14 days in Indonesia: what to see and where to go

If you look carefully at the map, you will understand that Indonesia is a huge country of thousands of islands that can be explored for a lifetime. And the most interesting locations are at a considerable distance from each other: it is simply impossible to cover everything in one trip. How can you plan at least a 2-week trip to see as much as possible? We offer 6 route options for 14 days.

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Route No. 1: Sumatra, Bali, Lombok

Day 1-4: Sumatra and orangutans

Fly to Medan and find a bus heading to Bukit Lawang. This will take most of the day. You can skip Medan: there are not that many interesting things in the city. In Bukit Lawang, book a one-day jungle trek to see orangutans. It is best to organize such an adventure with guides who know how to track primates. Spend a day in Bukit Lawang before or after, and do not forget the spectacular boat rafting on the local river.

Bus back to Medan and flight to Bali.

Day 5-10: Bali and the Nusa islands

Most visitors to Indonesia prefer Bali. You have a huge choice of where to stay on the Island of the Gods, as you will find options for every taste and budget. Be sure to visit Ubud. It will help you immerse yourself in the atmosphere and see the unique places of classic Bali.

Head to the Nusa islands: there are three of them, they are located next to each other, and two of them are connected by a bridge. Take a ferry from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan or Penida and spend 3 days exploring these beautiful islands: visit magnificent beaches, go snorkeling among manta rays, learn to surf or relax in one of the many beach pools. From Lembongan, it is easy to ride a motorbike across the bridge to Ceningan for a day trip. You can stay on Ceningan to enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere. This place is popular with surfers, and there are far fewer tourists here than in Bali.

Day 11-14: Lombok

Just a two-hour ride by fast boat from the Nusa islands, or a short flight from Bali, and you will find yourself on the island of Lombok. It is different from the other islands you will see on this route. Lombok is much calmer, with more village life.

You will have to choose between the Gili islands off the coast and a trek to Mount Rinjani, which usually takes 3 days and 2 nights. You can also head south to enjoy magnificent beaches and surfing. Incredible waterfalls are scattered all over Lombok and are worth visiting.

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Route No. 2: Bali and Komodo

This unforgettable two-week adventure combines the best of Bali - from meeting the monkeys of Sangeh to tanning on the beaches of the Bukit Peninsula, with an excursion through the wild archipelago, including a two-day cruise through Komodo National Park.

Day 1-4: Bali - Tanah Lot, Munduk

Upon arrival in Denpasar, where Bali's airport is located, take a transfer to your hotel in Tanah Lot to give yourself time to relax, enjoy a leisurely bike ride, or visit Tanah Lot Temple before heading through rice terraces and lush jungle to Munduk for three nights. You will get acquainted with the picture of traditional Balinese rural life by going to a chain of waterfalls, and then soothe your muscles in the Bahar hot springs.

Day 5-8: Ubud

Canoe across the serene waters of Lake Beratan to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple before reaching Ubud via the Jatiluwih rice terraces and the Sangeh Monkey Forest. You will spend three nights in Ubud to immerse yourself in the rich local culture. Then head south to coastal Sanur through the lively Sukawati market.

Day 9-10: Komodo

From Sanur, you can conveniently fly to Flores Island to set off by boat on a two-day cruise around the Komodo archipelago. Take time for diving among coral reefs, snorkeling with manta rays, and guided hikes to observe the giant Komodo dragons in the wild. You will also hike to the summit of Padar Island.

Day 11-14: Jimbaran

Return by plane to Denpasar and spend three nights in Jimbaran. In addition to beach walks and activities of your choice, you will witness the impressive Kecak show at the cliff temple of Uluwatu. Walk along the beaches of Bukit, visit Luhur Uluwatu Temple.

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Route No. 3: Central Kalimantan and the Derawan islands

This is a two-week adventure in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. You can expect a deep immersion into Dayak culture with a three-day river cruise through the jungle to meet orangutans. The route allows you to combine active tourism with a beach holiday. It is a week of snorkeling, sunbathing and shark watching on the Derawan Islands.

Day 1-3: Kalimantan - Palangkaraya

You arrive in the city of Palangkaraya in Kalimantan. Here you will get acquainted with the local culture in the authentic village of Tumbang Malahoi. Then spend a day in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan Province.

Day 4-6: Kalimantan - jungle and Palas Island

Set off on a three-day river cruise into the Kalimantan jungle. You will be able to paddle a canoe in search of orangutans and proboscis monkeys, and visit the orangutan rehabilitation center on Palas Island. Also explore Dayak villages, the tiny coastal settlement of Kanarakan, and the ancient painted Dayak sandungs (tombs) in Bukit Rawi and Sigi.

Day 7-13: the Derawan islands

After the river journey, you will fly via the coastal city of Balikpapan to Maratua in the Derawan Islands, where you will spend four days relaxing on white-sand beaches and swimming in turquoise waters. Ride a bike through the mangrove forests. Set out by local boat to Derawan Island for two nights. Along the way, you will be able to snorkel with green turtles and manta rays near Sangalaki and Kakaban. Here you will learn about the culture of the indigenous peoples of Derawan while walking through the Bajau tribe village.

