Having already been discovered theIndonesia in 15 days in 2017, for my second trip I opted for a more original 3-week itinerary in June 2022.
Indeed, generally for a 3-week tour in Indonesia, the itineraries pass through Java (Ijen and Bromo), Bali and end on a paradise island like the Gili or others. So, I organized my own 3-week tour in Indonesia but through the islands of Komodo, Java and Bali to explore some of the most incredible places in Indonesia.
I'll let you discover my circuit below with detailed itinerary, Google Maps, accommodation advice and practical information for organizing transport.
Indonesia itinerary – Main islands to visit
When I decided to visit Indonesia in 3 weeks off the beaten track, I organized my trip in 3 parts:
- Islands, heavenly beaches and Komodo Park
- The most beautiful places on the island of Java
- The magnificent temples and landscapes of Bali
Indonesia itinerary – 1st stage: Komodo National Park
Komodo Island is famous for its Komodo dragons but Komodo is much more than that! Indeed, with its spectacular landscapes, its heavenly beaches and incredible marine fauna, Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the must-do activities here is hiking to the top of Mount Padar which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands. One can also go scuba diving or snorkeling to explore the colorful coral reefs and observe sea turtles, manta rays and a wide variety of tropical fish. (See details of visits and sites to discover in the details of my tour below).
After exploring Komodo, we head for Java, the largest island in Indonesia.
Indonesia itinerary – 2nd stage: Java
Java is a fascinating island full of exceptional cultural and natural sites. One of the highlights of Java is the majestic Bromo Volcano, located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. You can get up early to watch the sunrise over the Mount Bromo, a truly magical experience.
But I had already discovered this volcano in 2017 and therefore decided not to include it in my 3-week circuit.
On the other hand, I decided to do the Ijen volcano again because it impressed me so much that I dreamed of being able to climb this mythical volcano again.
I also decided to revisit Yogyakarta and the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan which I had loved! These are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites that demonstrate Java’s rich Buddhist and Hindu history and influence.
For a more original experience, I wanted to visit the magnificent Dieng plateau and also discover Sukamade beach to see the tortures.
After exploring Java, head to the neighboring island of Bali known for its unique culture and artistic heritage.
Indonesia itinerary – 3rd stage: Bali
Bali is a destination that attracted me for its magnificent Hindu temples, its traditional dances, its volcanoes and its local crafts. However, in 2017 I visited it in just 4 days. So, I decided to rediscover it but by spending 7 days there!
I wanted to discover the most beautiful temples in Bali, attend a Balinese dance show, discover small villages, volcanoes and the most beautiful rice terraces. See details of my visits below.
From the dragons of Komodo to the majestic volcanoes and temples of Java to the vibrant culture of Bali, each island offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
Indonesia itinerary in 3 weeks
Here are all the stages of my Komodo-Java-Bali itinerary in 3 weeks:
- Denpasar International Airport
- Pure Luhur Uluwatu
- Tanah Lot
- Kuta beach
- Labuan Bajo
- Komodo
- padar
- Komodo Airport
- Banyuwangi
- Ijen
- Sukamade beach
- Yogyakarta
- Borobudur
- Prambanan Temple
- Dieng Plateau
- Yogyakarta International Airport
- Ubud
- Rice Terrace tegallalang
- Tirta Empul Temple – Dadong Lulu
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- Pure Ulun Danu Bratan
- Tamblingan Lake
- Pure Batu Bolong
- Shelf
- Besakih Temple
- Sidemen
- Goa Gajah Caves
Indonesia route map
Below is the map of the full itinerary of my original Indonesia tour that goes from Komodo to Java and ends in Bali:
Indonesia itinerary off the beaten track
Here is how I organized this 3-week trip to Indonesia step by step: Transport, visits, hotels.
Discovery of South Bali – Days 1 and 2
When we arrived in Denpasar, being already in the south of the island of Bali, we started by visiting the Tanah Lot temple. This Hindu temple is a sacred monument built on a rock but which can only be visited from the outside.
