Bajawa

A cool highland town in central Flores and the heart of Ngada culture, with the megalithic village of Bena and hot-spring rivers at the foot of Mount Inerie.

Bajawa is the capital of Ngada Regency in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara Province, set on a plateau about 1,100 m high in central Flores, about 130 km east of Ruteng and 125 km west of Ende – an essential stop on the overland route across Flores. The climate is cool, the town is ringed by volcanoes, and the area produces the Arabica coffee known as 'Flores Bajawa'. Bajawa is the center of Ngada culture, and the highlight is visiting megalithic traditional villages such as Bena, Luba and Gurusina at the foot of Mount Inerie, with their thatched peaked houses, ancestral shrines and ikat weaving; afterwards, soak in the Malanage hot-spring river where hot and cold streams meet. Hikers can climb Mount Inerie before dawn for sunrise, trek to the Wawo Muda crater lakes, or visit the Wolobobo viewpoint early in the morning for a sea of clouds. About 70 km north, the Riung 17 Islands Marine Park is great for island-hopping and snorkeling, usually with a night in Riung. The May–Oct dry season is best; mornings and evenings on the plateau can drop to around 10°C, so bring a jacket, and in the Nov–Apr rainy season mountain roads are prone to landslides. Fly from Bali to Soa Airport (about 25 km away) or to Labuan Bajo and continue overland. Accommodation in town is mostly guesthouses; stay 2–3 days and hire a local guide to better understand village culture.

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