Immerse yourself in the raw, cinematic landscapes of Komodo & Sumba, where volcanic ridges, dragon-filled islands, and wind-shaped trees meet dramatic light and shadow. This curated Leica Akademie expedition takes you from the iconic sunrise viewpoint of Padar Island to the hauntingly beautiful Dancing Trees of Sumba, culminating in staged sunset horse scenes on sweeping grassland ridges.
From sea level to hilltop, this is an intense, light-chasing itinerary for photographers who pursue that elusive perfect moment—before it disappears.
Dates:
28 April – 2 May 2026
No. of Participants:
10 pax
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Komodo (Labuan Bajo)
- Arrival Labuan Bajo
- 19:00–20:30 — Hotel check-in & Welcome dinner at local restaurant
- 20:30–21:30 — Trip briefing & gear discussion (if energy allows)
Day 2 – Komodo: Padar Sunrise & Komodo Dragons (B/L/D)
- 03:30 — Depart from hotel’s pier (speedboat)
- 05:00 — Arrive at Padar Island
Climb ~300 steps to main viewpoint (Pos 4) - 05:30–07:00 — Sunrise shoot on Padar
- 07:00–08:00 — Descend, short rest, simple breakfast/snacks on boat
- 08:00–09:30 — Boat to alternative scenic cove / coastal spot
Minimalist shoreline, water textures, detail studies - 10:00–11:00 — Cruise to Komodo Island
- 11:00–13:00 — Komodo Island
Guided walk; Komodo dragon environmental photography - 13:30–15:00 — Return boat trip to Labuan Bajo
- 15:00–17:00 — Back at hotel; rest, backup, short nap
- 17:00–18:30 — Optional sunset session from hotel area (boats, layers, colours)
- 19:30–20:30 — Dinner at local restaurant
- 21:00–22:00 — Review session (Padar & Komodo dragons)
Day 3 – Komodo Sunrise • Flight to Sumba • Dancing Trees Sunset (B/L/D)
- 05:30–06:30 — Optional blue hour/sunrise from hotel jetty (ships, silhouettes)
- 07:00–08:30 — Breakfast, pack, check-out
- 09:30–10:00 — Transfer to Labuan Bajo Airport
- Late morning / midday — Flight pattern (example):
Labuan Bajo → Lombok → Waingapu (Sumba) ~14:30 — Arrive Waingapu, Sumba → transfer to hotel / brief rest - 16:30–18:30 — Dancing Trees sunset session
Silhouettes, long-lens abstracts, layered skies - 19:00–20:00 — Dinner
- 20:30–22:00 — Review session (introducing Sumba visual themes)
Day 4 – Sumba: Sunrise Trees • Waterfall • Sunset Horses & Portraits (B/L/D)
- 04:30–05:00 — Depart hotel
- 05:15–07:00 — Sunrise at Dancing Trees
Backlit silhouettes, mist (seasonal), alternate angles - 08:30–09:30 — Breakfast
- 10:30–13:00 — Waterfall session
Slow-shutter water, detail frames, optional human figure - 13:00–15:00 — Lunch & rest
- 15:00–16:00 — Transfer to hill viewpoint (e.g., Wairinding / similar)
- 16:30–18:30 — Sunset horses & local talent shoot
Environmental portraits, motion, backlight - 19:30–20:30 — Dinner
- 20:30–22:00 — Review session (sequencing & story building)
Day 5 – Sumba Sunrise • Sumba → Lombok → Kuala Lumpur (B)
- 05:00–06:45 — Optional final sunrise session
Either Dancing Trees or a nearby traditional village - 07:30–09:00 — Breakfast, packing, check-out
- 09:00–10:00 — Transfer to Waingapu Airport
- 12:20–13:40 — Flight: Waingapu → Lombok (Wings Air)
Afternoon — Layover in Lombok - 18:30 — Suggested Lombok → Kuala Lumpur flight (AirAsia or similar)
- End of program
Key Activities:
- Iconic Landscapes
- Sunrise and blue-hour sessions on Padar Island
- Rolling hills and tree silhouettes in Sumba
- Wildlife & Human Interest
- Komodo dragon encounters in their natural environment
- Horse & rider concepts on Sumba’s hills
- Creative Techniques
- Working with dramatic backlight, haze, and flare
- Composing for scale using figures, horses and topography
- Leica Akademie Learning
- Daily image review & critique
- Guidance on lens choice, timing, and approach for each scene
What's Included:
- Accommodation:
2× Komodo: La Prima Hotel or similar (4*)
2× Sumba: Kambaniru / Myze Hotel or similar (4*) - Meals:
Breakfast daily
Lunch & dinner as specified in the program (B/L/D) - Transport & Logistics:
Air-conditioned ground transportation (Toyota Hiace or similar, up to 8 pax/van) - 1 full Komodo speedboat day trip (Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo)
