Indonesia’s Archipelago of Wonders: Java, Bali & Sulawesi Unveiled
Indonesia is a breathtaking tapestry of over 17,000 islands, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and spiritual depth. This journey will take you from Java’s ancient temples and volcanic landscapes to Bali’s spiritual rice terraces and artistic heart, culminating in Sulawesi’s unique and adventurous cultural encounters.
You will have a chance to visit the monumental Buddhist and Hindu sites in Java, find serenity and artistic expression amid Bali’s lush greenery and vibrant culture, and venture into the off-the-beaten-path charm of Sulawesi to discover its distinctive local traditions and stunning natural beauty.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1. Yogyakarta. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Days 2 – 4. Yogyakarta. As a center of Javenese culture, Yogyakarta – known to locals as Jogja – is a city where ancient history breathes alongside a thriving modern art scene. Here, the days begin with mist-shrouded rice fields surrounding the towering Hindu temple complex of Prambanan and the majestic Buddhist temple of Borobudur, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Over the next few days you will have a chance to visit these two nearby sites and spend time in the city where you will meet with a local indigo dyer artist, explore the vibrant art scene at some of the best galleries, explore the magnificent Kraton which has been home to generations of sultans and spend time with the silver artisans of the Kota Gede neighborhood.
During the village excursions to Pedan, a hidden gem for textile enthusiasts, and to Agung, home to the women batik community you will have a chance to learn about the many arts and crafts that the country is famous for.
Day 5. Ubud. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Denpasar followed by a drive to Ubud, Bali’s spiritual and cultural heart and a lush jungle town famous for its ancient temples, rice terraces, and booming arts scene, attracting everyone from yogis and digital nomads to culture-seekers and foodies. Enjoy your first afternoon in the city strolling through ARMA, a tranquil retreat into Balinese and Indonesian art.
Days 6 – 8. Ubud. Dedicate a day to the Ubud temple tour where you will discover Tirta Empul, a revered sanctuary where the faithful seek purification in the temple’s spring waters. From here continue on to Gunung Kawi Sebatu, a temple that features verdant gardens around ponds filled with carp and blooming lotus flowers. It is one of the most beautiful sites in the area. The final stop for the day will be Tegallalang, known for its rice terraces that use the traditional subak method of irrigating rice. From the top of the valley the terraces of a stunning view of a wonderfully panoramic scene.
Spend the morning at the sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, an ecological and spiritual haven nestled in the heart of the village of Padangtegal. The forest is more than a wildlife reserve, it is a sacred space reflecting Balinese Hindu philosophy of Tri Hata Karana, the three causes of well-being: harmony with God, with people and with nature. Within the sanctuary are three ancient temples dating back to the 14th century.
Finally, enjoy an afternoon strolling through the many markets of Ubud that are home to specialty stores such as the Threads of Life store. It works with over 1200 women weavers on 12 Indonesian islands, producing some of the most beautiful textiles using traditional methods of weaving and dyeing fabrics.
Day 9. Sanur. “A day in the life of a Balinese artist” awaits! You will gain a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a world typically hidden from travelers as you meet master artists, witness their creative processes, and engage in conversation about their work.
Later in the day, transfer to nearby Sanur for a fabulous dinner at the home of one of the members of the Balinese royal family. This will most likely be the culinary highlight of the entire trip!
Day 10. Sengkang. A morning flight takes you to mystical highlands of Torajaland, nestled in the lush highlands of South Sulawesi.
NOTE: Traveling through Torajaland is a journey into a world both majestic and raw. Winding roads cut through misty hills, past terraced rice fields and traditional Tongkonan house with soaring boat- shaped roofs. The beauty is profound, but infrastructure can be basic – expect bumpy roads, limited signage, and sudden rain showers. While accommodations range from charming simple hotels to rustic homes, comfort often gives way to authenticity. Ceremony schedules are unpredictable, but witnessing a Torajan funeral is a profound cultural immersion.
Come with curiosity, patience, and sturdy walking shoes – you are not just visiting a place, you are stepping into a living tradition!
A drive and overnight to Sengkang marks the first leg of your journey through Torajaland.
Days 11 – 13. Toraja. Over the next few days, explore Toraja, a land where the highlands breathe with myth and memory, home to the Torajan people, an ethnic group whose ancestral traditions remain vividly alive in the folds of the mist-draped mountains.
