Example Itinerary

Classic Indonesia

Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Architecture, Heritage
Destinations
Indonesia, Bali

This 13-day luxury Indonesian adventure is replete with unforgettable experiences. With time spent in Bali and Java and a private cruise around the islands of Komodo National Park, your days are packed with one amazing activity after another, from white water rafting to diving with manta rays to biking through rice paddies. Exploring off the beaten path, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn about Indonesian history and culture and spend time away from the crowds.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Rice, A Way of Life: Besides admiring the lush rice terraces that bedeck the lands during hikes and bike rides, learn more about this essential crop from the farmers and, if you like, join them in the paddy fields.
  • Private Schooner Exploration: Take to the bio-rich waters of Indonesia on your own private schooner. Get familiar with marine life in some of the best diving waters in the world as well as the famed dragons of Komodo island.
  • Borobudur: The ancient site of Borobudur is one of Indonesia and the world’s most valuable treasures, a marvel of design that was built without any kind of cement or mortar, only massive interlocking stones.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Borobudur

Start your journey on the island of Java, the country's most populous island. You will arrive in the special region of Yogyakarta where you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your luxury hotel, Amanjiwo. This grand hotel featuring dramatic domes and curved colonnades sits in a covetable location, just minutes away from Borobudur Temple. Spend the rest of the day unwinding and enjoying the hotel and enchanting rural landscape at your leisure.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Nestled into a natural amphitheatre, the resort boasts dramatic surroundings, from the Kedu Plain to the front, to the four volcanoes that make up the horizon.

History: The resort is a nod to nearby Borobudur, a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Service: The Amanjiwo is famous for its warm hospitality, that echoes not only the benevolence of Indonesian culture but also the passion for service ingrained into the Aman brand.

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Amanjiwo Preferred Hotel
About

The Plataran Borobudur is a comfortable eco-friendly resort and spa located in Borobudur, an area situated in between two volcanoes in Central Java. The villas offer views of the Borobudur Temple, Mount Merapi, and the surrounding teak forests.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Borobudur

Wake early to witness the sunrise over the world-famous Borobudur from your hotel. It was the Shailendra dynasty that embraced Mahayana Buddhism in the early 9th century and the temple took almost 100 years to be completed. The top level is dotted with 72 small, latticework stupas, each with a statue of Buddha inside. After breakfast, you'll head to Candirejo Village, a traditional Javanese village where you can learn about Javanese culture and daily life, including farming, art performances and local food. Take a traditional andong (horse and carriage) around the village.

Borobudur
Borobudur

Day 3

Borobudur

Take a day-trip to explore Yogyakarta city, considered the heartland of culture on the island. As one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, Yogyakarta has many heritage buildings and monuments. Begin at Keraton, the Sultan's Palace, which was built between 1756 and 1790 and is a splendid example of traditional Javanese court architecture. Also, visit Taman Sari, also known as the Water Castle. Built in 1758 as an elaborate retreat, the Water Castle is a two-story mansion built on an elevated mound arising out of an artificial lake. It features an underwater tunnel, sunken bathing pools, meditation chambers and 18 lavish tropical gardens. Saved for last is the main attraction, the UNESCO-designated Prambanan, an impressive collection of massive Hindu temples. Time permitting, check out the contemporary art galleries; Yogyakarta's creative scene has a down-to-earth community approach that welcomes everyone to learn and connect.

Day 4

Ubud

Leave Java behind and head for the island paradise of Bali. You will be met at the airport and transferred via private car 1.5 hours north to Ubud, a small town in central Bali. Upon arrival, step into the quintessential traditional Balinese scene: green hillsides, rice terraces, sounds of the gamelan, and processions of colorfully dressed people holding umbrellas, offerings, and wafting incense. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: One of Ubud’s finest views of the strikingly green Ayung River Gorge and terraced rice fields

Tradition: A magical property laid out in the style of a Balinese village

Service: Attentive service from a very friendly, well-trained staff

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Amandari Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set in the lush rainforests of Ubud, this property allows guests to truly connect with nature.

