Flores is undeniably a fascinating island to visit in the East Nusa Tenggara. The island offers an array of wonders, with Wae Rebo Village being one of the major ones. There is something so mystical about this traditional settlement that encourages many to marvel at its beauty, and you can get a glimpse of it in the following Wae Rebo Village travel guide. Wae Rebo A Mystical Village Above the CloudsHow to Get to Wae Rebo VillageWhere to StayWhen to Visit Wae ReboThe Main AttractionsFinal Thoughts Wae Rebo A Mystical Village Above the Clouds Wae Rebo is home to the Manggarai tribe situated in the West Maggarai Regency on the highland of Flores Island, Indonesia. According to the oral lore, the village was settled somewhere around 18 generations ago. An elder of the community-led his tribe to the Flores highlands after a vision came to him. That was when the tribe established a settlement with the protection of a holy spirit. The local government began the initial moves toward developing Wae Rebo Village as a tourist attraction in 1997. The authorities invested in two traditional circular cone-shaped houses called Mbaru Niang. As for the remaining early Mbaru Niang houses, they underwent a renovation conducted by a group of Jakarta-based professional architects. Aside from its unique house shape, what distinguishes this small community is its location, approximately 3,608 feet above sea level and enclosed by deep woodland and panoramic undulating mountains. The only way to get to this heritage destination is by trekking uphill for around 3-4 hours. Also, that’s only after making the four-hour drive from Labuan Bajo or Ruteng. Even so, many have completed the journey to this UNESCO awarded village. Having a trustworthy Wae Rebo Village travel guide is key to a smooth journey. The majority of visitors generally begin the trip from Labuan Bajo, for it’s used as a base to marvel at the surrounding attractions. If you are traveling in a group, it would be best to take a package tour because it’s the easiest and probably most affordable option. In addition, everything will be taken care of for you, allowing you to sit back and relax without having to worry about everything and anything. The trip to the hinterland of Flores is typically made in three days using the following route Labuan Bajo – Lembor – Narang – Dintor – Denge – Wae Rebo. On the first day, you go for the car ride to Denge in which it’s the last village to Wae Rebo. Despite the distance being just approximately 70 kilometers, the ride can take more than six hours due to the poor condition of the roads. While it’s a relatively steep, long journey, the majestic view of the Cancar spider web rice field along the way will keep you entertained. Yet still, don’t underestimate the travel time, and make sure to get started in Labuan Bajo before midday. That’s because it’s highly impossible to drive on such difficult roads in the dark, and any surrounding natural beauties will almost certainly be invisible. Upon arrival, you can spend the night in a lodge which you can only find in the village of Denge or Dintor. The next day is reserved for trekking to Wae Rebo Village, which takes around hours should there be no concerning obstacles. Breathtaking views of the bluish sea below and the triangular Mount Inerie, as well as diverse wilderness, will be your reward during the trekking. Not to mention the regular sightings of birds, monkeys, and butterflies that make the journey will ingrain forever in mind. In the hazy cloud forest surrounding Wae Rebo Village, you may witness any kind of forest crops, such as cacao beans, coffee, taro, and cassava. A glimpse of the mountain valley accompanies you as you reach a point after what seems like ages of climbing. Here, the roofs of the Wae Rebo houses can already be seen peeking out of the trees. This is where you will experience a truly magnificent moment. Also, after all the sweating, you will get the sensation that your effort is well worth it. Where to Stay Finding a place to stay for a night along the route from Labuan Bajo to Denge is never an easy task. Therefore, your departure schedule to the hinterland of Flores will significantly affect your choice of accommodation. Some of the available homestays can be found in the villages of Denge and Dintor. Thus, if possible, try to get to Denge before the sun goes down. Denge is the last village prior to heading to Wae Rebo. Fortunately, the road to this village is still passable by car. In any Wae Rebo Village travel guide, you will find that the Denge Home Stay is an excellent option to stay. Blasius Monta, a schoolteacher and an