Discovery of Indonesia in 21 days - Java - Bali - Flores - Komodo

Discover Indonesia with our Platinum Agency AMANASKA BALI

The first French-speaking event agency in Bali and the QuotaTrip reference agency in the region, AMANASKA BALI offers you a tour of about twenty days to discover the treasures of Indonesia, including Java, Bali, Flores, and Komodo. Remember that this tour is given as an example but remains customizable according to your wishes, so do not hesitate to get in touch with Amanaska!

Day 1: Arrival in Jogjakarta and Night in Yogjakarta

Arrival at Jogjakarta airport on the island of Java. Jogjakarta, or Yogyakarta, means "the work of Ayoda," which comes from the name of a city in the kingdom of Koshala, whose king Dasharatha was one of the protagonists of the Ramayana epic. This odyssey, which comes from India, is regularly retold in the songs, dances, and stories of Bali, but also of Java or other Indonesian islands. Note that in other countries like Thailand or Malaysia, it does not have the same name, but the story, in broad terms, remains the same.

You will be welcomed by a French-speaking member of Amanaska Bali and then accompanied to your hotel. During the journey, you will be given the essential information to start your stay in the best conditions. At the end of the day, depending on your arrival time, you will review your program point by point with the agency and they will answer any questions you may have about your stay.

Day 2: Visit of the Sultan's Royal Palace, Taman Sari Palace, Prambanan Temple

Departure in the morning to visit the Sultan's Royal Palace, or Kraton, the spiritual and royal center of Yogyakarta. Built between 1755 and 1756 by Sultan Hamengku Buwono, it follows the precepts of Indo-Javanese cosmology. The square enclosure, one kilometer on each side, 3 m high and 4 m thick, protects the accommodations intended for the palace servants, but also the shops and administrative buildings spread over the different squares. This palace has become a museum, retracing the great hours of the Rajas and Javanese culture.

Located nearby, you will also visit the Taman Sari, the Sultan's pleasure palace, a place dedicated to relaxation and meditation, with a visit to the underground mosque Sumur Gumuling.

After lunch, which you will have in a traditional restaurant, it will be time to head to the Prambanan Temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th century under the reign of the Sanjaya dynasty, you can see an inscription dating from the year 856, perhaps marking its foundation stone. The complex is formed by the central temple, the Candi Lara Jonggrang, surrounded by 8 shrines and the remains of 224 small temples.

Day 3: Visit of Borobudur Temple, Rickshaw ride in the old town, Discovery of the bird market

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will leave with your guide to discover one of the most beautiful Buddhist remains in Southeast Asia: Borobudur. The most visited monument in Asia and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur, or Bârâbudur, was built around the year 800. It consists of six square platforms representing the Universe according to Buddhist cosmology, topped by three circular platforms. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

In the afternoon, a rickshaw tour of the old town where you will discover the bazaars, street vendors, and spicy scents. A timeless atmosphere that will immerse you directly in another culture.

Still accompanied by your guide, you will then set off to discover the "Pasar burung," the picturesque bird market, an unusual place to discover multicolored birds. Indonesians like to collect them, whether for their songs or simply for their beauty. You will find peacocks, canaries, cockatoos, or "blue crown." In this same market, you can also discover exotic animals such as pythons, fish, or monkeys.

Credit: Amanaska Bali

Day 4: Ascent of Mount Bromo and night in Tosari

Departure very early in the morning to board the Sancaka train, in 1st class, towards Surabaya. During your journey, you will cross magnificent landscapes of countryside, mountains, and typical villages. Upon arrival, you will take a vehicle to get near Mount Bromo, a region rich in temples, volcanic lakes, and national parks.

Magnificent landscapes of cultivated lands rise there at nearly 1,700 m altitude. On the way, you will enjoy the road to make several stops and thus enjoy this magnificent region.

Day 5: Ascent of Mount Bromo and night in Ketapang

Today, wake up at 3 am for the ascent of Mount Bromo (2,329 m). First, you will climb into a 4×4 to reach the top of the Penajakan volcano at 4:30 am to admire the sunrise over the volcanoes. Around 6 am, you will get back into the 4×4 towards the foot of Mount Bromo. It will then be time to cross the immense caldera and its sea of sand by jeep.

You will climb the Bromo crater on foot (about 1 hour walk). A thick white sulfurous smoke emerges from it. In this lunar landscape before you, the caldera and its gray sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. In the distance, the succession of peaks gives a feeling of humility in the face of Nature. The many daily offerings testify to the fear of the locals who want to ensure the benevolence of the Gods and avoid any eruption.

