Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Java, Indonesia.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
April - October
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.
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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
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
Regional Expert
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.
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Java, Indonesia
MesaStila Resort and Spa
A wonderful wellness retreat in a coffee plantation. With volcano views. Ideal for relaxing in a remote pocket of Java.
Highlights
Highlights
Verdant views,
Blissful remote setting
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
Gallery
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Sumba
Nihi Sumba
An epic island escape. Wild beauty, sensational surf and tribal traditions. Consistently ranked ‘World’s Best Hotel’ by Travel+Leisure.
Highlights
Highlights
Private island idyll,
Unique adventures
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
Gallery
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Java, Indonesia
Amanjiwo
A very special, luxury hotel overlooking Borobudur Temple. Rooted in Java’s cultural heart.
Highlights
Highlights
Soul-stirring scenery,
Phenomenal pool
Best for
Couples
Gallery
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.
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Sumba, Indonesia
Surfing the Waves of Sumba
Experience some of the world’s best waves on Sumba Island, where the luxury beach retreat Nihi Sumba sits directly in front of “Occy’s Left” – a world-class barrelling left-hand break named after Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo.
Make the most of your stay by getting on a board, no matter your experience. Nihi Sumba offers lessons for every ability, so you can sharpen your skills or catch your very first wave. Intermediate surfers can take advantage of superb conditions at the resort and on other beaches around Sumba, while beginners can learn the basics in calmer coves with the guidance of an instructor.
Gallery
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Borobudur, Java, Indonesia
Explore the Mysteries of Borobudur Temple
Borobudur, a vast 9th-century Buddhist temple set an hour north of Yogyakarta, is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable ancient sites. Built from over two million carved stones, it rises in terraces with intricate reliefs and 72 stupas housing statues of Buddha. Lost for centuries and later restored, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best time to see it is at sunrise — we know a secret hilltop spot for an unforgettable view of the temple complex, framed by mist-laden jungle and volcanoes.
Gallery
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Borobudur, Java, Indonesia
Explore UNESCO Heritage at Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is a huge Hindu temple complex erected in the middle of the ninth century, some 50 years after the nearby and more illustrious Buddhist temple of Borobudur. However, while it does not have quite the same level of fame as Borobudur and is still not fully restored to its former glory, it is undoubtedly a magnificent piece of architecture and the sculptures and reliefs on the main Shiva temple are among the best examples of Hindu art to be found. Like Borobudur, Prambanan is blessed with the natural beauty provided by a lush green plateau surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Very little is known about the early history of the temple but it is thought that it was built by Rakai Pikatan to celebrate his marriage to the Buddhist Sailendra Princess Pramodhavardhani. This united the Sailendras to the south with the Hindu Sanjayas to the north and meant the return of a Hindu dynasty to sole power in Java. The main temple complex consisted of 8 main and 8 minor temples on a central courtyard, surrounded by 244 small temples in the outer compound. Unlike many temple complexes, Prambanan was not constructed in a symmetrical manner. The largest of the temples, dedicated to Shiva, rises majestically to 47m and is lavishly carved. At the time of writing, you could not get particularly close, but you could still admire the huge range of sculptures and reliefs that tell the story of Lord Rama’s wife, Sita. It is possible to climb and enter the remaining temples and admire their intricate artwork or simply sit and enjoy the setting.
As was the case with Borobudur, the temple was destroyed by a combination of the Hindu-Buddhist exodus east and a number of eruptions and earthquakes. It was not until 1937 that reconstruction started in earnest. As it stands, the central 16 temples have been reconstructed but only two of the 244 outer structures have been rebuilt – although the remains of these are piled in position. The temple also suffered from an earthquake in 2006 and while the temples remained standing, hundreds of stones collapsed or were cracked, which has put the effort to fully restore the entire complex back even further.
The best time to visit the temple is at sunset, when you can climb one of the eastern temples and watch as the sun sets in between the three largest temples to the west. On a clear day, the temple will appear as a silhouette against the backdrop of a sky of bright reds, pale blues and wisps of white clouds. On certain evenings, there is a performance of the famous Ramayana Ballet – Java’s most spectacular dance-drama – in a theatre just to the west of the temple. In the dry season, this is performed in the outdoor theatre with the illuminated temple in the background, and it is a great accompaniment to the temple visit. Speak to your consultant to see if you can fit it into your holiday dates.
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.