expert of Wae Rebo, runs this welcoming guesthouse which offers modest but well-taken care rooms in his lovely home for those who want to marvel at the beauty of Wae Rebo. You can contact Blasius by telephone at 0813 3935 0775. Also, it would be best if you call or text him before going there. Some tourists who have been there usually have difficulty contacting him due to the poor signal in Denge Village. If you are incapable of making a call, texting him will suffice. This homestay is the ideal place to stay for it is only several feet away from the trail start to the land above the clouds, Wae Rebo. In addition, it will be much easier to get an early start after enjoying a simple yet delectable breakfast. If you rent a room here, you can keep your belongings you might not need on the uphill. That way, you can reduce the burden of trekking from Denge to Wae Rebo and makes everything much more manageable. As a teacher, the lodge owner enjoys reading and would highly appreciate it if visitors could leave one or two books behind. The cost each night in Denge Home Stay is 250,000 rupiah, already including dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Not only will the visitors be able to take a good rest before a long journey, but they will also get a ton of brand new experience. This includes getting to taste the nutty red rice cultivated locally by the villagers and strong sambal made of green chili peppers. Visitors may also ask the owner to open the Wae Rebo center, which is located next door. In this visitor center, you will find a collection of photos of the new Manggarai house built in 2009. Going to the Denge’s market on Monday would be great if you want to get closer to the local culture. When to Visit Wae Rebo The ideal time to visit Wae Rebo Village is between February and November when the weather is mild and there is little to no rainfall. Coming to the destination during the wet season won’t make an excellent choice. Instead, it will make the journey from Labuan Bajo to the trekking time much more difficult. As for the trekking, starting it early between 5-6 am is advised. This way, you can reach the top in the midday and still get a lot of chance to rest while also enjoying the views and mingling with the native of Wae Rebo. The Main Attractions Being one of Indonesia’s most prevalent tourist attractions makes Wae Rebo well taken care of. One of the many appealing aspects of the community—apart from its cone-shaped houses—is how secluded it is. It’s a 28-kilometer journey through the dense jungle from the village of Denge. Visiting this destination is currently only visible if you spend a night at the provided accommodation. The seclusion of Wae Rebo restricts the number of visitors, which makes the journey more about the actual experience. The first thing visitors must do is go to the ceremonial house to meet the elders, who will later perform a prayer. Every visitor must also take part in the Waelu Ceremony. It’s a ceremony where the tribe leader will deliver a welcoming speech and pray for visitors to be safe during the visit. After the ceremony, you can go to the visitors’ house where you will be served lunch. You may spend the day exploring the nearby valley, interacting with the locals, taking photographs, or simply immersing yourself in the peace and quiet of the Wae Rebo ambiance. Some are coming here just to take pictures, and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, it’s advisable to take the available opportunity to get in-depth knowledge about the lives of the native in Wae Rebo Village. Mingle with them to know their thoughts or perhaps their philosophy of life as a part of a tribe. Come to those you think are capable of explaining everything in a fun and straightforward way about this traditional village. The information you get will undoubtedly be a valuable lesson you may only obtain in some remote communities that require a lot of effort to visit. If you come during the dry season, you will be fortunate as you get to enjoy the night sky packed with stars, making it a perfect moment for night photography. There is no need to worry about the place to stay during the night because you will get the opportunity to sleep in one of the huts. The price is around 250,000 per night for each person, including a clean toilet. Final Thoughts Is Wae Rebo Village worth visiting? If you’re simply interested in the unique shaped houses, you can see them in other villages which don’t require trekking. However, if you are a fan of a great challenge, Wae Rebo is your answer; and this Wae Rebo Village travel guide can help you to start off.

