Look past the traffic jams, winding mountain roads and bumpy terrain and open your minds to explore the beauty and mystery of this country because Indonesia has so much to offer! With over 300 different ethnic groups residing in Indonesia, Indonesia is a melting pot of culture and heritage.
The Indonesian archipelago is made up of over 17 thousand islands and is home to a huge range of biodiversity on land and in the ocean! With 20% of the world’s coral reefs located within this country’s waters and sandy white beaches that melt into the ocean, this country is a beach bum’s paradise. For those who love the hustle of the city life, Jakarta is one of the world’s greatest megalopolises characterized by its vibrant nightlife and diverse range of food options. All in all, Indonesia is a treasure trove of surprises that caters to all types of travelers, if only you give it a chance.
When you’re ready to take the leap and get down to booking your own journey, use the buttons to check out the latest flight prices and hotels loved by other travellers. Then book your ideal Indonesia trip, your way. No fixed routes! Stay as long as you want in each city, fly where you want, choose only hotels in your budget, and stay close to the attractions you’re most interested in. Ready? Jom!
Best of Indonesia
Best of Indonesia – 19 days – Indonesia Itinerary
Lace up for one action-packed trip! Starting from Jakarta, get a glimpse of Indonesia’s Dutch influence. Passing through Bogor, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, you’ll cruise through volcanic lakes, experience an eclectic mix of Indonesian culture, and learn what it’s like to live in a Presidential Palace. Following that, you’ll reach the highlight of the trip – hiking up Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen to experience spectacular sights you’ll not forget.
Fly from Singapore (SIN) to Jakarta (CGK)
1) Jakarta – 2 days
With a population of almost 10 million people, the capital of Indonesia combines an eclectic mix of cultures, from Javanese to Arab and even European. This is reflected in its architecture and cuisine.
Find colonial buildings of Dutch influence at Jakarta’s old town, Kota Tua. Batavia City Square offers a glimpse of how Jakarta looked like in historic times. Today, the heritage buildings are transformed into museums and hipster cafes. Learn more about the history of Indonesia with the History Museum and Wayang Museum.
Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown, is where you can find a multitude of hawker stalls selling everything from streetside food to traditional snacks and random souvenirs. While you’re here, try the iconic Kopi Es Tak Kie.
The Merdeka Square in Central Jakarta has a stretch of man-made manicured gardens, surrounded by key government buildings, such as National Museum of Indonesia, Supreme Court and Merdeka Palace. This is also where the National Monument, also known as Monas, can be found.
Take a train from Jakarta to Bogor
2) Bogor – 2 days
Hop on a train for a one-hour journey to Bogor, a former mountainside town. Now a densely populated city, it offers a variety of activities for visitors, from glamping to gondola riding. One of the top spots to check off your list is the Botanical Gardens, Bogor’s pride and joy. The Presidential Palace (Istana Bogor) nearby is also worth a visit.
Once the summer residence of the Governor-General of Java, it is now better known for the 250 deer that grazes the grounds of the palace. If you’re looking to pick up some good buys, Raja Factory Outlet won’t disappoint you with its range of menswear, womenswear, and children’s fashion.
Drive from Bogor to Bandung
3) Bandung – 3 days
Drive down to the capital of the West Java province, Bandung. Fondly known as the Paris of Java, Bandung comprises not only the natural beauty of volcanic mountains and tea plantations, but is also dotted with fashion boutiques, cool cafés, and luxurious hotels.
The 3rd largest Indonesian metropolis with some 2.4 million inhabitants, Bandung holds many facets to its appeal.
Adventurous foodies will appreciate the floating market in Lembang, where over 30 hawkers labour over their woks and offer Sundanese dishes at incredibly low prices. Over 30 hawkers cook their food on individual boats. There are also various water attractions such as canoes, paddle boats, and “water trains”.
