One night aboard, with the bats at dusk and the ridge at first light

The harbour transfer in Labuan Bajo is in the fare, and we confirm the pickup time in writing when you book. On board you get your cabin keys and a safety talk, and lunch is laid at the table on deck.

Afternoon brings Kelor, a short steep climb with the harbour falling away behind you, then a swim off the beach. After that comes Manjarite, a reef you snorkel from the tender. Neither takes long, so day one stays compact.

Kalong is the last frame. In September the sun sets there at 17:58, and the bats start leaving the mangroves in the minutes before it. Dinner is on board after that.

Light check. At Kalong the sun is low in the west, so the sails and the bats read as silhouettes against a copper sky. Pack a light layer for the deck, and keep the camera strap round your wrist.

With just one night, keep Arjuna for yourselves: upper deck, balcony and all.

Breakfast comes first, then the landing at Padar. In September the sun rises over the ridge at 05:56. The climb begins in the dark, by head torch, in shoes with grip and with water in your bag. It is steep. If someone in your party shouldn't attempt it, tell us before you book.

After Padar the pace eases. Pink Beach is next, a swim and a snorkel off the sand, with reef-safe sunscreen on. Komodo Island follows, walked beside a park ranger. Dragons are possible and never promised.

Taka Makassar closes the day, a sandbar visited when the water level allows. Then the boat turns for Labuan Bajo, and we confirm the arrival time in writing, because wind and tide set it.

A flight that day should leave after 14:00. On a charter we can set the boarding and finishing times around it, which an open sailing cannot do.

One night means a shorter list. Manta Point is not on this route, and neither are Sebayur and Kanawa. The longer reef time, the drift snorkel and the last swim before the pier belong to the three-day route.

There is no shared day trip either. Gandiva's price list holds none, so the shortest trip is this one, with a night on board. If you want a first look at Komodo in a single night, this is the route; if you want a day trip, we do not sell one on this boat.

To add back what is missing, choose the three-day route. It keeps everything above and adds the third morning, with Manta Point on day two and Sebayur and Kanawa on day three. It is also the only length that runs as an open trip, so Arjuna becomes possible at the seat fare of IDR 11,500,000 (≈ USD 706) per person.

Two days won't feel like four, and we'd rather you knew that before paying. Give us the number of days you can spare, and we'll name the route that fits.