Bali & Java: essential duo
Duration : 12 days
Route : Yogyakarta (3 nights, Borobudur and Prambanan) → Bromo (1 night) → Ijen (1 night) → flight to Bali → Ubud (3 nights) → Sidemen (1 night) → Uluwatu or Seminyak (3 nights)
Custom travel to Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the world's vastest and most fascinating archipelagos — 17,500 islands, 280 million inhabitants, 700 languages, 130 active volcanoes. From Borobudur Temple (the world's largest Buddhist monument) to Sumatra's primary jungle where wild orangutans still live, from the Komodo dragons to Bali's emerald rice paddies, from the coral reefs of Raja Ampat (the world's greatest marine biodiversity) to the spectacular Toraja funerals, the country offers cultural and geographical diversity unmatched in Asia. Every island is a world, every ethnicity a civilization. A trip to Indonesia is never a single destination: it's a dive into a vertiginous human mosaic.
Highlights
- Bali: rice paddies, temples, and beaches (dedicated guide available)
- Java: Borobudur, Prambanan, Bromo and Ijen volcanoes
- Sumatra: Bukit Lawang orangutans, Lake Toba
- Komodo: dragons and Pink Beach
- Sulawesi: Toraja people and their ceremonies
- Raja Ampat: the world's greatest marine biodiversity
Sample itineraries
Komodo, Bali, and Sulawesi
Duration : 16 days
Route : Bali Ubud (2 nights) → flight Labuan Bajo → pinisi cruise Komodo (4 days / 3 nights) → flight Sulawesi Makassar → Toraja country (3 nights) → Bira coast or Togian islands (3 nights) → back to Bali or Java (2 nights)
Sumatra, jungle, and orangutans
Duration : 14 days
Route : Medan → Bukit Lawang (3 nights, jungle and orangutans) → Berastagi and Lake Toba (3 nights) → flight Padang → Mentawai (3 nights, surf and tribe) → Bali final flight (4 nights)
When to go
Indonesia is ideally visited April to October — dry season everywhere, stable temperatures (26-32 °C), little rain, sunny skies. May to September is optimal for diving in Komodo and Raja Ampat. Toraja ceremonies concentrate in August-October. Rainy season (November-March) is wetter but remains doable in Bali (short showers). Avoid January-February for Sumatra (intense monsoon). At Raja Ampat, the dry season from October to April is paradoxically the best (clear waters).
- Low dry season (April – June) — Bali, Java, Komodo, Sumatra — perfect everywhere
- High dry season (July – October) — Toraja ceremonies (Aug-Oct), Komodo diving, Raja Ampat
- Shoulder season (October – November) — Bali, Java, Raja Ampat (dry season)
- Rainy season (December – March) — Bali, Raja Ampat (paradoxically the best season)
Practical information
Indonesia is generally safe in tourist zones — main risks are taxi scams (prefer Grab/Gojek in cities), pickpocketing in markets and bus transport. Cultural codes: covered clothing mandatory in temples (sarong provided on-site), remove shoes before entering homes, don't point feet at a statue or person. Ramadan modifies hours in Muslim zones (Java, Sumatra). Tap water not recommended — prefer bottled water. Antimalarial recommended for Sumatra, Sulawesi, Papua. Yellow fever vaccine if arriving from an endemic zone. A few Indonesian words (selamat pagi = hello, terima kasih = thank you) always appreciated.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for an Indonesia trip?
April to October offers the best conditions everywhere (dry season). May-September is optimal for diving in Komodo and Raja Ampat. Toraja ceremonies in August-October. Avoid January-February for Sumatra (intense monsoon).
How long for an Indonesia trip?
Minimum 12 days for Bali + Java. 14-16 days to add Komodo. 21 days to combine 3-4 islands (Bali + Java + Komodo + Sulawesi or Sumatra). Longer for Raja Ampat (demanding logistics).
What budget for a custom Indonesia trip?
As a guideline, €2,200-€3,200 per person for 12-14 days in comfort, excluding flights. For an upscale trip with Aman or luxury pinisi: €5,500-€12,000. Paris-Bali flights: €700-€1,400.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
30-day e-VOA mandatory ($35), apply online before departure or on arrival. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond return date, with at least 2 blank pages.
Bali or wider Indonesia: which to choose?
Bali only (10-14 days) if it's your first Southeast Asia trip or you want rest. Wider Indonesia (Bali + Java, or more) if you really want to understand the archipelago and don't shy from domestic flights. A dedicated Bali guide exists on this site.
How to travel between islands?
Garuda or Citilink domestic flights (1-2 h between main islands). Fast boat or pinisi for Komodo, Gili, Togian. On each island: private driver recommended. Avoid unreliable low-cost airlines (Lion Air sometimes).
Can I see Komodo dragons safely?
Yes, on Komodo and Rinca islands, in the national park. Visits are in group with a ranger armed with a forked stick (the dragon is extremely dangerous: its saliva contains lethal bacteria). Never approach alone. Females can attack if you approach their nest (April-June).
How does a pinisi cruise work?
From Labuan Bajo (Flores), boarding a traditional wooden sailboat for 3-7 days. Double cabins, included meals, snorkeling equipment, navigation between 5-15 sites. From modest 4 cabins (€80/day/person) to privatized luxury-pinisi (from €1,500/day/person).
Is Indonesia safe for a trip?
Yes in tourist zones. Main risks: taxi scams, pickpocketing, scooter accidents (top risk). Avoid restless zones (some Papua regions). Health precautions: antimalarial for Sumatra/Sulawesi/Papua, hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines recommended.
Is Indonesia suitable for a family trip?
Bali and Java yes, from 8 years old. For Komodo, 10-12 minimum (walking can be demanding). Sumatra and Sulawesi are more demanding (jungle, long distances) — favor 12 and over. Many family hotels, kid-friendly experiences (snorkeling, dragons, volcanoes).