Those of you who have been to Flores or any similar remote tribal island, may argue what does it even mean the last traditional Manggarai village? In a region where most settlements consist of 20 bamboo huts, 100 people and 50 buffaloes, where the population mixes simplified Christianity with animism, where the most famous dance form is actually a martial art using a whip as a weapon, how can it get more authentic? Well, it can. The bamboo huts, for example, have replaced the traditional Manggarai conical houses, mbaru niang. Animist rituals and caci, the whip dance, can still be seen, but you would have to be lucky to find them. Caci is sometimes staged for tourists, but it is not the same one. In Wae Rebo, on the other hand, mbaru niang dominates the central square, and Penti ceremony, a full-scale spirit worship festival, is held annually in November. A caci tournament is part of the festival. After all, there must be a reason this village in Flores received the Top Award of Excellence from UNESCO in 2012.© Mark LevitinUp in the cloudsWae Rebo occupies a strategic position near the summit of a tall hill, at 1100 m asl. After slogging all the way up there on a stony path, you will probably call it a mountain. Up until now, there is no way to reach the village other than hiking. The reason for such placement may have been defensive, but nowadays it means great views and morning mists, which are actually low clouds stuck at this natural obstacle before evaporating. Most common houses and agricultural plots spread on the slopes above the cluster of mbaru niang, and the panoramic vistas at sunrise or sunset will keep a photographer busy for quite a while. It is, of course, a good idea to add extra cultural experience by arriving in time for Penti.© Mark LevitinPenti in Wae ReboEssentially a typical animist ceremony, unlike those easily seen in other tribal settlements around the globe, Penti feels special due to two factors the unique setting and the fully authentic procedure. Christianity, and the last few centuries in general, are temporarily forgotten. It starts in the morning with a large procession led by the head shaman to a sacred stone just outside the village. Rice and eggs are sacrificed in a rather elaborate ritual. Then the people return to the main square, and the rest of the day is dedicated to festivities, mainly caci. Fighters put on traditional costumes, wrap sarungs around their heads to protect the face, pick up whips and leather shields, and commence the duels. Traditionally, two types of whips are used one of the warriors brandishes the offensive variety, similar to the usual horse-riding implement, while the other – the defensive, with a longer, curved shaft and a short lash, designed to block and entangle the attacker. The tournament comes to an end in the late afternoon, when the village elders and shamans climb to the cemetery to sacrifice the chicken to the ancestors. Finally, they descend to the village square, where more chicken is slaughtered, and the divination is performed.© Mark LevitinPracticalitiesTo reach Wae Rebo, you will have to get to Ruteng first. It is a small town in West Flores, accessible by bus from Labuan Bajo, and the last place where you can get any necessary supplies. From there, things get more interesting. Once a day, if you are lucky, and with no schedule – ask around – an oto kayu passenger truck departs for the village of Denge. Sometimes the truck stops a few km short of it – you will have to hike the rest. More hiking awaits as you begin to climb up the mountain – count on 3-4 hours and expect a pretty bad trail, especially if it had been raining recently. Upon entering the village, tourists are supposed to undergo a ritual introduction to the guardian spirits and to pay for it. You can negotiate to minimize the ceremony and reduce the fee slightly, but not to zero. Wae Rebo is becoming quite famous, and the Manggarai community wants to profit from it. Otherwise, they are as friendly as you would expect Indonesians to be. Accommodation is in a homestay, which may be an ordinary hut or a traditional mbaru niang. There is no cellular signal and limited electricity. For the best views, climb to the upper houses or above them at sunrise. © Mark LevitinWae Rebo, FloresSatar Lenda, West Satar Mese, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, IndonesiaWe recommend to book your stays in East Nusa Tenggara in advance as it can get booked up quickly during certain periods. If you use this link, you pay the same price and we get a small commission - thanks for your support!I am Mark, a professional travel photographer, a digital nomad. For the last four years, I am based in Indonesia, spending here roughly half a year and travelling around Asia for the other half. Previously, I spent four years in Thailand, exploring it from all perspectives.

