Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Java, Indonesia.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
April - October
Cross Java and Bali from west to east and watch the scenery shift in front of your eyes – from smouldering volcanoes and emerald rice terraces to mangroves and coffee and cocoa plantations.
Along the way, you’ll admire the age-old temples around Yogyakarta, scale the volcanoes for mesmerising views, and visit rural villages with your guide.
On Bali, you’ll uncover corners most travellers miss: swimming and snorkelling from quiet white-sand beaches (yes, they exist – you just need to know where to look), and soaking up the island’s spiritual side in Ubud.
Journey East across Java & Bali
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.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Borobudur, Java
On arrival in Yogyakarta, you’ll be welcomed to Indonesia by your private driver and taken to your hotel near Borobudur. Here, you’ll have time for post-flight relaxation and to explore the temple, taking in the magnificent scenes at sunset and sunrise.
Constructed during the 8th century, Borobudur was decorated with delicately sculptured reliefs representing the life of Buddha and the Buddhist belief in karma and reincarnation.
Rise early to climb to the top of a nearby hill to witness the majestic sunrise over the temple, backed by volcanoes and a misty forested plateau to the east. After admiring the monument, you can either go back to the hotel for some R&R or spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding area.
Day 5
Yogyakarta, Java
Today, your driver will take you to Yogyakarta, part of the only sultanate remaining in Indonesia.
You’ll visit the Kraton, the traditional home of the sultan and the Royal Court, and the two-story mansion retreat known as the Water Palace.
In the afternoon, you’ll leave the city and visit the magnificent tenth-century Hindu temple, Prambanan and the lesser-known Plaosan temple. Stay here ’til sunset to see the temple turn into a striking silhouette as the sky behind turns crimson and lilac and wisps of white clouds float overhead.
Days 6 - 7
Malang, Java
Hop on a train and head east through the scenic central mountains towards Jombang, East Java.
Your guide will accompany you, and your driver can take your luggage to Jombang the night before. He’ll then meet you at the train station and take you through the beautiful countryside to Malang via the small plantation villages of Pujon Batu, where you can stop and take in the scenery and explore the villages. You’ll stay in a characterful hotel in the heart of the city.
Spend a day exploring the city, from its colonial architecture and array of art centres to the botanical gardens and a number of local temples. Malang is refreshingly temperate and surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Days 8 - 9
Bromo
Next up, you’ll travel for about an hour from Malang towards your hotel in Mount Bromo. Check in to your new hotel and enjoy a couple of hours R&R before heading towards Bromo for sunset. Most people visit the crater for sunrise, but sunset is atmospheric too, and you can revel in the experience with far fewer crowds.
The next day, rise early and head to Penanjakan Mountain for spectacular sunrise views across to Bromo and beyond. You’ll soak up 360-degree views of Argopuro Mountain from the eastern side, a group of mountains next to Bromo crater and Semeru Mountain erupting in the background. Feel the breeze of the morning air while waiting for the sunrise, accompanied by some hot coffee and tea. Hop back in your jeep to head back to your hotel for a lazy afternoon.
(If you’re short on time, you can head straight from Bromo to Surabaya airport and fly to Bali, skipping Ijen and East Bali to keep the trip to roughly two weeks).
Days 10 - 11
Ijen
Hop on the train for a 4-hour journey across East Java. The journey snakes through rice fields and lush jungle towards Banyuwangi.
On arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel on the Ijen plateau.
The next morning, wake up early to explore the remarkable beauty of Mount Ijen. You’ll pass through rural villages, coffee and clove plantations, and into dense rainforest where humidity hangs in the air and giant ferns and towering trees line the slopes.
You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the plateau and the otherworldly turquoise sulphur lake of Kawah Ijen, which will take your breath away (sound cliché but it’s true).
Days 12 - 14
Pemuteran, Bali
Say goodbye to Java and take a short ferry across the Bali Strait to the West Bali National Park.
Explore forests, mangroves and vibrant coral reefs, and snorkel or dive at some of Bali’s best sites.
You’ll spend three nights here in a peaceful beach villa on a beautiful bay.
Days 15 - 16
Munduk, Bali
Today, head along Bali’s north coast to Munduk and settle into a working coffee plantation.
Trek through coffee and cocoa fields, cross mountain paths and forested valleys, and pause at cascading waterfalls. If you’re up for more adventure, canoe across Tamblingan, a serene crater lake surrounded by jungle.
Days 17 - 19
Ubud, Bali
Your driver will whisk you to Ubud.
In Bali’s cultural capital, you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the artwork, architecture, food and rural scenery that make this region so special.
You’ll go on a wonderful walk through paddy fields with a Balinese Brahmin, gaining unique insights into the surrounding nature, religion, and the intricate rituals intertwined with daily life on ‘The Island of the Gods’. Round off the walk at your guide’s house with a traditional lunch and a Balinese blessing.
If you’re in the mood for more adventure, whizz through the island’s lush tropical paddy fields, coffee plantations and local villages by e-bike. One of ETG’s favourite routes is the downhill cycle ride from Mount Batur, which suits all abilities.
Day 20
Fly home
Your driver will drop you off at the airport for your flight back home.
Or, if you’d rather stay in Indonesia a little longer, extend your trip and explore other islands…
Temples, Volcanoes and Dragons of Indonesia
A 16 night family holiday with 2 teenage boys. We did enough cultural visits to keep mum happy but with volcano visit, swimming pools, Komodo dragons, snorkelling and seeing Manta rays the boys had a fantastically diverse holiday. I have used Experience Travel Group three times now and would highly recommend them.
Lynne
12 July 2019Excellent
850 Reviews
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:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
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:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
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.