Villages are tucked among emerald rice terraces and dramatic limestone cliffs, with rows of Tongkonan houses. The Torajans are known for their deep spiritual connection to the land and the afterlife, reflected in elaborate funeral rites, cliffside tombs, and wood-carved effigies called tau tau. It is a culture that lives in rhythm with the land.
Visit Lemo, one of the most iconic and atmospheric burial sites in Torajaland. Set against a lush hillside, Lemo features vertical rock faces pierced with a burial chamber, carefully carved into the limestone centuries ago.
Continue to the tombs of Londa, Tampang Allo and Kambira where you will see the different ways the Torajan people bury their dead, ranging from hanging graves to graves in the trunk of big trees.
Stop to see Kete Kesu, A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important centers of Tana Toraja cultur,e with its typical Tongkonan houses, ornately carved and decorated with antique wood ornaments.
Spend time visiting Bori and Batutumonga, two captivating highlights of Torajaland, each offering a unique window into the region’s rich cultural tapestry and striking highland scenery.
Bori is a sacred ceremonial site famous for its megalithic stone circle, known as rante. These standing stones are erected to honor noble Torajans who have passed, often following elaborate funeral ceremonies. The more stones, the higher the person’s status. Surrounded by lush rice fields and towering trees, Bori is also home to cliffside tombs and baby graves.
Batutumonga is perched high on the slopes of Mount Sesean and offers some of the most breathtaking views in Torajaland. Here you will find ancient burial sites and stone carvings blending natural beauty with cultural depth.
Together, Bori and Batutumonga offer a moving contrast: one spiritual gathering ground steeped in ritual, the other a serene highland perch that invites reflection on the living landscape of Torajaland.
Day 14. Makassar. En route to Makassar take some “time out” and hop on short cruise down the Pute River. This area is known for its spectacular limestone karst formations and the nearby Telepak Tangan Cave where you can still see footprints left behind by ancient cave dwellers.
Day 15. Departure. Depart Makassar bound for Surabaya where you can connect to your international flight.
This itinerary serves as a sample outline, providing a glimpse of what your journey could look like. However, we understand that every traveler is unique, and we are delighted to tailor every detail to your individual preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable experience.
Our Top-Choice Hotel Picks:
Yogyakarta:
Hotel Tentrem
Sengkang:
Hotel Sermani
Toraja:
Toraja Misiliana
Makassar
Aston Makassar
Ubud:
Maya Ubud Resort
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Como Uma Ubud
Sanur:
Maya Sanur Resort & Spa
Best Time to Visit:
June to September
Optional inclusions and activities:
Spend a day with “Elisa Lubis” an Indigo dyer artist. Her crafting journey began in 2019 when she started Jivaloka, an ethically made home goods brand based in Yogyakarta. Her love for Indigo brought her to teach Indigo dyeing for the women community of Tuban (East Java), Banjarbaru (South Borneo) and recently in Dil (Timor Leste). Elisa will take you to meet with the women batik community in Kebon Agung Village, Klaten for a chance to join in a workshop session.
Visit the Threads of Life store. Women make the indigenous textiles across Indonesia, and the pivotal role traditional textiles play in transmitting culture between generations means that women are central custodians for cultural survival. Practically, getting money into the hands of women is the best way to ensure household welfare. For these reasons, Threads of Life works directly with over 1200 women weavers and supports the development of more than 35 weavers’ groups on 12 Indonesian islands across the communities.
“ The Golden Hour”. Ubud is changing fast, and we invite you to witness it at its golden hour of dawn. Leave the hotel before breakfast and go for a stroll through the Ubud Market, village lanes, fields and forest. After marveling at the sunrise and herons taking flight, enjoy a small picnic in a farmer’s hut high up in the rice fields north of Ubud where you can sit and soak in the morning ambiance. Descending through the rice fields back into the growing town of Ubud, pass the Monkey Forest and finish at the Tjampuhan Spa & Resort for a late breakfast/early lunch.
Enjoy a dinner at the home of Ms. Malaika, a member of the Balinese Royal Family. Here you will be hosted for a fabulous meal, likely to be the culinary highlight of your entire trip. A variety of traditional recipes, cooked using modern techniques and locally farmed organic products make for a wonderful dinner in a private home far away from the crowded restaurants.