INDONESIA - EXOTIC ISLANDS: CHASING HORIZON
Price range: $1,200 through $2,700
PRICES ARE USD PER PERSON. LIMITED PACKAGES AVAILABLE.
THE L.U.X. PROMISE: THE ART OF TOTAL IMMERSION
ZERO FRICTION
At MASX, our guiding principle is LUX: Live Ultimate Xperiences — where true luxury is the freedom to stay present and fully immersed in the moment. To ensure your connection to the city’s quiet rhythm remains uninterrupted, we operate under a strict, silent protocol:
You aren’t led by a “guide.” You are accompanied by a N.I.T.E. Navigator. They are local expert guides who help you Navigate Immersive Travel Experiences. They are your sophisticated peers, your cultural translators, and your partners in after-dark cultural experiences that will open doors that don’t exist on any map.
Your journey exists in two worlds. The Black Passport is your shared tactile anchor — a physical relic to hold in your hands. The Digital Artifact is your high-fidelity digital legacy — a cinematic film to revisit together.
A physical book that preserves the story of your experience.
Your story is captured as it happens. Seven days after your experience, you will receive a curated collection of captured moments from the experience.
OVERVIEW
CHASING HORIZON™: FLORES & KOMODO is a journey across one of Indonesia’s most breathtaking island landscapes, where volcanic highlands, remote villages, crystal-clear seas, and centuries-old maritime traditions come together to reveal a deeper connection between people and the horizon. Travelling by traditional Phinisi, guests move beyond iconic destinations to discover the stories, cultures, and everyday lives that have shaped Flores and Komodo for generations. More than simply crossing the sea, the journey invites travellers to experience Indonesia through the people who call these islands home.
Across three days, the experience unfolds from the highlands of Flores to the extraordinary waters of Komodo National Park, where each horizon reveals a new perspective. Meet the Manggarai people and their living traditions, embrace Indonesia’s culture of nature and stillness, witness the world’s largest lizard in its natural habitat, explore vibrant coral reefs beneath the sea, spend two unforgettable nights aboard a traditional Phinisi, and discover the Bajau community whose lives have always been inseparable from the ocean. Through meaningful conversations, authentic local encounters, and quiet moments of reflection, every horizon becomes more than a destination — it becomes part of the journey itself.
ITINERARY
FLORES & KOMODO
DAY 01: WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Before chasing the horizon, understand the people and the land that shaped it. Every journey across the sea begins with the stories rooted on shore.
THE RHYTHM OF EVERYDAY FLORES
Before leaving Labuan Bajo behind, take a moment to experience the everyday rhythm of Flores at Pasar Wae Kesambi, the local market where residents gather to shop for fresh produce, fragrant spices, seafood, and daily essentials. The rich aroma of freshly brewed Flores coffee drifts between the bustling stalls as vendors greet familiar customers and baskets overflow with tropical fruit harvested from the surrounding countryside. Wander through the lively market with your N.I.T.E. Navigator, discovering local ingredients, sampling seasonal fruits, and picking up snacks for the journey ahead. Pause for a cup of locally grown Flores coffee or herbal tea while enjoying casual conversations with the vendors, offering a simple yet authentic glimpse into everyday island life before the road gradually leaves the coast behind.
KEEPERS OF TRADITION
As the road winds into the cooler Manggarai Highlands, rolling hills and sweeping valleys gradually replace the bustling harbour below. Arrive in Melo Village, where generations have proudly preserved traditions that continue to shape community life today. Begin with a warm welcome of Tuak — a lightly fermented palm wine traditionally offered to guests as a symbol of hospitality — before witnessing Caci, a ceremonial Manggarai whip-fighting dance celebrating courage, respect, and community. Beyond the performance, spend time with the villagers who continue these traditions with pride, learning how they have been passed from one generation to the next. Meet local weavers who transform natural fibres into colourful textiles using techniques preserved for centuries, and discover how native plants continue to provide natural dyes and traditional remedies. Here, traditions are proudly shared with visitors, yet they remain a living part of everyday life.
THE STILLNESS OF INDONESIA
Leaving the village behind, the journey continues into one of Flores' peaceful natural landscapes, where Indonesia reveals one of its most treasured qualities: the ability to slow down. Whether overlooking volcanic hills, standing beside the ocean, or surrounded by the sounds of the forest, this is an opportunity to simply pause and be present. Feel the gentle mountain breeze, listen to birds calling through the trees or waves rolling softly onto the shore, and allow the landscape itself to become your guide. Afterwards, enjoy a refreshing glass of Jamu — a traditional Indonesian herbal drink made from natural roots, spices, and herbs that has supported wellbeing for generations. In Indonesia, nature is more than scenery. It is a place to reconnect with both the world around you and yourself.