After a good breakfast, you will head southeast of Java and reach the Ketapang region at the end of the day.

Day 6: Ascent of Mount Kawah Ijen and night in Pemuteran

Departure early in the morning for the ascent of Mount Kawah Ijen (4 hours round trip walk to the summit, 2,386 m). A hike without major difficulties, but which offers a view and encounters that will mark you forever. The crater of this volcano looks like a real mouth of hell. Do not be fooled by the crystalline waters of its lake, which is actually the most acidic lake in the world.

After a good breakfast and a restorative shower, you will take a ferry to reach the northwest of Bali and your next destination in Bali, Pemuteran.

Day 7: Free day in Pemuteran, activities as you wish

Here you are in Menjangan and Pemuteran, the two villages being located next to each other, with a road along the sea connecting them. We are far from the tourist bustle of southern Bali, here everything is conducive to walking, discovering the seabed, a walk in the Bali Barat National Park, where more than 19,000 hectares of jungle and mangroves stretch and 160 species of different animals live, including the leopard cat, different varieties of monitor lizards, and many exotic birds.

The region is a call to "let go," enjoy Balinese massages on the beach or in a SPA, immerse yourself in a novel, swim in the sea, ask your hotel to go for a ride in a traditional boat. This day is all about relaxation, where the Balinese expression "Jam Karet," time is elastic, takes on its full meaning. For locals, in Bali, there is no need to have a program to be reassured not to miss anything, but rather to let life offer us simple choices that all have in common pleasure, curiosity, and meeting.

Day 8: Visit of the Brahma Arama Vihara Monastery, Bathing in the hot springs and night in Munduk

At the end of the morning, you will set off to discover the Amed region. On the way, you will take the time to visit the Brahma Arama Vihara, the Buddhist monastery of Bali, built in 1970 with local funding and the help of the Thai government. This temple is not, originally, intended to be visited, but the monks allow travelers who wish to come to meditate and enjoy the different spaces to meditate. Many practitioners from around the world come to soak up the peaceful place through mindful walking or sitting in the shade of a frangipani tree.

An interesting place from a religious, historical, but also architectural point of view. This monastery indeed mixes Buddhist and Hindu symbols. And no one here seems surprised by the presence of a statue of Brahma at the foot of the Buddha statue, proof of the spirit of tolerance that reigns on the island of the Gods. Part of the site will also allow you to recognize a small temple inspired by the great temple of Borobudur, which is located in Java.

You will then take the road to the north coast of Bali to reach the sacred hot springs of Banjar. The Balinese have been bathing for generations in these slightly sulfurous waters which are said to have the virtue of curing respiratory problems.

In the middle of the day, you will reach the village of Munduk.

Day 9: Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, Luwak Coffee Cooperative and night in Munduk

This morning you will go for a hike in the region to discover the Banyumala twin waterfalls, ranked among the 8 most beautiful waterfalls on the island of the Gods. Bring good walking shoes or sturdy sneakers because access to this jewel of Bali is earned. The path, sometimes steep, will remind you that these torrents of water tumble down a millennial mountain slope where the lush jungle remains the only mistress of the place. Once you reach the bottom of the waterfalls, if you wish, you can swim there.

You will then discover a Kopi Luwak cooperative, a coffee factory whose Luwak, a kind of large ferret, are the main actors. This local initiative responds to an organization set up by other Indonesians who themselves keep the Luwak in unacceptable conditions, mainly to satisfy the curiosity of tourists. Here, the animals are free and you can discover the most expensive coffee in the world while participating in an exemplary action that allows the poorest villages to live better and the Luwak not to be exploited for profit.

Day 10: Walk in the Tamblingan jungle, Walk in the Jatiluwih rice fields, Visit of the Pura Ulun Danu Temple and night in Ubud

You will leave in the middle of the morning to discover the region with a walk in the heart of the primary forest bordering Lake Tamblingan. This lake (in Balinese: Danu Tamblingan) is located in the Buleleng regency in Bali. It is located at the foot of Mount Lesung in the administrative village of Munduk and is one of the three lakes that formed inside an ancient caldera. The lakes east of Lake Tamblingan are Buyan and Bratan lakes. Lake Tamblingan is a virgin lake surrounded by dense tropical forest and archaeological remains of the 10th-century Tamblingan civilization. The lake and the surrounding settlements are designated by the government as a spiritual tourism area protected from modern development. This site is not only protected by the Indonesian government but also sacred to the locals who believe the lake is inhabited by spirits. During these 3 hours of walking, you will come across huge banyan trees several centuries old, giant ferns, wild ginger, and other spices. On the way back, you will cross the sacred waters of Lake Tamblingan aboard a traditional canoe. An authentic adventure!

