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EtnoJourney
Heritage Cuisine

Coffee and Songke in Wae Rebo

Wae Rebo, East Nusa Tenggara

Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0

Duration
2 days
Group size
Max. 6 people
Category
Heritage Cuisine
Difficulty
Challenging
Good stamina needed; long treks, steep terrain or remote conditions.
Language
Indonesian, English

About this journey

Get to know coffee, Wae Rebo's main crop, and watch women weave Manggarai songke cloth.

Coffee is Wae Rebo's main crop, and its altitude of more than 1,000 metres makes the climate well suited to it. On this two-day trip you will see coffee beans drying in the village yard, hear residents talk about their gardens and how they process the beans, then taste coffee brewed in the village. We will also watch women weave songke, the traditional cloth of Manggarai, and learn the etiquette of visiting a customary village.

Hosted by the local community in Wae Rebo

What you'll experience

  • Coffee beans drying in the village yard
  • Residents' stories of their coffee gardens
  • Watch Manggarai songke weaving
  • Groups of six at most

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Hike and coffee

    Early drive to Denge, hike to Wae Rebo, Waelu'u ritual, afternoon coffee processing.

  2. Day 2

    Songke and return

    Morning songke weaving, walk down to Denge, return to Ruteng.

What's included

  • Return transport to Denge from Ruteng
  • 1 night in Wae Rebo
  • All meals
  • Local guide
  • Village visitor fee

Not included

  • Flights or travel to the meeting point
  • Accommodation before and after the tour
  • Crafts you buy in the village
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for guides and hosts (optional)

Before you go

Practical notes so your trip is comfortable and your hosts feel respected.

What to bring

  • Broken-in trekking shoes
  • A warm layer for cool highland air
  • A light rain jacket (rainy season is roughly November–March)
  • A small daypack: you carry your own things on the hike
  • Personal toiletries and a small torch
  • Small-denomination cash for crafts or donations

Local etiquette

  • Guests are welcomed with the Waelu'u ritual in the main house before exploring; follow your guide on when photography is appropriate.
  • Ask before touching textiles, looms or work in progress.
  • Carry your rubbish back down to Denge.

Getting there

Fly to Labuan Bajo or Ruteng, then drive from Ruteng to Denge village (about 2–4 hours, partly on rough roads), followed by a hike of around 3 hours through forest.

Meeting point

Bandara Frans Sales Lega, Ruteng

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