A HOME ON THE HORIZON
As afternoon fades into evening, step aboard your traditional Phinisi, Indonesia's iconic handcrafted wooden sailing vessel that has connected islands across the archipelago for centuries. Meet the captain and crew who will accompany your voyage before receiving your Horizon Jar, a quiet keepsake that will gather meaningful reminders of the people, places, and stories encountered along the journey. As the Phinisi gently sails away from Flores, the shoreline slowly dissolves into the distance while the open sea stretches endlessly towards the horizon. Share dinner beneath a sky filled with stars as the rhythmic sound of the waves replaces the noise of the land, and settle into your first night surrounded by nothing but ocean, islands, and endless sky. Tonight, the Phinisi becomes more than your vessel — it becomes your home on the horizon.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Everyday Life at Pasar Wae Kesambi
Manggarai Traditions
Nature & Stillness Journey
Board a Phinisi
First Night at Sea
DAY 02: THE SEA BETWEEN ISLANDS
Across Indonesia, the sea has never divided its islands. It has carried people, traditions, and stories from one shore to another for centuries, connecting communities that continue to call these waters home.
ABOVE THE HORIZON
Before sunrise, the Phinisi anchors beneath the dramatic peaks of Padar Island. Begin the morning with a rewarding trek as the first light gradually reveals one of Indonesia's most breathtaking landscapes. From the summit, rugged volcanic ridges, crescent-shaped beaches, and countless islands stretch towards every horizon, offering a new perspective on the journey unfolding around you. Standing high above the Flores Sea, it becomes clear that these islands are not isolated destinations, but part of a vast archipelago bound together by the ocean. Take a moment to simply absorb the silence, the cool morning breeze, and the changing colours of the landscape before making your descent. Sometimes the best way to appreciate a journey is to pause and see just how far it reaches.
LIVING ALONGSIDE DRAGONS
Continue to Komodo National Park, where your local ranger leads the way through one of the world's most remarkable ecosystems. While the Komodo dragon is the undeniable highlight, the experience reaches far beyond wildlife. As you walk together, discover how generations of rangers and local communities have learned to live alongside these powerful reptiles while protecting the fragile environment they call home. Ask questions, listen to stories from the people who know these islands best, and gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing efforts to preserve both the dragons and their habitat. Here, conservation is not simply about protecting a species. It is about maintaining the delicate relationship between people, wildlife, and the landscape they have shared for centuries.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
The journey continues to the shores of Pink Beach, one of the few beaches in the world naturally coloured by tiny fragments of red coral that blend with soft white sand to create its distinctive pink hue. Beyond the shoreline, however, another world quietly awaits. Slip into the crystal-clear waters and discover one of Komodo National Park's extraordinary marine ecosystems, where vibrant coral gardens, tropical reef fish, and giant clams thrive beneath the surface. As you drift gently through the warm sea, your guide shares how these protected waters support one of the richest concentrations of marine biodiversity on Earth and why preserving this fragile environment matters for future generations. Afterwards, return to the beach to feel the unusually soft sand beneath your feet or simply float in the calm turquoise water, allowing the rhythm of the ocean to become part of the journey itself.
WHEN THE SEA FALLS SILENT
As daylight fades, the Phinisi once again becomes your home. Gather on deck with a warm cup of locally grown Flores coffee or tea as the last light disappears beyond the horizon and countless stars begin to fill the night sky. With little light beyond the boat itself, the gentle rhythm of the waves and the sound of the sea become the evening's soundtrack. Conversations naturally unfold with the captain and crew, who share stories of life on the water and the generations of sailors who once navigated these islands using only the stars, winds, and currents long before modern technology. Beneath one of Indonesia's clearest night skies, the horizon feels different after dark — less like a destination, and more like a quiet companion to the journey.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Sunrise at Padar Island
Komodo Ranger Walk
Pink Beach Adventure
Stories Beneath the Stars
Life Aboard a Phinisi
DAY 03: CARRYING THE HORIZON HOME
Every horizon eventually leads home, but the most meaningful journeys continue long after the shoreline comes back into view. Some places leave behind more than memories — they quietly change the way we see the world.