Day 14: transfer to the airport

End your adventure with a boat trip in search of whale sharks and a visit to the traditional fishing village of Talisayan. After that, find a transfer to Berau airport.

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Route No. 4: Sulawesi

Tana Toraja, the Togian Islands and Manado. This 14-day route includes the sights of Sulawesi. You will see the elongated Tongkonan houses in the highlands of West Sulawesi, the marine wonders of the Togian archipelago near Central Sulawesi, and the marine park around Bunaken Island.

Day 1-4: Rantepao

Start with Rantepao, the cultural center of the Toraja ethnic group in South Sulawesi. Visit the center of traditional weaving in Sadan, walk through rice terraces and bamboo forests to Batutumonga. Stay in a traditional Tongkonan house. Take a cultural tour through Tana Toraja, seeing the wooden tau-tau effigies of the dead on the cliff, old stone megaliths, gardens and the silk weaving workshops of Tansitolo.

Day 5-7: Tentena

Head north to Tentena. Walk to the Pamona caves and the Saluopa waterfalls. Swim in Lake Poso, then continue to Ampana to take a boat to the Togian Islands.

Day 8-14: Kadidiri Island

Start the second week by relaxing on Kadidiri Island, including exploring the untouched underwater world, as well as a boat trip to Mount Colo volcano. The next day, transfer to the city of Manado, at the far northeastern tip of Sulawesi. Here you can go snorkeling in the impressive Bunaken Marine Park, visit the Ekayana Buddhist pagoda in Kakaskasen, admire the traditional food and flower market in Tomohon. Stop by the pottery village of Pulutan and the traditional Bentenan weaving workshop.

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Route No. 5: from Yogyakarta to Bali

If you are looking for a Bali tour that also includes a holiday on Java, this option combines all the main sights: from Borobudur and Mount Bromo on Java to mountain biking through the Jatiluwih rice fields and a sunrise trek on Mount Batur in Bali.

Day 1-3: Yogyakarta

Begin your adventure with three nights in Yogyakarta, visiting the Sultan's Palace and the Taman Sari water palace, the graceful 9th-century Hindu temple of Prambanan, as well as the world's largest Buddhist monument and collection of Buddhist sculptures at Borobudur. You will have time to go cycling or horseback riding in the village of Candi Rejo.

Day 4-6: Surabaya

Take the train to Surabaya and continue to a hotel near Mount Bromo in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Enjoy the local scenery. You will hike to the summit of Ijen volcano, where you will meet the sunrise, and then take the ferry to Bali: transfer to Pemuteran (Bali) via Gilimanuk.

Day 7-14: Bali

Begin your stay in Bali with snorkeling in Bali Barat National Park, known for its marine life, then head to Munduk for a hike to its famous waterfalls, the perfect place for a picnic deep in the jungle. You will learn the Balinese art of cooking and be able to ride a mountain bike through the Jatiluwih rice terraces near the town of Tabanan.

Head to Ubud, Bali's temple treasure house, and from there go on a trek to the famous Mount Batur. You need to set out early in the morning to meet the sunrise at the summit and see all the magnificence of the island from a bird's-eye view. Afterwards visit the Tegalalang rice fields, and also do not miss the Hindu water temple Tirta Empul. Spend the end of your holiday in peace in Ubud, and take time for meditation, spa or exotic shopping.

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Route No. 6: Escape to Bali and Pulo Cinta

This 14-day route is designed for romantics: it combines immersion into the picturesque beauty and distinctive culture of Bali, as well as several days under the charm of Pulo Cinta - the "magic island of love" in North Sulawesi.

Day 1-5: Ubud and surroundings

Begin your trip in Ubud. After a day of rest in Bali's cultural capital, spend the following days exploring its popular routes and surroundings. Visit Ubud Palace and walk through the Monkey Forest, see the sacred water palace Tirta Gangga and take a journey through the Tegalalang rice fields.

Day 6-7: Munduk

Head north to the relatively untouched Munduk, where you will have lunch among the Jatiluwih rice terraces. The next day you can visit a sacred spring for a newlyweds' blessing ceremony, as well as the home of a traditional healer. Walk through the jungle to arrange a picnic near a waterfall.

Day 8-11: Pulo Cinta

Transfer to Denpasar, from where head to Gorontalo. There you can change to a private boat that takes you to the "magic island of love". This is Pulo Cinta, which is also often called the "Maldives in Indonesia". Nature created it in the familiar shape of a heart. Treat yourself to three days by the ocean with romance on a private luxury island.

Day 12-14: Bukit Peninsula

The return road via Gorontalo awaits you, and then head to the Bukit Peninsula. Explore temples and enjoy beautiful beaches. After that, you can visit Belimbing Valley in Uluwatu.

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