Dieser Artikel ist auch verfügbar auf DeutschWae Rebo is something special in every way. Not everyone knows the small village in the mountainous hinterland of the Indonesian island of Flores. But Indonesian travel influencers and instagrammers are working on this fact to change. Wae Rebo is already the dream destination of many adventurous Indonesians, whereas foreign tourists still regard it as a small insider Rebo review – is it worth it?The famous traditional houses in the village of Wae ReboFirst a few facts, so that you can imagine where you can find this legendary placeWae Rebo is located on the Indonesian island of Flores, which you can reach with a short flight from Bali or with a longer one from Labuan Bajo, the largest “city” in Flores, it is actually only 70 km to the foot of the mountain on which Wae Rebo is Rebo itself can only be reached on foot, via a 2 or 3 hours hike steeply up the mountain depending on your personal fitness level.The village itself is situated on a plateau surrounded by breathtaking jungle-covered own story with Wae Rebo began with a short trip to Flores in November 2018 – we flew to Labuan Bajo to discover Komodo dragons, manta rays and other marine life in the adjacent national park. Over beer and fried fish at the night market we had a chat with Indonesian travelers who told us about the mystical Wae Rebo. A village that can only be reached on foot? A wild drive into the hinterland of Flores? Indigenous people who lives there undisturbed? We were to get to Wae ReboA few months later we were ready to go from Bali we flew to Flores, rented a motorbike in one of the many shops lining the street after a hearty breakfast in the Bajo Bakery they have Swiss cheese and fantastic Flores coffee and drove Bajo Airport on FloresView from Bajo Bakery to Labuan BajoOne more thing If you decide to go on this adventure, you have to be able to ride scooters very well. Some “roads” are often not paved, very steep, completely made of huge stones with big gaps between them or lead through rivers. Be realistic about your driving skills and don’t drive alone. For many kilometers you will not meet anyone – that means if you are out of petrol, get a flat tire or whatever, it’s much better to drive together with a fellow traveler. And insist on a helmet – many scooter rentals won’t automatically give you one, as police checks in Flores are rare. But since the roads are so bad, wearing a helmet is still a serious life first 20 or 30 km the roads are paved – very curvy and narrow, but paved. When we were on the road in April, there were several landslides – the roads were hardly passable. Fortunately it was dry. If it had rained, it would have been very dangerous. Therefore I recommend a trip in the dry season March to September.On the mountains above Labuan Bajo there are some nice viewpoints from where you can see parts of the Komodo National Park. That could be perhaps a first photo stop, in order to stretch your legs a little, because the way to Wae Rebo is still the hinterland of FloresAfter we had passed the mountains, we arrived in the flat hinterland of Flores, which looks like it has fallen out of time. The further away we were from Labuan Bajo, the fewer cars there were. At a certain point there are no petrol stations, no supermarkets, no Warungs anymore. Only rice fields, farmhouses, cows and a few scooters. The silence was deafening. We were stunned. How could a few kilometers make such a difference?In the hinterland of FloresOur journey took us across makeshift bridges, wobbly wooden footpaths, through rivers, foothills of the sea sometimes it takes a lot of strength to push the scooter up and down at places, because some stretches of the road are not “drivable”.To get to Wae Rebo by scooter, there are several routes – it is best to download an offline map, as there is no cell signal after a certain point and no road signs anyway. I recommend you to enter “Dintor” or “SDK Denge” in Google Maps. Cars usually take the road to Ruteng, which is a bit further. We chose the route to Dintor, which led us along the sea. Long, long distances without meeting anyone except a few goats – the salty wind on our skin – it was a dream come true!Although it is only about 70 km depending on the route, our scooter tour took more than 5 hours because of the sad state of the roads. Don’t underestimate that and start in any case before noon in Labuan Bajo. In the darkness, it is impossible to drive on these kind of roads, and you will very likely get lost as roads along the coast on the way to Wae Rebo LodgeWae Rebo LodgeWe arrived at Wae Rebo Lodge – one of the two accommodation options in the village of Dintor, where you can spend the night before your hike the next morning. The Wae Rebo Lodge is beautifully set in the emerald rice fields, has only a few hours of electricity a day remember this if you want to recharge your phone and serves you 3 meals included in the price of approximately 25 Euro In the evening when you arrive, in the morning before you leave, and after the hike when you return to pick up your scooter/luggage. The food has always been the same rice with vegetables/fish/ Rebo LodgeSince there wasn’t much to do in the lodge, we went to bed early not without taking a good look at the star-studded sky, of course. At we got up, had our rice breakfast and drove the last few kilometers to a kind of parking lot from where all the hikes to Wae Rebo were not sure about whether we