Asia · Komodo & Bali: dragons, manta rays & island beaches
Rice terraces and jungle in Ubud, three days sailing through Komodo National Park among dragons and manta rays, then slow beach days on Nusa Lembongan.
Overview
This trip is built around Komodo National Park, a UNESCO-listed maze of dry, golden islands in turquoise water between Sumbawa and Flores. The world's largest lizard lives here, the reefs are some of the richest on the planet, and manta rays glide through the channels. The best way to see it is on a traditional phinisi sailing boat: three days and two nights hopping between Padar's viewpoint, Pink Beach, the dragons of Komodo or Rinca, Manta Point and the flying foxes of Kalong island. You start in green Ubud (rice terraces, jungle, waterfalls, temples) to get over the jet lag. You finish on the car-free island of Nusa Lembongan off Bali, with its beaches, mangroves and manta snorkelling at Nusa Penida. Everything works without a car: drivers are cheap, apps work, and boats and short flights do the rest.
Scorecard
Tap a criterion to see why it got that score.
Average of 19 criteria
Balinese and Indonesian food (nasi campur, babi guling, sate, fresh seafood) and excellent cafés in Bali.
Balinese temples and culture; Komodo itself is all nature.
Dramatic island landscapes, reefs, volcanoes and rice terraces.
Pink Beach, sandbanks in Komodo, and Lembongan's coves; not all beaches are good for swimming (currents).
Komodo dragons, manta rays, turtles, reef sharks, dolphins, flying foxes and monkeys.
World-class snorkelling and diving, hikes (Padar, Batur), kayaking and paddleboarding.
Bali has plenty; Labuan Bajo and Lembongan are relaxed.
Boat days and Lembongan are very relaxing; Ubud and Bali traffic less so.
Jungle and culture, a remote sea-and-island national park, and a small beach island.
Long: one stop to Bali (≈ 17–20 h), plus a domestic flight to Labuan Bajo.
Cheap drivers, Grab/Gojek, fast boats and domestic flights; the Komodo part is by boat anyway.
e-VOA and arrival form online; very tourist-friendly in Bali and Labuan Bajo.
+6 h (summer) / +7 h (winter) from Geneva.
Good value on the ground; the liveaboard (CHF 270–560 per person) and park fees are the main costs.
Dry season April–November: sunny, 30°C; rough seas and rain from December to March.
Safe for travellers; choose reputable boat operators (safety standards vary) and watch strong currents.
Dengue, rabies (don't touch monkeys or dogs) and upset stomachs; some malaria risk in rural Flores.
Beautiful villas in Ubud, phinisi cabins, and beach bungalows at great prices.
Padar and Pink Beach are busy in high season (now limited by daily quotas); Bali is crowded.
When to go
Aim for April–June or September–October: dry, calm and less crowded than July–August.
Getting there
There's no direct flight to Bali (DPS). Fly with one stop via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or Singapore (Swiss and Singapore Airlines fly nonstop from Zurich to Singapore): about 17–20 h in total. From Bali, a 1h15 domestic flight goes to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), the gateway to Komodo.
| Routing | Airline | Stops | Travel time | Return, economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVA → DOH → DPS | Qatar Airways | 1 | 17h–19h | CHF 800–1200 |
| GVA → DXB / AUH → DPS | Emirates / Etihad | 1 | 17h–19h | CHF 800–1250 |
| GVA → IST → DPS | Turkish Airlines | 1 | 18h–20h | CHF 750–1150 |
| Geneva → Zurich → SIN → DPS | Swiss / Singapore Airlines | 1 | ≈17h (+ connection to Zurich) | CHF 900–1400 |
Itinerary
Pick a trip length. Day 1 is arrival day and the last day is departure day; the overnight flights are extra. Each transfer lists every option, with the recommended one first.
Two days in Ubud, a 3-day phinisi cruise in Komodo National Park, and three nights on Nusa Lembongan with manta snorkelling.
A driver meets you at the airport for the 1h30 ride to Ubud. Rest by the pool, and have a first Balinese dinner.
Babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), and a first Bintang.
A day with your driver: rice terraces at dawn, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a waterfall swim, and the Campuhan ridge walk at sunset.
Tegallalang is close and busy (go at 7 am); Jatiluwih (UNESCO) is further, bigger and calmer.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep bags closed and don't feed them.
A jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then a ridge walk between two valleys at sunset.
A short flight east to Flores. Sunset from Sylvia Hill, then grilled fish at the Kampung Ujung night market.
