Traveling in Indonesia is not complete without visiting Labuan Bajo. It gains its fame because of the beautiful tourist spots around them. There are Komodo Island, Padar Island, Pink Beach, and the enchanting Gili Laba. Excited? Before traveling to Gili Laba, make sure to read this Gili Laba travel guide to get the best out of your trip.
Gili Laba also famous as Gili Lawa Darat is a small island in Komodo National Park area, East Nusa Tenggara. Why is it famous? Not only a great diving experience, but it also provides an unforgettable trekking experience with a scenic view of scattered islets around the Komodo Island sprawled out in front of your eyes once you reach the hilltop.
Location and How to Get There
Gili Laba is situated quite close to Komodo Island. There are two possible routes to get there. First, if you take a trip from Komodo Island, it will only take an hour to get to Gili Laba. However, if you start your trip from Labuan Bajo, you will spend quite a long time, for approximately 4 hours. A trip to Gili Laba usually is a part of a tour, meaning it’s included in a tour package with several destinations.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
You are welcome here whenever you’re stressed at any hour or any day! It’s open 24 hours every day, including weekends. And this is the best part, the entrance fee is FREE.
Tour Package
In this Gili Laba travel guide, you will find out how to enjoy your trip to the fullest. One way to do it is by taking a full-day tour where you’ll be taken to some of the best tourist spots around the area.
The first destination is Sebayur Island, famously known as a great snorkeling spot. Then, continue your trip to Kanawa Island, which is also famous among snorkelers. Then, visit Gili Lawa, the best spot to take pictures, to end the day.
You can rent a speedboat with a minimum of four people capacity to voyage around the island. The small one costs IDR 3,25 million, the medium one costs IDR 3,75 million, and the large one costs IDR 4,25 million.
What to Find
Color-changing savanna
You read it right. The terrain changes colors, and it’s not sorcery. The color of the terrain changes depending on the season. If you visit Gili during the dry season that falls in August and September, the Gili will look like a yellowish-brown desert—the color of dry savanna. However, when the rainy season arrives, the dry savanna turns green.
Welcome the beautiful sunrise and say goodbye to the beautiful sunset
Enjoy the golden sunrise after climbing to the top of Gili before dawn. The trekking will be done at around 4 am. Due to the darkness, it will be quite a challenge to reach the top of Gili, so use a flashlight or torch from your cellphone to help you walk through the dark. When you reach the top, you can sit back and relax and wait for the sun to rise on the eastern horizon.
Meanwhile, if you’re not a morning person, go for a hike at around 3 pm for less than half an hour. The sunset is from 5 pm to 6 pm. Once you reach the top, enjoy the view while having a drink in the savanna. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures to perpetuate the landscape’s beauty.
Trekking
Trekking is one of the main activities in Gili Laba, and you should include it in your to-do list! There are many savanna hills to climb from any angle. It usually takes an hour approximately an hour to reach the top of the hill at a regular pace.
Keep in mind that the hiking trail is quite challenging, especially for beginners. It’s filled with many inclines, and some of them are pretty steep. The hill is covered in grass, so it can also be pretty slippery sometimes. Make sure to wear the proper footwear for hiking that makes it easy for you to climb. Despite the challenges, your hard work will pay off. Once you reach the top of the hill, the panoramic view of the savanna and Komodo Island will greet you.
Diving
There are two famous spots for those who are keen on diving. The first spot is Crystal Rock. The spot gets its name from its rocky environment and crystal-clear water. You can enjoy the view of colorful corals in all shapes and sizes and fish like tuna and mackerels.
The second must-visit diving spot is Castle Rock. You can find morays, batfish, and some soft corals. This diving spot is best for more advanced divers due to its strong currents and occasional encounters with manta rays and sharks. If you’re a beginner, it is best to take an instructor with you.
Those are the things you need to pay attention to in this Gili Laba travel guide. Happy traveling!
