A tropical land rich in wildlife and history, this journey combines some of the main highlights of Indonesia.
Starting with a tour of Bali visiting Candidasa, Ubud and Munduk, enjoy a myriad of cultural ceremonies, beautiful temples, breathtaking scenery and artistic expression. Fly to Labuan Bajo located on Flores Island before boarding your two night cruise aboard a traditional Phinisi boat (this can be taken on a private basis at an extra cost). Discover the islands of Kelor, Kalang, Padar, Komodo, Rinca and Kenawa with guided treks to explore the unique flora and fauna including the largest monitor lizards on earth – the Komodo Dragon and various snorkelling trips to witness the incredible underwater world. Leaving Komodo National Park, return to Bali and spend a final two nights relaxing in Nusa Dua.
Candidasa – Ubud – Munduk – Labuan Bajo – Komodo National Park Cruise – Nusa Dua
Trip Highlights
- UNESCO protected Komodo National Park is home to the formidable Komodo dragon
- Explore Rinca Island with its large population of Komodo dragons, wild pig and birds
- There are few better snorkelling spots than the colourful reefs of Kenawa Island
- Around Candidasa discover pristine landscapes and artisans weaving ikat textiles
- Visit Ulun Danu, a major Hindu temple set of the shores of Lake Bratan
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Depart the UK on the Qatar Airways flight non-stop to Doha.
Day 2
Arrive Candidasa
Arrive into Doha and connect onto the Doha Airways flight to Denpasar in Bali. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Candidasa.
Alila Manggis
Day 3
Candidasa
Enjoy a full day tour of eastern Bali with your guide. Start with a visit to Tirta Gangga, a sacred water palace which boasts decorative pools, lush plant life and fountains. Learn how water plays a prominent role in the belief systems of Bali’s Hindus and understand why it is such an important pilgrimage site. After a traditional lunch in the countryside, continue for a gentle hike through pristine landscapes, ride paddies and small villages. You may also experiences local artisans making baskets and weaving ikat textiles. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Alila Manggis
Day 4
Candidasa to Ubud – 46kms
After breakfast check out and drive to Sideman, a rural region known for its lush landscapes of rice terraces framed by volcanoes and known for its artisanal weaving. Continue to the highlands and visit Bali’s ‘Mother Temple’, Besakih. Nestled on the western slopes of Mount Agung, Besakih is the island’s most important temple. Admire the 23 monuments that make up this landmark and learn about Bali’s spiritual culture. After lunch overlooking Mount Agung, stop at Penglipuran before arriving into Ubud.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
The Samaya Ubud
Day 5
Ubud
After a leisurely morning, visit the ARMA Museum which showcases an extensive collection of Balinese and Indonesia paintings and art, giving a great overview of the island’s rich artistic traditions. Continue to the 16th century Royal Palace which is home to Ubud’s King and Royal Family. After a stroll through a local market, enjoy lunch at a restaurant with wonderful views over the Tjampuhan river valley. Spend the afternoon relaxing.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
The Samaya Ubud
Day 6
Ubud
Today is at leisure. If you wish to explore Ubud today there are several options available including a private tour of the region’s spectacular waterfalls or a classic Ubud tour where you will visit the famed Sacred Monkey Forest, Pura Taman Saraswati and the scenic Tegalalang rice fields or go cycling through a local village.
- Breakfast
The Samaya Ubud
Day 7
Ubud to Munduk – 65kms
After breakfast check out of the hotel and enjoy a full day excursion of Bali’s lakes and hills. Start at the Royal Temple of Mengwi which is a stunning piece of architecture that was built in 1634. The temples showcase multi-roofed Meru shrines and intricately carved wooden gates. Next drive to Jatiluwih and take a light trek through these UNESCO-listed rice terraces. Continue to Lake Bratan and the beautiful Ulun Danu Temple which is dedicated to the god of fertility. From here continue on to remote Munduk, a Balinese hill station.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Munduk Moding Plantation Resort
Day 8
Munduk
Spend the day at leisure with driver and guide at disposal. The Munduk Moding Plantation offers guided treks, cycles and a tour of the plantation. The resort also attracts a variety of birdlife such as swallow, singing bush lark, kingfisher, red jungle fowl, pink necked pigeon, plaintive cuckoo and spider hunter. In the morning there is an opportunity for a light hike to explore the plantations and waterfalls that surround the property.