THE SEA AWAKENS
Wake to another peaceful morning aboard the Phinisi as the first light gradually spreads across the Flores Sea. Step onto the deck and breathe in the cool ocean air while scattered islands slowly emerge from the morning mist and the gentle sound of waves accompanies the start of a new day. With the sea still calm and the world around you only beginning to stir, there is time to simply pause and appreciate the quiet rhythm of life on the water. After two nights aboard, the Phinisi no longer feels like transportation, but a place that has carried not only your journey, but also countless stories across Indonesia's archipelago for generations.
THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA
Before returning to Labuan Bajo, visit Mesa Village, where the Bajau community has built its lives above the sea for generations. Wooden walkways connect homes standing on stilts while colourful fishing boats rest beneath family houses, reflecting a way of life shaped entirely by the ocean. Wander respectfully through the village as your N.I.T.E. Navigator shares how fishing knowledge, boat skills, and community traditions continue to pass from one generation to the next. Opportunities naturally arise to greet local residents, browse small family-run shops, or watch fishermen patiently repairing their nets. If invited, you may even try tying a traditional fishing knot yourself — a simple skill that quietly reflects a lifetime spent living with the sea.
FROM SEA TO TABLE
Arriving back in Labuan Bajo, the journey continues with one final connection to the ocean through its food. Visit the local seafood market, where fishermen proudly display the day's fresh catch while neighbours gather to shop for their families' evening meals. Wander between the lively stalls, learn about local fish and shellfish, and discover how the surrounding waters continue to sustain everyday life across Flores. Speak with the vendors about the day's catch, discover which species are most prized by local families, and choose your own seafood before it is freshly prepared for lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed farewell meal at a nearby local seafood restaurant, where simple Indonesian flavours allow the freshness of the ingredients to shine. After spending three days understanding the sea, this final meal becomes more than lunch — it becomes a celebration of the people, traditions, and waters that have shaped the journey.
THE HORIZON CONTINUES
As the time comes to say goodbye, take a quiet moment to revisit your Horizon Jar and place inside one final reminder of the conversations, experiences, and people encountered along the way. There is no ceremony or farewell ritual — only a simple opportunity to reflect before returning to everyday life. While the voyage across Flores and Komodo may be ending, the stories shared by villagers, fishermen, rangers, and the Phinisi crew continue far beyond the islands themselves. Some horizons remain on the map. Others become part of the way we see the world.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Morning on the Flores Sea
Life at Mesa Village
The Bajau Way of Life
Labuan Bajo Seafood Market
Fresh Catch Farewell Lunch
OVERVIEW
CHASING HORIZON™: SUMBA is a journey across one of Indonesia’s most distinctive islands, where ancient traditions, vast rolling savannahs, dramatic coastlines, and everyday island life come together to reveal a different way of seeing the world. Moving beyond Sumba’s striking landscapes, the experience invites guests to discover the people who continue to shape its identity — from vibrant market communities and skilled Ikat weavers to the Marapu families who have chosen to preserve traditions passed down through generations. More than simply exploring the island, the journey is about understanding the many lives that exist beneath the same horizon.
Across three days, each chapter reveals a different face of Sumba and a new perspective on the island itself. Experience the rhythm of modern Sumba before returning to one of its oldest villages, discover the freedom of its wide-open grasslands and dramatic coastline, ride alongside local horsemen whose bond with their horses reflects generations of heritage, and embrace Indonesia’s culture of nature and stillness beneath endless skies. Through meaningful conversations, authentic local encounters, and unhurried moments of reflection, every horizon becomes more than a destination — it becomes a reminder that there is no single way to live a meaningful life, only different perspectives waiting to be understood.
ITINERARY
SUMBA
DAY 01: WHERE HORIZONS MEET
Before the horizon stretches into the distance, every journey begins with the people who call it home.
THE RHYTHM OF EVERYDAY SUMBA
Begin your journey at Pasar Waikabubak, where the everyday rhythm of modern Sumba unfolds through lively conversations, colourful market stalls, and the steady flow of local life. Farmers arrive with baskets of fresh vegetables and tropical fruit, neighbours greet one another over cups of locally grown Sumba coffee, and families browse ingredients for the day's meals while young people weave effortlessly between traditional markets and modern routines. Wander through the bustling aisles with your N.I.T.E. Navigator, sampling seasonal produce, discovering local snacks, and pausing to chat with vendors who are always happy to share stories about their island. Before exploring Sumba's ancient traditions, this first encounter offers a simple but meaningful reminder that Sumba is not frozen in time — it is a living island where heritage and everyday life continue to exist side by side.
