Indonesia travel advice
Komodo dragons
Philip Beale, from our supplier, Pioneer Expeditions, shares his Indonesia travel advice:
“You could argue that the Komodo National Park it is a tourist hotspot, but that takes nothing away from how incredible seeing Komodo dragons is; it has to be slightly controlled and managed because Komodo dragons are amazing, but they’re not cute, they’re killers. Although the dragons are happy to sit around and be watched, you have to have a guide there to make sure you’re watching them safely and you will definitely see them – in that way, it’s not an experience where you feel lucky when you do, but your heartbeat rises and it’s very exciting nonetheless.”
“You could argue that the Komodo National Park it is a tourist hotspot, but that takes nothing away from how incredible seeing Komodo dragons is; it has to be slightly controlled and managed because Komodo dragons are amazing, but they’re not cute, they’re killers. Although the dragons are happy to sit around and be watched, you have to have a guide there to make sure you’re watching them safely and you will definitely see them – in that way, it’s not an experience where you feel lucky when you do, but your heartbeat rises and it’s very exciting nonetheless.”
Our Indonesia Holidays
Indonesia highlights holiday
Discover our 4 favourite Indonesia islands in 3 just weeks!
From
£2058
21 days
ex flights
Kayaking holiday in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon expedition
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£1795
10 days
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Komodo and Flores holiday in Indonesia
See indigenous wildlife and stay in eco-accommodation
From
£4105
15 days
inc UK flights
Bali untouched, 12 day tour
Discover rural Bali, far from the bright lights of Kuta.
From
£855
12 days
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Bali adventure holiday
Warm people ornate customs and welcoming culture
From
£621 to £770
9 days
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Sumatra 14 day tour in Indonesia
Explore remote rainforests and watch cheeky orangutans play
From
£1748
14 days
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Bali holidays, rice terraces & beaches
Discover Bali’s emerald rice paddies & tiny castaway islands
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£1068
14 days
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Tailor made holiday in Bali, Off the beaten track
Cultural heritage, rainforest & beach relaxation in Bali
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£1250
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Bali cycling holiday in Indonesia
Discover the real Bali on a cycling trip
From
£873 to £1045
8 days
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Sulawesi and Borneo snorkel safari
Small group snorkel safari to N.Sulawesi and Borneo.
From
£3389
15 days
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Raja Ampat diving project, Indonesia
Dive and conserve the stunning coral reefs of Raja Ampat
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£1095 to £3450
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Cultural holiday in Indonesia
Traditional culture, stunning scenery and unusual wildlife
From
£2345
15 days
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Indonesia holiday, Volcanoes and temples
Explore Central Indonesia's ancient temples and smoldering volcanoes
From
£2489 to £2939
16 days
inc UK flights
North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat snorkel safari
Group adventure snorkel and land safari to Indonesia
From
£3195
15 days
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Highlights of Indonesia small group tour
Prepare to be dazzled by incredible Indonesia
From
£2034 to £2335
22 days
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Youth development volunteering in Java
Join youth-driven community service program in East Java.
From
US $660 to US $1500
4 weeks
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Raja Ampat diving holiday, plus Java tour, Indonesia
14 day world class diving and beautiful land adventure.
From
£2995
14 days
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Teach English in Indonesia
Teach English in the stunning island of Mandeh.
From
US $880 to US $1980
4 weeks
ex flights
Bali and Java holiday in Indonesia
Discover the best of Java and Bali
From
£2050 to £2345
16 days
inc UK flights
Flores & Komodo holiday, Indonesia
Komodo Dragon Islands and Flores, Multi-activity Holiday
From
£2395
12 days
ex flights
Indonesia holiday, orangutans and culture
See wildlife and stay in a sustainable lodge development.
From
£4320
16 days
inc UK flights
Tanjung Puting orangutan holiday in Borneo
Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo orangutan adventure
From
AU $2390
7 days
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Snorkel Raja Ampat and Java tour, Indonesia
14 day safari, world class snorkelling & fantastic land tour
From
£2795
14 days
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Kalimantan tour, hidden Borneo
Rugged jungle, enchanting wildlife and intriguing tribes
From
£3099
14 days
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Bali private tour, 10 days
Romantic and magical experience in the mesmerising Bali
From
US $2000 to US $3800
10 days
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Community volunteering in Bali
Volunteer in the biggest deaf community in Indonesia.