Hike up Kawah Putih, an ancient volcanic lake 76 km away from Bandung. A popular spot with the locals thanks to its incredible beauty, it is one of the two craters that make up Mount Patuha. What’s interesting is how the lake changes colour from white to blue to milky-green to brown, depending on the sulphur levels.
North of Bandung sits another volcano, Tangkuban Perahu. It is made up of three craters – Kawah Ratu, Kawah Upas and Kawah Domas. At Kawah Domas, you can dip your feet in the sulphur pool and boil an egg in the thermal water.
Fly from Bandung (BDO) to Yogyakarta (JOG)
4) Yogyakarta – 3 days
From Bandung, take a 1-hour flight to Yogyakarta, arguably Indonesia’s cultural centre. the epitome of Indonesia’s finest cultures. Old buildings, museums and handicraft shops make up the city, emphasizing its reputation as the art capital of Indonesia. Batik, woodcarvings, paintings and silverwork are amongst the many crafts you can find.
Sacrifice some beauty sleep to witness the majestic sunrise over the ancient temple compounds of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before checking out the smorgasbord of cultural offerings that the city offers.
Remember to visit Prambanan for the famous Ramayana Ballet Performance, which has been held every night for the past few decades and includes dinner in the ticket.
Take a flight from Yogyakarta (JOG) to Surabaya (SUB)
5) Surabaya – 1 day
Fly to Surabaya on a 2.5-hour flight, the second largest city in Indonesia. The old town, with its Chinese temples, the lively Arab Quarter, an ancient mosque and a tobacco museum, provides plenty of attractions to occupy your time here.
Take a train from Surabaya Gubeng to Bangil
Transfer to a taxi from Bangil to Mount Bromo
6) Mount Bromo – 2 days
Take a train from Surabaya Gubeng to Bangil and then transfer to a taxi from Bangil to Mount Bromo. If you’re intending to hike Mount Bromo, spend a night in Probolinggo, base of Mount Bromo. There are three viewpoints to catch the Mount Bromo sunrise. Most tours will take you to the highest viewpoint at 2700 meters altitude. To skip the crowds, go to King Kong Hill for an equally magnificent view of the sunrise.
Hiking to Bromo crater is a 30-minute trek through lava fields and up a long staircase. At the Bromo crater, you can stand proud and get a close up look of the crater rim, as you capture the volcano’s breathtaking scenery with your camera.
/ Take a taxi or rent a car to drive from Mount Bromo to Mount Ijen
7) Mount Ijen – 2 days
If waking up at 3am for a hike to catch the sunrise delights you, be sure to check out Mount Ijen. Renowned for the magical “dancing blue flames”, it’s a good 5-hour drive away but the sights are worth it.
These electric-blue flames are a result of the combustion of sulfuric gases. Hiking Mount Ijen requires wearing of gas masks, as the sulfurous gas clouds can be overpowering. A hike to the summit will take approximately 1.5 hours from the base, Banyuwangi.
Take car ferry from Mount Ijen to Bali
8) Bali – 4 days
Return to Bali via a 30-minute car ferry, and drive 130 km to Ubud. Ubud is the art and culture hub of Bali. Sit in one of the cafes and watch the world go by. Haggle with the art and craft traders. Meet a local Balinese family who will take you to their village where you will try a cooking class in their home.
Leaving Bali is always hard, we feel ya! Drag your feet back on the plane for a 3-hour flight from Ngurah Rai International Airport away from this cultural paradise.
Fly home from Bali International Airport (DPS) to Singapore (SIN)
Bali Gila
Bali Gila – 11 days –Indonesia Itinerary
Mad about Bali? So are we. The Bali Gila itinerary is for beach bums addicted to Indonesia’s beaches. Island hop from Bali to Nusa Penida, from Lombok and Gili. There are different gems to be explored in each island, so don’t scrimp on your camera shutter.
