Two Weeks in Indonesia Travel Itinerary: Volcanos, Orangutans and Beaches

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I often describe Indonesia as one of the last great frontiers of mass tourism. Outside of Bali, most of Indonesia remains completely untouched by Western tourists.

When looking at the statistics which characterize Indonesia, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 17,500+ islands, 800+ languages, over 75% of the world’s active volcanoes and the world’s largest Muslim country by population. You get the point: Indonesia is a natural and cultural powerhouse.

While each island has its own unique landscapes, languages and traditions, there’s one ever-present similarity. No matter where you go in Indonesia, you will find countless huge smiles.

On a personal level, Java was the first destination that I traveled to alone. Having returned more times than I can count, Indonesia has cemented itself as somewhere which will always be special for me. This is the country where I realized the virtues of solo travel and its ability to facilitate a complete cultural immersion and, for that, I am forever grateful.

With that, here is my ultimate two weeks in Indonesia travel itinerary.

Is Indonesia worth visiting?

Indonesia is exciting for a million reasons. The country offers the opportunity to trek alongside orang-utans and Komodo dragons, climb volcanoes and visit temple complexes rivalling Angkor Wat and Bagan. And if I had to choose, the beaches of Flores and the Malukus surpass the Maldives and Seychelles any day.

From a cultural perspective, the synthesis of Southeast Asian Islam and tribal heritage means that the call to prayer echoes alongside jungles and volcanos.

Getting to Indonesia and more FAQs

You’re probably thinking: take me from the beginning, how do I get to Indonesia? Which airport should I fly into? Do I need a visa?

After many years of crafting Indonesia travel advice, I’m used to questions like this. To better address getting to and from Indonesia, crossing by land from Malaysia and more, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know before visiting Indonesia.

Before we begin: Bali

This itinerary presumes you will be starting your trip in Bali. We have not included Bali in this itinerary, because, frankly speaking, Bali offers a very different kind of vacation. If you are planning on visiting Bali, we strongly recommend spending anywhere from a few days to a few weeks on this magical island alone.

Ultimate two weeks in Indonesia travel itinerary

Days 1-3: Flores

Your trip starts with an early morning flight from Bali to Labuanbajo, Flores – the gateway to Komodo National Park.

Many travelers opt to visit Flores via live-aboard boats, and if your trip began in Bali you will see these advertised on most major street corners (or you can pre-book online). I personally prefer sleeping on land and doing day trips – but I tend to be less of a boat kind of person. We’ll leave that decision to you!

Once you’re settled in, your hotel will be able to` link you up with a boat and guide to visit the famed Komodo dragons. These mini dinosaurs are the largest lizards on earth, extremely dangerous and only found in this corner of the earth.

But don’t let that scare you off. The expert guides at Komodo National Park are very knowledgeable in how to act around the dragons. They’ll keep you at a safe distance and you’ll learn so much about this incredible species. If you’re not on a live-aboard boat, you’ll want to book a one-day tour to Komodo Island itself (they usually include some swimming spots on return).

In my opinion, Flores is home to some of the best beaches in the world. For a negotiable fee, you can hire a local boat driver in Labuanbajo to take you island hopping. These DIY boat trips generally include some of Flores’s famed pink sand beaches and untouched snorkelling spots.

Days 4-5: Surabaya and Mount Bromo

There are a handful of direct flights between Labuanbajo and Surabaya, so you’ll want to book this in advance to avoid transiting in Bali.

Welcome to Java: This might sound totally strange, but there’s a certain scent I associate with Java. Perhaps it’s the steam and humidity mixed with traffic, streetside nasi goreng and cheap cigarettes. Whatever it is, every single time without fail, it triggers a giant kick of travel nostalgia.

Surabaya is not a particularly beautiful city and you’re really here for one reason: the lunar landscapes of Mount Bromo.

Most tours to Mount Bromo involve an extremely exhausting round trip aimed at getting you there for sunrise. This usually includes a midnight pick up, with an early morning return in Surabaya. If you aren’t traveling on a budget and keen to hire a private driver, I’d probably opt for a very early wake up over the redeye option. But, unfortunately, I wouldn’t leave it to much later in the day – Bromo is often covered in clouds.

Travel tip: Mount Bromo can often be extremely cold at night – make sure to bring a sweater!

On your return to Surabaya, you’ll probably want to catch up on sleep. But the city does have a few sites to keep you entertained for a few hours. If you have a few hours to sightsee, don’t miss the House of Sampoerna (Dutch colonial mansion) and the very historic Hotel Majapahit (our top place to stay in Surabaya).

Days 6–8: Yogyakarta

From Surabaya, hop on a quick train ride over to Yogyakarta (about 4-4.5 hours).

Indonesia is not exactly famous for its urban centres which are often postcolonial sprawls of traffic and smog with few sites of interest to travelers. Yogya or Jogja (as it’s affectionately known) is the exception.

