Indonesia island hopping: Bali, Sumba and Flores

Arrive at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, where you are met in the arrivals hall and escorted to the coastal Sadara Resort. Settle in and ease into the rhythm of the island, with time to relax by the pool or take a gentle walk along the beach.

Your tailor-made Indonesia travel begins at a slower pace, giving you time to adjust to the tropical climate and take in the ocean views. This first day is designed for rest and reset, preparing you for the cultural depth and royal heritage that lie ahead.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your resort, or choose to add a cultural highlight with an afternoon visit to Uluwatu Temple. Set high on dramatic cliffs above the Indian Ocean, this 11th-century sanctuary dedicated to Hanuman offers sweeping views and a lively troop of monkeys, so it is best to keep personal items secure.

As the sun begins to set, take your seat for the evocative Tari Kecak, a fire and trance performance set against the ocean backdrop. The evening continues with a dinner of freshly grilled seafood at a well-known restaurant on Jimbaran Beach, before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, your guide accompanies you to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport for your flight to Yogyakarta on the island of Java, one of the best places to visit in Indonesia for history and culture.

On arrival, visit the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple Compounds. Explore Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex in Java, along with nearby Sewu Temple, the largest Buddhist complex in Indonesia, both known for their intricate carvings and layered symbolism.

Enjoy lunch accompanied by a traditional wayang kulit shadow puppetry performance, offering insight into Javanese storytelling traditions. Continue to the Kraton of Yogyakarta, the Sultan’s Palace, and the atmospheric ruins of Taman Sari pleasure gardens before settling into your accommodation.

Spend the day immersed in the spiritual atmosphere of the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple Compounds. Walk through the vast Borobudur Temple, where tiered stone terraces reveal intricate carvings and sweeping views across the surrounding landscape. Continue to the nearby Mendut and Pawon temples, smaller yet deeply atmospheric, each offering its own sense of calm and symbolism.

Return to your accommodation for time at leisure, allowing space to rest or reflect on the day.

In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Ramayana Ballet performance with an Indonesian dinner, where the ancient epic unfolds through graceful movement, vivid costumes, and live music.

Enjoy a slow morning in Yogyakarta before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Bali. Spend your free time wandering local streets, browsing artisan boutiques, or settling into a café, shaping the day at your own pace.

For a deeper connection to Java, you may choose to join an optional experience. Take a Lava Tour and travel off-road across the dramatic slopes of Mount Merapi, or join a cooking class to learn authentic Javanese recipes and spice traditions alongside local chefs.

Experience a more soulful side of Bali with a private visit to the home of Pedanda Bapak Astiki, a respected Balinese Hindu priest. Here, you are dressed in ceremonial attire and presented with offerings before sharing morning tea or coffee, while gaining insight into the core philosophy of Balinese Hinduism in an intimate setting.

Continue to Batukau Temple in Tabanan, where you take part in an authentic temple ceremony, guided step by step by Bapak Astiki. This rare experience offers a deeper understanding of ritual, symbolism, and devotion in daily Balinese life.

The day concludes with a scenic drive through the lush Jatiluwih rice terraces, followed by a traditional Indonesian lunch surrounded by nature.

Continue your Indonesia itinerary with a scenic boat journey to Rinca, one of the three main islands within Komodo National Park. Accompanied by an expert ranger, walk through rugged landscapes to observe the formidable Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) in its natural habitat.

Learn how these powerful predators survive and hunt, preying on deer, wild boar, and even water buffalo, while gaining insight into their behaviour and the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem. Along the trails, keep watch for monkeys, deer, water buffalo, and a variety of birdlife that inhabit the island.

This immersive experience offers a rare, unfiltered view of one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary environments before continuing your journey, with an overnight stay in Flores.

Depart Flores in the morning, with a transfer from your accommodation to the airport for your flight to Bali. On arrival, you are met by a dedicated representative who shares local insights during your journey to Sadara Resort.

Settle back into island life at your beachfront retreat. Take a stroll along the shore, enjoy a swim in the pool, or unwind with a spa treatment as you ease into a more relaxed pace.

Discover the spiritual heart of Bali as you travel to the slopes of Mount Agung to explore Besakih, the revered Mother Temple. Set high on the sacred peak believed to originate from Mount Meru, this vast temple complex holds deep significance in Balinese Hinduism.

Continue to Kintamani, where a dramatic volcanic landscape opens onto a vast crater. From the rim, take in sweeping views across to the active Gunung Batur while enjoying lunch in a striking setting.

In Tampaksiring, visit the Tirta Empul water temple, known for its holy spring waters, before exploring the ancient rock cut shrines of Gunung Kawi, carved into the cliffs and surrounded by lush greenery.

Begin your day with a transfer to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport for your morning flight to Waingapu in East Sumba. On arrival, meet your local guide and head to a traditional restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, explore the atmospheric villages of Pau and Rende, known for their striking megalithic tombs and distinctive vernacular architecture. Gain insight into daily life and ancestral traditions that remain deeply rooted in the community.

East Sumba is also celebrated for its intricate ikat weaving. Visit local artisans and learn how these textiles are created using techniques passed down through generations, each piece rich in symbolism and meaning.

Continue to your coastal retreat at Pondok Wisata Pantai Cemara, where the rest of the day is yours to relax by the sea.

Cross to the western side of Sumba, traveling through changing landscapes toward Waikabubak, the cultural heart of West Sumba. Along the way, stop at Pasunga Village to admire some of the island’s most impressive megalithic tombs, standing as powerful symbols of ancestral tradition.

Continue to Newa Sumba Resort for a relaxed lunch with views across rolling hills and open countryside.

In the afternoon, explore the traditional villages of Prai Ijing, Kampung Tarung, and Waitabar. Meet local communities and gain insight into enduring customs, distinctive architecture, and a way of life that has remained closely tied to the land for generations.

Spend the day exploring the remote Kodi District, where Sumba’s traditions remain deeply rooted in daily life. Visit villages such as Tosi, Parona Baroro, and Ratenggaro, known for their soaring thatched roofs and ancient megalithic tombs that reflect a strong ancestral heritage.

As you move between villages, gain insight into local customs, rituals, and the rhythms of community life in this lesser-visited part of the island.

Continue to the saltwater Waikuri Lake for a relaxed picnic by the water. Take a refreshing swim in the clear lagoon or stroll along the shoreline, surrounded by wild coastal scenery and a quiet, unhurried atmosphere.

After breakfast, you will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to the airport for your flight to Bali. On arrival, your private driver greets you and escorts you to your resort.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax by the pool, take a walk along nearby beaches, or explore local cafés and markets, shaping a Bali experience that reflects your own travel style.

Enjoy a final unhurried morning in Bali as your Indonesia journey comes to a close. Take time for one last swim, a quiet temple visit, or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the ocean.

At the agreed time, your private driver collects you from your hotel and transfers you to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport for your onward flight, ensuring a smooth and seamless end to your tailor-made journey.