History: Ubud has a long history of helping provide mental, physical and spiritual balance to visitors.

Service: The Como name and classic Balinese hospitality combine to make this resort top-notch for service.

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COMO Shambhala Estate Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Surroundings: Savor your favorite drink in the open-air bar over looking the floating lily pond and verdant Ayung River Valley below.

Décor: A combination of tasteful Balinese décor, a neutral paint palate and original sculpture and artwork.

Food: A choice of local specialties and western favorites, fine wines, exotic cocktails and a kids menu.

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Four Seasons Sayan Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Set in Bali’s cultural heartland, Mandapa is named for the ancient temples that surround it and draws on a long history of tradition and heritage.

Location:Nestled in the hills of central Bali, Mandapa enjoys the beautiful surroundings of Ubud.

Service: From the gong signalling guests’ arrival to every whim during their stay, staff attend to the tiniest details, and each room’s personal butler is on hand day and night.

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Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Access to Experience: The island of Bali abounds in history, both in terms of the Dutch colonial past and the more traditional, native culture. Awe-inspiring temples, rituals and ceremonies, exhilarating waterfalls, rice terraces and lush walking trails are among just a few attractions guests may experience and explore.

Weekly Activity Schedule: The selection of classes and activities available at the Capella Ubud, Bali, is second-to-none. On a single given day, for example, guests might find themselves with a tough decision between Aqua Pilates, Meditation and Purification, and a Farming Class. Other, more immersive, options range from a 24-hour tented wellness retreat to a “tropical island castaway” experience in which guests are heli-dropped on an exclusive private beach for a lazy day complete with a picnic lunch and wine.

A Unique Approach to Lodging: Most of the tented retreats are perched on the valley slopes and accessible via a suspension bridge constructed with painstaking care for the surrounding forested environment. Large outdoor decks further add to the one-of-a-kind ambience and provide the perfect setting for a candlelit dinner or al-fresco breakfast.

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The Capella Ubud Preferred Hotel

Day 5

Ubud

Begin the day with an adventure - white water rafting. The Ayung River provides a thrill that begins the moment you push off from the riverbanks. On the more leisurely stretches through tropical forests you will see Hindu shrines brightly decorated on ceremonial days of prayer. Discover hidden waterfalls, swim in the pristine water and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Ayung River valley. In the afternoon, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a 27-acre space of cool and dense jungle in the Padangtegal area of Ubud. The mysterious temple complex is home to a tribe of grey-haired long-tailed macaque monkeys. Round out the day at Ubud's bustling market which specializes in artisan handicrafts. Ubud, like Yogyakarta, is also a cultural heartland and where traditional arts thrive. The market is a treasure trove of wicker baskets and boxes, ikat and batik textiles, gold and silver jewelry, straw hats, and more.

Ubud
Ubud

Day 6

Ubud

Begin another early morning with a 45-minute drive to the peaceful village of Sebatu Village. On the way, you'll make a short stop in Tegalalang Village, known for its beautiful rice terraces, tropical rainforest and as a home to Balinese artists. Take a walk through rice paddies and learn how rice is grown, cultivated and harvested. Depending on the season, meet farmers ploughing or planting. They will be happy to invite you to join them. Pause to visit local artist’s workshop, where you can join and practice the art of wood carving or local painting styles. Once at Sebatu Village, head to Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple for a blessing ceremony. A Hindu Priest will perform a purification ceremony which requires you to take a bath in the Holy Spring Water Plunge Pool, which is believed to purify the body and soul. In the late afternoon, set off a walk along a mountain ridge trail where you can take in a panoramic view of the sun setting on the lush landscape.

