- ✓ Spot wild orangutans in Sumatra’s jungle
- ✓ Witness sunrise over mystical Borobudur temple
- ✓ Hike the volcanic slopes of Mount Bromo
- ✓ Seek out giant Komodo dragons
- ✓ Stroll through Bali’s vibrant green rice terraces
Discover the highlights of Indonesia in this 3-week itinerary covering four of our most favourite islands. Spot swinging orangutans in the dense Sumatran jungle, watch the sun rise up over the magical temples of Borobudur, and gaze over the volcanic landscape in the famous Bromo National Park. Cycle through local villages and lush green rice paddies, search for hidden ancient Komodo dragons, and finish up with a pampering massage on a golden beach.
Day 1 - Arrive in Medan (Sumatra)
Your Indonesian adventure begins on Sumatra, one of the country’s wilder and more untamed islands. You’ll fly into Medan, the bustling capital and gateway to North Sumatra, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. We’ve chosen a small hotel just outside the city centre, tucked away in a peaceful kampung area with a swimming pool, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after your international flight.
Day 2 - Motorised becak tour of Medan
For today we’ve arranged a motorised becak tour in Medan, a fun and authentic way to experience the city. Climb aboard a local rickshaw and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of everyday life as you explore the bustling streets. Depending on the day, you’ll visit two local families or combine a family visit with a trip to a traditional market. Get a glimpse into daily kampung life and try your hand at making local treats, from banana and cassava chips to traditional sweets and cakes.
Day 3 - Travel into the jungles of Bukit Lawang
It’s time to discover the wilds of Sumatra. You’ll travel by private car to Bukit Lawang, a convenient base for treks into the jungle. The drive gives you a first feel for Sumatra’s greener, more rugged landscapes, that are very different from other Indonesian islands. By afternoon you’ll arrive at a simple eco-lodge overlooking the jungle, where you’ll sleep for the next two nights. The lodge is around a 20-minute walk from the drop-off point, and porters are on hand to help carry your bags.
Day 4 - Guided jungle trek & orangutan spotting
Today you’ll head out early for a guided jungle trek. Take a small boat across the river and walk to the orangutan feeding platform on the edge of the rainforest. This site was set up to support orangutan rehabilitation, and at set times rangers put out fruit which can draw semi-wild orangutans out of the trees. It’s a great opportunity to (hopefully) spot orangutans at close range.
Afterward, you’ll continue deeper into the hilly rainforest, following narrow trails and scrambling over roots. Your knowledgeable local guide will be scanning the jungle for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for wild orangutans moving through the treetops. Return to your lodge in the afternoon.
Day 5 - Return to Medan
Head out of the jungle and back to civilisation! You’ll spend another night in Medan before continuing your Indonesian island-hopping adventure. If you missed Maimun Palace, the former royal residence, and the impressive Grand Mosque on your first visit, now’s your chance to explore these highlights. Or simply soak up the city’s lively atmosphere before your next island adventure.
Day 6 - Fly to Yogyakarta on the island of Java
The next stop on your Indonesian adventure is Java, the country’s political and economic heart and its most populous island. You’ll take a short flight from Medan to Yogyakarta, Java’s cultural capital, known for its ancient temples, lively streets, traditional arts and laid-back atmosphere. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, wander the streets and get your first taste of Yogyakarta.
Day 7 - Sunrise over Borobudur...
This morning, you’ll be up before the sun to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site at Borobudur, drenched in spiritual atmosphere. It’s the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries, and at sunrise it’s swirling with strands of morning mist. Borobudur is very popular of course, so we can’t promise that you’ll have it all to yourself, but visitor numbers are limited by the government. At the top of the temple, there are 72 small open stupas, most with a meditating Buddha in the centre. To make a wish, reach through the latticed stonework and touch the lucky Buddha in the centre of the stupa. Men should touch the hand, women should touch the heel.
Please note that to manage overcrowding, the number of visitors permitted to climb Borobudur every hour is limited, and is not possible at all on Mondays. We will do our best to secure a climb slot for you but it is not guaranteed.
... & discover Yogya's nightlife with a local
This evening, you’ll get a taste of everyday life in Yogyakarta. Make your own way to our local office, where you’ll meet your guide before heading to Alun-Alun Kidul, one of the city’s lively public squares. After a little introduction to its history, you’ll join the locals and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Grab a bite at a traditional lesehan, hop on a colourful becak or have a go at the famous Masangin game, where you try to walk between two ancient banyan trees while blindfolded. Finish the evening with a freshly brewed coffee or ice-cold beer and some local snacks before making your own way back to your hotel.
Day 8 - Travel to Sukuh via Prambanan & Solo
Today you’ll leave Yogyakarta, travelling inland towards the east. Your first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan. Built in the 10th century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. Afterwards, you’ll travel to Solo. The driver will drop you off at the ‘Kraton’ in the centre of town where you can roam through the various rooms of this royal palace. Then continue to Sukuh, a town nestled high between mountain peaks, known mostly for its erotic temple. We guarantee that the carvings here will raise an eyebrow or two. It’s a peaceful place that will give you a taste of local life beyond the usual tourist track. You’ll spend the night in a charming cottage.