KEEPERS OF THE ANCESTORS
Leaving the town behind, the journey gradually enters a different world. Rolling hills lead to Ratenggaro Village, one of Sumba's most remarkable Marapu communities, where towering traditional houses and ancient megalithic tombs continue to stand at the heart of everyday life. Meet local residents who proudly preserve customs passed down through countless generations and discover how the Marapu belief system continues to influence family, community, and the relationship between people and nature. Spend time with local artisans weaving Sumba's famous Ikat textiles, learning how natural dyes, symbolic patterns, and careful craftsmanship transform each cloth into a story that can take months to complete. Before continuing your journey, your N.I.T.E. Navigator presents your Horizon Jar — a personal keepsake that will quietly collect meaningful reminders of the people, places, and experiences discovered over the coming days. Whether it is a small gift shared by a local artisan, a handwritten reflection, or another meaningful memento, each addition tells part of your own story across Sumba. Here, traditions are not preserved as museum pieces — they remain a living expression of identity, proudly shared from one generation to the next.
THE FREEDOM OF OPEN LAND
As the afternoon unfolds, the journey continues across Sumba's vast rolling savannahs, where endless grasslands stretch towards distant hills and the island's constant breeze becomes part of the experience itself. This is Sumba's quieter side — an island where open space is as defining as its traditions. Pause in one of these peaceful landscapes, allowing the natural surroundings to set the pace rather than the clock. Feel the wind sweep across the grasslands, listen to the gentle sounds of nature, and simply enjoy the rare luxury of uninterrupted space. Afterwards, savour a refreshing glass of Jamu — Indonesia's traditional herbal drink made from natural roots, spices, and herbs that has supported wellbeing for generations. Here, nature offers not only breathtaking scenery, but also a chance to reconnect with yourself.
WHERE THE DAY MEETS THE HORIZON
As the sun begins its slow descent, remain among Sumba's rolling savannahs where endless grasslands glow beneath the changing light. With no towering skyline to interrupt the view, the horizon stretches endlessly in every direction as golden grass sways gently in the island's constant breeze. As daylight fades, it becomes easy to understand why Sumba is often associated with a sense of openness and freedom — where vast landscapes invite you to pause, breathe, and simply appreciate the moment. Later that evening, return to Waikabubak, where the pace of the island gently slows. Around Lapangan Mandaelu, families, neighbours, and young people gather beneath the evening sky, sharing simple street snacks, cups of coffee, and unhurried conversations after the day's work. There are no bright lights or busy nightlife here — only the quiet comfort of people enjoying each other's company. It is a simple ending to your first day, but one that offers another glimpse into the everyday rhythm of life on Sumba.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Everyday Life at Pasar Waikabubak
Ratenggaro Village
Sumba Ikat Traditions
The Freedom of Open Land
Savannah Sunset
DAY 02: WHERE FREEDOM LIVES
Some horizons are found across the sea. Others are discovered in the freedom of open land, where wind, water, and endless space invite you to see the world a little differently.
WHERE THE LAND MEETS THE SEA
The morning begins at Weekuri Lagoon, one of Sumba's most remarkable natural wonders, where crystal-clear saltwater rests peacefully between rugged limestone cliffs before quietly flowing into the Indian Ocean. Unlike busy beaches or crowded resorts, Weekuri moves at its own gentle pace, inviting visitors to slow down and simply enjoy the island's natural beauty. Swim in the calm turquoise water, float beneath the open sky, or wander along the rocky shoreline as your N.I.T.E. Navigator shares how this unique lagoon has long been part of the surrounding landscape and local communities. Here, nature asks for very little — only time to appreciate its quiet beauty and the freedom found in slowing down.
THE EDGE OF THE ISLAND
Leaving the lagoon behind, continue towards Sumba's dramatic southwestern coastline, where towering cliffs, hidden beaches, and endless ocean views reveal another face of the island. Along the way, pause at quiet viewpoints where powerful waves meet the rugged shoreline and the wind carries the scent of the sea across the grasslands above. Life here has always been shaped by both land and ocean, creating communities that have learned to live with nature rather than against it. As you follow the coastline, it becomes clear that Sumba's beauty is not only found in its famous landmarks, but also in the vast open spaces between them.