Day 7

Kalong Island

From rice fields to open sea, today you begin the sailing portion of your journey. Fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo where you will board your private charter vessel. There is a wealth of luxury boats to choose from, ranging from traditional phinisi to modern yachts and everything in between. After a quick boat orientation, begin cruising to Kalong Island. A late lunch on your boat will be served on the way. You'll anchor near Kalong Island, literary Bat Island, home to thousands of bats which you will witness flying around the island during sunset. Enjoy a leisurely dinner on the deck under the stars.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Rinca Island

Sail on to Rinca Island where you'll visit the ranger’s station for an encounter with the famed Komodo dragons. These giant lizards can only be found at Komodo National Park and on a few islands, including Rinca and Komodo. Aside from the formidable dragons, you are likely to encounter buffalo, deer and wild horses. From the top of the Rinca hills, the scenery is spectacular. Returning to the yacht for lunch, you'll then set sail for Padar island. A deserted island with great views, here you can enjoy snorkeling, diving, swimming, kayaking, or simply strolling along the beach. In the meanwhile, enjoy drinks and nibbles on the beach at sunset, and the boat will anchor here for the night.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Rinca Island
Rinca Island

Day 9

Gili Lawa Darat

After breakfast, the vessel will navigate to Karang Makassar, known as Manta Point. Dive into the waters and encounter manta rays, snapper and turtles amongst the pristine reef. The waters of Komodo are rich with marine life and have some of the most stunning coral gardens in the world. Later in the afternoon, you'll sail onwards to the uninhabited island of Gili Lawa Darat where you can go on a short trek to a viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama of the entire island.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 10

Manggis

Arise early this morning for a day of snorkeling and sailing around the island of Gili Lawa Darat. Take one last opportunity to swim in the seas around your own isolated isle before heading back to Labuan Bajo. Then, you'll catch a flight back to Bali where you will make your way to Amankila.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The resort is set on its own private black volcanic sand beach

Privacy: Amankila is located in a remote hillside area on the east side of Bali overlooking waters of the Lombok Strait, making the resort exceptionally private, exclusive and peaceful

Watersports: Amankila has a private luxury boat for trips around the islands as well as fishing, snorkeling and diving

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Amankila Preferred Hotel

Day 11

Manggis

Start the morning with a 1.5-hour drive to Iseh Village, where you'll hop on a bike. Explore the colorful landscape of eastern Bali which boasts dramatic volcanic valleys, rice terraces, and lush tropical rainforest. Along the way, you can also view the ocean and Agung Mountain. Stop at Sibetan village, where snakeskin fruit grows and you can join the farmer to pick and taste this plant. The Sibetan village is also known for its rice wine production. Your final destination is Prasi Beach, located on a secluded coast between two hills and two villages, Prasi and Bugbug. Unlike other beaches in the east of Bali, Prasi Beach offers white sands stretching along the bay and great swimming spots. Spend time here to take a refreshing swim and bask on the sands before returning to your hotel.

Manggis
Manggis

Day 12

Manggis

There is no shortage of spectacular sunrises in Indonesia and today you will witness a tranquil one at Lempuyang Temple, known to the Balinese as a place of great spiritual power. There are actually seven temples within the grounds but the most popular sight is the famous "gateway to heaven," a dramatic stone gate that perfectly frames Mount Agung in the distance. Next, you'll head to Taman Ujung Complex, a curious yet beautiful combination of Balinese and European architecture with three large ponds connected by long elegant bridges and pathways. The enduring architecture and superb mountain backdrop to the north, and sea to its southwest, make it a favorite location for wedding photos. Finally, you'll head to Tirta Gangga, which translates to mean "Water from the Ganges," and is a holy site often used for religious ceremonies. Tirta Gangga is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by manicured gardens, stone carvings, and statues. The centerpiece of the palace is an eleven-tiered fountain.

Day 13

Departure

Enjoy one last breakfast in this tropical paradise before checking out. A private transfer will take you to Denpasar Airport for your onward journey to your next destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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