Home to thousands of volcanic islands and ethnic groups speaking many different languages, Indonesia offers a culturally fascinating and explorative adventure. The diverse landscape from mountains to beach to volcanic terrain attracts many different types of fauna and flora which are both rare and magnificent. Discover the Komodo Dragons over in Flores or relax on the stunning beaches of Lombok and swim with turtles in the clear blue Indian Ocean. In Indonesia, there is never a dull moment.
Bali Beaches
Bali BeachesBali is protected by larger surrounding islands making it a haven of calm waters and beautiful beaches with a mix of volcanic and white sand. The south coast is busier than the east satisfying both the sociable and reclusive among you.
Borneo
BorneoA giant, rugged island in Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago. This vast rainforest houses some of the most memorable species including the endangered orang-utan and clouded leopard providing endless exploration for nature and wildlife.
Cultural Bali
Cultural BaliBali is an island with many destinations, famous for its luscious green rice paddy fields and welcoming culture. Travel through mountains, volcanoes and waterfalls or visit a tribal village to immerse yourself in local life.
Flores
FloresFor the adventurous, Flores will blow you away with its jaw dropping scenery and landscapes. You can sail through the islands of Komodo and Rinca on your own private boat or journey through the island to discover hidden villages and tribes.
Gili Islands
Gili IslandsThere are three Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, known for the party goers and backpacker crowd, and then Gili Meno and Gili Air which have a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy island life where turtles regularly come to visit!
Java
JavaJava is home to some of the world’s most impressive temples including Borobadur and Prambanan, which are also UNESCO heritage sites. With an abundance of history, remarkable landscapes and cultural experiences, Java is not to be missed.
Lombok
LombokLombok is less developed than Bali and so offers a more relaxed and slower pace of life. Home to some of the best beaches in Indonesia, sun worshippers are rewarded with an idyllic setting. For the active amongst you, Mt Rinjani is also a must.
Sulawesi
SulawesiSulawesi is a huge island filled with thick jungles, white sandy beaches and an impressive abundance of both wild and sea life. This eclectic island excites the courageous. Meet the Toraja Highlanders to complete the experience.
Sumatra
SumatraSumatra is one of the last remaining habitats to the endangered orangutan as well as many other extraordinary flora and fauna. Not for the faint-hearted: be prepared for long journeys. For those that are willing, the rewards are incredible.
Sumba
SumbaSumba is a beautiful savannah filled with hilltop villages, untouched countryside and large stretches of white sandy beaches popular for surfing. Sumba has seen a lot of growth and investment over the last few years so is one to watch and visit soon.
Browse through our itineraries for inspiration. This is just a starting point for your plans so please do get in touch to design one that will meet your exact specifications.
Indonesia Island Discovery
This comprehensive itinerary offers an eclectic experience blending culture, action and beach all in one. Visit the cultural hub of Yogyakarta; a feast for the senses with its local street markets, beautiful temples and stunning landscapes. Take a ferry over to Bali to explore the volcanic beaches of Lovina before immersing yourself in the arts and crafts of Ubud. Finally, end your trip with some well-earned relaxation on some of Indonesia’s best beaches.
Indonesian Family Holiday
This itinerary seamlessly blends adventure with relaxation. Starting your trip in Ubud with White-Water rafting, a Cooking Class and exploratory day trip of the area, then onto the incredible Flores and Labuan Bajo to snorkel, swim and find Komodo Dragons and then finally down in Sanur to reflect on your incredible trip and spend some much needed relaxation time by the beach.
Planning your trip
There are no direct flights to Indonesia so you will have one or two stops dependent on your starting point to get there. Common stopovers include Singapore, Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. Dependent on the type of trip that you are doing, different modes of transport such as private car, train, boat or local airlines will be used to get to your destination. All itineraries will include a private car with driver and English speaking guide which is the best and most efficient way to travel.
Quick country facts
- Recommended airlines
Emirates via Dubai, Malaysian Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. - Flight time
Around 16 -18 hours depending on the length of connection. - Time zone:
GMT +7 - Visa requirements:
Free Visa on arrival 30 day stay (UK passport)
Entry Requirements & safety
UK Foreign Office Travel Advisory
Health & immunisations
NHS Scotland Fit for Travel
General country information
BBC Country Profile
Lonely Planet
Weather
Weather2Travel
BBC Weather
Accommodation and costs
There are plenty of options across Indonesia however more remote and rural parts such as Kalimantan for example offer just very few. If you are organising a more off the beaten track itinerary, it is integral to book at least 6-12 months in advance to get your desired options. Areas such as Bali have almost too much choice and location here is important so make sure to talk with an expert about the best places. Prices can start very reasonably however and not surprisingly due to demand and tourism; luxury properties do also have a place here and provide some incredible but also expensive options. There is something to suit everyone with a mix of boutique hotels, villas and larger hotels with more facilities. If you are trekking into Flores for example, be prepared for very basic accommodation where very little facilities and amenities are provided but do not fear as our experts are on hand to prepare you for each and every situation.
How long to stay
With the time taken to get here, 10 days would be the minimum we’d recommend in Indonesia. A short city stopover on the way there or way back is also highly recommended in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to split the long journey and to add a fun city break in to the mix. In two weeks, you can discover both the beaches and the cultural side of Indonesia. If you can take three to four weeks, you can easily explore several islands, seeing the best and hidden gems that Indonesia has to offer. To see it all would need several trips or at least 4-6 months but the joy of Indonesia is that each part is so different that it can be parcelled up into manageable chunks, each to be visited on separate trips. The average itinerary visits either Java and Bali or Bali and Lombok dependent on the type of trip you are after.
Weather and when to go
Indonesia can be visited all year round due to steady temperatures of high 20’s and high 30’s in peak season, however there are certain times of the year that are drier than others. The best time to go due to the lowest rainfall is between April and September. When the rain does fall, it tends to last only a few hours and falls in the early evening which means that you can still enjoy the sunshine throughout the day. Going out of peak season also means that you can avoid the crowds and also benefit from lower prices. The busiest times year to travel to this area are July and August when the UK school holiday breaks. To get the best prices for peak season, it is advised to book at least 8-12 months in advance.
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