Fly from Singapore (SIN) to Bali International Airport (DPS)
1) Bali – 4 days
How nice that the paradise of Bali is only a 3-hour flight away! Jump off the plane and do whatever you fancy. Take a yoga lesson, cafe hop on a lazy, humid afternoon with a book in hand, rent a motorcycle and ride to one of the hidden waterfalls, or catch a sunset by the beach. When night falls, there are plenty of happening bars and clubs in Kuta and Seminyak that 24 hours will never be enough.
Bali is also not complete without surfing! Old Man’s Beach in Canggu is for beginners, whereas intermediates and experts flock to Uluwatu and Padang-Padang to take control of larger waves.
Take a short ferry ride out from Bali to Nusa Penida
2) Nusa Penida – 1.5 days
Allocate at least one day out of your Bali trip to visit Nusa Penida. Just a ferry ride away, Nusa Penida holds plenty of hidden charms – natural rock formations, lagoons that are out of this world, and hidden waterfalls where you can frolic in. Basically, the stuff that Instagram is made for. Spend up to 2 days if you can, to explore Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
Take a short ferry ride out from Nusa Penida to Bali
3) Bali – Half day
Take a fast boat back to Bali and rest and relax for the evening, lounging at a bar that overlooks the sunset.
Take a short ferry ride out from Bali to Lombok
4) Lombok – 1 day
Another ferry ride away, Lombok is usually the gateway to the more popular Gili islands. However, the island itself has some underexplored attractions. It has it’s own amazing beaches. It is also best known for Gunung Rinjani, a 3,762-metre-high mountain and the country’s 2nd highest volcano. Serious hikers can devote 3 days for a complete hike here. Chase waterfalls at the base of the mountain – the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, or explore ancient mosques and traditional villages of the Hindu and Islam.
Take a short ferry ride out from Lombok to Gili Islands
5) Gili Islands – 3 days
The distance between Lombok to Gili is just 35 minutes by boat. Famous for being free of powered vehicles, the main mode of transportation in Gili is horse carts, also known as cidomo. These three atolls are set at the Northwest of Lombok, with sunsets that overlook Bali’s biggest volcano, Mount Agung.
If you are coming with friends, stay over at Gili Trawangan for a fun night out. For the culture seekers, visit Gili Meno, which is home to the Sasak population, Lombok’s largest ethnic group. One constant pull factor is the crystal clear waters that surround these atolls, which teem with a myriad of marine species, making snorkelling and diving a popular water activity when you are there.
Return to Lombok for your international flight back home.
Take a short ferry ride out back to Lombok (LOP) and fly back to Singapore (SIN)
Komodo Explorer
Komodo Explorer – 9 days – Indonesia Itinerary
This Indonesia trip veers away from traditional itineraries and unveils an Indonesian gem. Reunite with Meet the best swimmers of Indonesia – the endangered Komodo Dragons! It’s some distance to head to the dragon’s den, but along the way, Flores is perfect for diving and snorkelling. There is spectacular marine life going on underwater.
Fly from Singapore (SIN) to Bali International Airport (DPS)
1) Bali – Half day
After your short flight from Changi to Ngurah Rai, you’re in Bali. Do. Not. Get. Distracted. This time you’re not here for the beaches, you’re chasing Komodo Dragons. Head to the domestic terminal and catch your connecting flight to Labuan Bajo which takes just half an hour.
Fly from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Domestic Terminal (DPS) to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ)
2) Labuan Bajo – Half day
Home to the Komodo Dragon, Rinca Island is the ideal getaway for those looking for some quality time, indulge in a relaxing dive around Flores or simply enjoy the idyllic harbour. This small developing town is home to 3,000 residents who make their living on the water is a hit with travellers.
Take a short boat ride out from Labuan Bajo to Komodo National Park
3) Komodo National Park – 3 days
Wake up to your boat chasing the sunrise. Hike up the little mountain on Gili Lawa just before light to see the sunrise.
Go snorkelling at Manta Point, a point in the middle of the sea, to catch the elusive manta rays. If you’re lucky, you may get to see them from underwater. Your eyes have to be sharp though, for they are very elusive.
