Talk to me about Amanwana & the Komodo Expedition
May 25, 2008 | 1:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
Talk to me about Amanwana & the Komodo Expedition
This one hasn't come up in a while...Just looking for details on the resort and the expedition experience. The boat currently being used is the Ikan Gurami.
We're starting to think about 2009.
We're starting to think about 2009.
May 25, 2008 | 2:19 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
good idea to start a separate thread. ^
only 3 posters have mentioned having done the Komodo Expedition.
in order from earliest date >
related >
http://www.amanresorts.com/exclusive...w.aspx?id=1708
works out to $2675/nt for the 5 nts on ikan gurami
the package includes
- 2 dives per day on ikan gurami (2 cabin)
- 1 dive per day at amanwana
- full board
- komodo national park fees
FS explorer (11 cabin catamaran in maldives)
runs $1306 > $4020 per nt for similar dive package
update >
only 3 posters have mentioned having done the Komodo Expedition.
in order from earliest date >
...The beach at Amanwana is just to look at as its all crushed coral and you can't walk barefoot on it. If you can find time to do Komodo on their boat make sure you do it. We were the only guest on it and spoiled rotten. The seaplane transfer is a nice way to eliminate the long return and you get to see some amazing site's...
...We started our trip from Amanwana (sometimes they start from Labuanbajo) we sailed the afternoon and the whole night to get to the first island in the strait between Flores and Sumbawa (where Komodo and Rinja are located).
The sea was quite rough, I did not get seasick (I experienced something close to a rollercoaster in the mediterranean so this made me laugh) but some friends did.
From day 2 you sail in this amazing sea with dolphins, huge corals, millions of fishes. There are dozens of islets so there are virtually no waves, just an incredible stream (it's where the sea of Flores merges into the Indian ocean) but the sea was flat as a lake so we felt ok the whole time.
On the way back to Amanwana we decided (by paying an extra fee) to stay some more time on the boat and take a seaplane from Labuanbajo to Moyo and avoided the rough part of sailing back to Amanwana.
The Silolona was Beautiful indeed, but I understand from the website that from 2006 the trip will be done with another boat.
The service was outstanding (17 staff vs. 7 travellers). All indonesians except one english guy from Amanwana. They were all incredibly nice. At the end of the trip we did an amazing dinner with the crew singing local songs with guitars and percussions. The sea is beautiful, the landscape is dry and prehistoric (not only because of the dragons) and not comparable with anything I have ever seen. Last, but not least, the weather is completely different than other places in Indonesia (e.g. Bali). It's very dry so no rain no clouds, if you are tan addicted...
The sea was quite rough, I did not get seasick (I experienced something close to a rollercoaster in the mediterranean so this made me laugh) but some friends did.
From day 2 you sail in this amazing sea with dolphins, huge corals, millions of fishes. There are dozens of islets so there are virtually no waves, just an incredible stream (it's where the sea of Flores merges into the Indian ocean) but the sea was flat as a lake so we felt ok the whole time.
On the way back to Amanwana we decided (by paying an extra fee) to stay some more time on the boat and take a seaplane from Labuanbajo to Moyo and avoided the rough part of sailing back to Amanwana.
The Silolona was Beautiful indeed, but I understand from the website that from 2006 the trip will be done with another boat.
The service was outstanding (17 staff vs. 7 travellers). All indonesians except one english guy from Amanwana. They were all incredibly nice. At the end of the trip we did an amazing dinner with the crew singing local songs with guitars and percussions. The sea is beautiful, the landscape is dry and prehistoric (not only because of the dragons) and not comparable with anything I have ever seen. Last, but not least, the weather is completely different than other places in Indonesia (e.g. Bali). It's very dry so no rain no clouds, if you are tan addicted...
