Review Author: Jun

Review Date: 05 Jun 2026

Review Body: Rio and his team took great care of us from Labuan Bajo to Waerebo and back. What stood out was how much depth they brought to the journey beyond just getting us from place to place. Along the way, Rio introduced us to Michael, the head of Waerebo's tourism community. Hearing directly from him about life in the village, local traditions, and how the community works gave us a much deeper understanding of Waerebo. It felt less like visiting a destination and more like being welcomed into a friend's home. One unexpected highlight was the local coffee cupping session with Rio. I had no idea that Waerebo also grows and exports its own coffee beans, and it was fascinating to learn more about that side of village life. Overall, it was a warm, insightful, and genuinely memorable trip. Huge thanks to Rio and the team for making it such a special experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Katia Milovanova

Review Date: 11 May 2025

Review Body: If you are considering going on a sailing tour of Komodo but aren't sure....take the chance. You will not regret it. These were the most memorable 3 days of our lives. We went as a family of four adults, and we opted to spend a bit more than our budget on this tour as we had read some negative things about other companies - getting sick from the food, constant smell of gasoline, being lumped in with other groups for overfilled tours...none of this was an issue for us with Travass Life on Phinisi Cordelia. Our group of 9 staff made certain we all received the best, and we are so happy we went with them after weeks of reviewing potential boats. The whole process was very easy - from booking, communication with the hosts, to arrival and pickup at the airport. Overall, our boat was well equipped (good amount of sunny outdoor, shaded outdoor and indoor spaces). Our boat had 2 small motorboats that would take us around to the attractions, unlike the majority of other boats where we saw everyone lumped into one motorboat that appeared to be on the precipice of sinking. As well, because of the way the itinerary is set up, we seemed to be alone, first or last to many of the sites, so we always had some opportunity to enjoy it to ourselves. We would also encourage you to book the Mon-Weds tour, instead of Fri-Sun to decrease on the amount of people you are competing with. We saw mantas, Komodos, sea turtles, incredible corals, baby sharks, flying foxes and beautiful scenery. The photographer was excellent and captured some of our happiest moments. The food was simply incredible. We brought small snacks with us - just in case - but didn't end up touching any of them. The selection, quantity and calibre of food was unforgettable. The service staff, the captain, and our host were all kind, thoughtful, and sincere. In terms of things this group could improve on - we couldn't think of anything. They have it down to a science, and we feel so lucky that we were able to find them and book with them for our Komodo trip. :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jamie Fam

Review Date: 01 Jun 2025

Review Body: Unforgettable Trip with Travass Company – A Dream Come True! I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Traves Company. From start to finish, the boat crew was incredibly kind, informative, and caring—they truly made us feel like family. Every part of the itinerary was unforgettable. The snorkeling spots were out of this world—we swam with manatees, turtles, colorful coral reefs, and more fish than I could count. One of the highlights was watching thousands of bats fly out at sunset—such a magical moment! Hiking Padar Island at sunset was the perfect choice. It wasn’t crowded like at sunrise, so we had space to relax, take in the view, and enjoy the peace without the rush. Seeing the Komodo dragons was thrilling—we spotted about 7 of them! Our guide made the experience so much better. He was cute, funny, and kept the group relaxed with jokes, especially for those feeling nervous. The locals we met were incredibly warm and welcoming, making the experience feel even more special. Some of the best memories: Jumping off the top deck into the ocean Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters Singing karaoke under the stars Sleeping outside on the top deck under the night sky The boat was clean, the beds were super comfortable (even the bunk beds!), and the food was delicious with plenty of options. Hot snacks and cold beer were always available, and the showers had hot water—such a plus! This trip truly had it all: adventure, beauty, relaxation, and amazing people. Travass Company exceeded all expectations. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat! They supply everything besides personal products. Not a lot of room for storage so pack light, you will be in your bathing suite most of the day. I brought my snorkel gear, but they do supply the basics. The photographer was amazing, so don't worry about missing any moments on camera. I did travel solo and there wasn't a moment I felt not unwelcome or out of place. I believe the people and our crew were a big part of why the trip was so special.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Wee Studyo