Views over dozens of islands and anchored phinisi boats.
Choose your fish, prawns or squid and have them grilled on the waterfront.
Board your phinisi: a hike on Kelor island, snorkelling at Manjarite, and at dusk thousands of flying foxes leaving Kalong island.
A short steep climb for the first island panorama, then coral gardens full of fish.
At sunset, thousands of giant fruit bats fly out over the boat from the mangroves.
The big day: the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Pink Beach, a ranger walk to see Komodo dragons, the Taka Makassar sandbank and snorkelling with manta rays.
A 30–45-minute climb for the iconic view over three bays of different colours (timed sessions under the 2026 quota).
Sand coloured pink by red coral fragments, with great snorkelling just offshore.
A 1–2-hour ranger-guided walk to see the world's largest lizards (up to 3 m) in the wild.
A sandbank appearing at low tide, then snorkelling in the current alongside manta rays (sightings frequent, not guaranteed).
A last morning of snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks at Kanawa, then back to port by early afternoon.
Turtles, blacktip reef sharks and coral right off a white beach.
Rest in Labuan Bajo, then sunset drinks.
A morning flight to Bali, a short transfer to Sanur, and a fast boat to the beach island of Nusa Lembongan. Sunset at Sunset Point.
Waves exploding against the rocks in a spray of rainbows.
A snorkel boat to Manta Bay (reef mantas are frequent) and Crystal Bay, and optionally the famous Kelingking 'T-rex' viewpoint on Nusa Penida.
Snorkel alongside reef manta rays feeding near the cliffs, then coral and fish at Crystal Bay and the Gamat Bay reef.
The dinosaur-shaped cliff above a turquoise bay (the path down is very steep, so the viewpoint is enough).
An easy day: Dream Beach and Mushroom Bay, a canoe through the mangroves, the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan and its Blue Lagoon.
White-sand coves; swim where it's calm (check the waves).
A quiet paddle through the mangrove channels in the north.
A morning fast boat to Sanur, then the airport for the evening flight home.
An extra day in Labuan Bajo for Cunca Wulang canyon and Rangko cave, which also gives a buffer against flight delays.
A driver meets you at the airport for the 1h30 ride to Ubud. Rest by the pool, and have a first Balinese dinner.
Babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), and a first Bintang.
A day with your driver: rice terraces at dawn, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a waterfall swim, and the Campuhan ridge walk at sunset.
Tegallalang is close and busy (go at 7 am); Jatiluwih (UNESCO) is further, bigger and calmer.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep bags closed and don't feed them.
A jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then a ridge walk between two valleys at sunset.
A short flight east to Flores. Sunset from Sylvia Hill, then grilled fish at the Kampung Ujung night market.
Views over dozens of islands and anchored phinisi boats.
Choose your fish, prawns or squid and have them grilled on the waterfront.
Board your phinisi: a hike on Kelor island, snorkelling at Manjarite, and at dusk thousands of flying foxes leaving Kalong island.
A short steep climb for the first island panorama, then coral gardens full of fish.
At sunset, thousands of giant fruit bats fly out over the boat from the mangroves.
The big day: the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Pink Beach, a ranger walk to see Komodo dragons, the Taka Makassar sandbank and snorkelling with manta rays.
A 30–45-minute climb for the iconic view over three bays of different colours (timed sessions under the 2026 quota).
Sand coloured pink by red coral fragments, with great snorkelling just offshore.
A 1–2-hour ranger-guided walk to see the world's largest lizards (up to 3 m) in the wild.
A sandbank appearing at low tide, then snorkelling in the current alongside manta rays (sightings frequent, not guaranteed).
A last morning of snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks at Kanawa, then back to port by early afternoon.
Turtles, blacktip reef sharks and coral right off a white beach.
Rest in Labuan Bajo, then sunset drinks.
A mainland Flores day: jump into the jungle canyon of Cunca Wulang, and swim in the glowing turquoise pool of Rangko cave.
A short jungle walk to a canyon with waterfalls, natural pools and cliff jumps (with local guides).
A saltwater pool inside a cave, lit turquoise by the sun (reached by boat + short walk).
A morning flight to Bali, a short transfer to Sanur, and a fast boat to the beach island of Nusa Lembongan. Sunset at Sunset Point.
Waves exploding against the rocks in a spray of rainbows.