After enjoying Kuta Beach, we decided to visit the Uluwatu temple which is located on the southwest tip of the Bukit peninsula in the south of Bali.
Usually, when we visit this place, we see a Kecak fire dance performance. See excursion at €36 per person: Visit the sacred temple of Luhur Uluwatu
We took the opportunity to go to the Jimbaran beach and also visit the Tegenungan Waterfall which is located north of Sanur in Sukawati.
For accommodation, I had booked a guesthouse in Kuta, very well placed for visiting the south of Bali and very close to the airport. Indeed, I did not want to waste time on transport upon our arrival in Bali and neither on returning to the airport for the flight to Komodo. Moreover, for 2 nights, it was not expensive at all: Praba Guesthouse (Guna Graha Kuta by Kamara)
Komodo – Days 3 to 5
To visit the island and the Komodo maritime park, you have to go to Labuan Bajo. To do this, you have to take a flight from Bali. I booked this flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo which lasts 1h10 with the company Lion Air. Price 154 Euros (2 IDR).
Then to visit the Komodo maritime park, to see the dragons, the beautiful pink beach, the islands of Padar, Taka Makassar and Kanawa, I went through Civitatis.
Indeed, their full day boat excursion (very busy) allows you to see everything and in addition to going to the Manta Point spot to swim with Manta rays !
For accommodation, I had booked a hotel close to the pier with a splendid view of the islands of Komodo Park: Blue Parrot Hotel
Transportation Komodo-Denpasar-Banyuwangi – Day 5
Our Komodo/Denpasar flight landed at 11am. To then go to the island of Java in Banyuwangi, the town closest to the IJEN volcano, we took a private driver.
He took us from Denpasar airport to Gilimanuk pier in 4 hours for €61. See : Car rental with driver in Bali
Then, we took a taxi to travel (45 minutes) to our hotel in Banyuwangi: Jiwa Jawa Ijen Resort (Pondok isoke), one of the closest to the Ijen volcano.
Banyuwangi – Ijen – Days 6 and 7
For the ascent of the Ijen volcano, we did not want to do it in the middle of the night to see the famous blue flames. In fact, I had some feedback that was rather negative.
This is explained because the majority of tourists leave at the same time during the night and leave at the same time when the excursion is over. This results in groups of tourists one behind the other going up to the crater, poor hiking conditions (headlamp and on very slippery terrain), a non-existent sunrise because the crater is under the mist, a return in line Indian hundreds of tourists.
So, I wanted to see the Ijen volcano like the very first time in 2017 in the middle of the morning, in fairly clear weather and above all without too many tourists!
Here is how our excursion to Ijen went:
- We left our hotel by private driver (booked through our hotel) at 6am.
- After an hour and 1 minutes of driving, we had lunch upon arrival and climbed leisurely in 15 hours to the top of the crater.
- We were able to descend a little into the crater by putting on a gas mask and were in contact with the sulfur carriers.
- We returned to our hotel early in the afternoon.
The turtles of Sukamade Beach – Day 8
Along the coast of southeast Java, 90 km from Banyuwangi is Sukamade Beach. It is the refuge of sea turtles who come to lay their eggs throughout the year.
Every night, when the tide permits, you can go to the beach where giant turtles dig a hole to lay their eggs. In 2 hours, a turtle lays more than 100 eggs and slowly leaves towards the sea. A team of rangers will then move these eggs to a safer place to protect them from predators. The baby turtles will incubate for 6 to 8 weeks then they will be released into the sea.
See excursion organized from Banyuwangi by https://eastjavaparadise.com (request a personalized quote).
Journey from Banyuwangi to Yogyakarta – Day 9
To make this long journey from Banyuwangi to Yogyakarta which represents more than 600 km, we had the choice between:
- Take the train from Banyuwangi Kota to Surabaya 5h 46min + wait 1 hour + take the train from Surabaya Gubeng to Yogyakarta (4h40) – See on 12go.asia
- Take a 5-hour flight with Batik Air at 13:30 p.m.
