Expedition Overview
Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores, has transformed in a decade from a sleepy fishing port into the gateway to the Komodo National Park and a destination in its own right. The town sits around a natural harbour framed by rolling hills and the scattered islands of the Flores Sea — at sunset, the harbour is a composition of fishing boats, limestone islands, and an orange sky that is one of eastern Indonesia's most reliable daily photographs. Beyond the town, the landscape offers cave photography, highland waterfall trekking, and the extraordinary flying fox bat colony at Kalong Island, where hundreds of thousands of fruit bats emerge at dusk in a river of wings against the sunset sky.
This four-day expedition uses Labuan Bajo as a base for exploring the immediately surrounding landscapes and marine environment, giving participants an accessible introduction to the Flores Sea before or after (or instead of) the more logistically complex Komodo expedition.
Expedition Itinerary
Day 1: Harbour Photography & Batu Cermin Cave
Arrival by air. Afternoon at the harbour — the working fishing fleet, traditional wooden boats, and the island silhouettes across the bay. Batu Cermin ("Mirror Cave") is a limestone cave lit by a shaft of sunlight that creates extraordinary light effects at the right hour.
The Goal of the Day: Harbour and fishing fleet photography; cave natural-light study.
Day 2: Cunca Wulang Waterfall & Highland Flores
A half-day hike through the Flores highlands to Cunca Wulang — a series of turquoise pools and waterfalls in a narrow slot canyon. The canyon walls create a natural light-box effect. Return through the coffee and vanilla plantations of the hills above Labuan Bajo.
The Goal of the Day: Slot canyon and waterfall photography; the highland approach.
Day 3: Kalong Island Flying Fox at Dusk
At 5:30pm from a boat anchored off Kalong Island, hundreds of thousands of large flying foxes (wingspan up to 1.5m) emerge from the island trees and stream southward to their feeding grounds. The colony in flight against the sunset lasts approximately 45 minutes.
The Goal of the Day: Mass wildlife photography: timing and positioning for a 45-minute animal event.
Day 4: Kanawa Island Snorkelling & Harbour Sunset
A short boat trip to Kanawa Island for snorkelling on its surrounding reef. Afternoon return to Labuan Bajo for the final harbour sunset photograph. The town has grown but the light on the bay remains extraordinary.
The Goal of the Day: Marine reef photography; the definitive Labuan Bajo harbour image at sunset.
Book Your Expedition
Note: Final price may vary based on specific expedition details and customizations.
Expedition Leaders
Professor Nasrul Eam is a seasoned explorer and visual storyteller who has spent over two decades traversing Asia’s diverse landscapes and cultures. As Dean of the Department of Art and Photography at Light & Composition University, he leads immersive photography expeditions to regions like the Himalayas, Sundarbans, and Bali. These journeys blend cultural exploration with hands-on learning, culminating in a complete photography diploma. With a portfolio of over 50 publications—including The Quintessence of Photography and Illuminating Nature—his work captures the profound beauty of everyday life. His background in advertising, linguistics, and visual arts enriches his mentorship, guiding participants to uncover compelling narratives through their lenses. Professor Eam’s expeditions are transformative experiences, inspiring photographers to engage deeply with the world around them.
Travel Information
Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ) has direct flights from Bali (1 hour) and Lombok (1 hour). Best season: April–October. The expedition is a good standalone destination or a pre/post-addition to the Komodo Island expedition.
What to Bring
• 70–200mm for the flying fox colony photography
• Wide-angle for harbour and cave
• Polarising filter for canyon pool photography
• Underwater housing or waterproof compact for Kanawa snorkelling
