Soe Travel Guide

Soe is a small, remote mountain village between Kupang and Kefamenanu on the main highway east of Kupang, central West Timor. It makes for a popular daytrip from Kupang and is beautifully situated amid lush surroundings.

Worth It?: Yes, as a daytrip or stop-off from Kupang.
What to Do: check out the traditional villages, see Camplong Forest Area.
Best Time to Go: April through to October.
How Long?: Soe is good for a daytrip.
Trivia: Soe sits at 800m above sea level.

The East Nusa Tenggara village sits at a height of 800m above sea level and the drive here from Kupang, the provincial capital, is nice and winding. The village of Soe itself is nice although the main attraction is the surrounding villages. The houses come with traditional thatched roofs and friendly locals.

Also in the area is a pretty whitewashed mountain church amid daisy fields, while a deep gorge provides great trekking and swimming options. Another popular attraction on the road between Kupang and Soe is the Camplong Forest Area. It has a lovely forest setting and a ton of vegetation. Accommodation can be had in Soe and Camplong.

Travel to Soe - Getting There

Soe is 110kms or 3 hours by bus from Kupang, the West Timor capital. Kupang is the gateway town with an airport and seaports. Kupang Airport receives flights from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali (the closest major airport) in 1 hour, 20 minutes. From here you can get regional connections or link with Jakarta in 2 hours.

Soe Things to Do

Soe Attractions

Soe villages

the main village of Soe is surrounded by traditional mountain villages that provide good exploring and accommodation.

Side trips from Soe

Oebelo village: this ancient village lies on the route from Kupang and is known for its traditional music instrument, the sasando, which is made from lontar palm leaves.
Camplong Forest Area: halfway between Soe and Kupang, this protected area is very popular with outdoor types and has a huge range of plants and animals.