The expedition runs only in summer and early fall. Otherwise it is rainy season, and the seas are rough and treacherous. The same applies to Amanwana, which is great, except that during rainy season they don't use the seaplane, and depending on the day, you can't even get off the island, not even for scuba diving, truly stuck if you are unlucky. Food and service and overall experience at Amanwana is tops. To me, best of the Amans for service and quality of the staff, followed closely by Amanjiwo. Amanpuri comes dead last for me. So go in dry season.
Haven't been on the expedition, but have seen the boat. It is very nice, has only 2 or 3 cabins, and fills up quickly...
Haven't been on the expedition, but have seen the boat. It is very nice, has only 2 or 3 cabins, and fills up quickly...
...I do not know whether they still keep the level of service and amazing cuisine I found when it was managed by Amans (I remember we used to swim or snorkle from the boat to the coast of one of the deserted isles around Komodo while the staff prepared umbrellas, loungers, chilled drinks on a perfect pink sand beach for us - a bunch of very spoilt castaways).
...if you are afraid of the seasickness that might result from the Komodo expedition, you would be happy to know that they offer a day trip to Komodo island as well. It includes a private charter (plane or helicopter, I can't remember) and naturalist guide with picnic meals. It was expensive. $5k maybe...
works out to $2675/nt for the 5 nts on ikan gurami
the package includes
- 2 dives per day on ikan gurami (2 cabin)
- 1 dive per day at amanwana
- full board
- komodo national park fees
FS explorer (11 cabin catamaran in maldives)
runs $1306 > $4020 per nt for similar dive package
update >
the cruise to/from Komodo and Flores takes 5 days each way. You can do it either eastward (jumping off from Amanwana) or westward (with a stop at Amanwana before flying to Bali).
We didn't go to Flores, but the ship -- which is a sort of pirate-ship lookalike sailing vessel, with engines -- arrived while we were there, so we got a report. Highly recommended, from those on board.
The seaplane connection to/from Bali is, as usual, not operating on a schedule -- charters only -- until the Christmas peak. It will also not operate on the Amanwana schedule during the post-New Years' northern winter.
But we took the Trans-Nusa connection via Sumbawa Besar, plus the Amanwana boat ("Aman XI") to the resort, and actually recommend that option, at least one way. It's even more interesting, if a good deal slower, than the seaplane.
We didn't go to Flores, but the ship -- which is a sort of pirate-ship lookalike sailing vessel, with engines -- arrived while we were there, so we got a report. Highly recommended, from those on board.
The seaplane connection to/from Bali is, as usual, not operating on a schedule -- charters only -- until the Christmas peak. It will also not operate on the Amanwana schedule during the post-New Years' northern winter.
But we took the Trans-Nusa connection via Sumbawa Besar, plus the Amanwana boat ("Aman XI") to the resort, and actually recommend that option, at least one way. It's even more interesting, if a good deal slower, than the seaplane.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 8, 2008 at 2:06 pm
May 25, 2008 | 9:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 580
Amanwana & Komodo Expedition
When I went they used to Silolona (www.silolona.com) which was a very large boat with 5 cabins. Indonesia was very slow that year so not much demand for the boat and only 4 persons on the boat plus a full crew. I would do it again in a heart beat and I even was sea sick part of the time. Amanwana is just wonderful, (much smaller then Amanpulo) the beach is crushed coral so swimming off the jetty is best or beach shoes need to be worn. The tents are spacious and AC is great and needed, as its very hot here. No tubs but a great shower in the bath area. Food at the resort and on the boat was fresh and prepared how ever you wanted it.If you are doing just Amanwana and the boat no need to pack lots as you spend most of the time in your bathing suits. We started out at Begawan Giri and ended with a night and full day before the evening flight out at Amanusa which is ideal as a starting and ending point for this trip. You need to do this if you can!
May 26, 2008 | 6:11 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
Wow, Kagehitokiri. Thanks for gathering all of the quotes. I had only caught a few of them on a search myself.
Regarding the seasickness, the new itinerary has people flying to Labuan Bajo to catch the boat. I guess this keeps you out of the rough water. But then you do return by boat all the way to Amanwana the last night.
