Be Inspired by Indonesia
When you think of Indonesia, you’re sure to conjure images of its most famous island, Bali. But this small volcanic island is just one part of what is a rather mind-bogglingly big country. With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a whole world waiting to be explored.
When exploring different parts of the country, you’ll find that the languages, culinary traditions, and religions can shift dramatically. You might hear the morning call to prayer in Yogyakarta, but wake up to church bells in Flores, or enjoy the twinkling waters around the laid back Gillis, before meeting orangutans deep in wild Sumatra.
Our favourite places during your Indonesia holiday
Discover wild Sumatran orangutans
Trek through dense rainforest in northern Sumatra to find wild orangutans swinging through the trees. Once widespread throughout South East Asia, the population of our close relatives has dramatically declined and they are now limited to specific areas. Otherwise known as the “People of the Forest”, seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitat is a truly magical moment.
Explore Ubud’s emerald rice terraces
Famous for being Bali’s cultural hub and centre for traditional crafts and dance, Ubud is one of those “must-see” places that you often hear about. Surrounding the town you’ll find rolling rice fields dotted with Hindu temples and ancient holy sites. A buzzing place to spend a few days, where you will certainly not run out of things to do.
Lombok and the Gili Islands
Lombok sits just a two-hour boat ride or a 20-minute flight from Bali. While it may lack the Hindu temples and culture that give Bali so much charm, Lombok is a more modest and peaceful island just a stone’s throw away.
Lombok’s beautiful white-sand beaches are pleasantly low-key and its jungle interior and green rice paddies invite you to explore. The island is great for escaping the crowds, seeing some of authentic Indonesia, and still having a beach nearly to yourself.
At the heart of Lombok also stands Mount Rinjani, an active volcano that rises to 3,726 metres. It’s a popular trekking destination, with a typical choice of 2 or 3-day treks up to the crater summit. Mount Rinjani is different from the volcanoes on Java or Flores, which are usually easier to reach by car or have shorter hikes up to a panoramic view. Rinjani is favoured by those looking for more of a climb, and the breathtaking sunrise views of the crater lake make this well worth the effort.
Along the northwest of Lombok, you’ll find a series of three islands collectively named the Gilis. The biggest, Gili Trawangan, is a busy island mostly frequented by backpackers. For more of a Robinson Crusoe feel, we recommend the wonderfully quiet Gili Meno.
Which Indonesian islands should you combine?
Java & Bali
A truly powerful combination! You can travel overland from Java to Bali in 3 days – giving you a chance to stop along the way to see some sights as you go.
You can also take a 3-hour flight from Jakarta (in Java) to Denpasar (in Bali), if you want to get there a little quicker.
Bali, Lombok & the Gilis
It takes a couple of hours to sail from Bali to Lombok, which is a peaceful way to go from one island to the next.
However, if you fancy a slice of paradise on your way, hop over to the Gilis‘ for some beach time – just a 40-minute boat ride.
Sumatra & Java
It takes 2.5 hours to fly from Medan (in Sumatra) to Jakarta (Java).
Rickshaw Tip: If you’re visiting Sumatra and want some beach time too, avoid the long flight to Bali and go for a trip to Cubadak Island instead. This stunning island is just off Sumatra and saves the travel to Bali.
Bali, Flores and Komodo
If you want your fill of volcanoes, wildlife and beaches, these are the dream cluster of islands for you.
It’s a quick 2-hour flight from Bali to Flores, and then a couple of hours by boat to Komodo, with a chance to see the ancient Komodo dragon while you’re there.
How can we help?
Aside from the odd bike or boat ride, in most of our holidays, we will whisk you around the islands by private transfer. Taking the stress out of organising it yourself and you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Know before you go
Health
The risk of contracting disease whilst travelling in Indonesia is greater than in the UK, however not nearly as common as you may think. It will vary between individuals and many issues need to be considered, such as which islands you’ll be visiting, activities and your general health. Make sure you use plenty of mosquito repellent, wear a sun hat, use hand sanitizer and of course slap on the sun cream – we recommend Green People for eco-friendly sun cream options.
There are no statutory health and vaccination requirements for Indonesia, however, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccinations are usually advised. Malaria and Dengue Fever are present in Indonesia and can be avoided by covering up with long clothing, especially after sunset, using insect repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net. Find out more on the government site Fit For Travel.
Essentials to pack:
- Always carry an antibacterial hand wash and wet wipes with you.
- The sun can be very strong in Indonesia so make sure so take plenty of sun cream with high SPF, and preferably eco-friendly. Apply on a regular basis throughout the day to avoid getting sunburnt.
- Drink plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated. You can top up a reusable bottle in most hotels, as a lot have refilling stations.
- Mosquito repellent – mosquitoes in Indonesia can be fierce, so make sure you take along insect repellent.
- Sarong – As well as being used as clothing, a sarong can also serve as a blanket, towel or even a makeshift curtain for privacy when you travel. There’s nothing sarong with that!
Safety
Indonesia is a relatively safe country to travel through, however, it’s important to be aware of street crime and pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas. Avoid having your valuables obviously on show and take just the essential items with you, taking good care of your passport and bank cards.
For the latest advice on the areas better to be avoided please take a look at the FCO website. We do not offer trips to the areas that are considered unsafe (and will keep you posted if the current advice for travelling to Indonesia changes at any point before you jet off). If you are making your own arrangements at any point of your trip, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the latest updates.
Currency & money
The Indonesian currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and can be quite volatile, usually sitting between IDR 15,000 and 20,000 to £1.
Debit and credit cards are also widely accepted and you can make most payments using them in the more built-up areas of Indonesia, we recommend keeping some cash for small eateries, off the beaten track locations and tips. It may also be a bit trickier on the smaller, less touristy islands like Flores, where the only cash machines are in Maumere and Labuhan Bajo. We also recommend splitting your money between cash and cards.
Daily spend
While it’s quite difficult to predict how much exactly you’d end up spending, Indonesia is relatively cheap compared to the UK. Generally, £30-£40 per day should easily cover any extra meals, souvenirs, or a Bintang beer or three on the beach!
Tips and haggling
Tipping is generally expected in Indonesia, how much you tip is totally up to you. On average, we suggest tipping your guides and drivers around £2 per person, per day. Of course, if they’ve done a really great job you can offer them more and they will greatly appreciate your generosity. In restaurants, it isn’t expected to tip, but it’s a nice gesture to round up the bill.
Street vendors and beggars are generally very persistent. If they start to overwhelm you, it’s often best to ignore them. Even eye contact, a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ acknowledgement gives them an opening to try to persuade you to buy something from them. Be wary of people trying to approach you, walk along with you and trying to chat with you. Of course, this could just be a friendly person, but it can often be a ruse to make you pay for their services as a guide.
When haggling, start at 50% of the asking price, and haggle until you reach a happy medium. But remember to keep smiling and keep it friendly. Just like in the UK, you should pay what you think is fair, rather than haggling insistently for the sake of it.