Day 9 - Countryside walk & onto Malang
Prepare for a long travel day of approximately 9 hours. But first, stretch your legs on a walk through an untouched part of Java. The route starts at the temple and continues over a hilly landscape towards Tawangmangu. On the way you will pass plantations where all kinds of vegetables are grown. The locals are very friendly and will wave and smile. When you arrive in Tawangmangu you will continue your journey to Malang by car, arriving in the early evening. You will spend the night in a simple but atmospheric hotel.
Day 10 - Jeep safari to Bromo volcano for sunset
This morning, take your time exploring Malang with your driver before heading towards Mount Bromo in the afternoon. You’ll approach the volcano from the quieter southern side, away from the crowds that arrive from the north. After a few hours on the road, you’ll swap your car for a jeep and cross an otherworldly volcanic landscape towards the foot of Bromo. From here, you’ll climb to the crater rim and peer into the steaming crater below.
Back in the jeep, you’ll head to a viewpoint to watch the surrounding volcanoes glow in the evening light. It’s a popular spot, so you won’t have it entirely to yourself, but it’s generally quieter than at sunrise. As the sun sets, your guide will bring you a meal to enjoy while you take in the views. Afterwards, you’ll be driven to your simple accommodation at the foot of the volcano for the night.
Day 11 - Travel to Surabaya, fly to the island of Bali & transfer to Ubud
It’s time to move on to your next Indonesian island: Bali, perhaps the country’s best-known. You’ll be transferred to Surabaya Airport in time for your flight to Denpasar, where you’ll be met and driven to Ubud, around an hour away. Known as Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud is surrounded by lush rice terraces, traditional villages and jungle, with plenty of opportunities to experience local life and Balinese traditions.
Once you’ve settled into your hotel, head out and explore Ubud at your own pace. Browse the local art studios, stop at a cosy coffee shop or find a warung for a tasty Balinese snack. You can also wander through the Sacred Monkey Forest, where ancient temples, towering trees and cheeky long-tailed macaques create one of Ubud’s most atmospheric sights.
Day 12 - Explore the countryside & local villages
After breakfast you’ll be picked up by your guide who will take you out of town and into the surrounding countryside. You’ll visit a traditional village to get a glimpse into local life, visit a rural temple and cross into an area covered with rice fields that tumble down the hillside. At the bottom of the valley, mystical royal tombs lie hidden amongst the cliffs.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling energetic, we can arrange a cycling tour. With this option, you’ll be picked up by private car for the drive into the hills of Kintamani, where you’ll begin pedalling through the remarkably beautiful countryside. You’ll whizz past women carrying fruit offerings, bamboo forests and waving children in the local villages. Let your Travel Specialist know if you’d prefer to include the cycle tour.
Day 13 - Fly to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores
Today, you’ll be transferred back to Denpasar airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Flying time today takes roughly 2.5 hours. Flores is one of Indonesia’s lesser-known islands, where rugged volcanic landscapes, lush hills and traditional villages create an off-the-beaten-track feel. It’s best known as the gateway to Komodo National Park.
Your base for the next two nights is Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of the island. The town has grown rapidly in recent years as tourism has increased, but it still has a lively local atmosphere and makes a convenient base for exploring the spectacular islands and turquoise waters of Komodo National Park.
Day 14 - In search of Komodo dragons on the islands of Rinca & Komodo
Today you’ll go in search of giant Komodo dragons with a local ranger and guide who knows the islands like the back of his hand. Komodo Dragons are a protected species, so the T-shaped stick he carries is only meant to keep the lizards at a safe distance. The creatures aren’t exactly dangerous but they’re not entirely harmless either; there are millions of bacteria in a Komodo bite – enough to kill a person.
After visiting Komodo, you’ll continue to Rinca. The landscape here is greener and hillier than Komodo, and you can take a 2-hour walk across the island with a local guide with fantastic views across the sea and the island. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot the odd dragon amongst the horses, deer, water buffalo and monkeys. After the tour, you’ll return to Labuan Bajo.
Days 15 - 17 - Fly back to Bali, travel to Sanur & relax
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport at Labuan Bajo for a flight back to Denpasar (Bali). It’s just under a 2 hour flight. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred the short distance to the beach resort of Sanur. And relax…
Your time in Sanur is completely free for you to do as you please. Stretch out by the pool, take a leisurely walk along the beach and grab a cocktail at sunset. During your stay we’ll arrange a relaxing spa treatment for you.
Day 18 - Depart from Indonesia
Your epic Indonesian adventure has come to an end. Take one last dip in the pool, stroll along the beach and make the most of your final few hours in paradise. We’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. If three nights on the beach doesn’t feel like quite enough, just ask your Travel Specialist to add an extra night or two to your trip.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
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3 weeks in Indonesia - In Style accommodation
If you’d like to add a little extra comfort to your trip, our In Style options offer a choice of more luxurious stays, unique accommodation or more comfortable transport, while still keeping that authentic local feel. Simply select the In Style option below to upgrade your itinerary.