From
US $795 to US $1925
4 weeks
ex flights
Indonesia tour, Kalimantan, Komodo & Bali
Explore Borneo's jungles, Bali's temples & Komodo's beaches
From
£2254
12 days
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Avoiding overcrowded beaches
Philip Beale, from our supplier, Pioneer Expeditions, shares his advice on avoiding overcrowded beaches: “There are some very touristy beach scenes in Bali and some areas are all about beer drinking, loud music and very large crowds. Likewise, at certain times of year, the Gili Islands can get very overcrowded and have been victims of pollution because of this. In both Bali and the Gili Islands, however, there are wonderful spots too and it is possible to have a really nice beach holiday avoiding the overdeveloped and overcommercialised areas – research thoroughly and ask your tour operator for advice on where to go.”Our top Indonesia Holiday
Indonesia highlights holiday
Discover our 4 favourite Indonesia islands in 3 just weeks!
From
£2058
21 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Indonesia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
Tips from our travellers in Indonesia
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Indonesia travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Indonesia travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Move around as I did to see the real Bali and its people. Go off the beaten track into the mountains and explore all the small villages.
– Michelle Alix
“Bring a lightweight poncho, some good binoculars, and extra strength mosquito repellent.” - Jillian Woodford
“Kayaking is hard work if you're a novice and the wind is against you, but the whole trip is well worth the aching arms. Just book it.” - Liz Calton
“Pack light, you need virtually nothing, and if you are female make sure you are not menstruating otherwise you won't be allowed to visit the Komodo dragons which would be terribly disappointing.” - Sally Jackson
“Just decide what kind of holiday you want – I'd recommend a mixture of busy and remote to get a good idea of the culture.” - Christina Lloyd
“Kayaking is hard work if you're a novice and the wind is against you, but the whole trip is well worth the aching arms. Just book it.” - Liz Calton
“Pack light, you need virtually nothing, and if you are female make sure you are not menstruating otherwise you won't be allowed to visit the Komodo dragons which would be terribly disappointing.” - Sally Jackson
“Just decide what kind of holiday you want – I'd recommend a mixture of busy and remote to get a good idea of the culture.” - Christina Lloyd
Bring modest clothes to wear in the temples and small villages- shirts that cover your shoulders and shorts that are just above the knee or lower. Bring a flashlight for any mountain hiking!
– Christina Colley
“You need to be relatively fit, however, there is not pressure to participate in any of the activities. Accommodation and transport can be very basic, but add to the whole experience. Take ear plugs!” - Tracey Lawrence
“Don't be put off going in the rainy season. Maybe we were just lucky but we didn't get too much rain and travelling in the low season meant that the national parks and other tourist attractions were very quiet - apparently places like Tanjung Puting can get very busy in high season.” - Kathryn White
“Expect to get away from it all and try new experiences. Explore the surrounding area on foot.” - Adrian Helen
“You just have to open yourself up and be willing to take it all in. The local people can offer you so much. Be willing to speak with them and learn about their lives.” - Ruth Hanson
“Don't be put off going in the rainy season. Maybe we were just lucky but we didn't get too much rain and travelling in the low season meant that the national parks and other tourist attractions were very quiet - apparently places like Tanjung Puting can get very busy in high season.” - Kathryn White
“Expect to get away from it all and try new experiences. Explore the surrounding area on foot.” - Adrian Helen
“You just have to open yourself up and be willing to take it all in. The local people can offer you so much. Be willing to speak with them and learn about their lives.” - Ruth Hanson
More about Indonesia
Our temperature & rainfall chart covers all bases, especially when added to our month by month guide, supplier advice and cultural picks.
Our Indonesia travel guide aims to point responsible travellers in the right direction when it comes to what we rate & what we don’t as well as all the information you need on food, shopping & people to assist in your quest to discover Indonesia like a local.
Our interactive map of highlights features everywhere from Kalimantan and Sulawesi to Java, Komodo and Lombok.
From a kayak into the jungle to a tour of the temples, this is just the tip of the misty mountain when it comes to finding things to do in Indonesia.
If you’re getting into Game of Thrones or can’t forget Smaug from The Hobbit, there’s only one thing to do – set sail on a Komodo dragon tour.
Sea kayaking in the Komodo Islands is a chance to be immersed in nature, paddling your way to remote corners of this beautiful national park.
There are loads of activities for families in Indonesia, from hiking around volcanoes to horseback riding to snorkelling.
Weigh up development vs poverty, find out more about palm oil and research what you can do to help when it comes to animal rights.
Find all of our Indonesia guides in one place, including guides to Bali, Borneo, Raja Ampat and orangutan watching.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Jean-Marie Hullot] [Komodo dragons: Bryn Pinzgauer]
[Health & Safety: Sebastian Staines]
[Michelle Alix Quote: Paolo Nicolello]
[Christina Colley Quote: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas]
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