A snorkel boat to Manta Bay (reef mantas are frequent) and Crystal Bay, and optionally the famous Kelingking 'T-rex' viewpoint on Nusa Penida.
Snorkel alongside reef manta rays feeding near the cliffs, then coral and fish at Crystal Bay and the Gamat Bay reef.
The dinosaur-shaped cliff above a turquoise bay (the path down is very steep, so the viewpoint is enough).
An easy day: Dream Beach and Mushroom Bay, a canoe through the mangroves, the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan and its Blue Lagoon.
White-sand coves; swim where it's calm (check the waves).
A quiet paddle through the mangrove channels in the north.
A morning fast boat to Sanur, then the airport for the evening flight home.
Adds the volcano sunrise hike from Ubud.
A driver meets you at the airport for the 1h30 ride to Ubud. Rest by the pool, and have a first Balinese dinner.
Babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), and a first Bintang.
A day with your driver: rice terraces at dawn, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a waterfall swim, and the Campuhan ridge walk at sunset.
Tegallalang is close and busy (go at 7 am); Jatiluwih (UNESCO) is further, bigger and calmer.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep bags closed and don't feed them.
A jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then a ridge walk between two valleys at sunset.
A 2 am pick-up for a guided night hike up the Batur volcano, to watch the sunrise over the caldera lake and Mount Agung, then a hot-spring soak.
A 2-hour climb in the dark to 1,717 m, with breakfast cooked on volcanic steam at the top. Moderate difficulty.
Soak at the Batur natural hot springs, then a Balinese massage in Ubud.
A short flight east to Flores. Sunset from Sylvia Hill, then grilled fish at the Kampung Ujung night market.
Views over dozens of islands and anchored phinisi boats.
Choose your fish, prawns or squid and have them grilled on the waterfront.
Board your phinisi: a hike on Kelor island, snorkelling at Manjarite, and at dusk thousands of flying foxes leaving Kalong island.
A short steep climb for the first island panorama, then coral gardens full of fish.
At sunset, thousands of giant fruit bats fly out over the boat from the mangroves.
The big day: the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Pink Beach, a ranger walk to see Komodo dragons, the Taka Makassar sandbank and snorkelling with manta rays.
A 30–45-minute climb for the iconic view over three bays of different colours (timed sessions under the 2026 quota).
Sand coloured pink by red coral fragments, with great snorkelling just offshore.
A 1–2-hour ranger-guided walk to see the world's largest lizards (up to 3 m) in the wild.
A sandbank appearing at low tide, then snorkelling in the current alongside manta rays (sightings frequent, not guaranteed).
A last morning of snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks at Kanawa, then back to port by early afternoon.
Turtles, blacktip reef sharks and coral right off a white beach.
Rest in Labuan Bajo, then sunset drinks.
A mainland Flores day: jump into the jungle canyon of Cunca Wulang, and swim in the glowing turquoise pool of Rangko cave.
A short jungle walk to a canyon with waterfalls, natural pools and cliff jumps (with local guides).
A saltwater pool inside a cave, lit turquoise by the sun (reached by boat + short walk).
A morning flight to Bali, a short transfer to Sanur, and a fast boat to the beach island of Nusa Lembongan. Sunset at Sunset Point.
Waves exploding against the rocks in a spray of rainbows.
A snorkel boat to Manta Bay (reef mantas are frequent) and Crystal Bay, and optionally the famous Kelingking 'T-rex' viewpoint on Nusa Penida.
Snorkel alongside reef manta rays feeding near the cliffs, then coral and fish at Crystal Bay and the Gamat Bay reef.
The dinosaur-shaped cliff above a turquoise bay (the path down is very steep, so the viewpoint is enough).
An easy day: Dream Beach and Mushroom Bay, a canoe through the mangroves, the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan and its Blue Lagoon.
White-sand coves; swim where it's calm (check the waves).
A quiet paddle through the mangrove channels in the north.
A morning fast boat to Sanur, then the airport for the evening flight home.
One more slow beach day on Nusa Lembongan.
A driver meets you at the airport for the 1h30 ride to Ubud. Rest by the pool, and have a first Balinese dinner.
Babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), and a first Bintang.
A day with your driver: rice terraces at dawn, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a waterfall swim, and the Campuhan ridge walk at sunset.
Tegallalang is close and busy (go at 7 am); Jatiluwih (UNESCO) is further, bigger and calmer.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep bags closed and don't feed them.
A jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then a ridge walk between two valleys at sunset.
