Experience overview

Our Ultimate Indonesia holiday showcases the highlights and diversity of these extraordinary islands. Cruise through Kalimantan’s Tanjung Puting National Park, spot orang-utans in the rainforest, explore ancient temples, marvel at sunrise from a volcanic summit, relax on pristine beaches and encounter infamous Komodo dragons.

  

Highlights

  • Explore Jakarta’s bubbling blend of ancient and modern
  • Look for orang-utans in the wilds of Kalimantan
  • See spectacular sunrises over Borobudur and Bromo
  • Live the laid-back Ubud lifestyle
  • Search for dragons on Komodo’s shores

Jakarta, Tanjung Puting National Park, Borobudur, Yogyakarta, Mt Bromo, Ubud, Komodo National Park


Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Jakarta

On arrival in Java, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel in Jakarta.

 

Day 2
Fly to Kalimantan, klotok cruise through Tanjung Puting

Having arrived in Kalimantan, you'll meet your local guide for the drive to Kumai Port, where you'll board the traditional klotok boat which you'll call home for the next three nights. Named after the noise that the boat makes as it travels, the klotoks are two-storey wooden river boats, traditionally used to transport goods and passengers up and down the winding waterways. A cruise on a converted klotok, now a houseboat, is a magical way to explore deep into the Tanjung Puting National Park. The journey begins on the wide Kumai River, before joining the much smaller Sekonyer River that marks the park’s border. Gaze at the wildlife appearing along the banks, and enjoy an authentic home-cooked Indonesian dinner on-board before settling down to fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle.

 

Day 3
Spot orang-utans at Camp Leaky

Cruise upstream to Camp Leakey, renowned for its orang-utan conservation. This inspiring project has reintroduced over 200 orang-utans back into the wild since its foundation, and the camp’s rangers medically monitor the local orang population and provide supplementary food via three feeding platforms. Take a walk along a wooden pontoon and jungle path to the viewing area, where you’ll see orangs visit a feeding platform just 30 feet away. Return to the boat in the late afternoon to continue cruising as groups of proboscis monkeys - easily recognizable by their long flat nose and pot-belly - come close to the river banks to spend the night in the overhanging trees. There’s a good chance of spotting more wild orang-utans as they come down to the bank to pick up pandan fruit, one of their favourite foods.

Cruise upstream to Camp Leakey, renowned for its orang-utan conservation. This inspiring project has reintroduced over 200 orang-utans back into the wild since its foundation, and the camp’s rangers medically monitor the local orang population and provide supplementary food via three feeding platforms. Take a walk along a wooden pontoon and jungle path to the viewing area, where you’ll see orangs visit a feeding platform just 30 feet away. Return to the boat in the late afternoon to continue cruising as groups of proboscis monkeys - easily recognizable by their long flat nose and pot-belly - come close to the river banks to spend the night in the overhanging trees. There’s a good chance of spotting more wild orang-utans as they come down to the bank to pick up pandan fruit, one of their favourite foods.

 

Day 4
Forest orang-utans, Harapan village visit

Head off towards the second orang-utan feeding centre at Pondok Tanguy. A half-mile walk through ferns and lush vegetation brings you to the site in time for the orang’s breakfast feed. Head downstream to the Pasalat Rainforest station to learn about the conservation work of the NGOs, based here to focus on reforesting the natural habitat of orang-utans. Step back aboard your kloktok, and head on to your last orang-utan viewing at Tanjung Harapan Camp. Make the short crossing to Harapan village, one of the only settlements along the river, where you can meet local families going about their daily lives, before heading back to your boat for a final dinner on board.

Day 5
Borobudur

After breakfast on board, cruise back to Kumai and head to Pangkalanbun airport for your flight to Semarang, where you'll meet your guide for the journey to Borobudur, where the rest of your day will be at leisure - perhaps catching an early night in preparation for tomorrow's sunrise over Borobudur temple itself.

 

Day 6
Borobudur

 Head out early to see a breathtaking sunrise over the temple complex at Borobudur, marvelling at the carved details as they are illuminated by the first rays of the day. Comprising thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple took more than 75 years to complete. Now protected by UNESCO, these stunning ruins, decorated with 500 Buddha statues and over 2,500 relief panels, remains remarkably intact. From Borobudur, continue on to the nearby Mendut and Pawon temples, aligned perfectly with Borobudur and defined by their elaborate stone carvings.

Day 7
Mt. Merapi cycling, Prambanan temple tour, Drive to Yogyakarta

Start the day’s cycling tour in Kaliadem village, with magnificent views of Gunung Merapi (one of Indonesia’s active volcanoes) and ravines created by past streams of molten lava. This leisurely, predominantly downhill cycle takes you through bucolic countryside, with Mt Merapi an ever-present backdrop, stopping for photo opportunities and guided talks. Cycle 9 miles to a local restaurant, for lunch with a view of Prambanan. As the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, Prambanan originally included over 240 temples, though some have been damaged over time. Having rested your legs, head into the temple to wander around its central shrines dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Hindu holy trinity. Having explored the temple, continue your journey to Yogyakarta.

Day 8
Sultan’s Palace, batik lesson, 'Go Local'

Set out for the Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton, which sits at the centre of Javanese cosmology and is still the traditional seat of Jogja’s royal court. The Palace is a vibrant showcase for Javanese culture, and you might see a classic dance or poetry performance while you’re there. Also visit the Taman Sari Water Palace, a 200 year old addition to the royal complex with bathing pools for the Sultan’s harem. In the afternoon, take a lesson in traditional batik production, including the Javanese philosophy behind the patterns, and create your own batik souvenir to take home. In the evening, one of our local Indonesian friends will meet you to show you around. Take a stroll to enjoy a drink in a local café or bar, immersing yourself further into the country’s culture, as you discover a side of Yogyakarta that only the locals know. Try the tempting street food, listen to live music, or join your companion in a game of badminton or petanque. If there’s anything particular you’re eager to experience, they’ll do their best to make it happen.

