Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Java, Indonesia.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
April - October
Ideal for first-time visitors, this trip is designed to give curious travellers a real feel for the contrasts that make Indonesia so special.
You’ll hop across three of its islands: exploring the cultural heartland of Java, delving into the magical countryside of Bali, and ending with a dose of beachside bliss on Lombok.
Packed with plenty of eye-opening, immersive experiences in between to capture the wonders of this country and its people.
The Spirit of Indonesia
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
Day 2 - 3
Yogyakarta, Java
Arrive in Yogyakarta, where you’ll meet your driver-guide and head straight to your hotel. After the flight, the rest of the day’s yours to take it easy and settle in.
On your first full day in Indonesia, get stuck into the cultural heart of Yogyakarta with your guide. Explore the Kraton – The Sultan’s traditional residence – then wander through the incredible tenth-century Hindu temple complex, Prambanan. As evening sets in, watch the temples striking silhouette contrast against a sky full of colour – a pretty spectacular way to end the day.
Days 4 - 5
Borobudur, Java
Just a short drive from Yogyakarta, it’s on to the remarkable Borobudur Temple and its surroundings.
Staying close by means you’ve got ample time to take it in – two days to fully appreciate the grandeur, during the best lighting at sunrise and sunset. On day five, you’ll 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. After your visit, you can either kick back at the hotel or head out to explore a bit more of the area.
Days 6 - 8
Tabanan, Bali
Next, you’ll continue on into Bali’s interior and immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty.
Settle into your villa, which sits among clove and mangosteen trees, with sweeping views over lush rice terraces and thick forest – the kind of place you’ll be dreaming about for years.
Head out to explore a nearby waterfall, then tuck into a home-cooked lunch at Putu Griya House. You’ll also spend time trekking through picturesque paddy fields and witnessing local ceremonies in tucked-away temples with your guide, deepening your understanding of Balinese culture.
Days 9 - 11
Ubud, Bali
Your driver will take you to your next peaceful retreat, Wapa di Ume, tucked just outside of the centre of Ubud.
One of the highlights here is a guided countryside walk led by a Balinese Brahmin. As you wander through rice paddies and sleepy villages, you’ll gather fascinating insights into local customs, religion and the way daily life here is shaped by intricate rituals. This special activity finishes up at your guide’s home, where you’ll refuel with a traditional lunch and receive a heartfelt Balinese blessing.
If you’re after more thrills, you can go whitewater rafting down the Ayung River or cycle your way through Sebatu village with a lovely picnic lunch. However you choose to spend your days here, you’ll have the wonderful Wapa di Ume to return ‘home’ to. Relax and reset in the calm countryside and soak up Ubud’s cultural charm.
Days 12 - 15
Lombok
Today, you’ll be driven to to Padang Bai Harbour (around a 1 hour drive), where a speedboat will whisk you over to lovely, laid-back Lombok. This is your chance to have some balmy beach time, far away from the crowds on Bali’s southern beaches.
You’ll spend the next four nights in a gorgeous two-bedroom pool suite, with plenty of space to unwind. Whether you’re stretched out by the pool, discovering pristine beaches, snorkelling with tropical fish, or dipping into local life by visiting villages, this is your time to take things slow and savour Lombok’s tranquillity.
Day 16
Fly home
Your driver will drop you off at the airport for your flight back home.
With ETG, we have visited extraordinary places
... stayed in wondrous hotels, met fascinating everyday people, listened to varied opinions, and learned much about places far away. I couldn't do that on my own.
David
24 October 2024Excellent
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 after an immersive introduction to Indonesia, then this is for you. It’s a true tropical escape with intruiging cultural visits, magical insights into Balinese beliefs, good food and striking scenery. What more could you want?!”
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.
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Indonesia, Tabanan
Clove Tree Hill Villas
A Balinese retreat. Deeply authentic, beautifully placed within paddy fields.
Highlights
Highlights
Sweeping views,
Community-focused ethos
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
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Indonesia, Bali, Ubud
Wapa di Ume Ubud
Lovely welcoming hotel, set amongst paddy fields on the outskirts of Ubud.
Highlights
Highlights
Surrounded by paddies,
Close to the action
Best for
Couples
Families
Gallery
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Lombok
Qunci Villas Resort
Excellent property on a quiet stretch of beach in lovely Lombok. Sensational sunsets.
Highlights
Highlights
Spellbinding scenery
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
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Indonesia, Java
Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa
Colonial elegance near Borobudur Temple. Standalone villas, sweeping views, and space to take it all in.
