Example Itinerary

Jetting Through Historic Indonesia: Borobudur to Bali

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Heritage, UNESCO
Destinations
Indonesia, Bali

Uncover the fascinating history of Indonesia with this luxurious 11-day tour of some of the country's best historic sites. Travel in style and experience the ultimate in comfort and convenience by flying to destinations on a private aircraft. Feel at home on your own personal aircraft and discover remote lands, ancient relics and abandoned kingdoms, without having to deal with the hassle of long transit times, waits and delays caused by commercial air transportation. Start your adventure off by marveling at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple complex on the globe and visiting Prambanan, a series of elaborate Hindu temples. Next, fly to Pangkalan Bun and stop at Camp Leakey, a famous orangutan research and rehabilitation center. Here, you’ll witness exotic orangutans in their natural habitat. After, experience ancient Indonesian rituals at Kete Kesu and witness the deadly Komodo dragon at Komodo National Park. Finish your travels in Bali and take a stroll through the gorgeous Water Palace or hike through the ancient Elephant Cave to see Buddhist remnants and antique statues.

Why fly by private jet?

Being transported around in your own personal aircraft is the best way to discover the hidden gems of Indonesia. Commercial flights within the country are often unreliable and it is not unusual for flights to be late or cancelled altogether. Rest assured as your personal aircraft will get you to your destinations in a comfortable and timely manner. Time is precious while you're on vacation, so don’t waste it layovers and worrying about flight delays! 

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

  • Island-Hopping by Jet: Travel in style and experience the ultimate in comfort and convenience by flying privately. Leave complex commercial flight schedules behind and just jet there.
  • Torajaland: This highland region is home to lush rice terraces, misty mountains, and a village famous for its macabre culture. See an extravagant funeral ceremony, hanging graves, decorative burial sites, and learn about the significance of it all.
  • Spiritual Bali: Escape into the lush green rice fields of Ubud. An idyllic bike ride takes you past waterfalls, bucolic villages, and to secret temple where a water blessing awaits.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Borobudur

Arrive on the island of Java, landing in Yogyakarta. Drive to the outskirts of town to marvel at Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist complex considered to be the largest Buddhist structure in the world. A famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient temple is sure to amaze and astound travellers with its unique architectural style, historical significance and beautiful volcanic backdrop. After, check in at your hotel nearby Borobudur. 

Hotel Options

Day 2

Map

Borobudur

Rise early this morning to see sunrise over Borobudur, a stunning Buddhist temple complex dating back to the ninth century.  A famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur will take your breath away with its elaborate décor, complex architectural design and beautiful volcanic backdrop. Return to your hotel for breakfast and to relax before venturing out in the afternoon to visit a local traditional Javanese village. Here you can enjoy an Andong ride through the village. After a long day, return to Amanjiwo to unwind. We suggest a pampering spa treatment. Try the famed Balinese massage, a deep-tissue holistic treatment that delivers wellbeing and deep relaxation.

Borobudur
Borobudur

Day 3

Map

Yogyakarta »

Check out this morning and depart for nearbyYogyakarta. We recommend visiting one of Yogyakarta’s numerous bustling traditional markets for an unforgettable shopping experience. You'll also visit some of the city's highlights including Prambanan Templed, Taman Sari Water Castle, and the Kraton Sultan Palace.

Hotel Options

Day 4

Map

Makassar

This morning, step into your elegant private plane and take a scenic flight Balikpapan, then an hour's drive to the Orangutan santuary. Here you can also meet the rescued Sun Bears who are also living onsite. Here, you’ll take a tour of the camp and have a chance to witness exotic orangutans in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, depart from Borneo and fly to Makassar on the island of Sulawesi.

Hotel Options
Makassar
Makassar

Day 5

Map

Makassar

After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to Ramang-Ramang village. Upon arrival, board a boat and sail along the river which is flanked by spectacular karst mountains and limestone cliff formations. In the afternoon, return to Makassar and make a quick visit to Paotere Schooner harbor before spending the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 6

Map

Toraja »

After breakfast, board your personal jet and head to Tana Toraja, a highland region on the island of Sulawesi. Famous for its stunning scenery, Tana Toraja will take your breath away with its bamboo forests, misty mountains and lush rice fields. In the afternoon, trek to Kete Kesu, a traditional village famous for its fascination with death. Here, you’ll witness a sacred funeral ceremony, hanging graves and embellished burial sites.

Hotel Options

Day 7

Map

Toraja »

Begin the day with a visit to the local market to see locals trading their goods and animals. Here, people sell their buffalos with prices up to hundreds of millions for one buffalo. Done the traditional way, the transaction is settled with a bag of cash. The biggest market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Then, continue to Batutumonga where you can enjoy views of rice terraces while having lunch at a local restaurant. Then, drive further up to Lokomata, the site of a local graveyard. Walk around the traditional villages of Toraja and observe the traditional homes, rock cliffs, and rice terraces before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Hotel Options
Toraja
Toraja

Day 8

Map

Toraja »

If you are in luck, today you will attend a local funeral ceremony to witness this important traditional rite. Typically big funerals are attended by most of the villagers and there will be a dozen buffalos gathered. As the ceremony starts, the deceased will be moved to the ceremonial house and the buffalos will be sacrificed and cooked to serve the attendees. You can enjoy traditional cakes and refreshments as you observe the ceremony. Afterwards, continue to explore Toraja, including more villages and even the hanging coffins and royal burial sites.

Day 9

Map

Ubud »

Begin the day by flying to Bali and driving to the spiritual heartlands of Ubud. After checking in to your hotel, take a cooking class in the afternoon. Visit the home of a local husband and wife to participate in preparing and cooking a range of Balinese dishes, using local ingredients and spices, over a traditional wood fired oven. Proceed to the backyard to see the organic garden where they grows vegetables, spices and other food crops. Your host learned his gardening skill from his grandfather, and he will lead you to pick up those vegetable and spices for your cooking lesson which will be conducted by his wife. They will explain local philosophies about food sharing unique insights into the culture of the Balinese as you pound, grind and chop ingredients. You will finish your cooking course with a delicious meal served in a home setting inside the Balinese compound.

Hotel Options

Day 10

Map

Ubud »

Begin the day with an exhilarting bike ride around Batur Volcano. Drive to Penelokan Village where you will be fitted for your bike and enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the incredible views. Then begin biking thorugh the mandarin plantation where you are free to stop and join farmers to try some fruits. Then, take a short trek through the rice fields, forested valley, and alon ghte river leading to Sebatu Village. Here you can admire the local homes. Visit the Gunung Kawi Temple and see its compounds and holyl water spring altars. Continue biking down to Pejeng Aji village, known for having artisans and master woodcarvers. Finally, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel to rest for the day. If you wish, step out on your own to explore Ubud village.

Ubud
Ubud

Day 11

Map

Departure

Finish your amazing adventure off with one final free morning in Ubud. Feel free to take a sunrise walk along Campuhan ridge or relax with a Balinese massage at your hotel. In the afternoon, head to Ngurah Rai International Airport and check in for your flight home or to your next exciting travel 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.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, 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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