Review Date: 10 Feb 2025

Review Body: Easily one of the best and most memorable experiences we’ve had in South East Asia. We spent a lot of time researching the many boat tours and having picked Travas Life / Sail with Papiton, we can safely say it was the best decision we made. Emmanuel our guide, Gio the photographer and the rest of the crew were great and made the trip so easy and fun. We were on Papiton Lopi, the smaller boat sleeping 10 and we’re lucky to have a really great bunch of people. The boat was beautiful, really clean and well kept. We had a double room at the front and the bed was so comfy and the adjoined en-suite was really cute and well designed. The food was definitely a highlight. It was so nice eating together for breakfast, lunch and dinner at a communal table. Over the course of the trip we had fresh fish, prawns, crab, salads and lots of other great local delights. There was also a lot of options if you were vegetarian. We really appreciated the fresh fruit, water dispenser, coffee, tea and biscuits which were on offer for free through the trip. What makes this trip stand out from the crowed is there knowledge of the area and experience. Despite the droves of boats and people that visit the Komodo national park and surrounding islands we often were the only boat in the bay or people on the beaches as they knew exactly when to go and which spots to visit. This does mean waking up early on some days but trust me it’s 100% worth it if you I want a picture on the Pink beaches with nobody in the background! The trip exceeded all our expectations, we saw amazing coral reefs, tropical fish, eagle rays, manta rays, sharks, dolphins and lots of turtles plus flying foxes. Not to mention Komodo dragons! One thing we would mention is the generator on the top roof deck can be quite noisy. We didn’t really mind and as our cabin was on the lower deck we didn’t really hear it, but if your in the top cabin it could be a little hard to sleep.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tim Urch

Review Date: 14 Feb 2025

Review Body: tl;dr - Warm, friendly company who go above and beyond to ensure you have the best trip. Ignore the grumpy 1 star reviews. You get what you pay for. -------- We did a 3D2N liveaboard on the Papiton Lopi and we cannot recommend it more. In our experience they were upfront, very well organised and helpful. We had a problem with our flight because Lion Air cancelled our flight, which meant we could not arrive in time for the trip departure. We were so worried we would have to cancel, but the Papiton team organised a private airport pickup and private boat to make sure we caught up with our boat. It couldn't have been less of a problem, they were calm and proactive when we called them almost in tears from the airport! The trip itself is magnificent. The boat was far nicer than we thought it would be. The room was comfortable, the shower was great, the AC was powerful, chargers worked. The food was delicious every day as well as nutritious. The team were amazing, shout out to Servas who ensured everyone enjoyed themselves and made sure we got to key locations early enough to beat as many of the crowds as possible, and helped us find turtles, manta rays and even a shark (don't worry, the sharks here are small and uninterested in humans!). Servas is a legend. Also shout out to Gio the photographer (yes our trip included a full time professional photographer complete with camera, drone and gopro!!!). Gio was always there at key points and on the boat to take candid or posed photos of each of us when we wanted which means we now have hard drives full of memories of Komodo. All photos attached were taken by Gio. In addition, a *special* shout out to both Gio and Servas, when at 05:45am at the top of Kelor Island I asked to take photos and videos of me proposing to my girlfriend (now fiancee!!) they didn't hesitate and we now have some even more special memories. Thank you so much for the best holiday ever <3

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Maren Boerrigter

Review Date: 08 Feb 2025

Review Body: Wir waren auf der Papiton Duwa (Mantaroom) und können nur positives berichten. Der Raum war geräumig, es gab Strom, eine Klimaanlage, eine eigene Toilette und die Möglichkeit sich zu Duschen (Süßwasser). Hierbei darf man nicht vergessen, dass man sich auf einem Boot befindet und sollte keine Luxus-Suite erwarten. Nachts ist es aufgrund des Generators laut (Oropax helfen) und ist das Bad feucht. Wer sich hier beschweren möchte kann das tun, meckert aber unserer Meinung nach auf sehr hohem Niveau. Die Stops waren klasse, wir sahen schöne Korallenriffe, Fische, Mantarochen, Stachelrochen, Schildkröten, Riffhaie,.. Die Stops teilt man sich zum Teil mit vielen anderen Booten/Menschen, man darf sich im Vorfeld nicht zu sehr von Instagram und Co blenden lassen. Dies ist aber in der Hochsaison auch nicht anders zu erwarten. Die Crew versucht allerdings die Massen bestmöglichst zu umgehen und wirft immer ein Auge auf alle. Der Fotograf an Bord hält alle Erinnerungen auf Bild und Video fest und geht auf Wünsche ein, ohne dabei aufdringlich zu sein. Unser Guide (Pascal) und die Crew waren top. Pascal konnte uns viel erzählen und strahlte sehr viel Ruhe aus. Gute Englisch Kenntnisse. Am zweiten Tag gab es leider eine kleine Panne am Motor, wodurch wir einen vorgesehenen Stop am Abend nicht mehr rechtzeitig erreichten. Die Agentur ermöglichte uns aber, dieses am Folgetag in einer Extra-Tour vom Hafen nachzuholen (ohne Aufpreis). Während wir auf dem Ozean auf das Ersatzteil warteten, durften wir am nächstgelegenen Strand schnorcheln und hatten somit trotzdem eine sehr gute Zeit! Wir hoffen, dass niemand der Crew aufgrund dessen Schwierigkeiten bekommen hat. Niemand konnte etwas dafür und wir waren trotzdem total glücklich mit der Tour. Wir können die Tour auf jeden Fall empfehlen und hoffen, dass ein angemessener Teil des Geldes bei den Mitarbeitenden (Crew) landet. Das haben sie auf jeden Fall verdient. :-)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jan W