should hire a guide, but decided against it. As it turned out, this was not necessary. There is only one path and it leads steeply upwards through dense jungle with orchids, all kinds of plants and on the humidity level, there can also be leeches. My travel partner got bitten by one – even though it is not considered dangerous, it is something to keep in mind. The small snake that crossed our path was also part of the whole jungle adventure package. You don’t necessarily need hiking boots, a pair of good sneakers will do. But I recommend you to wear long linen-pants, because it’s a bit cool up there in the village. After 2 hours of climbing and clambering we reached a point with a view of the mountain valley, where the roofs of the huts of Wae Rebo were already peeking out of the forest. A very sublime moment and after all the sweating and getting up early we had the feeling that all the effort was worth it. But this feeling was not meant to stay…Finally Arrival in the village of Wae ReboIn front of the village itself there is a board with rules which should give orientation no display of affection, no leaving behind of garbage etc. After this board you walk through a solidly built village until you see the famous huts of Wae were told to wait at the entrance until someone from the village picked us up. But since nobody showed up, we went straight to the biggest hut to present ourselves to the village note you are not allowed to take photos until you have been greeted by the village elder. He accepted our mandatory “donation” of 50,000 IDR per person about Euro and welcomed us to Wae Rebo. Theoretically, you can decide by yourself how much you want to “donate”.A young man led us to another hut – there he showed us our sleeping spots 350,000 IDR per person per night, about 22 Euro on the floor of the common room. We were a little surprised about the price – even more when we learned that the huts were not “authentically” old, but were recently rebuilt by a team of architects from Jakarta according to old villagers also didn’t seem to live in the huts at all, but in the more solid concrete houses a little further up. There was no interaction between the villagers and the tourists, but the children tore the wooden crayons we brought for them out of our hands and ran away. In the hut for the tourists there was also a souvenir shop where you could buy woven scarves, coffee and were so surprised by the prices for the overnight stay, the anticipated coldness of the villagers and the generally rather unpleasant mood in the village that we turned back on our heels and started the way down with the hope to arrive back in Labuan Bajo before nightfall spoiler Alert we didn’t quite make it and had to drive through the pitch-black mountain roads. Not to be recommended!.ConclusionIt is a sensitive topic and of course a matter of taste; also a matter of what you are looking for. How much “authenticity” can one expect when traveling to a presumably “remote” place? For me personally, the village of Wae Rebo was a bit too touristic, and not in a nice way. The atmosphere was weird and I had the impression that a show was put on for the tourists. Other friends who had visited the place found it magical, experienced the people as extremely friendly and the prices absolutely reasonable. So it really depends on what your own perspective is. For me, the beautiful motorbike trip back and forth was far more rewarding than the visit of the village the authorLisaIf she’s not doing yoga or racing around Indonesia on a motorcycle, Lisa will be found close to a turquoise beach, preferably a glass of red wine in her hand and sand between her toes. Having lived in Southeast Asia for more than 4 years, she’s fallen deeply for this part of the world – if only there was more real’ Pizza around! You can follow her travels and hunt for Pizza on Instagram lisa_asiaHave you been to Wae Rebo before? How was your experience? Did you like the village? Let us know in the comments!

Wae Rebo Village Wae Rebo is a small and very out of the way village. It is on around 1,100 meters above sea level and approximately 3 -hour trekking from Denge Village. Wae Rebo village is completely in the middle of panoramic mountains and the dense Todo forest. Certainly, this tropical forest is rich in vegetation, where you will find orchids, different types of ferns and hear the chirping of many songbirds. There is also no mobile coverage in this village, and the electricity is only available from 6 to 10 pm. The air is relatively cold, especially in the dry season, so don’t forget to bring your jacket if you’re planning to visit the village. The History of Wae Rebo Village Flores Indonesia The traditional village of Wae Rebo is in the district of Manggarai on the island of Flores. The Village got the Top Award of Excellence from UNESCO in the 2012 and UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards, in Bangkok on 27 August 2012. This small and isolated village was recognized for its rebuilding of the traditional Mbaru Niang. It is traditional house based on the spirit of community cooperation towards a sustainable tradition. while at the same time improving its village welfare. The founder of the village was Empu Maro. Today, the inhabitants are his 18th generation descendants. The Characteristics of the Unique House in Wae Rebo village Wae Rebo’s main characteristics are their unique houses, which they call Mbaru Niang. Those are tall and conical