Indonesia trip to Java, Bali, and the Gili Islands

Upon arrival at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, you will be met by your private guide and driver and transferred into the heart of the city. As part of your Indonesia travel experience, begin with a visit to a batik workshop and boutique, where you can discover this traditional art of wax-dyed fabric and see skilled artisans at work.

Afterward, enjoy a captivating wayang kulit performance, a classical Javanese shadow puppet show that brings local stories and traditions to life. A relaxed lunch will then be served at a nearby restaurant.

Continue to your hotel for check-in, with the rest of the day free to unwind or explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, meet your local guide for an immersive introduction to daily life in Yogyakarta at Beringharjo Market. Wander among stalls filled with tropical produce, fragrant spices, and traditional herbal remedies known as jamu.

Continue to the Sultan’s Palace, or Kraton, the cultural heart of the city. Then take a becak ride through lively streets to the peaceful gardens and historic water palace of Taman Sari.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the majestic Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Visit the nearby Mendut and Pawon temples before returning to your hotel in Yogyakarta to relax.

Today, set out on a scenic one-hour drive to the village of Kaliadem, where your countryside cycling experience begins. Ride at a relaxed pace through rural landscapes, passing rice fields and traditional villages, with sweeping views of Mount Merapi along the way.

Continue toward the peaceful Candi Plaosan, a lesser-visited temple complex surrounded by open fields. After your ride, enjoy a leisurely lunch at Prambanan Resto.

In the afternoon, explore the magnificent 9th-century Prambanan Temple with your guide. Dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, this UNESCO-listed site is one of Indonesia’s most impressive cultural landmarks.

Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Rise early and transfer to Yogyakarta Railway Station for the scenic Sancaka Pagi train journey to Mojokerto, passing through the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java. Enjoy a boxed breakfast on board as the countryside unfolds outside your window.

On arrival, continue by road with a picturesque drive toward the Tengger Caldera, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Ascend to the highland villages of Ngadisari or Tosari, set on the rim of this vast volcanic crater.

Check into your hotel in Tosari, enjoy dinner, and relax before discovering one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

Rise before dawn and set out for Mount Bromo in time to witness sunrise over one of Java’s most dramatic landscapes. Travel by 4WD jeep across steep terrain to a panoramic viewpoint, where you can watch the first light illuminate the active volcano and its surreal surroundings.

As the sun rises, take in the sweeping views across the Tengger Caldera before continuing your journey through the volcano’s vast, lunar-like landscape. The experience culminates with a short horseback ride followed by a climb up a series of steps to the crater rim.

Pause to admire the striking views from the summit before returning by horse and jeep to your hotel in Banyuwangi for a well-earned breakfast. The rest of the day is free to relax at your own pace.

Rise early, enjoy breakfast, and set out by jeep toward Paltuding Base Camp, the gateway to Mount Ijen. A scenic drive brings you to an altitude of 1,850 meters, where your hike begins along a well-defined trail to the summit.

From a safe viewpoint, look out over the striking turquoise crater lake, set against a dramatic landscape of volcanic rock and steaming sulfur vents. This otherworldly setting is one of the most unforgettable highlights of any Indonesia itinerary.

After your descent, continue to a former Dutch plantation for a rewarding lunch. Enjoy a guided estate walk, coffee tasting, and a peaceful afternoon tea overlooking the Bali Strait.

After breakfast, take the ferry across the Bali Strait to Gilimanuk, where your private driver will meet you for a scenic journey along Bali’s north coast. Travel through changing landscapes as you make your way to Lovina, known for its distinctive black sand beaches and laid-back atmosphere.

On arrival, settle into your hotel and ease into a slower pace of travel. Take a stroll through the quiet town, stop at seaside warungs, or simply unwind on a sundeck beneath swaying palms while enjoying wide views of the coast.

Your private driver and guide will meet you for a journey into Bali’s spiritual heart. Begin at Beji Temple, a 15th-century masterpiece of northern Balinese architecture dedicated to the spirit of irrigation. Admire its intricate carvings and experience the quiet atmosphere of this sacred subak sanctuary.

Continue into the highlands to Pura Puncak Penulisan, the highest temple in Bali, where sweeping valley views and ancient stone statues dating back to the 10th century offer a glimpse into the island’s early history.

Travel on to Kintamani, set on the rim of Mount Batur, where you will enjoy a late lunch overlooking dramatic volcanic scenery. In the afternoon, continue your journey to Ubud.

Begin your day with breakfast, followed by a guided walk through the emerald rice terraces of Tegalalang. Meet local farmers and learn about the traditional subak irrigation system that sustains these landscapes.

Continue to the Blanco Renaissance Museum to admire the flamboyant works of Antonio Blanco. Then enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Ubud River, with time to relax and take in the surroundings.

In the afternoon, explore the Sacred Monkey Forest, home to ancient temples and lush jungle paths, including Pura Dalem Agung, the Holy Bathing Temple, and the Cremation Temple. Later, browse artisan boutiques in central Ubud before ending the day with an intimate Balinese dance performance in a nearby village.

Begin your day with a guided walk through Ubud’s traditional market, filled with fresh produce, fragrant spices, and colorful offerings prepared for daily rituals.

Continue by private vehicle to Kertagosa, the former Royal Courts of Justice, where vivid ceiling paintings depict the eternal struggle between good and evil. From here, travel along scenic back roads toward the slopes of Mount Agung.

Visit Besakih Temple, Bali’s most important and largest temple complex, set high on the sacred volcano. Afterward, enjoy lunch at Maha Giri, overlooking sweeping views of emerald rice terraces.

In the afternoon, explore the elegant water palaces of Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung, known for their tranquil pools and ornate architecture. Continue through lush terraced landscapes to Candidasa, where the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the harbor at Padang Bai. From here, board a boat for the journey to Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three Gili Islands.

On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel by cidomo, a traditional horse-drawn cart. With no cars or motorized vehicles on the island, life here moves at a slower, more relaxed pace.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure. Unwind on white sand beaches, take a swim in clear turquoise waters, or explore the island by bicycle.

In the evening, head to the west side of the island to watch the sunset, with wide views across the sea toward Bali.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax on the beach, swim in clear turquoise waters, or take advantage of the many activities available on Gili Trawangan.

You may choose to go snorkeling or diving, join a boat trip to nearby islands, or explore the coastline by glass-bottom boat. The waters surrounding the Gilis are rich in marine life, with colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and the chance to spot sea turtles.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on Gili Trawangan, then take in your final moments by the sea before boarding a local boat to Lombok for your onward flight, bringing your Indonesia trip to a close.

For those wishing to extend the experience, an optional journey through southern Lombok offers a deeper cultural insight. Travel with your local guide to meet the Sasak people in Pondok Prasi, visit traditional pottery villages, and discover the weaving community of Sukarara.

Continue to the villages of Sade and Rambitan to explore distinctive local architecture and ways of life, before unwinding on the white sands and turquoise waters of Kuta and Tanjung A’an. Later, transfer to Lombok International Airport.