Incidentally, the cost of the plane-day-charter to Komodo has increased to closer to $9k. Ouch.
Regarding the seasickness, the new itinerary has people flying to Labuan Bajo to catch the boat. I guess this keeps you out of the rough water. But then you do return by boat all the way to Amanwana the last night.
Incidentally, the cost of the plane-day-charter to Komodo has increased to closer to $9k. Ouch.
May 26, 2008 | 6:27 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
Zigzag - regarding the expedition, do you recall where you were when you were seasick? Was it during "the crossing"? Where did you depart/arrive from? Labuan Bajo? Or Amanwana?
I'm sure I'll think of more questions later.
I'm sure I'll think of more questions later.
May 26, 2008 | 10:51 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 580
I felt sea sick when the boat was floating, most. During the crossing I was either sleeping or on deck and looking at the horizon. If I could get in the water for a bit I always felt better until I learned that the dragons do swim in the sea.I also was able to tell my self that there was no other way to see all this so that seemed to help with the seasickness in a strange way. The boat left from Labuan Bajo and we came form Bali and finished at Amanwana and I was happy to be on land for a few days.
When I look back at what I paid and see the rates now I can't believe how expensive it has become. We paid for a jungle tent and were upgraded to a ocean tent, the difference: sea view with no tent to the left or right of you, but you still have sea views from the back row.
When I look back at what I paid and see the rates now I can't believe how expensive it has become. We paid for a jungle tent and were upgraded to a ocean tent, the difference: sea view with no tent to the left or right of you, but you still have sea views from the back row.
May 26, 2008 | 5:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 304
Ericka,
I havent been on the Komodo trip (yet), but I have been to amanwana five times. I rarely go to Bali without a side trip to Moyo.
On my last visit I combined amanwana with amandari (bali) and amanjiwo (java, which you know well).
I highly recommend the trip to the waterfall on Moyo. There is excellent snorkelling off the deck and a staff guided me to an area just off the beach to snorkel with turtles.
PM me if you have specific questions about the resort.
Paul
I havent been on the Komodo trip (yet), but I have been to amanwana five times. I rarely go to Bali without a side trip to Moyo.
On my last visit I combined amanwana with amandari (bali) and amanjiwo (java, which you know well).
I highly recommend the trip to the waterfall on Moyo. There is excellent snorkelling off the deck and a staff guided me to an area just off the beach to snorkel with turtles.
PM me if you have specific questions about the resort.
Paul
May 27, 2008 | 4:55 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Milan, Italy
Posts: 168
Ericka, as you see I had already written a short report on my trip on the Silolona (which has been quoted by Kagehitokiri). I confirm that the sea has never been an issue during my stay, with the exception of only a short part of the trip from Moyo to Komodo where the sea was a little bit more exposed to winds. For the rest of the trip we virtually saw no waives at all (see my pictures in the link below to have an idea).
Feel free to ask for more information.
Best regards
Hub
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22891173@N05/
Feel free to ask for more information.
Best regards
Hub
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22891173@N05/
May 27, 2008 | 5:41 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Milan, Italy
Posts: 168
Ps
By the way, the trip from Labuanbajo to Komodo was very short and the sea very calm. You may try to ask (as we did) to go back by plane from Labuanbajo instead of sailing. You get to stay a little bit more in Komodo and avoid the rough part of the trip. On the other hand, you would miss a few special places like Banta Island and other small islets on the trip.
See the satellite shots of google maps (or google earth) of the area:
this is Amanwana
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
The big dark canopy is the restaurant/lounge. The light ones are the tents.
If you move southeast with the arrows you will notice the seaplane dock and the sun-deck with umbrellas
this is Banta Island
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.058365&z=14
this is a group of isles north of Rinja (among them, Tatawa and Damar, don't ask me which ones they are...)