- Breakfast
Munduk Moding Plantation Resort
Day 9
Munduk to Denpasar – 80 kms / Denpasar to Labuan Bajo – by air
This morning return to Denpasar Airport and fly to Labuan Bajo. Enjoy a day at leisure at the Plataran Hotel where you may wish to snorkel, kayak or enjoy sunset drinks before dinner is served in the evening.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa
Day 10
Komodo National Park Cruise
After breakfast you will be transferred to Plataran’s private jetty to board the Phinisi Feleicia boat which will be your base for the next two nights. Over the next few days you will be sailing the Komodo National Park which was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the national park is also home to numerous snake species, buffalo, wild boar and deer, as well as a rich variety of marine life from sunfish and rays to dolphin and whale. Leaving Labuan Bajo stop at the crystal clear waters of Kelor Island where you can enjoy some gentle snorkelling before sailing to Kalong Island where you will moor for the night. Kalong is a small yet beautiful island in the national park that is home to mangrove plantations. As the sun sets you will witness thousands of bats flying over the island, a spectacular phenomenon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Plataran Phinisi Felicia Boat
Day 11
Komodo National Park Cruise
Arrive at Padar Island in the morning and take a trek to one of the best viewpoints in the whole of Komodo National Park, it truly is a beautiful sight. Continue by boat to Komodo Island where you will have the opportunity to see the legendary Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat. You may also see deer, wild boat and birds. After lunch, sail to Rinca Island for an afternoon of spectacular snorkelling and swimming at Pink Beach. Spend the night at anchor in the crystal blue water bay.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Plataran Phinisi Felicia Boat
Day 12
Komodo National Park to Labuan Bajo – by boat / Labuan Bajo to Nusa Dua – by air
Enjoy an early snorkelling safari off of Kenawa Island which offers pristine coral reefs before sailing to Bidadari which is home to crystal clear waters. You will then return to Labuan Bajo and the airport for the flight back to Denpasar. On arrival you will be met and transferred by car to Nusa Dua, a quiet beach resort located on the southeast coast of Bali.
- Breakfast
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Day 13
Nusa Dua
Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy your beachfront hotel.
- Breakfast
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Day 14
Denpasar to the UK
Today leave Nusa Dua by car and return to Denpasar Airport. In the evening depart on the Qatar Airways flight to Doha connecting on to your flight to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Spend further time exploring the little-visited island of Flores. One of the island’s star attractions is Kelimutu, a volcano that features three striking volcanic and colourful crater lakes at the summit. Other highlights include Cancar and its spiderweb-style rice fields, Rangko Cave and the traditional village of Wae Rebo, which is only accessible by trekking.
Only a short speedboat ride from Bali, spend some time relaxing on the Gili Islands, a pocket-sized archipelago that boasts irresistible tropical scenery, palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear waters with excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.
Extend your Indonesian journey and include a visit to Java, a land of volcanic landscapes, tropical rainforest and lush rice paddies. During your time visit the awe-inspiring Buddhist temple complex of Borobudur and spectacular vistas of Mount Bromo at sunrise.
Guide to Price
15 days from £5200 - £5800 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Komodo cruise accommodation
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £5200 - £5800
Travel Information
Getting There
There are no direct flights from the UK to Indonesia but there are a range of connecting flights available. Singapore Airlines via Singapore have excellent timings and connections but Malaysia Airlines and Emirates also have regular flights from to the UK to Indonesia.