Next, take a boat to Batu Bolong, where you swim with schools of fishes as bright as the sun, and marvel at the colourful coral reefs. Along the way to the Pink Beach, stop by Taka Makassar, an atoll in the middle of the sea. Take a picnic on the tiny white beach while you sunbathe in complete privacy. If not, turn your toes pink as you walk along the Pink Beach.
Before the sun sets, enter the Komodo dragons’ natural habitat at Komodo National Park, the only park in the world where they are in the wild. On the park, wild boars, deer and buffalo reside as prey for these carnivorous creatures.
After a visit to the home of the Komodo dragons, drop by Komodo Village, a village where villagers live hand in hand with these dangerous creatures. Marvel at their stilt houses, and observe how they make a living with simple tools.
/ Return to Labuan Bajo and take a bus to Ruteng
4) Ruteng – 1 day
Begin your journey through Flores on a local bus to Ruteng. Get a ticket beforehand, or rent a car. On the way, you will pass by the spider web rice fields. There are also a couple of traditional Manggarai villages surrounding Ruteng, which is worth a visit if you can spare the time for stopovers.
Take a taxi or drive from Ruteng to Bajawa
5) Bajawa – 1 day
Continue east to the town of Bajawa, a small town, for a glimpse into what a local, untouched village looks like. Apart from hot springs that are used for bathing and volcanic scenery, there isn’t much more for you to spend your time here for.
Take a taxi or drive from Bajawa to Kelimutu
6) Kelimutu Volcano – 3 days
A 3-hour drive away from Bajawa, you will arrive at Kelimutu. En route, you will pass through mountains valleys and rice paddies surrounding the village of Moni.
Rest early and begin the next day before sunrise to hike Kelimutu, a volcano with three crater lakes with different colored water, thanks to the minerals that originate from the volcano. Wander and find that sweet spot where you can view all three lakes at once. That afternoon, visit the market and local agriculture. Watch locals weave.
The next day, ride your boat back to the mainland of Labuan Bajo before jetting off to Ende for your plane back to Singapore.
Take a boat to mainland
Fly from Ende Airport (ENE) to Singapore (SIN)
Java Trail
Java Trail – 10 days – Indonesia Itinerary
As you traverse through East Java, you will get a first-hand culture lesson from the temples, palaces, and markets you’ll pass along the way. These architectural marvels tell of ancient civilizations. On the final part of your trip, reward yourself with views from the top of Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen.
Take a flight from Singapore (SIN) to Yogyakarta (JOG)
1) Yogyakarta – 3 days
What better way to catch a sunrise by a temple than the famous Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site? Another temple worth a visit is the Prambanan Temple. It contains a collection of Hindu temples built by the Mataram Kingdom.
While you’re here, a grand site you cannot miss is the Royale Palace, home to Indonesia’s great sultans. The palace is the gateway to the history of Indonesia, with artifacts and vintage collections within the palace grounds.
Drive from Yogyakarta to Mount Merapi
2) Mount Merapi – Half day
Mount Merapi, or otherwise known as Gunung Merapi, is an active volcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is well known for being the most active volcano in Indonesia, with the last reported eruption in 2014.
Option: Day Trip to Kaliurang
En route to Mount Merapi by car, the resort town of Kaliurang is not foreign to tourists, especially as a weekend destination. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, known for its “fish therapy” where the small fishes “exfoliate” your skin by nipping away dead skin cells.
Drive from Mount Merapi back to Yogyakarta
3) Surabaya – 1 day
Return to Yogyakarta by car, and take a short 1-hour flight from Yogyakarta to Surabaya. Even if Surabaya is a stopover to Bromo, you can still visit the Flower Market to get an insight on the locals’ life, and learn more about batik and handicraft at Mirota Craft Centre.
Take a Train from Surabaya to Bangil
Take a taxi to Mount Bromo
4) Mount Bromo – 2 days
Take a train from Surabaya Gubeng to Bangil, and then transfer to a taxi from Bangil to Mount Bromo. If you’re intending to hike Mount Bromo, spend a night in Probolinggo, at the base of Mount Bromo.