Review Date: 14 Feb 2025

Review Body: Easily one of the best and most memorable experiences we’ve had in South East Asia. We spent a lot of time researching the many boat tours and having picked Papiton, we can safely say it was the best decision we made. Emmanuel our guide, Gio the photographer and the rest of the crew were great and made the trip so easy and fun. We were on Papiton Lopi, the smaller boat sleeping 10 and we’re lucky to have a really great bunch of people. The boat was beautiful, really clean and well kept. We had a double room at the front and the bed was so comfy and the adjoined en-suite was really cute and well designed. The food was definitely a highlight. It was so nice eating together for breakfast, lunch and dinner at a communal table. Over the course of the trip we had fresh fish, prawns, crab, salads and lots of other great local delights. There was also a lot of options if you were vegetarian. We really appreciated the fresh fruit, water dispenser, coffee, tea and biscuits which were on offer for free through the trip. What makes this trip stand out from the crowed is there knowledge of the area and experience. Despite the droves of boats and people that visit the Komodo national park and surrounding islands we often were the only boat in the bay or people on the beaches as they knew exactly when to go and which spots to visit. This does mean waking up early on some days but trust me it’s 100% worth it if you I want a picture on the Pink beaches with nobody in the background! The trip exceeded all our expectations, we saw amazing coral reefs, tropical fish, eagle rays, manta rays, sharks, dolphins and lots of turtles plus flying foxes. Not to mention Komodo dragons! One thing we would mention is the generator on the top roof deck can be quite noisy. We didn’t really mind and as our cabin was on the lower deck we didn’t really hear it, but if your in the top cabin it could be a little hard to sleep.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Salai arun CA

Review Date: 08 Feb 2025

Review Body: We went for 2 trips with Travass. One is the trip to Rangko Cave. Other is the 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS sailing trip at Komodo national park. Rangko Cave Rangko cave is a very beautiful and adventurous place. Anyone travelling to Labuan Bajo must visit the cave for sure. There is no better team to take you to the cave than Travass. Thank you very much guys for the wonderful experience. Special thanks to our guide Mr.Arka (insta id: Arukadeath). Arka is a friendly and comfortable guide. He was also our photographer. He has clicked incredible pics. I have posted few of them here. I would give 5/5 for Travass and Arka. SAILING TRIP TO KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Previously I have been to many one-day sailing trips in places like Maldives, El Nido, Diminiyat Islands, Koh Chang etc. Every place is unique and beautiful. But I would say that this 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS sailing trip at Komodo national park by Travass and Papiton is the best. The best part of the trip was THE TURTLE POINT and THE MANTA POINT. Our guide Mr.Phion said that spotting of animals is only by luck and he cannot guarantee that we will spot one. But for sure he was alert and worked really hard to spot turtles and Manta rays. Travass also provided us with a great photographer Mr.Syem. What impressed me the most about Mr.Syem is his underwater photography skills. He ensured that he clicked the underwater pictures or videos at the right time along with the turtles and manta rays. Our cook whose name I don’t remember, ensured that the food was tasty throughout the trip. Special thanks to the cook. The captain, the boat man and rest of the crew members (I have posted pic of the entire crew) ensured that we were comfortable. Our ship Papiton Lopi was very clean and all the comforts were available despite travelling to remote locations of the Flores Island. I would give 5/5 for Travass and their ship Papiton Lopi or 6/5 if possible.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Adrian Greenwood

