Indonesia is not only the well-known Bali. This Southeast Asian country is made up of more than 17,000 islands, and there’s something for everyone. It combines a rich ancient culture, active sports, mountains, volcanoes, tropical forests and paradise beaches, parties and a relaxing holiday aimed at spiritual development. We tell you what The islands are worth including in your itinerary.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. To visit the country you will need:
- completed customs declaration (it is better to do this in advance so as not to waste time at the airport, but not earlier than two days before departure);
- health insurance;
- return ticket;
- visa on arrival (cost 500,000 Indonesian rupees or 2,800 rubles*). According to it, you can stay in the country for 30 days;
- you can also apply for a visa on the website before departure from Russia, it is called E-VOA;
- international passport, valid for at least 6 months after arrival.
How to get there
There are a huge number of airports in the country, so a plane is the most convenient and fastest way to get to this or that island. The largest hubs within the country, from which you can further plan your route, are Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) and Denpasar (if you are already in Bali).
There are no non-stop flights from Russia. The approximate cost of round-trip tickets from Moscow to Jakarta with luggage is 70,000 rubles* per person. Tickets from Moscow to Denpasar will cost 60,000 rubles*.
Java
An island for those who are not afraid of impenetrable jungles, not the most comfortable conditions and lack of luxury.
The main attraction here is the volcanoes, of which there are 120 (30 of them active). For example, we recommend visiting Ijen, in its crater there is a sulfur lake – it shimmers with bluish and turquoise colors.
Another important place in Java is the complex of three Tengger volcanoes. There is a special observation deck here to see all the craters from above at once. Well, those who especially love extreme sports can even climb one of the mountains and watch the steam rise from an active volcano. When you go down, you will find yourself in the vastness of a huge valley, and the locals will definitely offer you a horse ride.
Before visiting volcanoes, do not neglect warm clothes and even hats: the higher you are, the less and less similar the weather is to a tropical resort.
In addition to the volcanoes, we recommend visiting the Ujung Kulon National Park. Here you can see endangered species of animals, such as the Javan rhinoceros. Also for fauna lovers are Javan leopards, bateng bulls, small Javan deer, shiny gulmans, silvery gibbons, birds and reptiles.
Afterwards, take a walk around Yogyakarta, a city called the cultural capital of Indonesia: the oldest universities are located here, festivals are held, and there are a lot of creative people. We recommend choosing housing in the Pravirotaman area.
How to get there
The best way to travel from Jakarta to Yogyakarta is by plane (1.5 hours). This will be the fastest non-stop route. Or you can get there by train (6.5 hours).
Where to stay
- At RedDoorz Syariah Guest House near Titik Nol Yogyakarta (rating 7.4 out of 10). Room cost 1,100 rubles per night*. Convenient location close to the main attractions.
- In the three-star Adhisthana Hotel Yogyakarta with a laconic design and a swimming pool right on site (rating 8.7 out of 10). Cost 3,200 rubles per night*
- At the five-star The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta (score 9 out of 10). Room cost 6,000 rubles per night*. An option for those who are not ready to put up with the lack of usual comfort.
- At the five-star Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta (rating 9.5 out of 10). Room cost 10,200 rubles per night*. The hotel features a spa, a huge outdoor pool overlooking the Indonesian landscape and excellent service.
Flores
It’s worth coming here to see one of the seven new wonders of the world – Taman Nasional Komodo National Park. It was originally created to protect and prevent the extinction of the Komodo dragon. Now tourists admire monitor lizards, lizards and other representatives of the animal world, as well as the diversity of tropical flora.
The island is also home to a huge 1,700 m high volcano with crater lakes that change color.
To relax and watch the underwater world, go to the Maumere area (there are many cafes, restaurants, beaches where you can swim and snorkel). And then take a scooter or rent a taxi and go to the village of Ruteng, where there are rice fields, there are many stalactite caves in the vicinity and the locals live the same way as many years ago – without civilization in the classical sense of the word, amenities and other things familiar to us.
How to get there
From Jakarta to Maumere you can fly in 6 hours. It will be faster from Denpasar airport – this route will take you 3.5 hours.
Where to stay
- At Budi Sun Resort (rating 8.7 out of 10). Cost 3,700 rubles per night*. Authentic bungalow surrounded by jungle.
- At Sea World Club Beach Resort & Dive Center (rated 8.6 out of 10). Cost 4,100 rubles per night*. Hotel near the ocean.
- At AYANA Komodo Resort (rating 9.2) Cost from 33,000 rubles per night*. An option for couples and those who want to leave their usual comfort and all inclusive.
Sumba
We continue our journey through not the most banal locations in Indonesia and end up in Sumba. Here you will find amazing snorkeling, flowing waterfalls and ancient traditional villages with local tribes.
There are also megalithic stone burials – in fact, many come here for this reason. The fact is that the ancient inhabitants of Sumba buried family members and their fellow tribesmen in the ground surrounded by stones: the richer and more titled the person was, the more decorations and engravings there were on the stones. The tradition still exists, but not on such a scale.
If you come here in February or March, you will find the Pasola festival – an ancient ritual war game: men on horses fight each other, women demonstrate a dance of sorrow, and shamans plunge others into a mystical trance.
How to get there
The flight from Jakarta to Tambolaki (a tiny city with an airport) will take you 3.5 hours. If you fly from Denpasar – 1.5 hours.
Where to stay
- At the Morinda Villa and Resto guest house (rating 8.8 out of 10). Cost 3,500 rubles per night*. Hotel with picturesque mountain views.
- At the four-star Kambaniru Beach Hotel and Resort. Cost 4,500 rubles per night*. A simple, neat hotel with all basic amenities.
Gili Meno
This island attracts tourists with its beauty, silence, perfectly white sand and lack of transport. People don’t take taxis or bikes here, but all this is not necessary, because you can walk through Gili Meno in half an hour at a leisurely pace.
Those who want to swim all day long in crystal clear water without waves (and therefore without surfers with boards), snorkel, watch turtles and just do nothing will love this place. In general, there really aren’t many entertainment options here, other than a classic beach holiday and walking until it gets dark at 5-6 pm.
There are no clubs, restaurants or bars here, but enterprising locals have opened cafes and small shops with the essentials right in their homes.
How to get there
The best way to get here from Bali is by ferry. This journey will take you a little more than 3 hours and all this time you will enjoy incredible views.
If you are flying from Jakarta, then the flight to Lombok (the closest airport city to the Gili Islands) will take you 1.5-2 hours, and then you will need to get to the Bangsa pier and sail to Gili -Meno by boat (30 minutes).
Where to stay
- At the bungalow-style guest house Balakosa Bungalows (rated 7.5 out of 10). Cost 2,400 rubles per night*.
- At Diversia Diving Club & Bungalows, where you will definitely find friends with similar interests. Here you can also rent diving and snorkeling equipment (rating 8.6 out of 10). Cost 5,100 rubles per night*.
- At the Gili Ocean Club villa (rating 8.5 out of 10). Cost 6,700 rubles per night*.
- In the four-star cozy Meno Island Villas with an authentic interior (rating 8.5 out of 10). Cost 7,800 rubles per night*.
Conclusion
Indonesia is a place that you can talk about endlessly, and once you come here, you will definitely want to come back again.
Don’t limit yourself to one island, area or hotel. The whole essence of a holiday in Indonesia is constant exploration, moving from one location to another with breaks for morning surfing with the dawn rays of the sun, a nap at lunch, meeting the locals, climbing volcanoes and descending into the underwater world.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
