Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Java, Indonesia.
This sensational holiday takes in three very different locations in Indonesia, each with truly outstanding natural beauty.
Each part of the adventure will give you an enriching experience: from relaxing and rejuvenating at a hillside retreat to admiring ancient wonders with a guide to revelling in remote island life with cultural curiosities.
You’ll see the unmissable temples, venture off the beaten track, and go on daring adventures.
Original Adventures in Java & Sumba
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Central Java
On arrival in Yogyakarta, you’ll be welcomed to Indonesia by your private driver and taken to your first hotel: MesaStila, a retreat on a working coffee plantation in a scenic, serene setting.
It’s the perfect place to recover from jetlag and ease into your adventure with luxury facilities and panoramic views of Java’s otherworldy mountainous landscape.
There’s an emphasis on wellness at MesaStila, so you’ll be able to have complimentary spa treatments and practice yoga if you fancy. Or, if you’d prefer something more up-tempo, there’s a range of other activities too, from trekking and cycling to a lovely guided morning walk around the surrounding coffee plantation.
Days 5 - 7
Borobudur, Java
Only in Java do ancient, man-made wonders rise against a backdrop of smoking volcanoes and lush green plains, and this part of your holiday focuses on experiencing that extraordinary side of Indonesia.
Travel by car with your guide towards Borobudur stopping en route to explore the slopes of Mount Ungaran (where you can ride by horseback to Gedong Songo, one of the most beautifully sited temples complexes in Asia).
Continue towards the pièce de résistance, Borobudur Temple: the single largest Buddhist monument in the world. One of the highlights of your time here will undoubtedly be watching the sunrise over the temple from a nearby vantage point, as the light filters through the stupas and the layers of jungle terrain appear from the morning mist. It’s as magical as everyone says.
Get a real feel for Javanese life with a visit to Candirejo village, where local people preserve Indonesia’s timeless traditions. You’ll also explore the Kraton, the Royal Palace, and wander through the awe-inspiring Prambanan Temple at sunset with your guide.
Days 8 - 12
Sumba Island
Today, brace yourself for an incredible stay at a beach retreat that’s often voted ‘The World’s Best Hotel’, no less.
You’ll fly from Yogyakarta to Sumba via Bali. Sumba is a pristine island that’s twice the size of Bali but with only a sixth of the population. It brims with untouched beaches and fantastic surf and many of its inhabitants still follow a traditional way of life.
Nihi Sumba is the ultimate escape-the-crowds beach destination and it’s like nowhere else you will have been before. The hotel itself is distinct and its barefoot-luxury style villas have been hand-built by local craftsmen around private pools and an idyllic sweeping bay.
The location is a world-class surfing spot, and you can go snorkelling, diving or paddle-boarding, too. If you’d like to explore on dry laand, take your pick between exclusive activities: from treks through the paddy fields to mountain biking and visits to villages. Local markets are great places to get a real feel for Sumbanese life, where exotic fruit, chilli peppers and the island’s cherished betel nuts are all piled high.
Day 13
Fly home
Sadly, it’s time to tear yourself away and wave goodbye to Indonesia.
Your driver will drop you off at Sumba airport, where you’ll take a short, 1-hour flight to Bali for your international flight home.
Or, if you’d rather stay in Indonesia a little longer, extend your trip…
A Brilliant Adventure (Bali and Beyond)
Decided we wanted to do more than just go to Bali so asked for something different and some travelling around, and what an adventure it turned out to be. Highlight climbing the Ijen volcano in East Java a fantastic experience with our very experienced guide... Then off to Sumba a magical and intriguing island... The whole trip was a great mixture of adventure, culture and lovely hotels.
Angie
25 March 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Meet Our Indonesia Experts
Lola’s love for Indonesia runs deep – and not just for Bali (though she has a soft spot for its magical interior and knows exactly where to find the best warung for lunch). What really excites her is helping travellers uncover the country’s sheer variety – from the smouldering volcanoes of Java to the rich marine areas in far-flung corners like Raja Ampat.
“If you’re looking for a fabulous exploration of Indonesia, jam-packed with immersive experiences and just the right balance between relaxation and adventure… this is it.”
Lola
Indonesia Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences in Indonesia
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Indonesia
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been crafting immersive holidays in Indonesia for over a decade – long before most travellers look beyond Bali. Our in-depth local knowledge, long-standing partnerships, and genuine love for the country mean we can help you experience Indonesia in a way that’s special and unusual.
Over the years, we’ve developed thoughtful experiences that bring together cultural richness, comfort, and freedom to explore. Think family-friendly beach retreats, wildlife encounters, volcano treks, or private boat trips through island chains few people can name – all tailored to suit you.
With our expert planning and on-the-ground support, you can relax knowing everything’s taken care of – while still having the freedom to discover Indonesia your way. We don’t do one-size-fits-all. Every trip is personalised, every route considered, and every detail planned to help you uncover what makes this country truly remarkable.
Let us show you the Indonesia we know and love.
The short answer? Your best bet is during the summer. The slightly longer answer? Indonesia is massive – a 4,000km stretch of sea and islands, home to thousands of microclimates and shifting seasons. So when you search for the “best time to visit Indonesia” and get five different answers… they’re probably all right. Just for different places.
Most travellers aim for April to October, when much of the country sees its driest, sunniest weather. This works especially well for Bali, Lombok, Java, and Komodo. These months also line up neatly with the European and US summer holidays, which makes planning easier, especially for families.
But here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re heading to Raja Ampat or West Papua, the best time is the opposite – from October to April. Wildlife in Sumatra is great in the mid-year months, while the rainforests of Kalimantan stay steamy year-round (it’s a jungle, after all). And if you’re hoping to catch a particular cultural event or religious festival, that can shift the calendar entirely.
Every ETG holiday to Indonesia is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience Indonesia in a way that’s completely tailored to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our Indonesia specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia
Want to know more? With over 17,000 islands and endless options, planning a holiday to Indonesia can feel a bit much – so we’ve put together our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia to make things simpler.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for first-time visitors and return travellers.