A 2 am pick-up for a guided night hike up the Batur volcano, to watch the sunrise over the caldera lake and Mount Agung, then a hot-spring soak.
A 2-hour climb in the dark to 1,717 m, with breakfast cooked on volcanic steam at the top. Moderate difficulty.
Soak at the Batur natural hot springs, then a Balinese massage in Ubud.
A short flight east to Flores. Sunset from Sylvia Hill, then grilled fish at the Kampung Ujung night market.
Views over dozens of islands and anchored phinisi boats.
Choose your fish, prawns or squid and have them grilled on the waterfront.
Board your phinisi: a hike on Kelor island, snorkelling at Manjarite, and at dusk thousands of flying foxes leaving Kalong island.
A short steep climb for the first island panorama, then coral gardens full of fish.
At sunset, thousands of giant fruit bats fly out over the boat from the mangroves.
The big day: the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Pink Beach, a ranger walk to see Komodo dragons, the Taka Makassar sandbank and snorkelling with manta rays.
A 30–45-minute climb for the iconic view over three bays of different colours (timed sessions under the 2026 quota).
Sand coloured pink by red coral fragments, with great snorkelling just offshore.
A 1–2-hour ranger-guided walk to see the world's largest lizards (up to 3 m) in the wild.
A sandbank appearing at low tide, then snorkelling in the current alongside manta rays (sightings frequent, not guaranteed).
A last morning of snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks at Kanawa, then back to port by early afternoon.
Turtles, blacktip reef sharks and coral right off a white beach.
Rest in Labuan Bajo, then sunset drinks.
A mainland Flores day: jump into the jungle canyon of Cunca Wulang, and swim in the glowing turquoise pool of Rangko cave.
A short jungle walk to a canyon with waterfalls, natural pools and cliff jumps (with local guides).
A saltwater pool inside a cave, lit turquoise by the sun (reached by boat + short walk).
A morning flight to Bali, a short transfer to Sanur, and a fast boat to the beach island of Nusa Lembongan. Sunset at Sunset Point.
Waves exploding against the rocks in a spray of rainbows.
A snorkel boat to Manta Bay (reef mantas are frequent) and Crystal Bay, and optionally the famous Kelingking 'T-rex' viewpoint on Nusa Penida.
Snorkel alongside reef manta rays feeding near the cliffs, then coral and fish at Crystal Bay and the Gamat Bay reef.
The dinosaur-shaped cliff above a turquoise bay (the path down is very steep, so the viewpoint is enough).
An easy day: Dream Beach and Mushroom Bay, a canoe through the mangroves, the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan and its Blue Lagoon.
White-sand coves; swim where it's calm (check the waves).
A quiet paddle through the mangrove channels in the north.
Nothing planned: a massage, a stand-up paddle session, a beach club, and a last sunset.
Beginner dives and snorkelling at the Lembongan reefs, or a yoga class.
A morning fast boat to Sanur, then the airport for the evening flight home.
Everything, finishing with a night in Uluwatu for the cliff-top temple, the Kecak dance and a surf beach.
A driver meets you at the airport for the 1h30 ride to Ubud. Rest by the pool, and have a first Balinese dinner.
Babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), and a first Bintang.
A day with your driver: rice terraces at dawn, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a waterfall swim, and the Campuhan ridge walk at sunset.
Tegallalang is close and busy (go at 7 am); Jatiluwih (UNESCO) is further, bigger and calmer.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep bags closed and don't feed them.
A jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then a ridge walk between two valleys at sunset.
A 2 am pick-up for a guided night hike up the Batur volcano, to watch the sunrise over the caldera lake and Mount Agung, then a hot-spring soak.
A 2-hour climb in the dark to 1,717 m, with breakfast cooked on volcanic steam at the top. Moderate difficulty.
Soak at the Batur natural hot springs, then a Balinese massage in Ubud.
A short flight east to Flores. Sunset from Sylvia Hill, then grilled fish at the Kampung Ujung night market.
Views over dozens of islands and anchored phinisi boats.
Choose your fish, prawns or squid and have them grilled on the waterfront.
Board your phinisi: a hike on Kelor island, snorkelling at Manjarite, and at dusk thousands of flying foxes leaving Kalong island.
A short steep climb for the first island panorama, then coral gardens full of fish.
At sunset, thousands of giant fruit bats fly out over the boat from the mangroves.
The big day: the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Pink Beach, a ranger walk to see Komodo dragons, the Taka Makassar sandbank and snorkelling with manta rays.
