Indonesia has over 2000 traditional villages. Wae Rebo traditional village in Flores is one of the traditional villages that has retained its customs, cultural heritage, and unique architecture.

Where is Wae Rebo Traditional Village?

Wae Rebo Village is situated in the Manggarai district of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This village is 1.200 meters above sea level.

The traditional village of Wae Rebo is about 150 kilometers from Labuan Bajo. It can take 10 - 11 hours from Labuan Bajo, including a trek from Denge village to Wae Rebo.

The Story of Wae Rebo Traditional Village

According to oral tradition, Wae Rebo's ancestors migrated from Minangkabau, West Sumatra, led by Empo Maru. Empo Maru was settled in Wae Rebo guided by a vision from a wise spirit. Wae Rebo village is now 1.500 years old and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2012.

Wae Rebo is known for its distinctive, conical-style houses called Mabru Niang that are covered with lontar thatch. The village is also preserved with traditional ceremonies and rituals.

In Wae Rebo, there are 7 cone-shaped traditional houses in the village. Each of the houses has housed more than one family, typically six to eight families. The total population living in Wae Rebo village is 1.200 people.

These houses serve as the center of social life for the families who live in them. They are also used for rituals, gathering, and decision-making. Each traditional house has multiple levels with specific purposes, such as food storage, seed storage, and storage for belongings.

How to Get to Wae Rebo Village?

To get to Wae Rebo, you need to travel to Labuan Bajo and then to Denge village. And finally, trek to Wae Rebo village. The trip starts from Labuan Bajo by car or motorcycle to Denge village for 4 to 5 hours.

To reach Labuan Bajo, you will need to take a flight from Bali or other main cities in Indonesia. A flight from Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali (DPS) to Labuan Bajo takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Once you get to Labuan Bajo, you can hire a car or book a trip to Wae Rebo via the tourist information along the street in the main tourist area. The best time to start is at 07.30 am.

Here are the details of getting to Wae Rebo from Labuan Bajo:

• Drive to Denge for 4 -5 hours from Labuan Bajo. The best way to reach Denge village from Labuan Bajo is by car, which is more convenient and safer. However, you can also drive a motorcycle from Labuan Bajo.
• Trek from Denge to Wae Rebo Village for 3 to 4 hours. The trek will go through the rainforest, rocky roads, and a small river on the way. Make sure to prepare yourself for good physical condition.

What to Experience in Wae Rebo?

Wae Rebo is a traditional village that is located remotely from the cities. This village is far from the cities, crowded, and hassle-free. You will not find any restaurants, hotels, or shopping centers in this village.

Here is what you will experience in Wae Rebo Village:

• Experience trekking through the rocky road and rainforest. Enjoy the birds singing on the way from Denge village to Wae Rebo
• Staying in Mabu Niang (a traditional house of Wae Rebo) and experiencing the authenticity of villagers' lives
• Interact with the friendly locals of the village. Witness their daily activities and learn about their customs
• Enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains surrounding, the terrace rice field, and lush valleys
• Taking photos and videos. It is an important thing for your travel diary to capture the moment while you are in Wae Rebo. Capture the stunning landscapes, unique architecture, and daily life of the villagers.
• Do not miss out on enjoying the original coffee of Wae Rebo rebusta with the locals. People in Wae Rebo plant their coffee, vanilla, and other plants.

When is the Best Time to Visit Wae Rebo?

The best time to visit Wae Rebo is from May to September, during the dry season. This period offers a friendly condition with sunny weather and clear skies. It makes the trek to the village more enjoyable.

Here are more details on the season suggestions:

Dry Season from May to September: This is the best time to visit Wae Rebo. The weather is generally clear and sunny, with safe trekking conditions and less slippery. It is also the best time to witness the traditional ceremony called Penti, which means gathering the families of villagers, and Thanksgiving rituals (June to August).

Rainy Season (October to April): This is not the recommended time to visit the village. During this period, the trail is potentially dangerous, muddy, and prone to heavy rainfall.

