Indonesia travel guides
Indonesia feels like a hundred different destinations in one, and no two trips to this elongated archipelago are the same. Tailor-made trips to Indonesia always brings something fresh, making it ideal for repeat visits that combine old favourites with new horizons. See an otherworldly side to Java in volcanic Losari, dive into crystal clear waters off Sulawesi, wind your way down Kalimantan’s jungle waterways, and discover the true meaning of ‘remote’ amidst Raja Ampat’s untouched islands. Whether wandering through Bali’s resonant ancient temples, or the orangutan-sheltering wilds of Sumatra, you’ll marvel at the diversity of this multifaceted gem of a country.
Our big three in Indonesia
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
Coffee and volcanoes in Java
Sipping a cup of locally-grown Java by the slopes of Mt Merapi, you'd be forgiven for thinking you’d woken up on a different planet. The rich, volcanic soil provides perfect conditions for growing coffee, which is why a trek up the side of the most active volcano on Java isn't quite as startling as it sounds. The whole of the Losari region in central Java is incredibly beautiful, and visiting a coffee estate gives great insight into one of the island's oldest and most successful industries. Open your mind to another area of Javanese culture with a visit to the ancient Hindu temples of Gedong Songo, strewn across the slopes of Mt Ungaran; a good excuse to pause during a challenging hike to the summit.
Kalimantan boats and riverbank wildlife
The sounds of the riverboat blend into the background and your senses slowly tune into the Kalimantan jungle. Keep an eye out for signs of life within the mangrove thickets and tropical foliage bordering the narrow waterways. As the boat's engine idles, and then switches off completely, you realise you're not alone. There, on one of the wooden feeding platforms hidden on the riverbank, is an orangutan, mesmerisingly close. This is why our tailor-made trips to Indonesia often lead to Kalimantan: Tanjung Puting National Park is the place to see orangutan habitat conservation in action. Nothing is guaranteed, but journeying into the jungle in the company of an expert local wildlife guide stacks the odds in your favour.
Untouched shores…
West Papua & Raja Ampat form Indonesia’s far eastern edge, and feel a world away from the everyday cosmopolitan energy of Java’s major cities or the high-end wellness retreats of Bali. This region is a different level of remote; the smooth sands and azure waters so perfect in places that they barely seem real. One of the best ways to see this region (and the only way to get to many of its farthest corners) is by boat, island hopping aboard a phinisi-style live-aboards on shared ventures, or private charter, offers a window into another way of life for anyone with a sense of adventure. Dive and snorkel from the boat, following in the wake of pods of manta ray and lone turtles, and stay on shore at sustainably-focused resorts which have conservation and community-led projects at heart.