- Choose a private driver who takes us directly from our hotel in Banyuwangi to our hotel in Yogyakarta.
This is the private driver solution that we chose (just like in 2017). You have to leave very early in the morning to make this long drive and plan a few essential stops for the driver and for us. We contacted a local agency who gave us a personalized quote: javaprivatetour.com -info@javaprivatetour.com.
It is late in the evening that we finally arrive at our hotel in Yogyakarta. I had chosen the hotel Griya Wijilan Syariah (Bladok Hotel & Restaurant) for its location in the heart of the city right next to the main monuments so you can visit them on foot. Plus, it was cheap:
3 days in Yogyakarta – Days 10-11-12
Our program for these 3 days in Yogyakarta was as follows:
- Day 1: Visit Yogyakarta while exploring the Sultan's palace, the Kraton. This magnificent palace is a perfect example of traditional Javanese architecture. We will also visit the famous water tower which was a recreational garden abandoned for decades.
- Day 2: Visit the temples Borobudur and Prambanan which I had already visited in 2017 and which I wanted to see again. For these visits, we opted for the car rental with driver in Yogyakarta.
Visit to Borobudur Temple
This Buddhist temple, dating from the 9th century, is one of the largest and most impressive temples in Indonesia. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is made up of nine levels, each representing a stage of the Buddhist journey towards enlightenment. As you walk through the different levels, you can admire the magnificent bas-reliefs which tell Buddhist stories and offer a fascinating insight into the culture of the time.
Don’t forget to admire the panoramic view from the top of the temple. From here you can view the beautiful surrounding landscapes, including the surrounding volcanoes and rice terraces.
Visit to Prambanan temple
Prambanan Temple is a Hindu temple complex built in the 9th century using volcanic stone. This complex is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the finest examples of Hindu architecture in Indonesia.
The Prambanan complex is made up of several temples, including the main temple dedicated to Shiva. Each of these temples is adorned with magnificent sculptures and bas-reliefs that tell Hindu mythological stories.
- Day 3: Exploration of the Dieng plateau
Discovery of the Dieng plateau which is located in a volcanic region located at around 2 meters above sea level. This plateau is famous for its ancient temples, crater lakes and hot springs.
We start the day by visiting the Arjuna temple, one of the most important temples on the Dieng plateau. This Hindu temple is an impressive example of ancient architecture and offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes.
Then, you have to go to the crater lake of Telaga Warna or colored lake, which owes its name to the variety of colors of its water (intense color ranging from turquoise blue to emerald green).
The day relaxing in the Dieng hot springs. These natural springs are renowned for their healing properties and are the perfect place to relax after a busy day.
Yogyakarta-Bali Journey – Day 13
This day was dedicated to our return to Bali. We took an Air Asia flight at 12:50 p.m. which took us from Yogyakarta to Denpasar in 1 hours. Then we took a taxi to take us to Ubud where I had booked my hotel: Alas Petulu Villa Resort and Spa (Goutama Homestay)
Bali in 7 days
From day 14 to day 20, we visited the most beautiful sites, landscapes and temples of Bali apart from the south which we had already discovered when we arrived on days 1 and 2.
I decided to stay in Ubud which has a fairly central location and is ideal for visiting the different parts of the island by making day trips (see on the map above).
For this, the ideal is to rent a car with driver in Bali: https://www.civitatis.com/fr/bali/location-voiture-chauffeur/
Here are the main visits to do when you spend 7 days in Bali:
Discovery of Ubud
Our first day in Bali was dedicated to rediscovering Ubud, the cultural capital of the island. By following thewalking route to visit Ubud, we were able to discover, among other things, the monkey forest, the Ubud palace and the most beautiful places in the city.
And of course, we went shopping at the Ubud market where you can find unique items, such as wooden sculptures, jewelry and traditional Balinese clothing.
Our day ended in style by attending a traditional Balinese dance show.
Tegallalang rice terraces
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are one of the most iconic attractions near Ubud. These stepped terraces offer breathtaking views of the surrounding green rice fields and valleys.
