Despite modern entertainment, taking a hiking trip remains a popular tourism activity. There’s an enduring charm in mingling with nature. As you ascend various terrains, your body feels fresh while looking at shrubs and animals all around. Being outdoors for a few days washes away your stress after days or weeks working in an office.
Almost anywhere in the world, outdoor activity, such as taking a hiking trip, is getting popular. You can see the trend through a greater number of outdoor activities, such as running, trekking, and walking in groups. More youngsters adopt an active lifestyle as part of their coping mechanisms against anxiety and stress.
In Indonesia, for example, climbing a mountain is a very popular activity during long weekends. The rising use of social media platforms makes outdoor activity a cooler option than just sipping a cup of hot coffee in a shopping mall. In this article, you will read key information about walking in nature. If you specify the activity on Komodo Island, this is the best place to read!
What is the meaning of a hiking trip?
A hiking trip means an outing in which its participants walk through natural areas. The activity lasts for some hours or days. This duration depends on the plan itself. Usually, the journey follows certain trails to prevent getting lost. If this happens, you will need extra help to get back to the meeting point or entrance spot.
For longer hikes, you might need to carry food and gear supplies. Examples of these are water bottles, snacks, trekking poles, and hats. All of these are to fulfil your basic needs during the trip. Meanwhile, these are the common spots in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, where you can embark on a hiking trip:
- Mountains: Kelimutu, Egon and Inerie mountains
- Forests: Wae Rebo village, trails in Rinca and Padar Islands
- National parks: Komodo National Park
- Coastal or beach trails: Bidadari Cape and Riung Beach in East Flores
- Deserts and savannahs: Komodo and Rinca Islands
- Rural or countryside areas: Ruteng and Bajawa villages
Benefits of walking in nature
As hinted above, taking a hiking trip brings tremendous advantages. There have been studies that show walking in nature improves mental, physical, and social well-being. You can reap the benefits once you go outside in nature. This is what makes a lot of people set aside time during their busy lives to mingle with nature.
Indeed, this exploration sometimes requires extra budgets. You might need to save some money to afford plane tickets or pay for hotel services. Besides, you need to plan the trip. Yet, the efforts will be worth it, especially if you are with beloved friends. See the details below!
Improving fitness
Taking on a hiking trip means doing a physical exercise that will increase the functions of your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure will be lowered as you pass through challenging terrains. The activity also links to weight management. While walking for hours, you burn calories in your body, making your muscles stronger.
Reducing depression symptoms
Have you heard this saying? “When you are in a bad mood, go outside!” Such a statement isn’t without basis. Taking a hiking trip can improve your mood and reduce anxiety. Prolonged stress and bad mood may lead to depression if you don’t handle them right away. There is magic when connecting with all plants and animals outside buildings. Your anxiety drops, and your positive vibes are back.
Creating a social bond
Walking in nature with friends or family members is such a great moment to create unforgettable memories. During harsh situations, they can help each other with simple things, such as holding hands to help ascend a steep hill. When taking a break, they can share experiences throughout the journey.
Appreciating wildlife and landscape
Taking a hiking trip offers you a valuable chance to observe vegetation, unique species, and amazing views that you won’t find in big cities. Visiting Komodo Island, for instance, will allow you to see one of the world’s rare species, Komodo dragons. Besides, you can find other exotic species, such as the Maleo bird, Rusa Timor, and sea turtles.
Boosting self-esteem
It’s undeniable that taking a hiking trip, especially with high hills, requires extra energy and patience. No wonder that some consider this activity to be a way to improve their self-confidence. They will be proud of themselves once they reach a summit or complete difficult trails. This satisfaction boosts their self-esteem as they win over obstacles along the way.
Exploring new places
Some people go for a hiking trip to seek new trails and landscapes despite the fact that they may have already visited the same destination before. The reason is possible if the spot has abundant attractions, which may require days or even weeks to visit. In Komodo National Park, for example, this month you can walk in nature on Padar and Rinca Islands. Next year, you may visit the park, but focus on the trails in Seraya and Kanawa Islands.
What’s the difference between hiking and trekking?
Hiking is different from trekking, as the first activity usually takes a shorter route and duration with a moderate difficulty level. On the other hand, trekking is tougher, longer and more adventurous. Having a hiking trip is closely related to recreational and exercise activities. While trekking, you may have to walk through rugged terrain.