Day 9
Train & scenic drive to Bromo-Tengger Semeru National Park

Board the Sancaka Pagi Train at Yogyakarta Tugu Railway station to for a scenic train ride to Jombang in eastern Java. Pass through the spectacular volcanic landscapes, taking the opportunity to chat with local travellers with the assistance and translation of your accompanying guide. Disembark in Jombang and drive to Trowulan, the former site of the Majapahit Kingdom capital city, to visit the temples of Candi Bajang Ratu and Candi Tikus, before travelling along a scenic mountain route to the Bromo-Tengger National Park. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to sit back and enjoy the views of this magnificent peak.

Day 10
Mount Bromo sunrise, crater hike, fly to Bali

An early start, but we promise it’ll be worth it, as you set out at 3.30am for a sunrise jeep tour of Mount Bromo. Travel to Mount Penanjakan, which has arguably one of the best views of Bromo and its neighbouring gunungs, to watch the sun rise along with other early birds. Head into the caldera for a 40-minute walk across the otherworldly landscape of volcanic ash, known as the ‘sea of sand’, to the base of the jagged slopes. Walk up to the crater rim to gaze down into Bromo’s smoking interior, standing right on the edge of an active volcano. After this you'll be taken to the airport for a short flight to Bali, where you can head straight to Ubud and relax.

Day 11
At leisure in and around Ubud

Spend a day at leisure enjoying Ubud’s relaxed vibe, perhaps visiting the artisan village of Mas, taking a cooking class or wood-carving workshop class, or enjoying one of Ubud's many fantastic spas.

Day 12
Cycling tour, evening culinary crawl

Travelling through the outskirts of Ubud on two wheels is the perfect way to see both the beauty of the countryside and the daily lives of local people. Start in the village of Kadewatan to the north of Ubud, where you’ll meet your local cycle guide, and set off on a leisurely, predominantly downhill, cycle tour past paddy fields and temple compounds, through local villages and bamboo forest. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before your sunset culinary tour around Ubud. Begin with a cocktail and tapas overlooking the Ayung River at Sayan Valley, then head to a traditional cabin in the rice fields for an authentic Balinese feast. A stop will be made en-route at Saraswati Palace to watch a traditional dance at the beautiful candle-lit lotus pond, and end your evening tasting sweet delicacies at a favourite local restaurant.

Day 13
Explore central Bali's rice paddies, lakes & temples

Head out to discover the lakes, temples and stunning scenery of the surrounding area. Stop at Bedugul to explore the local market, with its stalls of eye-catching tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers, before continuing on to Ulun Danu, rumoured to be the most photographed temple in Bali. Built on several small islands, the temple appears to ‘float’ on the surface of Bratan Lake, its distinctive tiered roofs mirrored in the waters below, and is one of Bali’s holiest Hindu temples. Head back towards Ubud via the UNESCO listed rice terraces of Jatiluwih, where there’ll be time for a leisurely short trek through the fields, learning about the traditional ‘subak’ style of rice farming. Take a final stop at Pura Taman Ayun, the Royal Temple of Mengwi, surrounded by a moat and boasting multi–roofed meru shrines and intricately carved wooden gates, before returning to Ubud.

Day 14
Plane, car & shared boat to Komodo National Park

Enjoy the morning at leisure until it’s time for your journey to the Komodo Resort, where the rest of your day will be at leisure to wander the island’s deserted shoreline before settling in for a sunset dinner on the sand.

Days 15 & 16
Enjoy a few days R&R

Relax for a few days of ultimate tranquility at your leisure. You could cruise to Komodo Island for snorkelling and to search for Komodo Dragons with a national park ranger, or visit Rinca, which is smaller and less visited than Komodo, but also home to Komodo Dragons, wild pigs, indigenous birds and monkeys. You could also witness the dusk migration of flying foxes from Kalong Island.

Day 17
Depart Labuan Bajo

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

 

Booking Policy

English speaking, local guide
All accommodation listed
Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
All meals listed

 

  • Entry visas
  • International airport departure taxes
  • Any meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Drinks, other than water on activity days
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
  • Travel insurance
  • All other services not listed in 'inclusive'

Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.

 

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What our clients say about us

Leslie
Feb 2023
star star star star star
An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Lida
April 18, 2023
star star star star star
Our group of 26 people traveled to Japan & Thailand with My Way Travel, and had an incredible time. This was our third trip with My Way Travel and the trip was planned perfectly with every detail accounted for. Our tour guides were exceptional in every way. They exuded a warmth and friendliness that immediately put us at ease, making our trip more enjoyable. Not only were they amiable, but they also had extensive knowledge about the places we visited. We would highly recommend My Way Travel to anyone planning a trip to Asia.
Erik
July 28, 2023
star star star star star
We have just returned from a 16 Day/15 Night trip to southeast Asia including stops in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand planned by Stephen at My Way Travel. We reached out to My Way Travel with quite a tall order asking them to arrange a trip for us that included visiting 9 cities in 15 nights! From the first point of contact, our experience with My Way Travel was absolutely fantastic. Stephen was very attentive and let us customize our tour however we pleased. All of the hotels he booked for us were incredible and the tour guides and drivers made us feel like family. It was very easy to keep in touch with Stephen throughout our trip via Whatsapp. The only thing we really needed during our trip was to add baggage for one of our flights and he was able to take care of it the day before we arrived at the airport. All the drivers/guides showed up on time and made transferring from airport to hotel to tour to wherever extremely easy. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone that plans on traveling to Asia.
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