Depart your home country on an overnight flight bound for Yogyakarta.
Java and Indonesian Borneo make a striking double act – one full of ancient temples and volcanoes, the other full of jungle, rivers and remarkable wildlife. This trip ends on the blissful Karimunjawa Islands.
On this suggested holiday, you’ll wander through Java’s grand ruins and watch the sun rise over its volcanic peaks before swapping city streets for Kalimantan’s wild waterways. Glide along rainforest rivers by boat, spot orangutans eating bananas, and soak up the raw beauty of one of Indonesia’s most untouched corners, before stretching out on your own patch of paradise.
Borneo, Java & Beach
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
Day 2
Borobudur, Java
Arrive in Yogyakarta, where your designated driver-guide will be waiting to greet you. They will whisk you to your first hotel near Borobudur, one of the finest temples in South East Asia, to relax after your flight.
Days 3 - 4
Borobudur, Java
Rise early and climb to the top of a nearby hill to watch the sun rise over the towering temple complex amid misty volcanoes and green, leafy landscapes. Dating back to the 8th century, Borobudur is adorned with intricately sculpted reliefs depicting the life of Buddha and key Buddhist principles.
Next, it’s time to explore Yogyakarta. The city is part of the only sultanate left in Indonesia, and you’ll spend the day exploring its royal roots with your guide. Visit the Kraton, the traditional home of the sultan and his court, then wander through the Water Palace, a two-storey retreat.
In the afternoon, leave the city behind and travel to Prambanan, a magnificent 10th-century Hindu temple. Though less restored than Borobudur, it’s a magnificant piece of architecuture. Stay until sunset, when, on a clear evening, the temple’s silhouette stands against a sky of bright reds, pale blues and wisps of white clouds.
Days 5 - 7
Losari, Java
Today, you’ll head north into the ridge of volcanic mountains that bisect the north and south of the island.
With panoramic views of the eight surrounding volcanic peaks, Mesastila is a lovely place to stay. Set on a working coffee plantation, it’s been transformed into a stylish wellness retreat with a traditional Javanese feel. The mix of comfort, style and scenery makes it an incredibly peaceful spot to unwind. If you’re in the mood for something more active, there’s a variety of activities and excursions.
Days 8 - 10
Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
Now it’s time for your wildlife adventure! You’ll travel to Semerang airport for the short flight to Pangkalan Bun in Indonesian Borneo.
Spend the next 3 days exploring Tanjung Puting National Park either by klotok (houseboat) or from a land-based lodge on the riverbank. Keep your eyes peeled for Proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, numerous bird species and of course the famous resident orangutans.
You’ll also visit Camp Leakey, the famous orangutan research and breeding centre, where you’ll trek through the forest to watch the orangutans at their feeding platform with the rangers.
Days 11 - 14
The Karimunjawa Islands
The thrills continue, travel from Pangkalan Bun (via Semerang) to the beautiful archipelago of Karimunjawa, around 80km north of the mainland.
A collection of 27 islands, this Robinson Crusoe paradise has many similarities with The Maldives. With a small local fishing population, the islands are part of a marine national park with extensive coral reefs and a huge range of snorkelling and dive spots that you’ll have almost to yourselves.
You’ll be staying on an idyllic island that is home to a peaceful luxury resort – and nothing else.
Day 15
Fly home
Time to reflect on your adventure and wave goodbye to Indonesia. Travel to Java airport for your flight back home.
First-class Island Hopping in Indonesia
Fantastic journey, away from the tourists hotspots, of Java, Borneo, Bali and Komodo. All means of transport and wide variety of experiences from primary jungle to volcanos to dragons.
Simon & David
9 July 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.
“This is the kind of adventure you’ll remember forever. It’s pretty hard to beat in my books.”
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.