Indonesia in depth: Sulawesi, Java and Bali
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

Journey though the incredibly diverse and visually stunning country of Indonesia on this trip that shows you the many faces of the island nation. Meet the locals, wander the cities, climb the volcanoes and soak up the atmosphere across the three islands of Sulawesi, Java and Bali.

 Highlights include –

• Trek through Sulawesi’s remote villages and learn about their fascinating funeral rituals (observers are welcomed during the burial season)
• Visit the unique and elaborately painted Tongkonan houses
• See the sun rise like you never have before over the peaks of Borobudur
• Walk through the beautiful Ubud countryside with a local Balinese priest

• International flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accomodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel experts in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here. 

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK.

Day 2 Manado (Sulawesi)

You will be met by your guide when you arrive at the airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at leisure.

Day 3 Manado (SULAWESI)

Spend today recovering from the long flight by relaxing on the beach and maybe trying a bit of snorkelling at your ocean-front hotel just outside of Manado.

Day 4 Manado (SULAWESI)

Visit the local village of Woloan to see the construction of traditional Minahasan houses. Then sample some local snacks at Tomohon market such as monkeys, rats and even bats! After lunch visit Tondano Lake, the pottery village of Pulutan as well as a weaving factory to see local weaving traditions being practiced. Your last stop of the day is Lake Linow, known locally as “changing colour lake”.

Day 5 Makassar (SULAWESI) 

Transfer to the airport and take a short flight to Makassar. The rest of the day is at leisure.          

Day 6 Makassar (SULAWESI) 

Visit Makassar’s Old Dutch for called Fort Rotterdam. The beautiful courtyard buildings are home to the Lagaligo Museum, which details the ethnology and vibrant history of the area. After your visit to the Fort, you will head to Paotere, which is the local Bugunese harbour and was a very important strategic port for the Dutch. Spend some time admiring the handsome and world famous “Phinisi” or Bugis wooden Schooners, or pick up some salted fish from the local fisherman.

Day 7 Tana Toraja (SULAWESI)

Drive to Tana Toraja which takes roughly 8-9 hours in total, including stops along the way. The scenic drive follows the coast to Pare Pare where you will stop for lunch . From here you will head inland up into the stunning mountains.

Day 8 Tana Toraja (SULAWESI)

Explore the eerie yet beautiful traditional ancestral hanging graves, effigies and cave tombs of Lemo and Londa. High-class Toraja are entombed in cave graves or hanging graves in the steep cliffs around these sites, which are guarded over by tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) carved in their image. Learn about the intricate Christian and ‘animalism' hybrid religion that has developed uniquely to this region of Sulawesi. You will also visit Kete Kesu, a wonderful Toraja village, where you will be able to see the incredibly unique Tongkonan houses and rice barns, which are designed to look like boats.

Day 9 Tana Toraja (SULAWESI)

Though traditional money is accepted in Toraja, you will soon find out that the local 'currency' in Toraja is cattle! So for a unique insight into how this community functions head down to the local cattle market- if you’re lucky you may even spot the exclusive and expensive 'Mercedes' cow! Life for the Toraja revolves around death, and the local people spend their days earning the money to send away their dead properly. These animals play a crucial, though gruesome, part in the funeral rites of Toraja, hence are exceptionally prized processions. The Trojan’s believe than your soul cannot leave this earth without a suitable funeral and offering- the more powerful you are the more sacrifices you will need. Hence the funeral business is an exceptionally profitable business in Toraja.

Day 10 Tana Toraja (SULAWESI)

Trek to a local Toraja village, where you can interact with the villages and witness the unique funeral rites, which this part of Indonesia has become famous for. As well as live sacrifices (which aren’t for everyone) there are also the traditional dances, large feasts and huge family gatherings are well worth stopping by for!

You will then head up to Batutumanga and the stunning countryside surrounding Rantepao, which is one of Tana Toraja's main towns, where the views over the town and surrounding valley are amazing. Stop at Palawa village to learn more about the boat houses, rice barns and granaries, and their place in the Toraja heritage and culture.

Day 11 Makassar (SULAWESI)

Drive back to Makassar where you will spend one night relaxing after the long drive.

Day 12 Yogyakarta (Java)

Transfer to the airport and fly to Yogyakarta, where you will be transferred to your hotel to spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 13 Yogyakarta (java)

In the morning visit Borobudur temple, a Buddhist temple built sometime between AD750-850 by the rulers of the Sailendra dynasty. The best time to visit the temple is at sunrise when the sun rises majestically from in between the two volcanic peaks that tower over the eastern horizon.

After breakfast at a nearby local restaurant, continue on to Candirejo, a traditional Javanese village in a beautiful natural setting. You will then take a ride in an “Andong”, a traditional Yogyakartan horse-drawn carriage.

Day 14 Yogyakarta (Java)

Enjoy a Solo city tour including a visit to the beautiful Royal Mangkunegaran Palace and Triwindu Flea Market, to see if you can scoop up some bargains and traditional pieces of your own! In the afternoon drive eastward to into the charming countryside around the city, where you will discover the atmospheric ancient Sukuh temple.

Day 15 Yogyakarta (Java)

Today you will experience historical Yogyakarta and visit The Kraton, the traditional home of the sultan and the royal court. You will also be taken to visit Taman Sari Complex, also known as Water Castle with its underwater tunnel, sunken bathing pools, meditation chambers and 18 lavish tropical gardens. In the afternoon visit the magnificent Prambanan temple, best visited around sunset. 

Day 16 Ubud (Bali)

Fly to the island of Bali and transfer to Ubud, the cultural capital. Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 17 Ubud (Bali)

Take a private walking tour through the beautiful countryside surrounding Ubud. You will be guided through local villages and paddy fields by a local Balinese Priest who will offer a great insight into Balinese nature, religion and culture. After the walk you will finish up at the Priests house, where you will receive a traditional Balinese lunch, followed by a Balinese blessing.

Day 18 & 19 Ubud (Bali)

Two free days at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful Balinese countryside.

Day 20 Fly Home

Transfer to Denpasar, Bali’s airport, for your flight home.