Shoulder Season in April and November: This season is recommended if you want to avoid crowds during the dry season. It is still relatively good for trekking. However, you still need to have an extra plan and at least bring essentials like a raincoat.

While Wae Rebo village is able to be visited year-round, however, the dry season(April to September) is the friendliest time for trekking and enjoying the village.

Trip Cost and Entrance Fees

When you plan a trip to the Wae Rebo traditional village in Flores, you should consider the cost, including entrance fees. Most of the tour operators offer a type of package that includes the tour price and entrance fees. This will allow you to manage your trip planning perfectly.

Entrance Fees to Visit Wae Rebo

Once arrive in Wae Rebo village, there will be fees you need to pay, including entrance fees. Before entering the village, you will be welcomed by the villagers at the entrance gate.

Here are the fees you will need to pay:

• Wae Lu'u's fee is IDR 50.000 per person. Wae Lu'u ceremony in the Manggarai tradition refers to the honor of the ancestors of the villages who have passed away. They (the ancestors of the village) will protect you while you are visiting or staying in the village.
• The entrance fee is IDR 350.000 per person.. This cost will include meals and one night's stay in the traditional house (Mbaru Niang).

The other fee you will need to pay is OJEK (motorbike transport) from Denge to the first checking point, where you will start to trek to Wae Rebo.

The Cost of a Trip to Wae Rebo

The trip cost to Wae Rebo varies, depending on the tour package you prefer. There are private and shared trips for the duration of 2 or 3 days. The itinerary of the trip to Wae Rebo will include a visit to other destinations. You will approximately visit 2-4 places; however, the main destination to visit is the Wae Rebo traditional village.

Here are the typical costs for trips to Wae Rebo Village:

• A 2-day 1-night private trip to Wae Rebo is USD 310 per person. This cost includes a tour guide, private car, one night's stay in a traditional house, and meals.
• 2-day 1-night shared trip to Wae Rebo is USD 148.14 per person. The cost will include shared car, tour guide, meals, and one night's stay in a traditional house.
• 5-day 4-night trip to Wae Rebo and Komodo. This type of trip is a combination package that allows you to visit both destinations, Komodo National Park and Wae Rebo village.

Where to Book a Trip to Wae Rebo?

Komodo Touristic is one of the best online travel agencies where you can book your trip to Wae Rebo village in Flores. There are several tours to offer, and a private trip is available for daily departure from Labuan Bajo.

The tour to Wae Rebo traditional village is also possible to mix with the trip to Komodo Island. This type of trip is available every Wednesday.

If you plan a private trip to Wae Rebo village, you can visit the itinerary of a 2-day 1-night Wae Rebo village private trip from Labuan Bajo. However, if you want to do a combination tour between Wae Rebo and Komodo, you can try to join the 5-day 4-night Wae Rebo and Komodo trip from Labuan Bajo.

Essential Items to Pack

Traveling to Wae Rebo village required a well-prepared plan, including physical preparation. Besides that, you will need to prepare essential items to pack.

Here are items you need to pack when visiting Waer Rebo village:

• Hiking shoes are needed to bring with you when visiting Wae Rebo village. It is due to the rocky road, rough, and uphill terrain
• A raincoat is a good idea to bring with you. The weather in Wae Rebo village is unpredictable, and it's cold. Therefore, you need to bring it.
• Warm clothes, socks, and a jacket. The village has a cold and unpredictable temperature. Therefore, you need to bring these items with you
• Camera, mobile phone, and power bank. Capture every moment once you are in the village or on the way to Wae Rebo village.
• Bring enough cash for entrance fees, personal expenses, etc. There is no ATM or Bank in Wae Rebo, therefore you need to bring enough cash.

Visiting Wae Rebo village is one of the best adventures in Indonesia. Experience culture, nature, and interact with friendly local people. The villagers are very welcoming to all the visitors from around the world.