This backpack route Indonesia brings you to the highlights of Java and Bali. In about three weeks you will discover these impressive islands at a reasonable pace. You start the journey through Indonesia in Jakarta. Flying to this is easy from both Europe and from other cities in Asia. With this route you will see many sights, the amazing landscape and you can relax and go to Bali at the end of your trip.
1) Jakarta
The route through Java begins in the capital Jakarta. A busy, gray city where there is not much to do is therefore recommend it to continue quite quickly.
2) Jakarta> Bogor
Look in Bogor, among other things, the botanical gardens, landscaped by Dutch people. Or choose for what a nice Bandung and her beautiful surroundings.
3) Bogor> Pangandaran
Pangandaran is a coastal village with beautiful beaches, delicious fresh food and a forest where you can see many wild animals.
4) Pangandaran> Yogyakarta
In the popular city of Yogyakarta you will find some beautiful temples and other sights. You need a couple of days to explore this city and the surrounding area.
5) Yogyakarta> Bromo
The active volcano complex of Bromo is impressive to see and the whole landscape in this area is beautiful.
6) Bromo> Lovina Beach
From Bromo you go to Banyuwangi, where you can take the boat to Bali. Lovina is a bit quieter than the other beaches in Bali, but no less beautiful.
7) Lovina Beach> Kuta
In the most touristy city of Bali you can shop and shop for good shopping. It's definitely not our favorite destination in Bali, but you must have seen Kuta for a moment. If time allows you, you can go to nice destinations in Bali like Canggu and / or Uluwatu.
8) Kuta> Ubud
The versatile and incredibly fun Ubud is a good base to see Bali rice fields, some temples in the region and Ubud itself is also very fun.
9) Ubud> Gili Islands
Travel from Ubud to Padangbai, here you can catch the boat to the Gili Islands. These islets are amazing, they belong to our favorite destinations throughout Asia.
10) Gili Islands> Lombok
Close your trip through Indonesia on the nice island of Lombok. This is a great stop especially for nature lovers.
1) Denpasar
When you fly to Bali you land at Denpasar Airport. This is located near the famous Kuta. This is definitely not our favorite destination in Bali, but it may be a good option for your first night on the island. Seminyak is a somewhat more expensive, but much nicer option to stay. Denpasar is excellent by plane from all over Indonesia, other countries in Asia and the Netherlands.
2) Denpasar> Uluwatu
Go to the nice south of Bali. In Uluwatu you will find a special temple and it is a good spot to surf. In addition, you will find some of Bali's most beautiful beaches in the area.
3) Uluwatu> Canggu
Surfing enthusiasts can also visit the trendy Canggu. You can also eat very well and enjoy it.
4) Canggu> Lovina
In the north of Bali lies the much quieter resort of Lovina. A good spot to dive or snorkel. Spotting dolphins is also a popular activity here.
5) Lovina> Munduk
The village of Munduk is a good base for exploring Bali's beautiful nature. In this area you can see some beautiful waterfalls and terraced rice fields.
6) Munduk> Ubud
The amazingly nice Ubud is a lot to do. Visit an original Balinese dance, watch the temples of the city, walk through the rice fields in the area and eat in one of the many tasty warungs.
7) Ubud> Sanur
Travel to Sanur to take the boat to your next destination. If you are well in time, this is also a pretty nice destination to stay on for a while.
8) Sanur> Nusa Lembongan
Leave the island of Bali and sail to Nusa Lembongan. A much quieter, but very nice island. Enjoy the fun atmosphere here, go diving or snorkeling and chill on the beaches.
9) Nusa Lembongan> Gili Air
Up to the amazing Gili Islands. The boat will take you to Gili Air first. Because of the relaxed atmosphere this is our favorite Gili island. A wonderful destination for a few days to do nothing.
10) Gili Air> Gili Trawangan
If you like a party, Gili Trawangan is the place for you. Dozens of bars and clubs fill the area around the harbor. The authenticity has therefore disappeared, the good atmosphere is not happy.
11) Gili Trawangan> Senggigi
Take the boat to Lombok. Senggigi is the most popular seaside resort on the island. It's not our favorite destination, the beaches are a bit of rain. However, it is a good stopover. Visit from here, possibly the Mount Rinjani. A challenging climb, but a great experience.
