INDONESIA
Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, 130 active volcanoes and home to hundreds of ethnic groups. Some islands here are bustling wherever you look, while others are remote and uninhabited with fascinating wildlife.
The island nation is best known for its culture, food, beaches, dragons, and jungle wildlife, making it is as diverse as it is fascinating.
The major cities have shopping malls and modern facilities while remote villages have no running water, or electricity, and are like stepping back into the past.
The country beyond Bali is probably one of the most underrated destinations in Southeast Asia. Stepping out into the exciting and unknown country that beckons with such diversity is so worth it.
Indonesia can be explored by planes, trains and a fascinating variety of transportation. For visiting remote islands, we recommend an island-hopping cruise.
Indonesia Destinations
SUMATRA
One of Indonesia’s bigger islands – about double the size of NZ with 50 million inhabitants and also home to the increasingly rare Sumatran elephants and tigers.
Sumatra is mainly an adventure tourism island, with tropical forests to explore, wild orangutans to discover and some of the best surf breaks off the Mentawai Islands, which are also home to hunter-gatherer tribes. Inland Sumatra you’ll find Lake Toba, a large natural lake occupying the caldera of a supervolcano. Samosir Island within Lake Toba is worth visiting to learn about the Batak culture and see their traditional architecture.
Live with a Mentawi Tribe
Learn their ways of hunter-gathering. This will be a life changing experience for individuals or families.
Epic Surf Trips
Stay in a resort or onboard a boat on one of the Mentawai Islands to experience some of the best surfing Indonesia has to offer.
Jungle Discovery Treks
Trek deep into the jungle and discover the beauty of the tropical forest with wild orangutans, elephants, tigers and rhinos while it remains. Unfortunately deforestation for farms and palm oil plantations are encroaching on virgin forest.
Relax on an Island in a Volcanic Lake
Enjoy relaxing on Samosir Island in the middle of Lake Toba, it’s pretty chilled.
Outside the main cities, choices vary depending on the destination, from traditional Batak houses to basic lodgings in the jungle.
Mentawai Island has some luxury resorts, built with surfers in mind. Check out Aloita as one example.
SULAWESI
Sulawesi is a large island with an intriguing shape – like a mix of the letters K and F.
The cultures have just as much intrigue, especially the highland culture of Tana Toraja. Also home to fantastic coffee.
Sulawesi has several enticing islands for diving, and snorkelling.
Diving and Snorkelling
An hour’s drive from the prosperous city of Manado are several white sand beaches and islands in the Likupang area, ideal for snorkelling and diving.
Most Interesting Culture
For culture buffs you probably won’t find anything more fascinating in South East Asia than Tana Toraja, a small area located deep in the mountainous jungle area of central Sulawesi. Toraja also produces some of the best coffee in Indonesia.
Boat Masters
Discover the origins of the Boogeyman – the original Bugis pirates that brought fear into the European sailor’s hearts during the 16th century. The Bugis people are still famous for their wooden boat building techniques.
The hotels are as diverse as the island. Get in touch with us to talk about what you’re looking for.
LOMBOK
Lombok is an island east of Bali and is one of the more popular side-trips taken from Bali. It’s remote south coast is known for beaches and surfing spots, particularly at Kuta (yes Lombok has a Kuta beach too!) Lombok is a lot less developed than Bali and many still live in traditional Sasak villages outside the main centres. Mt Rinjani sometimes erupts but is a popular multi-day hiking destination. It’s the 2nd highest volcano in Indonesia.
Take a day trip to the Gili Islands
While we recommend staying at the Gili’s a day trip from Senggigi is also possible.
Climb Mt Rinjani
At 3726 metres it takes a few days for the round trip. It’s best to arrange a tour.
Relax at the tourist resort beach area of Senggigi
With a variety of hotels and restaurants along the coast.
Surfing and Fantastic South Coast Beaches
Spend a few days along the South Coast, more known as Mandalika, for unspoilt white sand beaches and great surf spots.
Watch MotoGP and Motorbike Racing
The Mandalika Circuit, located on the south coast.
Spread out around the Senggigi Beach Area there’s plenty of choice of 3 – 4 star hotels and resorts plus an increasing choice of high end beachfront boutique hotels and villas.
Nearby the Gili Islands are the remote and luxurious hotels, Tugu Lombok and Oberoi Lombok and overlooking the Gili Islands is The Sira, a Marriott Luxury Collection Resort.