You will then go to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Built in 1663, this temple, composed of 4 sacred buildings, is located about 1,500 meters above sea level, on Lake Beratan, the second largest lake in Bali, inside the mountainous highlands of Bedugul. Dedicated to the goddess of the lake, sovereign of Bali's waters, who allied herself with the deity of Mount Agung to make the island fertile, it is said that the goddess Danu is a manifestation of the great god Vishnu, protector of the universe. This temple is, of course, the object of very present tourism, whether local or international, but the cultural and historical interest of this site, which also includes a sarcophagus and a tombstone dated around 500 BC, makes it, in our opinion, a place to discover as part of your program.

You will then take a secondary road to reach a region suspended in time, Jatiluwih, where rice fields classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretch as far as the eye can see. You will go for a walk in these rice fields and your guide will take the opportunity to reveal all the secrets of this plant which plays a central role in the economy, gastronomy, but also Balinese culture.

Day 11: Mountain bike ride in the Ubud region, Visit of artisan workshops, Traditional Balinese dance show, night in Ubud

Departure from the hotel at 9 am for a great mountain bike ride in one of the most preserved regions of Bali, a few kilometers from Ubud. Magnificent landscapes as far as the eye can see, Balinese rice fields, jungle bordered by millennial trees, long road crossing the hills, small improbable paths... We are not on the tourist route but in a discovery of authentic Bali, in the very heart of local life. It is a very beautiful ride in the heart of Bali that you will experience! In the early afternoon, you will take the time to visit one of the oldest woodcarving galleries in Ubud. It exhibits works that, for some, took years of work and faithfully represent the work of the artists, their mastery, and their fertile imagination.

In the evening, we will offer you to discover the epic of the Ramayana or the march of Rama, a show that is one of the fundamentals of Balinese culture.

Day 12: Welcome to the island of Flores and night in Moni

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel, in Bali, according to your flight schedule for Denpasar airport, on the domestic side, to take your flight to Flores. Once you arrive in Ende, and after collecting your luggage, you will be welcomed by your guide and driver at the airport and taken to Moni for a night in an eco-lodge, surrounded by nature, before starting the adventure the next day!

Flores, in Indonesian Pulau Flores, is an island in Indonesia of 13,400 km² stretching over 350 km. It is located northwest of Australia, in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its name comes from the Portuguese Flores which means "flowers" in French. This island is inhabited by seven peoples or ethnic groups who all have a Christian origin in common while keeping an animist approach that can be expressed differently depending on the regions or beliefs. The particularity of the island comes from its relief which has limited contacts and therefore the cultural influence of other villages but also of Westerners. We are therefore in particular dialects, a very human relationship and, ultimately, a real discovery as close as possible to ancestral traditions.

Day 13: Ascent of Mount Kelimutu, The blue beaches of Ende, Panorama of the Detusoko rice fields and night in Riung

Departure around 3:30 am for one of the most atypical volcanoes in Indonesia and probably in the world: the Kelimutu volcano, meaning "the boiling mountain" in the local language, located in the center of the island of Flores.

Kelimutu is not made up of a crater, with an emerald-colored acid lake, like Kawah Ijen in Java, but of 3 crater lakes, each with a different color. This hike, lasting 40 to 50 minutes depending on your pace, will take you to the center of this volcanic region, at an altitude of about 1,630 meters, to enjoy an exceptional panorama, if the weather permits, where the different greens combine with the red sky of the Flores sun.

You will then take the road to Riung while taking the time to discover the Detusoko rice fields and the atypical blue pebble beaches, much appreciated, especially by the Japanese, to decorate their gardens or in Bali for special ceremonies...

Day 14: Morning snorkeling, Meeting with the bats of Riung and night in Bajawa

Riung is a modest fishing village that has the particularity of being located in the Riung marine park, called Taman Laut, which means "Sea Park or Garden." It is made up of 19 islands, 17 of which can be visited. After breakfast, you will leave by traditional boat for a snorkeling activity around these paradise islets in the marine park: Riung Marine Garden.

Before reaching the seabed, you will stop as close as possible to the island of bats. These frugivores flit between the mangroves and perch at the top of the trees to fly off again, waiting for the night for a well-deserved feast in the fruit trees of Riung.