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...3,0.11673&z=13
this is the dock and starting point of the dragon-spotting trip in Komodo
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
this is a beach in Komodo (very similar to the Pink Beach, but I am not sure to pick the exact location)
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
See the satellite shots of google maps (or google earth) of the area:
this is Amanwana
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
The big dark canopy is the restaurant/lounge. The light ones are the tents.
If you move southeast with the arrows you will notice the seaplane dock and the sun-deck with umbrellas
this is Banta Island
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.058365&z=14
this is a group of isles north of Rinja (among them, Tatawa and Damar, don't ask me which ones they are...)
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...3,0.11673&z=13
this is the dock and starting point of the dragon-spotting trip in Komodo
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
this is a beach in Komodo (very similar to the Pink Beach, but I am not sure to pick the exact location)
http://maps.google.it/?ie=UTF8&om=1&...,0.003648&z=18
May 28, 2008 | 5:44 am
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
The google maps are very cool, Hubertus. Thanks.
Here are a few questions for the group:
- Is all the landscape dry/sparse? Or is that just the islands closer to Komodo? We would be there during the dry season.
- The waterfall excursion is a must. But has anyone done Satonda Island? (the volcanic crater lake) This isn't part of the Komodo expedition, is it?
Here are a few questions for the group:
- Is all the landscape dry/sparse? Or is that just the islands closer to Komodo? We would be there during the dry season.
- The waterfall excursion is a must. But has anyone done Satonda Island? (the volcanic crater lake) This isn't part of the Komodo expedition, is it?
May 29, 2008 | 7:03 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Milan, Italy
Posts: 168
Paul, you are right, the google map pic of the island with the volcanic lake in the middle is Satonda.
Banta is another island closer to Komodo (we slept there on our first night on the Silolona) I am 100% sure my pic below was shot on that island.
www.flickr.com/photos/22891173@N05/2199859958
With respect to weather, it becomes dryer and dryer the more you sail eastward. Moyo is heavy forested in deed (with lots of monkeys) but it does not have the same lush of Bali. The upside is that it's always sunny (while in Ubud, for example, you have a lot of rain and clouds also in the dry season).
Komodo and the surrounding islands are much dryer with scattered palms trees a few umbrella-shaped trees similar to flamboyants and mangroves on the coast. It really does not look like anything I have ever seen. Some beaches may remind greek islands, but generally speaking, the lansdcape is quite barren and pre-historical (for me, very fascinating).
Banta is another island closer to Komodo (we slept there on our first night on the Silolona) I am 100% sure my pic below was shot on that island.
www.flickr.com/photos/22891173@N05/2199859958
With respect to weather, it becomes dryer and dryer the more you sail eastward. Moyo is heavy forested in deed (with lots of monkeys) but it does not have the same lush of Bali. The upside is that it's always sunny (while in Ubud, for example, you have a lot of rain and clouds also in the dry season).
Komodo and the surrounding islands are much dryer with scattered palms trees a few umbrella-shaped trees similar to flamboyants and mangroves on the coast. It really does not look like anything I have ever seen. Some beaches may remind greek islands, but generally speaking, the lansdcape is quite barren and pre-historical (for me, very fascinating).
Jun 7, 2008 | 8:25 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
This is NOT related to Amanwana, but it's a recent news story about divers stranded on Rinca and harassed by komodo dragons. Creepy....
http://au.news.yahoo.com/080607/19/176jr.html
http://au.news.yahoo.com/080607/19/176jr.html
Mar 16, 2009 | 1:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: Too many...and an Amanjunkie
Posts: 1,698
Mar 16, 2009 | 2:52 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
1 couple - $4890/nt on amanikan (ikan gurami refitted for aman, 3 cabins)
2 couples - $5540/nt on amanikan ($2770/nt per couple)
FS explorer now runs $1525 > $3975 per nt
aman/FS rates above include taxes/etc.
previously (not including taxes/etc.) >
http://www.elitetraveler.com/news_de...uiser-amanikan
edit - FS explorer has 50% off promo right now
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 27, 2009 at 10:02 pm