Review Date: 31 Oct 2025

Review Body: We have just completed our 3 day/2 night stay aboard the Cordelia Phinisi and we had an absolutely fantastic experience. The accommodation was excellent (we chose the Diamond room and we were not disappointed). It was spacious and light filled and incredibly comfortable and luxurious. There were so many highlights packed into the trip of which the Manta Rays were probably our favourite but we also had incredible hikes, great scenery, lovely beaches, fantastic snorkelling and of course the Komodo dragons. Food on board was plentiful and so much variety. We especially loved the Indonesian food and the Barbecue on the last night was the highlight of them all. A special call out to all the crew who made sure we were always incredibly well looked after. A huge thank you to our tour guide Servas who was excellent. He made sure we were well briefed, kept our group to schedule (not easy with us!), made sure we got to the prime locations before the crowds and especially got us to Pink Beach first to find the best spots in the shade. However, the top marks were for spotting additional Manta rays when we had already got back in the tender, and letting us dive back in the water and have quality time with them with just our small group. Truly magical. Servas was a great guide. He was knowledgeable, very informative, and lots of fun. We had a great time with him. Also a big call out to Sam our photographer who was with us for all the important moments and who captured shots we would never have been able to. All in all a magical experience that we feel very lucky to have shared with a great bunch of people.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lorraine & Michael

Review Date: 06 May 2026

Review Body: We had a fantastic time on the 3D2N Komodo Adventure trip. The itinerary was very well-planned so we were able to visit several spots at quieter times before the crowds arrived. Paskal, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and approachable. We always felt very safe in his hands and he answered all our questions about the trip. He was also very attentive to different fitness levels and swimming abilities, making sure that we were always comfortable with the activities we were doing. Haris, our photographer was also great, making sure to get the best shots for us. He knew the best spots to get the most incredible photos to commemorate our time there. The visit to Komodo Island was such a unique experience and it was amazing to see them up-close in their natural habitat. All of the spots provided different cool views and we tried snorkelling for the first time! As someone who does get seasick, I was a bit nervous before the trip and had stocked up on seasickness tablets but the boat was very stable throughout and I never had to take them. An added bonus which we weren't expecting was the delicious and plentiful food on-board. Before joining the trip, we had received an email telling us to bring snacks if we wanted so we stocked up beforehand but turns out we didn't need it as we were never hungry - if anything, we were always left very full and satisfied after each meal. Thank you to Paskal, Haris, the boat crew, the local people and our lovely fellow travellers who all made it an incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip. I would highly recommend it! Our only negative is that it was over too soon!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ginevra Strambi Ferrini

Review Date: 10 Feb 2025

Review Body: It was an amazing experience that I’m looking forward to repeat, maybe on a different itinerary. Let’s start from the boat: our Papiton was a very comfortable boat, hosting comfortably 10 guests and the crew. The double cabins are very comfortable with a beautiful sea view, private toilet room and very clean. The crew: our guide Emanuel has been nothing less than wonderful! He made sure we were always the first ones getting to the places that by the time we left started getting super crowded! So we enjoyed every stop away from the crowd! He was a good company and fitted so well in our group, it was a pleasure to have him around. Kele, our amazing photographer took great pictures and was very patient with all our requests. He took also some spontaneous shots that made the pictures even more special! Our cook treated us so well, he fed us as an Italian mama would do with breakfasts, snacks, lunch and dinner always ready for us and always delicious with a good variety also for vegetarians. The small boat captain also was very nice he he brought us everywhere, also very early in the morning upon our request. The Captain sailed seamlessly and safely to every destination, and the rest of the crew was so quiet that sometimes we didn’t even know they were there. The places we visited were amazing, plenty of snorkeling stops among tropical fishes, turtles, mantas and corals. The group was great which made this experience even more unforgettable! Thanks to the crew and to Travas for the amazing days we spent on the Papiton! Ahoy!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob Nash