Flying Times From UK
Depending on where you are travelling, the minimum flight time with a connection from the UK to an Indonesian airport is 14½ hours.
Time Zone
Being such a large country, Indonesia is split across three time zones, GMT +7 (Western Indonesian Time including Jakarta), GMT +8 (Central Indonesian Time which includes Bali) and GMT +9 (Eastern Indonesian Time).
Visa Requirements
British citizens must have a visa to visit Indonesia with a 30-day visa available to purchase on arrival. The visa on arrival (VOA) costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah, payable in cash or by card. It is valid for single entry only. You must have a return or onward ticket. Most of the main airports issue VOAs.
Indonesia has also introduced the All Indonesia Arrival Card which combines customs and health declarations into a single form. You must complete the online All Indonesia Declaration Form up to 72 hours before you arrive In Indonesia. For more information please visit https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id/
Do’s & Don’ts
Do be wary of no-smoking areas. While these are relatively new, if smoking laws are violated a fine could be issued.
Make sure you carry your passport, or passport copy, with you at all times as this is a legal requirement for all visitors.
Where possible never use your left hand. Etiquette also dictates that you eat with your right hand.
Body language is important in Indonesian culture – never cross your arms when standing or sitting, as this shows aggression and do not point at someone with a single finger as this is considered rude.
A light handshake instigates most greetings whether with a new acquaintance or a life-long friend.
Money
The currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah (RP). It can be easily exchanged in Indonesia especially in the major destinations of Bali, Jakarta and Lombok. Aside from Rupiah, US Dollars are accepted in most destinations – although should really only be used when purchasing high value items. ATMs are common in major cities and most towns but in rural areas they are rare so you will need to carry local currency. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in most places, especially in cities and popular tourist areas. Outside of these areas credit cards may be harder to use and cash is preferred.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not common in Indonesia. Restaurants may add on a service tax of 10% but this is not a standard rule. Taxis do not expect to be tipped but rounding up the fare is common. A guidelines for tipping your drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
With Indonesia being so large there are many different styles of foods available across the country, however, Javanese cuisine is what is usually referred to when discussing Indonesian food. The main staple is rice but soups and noodles are also prominent, with hot chillies, peanuts and sugar the main seasoning ingredients. Most cuisine is Halal, with chicken, beef and fish all common – fish especially if you are close to the coast. Food here is exciting and varied and it is well worth being adventurous with your meal choices.
Accommodation
There is a wide range of hotel accommodation in Indonesia and this varies depending on the island you are visiting. In Bali and Java there are numerous excellent hotels and resorts, all with first-class facilities and amenities. Equally in places like the Gili Islands, there are now excellent beach hotels. Elsewhere on the smaller or less visited islands, standards vary and options can be limited. Eco-hotels are becoming more popular in parts of the archipelago and as well resorts that focus on health and wellbeing. When visiting Komodo National Park stays will be aboard a scheudled or private Phinisi boat.
Shopping
Indonesia is fantastic for shopping with shops, markets and bazaars selling a range of handicrafts and knick-knacks. There is wide range of clothing available – many of the UK brands can be found here – whilst paintings, silk work, local textiles, batik cloth, bamboo items and dried spices are popular gifts. In Indonesia, Sunday is generally the busiest shopping day.
Suggested Reading
The main guidebooks, Lonely Planet, Footprint and Rough Guides offer comprehensive Indonesia travel advice and a good overview on the country. If you want something that explores Indonesian history ‘A History of Modern Indonesia’, by Adrian Vickers is an excellent companion as is ‘Indonesia: Peoples and Histories’, by Jean Gelman Taylor and ‘Indonesia: Exploring the Improbable Nation’, by Elizabeth Pisani. For fiction read the brilliant ‘This Earth of Mankind’ by Pramoedya Ananta Toer and its sequels.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations for Indonesia are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Indonesia the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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