Nusa Tangar

Nusa ; Tengara ; Chain of the South Islands of Indonesia, which stretch from Bali Island to Australia. The region is customary to divide into the Western and eastern part, which, despite the territorial proximity, is quite different from each other.

Western Nusa Tengar

Western Nusa Tengar includes the most popular island among the travelers of the Lombok and Gili region, as well as the low-success island Sumbawa. In landscapes of large islands of Lombok and Bali, two large volcanoes dominate ; Rindjani and Tambo, respectively. Residents of the islands in appearance and local languages ; closer to the inhabitants of Bali Island, but, unlike Bali, absolutely dominant religion on the islands ; Muslim with admixture of pagan beliefs.

Lombok

Lombok Island is often called ; non-cereal bali ;. Here are usually going either those who are looking for a more relaxed and / or authentic rest, or those who strive to rise to Rindjani Vulcan. Southern bays and beaches of the island are least susceptible to the influence of the volcano ; Sand on Beach Snow Whole, A Landscapes ; Absolutely beautiful.

Tracking on Vulcan Rindjani. Photo Credit: 5Steps-PHOTOBLOG.Com

Gili Islands

Gili Islands are located just 60 km from the west coast of Bali Island. Three tiny islands ; Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air ; The lazy relaxed atmosphere, idyllic beaches with snow-white sand and turquoise water and a fairly well-developed tourist infrastructure.

Gili Travangan. Photo Credit: 5Steps-PHOTOBLOG.Com

Sumbawa

Sumbawa Island ; One of the least visited islands of the region, despite the proximity of the island to the popular Bali and Lombok, as the travel infrastructure here is practically underdeveloped. But the desperate surfers adore these places for the original culture of the inhabitants, absolutely incredible landscapes, wild untouched beaches and excellent surf spots.

Where to live: Sumbawa Island
How to get there: on the ferry from the islands of Lombok and Flores.

Sumbawa Island. Photo Credit: Danny Bastiaanse, Flickr

Eastern Nusa Tangar

Islands of Eastern Nusa Tangars stretch from the eastern shore of Sumbava to Australia, the whole archipelago has about 500 islands, most of which are small and uninhabited.

From the point of view of cultural experience, traveling to the islands of Eastern Nusa Tengears is unique. Residents on the islands in appearance, languages ​​and cultural traditions are much closer to Avstalian aborigines than to Asians. Religion prevailing ; Christianity (Catholicism and Protestant) with a rattles of pagan beliefs and rituals.

The most popular among the island travelers (relative to other islands of the region) ; Flores and Komodo, the remaining Islands of Eastern Nusa Tengears are almost uniform, due to poverty and lack of tourist infrastructure.

Flores

Flores Island is most famous for his proximity to the Domodo National Park, most travelers are actually limited to acquaintance with the Komodo, based in the village of Labuangjo in the eastern part of the island.

But the journey through the island itself is a lot of surprises ; Incredible Kelimuth Volcano with multi-colored crater lakes, picturesque rice terraces, ethnic villages, wildly distant beaches from civilization and islands, where night silence is disturbing only the songs of fishermen. Plus, of course, a bonus for any journey ; Friendliness and openness of local residents.

Color Lake Volcano Kelimut. Photo Credit: Nathalie Straversers, Flickr

Islands Komodo

The islands of the National Park Komodo are located between the Islands Flores and Sumbawa, one of the most small and frightening inhabitants of the Earth lives here – Giant Varan, who is most often called the Dresser Dragon. In addition, the island of Komodo is included in the list of the best directions for diving in Indonesia.

Where to live: Komodo, Rinch, Labuhanbajo
How to get there: on a boat from the island of Flores, on tourist ships from Bali and Lombok.

Dresser Dragon. Photo Credit: Ron Caswell, Flickr

Sumba

On the island of Sumba, located south of Flores, unlike most of the large islands of Indonesia, no volcanoes. Lanshoft Islands ; Flat with small karst hills, ideal for breeding horses ; One of the two main crafts of the island. Second ; Weaving, in any village of Islands you can buy done in manual weaving. Tourist infrastructure on the island is practically absent except for a dozen hotels and gestures, spread along the northern coast of the island.

Where to live: Skumba Island
How to get there: by plane to Tambolaka Airport (Waitabula); on ferry from Flores and Sumbava.

In a weaving shop on the island of the night. Photo Credit: Lihatlah, Flickr

Western Timor

The last of the big islands of the archipelago ; Timor Island, divided between Indonesia and East Timor. The Indonesian part of the island is called Western Timor, here is the administrative capital of Eastern Nusa Tengears ; Cupang city.

The island is very rarely visited by travelers, due to the undeveloped tourist infrastructure and proximity to the restless East Timor, from local attractions ; Remote beaches and small islands and traditional villages.

Where to live: Kupang (Kupang)
How to get there: by plane to Kupang (Kupang, Koe); on ferry from Flores.

Entertainment local defers. Western Timor. Photo Credit: Amaya Williams + Eric Schambion, Flickr

Beaches of Western Timor. Photo Credit: Diego Fernandez Gabaldon, Flickr

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Transport connection in the region

Airplanes and ferries ; Two options of movement between the islands on public transport. Cruise tourist ships ; The third option for those who want to combine moving with a fascinating journey through the islands.

Airports

The main airports of the region are located on Lombok Island (LOP), Flores Island (Maumere, Mof and Labuanbajo, LBJ) and West Timor (KUPANG, KOE). All airports receive domestic flights from Denpasar on Bali Island and Cities of Java Island, Lomboka Airport also hosts international flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (see. timetables and tickets here (en) and here (RU)). Airplanes Course on Flores and Western Timor often make stops on the island of Skib.

Ferries

Between the islands, local ferries, which can be moved from the island to the island. If you wish, from the island of Bali, the Flores can be reached by ferries, with the intersection of the islands on local buses and Bemo or on the rented on the island of Bali Auto / Motobike.

Main ferry crossings and stops on Bali route ; Flores

Padangbai (Padangbai) in the east island Bali ; LEMBAR (Lembar) in the west of the island of Lombok.

Labuchan (Labuhan Lombok) in the east of the island of Lombok ; Poto Tano (Poto Tano) in the west of the island of Sumbawa.

Sape (SAPE) in the east of Sumbava to Labuanbajo (Labuanbajo) in the west of Flores Island.

With Labuenbaggo on Flores and Sap at Sumbava Ferries can be reached to the island of Skib, from Flores ; The ferries from the port of End (Ende) and Mamer are departed to Western Timur.

Tourist cruises

Tourist cruises to Flores Island run from Bali and Lombok Islands (see. Options on the website of the tour operator Perama, more budget options can be booked in place on the islands). Cruise programs ; from 2 to 6 days, with stops on small islands and overnight stays on boats.

Cost varies from 1 to 5-6 million. local money and depends on the duration of the program, from the quality and age of the boat and from the level of comfort (options are available from the nights on the mattresses on the deck to their own cabins). The cost of cruises usually includes food (full board), tickets to the Komodo National Park are often paid in place.

Taking a decision to travel on cruise ships, take into account the risks ; Small ships go through the open sea, often without observing the elementary safety rules (as it is the presence of rescue vests, rescue circles / inflatable boats, navigation equipment and TP).
Dry season is also the best time for diving on the islands of the Komodo and Gili ; calm the sea, better visibility.