in shape and are completely covered in lontar thatch from its rooftop down to the ground. It appears that at one time such kind of houses were quite common to the region. But today, it is only this village that continues to maintain the typical Manggarai traditional house. The house has five levels. each level designed for a specific purpose. The first level, called lutur or tent, are the living quarters of the extended family. The second level, called lobo, or attic, is set aside to store food and goods. The third level called lentar is to store seeds for the next harvest. The fourth level called lempa rae is reserved for food stocks in case of draught. And the fifth and top level, called hekang kode, which is held most sacred, is to place offerings for the ancestors. One special ceremonial house is the community building where members of the entire clan gather for ceremonies and rituals. They are predominantly Catholic but still adhere to old beliefs. In this house are stored the sacred heirloom of drums and gongs. How the People live there The Wae Rebo village comprises 7 houses with a small population of around 1,200 inhabitants. The staple diet of villagers is cassava and maize. But around the village they plant coffee, vanilla, and cinnamon which they sell in the market around 15 km. away from the village. However, Wae Rebo is popular as a tourist destination for international ecotourism enthusiasts. And it is good for the economic welfare of the village. The people of Wae Rebo warmly welcome visitors who wish to see their village and experience their simple traditional life. Interesting Things you need to know about Wae Rebo Village The village of Wae Rebo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara is like heaven above the clouds. It takes a struggle to reach this village. However, what you will get when you arrive at the location is certainly comparable to the journey taken. It is truly a beauty that is difficult to describe in words, a traditional village with towering thatched roofs in the middle of a stretch of green hills. Well, behind this beauty, it turns out that Wae Rebo Village has many interesting facts and things that you can find in this village. Here are few interesting things you need to know about Wae Rebo. One of the Highest Villages in Indonesia. Wae Rebo Village is in the list of the highest villages in Indonesia. It is at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level masl. Wae Rebo is often decorated with a thin fog every morning that slowly descend from the surrounding hills and cover the entire village. Because of its location at this altitude, it is another challenge to reach Wae Rebo Village. You have to do trekking for two or three hours through quite difficult terrain. We recommend to hire a guide to assist you along the trek path. And it is good to spend a night at Wae Rebo to enjoy its uniqueness longer and also to save energy for return trekking. The Village with Seven Main Houses The traditional Mbaru Niang house in Wae Rebo Village is considered very rare and is located high up in the mountains. It has a fairly unique shape, which is like a cone barn and there are only seven of them. Each house is inhabited by six to eight families. Mbaru Niang consists of five floors with palm leaf roofs and covered by palm fiber. Every visitor who comes will enter a Mbaru Niang which is specially to welcome tourists who come on a trip. You will get a banquet in the form of Flores Coffee as a welcome drink at Mbaru Niang. For those of you who want to spend the night, you can stay at Mbaru Niang. Complementary blankets and pillows are available. Have a special day every November Residents in Wae Rebo Village celebrate the Penti Traditional Ceremony. The celebration to express gratitude for the harvest that is obtained in a year and ask for harmony and protection. During the celebration, the residents will wear traditional clothes complete with accessories. For those of you who are planning to visit this village, you should match your schedule with this traditional ceremony so that the visit is more meaningful because you can see more attractions and values. The people of Wae Rebo are of Minang descent Although Wae Rebo is a village in West Manggarai, NTT, it turns out that the villagers claim that they are of Minang descent from West Sumatra. Empo Maro, Wae Rebo ancestor from Minangkabau who migrated to Flores and moved from place to place until finally settled in the area which is now Wae Rebo Village. Although they are of Minang descent, the names of the inhabitants are not like the names of most Minang people. Flags on Traditional Houses When Independence Day, there is always a ceremony to commemorate it. Uniquely, the residents of Wae Rebo will place the Indonesian flag on top of the cone-shaped traditional house during the flag ceremony. Several people helped each other to make sure the flag was standing firmly. There is no cellphone signal In the Village of Wae Rebo and suroundings, there is no cellphone signal or internet connections. So, never expect to share your moment right away to the world from Wae Rebo village. Those are interesting things about Wae Rebo that you need to know. Being in a remote location doesn’t necessarily make this village empty of visitors. On the other hand, many tourists are willing to travel far away to enjoy the beauty of every corner of Wae Rebo Village. About Author You Might Also Like This

wae rebo milky way