Highlights
Highlights
Views over Borobudur Temple,
Gorgeous villas
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
Gallery
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Indonesia, Java, Yogyakarta
The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta
Beautifully designed colonial hotel, dating back to 1918. Right in the heart of Yogyakarta.
Highlights
Highlights
Central location,
Sense of history
Best for
Solo
Couples
Families
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
Immersive experiences sit at the heart of what we do. Each one is specially designed to confound preconceptions and create moments that are magical and memorable.
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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.
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Whitewater Rafting on the Ayung River
Famous for its cultural significance in and to Bali, Ubud also has plenty for the more adventurous traveller. One of the most exhilarating options nearby is whitewater rafting on the Ayung River — and almost as appealing as the rafting itself is the spectacular scenery as you make your way down the gorge.
Switching between Class II and III rapids, you’ll wind through deep valleys, past cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs with a prehistoric feel. On the gentler stretches, drifting through tropical forest, you’ll spot brightly decorated Hindu shrines peeking through the trees.
Safety is taken seriously here. The boats are top quality, the life jackets are up to modern international standards and regularly checked, and the staff are very experienced. After the rafting — and a chance to dry off and change — an excellent lunch will be served.
The rafting isn’t as wild as in some destinations, which makes it a great choice for first-timers. It’s ideal for families and small groups. It’s at its best during the wet season, although river levels can dip towards the end of the dry season.
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Countryside Walk with a Balinese Priest
Spend a day exploring the countryside on this private walking tour, getting a unique insight into Balinese nature, religion and culture.
As much as the walk is about exploring the paddy fields and local villages, it is also about getting a sense of what makes Bali especially unique. Your guide is not just a nature guide, he is also a local Brahmin. Brahmins are the designated priestly castle in the Hindu religion, and as you explore, your guide will explain how a complex set of rituals and offerings are remarkably entwined in daily life.
After the walk, you’ll finish up at the guide’s house, where you will receive a traditional lunch, followed by an atmospheric Balinese blessing.
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Lombok, Indonesia
Bonjeruk Community Village
‘A Day in the Life of Bonjeruk’ is an excellent community tourism initiative in a rarely visited corner of Lombok.
The morning begins when you meet one of the local women who guide the tours, who’ll accompany you on a two-hour walk around the village, where you’ll see how traditional weaving and cooking are still practised.
Take a walk through the paddy fields before you arrive at the open-air lunch setting, where you’ll help make some satay before enjoying the finished product for lunch. There’s an optional scenic bicycle ride in the surrounding area after you’ve eaten.
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Bali, Indonesia
Biking in Bali
With its kaleidoscopic landscape, there is so much more to see in Bali than the beaches. A e-bike tour is a great way to get away from the crowds and see the island in a new and unique light. From the striking volcanic mountains and hills to the lush tropical forests and paddy fields and on to the dramatic coastline and river valleys, Bali has some truly breathtaking scenery to cycle through.
We can arrange various tours throughout the island and can design them to meet every ability, from a gentle downhill cycle or challenging climb. You’ll be picked up by your local guide and provided with excellent quality bikes and safety equipment. A support vehicle can be arranged throughout and the guide will proceed at a pace that suits all.
Some of our favourite tours on the island are around Ubud including the one-way adventures from Wanigiri to Ubud and from Ubud to Sideman. Both are wonderful alternatives to a road transfer. You’ll take small paths, only accessible on bikes with verdant views of rice terraces and forests, mountains and valleys and, depending on the season, you’ll also see farmers planting or harvesting their crops.
Another great cycle ride starts with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Ubud. You’ll be driven to a beautiful spot overlooking Mount Batur for breakfast before a downhill ride through lush tropical paddy fields, coffee plantations and a tour of a village temple. After a traditional lunch in a local village that provides a wonderful insight into the local Balinese way of life, you will be picked up and dropped back in Ubud.
Please speak to one of our consultants about arranging a cycle tour and how it can fit into your wider holiday in Bali.
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Lunch at a Social Enterprise Restaurant in Ubud
Most ETG experiences include a lunch, and we design the experience to ensure you steer clear of ordinary tourist buffets and focus on flavours of the local cuisine.
We also like to ensure at least one meal during your holiday at a social enterprise restaurant. Typically, establishments that collaborate with local community programs and offer vocational training, which create life-changing employment opportunities for marginalised youth.
Beyond the skills they teach their trainees, these restaurants serve lovely home-cooked food and are a platform for cultural exchange, where you can chat with staff members and learn about local customs.
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.
