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17,000 islands, active volcanoes, world-class surf, and the most biodiverse jungles on earth.
17,000 islands. £20/day budgets. Bali is the entry point but Lombok, the Gilis, Flores, Sumbawa and Sulawesi are where it gets seriously good. A destination you can return to ten times and still not finish.
Each region has a completely different character. Here's what to expect from each area.
The obvious start — and for good reason. Canggu for surfing and the digital nomad café scene, Ubud for culture and rice terraces, Amed for diving and the real Bali. Rent a scooter for £4/day and go further than the tour buses. The Tegallalang rice terraces are best at 7am before the Instagram crowds.
Bali's less-developed neighbour. The Gili Islands (Gili T for parties, Gili Meno for quiet beaches, Gili Air for the middle ground) are accessible by fast boat from Bali or Lombok. Mount Rinjani (3,726m) is one of Indonesia's finest trekking destinations — 2-night trek to the crater lake and summit. Book with a local operator from Senaru village.
Yogyakarta is the cultural heart — Borobudur (9th-century Buddhist temple, the largest in the world) and Prambanan (Hindu temple complex, equally extraordinary) are both within 45 minutes. Ijen volcano (blue sulphur flames at night, turquoise acid crater lake) requires an overnight trip from Banyuwangi in east Java.
The live-aboard boat trip from Labuan Bajo to Komodo National Park (Komodo dragon sighting, snorkelling with manta rays, pink sand beaches) is one of Southeast Asia's great budget adventures. 2-3 night boats cost from £60/night including food. Book from Labuan Bajo directly with small local operators.
The world's best diving is in Raja Ampat (West Papua) — biodiversity that's scientifically measurable as the highest on earth. Getting there (Sorong) is expensive but the diving is worth every penny. Sulawesi's Toraja highlands have a remarkable death ritual culture — funerals here last days and visitors are genuinely welcomed to participate respectfully.
Fly into Bali (4 nights) → Gili Islands via fast boat (3 nights) → Lombok (2 nights) → fly to Yogyakarta (3 nights, Borobudur + Prambanan) → fly to Labuan Bajo (Komodo boat trip, 3 nights) → fly home from Denpasar. 3 weeks.
£20–35/day in Bali and Java.
More in remote areas (Raja Ampat, £50+/day).
Warung (local food stall) meal: £1–3.
Street food: 50p–£1.50.
Hostel dorm: £5–10.
Indonesia's coral reefs are among the most threatened by tourism — choose dive operators who practice no-touch policies and avoid operators who allow feeding. Support locally-owned warungs rather than international chains. The Komodo National Park entrance fee (significantly increased in 2023) goes directly to conservation.
Tell us where you want to go and your budget — we'll build a personalised quote with routes, hostels, and transport sorted.
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