Review Date: 11 Sep 2025

Review Body: This boat tour absolutely killed it! 👌👌 Seriously one of the best tours I've ever been on. The boat, the crew, the food, the itinerary was all far better than expected. Be sure to starve yourself for a few days ahead because I assure you, you are gonna eat well, and often. The crew were all very friendly, welcoming, accommodating, and worked hard to ensure all the guests had a great time. And we did! The boat itself was nice and roomy, I stayed in the 4 bed dorm (with two others) and there was enough space for luggage. One downside to sleeping on the lower deck is the engine noise from the generators, it runs all night. Despite this, I slept ok with earplugs and and eye mask - I strongly advise packing these!!! Th crew made a good effort to keep away from hoards of tourists, though it wasn't always possible. They were flexible, and switched up the itinerary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances, and ensured were made good use of time. We mostly sailed alongside the Papiton 2 (the sister boat) which was great cos we had a little bit of engine trouble, so they helped us get going again. If you like snorkelling, there will be plenty of it. In 3 days we did about 6-8 snorkelling trips and saw loads of reef fish, turtles, rays, sharks and even a pod of dolphins. The crew tried really hard to find some mantas for us, but we were out of luck, so it goes sometimes. I can't recommend this tour highly enough. It was absolutely amazing! Thank you Papiton 1 Crew. 🙏👌

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob

Review Date: 20 Aug 2025

Review Body: This boat tour absolutely killed it! 👌👌 Seriously one of the best tours I've ever been on. The boat, the crew, the food, the itinerary was all far better than expected. Be sure to starve yourself for a few days ahead because I assure you, you are gonna eat well, and often. The crew were all very friendly, welcoming, accommodating, and worked hard to ensure all the guests had a great time. And we did! The boat itself was nice and roomy, I stayed in the 4 bed dorm (with two others) and there was enough space for luggage. One downside to sleeping on the lower deck is the engine noise from the generators, it runs all night. Despite this, I slept ok with earplugs and and eye mask - I strongly advise packing these!!! Th crew made a good effort to keep away from hoards of tourists, though it wasn't always possible. They were flexible, and switched up the itinerary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances, and ensured were made good use of time. We mostly sailed alongside the Papiton 2 (the sister boat) which was great cos we had a little bit of engine trouble, so they helped us get going again. If you like snorkelling, there will be plenty of it. In 3 days we did about 6-8 snorkelling trips and saw loads of reef fish, turtles, rays, sharks and even a pod of dolphins. The crew tried really hard to find some mantas for us, but we were out of luck, so it goes sometimes. I can't recommend this tour highly enough. It was absolutely amazing! Thank you Papiton 1

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Silvia Viola

Review Date: 11 Sep 2025

Review Body: Che esperienza! La nostra crociera è stata praticamente perfetta. La barca era nuova, pulita, dotata di tutti i comfort per rendere la permanenza a bordo piacevole; inoltre, la presenza di sole 5 stanze permette di avere un piccolo gruppo, che è assolutamente positivo. L’equipaggio è stato esemplare: professionale, simpatico, disponibile e sempre pronto a soddisfare ogni esigenza. Abbiamo particolarmente apprezzato di arrivare prima degli altri nelle varie destinazioni, oppure restare più a lungo per permetterci di rimanere praticamente da soli. Il cibo era ottimo e in quantità corretta per quanti eravamo, in modo da evitare sprechi. Anche la plastica a bordo era evitata il più possibile, proprio per un discorso di sostenibilità. Che dire poi del parco di Komodo? Un paradiso in terra, praticamente. Abbiamo visto tanti pesci, una meravigliosa barriera corallina, tartarughe marine e, grazie all’attenzione del capitano che le ha avvistate, abbiamo nuotato con delle mante giganti. Sull’isola di Komodo abbiamo visto ben 9 varani, di cui 2 giganti, alcuni litigavano tra di loro. Imperdibile il tramonto a pink beach (dove eravamo da soli), l’alba da Padar Island (dove siamo andati via dopo che la folla scemasse), il tramonto a Kelor Island con il volo delle volpi volanti, la mattinata a Kelong Island, in cui siamo arrivati prima di tutti. Un’esperienza unica, assolutamente da fare con l!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: em

