Indonesia trip: Bali, Flores and Komodo

Welcome to Indonesia. On arrival at Denpasar airport, your driver greets you and takes you to your hotel in Ubud, where your Indonesia travel journey begins. Settle in and take in the atmosphere of Bali’s spiritual heart.

Watch the landscape shift to jungle-clad hills and shimmering rice paddies, with farmers tending the fields in timeless scenes.

In the evening, stroll through Ubud’s lively streets. Browse small boutiques and art shops, then choose from a wide range of local restaurants and cafés.

Immerse yourself in Balinese rural life on a guided walk through the iconic Tegalalang rice fields. Spend around two hours wandering along emerald terraces and irrigation canals as your guide shares the cultural and spiritual importance of rice in daily life.

Meet local farmers, see traditional techniques in action, and experience the community's genuine hospitality. This gentle walk offers a peaceful contrast and reveals a more authentic side of the island.

Join Ayu and Made in their traditional family home for an authentic Balinese cooking class. Learn to prepare dishes using fragrant spices, fresh vegetables, and local ingredients, then enjoy your creations in their lush garden. Vegetarian options are available.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time in Ubud. Stroll through the Sacred Monkey Forest, visit local museums, watch a traditional Balinese dance performance, or sample Ubud’s celebrated restaurants.

You can also unwind by the pool, surrounded by tropical greenery and the scent of incense.

Travel from Ubud into the lush highlands of East Bali as you make your way to Sidemen. Along the route, visit Penglipuran village, known for its well-preserved culture and harmonious layout. Walk along its neat lanes, meet local families, and step inside a traditional Balinese compound to see daily life up close.

Learn about long-standing customs, architecture, and spiritual practices that continue to shape village life today.

Continue to Sidemen, where quiet valleys, rice terraces, and forested hills create a peaceful setting far from the busier parts of Bali.

Spend a relaxed day at your own pace in the peaceful surroundings of Sidemen. Wake to views of rolling rice terraces and misty hills, with the rhythm of village life unfolding around you.

You may choose to take a gentle walk through the countryside, passing small temples and farmers at work in the fields. For a deeper connection, visit a local home or watch traditional weaving techniques practiced for generations.

If you prefer to slow down, enjoy time at your hotel, take in the scenery, or unwind with a spa treatment. This is a day to pause, recharge, and fully appreciate the quieter side of Bali.

Start your morning with a gentle walk through the village, as incense drifts through the air and locals gather outside family compounds. This quiet introduction offers a glimpse into daily life and adds a meaningful moment to your Indonesia itinerary.

Continue to Tirta Gangga, the former royal water palace, where elegant pools, fountains, and stone statues reflect Bali’s Hindu heritage.

Walk across stepping stones set over mirror-like ponds, admire historic photographs of the royal family, and take time to relax in the peaceful garden surroundings.

Leave Sidemen behind as you travel toward Bali’s south coast, passing through coastal villages along the way. Arrive in Jimbaran and unwind on a peaceful cove, where turquoise water and shaded loungers create the perfect setting for a slow afternoon.

In the early evening, continue to Uluwatu to visit its dramatic clifftop temple at sunset. Take in sweeping ocean views, then watch the powerful Kecak dance, a hypnotic performance driven by rhythmic chanting from local village men.

After the show, return to your hotel in Jimbaran.

Leave the magic of Bali behind as you continue to the wild beauty of Flores, one of the best places to visit in Indonesia. From your hotel in Jimbaran, enjoy a smooth transfer to the airport, then fly to Waeoti, where your local driver greets you and takes you to a favorite restaurant for a relaxed lunch.

Your journey continues with a scenic four-hour drive toward Moni, passing rugged coastlines and lush hills. Stop at quiet beaches and visit a traditional Lio tribe village, where distinctive grass-roofed houses offer a glimpse into local life.

Arrive in Moni, check into your hotel, and take time to unwind by the pool or enjoy dinner on site.

Rise before dawn for a journey to Kelimutu volcano, where sunrise reveals three surreal crater lakes, each shimmering in different colors shaped by minerals and changing water levels. Take in the views, then stroll back down through lush forest, with time to return to your hotel and relax.

Later, visit local tribespeople to learn about traditional thread dyeing techniques. Join an intimate demonstration and hands-on workshop, discovering patterns, natural dyes, and the stories that bring Flores’ living textile culture to life.

Leave Moni this morning and drive to Maumere, passing coastal scenery and rural villages along the way. From here, continue with a short domestic flight to Labuan Bajo, a laid-back fishing town and the gateway to Komodo National Park and its legendary dragons.

On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel, carefully selected to match your travel style.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Relax and take in the coastal views or stroll through the compact town, which is easy to explore on foot. Along the way, discover local life, harbor scenes, and the distinct character of Flores.

Board your Komodo cruise and begin one of the most memorable parts of your journey through Komodo National Park. Your driver transfers you to Labuan Bajo pier, where your traditional boat and friendly crew are ready to welcome you.

Settle in and relax on deck as you sail toward Komodo Island, watching emerald islets, clear turquoise waters, and distant Flores volcanoes drift by.

Unwind in your cozy cabin, then enjoy freshly prepared Indonesian dishes served under the stars, offering a simple and authentic taste of life at sea.

After breakfast on board, cruise into the dramatic landscapes of Padar Island. Set out on a guided hike to the island’s rugged peaks, where sweeping views reveal crescent-shaped bays and vivid turquoise waters. Take time to pause, enjoy the stillness, and capture some of the most iconic scenery in the region.

Continue to Pink Beach, one of the few natural pink sand beaches in the world, whose color is created by fragments of red coral. Spend the afternoon swimming in clear shallows, snorkeling among vibrant marine life, or simply relaxing on the soft, rosy shore.

In the evening, return to your boat and drift off to sleep beneath a sky filled with stars.

Today, your Indonesia trip continues as you cruise to Komodo Island. After breakfast on board, set out with a park ranger to Banunggulung, where you can observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat and look out for deer, wild boar, and tropical birds.

Return to the boat and sail past the islands of Taka Kanawa, Taka Makassar, and Sebayur, enjoying lunch with views across Flores and Komodo.

In the afternoon, swim or snorkel in clear waters rich with marine life. With luck, you may encounter graceful manta rays before continuing to Kanawa Island, where you spend the night on board.

Start your day with breakfast on board as you cruise back toward Labuan Bajo, taking in the sea breeze and final views of the surrounding islands.

If time and conditions allow, stop at Bidadari Island for a last opportunity to swim or snorkel in clear, calm waters.

On arrival at the pier, your driver will transfer you to Komodo Airport for your short flight to Denpasar, Bali. From here, continue your onward journey home, bringing your Indonesia trip to a smooth and memorable close.