- Domestic flights:
Labuan Bajo (Komodo) → Lombok → Waingapu (Sumba)
Waingapu (Sumba) → Lombok
Includes up to 15 kg checked baggage per person - Photography & Local Support:
English-speaking photography guide
Local models & horses at Wairinding/selected Sumba hill - Mineral water during transfers
- Daily Leica Akademie review sessions (where schedule permits)
Costs Not Included:
- International flights to/from Indonesia
- Extra baggage fees on domestic flights
- Drone surcharges(e.g. Padar Island – approx. MYR 550 per drone, subject to park rules)
- Personal expenses at hotel or photo locations
- Alcohol and beverages outside what is served with meals
- Travel and medical insurance(mandatory)
- Tips/gratuities for local crew (approx. MYR 50 per participantfor the whole trip)
- Any services not specifically mentioned as included
Things to note:
- We will have a briefing leading up to the tour to answer and confirm any enquiries you have.
- Participants would be required to bring their own cameras—any type is welcomed.
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that are suitable for walking.
- Bring notebooks or electronic devices for taking notes.
- We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if the minimum number of participants is not met. Should this occur, full refunds will be provided.
- This experience is proudly brought to you in collaboration with Leica Akademie Singapore and Malaysia.
Cancellation Policy:
We understand that plans can change, and while we hope you can join us, if you need to adjust your participation:
-
By/Before 31st Jan 2026: You’ll receive a 50% refund.
After 31st Jan 2026: Unfortunately, no refunds can be offered. - If we must cancel the event: You will receive a full refund.
Born in Klang and raised in Sabah from the age of two, Jonathan V. Tan has made a lasting mark on Borneo’s photography landscape, renowned for his awe-inspiring and atmospheric imagery. His evocative work—particularly his mastery of dawn and dusk light—has earned him acclaim across the region. With a camera in hand since the age of 15, he has devoted his life to documenting the world’s beauty before it fades, preserving the landscapes and stories he holds dear.
“Capturing the perfect moment is more than just a passion—it’s a lifelong dream,” he once shared. “I strive to preserve what’s left out there, capturing it on image before it fades with time. Through my photography, I hope people can see the world in a new light, experiencing its beauty and diversity from wherever they are.”
Jonathan’s dedication to visual storytelling led him to star in the 2011 documentary Shoot for the Sky, aired on the Bio Channel (Astro 731). The film documented his journey across Sabah in a paramotor, revealing never-before-seen aerial perspectives—from the mangroves of Sandakan and the reefs of Semporna to the towering silhouette of Mount Kinabalu.
Tan also released his first acclaimed pictorial book on Semporna titled “Moments of Tranquility.” The book captures the lives and sites of Semporna about five years before the Lahad Datu incursion, a body of work he regards as his masterpiece. “The book is a memory of what Semporna was before progress took over,” he said. On the project, Tan shared that he aimed to reveal a side of Semporna that few had ever witnessed, preserving fleeting moments of beauty and cultural life as they were.
His photographic journey extends far beyond Borneo. Tan’s work spans Iceland, Alaska, the USA—particularly the American Southwest—Europe, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand, all in pursuit of that perfect meeting of light, land, and emotion.
Today, Jonathan continues to share his artistry through his lens, committed to capturing the profound interplay between light, landscape, and the stories that bind them. Through every image, he hopes to inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world before it inevitably changes with time.
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