You will then have lunch on the small island of Tiga where you can also enjoy beautiful snorkeling spots.

After this great experience discovering the seabed, you will head to Bajawa.

Day 15: Discovery of the Soa hot springs, Visit of the villages of Bena and Aimere, Discovery of traditional alcohol then Ruteng

At an altitude of 1,100 meters, Bajawa is the capital of the Ngadha country, also known as Rokka. The whole region hides villages that are both traditional and in the heart of nature. Here we are in cultural exceptions where each community has its own language to translate ancestral knowledge based on human relationships, respect for family and ancestors.

After breakfast, we will start the morning by discovering the natural hot springs of Soa, a preserved site to "return to the sources" and let go.

You will then take the road to the traditional village of Bena, which offers a division of the population in two, face to face around eighteen rows of traditional houses topped either by a warrior with a spear and machete or by a miniature hut. After this first immersion, we will go to the village of Aimere where you can discover the process of making traditional alcohol, Arak, obtained from the fruit of the Lontar (palm tree).

Then, you will head to Borong and Lake Rana Mese to admire the panorama, before reaching Ruteng.

Day 16: Panorama of the Cancar rice fields, Transfer to Labuan Bajo and night in Labuan Bajo

Ruteng is a small town that ultimately has few establishments dedicated to accommodating travelers. The main interest of the region is the very atypical rice fields divided into plots and which have the shape of large spider webs, some of which are laid out on the slopes of the Golo Curu hill, a mountain located north of Ruteng.

After breakfast, departure for Cancar to admire the magnificent circular rice fields called "lodok," a unique feature of Manggarai culture. You will understand why and how the inhabitants have organized their society and agriculture, a unique way in the world.

Then you will descend from the mountain to take the road to Labuan Bajo, passing through the villages of Narang and Lembor where you can take the time to stop if you wish.

Days 17 & 18: Cruise in the National Park, Meeting with the Komodo dragons, Snorkeling and night on the Boat

Private cruise, by boat. It should be noted that the boat remains a fishing boat so all the comfort is not necessarily there, it is above all an adventure to meet the endemic dragons of the region.

Walk in the national park in search of Komodo dragons, an endemic species that lives only in this region of the world, and other animals of the park such as wild pigs, megapodes, cockatoos, deer, and wild water buffaloes. As this is a dangerous area, follow the planned rules. The park ranger and your guide will accompany you during the walk. Snorkeling with fins, mask, and snorkel on the most beautiful sites of the national park. Depending on weather and currents, the cruise director will decide which sites to choose among: Sebayor Kecil, Tatawa Besar, Castle Rock, Gili Lawa Laut, Wainilu, Manta Point, Siba Besar, Batu Bolong, the Cauldron…

Walk on the beaches and hills of the park's islands.

At the end of the afternoon of the 2nd day, you will be back in Labuan Bajo.

Day 19: Departure from your hotel, Transfer to the airport, Flight to Bali and night in Jimbaran

It is now time to return to the island of the Gods to end your stay in one of its seaside resorts: Jimbaran.

Your driver will pick you up 3 hours before your flight time, to be reconfirmed the day before.

Once you arrive in Bali, a driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free. In the spirit of this program, we suggest putting a driver at your disposal to allow you to discover the most beautiful surf beaches in Bali: Padang-Padang and Uluwatu. The idea is not to surf but to watch the greatest surfers in the world tame the Balinese waves.

If you prefer and as an option, your driver can also take you to the bustling seaside resort of Seminyak, the St. Tropez of Bali, with its countless restaurants and shops. Unless you prefer to stay by the pool or treat yourself to a Balinese massage: it's up to you.

Day 20: Free day and night in Jimbaran

In the spirit of this program, we suggest a day of relaxation. You can have a driver at your disposal to allow you to discover the most beautiful surf beaches in Bali: Padang-Padang and Uluwatu. The idea is not to surf but to watch the greatest surfers in the world tame the Balinese waves.

Day 21: Transfer to the airport

It is now time to leave the island of the Gods and reach Bali airport in Denpasar with wonderful memories both in your luggage and in your mind and certainly thousands of photos. The whole team is at your disposal if you have any questions regarding your return or transfer.

Your driver will pick you up 3 hours before your flight time, to be reconfirmed the day before.

Stay idea proposed by our Platinum Agency AMANASKA BALI and customizable according to your wishes!

Credit: Amanaska Bali