The difficulty level of trekking is more difficult than hiking. You may need to do extra preparations, such as tents, food supplies, and navigation tools. The tools are necessary if you want to do a trek in a remote area. In terms of duration, trekking may last up to weeks, depending on the plan.
Step-by-step guide to hiking in Komodo Island
Planning to take a hiking trip on the island? That’s a great idea because the land has diverse spots for walking in nature. Before going there, you need to know that the best time to visit Komodo Island is during the dry season. This period runs from April to December every year.
Next, you need to know how to get to Komodo Island. Usually, tourists depart from Labuan Bajo and then arrive at the island. Other than the two factors, see what you need to prepare in terms of planning and others. See the list below!
General planning
To get an optimal experience, you need to first decide which trails you want to include in the hiking trip. The popular ones include Padar Island and Komodo Island. In Padar, you can obtain spectacular sunrise views. In Komodo, of course, you will see the dragons. Don’t forget to arrange permits to enter the Komodo National Park, as booking in advance is better.
Gear preparation
Hiking is not ordinary walking. You need to prepare a lot of stuff that will fit into one overnight bag. See the details here:
- Clothing: Lightweight, breathable clothes, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Footwear: Hiking shoes or boots for challenging tracks.
- Backpack essentials: Water, snacks, sunscreen, camera, and first-aid kit.
- Optional: Walking sticks and binoculars for observing wildlife.
Hiring a tour guide
Taking a hiking trip with top tour guides is highly recommended. They will ensure your safety if you approach Komodo dragons. Their knowledge is comprehensive. They know cool facts about the history and the species of the area that you may not find on the Internet. Thanks to their experiences, they can give tips to prevent accidents and protect nature.
Follow safety rules
There are several key policies about safety procedures regarding a hiking trip that you must follow. For example, you should keep a distance of at least 5 metres. As you walk along, please stay on marked trails. Listen and do what the tour guides say, like avoid touching or feeding wild species there.
Make the most of the journey
Simple tips can optimise your hiking trip. If you plan to visit the best spot for snorkelling in Komodo Island, such as Manta Point, start as early as possible. Not only will this help avoid midday heat, but it will also allow you to enjoy all the views. Don’t forget to take breaks to get some rest, hydrate and take many amazing scenic images.
Protect the environment
During the journey, bring a trash bag with you. Do not litter anywhere in the trails. The simple action shows your commitment to protecting the environment. Drop the garbage once you find a proper place to litter. At last, respect all customs and traditions of the residents.
An itinerary example for a one-day hiking trip
You won’t need days or weeks to start hiking around Komodo Island. One day is enough. Although the weather on the island is usually dry, it can be cool in the morning. Thus, wear layers to protect the body. If you want to swim or snorkel, bring your own reef-safe sunscreen.
As the island is packed with wildlife, consider bringing insect repellent. This is a substance that you can apply to your skin, clothing, or gear. This way, the insects won’t bite you during the hiking trip. Check an example of the itinerary below!
- 5.00 AM: Leaving from Labuan Bajo for Padar Island by boat. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
- 7.00 AM: Hiking to catch the sunrise on Padar Island.
- 9.00 AM: Having a light breakfast and a short rest for the next hike.
- 10.00 AM: Start taking the hiking trip on Komodo Island. See the savannah hills, tropical flora and wild species here.
- 1.00 PM: Lunch on the boat or at a specific point on the island.
- 2.00 PM: This is the ideal time to snorkel or walk along in the best place to visit in Labuan Bajo, which is Pink Beach.
- 4.00 PM: Back to Labuan Bajo. As the boat takes you back, relax and enjoy the sunset views.
- 6.00 PM: Arrived in Labuan Bajo. The adventure ends, and you can have dinner at a local restaurant. Take a moment to share your experiences and pictures with your friends or new people you meet along the way.
Create a memorable adventure with Discovery Komodo Adventure
Planning a hiking trip in Labuan Bajo shouldn’t be difficult and stressful. Discovery Komodo Adventure is here to help you along the way. Since 2013, we have handled diverse clients, both local and global, with different needs. Our team consists of dedicated and professional tour guides who serve from the heart.
We also have exceptional hospitality and tourism skills about Labuan Bajo, Flores, Lombok, and Bali. We prepare various travel packages that you can pick according to your budget and time duration. We also offer a local wooden boat tour to make your holiday more authentic. So, what are you waiting for? Contact our marketing staff using this website. Name your preference, and we are more than happy to help you.
