amazing view of expansive turquoise ocean and seemingly endless volcanic islands that could be seen from atop a hill overlooking our harbor.
I want to thank Vincen, Kadek, Iren, and all the others associated with Explore Komodo Tours for an amazing trip. We will never forget it.
Explore Komodo Tour
I just had a 3D/2N Komodo private tour with one night on the boat and one at the Golo Hiltop Hotel in Labuan Bajo. Everything from pickup to tours and hotel was completely organized and they adjusted to the lateness of the plane.
We visited Rinca on the first day and saw about 10 dragons, mainly in the ranger station area when then sailed to a bay at Komodo Isl for the evening and saw hundreds of flying foxes at night. The accomodation on the boat is somewhat rustic and basic, but that is part of the adventure. All of the meals were plentyful and delicious with a good variety. I would have prefered more fish or seafood however, but I got fish for one of the three main meals. On Komodo Isl, komodo dragons were pretty much absent except for a small one. I would definitely recommend the longer trek for a better chance to see some, as they are supposed to be bigger than those on Rica. From there, we went to Pink beach for a bit of snorkelling, and came back to Labuan Bajo. The Golo Hiltop is a georgeous small hotel with killer sunsets, very clean and comfortable.
The staff, at all steps of the tour was very friendly and eager to please.
All in all, it was a bit expensive for my personal budget, but was headache free in terms of not having to lift a finger for organization and it is one more item crossed off from my bucket list. There is no need for spending more money while on the trip, except for drinks, souvenirs and tips. I enjoyed my trip and the company I was with and would recommend this tour to my friends.
We have just used this company for a 1 night/2 day tour. I cannot say enough how wonderful this tour was. The company organised everything perfectly, from pick up from our hotel to our drop off on return trip.
The flights were organised so no messing around to do, plus transfers. Our tour guide Vincent, was professional, helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. The staff on the boat could not do enough for us. The boat was basic, but the food was absolutely delicious and way more than enough, including mineral water. We were 2 women but our safety was paramount to all the staff. We saw about 10 dragons on Komodo, plus a HUGE spider, wild pigs and deer. Snorkelling at Pink beach was very relaxing and beautiful. We saw 2 turtles and dolphins in between on journeys around islands. Then Kalong island for the flying foxes. We didn’t see them, too many pesky humans on boats!! But saw 3 eagles, so a complete bonus. The next morning we went to Rinca Island and saw a dragon on the way, then 10-11 on Rinca. Including some large females. We also plenty of monkeys, deer and wild buffalo.
The whole trip was completely amazing and I would recommend the company to anybody. It’s a truly memorable lifetime experience.
My wife and I recently returned from a vacation in Indonesia. A highlight was our one-day trip to Pink Beach and Rinca Island with Explore Komodo Tours. Explore Komodo Tours went out of its way to craft a special tour just for us, as we needed to fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo in the morning and return to Bali that evening. We were so afraid that we would have to return to the United States without seeing Pink Beach or Komodo National Park due to our tight schedule. Kadek, with Explore Komodo Tours, however worked with us to turn our hopes into a reality.
As for the tour, Vinsen (our tour guide) spoke excellent English. He was extremely knowledgeable and briefed us everything we were about to see and do. He, and everyone else associated with Explore Komodo Tours, went out of their way to make our trip memorable, including taking pictures of us for our photo album.
The tour was everything we hoped for and more. Pink Beach was gorgeous and the snorkeling was amazing. Pink Beach’s cove was filled with beautiful coral and there was an abundance of fish. We even saw a foot-long cuttlefish. It was the best snorkeling experience we had while in Indonesia.
Rinca Island was memorable in its own right, begining with the monkeys perched under our landing dock. We saw approximately ten Komodo Dragon. Vinsen and his team arranged for an awesome picture to be taken of us crouched behind one of them. An extra was the amazing view of expansive turquoise ocean and seemingly endless volcanic islands that could be seen from atop a hill overlooking our harbor.
I want to thank Vincen, Kadek, Iren, and all the others associated with Explore Komodo Tours for an amazing trip. We will never forget it.
Kim Bullerdick
September 17, 2019