The rice terraces of Tegallalang are also the ideal place to experience Bali's traditional agricultural culture. You will be able to observe local farmers working in the fields, using ancestral methods to cultivate rice. This is a unique opportunity to learn about Balinese agricultural traditions and immerse yourself in the daily lives of the locals.
Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple is one of the most sacred temples in Bali. It is renowned for its sacred springs, which are considered to have healing and cleansing powers. Devotees and visitors come here to bathe in the sacred waters and participate in purification rituals.
The temple itself is a magnificent example of traditional Balinese architecture. It is adorned with intricate carvings and artistic details that tell stories from Hindu mythology.
Dadong Lulu
Dadong Lulu is a small artisan village located near Ubud. This village is famous for producing authentic batik and other Balinese handicrafts. Here you can learn about traditional batik-making techniques and watch local artisans create intricate designs by hand.
Dadong Lulu is also surrounded by lush nature, with magnificent rice terraces and picturesque landscapes. Take the opportunity to stroll around the surrounding area and discover the natural beauty of the area.
Jatiluwih rice terraces
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason: It is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Bali with its vast, bright green terraced rice fields stretching out of sight.
The Jatiluwih rice terraces are also famous for their traditional irrigation system, known as “subak”. This ingenious system makes it possible to control the water level in the rice fields and guarantee abundant harvests. It is a true work of agricultural engineering which testifies to the ancestral wisdom of the Balinese.
Tamblingan Lake
Lake Tamblingan is located in the mountains of the island and offers a peaceful and mystical setting, surrounded by dense and lush forest. This is the ideal place to take a traditional boat ride. The surroundings of Lake Tamblingan are full of hiking trails to discover forests and breathtaking landscapes.
Batu Bolong Temple
Batu Bolong Temple is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean, offering a cool panoramic view. The temple takes its name from the rock formation underneath, which resembles a hole drilled into the stone (“bolong” meaning “hole” in Balinese).
Ascent of the Batur volcano
When you spend 3 weeks in Indonesia, climbing a volcano in Bali is a must. I hesitated between Mount Batur and Mount Agung.
Finally I opted for Mount Batur which is an active volcano famous for its hikes to the summit.
Besakih Temple
The Besakih temple is a site not to be missed on a 3-week tour in Indonesia. It has a rich history and great importance to the Balinese. It dates back to the 8th century and is considered the oldest temple in Bali. It is dedicated to Hindu gods and each shrine in the temple is dedicated to a different deity. The temple plays a central role in the religious life of Bali and is the site of many rituals and ceremonies.
The importance of Besakih Temple also lies in its location. It is located at the foot of Mount Agung, the highest volcano in Bali which is considered a sacred mountain by the Balinese. The proximity of the temple to the volcano adds a spiritual and mystical dimension to the experience of the visit.
Munduk to get off the beaten track
For a little more originality than the classic 3-week itinerary in Indonesia, I chose to spend a day in Munkuk. This charming little village is nestled in the heart of the mountains, in lush vegetation, this little getaway was a favorite.
Far from mass tourism, Munduk is a magnificent site with panoramic views of numerous rice terraces, with the Munduk waterfalls (beautiful hike to the Melanting waterfall) and its magnificent coffee plantations.
From Munduk, you can visit the sacred temples of the region to immerse yourself in the spirituality of Bali. The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple is a must-see. Located on the shores of Lake Bratan (see below).
For accommodation, I chose a place surrounded by exceptional nature for its view: Kayukopi
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is located 20 km from Munduk. It is located on the shores of Lake Bratan, offering a beautiful setting. This temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of water, is built on several levels, with pagoda-shaped roofs decorated with intricate carvings. When Lake Bratan is full, the water surrounds the temple and it is beautiful.
Kuta Beach last day
The last day of our 3 week Indonesia itinerary ends at the beautiful Kuta Beach. I had chosen a hotel near the Kuta craft market to do the last purchases. I also wanted it to be close to the airport for our flight back to France the next day: Kuta Puri Bungalows, Villas and Resort