With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world offering a virtually unrivalled range of holiday options. While the picturesque island of Bali remains the most well known and the most popular of Indonesia’s tourist destinations, there is so much more on offer for those willing to step off the beaten track. Pack your itinerary with visits to: the historic monuments and temples of Central Java; the world renowned dive sites of idyllically remote Raja Ampat; the extraordinary Island of Komodo, home of the unfathomably large Komodo Dragon; as well as a range of vast tropical forests providing sanctuary to incredibly diverse wildlife from Orangutans and other primates to critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros and Tigers. The range of choices is mind-boggling but, however you decide to spend your time on this remarkable group of islands, you are sure to have some truly exhilarating experiences and some unforgettable adventures.
This upmarket Balinese village is characterised by mostly luxury accommodation, high-end spas, fashionable restaurants and bars and some lovely little boutiques. The atmosphere is much more sophisticated than the raucous party town of Kuta. During the day Seminyak's Petitenget Beach offers a peaceful retreat away from the hordes of tourists common on other parts of this lovely little island. However, after sunset a livelier nightlife scene takes over with premier dining and entertainment venues such as Ku De Ta and the Potato Head Beach Club, all garnering international recognition. Seminyak has somehow managed to achieve that much desired balance between tranquility and a vibey atmosphere. If you are looking for a more elegant and laid-back alternative to Kuta and Legian, Seminyak is just the destination for you.
Far from the boisterous beach party scene of Kuta, in the central region of this remarkable little island, lies Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush, terraced rice paddies, and exquisite temples, Ubud is jam-packed with tourist attractions. Its busy town centre is lined with a slew of art galleries, cafes, craft shops, and spas. One of the town’s most visited sites is the Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary, home to hundreds of wild monkeys as well as three Hindi temples. Spend your days strolling around the lively streets of central Ubud or get away from the hustle and bustle by cycling along ricefield-lined rivers where traditional village life carries on relatively undisturbed. Nights can be spent enjoying live music concerts, or one of the nightly Kecak Fire and Dance or shadow puppet performances.
Situated just off the coast of beautiful Lombok, Gili Trawangan, also known as Gili T, is the largest and most popular of the three Gili Islands. This tropical paradise features among Indonesia’s top destinations with its bohemian beach bars, top-notch restaurants, and trendy guesthouses. The island escape boasts pristine white-sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise water and spectacular sunsets over still waters dotted with colourful, wooden fishing boats. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including diving courses at one of the many diving schools, yoga classes, and renting a see-through kayak or canoe to discover an underwater wonderland from the surface.
Lombok’s ‘terraced rice heaven’, Tetebatu is a tiny village set on the southern slopes of the Mount Rinjani National Park. Phenomenal views of Mount Rinjani, the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, along with Mount Sangkareang, bright green forests and terraced rice paddies draw nature photographers to this tranquil, tourist-free natural paradise. Hikers have a world to explore in the monkey forest, decorated with caves, spring-fed streams and spectacular waterfalls, including the mighty Jukut Waterfall and home to grey macaques and the rare black monkeys. Food lovers will delight in the chance to sample and buy flavoursome fresh produce at its source: exotic fruits, cocoa, coffee, nutmeg, chilli, macadamia nuts, vanilla and more.
You can’t go wrong with this traditional tourist resort on Lombok Island. Popular with holidaymakers, Senggigi features reasonably priced hotels along the sweeping bays, all set against a backdrop of mountainous jungle. Activity-wise there’s something for everyone, with cultural and wildlife tours, watersports and cooking courses, shopping and spas all being readily available. The resort makes a wonderful home base for visitors who want to take day trips to surrounding waterfalls, the Gili Islands, or any of the traditional villages in the vicinity.
