This is the exact itinerary I followed for one month in Indonesia. Honestly, Indonesia is one of the best countries you can visit if you love variety. You get everything: wild jungle treks to meet orangutans, climbing active volcanoes, diving into Buddhist culture, and even meeting prehistoric wildlife on remote islands. My Indonesia itinerary is all about real experiences, not just ticking boxes.
I arrived in Indonesia from Malaysia, continuing my road trip across Southeast Asia. Starting in the north and working my way south—Sumatra, Java, Bali, then Komodo—was the most efficient route, especially if you want to minimize flights. But honestly, the order doesn’t matter much; just make sure you have enough time to soak in each place.
Sumatra and the Last Orangutans in the World
Trekking in Bukit Lawang: A Real Jungle Experience
If you’re looking for adventure, Sumatra is the place to start your Indonesia itinerary. In the north, around Bukit Lawang, you can trek deep into the jungle to meet monkeys, gibbons, and the star of the show: orangutans. “Orangutan” literally means “man of the forest,” and seeing them in their natural habitat is something I’ll never forget.
I went with Sumatra Orangutan Explore, a company I highly recommend, but there are several good options. My four-day trek was pure magic. Every day, we saw different monkeys, and on three out of four days, we spotted orangutans swinging through the trees. It’s hard to describe the feeling—you’re sweaty, tired, sometimes muddy, but then you lock eyes with an orangutan and everything else disappears. It’s wild, humbling, and a bit surreal.
Extra Ideas for Next Time: Lake Toba and Mentawai Islands
I didn’t have time for everything, but if I return, Lake Toba and the Mentawai Islands are top of my list. Lake Toba, just south of Medan, is a huge volcanic lake surrounded by mountains. You can swim, take boat tours, try jet skiing, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. If you’re into fishing or want to try water biking, this is the place.
Even farther south, the Mentawai Islands are home to remote tribes and world-class surf. You can join a cultural tour, spend a week living with a Mentawai family, and learn about their ancient traditions, tattooing, and shamanic rituals. It’s a real chance to get off the beaten path and see a side of Indonesia most tourists miss.
Java: Culture, Temples, and Volcanoes
Yogyakarta: The Noisy City with Hidden Gems
After Sumatra, I flew to Yogyakarta. I’ll be honest—Yogyakarta itself isn’t the prettiest city. Even if you look at the city center on Google Maps, it seems like there’s a main square, but in reality, the streets aren’t that charming and there’s not much to do downtown. My advice: pick a nice hotel in the countryside and use Yogyakarta as a base to visit Borobudur and Prambanan. If you want a taste of local life, stroll down Jl Malioboro in the evening for street food and people-watching.
Borobudur: The Most Intriguing Temple in the World
Borobudur is about an hour from Yogyakarta. It’s now very well organized, with separate groups for locals and foreigners. There are two types of tickets: one lets you walk around the base, and the other—more expensive—lets you climb up the temple itself. Choose the second! You’ll get a pair of flip-flops (to protect the stones), and it’s worth every rupiah.
A guide is mandatory (included with your ticket), but here’s my tip: at the top, tell your guide you want to stay a few more minutes. Otherwise, they’ll rush you down, and you’ll miss the chance to soak in the atmosphere and views. After the tour, you can wander the park at your own pace. If you plan to visit Prambanan too, buy the combined ticket to save money.
Prambanan: A Stunning Hindu Temple Complex
Prambanan is about 40 minutes from Yogyakarta. It’s another incredible temple complex, with two or three massive temples and lots of smaller ones scattered across a beautiful park. I spent an entire afternoon here, walking, taking photos, and just enjoying the peaceful vibe. It’s less crowded than Borobudur, and again, mostly locals. You can visit solo or hire a guide for the full story. Don’t miss the smaller temples like Candi Sewu—they’re just as magical.
Mount Bromo: Sunrise and Surreal Landscapes
Java is famous for volcanoes, and Mount Bromo is a must on any Indonesia travel route. The adventure starts in Malang, a city that surprised me with its modern vibe. From there, you’ll find 4x4s everywhere, ready to take you on a pre-dawn ride to the mountains. Expect to leave at 3 or 4 am to catch the sunrise. You won’t be alone, but the crowds melt away when you see the sun rise over the smoking crater.
After sunrise, you’ll drive down to the base of Bromo, where you can hike up to the crater rim. The landscape is so surreal—ash plains, volcanic sand, and misty peaks. It honestly feels like walking on the moon.
Ijen: The Blue Flames and Sulfur Lake
The Ijen volcano trek is famous on Instagram for its “blue flames.” But here’s the truth: the blue flames are from pipes installed to collect sulfur, not a natural phenomenon. It’s basically the same blue flame as your stove at home. Don’t go just for the flames.
But the trek itself? Amazing. You’ll climb up in the dark, then descend into the crater to see a turquoise acidic lake, workers carrying huge chunks of sulfur, and clouds of smoke pouring from the pipes. You have to wear a mask because the sulfur is toxic, but the whole experience feels like stepping into a sci-fi movie. Most people join a small group tour for safety and logistics. You can even combine Bromo and Ijen into one trip with a single company.
Bali: The Most Famous (But Not My Favorite) Island
Ubud: The Artistic Heart
Uluwatu: Beaches and Buzz
Down south, Uluwatu has exploded with development. The streets are lined with fancy restaurants and shops. The beaches are stunning, with dramatic cliffs and turquoise waves, but they get packed during peak season. If you want to surf or just relax on the sand, try to go early or off-season.
Canggu: The Lively Coast
Boat Expedition Like Darwin: Komodo National Park
How to Get There
Komodo Island is getting more popular every year, and for good reason. Most expeditions start from Flores island, at Labuan Bajo. It’s an island not far from Bali (but you’ll need to fly). From there, you board your boat for an epic 2–4 day adventure, depending on your choice.
Tours run all year, but the number of boats in the harbor shows how crowded it can get during peak season (July–September). I went in January, during the rainy season, and it was a gamble. Luckily, there were few people at each spot and hardly any rain—a perfect combo!
The Packed Program
Each company’s route is a bit different, but the highlights are usually:
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, maybe with manta rays
- Watching sunrise from Padar Island’s famous viewpoint
- Visiting pink sand beaches
- Meeting Komodo dragons on their home island
- Ending the day with sunsets and watching bats fill the sky
Every day is packed and it’s worth it!
The Boat Makes the Difference
The boat you choose matters. The pricier, the better the experience—food, accommodation, and comfort. I spent a bit more for a beautiful wooden boat with a wide deck to chill between activities. It was one of the nicest boats out there, and I felt lucky! I might have paid €100 more, but when I saw the other boats, I knew it was worth every euro.