There are three viewpoints to catch the Mount Bromo sunrise. Most tours will take you to the highest viewpoint at 2700 meters altitude. To skip the crowds, go to King Kong Hill for an equally magnificent view of the sunrise.
Hiking to the Bromo crater is a 30-minute trek through lava fields and up a long staircase. At the Bromo crater, you can get a close up look of the crater rim.
Take a taxi or drive from Mount Bromo to Mount Ijen
5) Mount Ijen – 2 days
If hiking doesn’t faze you, here’s one more reason to hike Mount Ijen – for the mystical and magical dancing blue flames. It’s a 5-hour drive east, but the sights will make it worth it. These electric-blue flames are a result of the combustion of sulfuric gases. Hiking Mount Ijen requires wearing of gas masks, as the sulfurous gas clouds can be overpowering. A hike to the summit will take approximately 1.5 hours from the base, Banyuwangi.
Take a ferry from Mount Ijen to Bali
6) Bali – 1 day
Return to Bali via a 30-minute car ferry, and drive 130km to the town centre. Return to Bali and Pamper your legs after the victorious climbs with the numerous Bali spas and massages that are available.
Fly from Bali International Airport (DPS) to Singapore (SIN)
North Sumatra
North Sumatra -7 days – Indonesia Itinerary
This trip takes you to visit the largest volcanic lake in the world, Lake Toba and a trek through the rainforest of Bukit Lawang National Park. Say hello to the friendly tropical animals you will encounter along the way, because it could be the first and last time you see some of these native creatures!
Fly from Singapore (SIN) to Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO)
1) Medan – 1 day
Fly to Medan through the Kualanamu International Airport. Due to its rich ethnic diversity, Medan is known for their tantalizing culinary creations that are rich in flavours. As you navigate the sights through the busy traffic, take a bite of their famous snack, Bolu Meranti, a kind of rolled sponge cake with different buttercream types.
Visit the Maimoon Palace and Raya Al-Mashun Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Medan – the largest and one of the oldest mosques in Medan, and other museums to learn about the tumultuous history between the Aceh and Deli people.
Drive or take a taxi from Medan to Berastagi
2) Berastagi – 1 day
A small but busy town, Berastagi is located 70km from Medan, a mere 1-hour drive. Far from being touristy, you can witness the locals making a living, growing fruits and vegetables. Enjoy the scenic mountainside views, and spot the Sibayak Mountain and Sinabung Mountain. To get a vantage view of these mountains, head to Gundaling Hill.
Drive or take a taxi from Berastagi to Lake Toba
3) Lake Toba – 2 days
A 3-hour drive from Berastagi will get you to Lake Toba, the biggest volcanic lake in the world. This is where a supervolcanic eruption took place more than 77,000 years ago, thus forming Lake Toba. In the middle of the lake on Samosir Island, you can find friendly Batak people who make the island their home. Stay at one of the many Batak-themed resorts, guesthouses, or hotels along Parapat, a town by Lake Toba.
Drive or take a taxi from Lake Toba to Bukit Lawang
4) Bukit Lawang – 2 days
Take a 5-hour drive to Bukit Lawang, 86 km from Medan. Located on the corner of the massive Gunung Leuser National Park, the area is rich with biodiversity and mesmerizing with its clear, fast-flowing rivers.
The next morning, trek through the rainforest of Bukit Lawang National Park. Don’t be surprised if you see orang utans, thomas-leaf monkeys and gibbons. There are also opportunities to watch orang utans being fed at the rehabilitation centre. You can also do rafting and tubing in this magnificent rainforest.
Drive or take a taxi from Bukit Lawang to Medan
5) Medan – 1 day
It’s time to bid farewell to Indonesia. Complete your journey by boarding your international outbound flight from Medan back home.
Fly from Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) to Singapore (SIN)