The sky village is open again.
Wae Rebo, the isolated mountain community in Manggarai, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), known for its cone-shaped roofs and mist-covered hills, reopened to tourists on Monday, May 25, 2026. The destination had been closed since May 13 after heavy rains triggered a landslide that blocked the trekking path.
“Already opened as of today,” said Mikael Tonso, head of the Wae Rebo Cultural Preservation Institute, on Monday morning.
He said the weather has improved and the landslide debris has been cleared from the trail.
“The damaged road from the landslide has been repaired,” Mikael added.
Why It Closed
Wae Rebo sits at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level, accessible only by foot after a two-to-three-hour trek through rainforest and bamboo groves. It is one of Flores’ most photographed destinations — a cluster of traditional Mbaru Niang houses that have earned UNESCO heritage recognition.
But the same mountains that make the village spectacular also make it vulnerable.
Heavy rains in early May saturated the slopes. On May 13, a landslide carried soil and debris from local farmland onto the trekking route, blocking access. Local tourism workers made the decision to close the site.
“It was because of the landslide and also the continuous rain,” said Obhy Dermawan, a Wae Rebo tourism worker, on May 16. “We were worried about another landslide, so we closed temporarily.”
The debris came from farmland belonging to local residents, just before the entrance marked by the traditional “rumah kentongan” (bell house).
What Travelers Should Know
Wae Rebo is not a casual day trip. Visitors must trek several hours uphill, often through mud. The village has limited accommodation and basic facilities. The reward is a landscape that feels untouched by modernity — no roads, no vehicles, and a community that continues to live according to ancestral traditions.
For tourists planning to visit, the reopening is good news. But the landslide closure is a reminder that Wae Rebo operates at the mercy of its environment. When rain comes, trails become dangerous. When landslides happen, the village disappears from the itinerary.
For now, the path is clear. The sky is open. And the village above the clouds is receiving visitors again.