This royal city is often considered Indonesia’s cultural capital. Jogja will keep you busy for a few days with sites such as the Kraton palace complex (where the Sri Sultan’s lives), Dutch colonial architecture and the vibrant Malioboro Street. If you’re keen to do some souvenir shopping, Jogja is one of the best places to shop for batik and other handicrafts like sculptures, puppets and silverware.

Travel tip: Ask around if there’s a Javanese shadow puppet show in town – you won’t want to miss this experience!

Borobudur and Prambanan

Easily the best day trip from Yogyakarta, the grand Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world. The gargantuan complex features 72 Buddhas states in a pyramid-like structure centred around one dome. Dating back to the 9th century, Borobudur was historically an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Java.

Nearby, is the equally magnificent Prambanan. Also built in the 9th century, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia.

For those who are experts in Southeast Asia (and, yes, the Angkor Wat resemblance is clear), you’ll be shocked to find out you’ll likely have Borobudur and Prambanan to yourself.

Borobudur is just over an hour from Yogyakarta, while Pramabanan is about 30 minutes away (with no traffic). To navigate them both in a day trip, you’ll want to have your own driver.

Days 9–11: Northern Sumatra

From Yogyakarta, take a flight up to Medan – the gateway to the treasures of Northern Sumatra.

Medan itself doesn’t offer much to travelers beyond the Grand Mosque. However, it offers a great base for day trips to surrounding treasures (each of which also has accommodation options).

With three days in Northern Sumatra, I highly recommend visiting:

• Bukit Lawang and Gunung Leuser National Park: where you you can trek to find wild Sumatran orang-utans. This is unquestionably one of the greatest wildlife experiences in the world. If you are short on time (or not interested in trekking), consider visiting the Samboja Lodge in Balikpapan (Borneo). While not entirely wild, at Samboja you can still see semi-wild and rescued orang-utans.
• Berastagi: a popular small town high in the mountains (read: cool weather) and a popular base for hiking nearby volcano, Mount Sibayak.
• Lake Toba: the largest volcanic lake in the world. At over 100 km, this lake is simply majestic and a relaxing escape from Medan.

Days 11–14: Choose your own adventure

You’d need months to see all of Indonesia – and in any two weeks in Indonesia travel itinerary, it’s important that you include sites that are of interest to you. For your last three days, we recommend you follow your interests and create your own Indonesia travel itinerary!

If you’re interested in colonial history

Head to the Maluku Islands to learn more about the spice trade which shaped both Europe and Indonesia for nearly a century.

If you’re short on time, see our itinerary for Ternate island which offers a deep-dive into the world of cloves, Dutch forts and more.

If you’re interested in somewhere like Bali (but not Bali)

We’ve been hearing it for years: Lombok is the next Bali. And it’s kind of true; this small island next to Bali offers wind-swept beaches, a fascinating indigenous culture and a vibrant dining scene to rival Seminyak. To get an idea of whether Lombok is for you, check out our ideal one-day Lombok travel itinerary.

Lombok is only a short 30-minute flight from Bali, making it an easy-add on for travelers whose flights home depart from Bali.

If you’re interested in getting off the beaten path

Your options are endless here. From the remote Banda Islands to the tribes of Papua or the funeral festivities of Tana Toraja, there is no better place to get off the beaten path in the world. In saying that, you’ll probably need to allocate a few more days to your itinerary!

If you’re interested in diving

You’ll want to make your way to the legendary islands of Raja Ampat. Photos don’t do this place justice, with countless islands and some of the best visibility in the world. Turtles, sharks and vibrant coral.

If you’re interested in learning more about Islamic Indonesia

North of Medan lies the province of Aceh, which is Indonesia’s only province governed by Sharia law. Aceh offers travelers an insight into one of the more conservative pockets of the country, while offshore islands and beaches remind you that you are still in Indonesia.

A note on Jakarta

Most travelers avoid Jakarta like the plague. This megapolis is home to some of the world’s worst traffic. However, I would consider spending one or two days in Jakarta, particularly if your flight is arriving or departing from Jakarta. But if’s especially a good choice if you are keen to learn more about contemporary Indonesia.

Nearly 12 million people live in Jakarta and it remains the capital of Indonesia (although not for much longer). With a few days in the city, I’d recommend visiting:

• Istiqlal Mosque: with room for over 12,000 worshippers, this is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia (and one of the largest in the world). The mosque offers visitors an interesting behind-the-scene tour where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Islam in Indonesia.
• Kota Tua: the old Dutch colonial heart of Batavia, you’ll find some atmospheric old buildings (many are now museums) and the elegant Cafe Batavia where it’s almost compulsory to have a cup of Java.
• Museum Nasional: the most important of Jakarta’s museums, full of archaeological and ethnographic material from across the archipelago.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of navigating chaotic Jakarta on your own, this half-day tour covers all the highlights without the stress.

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