A wonderful journey through Indonesia
Indonesia is a huge country with no fewer than 17,000 islands. A wonderfully diverse country with the most beautiful volcanoes, impressive temples, beautiful beaches and delicious food! Definitely one of my favorite destinations in Southeast Asia. Because Indonesia is such a diverse country, many different travel routes are possible. During my four-week trip I visited the islands of Java, Bali and Lombok , probably the three most popular destinations that can easily be combined! At the bottom of my itinerary you will find some nice suggestions for other beautiful places and islands. In addition, during my visit to Indonesia in 2018, I experienced a violent earthquake, which ultimately prevented me from visiting a number of places. Below you can read my original route, but unfortunately I was not able to create a separate page for each destination.
Day 1: Jakarta
Your journey starts in the capital of Indonesia: Jakarta. I personally left here as quickly as possible. Jakarta does have a number of nice sights, such as the old part of Kota Tua and the national museum, but because Indonesia has so much more to offer, I would recommend traveling to the next destination on Java as quickly as possible.
Day 7: Ijen vulcano
After climbing Mount Bromo, you will travel the same day to the starting point for a climb of the Ijen volcano . At night you start this challenging walk where you can spot the 'blue fire': a naturally unique phenomenon. Enjoy a beautiful view of the lake with a characteristic turquoise color.
Day 2-4: Yogyakarta
After a long train journey with beautiful views, you arrive in the cultural capital of Java, Yogyakarta ! Here you will visit the very impressive and famous temple complexes Borobudur and Prambanan. I have seen a lot of temples in Asia, but together with the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, these two temples are definitely among my favorites! You can discover Yogyakarta by bicycle taxi that takes you through the narrow streets of the city.
Day 7-9: Lovina
Time to relax after these strenuous days in the north of Bali: Lovina ! After climbing the Ijen Volcano, you will board the ferry to Bali the same day. Stay somewhere in the north of Bali, such as the touristy Lovina, to relax at a beautiful resort.
Day 5-6: Bromo vulcano
From Yogyakarta you can easily book a tour to the Bromo volcano, where you can enjoy the most beautiful sunrise during this trip! Climb to the top of this active volcano and enjoy breathtaking views! Are you a fan of volcanoes? Then first make a stop at the active volcano Mount Merapi.
Day 10-12: Ubud
When you are completely recharged, you can discover the beautiful surroundings of Ubud. From the most beautiful green rice terraces to beautiful temples and impressive waterfalls. The area has a relaxed and quiet atmosphere, but in the center of Ubud, like the rest of Bali, it is very busy with scooters and cars. So make sure you book a nice apartment or hotel that is located in peace and quiet!
Day 14-17: Kuta Lombok
Many tourists will then choose to stay in one of Bali's popular coastal destinations, such as Sanur, Seminyak, Canggu or Kuta Bali. A nice quieter option is Amed, on the east coast of Bali. You can also dive and snorkel here! However, I would recommend traveling by ferry or plane to the beautiful island of Lombok. Unlike Bali, Lombok has not yet been transformed into a large Western hipster and influencer paradise. Here you will experience a more authentic atmosphere on even more beautiful beaches. I found Lombok to be a real breath of fresh air in contrast to the very popular Bali!
Start your stay on Lombok in the seaside resort of Kuta! Here you can enjoy great surfing!
Day 18-20: Mount Rinjani
For sports enthusiasts and adventurers, it is time for an extremely tough challenge: the climb of Mount Rinjani. It is an active volcano with a height of 3,726 meters, the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Unfortunately we could not start this climb, because the first mild earthquake had already occurred here a few days earlier (which turned out to be a number of foreshocks before a fairly violent earthquake). This is one of the reasons why I would love to go back to this beautiful island one day.
Day 21-22: Sengiggi
After an intensive climb you can relax in one of the beautiful resorts in Sengiggi. From Sengiggi you can visit two very beautiful and impressive waterfalls: Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep. Highly recommended! Unfortunately, we had to cancel our trip at this point due to the earthquake in 2018. We returned to Kuta (Lombok), where we relaxed and recovered from the shock.
Day 23-26: Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are a group of three beautiful tropical bounty islands located off the coast of Lombok. Gili Trawangan, is the largest and most lively island. Enjoy a wonderful nightlife and many activities here. Gili Air is the second largest island and has a more relaxed atmosphere. Looking for a mix of rest and activities? Then Gili Air is a perfect island! Gili Meno is the smallest island, known for its peaceful and romantic atmosphere, a perfect destination for couples looking for peace and quiet! The Gili Islands have something to offer for everyone, but what they have in common are beautiful beaches, sunsets and great snorkeling and diving spots!
Day 27-29: Nusa Islands
Travel by boat to another beautiful island group off the coast of Bali: the Nusa Islands. Stay on Nusa Lembongan, the most developed island with a range of restaurants and accommodations. Enjoy beautiful white sandy beaches and hidden bays here. You can easily visit Nusa Ceningan by scooter, connected to Nusa Lembongan by the famous Yellow Bridge. Definitely visit Nusa Penida, the largest island, which is known for the most spectacular beach in Bali: Kelingking Beach. You can also enjoy wonderful diving and snorkeling with manta rays here.
Day 30: Travel back home
You can fly back home via Denpensar. During this long flight you can look back on a wonderful journey through this very special and beautiful country with extremely friendly people, fantastic food, impressive temples, great beaches and the most beautiful nature!
Other options for a beautiful itinerary
Some other great options:
-
Explore some beautiful coastal spots in Bali, such as Uluwatu and Canggu. These are very popular destinations among many tourists, but this also results in very cool nightlife and delicious restaurants! Canggu is a really cool place where you will spot many surfers.. Do you prefer luxury and a Western vibe? Then these two places are highly recommended!
-
Visit the island of Sumatra, via the gateway Medan. In Sumatra it is possible to spot orangutans and other wild animals. Time for a trek in the jungle! On Sumatra you will also find the impressive Lake Toba, which is the largest crater lake in the world. Here you will learn more about the rich culture of the Batak people in their traditional villages. A visit to Bukittinggi is also recommended: here you can explore the impressive Harau Valley where you can admire the largest flower in the world: the Rafflesia flower.
-
Admire the famous Komodo dragons during a visit to the island of Flores. It is recommended to book a multi-day boat trip from Lombok to spot the Komodo dragon, among other things. On Flores you will also find beautiful beaches such as Kanawa and Pink Beach or visit the Kelimutu volcano surrounded by colored crater lakes. In addition, Flores has a beautiful coral reef off the coast! A great destination that has not yet been affected by mass tourism.
-
For the avid divers among us, a visit to Raja Ampat is a must: this place is known as one of the best diving destinations in the world.
-
Other beautiful islands to visit in Indonesia are the Moluccas or Sulawesi.
Shorter than 30 nights:
Do you have less time in Indonesia? Then determine carefully where your priorities are? Do you want to relax in the most beautiful resorts and enjoy luxurious restaurants? Then choose Bali! A wonderful island with plenty to do and experience for at least two weeks. Do you want more adventure? Then choose Lombok and Java and climb a number of beautiful volcanoes. Fancy sun, sea and beach? Then definitely don't miss the Gili Islands! This way you can easily adapt your trip to your preferences.