Top Things to do in Ende
Top Restaurants in Ende
The 10 Best Things to Do in Ende, Indonesia
Discover the best top things to do in Ende, Indonesia including Kelimutu Lake (Tri-Color Lake), Blue Stone Beach, Bung Karno Exile Home, saga Traditional Village, Ria Beach, Mount Iya, Murondao Waterfall, Waturaka Village, Museum Bahari Ende, Jesha Travel.
Restaurants in Ende
1. Kelimutu Lake (Tri-Color Lake)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By SwaneeGan - Singapore
This review is for those who want to watch sunrise on Mt Kelimutu. I would have rated it excellent if I didn’t have to travel so far just to see this!
The tri-colour lakes were the only reason I travelled the long distance from Battawa to Moni. Luck plays an important part in the enjoyment and appreciation of the beauty here.
For sunrise watchers, the best place to stay the night is in Waturaka Village (10,000rp Ojek from Moni). This is the Village that is closest (1/2 hr by Ojek which is available from the Homestay for 100,000rp) to the start of the trail up Mt Kelimutu. There are many homestays in Waturaka and every one of the homestay charges 150,000rp for the night which included simple local family meals. I stayed at Igen Homestay. Though it didn’t look impressive, the room was very clean and I had my best sleep there.
From the start of the trail, one needs to trek for 20-30 mins to reach the top. It is a gentle ascent and a greater part of the path is paved & dimly lit. Despite this, walking shoes are better than flip-flops.
I left Waturaka at 4.00am and managed to see the colours of sunrise. Frankly, I was lucky because it rained throughout the previous day. That helped to clear the clouds and it wasn’t misty while a group of us were there. The sunrise that day wasn’t stunning but the lakes made it worth the early start and the climb up. While I was there, the con-joined lakes were turquoise & Emerald green and the other dark blue.
It wasn’t very cold up there despite it being early morning on a mountaintop. I had a jacket in my bag which I didn’t need to use.
There are local vendors who sold hot drinks and cup noodles for those who needed sustenance.
Because it was the low season, there weren’t many people up there. Of course there were still some people who hogged photo spots and all that was required to get them to surrender the spot was a gentle request.
For sunrise watchers, you will need to bring a torch as the path is dimly lit. The street lamps acted as a navigational tool for me.
Entry to the park (foreigner) was 230,000rp - higher than the usual 150,000rp to 200,000rp - because 1-12-2017 happened to be a holiday on Flores!
To summarize what is needed:
1) wear shoes
2) bring torch if you are climbing up to watch sunrise as the lighting is dim
3) pack a light jacket if you are afraid of the cold
4) have a camera if you intend to share the memory with friends & family
5) get ready rain gear for the unpredictable weather.
As mentioned before, a great deal still depends on LUCK!
I shall gladly return if I am told that one of the lakes has turned red because of a change in oxygen and mineral contents.
2. Blue Stone Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Sapitri A - Jakarta, Indonesia
We stopped at blue stone beach on our way to Bajawa. I thought it is a beach covered with blue stones everywhere but it's more a black sandy beach with some piles of blue stones here and there. Still it is nice to make a quick stop here. Food in the small warung we visit is expensive (Pondok Batu Hijau) and there are also not so many option... so it's better to eat in Ende or just order chicken (ayam geprek) which still affordable comparing to their fish price.
3. Bung Karno Exile Home
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Argya N - Bandung, Indonesia
The place were well-maintenanced with one curator on the house and he was really smart. However, objects-to-see were quite a few, and it was full of teenager taking selfies only. Might be good to go if there were much better stories regarding Soekarno journey and political movement showed up.
4. saga Traditional Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Martin v - Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Our first real visit to Flores and our first excursion to Saga, This is a verry nice place full of history and culture .You can visit serveral builings and objects..Specially the ritch environemnt and cooperation between the local people is a good example for all of us.
5. Ria Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By nickenhanneleen - Bornem, Belgium
Do not expect much but there are some basic bars, cheap local drinks and a nice atmosphere..when in Ende definitely a must see! ? I would suggest to visit this place around sunset!
6. Mount Iya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Boleslav - Colorado
We found the information about this volcano on the official web site for Flores and Gunnung Bagging website.
It seems that there is not a whole lot to do in Ende, but hiking Gunung Iya was pretty rewardng.
We rented a motrcycle and rode to the start of the trail, then hiked a bit steep trail for 90 inutes to the T intersection at the top. The right trail goes to the rim and one has to be careful in a bad weather to pay attention to the trail as the rim has a steep drop to one side.
The views from top of the rater over the sea, Ende and Gunung Meja are quite nice.
The trail down was a bit slow going as it is steep and slippery.
All in all quite nice half day trip.
7. Murondao Waterfall
Overall Ratings
3 based on 15 reviews
8. Waturaka Village
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By morgane13 - Montreal, Canada
Waturaka is a small village on the road to the Kelimutu volcano. It has started a community-based tourism project and several habitants offer homestay in the village. You get to stay with a family and pay for room and board. It is much more authentic then to stay in Moni. You are closer to the volcano, and there is a nice waterfall and hot Springs that you can walk to (both are free). People are extremely friendly and will be happy to show you their Gardens!
9. Museum Bahari Ende
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Ted4606 - Wollongong, Australia
If you are interested in traditional anthropology or social history this is an interesting place to have a visit. Other will want to pass!
10. Jesha Travel
Discover the highlights of Flores with Jesha Travel. We offer well-organized group or private tours, which allows you to travel in a relaxed way along various beautiful locations like kelimutu 3 colored lakes, Bena, Tutubhada traditional villages, Riung 17 island or the magnificent komodo dragons, of the island of Flores.