Review Date: 18 Feb 2025

Review Body: What an incredible end to our time in Indonesia. What feels like miles from the buzz of Bali this wonderful part of the world is not to be missed. We couldn’t fault our 3 days one bit. Our guide Pion was incredible. His knowledge was fantastic and we very much enjoyed our time playing cards and learning about this beautiful country from him. Abi was our photographer and we are so happy with the results. Less than 24hrs after we got off we had the link to the Google drive with all our pictures from the GoPro, camera and drone! The food was incredible. Don’t worry about going hungry. We rolled off the boat. The boat itself was so comfortable. Lots of areas to chill. Always coffee, tea and snacks available. It was the best nights sleep we had the whole of our trip. AC worked fab and it was a perfect size. As for the activities we did loads of amazing snorkelling. We saw manta rays, turtles, endless fish, Komodo dragons and even dolphins as we were sailing along. Not to mention the flying foxes at sunset! We were so sad for it to end. The booking process with Papiton Lopi was super easy and we got put into a WhatsApp group providing all the information we needed before we left. Great communication and very friendly. Without a doubt the best all round trip for the Komodo Islands. Thank you to everyone!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: iliasadd

Review Date: 18 Feb 2025

Review Body: We went out with Papiton Duwa for 3 days 2 nights in Oct 2022. Our guide was Emanuel. The organisation was good. The boat is nice and the staff is friendly and helpful. Communication while booking the trip was good. Boat: This is not the most luxurious boat, but it is fair value for money. There are 5 rooms with double beds. Two of the rooms can add a 3rd bed. The rooms have aircons. The bathrooms smelled quite bad. Apart from that the rooms were fine. There is a nice table area for the meals. The food was delicious and fresh. There is a lounging deck on top, but I feel it missed some shade. It was too hot to actually lounge on the deck during the day. Activities: Komodo National Park is one of the nicest places I've been to. The nature is beautiful and you are sailing through paradise. The activities are diverse, there is some island hopping, hiking, wildlife and lots of snorkeling. We didn't see Manta's unfortunately but lots of other marine and wild life like turtles, Komodo dragons, etc. Staff: they were friendly and flexible enough to help us. Sometimes they needed a little push to get the maximum out of the trip. They have a drone and gopro so you can get some nice shots. They managed to avoid the crowds by planning the trip a bit differently then other boats.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ana Mendes

Review Date: 10 Feb 2025

Review Body: The 3-day boat trip with Travass Life in the Papiton Duwa boat was the high point of our 3-week holiday in Indonesia. Everything was taken care for. We had Phion as our “team leader” and Sam as our photographer, and every single one of the crew, from the captain to the chef, did a brilliant job. Everyone was committed to providing the best possible experience. The days were full and intense, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We visited all the main spots in the Komodo National Park, trekking Padar Island at sunset, sunrise at pink beach (we were basically alone there), witnessing the BIG Komodo dragons, and we were also able to find and swim with turtles and mantas. During all the snorkelling periods we were accompanied by Sam and Phion, who not only guaranteed safety conditions but also helped us see (and photograph!) all the corals and animals. All the beautiful photos taken by Sam were given to us at the end of the trip. We were also lucky to have a fun and chill group in the boat. The rooms were comfortable and clean, and all the food was amazing (you will NOT be hungry, from breakfast to dinner to plenty of delicious snacks!!) ! We would recommend this trip to everyone coming to Indonesia. Truly an unforgettable experience. 10/10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Maurits Jansen

Review Date: 11 Sep 2025

Review Body: Wat een fantastische ervaring! Wij hebben een 3-daagse Komodo-boottrip gemaakt met de Papiton en dit was echt een hoogtepunt van onze vakantie. De boot zelf was super comfortabel, wij hadden een privé cabine en de crew was geweldig: vriendelijk, behulpzaam en altijd in voor een grapje. Het eten aan boord was verrassend goed (credits aan de kok!), en er was zelfs een fotograaf mee die onze reis prachtig heeft vastgelegd. De activiteiten waren heel gevarieerd en onvergetelijk: snorkelen tussen schildpadden, haaien en kleurrijk koraal, zwemmen met manta’s, een hike naar de iconische viewpoints van Padar Island, een bezoek aan Komodo Island om de indrukwekkende varanen te zien, relaxen op Pink Beach en een spontane beachparty met karaoke en dansen onder de sterren. Alles was goed geregeld en toch flexibel: als de omstandigheden veranderden (bijvoorbeeld geen manta’s op de ene plek), dan paste de gids het plan meteen aan zodat we het meeste uit de dagen konden halen. De sfeer aan boord was heel gezellig, mede dankzij de leuke mix van medereizigers. Al met al: een fantastische combinatie van avontuur, natuur en ontspanning. Absoluut een aanrader als je in Flores bent! Wij zijn ontzettend blij dat we dit in onze route hebben opgenomen.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachael

Review Date: 22 Jul 2025

Review Body: We had an absolutely amazing trip aboard the Cordelia! we saw everything that was promised and more. Snorkelling in Komodo National Park was nothing short of spectacular.The marine life was incredible. The boat was wonderfully comfortable, and the food was plentiful and delicious, we were truly spoiled! One of the highlights was seeing the famous Komodo dragons near Komodo Village. They were wild, though perhaps not completely but still absolutely thrilling to witness up close. Since it was mating season, we were told it would have been difficult to spot them just by trekking, so we felt incredibly lucky to see them at all. The previous trip wasn’t so lucky we were told. Watching the bats fly from Kalong Island at sunset was another unforgettable experience , eerie, dramatic, and totally fascinating! We were also lucky to have such a fantastic group of fellow travellers, the energy, laughter, and good company made the experience even more memorable. Be sure to bring some cash with you, you’ll be amazed at how enterprising some of the local children are when it comes to selling souvenirs, even out in the middle of the water while you’re on the boat!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Arvind Nagaraj

Review Date: 24 May 2025

Review Body: Our 3D2N cruise with Travass Life aboard the Papiton Duwa was truly unforgettable. The air-conditioned private cabins with attached bathrooms were clean and comfortable. We were joined by two older Dutch couples, a Filipino-American couple, and a Spanish couple of similar age — all friendly, open, and easy to get along with The itinerary was clear and well-structured, with daily briefings from our incredible guide who always kept us informed on what to expect. What we especially appreciated were the small but very thoughtful tweaks made to the plan — avoiding crowds and timing hikes to beat the heat! Our guide, Phion, was a highlight — warm, engaging, non-stop fun. He made the snorkelling experience especially memorable, guiding us through encounters with manta rays, turtles, baby sharks, and thriving coral reefs. Sam, the onboard photographer, captured our best moments and added so much fun to the trip. The entire crew made us feel welcome and cared for from start to finish. Papiton Duwa delivered on everything promised — and then some! A truly special way to experience the beauty of Indonesia. Highly recommended!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Hike & stay in Waerebo, a hidden village in Flores

Itinerary Description: 07.00 AM: Take a 4hr scenic drive through the Flores highlands, stopping for lunch amidst stunning landscapes 12.00 PM : Lunch at Dintor Village, followed by preparations for trekking to Wae Rebo Cultural Village Arrive at Denge Village, the gateway to Wae Rebo, and embark on a scenic 3-4-hour trek (depending on participants' physical condition). It is highly recommended that participants be in good physical condition Receive a warm welcome from the villagers upon arrival and partake in their traditional ceremony Settle into the simple guesthouse and spend time exploring the village and its iconic cone-shaped houses If you arrive at Waerebo Village around 4:00 PM, you’ll have the chance to meet the local community weavers — a rare experience that most travellers don’t get to enjoy If you arrive later, you’ll meet the weavers the following morning instead. This will depend on your hiking pace. 07.00 PM : Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the villagers and learn about their ancient stories and traditions Please note: Weaving visits are more likely outside the harvest season (May–August), as many villagers focus on coffee harvesting during this period. As a result, weaver interactions may be limited during these months. The itinerary and timing may vary depending on your pace and traffic conditions, to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Village breakfast, discover local coffee , trek to Denge, return to Labuan Bajo hotel

Itinerary Description: 07.00 AM : Enjoy your breakfast prepared by the villagers Explore the village Guided walk through the coffee plantation Learn about Wae Rebo's coffee and local coffee-growing traditions Observe the full-wash coffee processing method (available during the coffee harvest season, typically from May to August) Coffee tasting session You’ll also meet local weavers from the community and watch them craft intricate handmade pieces - a rare opportunity that most travellers never get to experience If you didn’t meet the weavers the day before, this will be your chance to do so Trek down from Wae Rebo to Denge Valley 12.00 PM : Followed by lunch at Dintor Village Bid farewell to the village and enjoy a comfortable drive back to your hotel in Labuan Bajo Please note: Weaving visits are more likely outside the harvest season (May–August), as many villagers focus on coffee harvesting during this period. As a result, weaver interactions may be limited during these months. The itinerary and timing may vary depending on your pace and traffic conditions, to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.