RIDING WITH THE WIND
Few symbols represent Sumba more powerfully than its horses. Long before they became an unforgettable experience for visitors, horses were trusted companions for travel, ceremonies, and everyday life across the island. Meet local horsemen who continue this tradition today, learning about the care, training, and deep bond shared between rider and horse before spending time getting to know your own companion. Once ready, enjoy a leisurely horseback ride across Sumba's rolling grasslands, following quiet trails that generations of riders have travelled before. With every step, the island seems to open wider, revealing why horses remain such an enduring symbol of freedom across Sumba.
WHEN THE DAY GENTLY ENDS
As evening settles across the island, return to Waikabubak for a relaxed dinner celebrating the simple flavours of Sumbanese cuisine. There is nowhere else to rush to and no evening performance waiting ahead. Instead, allow the night to unfold naturally, just as it does for the people who call this island home. Stay a little longer over a cup of locally grown Sumba coffee as conversations continue at an unhurried pace. If the opportunity arises, try sirih pinang — betel nut, a centuries-old tradition of hospitality and conversation still shared among many Indonesian communities. Listen for distant laughter, the gentle sound of music drifting through the neighbourhood, or simply enjoy the cool evening breeze beneath a sky where the stars often shine with remarkable clarity. Sometimes, the greatest luxury is not discovering another place, but sharing an ordinary evening with the people who live there every day.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Explore Weekuri Lagoon
Sumba's Wild Coastline
Ride with Sumbanese Horsemen
Sunset Across the Savannah
An Evening the Sumbanese Way
DAY 03: CARRYING THE HORIZON HOME
Every journey eventually turns towards home. The most meaningful ones leave you carrying something far greater than what you packed.
FAMILIAR FACES, DEEPER STORIES
Return to Ratenggaro Village, where familiar smiles and warm greetings replace first impressions with genuine familiarity. With first impressions now behind you, spend time experiencing the quieter rhythm of everyday life alongside the community. Depending on the season and the day's activities, you may help with simple morning routines such as tending gardens, preparing natural materials, caring for livestock, or assisting with other daily tasks shared by your hosts. These are not demonstrations arranged for visitors, but ordinary moments that reveal how tradition continues to shape everyday life. As conversations unfold more naturally, the village begins to feel less like a place you have visited and more like a community that has welcomed you, if only for a little while.
WHERE THE OCEAN SLOWS THE DAY
Leaving the village behind, continue to the nearby coastline where the vast Indian Ocean offers a different perspective on the island you have come to know. Settle into a relaxed beachfront restaurant and enjoy a leisurely lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients as the sea breeze drifts through the open-air surroundings. Fishing boats move quietly along the horizon while waves roll gently onto the shore, creating an atmosphere that invites conversation rather than hurry. After spending the morning immersed in one of Sumba's oldest communities, this peaceful pause by the ocean becomes an opportunity to reflect on the people you've met and the different ways of life that quietly coexist across the island.
THE RHYTHM RETURNS
As the journey continues towards Tambolaka, pause at the local market where everyday life once again unfolds in a different rhythm. Wander between stalls overflowing with tropical fruit, spices, handmade crafts, and daily essentials as neighbours exchange greetings and families shop for the evening ahead. Perhaps pick up a few local treats or a small handcrafted keepsake, but more importantly, take one last opportunity to observe the balance between tradition and modern life that defines Sumba today. Having experienced both its ancient villages and its open landscapes, the familiar bustle of the market now feels different, revealing an island where heritage and everyday life continue to exist side by side.
THE HORIZON CONTINUES
Before making your way to the airport, pause one final time at a quiet lookout where Sumba's open landscapes stretch towards the horizon. Take a moment to revisit your Horizon Jar, adding one final reminder of the people, places, and perspectives gathered over the past three days before gently sealing it to carry home. There is no ceremony and nothing more to achieve — only the quiet satisfaction of knowing that the journey has become part of you. Some horizons remain on the map. Others stay with you long after the journey has ended.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Morning with the Marapu Community
Lunch by the Indian Ocean
Everyday Life in Tambolaka
One Final Horizon
Sealing the Horizon Jar
INCLUDES
- 3 Days / 2 Nights Accommodation (4★ Hotel); Traditional Phinisi Liveaboard in Flores & Komodo
- All transportation within the experience
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks
- The artifacts (Black Passport & Digital artifact)
- English-speaking N.I.T.E. Navigator
- All admissions and activities outlined in the itinerary
- International airfare to Indonesia
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Personal expenses & additional purchases outside the curated experience
