Soe Besar Vanrei
Soe Besar Vanrei Phinisi
A short hill before the first snorkel
Updated 8 November 2026
Kelor island short hill walk: 15 to 30 minutes up a steep, dry path to a view over the bay, the first landing of day one on every Soe Besar Vanrei route. It is shorter than Padar, and a guest can skip it and stay aboard.
Kelor in numbers
Day 1, first landing, Kelor: a short, steep hill; the view is the reward.
Kelor is a small hilly islet about 50 to 70 minutes by boat from Labuan Bajo. The climb to the viewpoint takes 15 to 30 minutes, the grade is moderate, and the path is dry. The whole stop is listed at about 60 minutes. Kelor is a hill, not a long trek, and not a dragon site.
It opens day one on the 2D1N, 3D2N and 4D3N, after pickup and boarding, and before the Manjarite snorkel and the Kalong dusk.
No step count or handrail is published.
Kelor's hill walk in stages
The walk is a transect in five short stages, each with an effort grade.
- Stage 1: the landing from the boat onto the beach. Short.
- Stage 2: the foot of the hill, where the path begins. Short.
- Stage 3: the steep, dry middle, where the path is loose in places. Moderate.
- Stage 4: the viewpoint over the bay. Stop and look.
- Stage 5: the descent, slower than the climb. Take your time.
Stop at the bends. Wear closed shoes with grip, because the ground is steep and dry. Take water, even for 30 minutes. A hat is useful in the open sun.
Give yourself ten minutes at the top. The bay lies below on one side and open water spreads on the other, and the view is the point of climbing.
Real photo from a KEXI trip · 8 photos
Kelor beside Padar when legs are tired
Kelor and Padar are the two climbs on the route. Kelor is on day one and Padar on day two, so a tired party meets the shorter hill first. Kelor takes 15 to 30 minutes, Padar 25 to 45. Kelor has no pre-dawn start. Padar asks for one on the standard plan.
If legs are tired by the end of day one, nothing in the plan asks them to climb Padar the next morning. Padar is optional too. Whoever saves their legs on Padar can walk Kelor easily, and whoever took Kelor slowly has a rest at the start of day two.
A party with grandparents can plan a split: Kelor for the legs that want it on day one, Padar for the same legs on day two if the first climb went well.
Skipping Kelor without missing the day
Skipping Kelor costs nothing else on the day. The boat is at anchor, the party who stays has the deck, and the snorkel at Manjarite follows for everybody. A grandparent who skips the hill has not missed the island, because the beach and the water are visible from the deck.
Tell the captain who stays aboard when you board. That way the landing is timed to include everyone who walks and ends when they return.
A toddler is better in a carrier than on foot. Older children walk, and holding an adult's hand on the steep part is enough.
Caveat: rain makes the path slippery, and the captain can cancel the landing for weather or surf.
FAQ
Is the Kelor hill too steep for a grandparent?
It is short but steep and dry, with loose ground in places. Take it slowly with stops at the bends, and wear closed shoes. If the knees object, the walk is optional and the boat is a comfortable place to wait. Tell us about stairs and slopes when you book.
What shoes do I need for Kelor?
Closed shoes with grip. The path is steep and dry, and sandals slip on loose ground. Bring water and a hat. A walking pole helps on the way down, but none is supplied, so bring your own.
Can a young child walk up Kelor?
Most children manage a 15 to 30 minute climb with an adult holding a hand on the steep part. A toddler is better in a carrier than on foot. The walk is optional for any age.
Check availability — Soe Besar Vanrei
Bookings for Soe Besar Vanrei run through the Komodo Explorer team in Labuan Bajo. We plan the voyage, take payment and answer in writing before you board; the boat keeps its own captain and crew.