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
Bali adventure holiday
Warm people ornate customs and welcoming culture
From
£670 to £820
9 days
ex flights
Komodo and Flores holiday in Indonesia
See indigenous wildlife and stay in eco-accommodation
From
£4970
15 days
inc UK flights
Kayaking holiday in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon expedition
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£1795
10 days
ex flights
Sulawesi and Borneo snorkel safari
Small group snorkel safari to N.Sulawesi and Borneo.
From
£3389
15 days
ex flights
Bali cycling holiday in Indonesia
Discover the real Bali on a cycling trip
From
£679 to £970
8 days
ex flights
Raja Ampat diving project, Indonesia
Dive and conserve the stunning coral reefs of Raja Ampat
From
£1095 to £3550
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made holiday in Bali, Off the beaten track
Cultural heritage, rainforest & beach relaxation in Bali
From
£1250
14 days
ex flights
Indonesia holiday, orangutans and culture
See wildlife and stay in a sustainable lodge development.
From
£4320
16 days
inc UK flights
Cultural holiday in Indonesia
Traditional culture, stunning scenery and unusual wildlife
From
£1795
15 days
ex flights
Indonesia holiday, Volcanoes and temples
Explore Central Indonesia's ancient temples and smoldering volcanoes
From
£2399 to £2849
16 days
inc UK flights
Highlights of Indonesia small group tour
Prepare to be dazzled by incredible Indonesia
From
£2225 to £2335
22 days
ex flights
North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat snorkel safari
Group adventure snorkel and land safari to Indonesia
From
£3195
15 days
ex flights
Java 13 day tour
Cultural and historical adventure holiday in Java
From
£2495
13 days
inc UK flights
Bali holiday for solo travellers
Travel to Bali and visit Indonesia's beautiful island
From
£715 to £785
9 days
ex flights
Classic Bali small group holiday
Explore an ocean paradise on this nine-day Bali trip
From
£795 to £1135
9 days
ex flights
Dive in Komodo and Flores Land Adventure
15 day world class reef diving with beautiful land excursion
From
£2895
15 days
ex flights
Java and Bali holiday in Indonesia
An adventurous tailor-made journey through Java, Indonesia
From
£1605
14 days
ex flights
Java and Lombok 11 day tour
Explore culture, natural wonders & beaches of Java & Lombok
From
£1242
11 days
ex flights
Camp Leakey and Tanjung Puting NP tour, 4 days
Sail downriver to the Orangutan Sanctuary at Camp Leakey
From
£650
4 days
ex flights
Coffee tour in Sulawesi
Learn about & savour the crisp flavours of Indonesian coffee
From
AU $1890
8 days
ex flights
Bali private tour, 10 days
Romantic and magical experience in the mesmerising Bali
From
US $2000 to US $3800
10 days
ex flights
Luxury Bali holiday, Alila Villas Soori & Samaya Seminyak
Rice fields, villages and relaxing shores of Bali.
From
£2870
11 days
inc UK flights
Komodo and Flores adventure holiday in Indonesia
15 Day snorkel and land adventure through Komodo and Flores
From
£2695
15 days
ex flights
Kutai National Park orangutan holiday, Borneo
Orangutan & wildlife adventure in East Borneo
From
AU $2390
8 days
ex flights
Tanjung Puting orangutan holiday, Borneo
Orangutan Adventure Holiday, Tanjung Puting, Borneo
From
£1350
7 days
ex flights
Teach English in Indonesia
Teach English in the stunning island of Mandeh.
From
US $880 to US $1980
4 weeks
ex flights
Bali holiday, Ubud & Tandjung Sari
Discover Ubud and enjoy a week relaxing on the beach.
From
£2110
13 days
inc UK flights
Dive holiday in Indonesia, Komodo island
Worldclass diving, komodo dragons and stunning landscapes
From
£1890 to £1990
12 days
ex flights
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
Kayaking holiday in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon expedition
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£1795
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 26 Jul, 3 Aug, 11 Aug, 20 Aug, 7 Sep, 13 Sep, 4 Oct, 13 Oct, 22 Oct, 1 Nov, 9 Nov, 17 Nov
2020: 29 Mar, 10 Apr, 22 Apr, 1 May, 19 May, 29 May, 8 Jun, 17 Jun, 26 Jun, 6 Jul, 15 Jul, 3 Aug, 12 Aug, 22 Aug, 30 Aug, 7 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 30 Sep, 9 Oct, 17 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 10 Nov, 20 Nov
2019: 26 Jul, 3 Aug, 11 Aug, 20 Aug, 7 Sep, 13 Sep, 4 Oct, 13 Oct, 22 Oct, 1 Nov, 9 Nov, 17 Nov
2020: 29 Mar, 10 Apr, 22 Apr, 1 May, 19 May, 29 May, 8 Jun, 17 Jun, 26 Jun, 6 Jul, 15 Jul, 3 Aug, 12 Aug, 22 Aug, 30 Aug, 7 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 30 Sep, 9 Oct, 17 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 10 Nov, 20 Nov
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.
Despite its enduring popularity, it’s still possible to find a quiet slice of life in Bali away from the hectic beach resorts.
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.
Lombok’s a laid-back place with deserted beaches from where to surf, swim or snorkel over coral, and a majestic mountain at its core to challenge travellers in search of hardy hikes.
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.
Sulawesi is a legendary destination for diving and snorkelling, especially off its volcanic northern peninsula, but just as rewarding for visitors are its thick tracts of jungle, rugged mountains and proud traditional cultures.
Sumatra delivers big when it comes to both natural beauty and cultural wonders, from otherworldly volcanoes to ancient sites to the tropical jungle that orangutans call home.
Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, is a city of two parts, with a modern, busy side but with age-old customs and traditional arts living on in the ancient old walled town known as the kraton.
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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