Visit Wae Rebo: Hidden Gem Nestled Above The Highlands of Flores

No eyes could witness what beauty this place has got to offer — yet. Encapsulated within the dense, thick forests of the highlands in Manggarai, this man-made cultural village is a sight to be sought. Like a speck of precious gold dust, this beauty could only be witnessed after a confrontation with its challenges — uphill, muddy, bumpy tracks.

Persistence is the key. With persistence, comes incredible vistas that await you above. Walk through the dense forests, witness nature’s beauty along your journey, and step into the jaw-dropping view as soon as you stepped into the entrance. 

Are you a first-timer keen to explore the amazing vista above the highlands of Flores? Curious of the beauty that lies within Wae Rebo? Read along! This article is made as an ultimate guide to plan for your Wae Rebo visit. 

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The Ultimate Cultural Experience in Wae Rebo

What lies beyond the scattered lush forests will leave you enchanted. Pictures could not even glorify what the eyes could see. Both a natural and cultural visit, Wae Rebo is an escape to the clear, soothing vista of above. 

The Beauty of Wae Rebo

Wae Rebo features 7 circular, cone-shaped traditional houses protruding from the relatively flat surface of the highlands above.

Famously known as the village above the clouds, Wae Rebo is acknowledged as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2012, leaving behind 42 other competitors!

This title is not given for nothing. Given its unique feature, it is undoubtedly one of Indonesia’s gems that should be protected. 

Isolated on top of thick, lush forests, Wae Rebo has its own story to tell. Home to the local Manggarai tribe, reputedly, Wae Rebo was settled 18 generations ago by an elder referred to as Mpu Maro.

Stories circulating the first establishment of this village tell that Mpu Maro had the vision to lead his tribe to settle in the highlands of Flores. 

Hence, Wae Rebo is what we all know today. A place of culture and heritage, its unique cone-shaped houses called Mbaru Niang have captured the eyes of many. Undoubtedly, what makes this village more attractive!

How to Get There

To reach Wae Rebo, you would start your journey by landing on either Labuan Bajo or Maumere, respective to which destinations you would like to visit.

However, a start from Labuan Bajo will save a lot of time if you happen to only seek Wae Rebo. From Labuan Bajo Airport, it would take you around 5 hours to reach the nearest village– Denge Village. 

It would be very much recommended to have a guide which includes car rent that’ll take you to Wae Rebo, as public transport is almost non-existent.

Since a hike to Wae Rebo would be pretty much tiring, most travelers would make a stop in the nearby lodge to help prepare for the rough journey ahead. 

Your journey to Wae Rebo will start at the nearest hiking spot, which is in Denge Village. If you happen to travel by car, the car would stop at a certain point, in which you should walk further to the hiking point.

The distance between your last car stop and the hiking point is quite far. This, however, is seen as an opportunity by the locals of Denge Village. They will offer you a service that’ll take you to the hiking point by motorcycle. This is highly recommended to save you energy before the actual hike begins.

A Glimpse to Your Journey Above

Once you reach the entrance of the hiking point, you would need to walk for about 2 to 3 hours, respective on one’s stamina and physical condition.

But worry not, t-mates! The tracks that lead you to the village are well-built so you don’t need to worry about getting lost in the mountains. 

Along the tracks, you’ll witness small rivers with crystal clear water and hidden photo spots that overlook the majestic mountain peaks with the view of the village from afar when you are close.

Surely, immersing yourself in the depths of nature as you walk by is worth every energy! 

What To Do

There are a lot of things you could do in Wae Rebo. In addition to exploring up into the corners of the village, you could witness various activities of the locals.

Watch local men go to their farms, watch local women make traditional fabrics, and more! Take pictures of the locals’ life, and immerse yourself in the life of the locals.

You can visit pretty much every cone-shaped house and interact with the locals to know more about the village and its prior establishments.

Furthermore, you’ll be served coffees, teas, and even meals! The locals would also present you with their hand-made fabrics and coffee of their own, which you can buy to help Wae Rebo tourism even more!

Did you know that you could actually spend a night in Wae Rebo? With only 325,000 IDR* inclusive of meals and sleeping bags, you could experience a stay in one of their traditional houses!

Staying overnight in Wae Rebo is highly recommended because you surely don’t want to miss the ultimate stargazing experience at night and the view of the orchestrated colorful hues of the sunrise the next morning. 

Feeling Inspired? Time to Plan Your Wae Rebo Visit

So, does Wae Rebo sound tempting enough for you? Wae Rebo is indeed a hidden jewel of Indonesia, which we should be proud of.

The life of the locals, intertwined with the beauty of nature that encapsulates this gem, brings forth a breathtaking beauty we all yearn for a visit to. 

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*price is valid at the time of writing