Ruteng is a sub-district which is also the capital city of Manggarai Regency, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This small town is attached to the gentle slopes of the north side of the green Mandusawu mountain range, at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level.
Ruteng is also known as one of the areas that has the coldest temperature in Indonesia. The air temperature in this city of 90,000 people ranges from 13°C – 25°C with humidity levels reaching 90%. In addition to very cold temperatures, Ruteng is a rainy city with a fairly high intensity of 3,340 mm/year.
Like other cities in the highlands, Ruteng offers coolness and green nature all year round. On the south side of the city of Ruteng, stretches a tropical rain forest area as a buffer for the wealth of flora and fauna endemic to Flores. Meanwhile, on the north side, stretches of valleys and green hills are covered with terraced rice fields.
How to get there
we can reach Ruteng via Labuan Bajo because the connections from Labuan Bajo is very easy to several areas in Indonesia. The distance from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng is 135 km with a travel time of 3 – 3.5 hours using public transportation or motorbikes.
However, for those who start the journey from the east of Flores, they can start from Maumere and continue to Bajawa. The distance from Bajawa to Ruteng is almost the same as the distance from Ruteng – Labuan Bajo which is 132 km with almost the same travel time.
In addition to using land transportation, Ruteng has a small airport, namely Frans Sales Lega Airport, which serves flights between cities and islands in East Nusa Tenggara. However, the weather conditions in Ruteng, which are often foggy and rainy, make flight schedules uncertain, especially during the rainy season between October and March.
What to see in Ruteng
The city of Ruteng itself is surrounded by various tourist destinations that must be visited while on vacation here or maybe while exploring Flores as a whole. Some tourist attractions in Ruteng and its surroundings that are worth visiting:
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Ruteng Pu’u traditional Village
Ruteng Pu’u traditional village is the only traditional village that still has traditional village formations with stone construction in the style of traditional Manggarai throughout the village. There is also a pair of traditional houses with cone-shaped roofs of palm fiber.
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Liang Bua Ancient Cave
The ancient cave of Liang Bua is the place where Homo floresiensis fossils or better known as the Hobbit from Flores were found. Liang Bua is 30 km from the city of Ruteng with a travel time of 30 minutes.
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Spiderweb Rice field
Traditional rice fields are in the form of spider webs or what is known as ‘Lingko’. This area is located 20 km west of the city of Ruteng, precisely in the village of Cara – Cancar, with a travel time of 15-20 minutes.
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Golo Curu
On the north side of the city of Ruteng there is a small hill called Golo Curu, which is the best place to enjoy the view of the city of Ruteng and its surroundings. In the morning, from this hill we can watch the sun rise through the fog that covers the valley. Likewise, in the afternoon, although sometimes the fog blocks the view of the sunset, but at the best times you can enjoy the sunset in the gaps of the hills and the expanse of rice fields.
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Mount Ranaka
For lovers of trekking and hiking, Flores’ highest peak, Mount Ranaka (2,303 masl) stands firmly in the southeast of Ruteng city, with a 15-minute distance from the city center to the east to the starting point of climbing in Robo village.
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Ranamese Lake
Ranamese lake is about 20km from Ruteng to the east. This lake can be achieved by using a motorcycle, car, or public transport. Rana Mese Lake has an area of ± 5 ha with a depth of ± 43 meters and is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. There are a variety of fish such as tilapia which is often fished by residents. According to local residents, there are also eels in this lake.
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Wae Rebo Village
Wae Rebo is a small, very out of the way village. Situated on around 1,100 meters above sea level and approximately 3 – 4-hour travel by foot from Denge Village. Wae Rebo is completely surrounded by panoramic mountains and the dense Todo forest.
Activities during stay in Ruteng
Enjoying the city of Ruteng with all the exoticism that surrounds it, now there is a challenging option available, namely cycling. A mountain bike tour service provider (Mountain Bike) the only one in Flores is now based in Ruteng. Tourists can rent a bicycle or simultaneously book a program guided by a professional bicycle guide.
In addition to tourist attractions that can be enjoyed at any time, Ruteng also offers various cultural attractions that can only be witnessed at certain times of the year, related to traditional Penti rituals and Caci competition attractions both in the city center of Ruteng, as well as in traditional villages within the region. city.
Accommodations in Ruteng
Regarding accommodation for lodging and restaurants, there is no need to worry. This small town already has several hotels with a choice of prices and classes that vary, as well as restaurants.
For those who are curious about Manggarai coffee, there are several coffee shops with the original taste of Manggarai coffee and are a must-visit place while in Ruteng.
Ruteng, is never finished to describe. The city which at least adopts the layout of highland cities in Europe with the main in the city center and an old cathedral church as a landmark, makes this city give a different taste of Flores.