Nearer the airport, the South Coast is still slowly developing, the Novotel Lombok Resort and Pullman Lombok Mandalika offer the international standard choice. Note though that these are located next to the Mandalika Circuit where racing noise can interfere with a quite time on the beach.
There are several surf resorts dotted along the south coast too.
KALIMANTAN
The expansive Indonesian part of Borneo is full of adventure, with rainforests, rivers and mountains.
Tribal groups still live much the same way their ancestors did in their long houses.
If you cruise down a river in a dug out canoe, surrounded by forest, birds and monkeys, you could almost be in the Amazon!
Banjarmasin, one of the main coastal cities has a floating market, likely one of the best examples in South East Asia.
Hang with the original Head Hunters
Visit or stay in a Dayak hilltribe long house. Originally head hunters, their stories and culture will fascinate you.
Jungle River Cruising
Journey down the river by boat. We recommend the award winning WowBorneo river cruises.
Bustling Floating Market
If your journey takes in the bustling city of Banjarmasin a visit to the floating market is a must. Many houses are built on the rivers there and so the daily floating market is where the locals go to buy produce and even do their banking.
Accommodation varies from long houses to river boats to moderate city accommodation.
JAVA
While not much bigger than our North Island, Java has a staggering population of over 150 million (compared to our 4 million) making it the most populated island in the world.
Besides the chaos and urban excitements of the mega cities, there are still sleepy fishing ports, quaint villages surrounded by rice paddies, smouldering volcanoes and fascinating cultures.
There’s even a tribe living in the forest that has no contact with the outside world!
On the edge of extinction, the Javan one horned rhinoceros still remains and possibly even Javan tigers.
Jogjakarta
Not to be confused with Jakarta, Jogjakarta (or Yogyakarta) is the must-see city of Java. Steeped in history it still has its own monarchy. Here you’ll also find the Buddhist Borobodur Temple, up there with the 7 wonders of the world, and the Hindu Prambanan Temple. Jogjakarta keeps its traditions alive and really is the cultural heart of Java.
Jakarta
This mega sprawling metropolis has plenty of shopping malls, a very large zoo (Ragunan), and theme parks for the family.
Nearby is Anak Krakakau, the growing volcano in the sea between Java and Sumatra which makes for an unforgettable day trip (depending on the volatility).
Volcanoes
East Java’s Mount Bromo needs to be experienced at sunrise and Mount Ijen which pours out glowing blue lava during the night.
The cities in Java offer international 4 – 5 star hotels and resorts, including some steeped in history. Did you know there’s an identical hotel to Singapore’s Raffles Hotel in Surabaya?
East Java is a little different so expect more comfortable accommodation matching adventure tourism.
EAST INDONESIA
Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, Rote, West Timor and Papua are where you’ll find a totally different Indonesian experience.
The ethnic people here are Melanesian so even appear different. Outside the towns, many still live in traditional villages, made up of traditional houses.
Infrastructure isn’t big here so this is the place to get off the beaten track and head into yesteryear.
Typically East Indonesia is a lot poorer than the West.
Komodo Dragons
Rinca Island and Komodo Island are home to the Komodo Dragons which can grow to over 2 ½ metres long and weigh up to 90kg. Generally you’d stay in Labuan Bajo, the coastal town in Flores and take a day trip to the islands, or else explore the area by boat over several days. We recommend and offer Seatrek Cruises.
Sumba Island
The Island of Sumba has fine examples of traditional villages, built on the tops of hills. Village life hasn’t changed too much over the years and many traditions are kept alive including the annual Pasola Festival.
One of the world’s best resorts is on the south coast of Sumba – the Nihi Sumba – and is utterly amazing.
Papua
The last frontier of Indonesia. With rich tribal traditions that go back centuries and tribesmen who still hunt with bows and arrows. We can arrange a visit to Baliem Valley where you can stay with a local tribe and experience something quite unlike anything else.
Raja Ampat Islands
Located near West Papua and comprise over 600 jungle covered islands, made famous for its marine life. Stay in either a luxury boutique resort or visit by ship, eg: Seatrek Cruises.
Labuan Bajo
Various hotels offer amazing sunsets over the Komodo group of islands.
Onboard a Dive Boat
Whether it’s to see the dragons and diving around Komodo, or around Raja Ampat.
In a Tribal Village
Options in Papua and other East Indonesia Islands
Nihi Resort
Stay at one of the best resorts in the world.
