Hello, some questions about making a trip from Bali to see Komodo dragons. I have done some online investigations - we don't want to do a long boat-cruise type deal. I think we just want to fly to Flores, find a tour boat to take us to Rinca or Komodo to do the 1-2 hour walking tour. Then depending on what information I can find, we are up for doing some snorkeling before heading back to Flores, but our real intent is to see dragons. We would like to spend as little time away from Bali as possible.
From what I can determine - there aren't that many flights to/from Flores, and it seems like we would have to fly to Flores, stay overnight - take the tour to see Komodo dragons, then because of the lack of flights, we would have to stay overnight again before heading back to Bali. Does anyone have any information that is different? Can we do this with just one overnight?
Also, from other places on the web, people said it was not necessary to make arrangements for the Komodo tours (flights and tours) online from home. Said to arrange flights after you get to Bali, fly to Flores, and then make arrangements for a boat and tour when you get there - better price. I would hate to make the trip half way around the world and end up not being able to find a reliable guide (and boat).
So that is another question - should we make tour arrangements ahead of time, or is it a better idea to do it when we get there? There are flights, hotels, and the actual tours to arrange - I am nervous about not having plans ahead of time. But at the same time, after hearing of flight cancellations, I would hate to have all these arrangements and then have to try and change them once we got to Bali, because flights were canceled.
Anyone have recommendations for safe and reliable boat tour operators to see Komodo dragons? Any recommendations on where to stay on Flores?
Any other advice - is very much welcomed.