A 30–45-minute climb for the iconic view over three bays of different colours (timed sessions under the 2026 quota).
Sand coloured pink by red coral fragments, with great snorkelling just offshore.
A 1–2-hour ranger-guided walk to see the world's largest lizards (up to 3 m) in the wild.
A sandbank appearing at low tide, then snorkelling in the current alongside manta rays (sightings frequent, not guaranteed).
A last morning of snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks at Kanawa, then back to port by early afternoon.
Turtles, blacktip reef sharks and coral right off a white beach.
Rest in Labuan Bajo, then sunset drinks.
A mainland Flores day: jump into the jungle canyon of Cunca Wulang, and swim in the glowing turquoise pool of Rangko cave.
A short jungle walk to a canyon with waterfalls, natural pools and cliff jumps (with local guides).
A saltwater pool inside a cave, lit turquoise by the sun (reached by boat + short walk).
A morning flight to Bali, a short transfer to Sanur, and a fast boat to the beach island of Nusa Lembongan. Sunset at Sunset Point.
Waves exploding against the rocks in a spray of rainbows.
A snorkel boat to Manta Bay (reef mantas are frequent) and Crystal Bay, and optionally the famous Kelingking 'T-rex' viewpoint on Nusa Penida.
Snorkel alongside reef manta rays feeding near the cliffs, then coral and fish at Crystal Bay and the Gamat Bay reef.
The dinosaur-shaped cliff above a turquoise bay (the path down is very steep, so the viewpoint is enough).
An easy day: Dream Beach and Mushroom Bay, a canoe through the mangroves, the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan and its Blue Lagoon.
White-sand coves; swim where it's calm (check the waves).
A quiet paddle through the mangrove channels in the north.
Nothing planned: a massage, a stand-up paddle session, a beach club, and a last sunset.
Beginner dives and snorkelling at the Lembongan reefs, or a yoga class.
A fast boat and a transfer to the southern cliffs, then the Uluwatu temple and the Kecak fire dance at sunset.
A cliff-edge temple above the Indian Ocean, and the hypnotic Kecak performance at sunset.
A last swim at Padang Padang or Bingin, then 30–45 min to the airport.
Skip a region, add beach days, change the pace… Suggest changes and a new version of this trip will be created.
Getting around
In Bali, book a private driver through your hotel or the Grab app for transfers and day trips; it's the local norm and affordable. Fly Bali → Labuan Bajo, where your liveaboard collects you at the harbour or hotel. Fast boats from Sanur reach Nusa Lembongan in 30–45 minutes. On Lembongan and Ceningan, you walk, cycle, or ride in the island's small trucks and tuk-tuks.
The standard way around Bali: a car with a driver for about CHF 40–60 a day.
Grab and Gojek work in Bali and Labuan Bajo (some areas restrict pick-ups).
Bali ↔ Labuan Bajo in 1h15, with several airlines, for CHF 50–120.
Liveaboards and day boats in Komodo include everything: transfers, meals, guides and snorkel gear.
Fast boats Sanur ↔ Nusa Lembongan / Penida are frequent and quick; the sea can be choppy.
Lembongan is small: walk or cycle between beaches.
Where to stay & budget
Per person per day, excluding international flights. Assumes two people sharing a room or cabin, a mid-range shared liveaboard (CHF 350–450 per person for 3 days), and drivers or Grab in Bali. National park fees are paid on top of the boat.
Bali's green cultural heart: rice terraces, jungle gorges, temples, dance performances, yoga and great food.
Where: Just outside central Ubud, with a view over rice fields or the jungle.
A harbour town at the western tip of Flores, and the gateway to Komodo National Park, known for sunsets over the islands.
Where: On the hillside above the harbour (sunset views) or near the waterfront.
Padar, Komodo, Rinca and dozens of smaller islands: savannah hills, pink sand and some of the richest reefs on Earth.
Where: On a phinisi liveaboard (cabin with bathroom and air conditioning in mid-range).
A small island off Bali with sandy coves, mangroves, a yellow bridge to Ceningan, and manta rays nearby at Nusa Penida.
Where: Jungutbatu or Mushroom Bay (beachfront).
Limestone cliffs above surf beaches, cliff-top temples and sunset bars, 30 min from the airport.
Where: Near Padang Padang or Bingin beaches.
Practical
Information last checked: September 2026. Visa rules, prices and timetables change, so always check before booking.
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