12) Sengiggi> Kuta (Lombok)
Unlike the tourist Kuta in Bali, Kuta on Lombok is a very nice destination. You can surf very well, there are beautiful beaches to be found and the atmosphere is good. From Kuta you can - by Senggigi - take the boat back to Bali or take the plane from the nearby airport.
The capital of the province of Bali is Denpasar. In this city is the island's international airport. Close to Denpasar is the place Kuta. This is Bali's most tourist destination, but it is also the least fun of us. Drunk Australians, chaotic traffic and too many shops make this not a fun destination. You can surf and go well, but we recommend to skip the city. Near Bali is Seminyak. In this resort there are also many tourists, but it is a bit more luxurious and the atmosphere is a bit better. You will find fun - but quite expensive - beach clubs. Sanur is also a popular seaside resort in Bali. Many activities can not be found, but you can enjoy the beach.
Canggu is one of our favorite spots in Bali. You can surf, go out and have a nice meal. If you want to learn more about the fascinating culture of Bali, you can go to Ubud. In and around Ubud is a lot to see and do. Near the town are some beautiful rice fields and the famous Monkey Forest. Another nice place is Lovina. In this coastal town on the north coast it is considerably quieter. Spotting dolphins is a popular activity here. On the north coast you can also find Amed. This coastal region of seven villages is Bali's best spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. Somewhat more to the south is even more peaceful Munduk. This village is surrounded by beautiful nature, which makes a nice place for fun walks.
In southern Bali lies the nice Uluwatu, with some beautiful beaches and good surf spots. The relaxed atmosphere, spectacular cliffs and cozy bars make this a very nice area. More towards Kuta is Jimbaran. In the evening, the tables are laid out on the beach and you can enjoy dinner here while watching the sunset.
If you come from Java, you can take the boat to Gilimanuk on Bali in Ketapang. This ferry operates 24 hours a day and leaves every 15 minutes. The boat trip itself only takes 25 minutes, but you have lost some extra time with loading and unloading. Ketapang is easily accessible by bus from all over the region.
Backpack route Sumatra
1) Medan
Medan is a big, not too nice city. However, it is a good starting point for your trip through Sumatra. The city is well accessible from both other islands in Indonesia and from other parts of the world. In addition, you travel from Medan to other, more fun destinations on Sumatra.
2) Medan> Lake Toba
The beautiful Lake Toba has long been a popular destination. We'll do this because it's really fun here. From the island of Samosir you explore this beautiful area.
3) Lake Toba> Berastagi
Use the hill town of Berastagi as a base to visit the active but well-accessible Sibayak volcano. After a good climb you will be rewarded with a magnificent view, on the way back you can join the hot springs. In the vicinity of Berastagi there are even more fun walks.
4) Berastagi> Bukit Lawang
From the nice village of Bukit Lawang, you make a trek through the rainforest to spot wild orangutans. If you are here for a two-day hike, you have a great chance to see these amazing animals close by. Bukit Lawang itself is touristy, but very nice to relax.
5) Bukit Lawang> Ketambe
Ketambe is somewhat northerner in the Gunung Leuser National Park. This makes it much more difficult than Bukit Lawang. Here you can also make drawings to see wild orangutans. These tours are even more fun than in Bukit Lawang, but it is therefore a less touristy and difficult to reach destination.
6) Ketambe> Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is not a great city, but from here you travel to the island of Pulau Weh. Banda Aceh itself was heavily affected by the tsunami in 2004. In the city an interesting museum dedicated to this devastating natural disaster is worth a visit if you have some time left in this big city.
7) Banda Aceh> Pulau Weh
On the island of Pulau Weh you will find some beautiful beaches and a laid back atmosphere. The highlight is, however, underwater. It's a great spot to dive and snorkel, even one of the better of all of Asia.
8) Pulau Weh>?
Travel back to Banda Aceh. Here you can take the plane to your next destination. Or travel to Medan to fly back / forth from here. This is a larger airport, with more chance of cheap flights.
We recommend doing this route for at least two weeks. You could therefore choose to skip Ketambe or Bukit Lawang and Berastagi. Around three weeks is a lot easier. If you really want to relax, you can also spend four weeks in this region, then you can take some excursions to other destinations in the region.
1) Jakarta
The route through Java begins in the capital Jakarta. A busy, gray city where there is not much to do is therefore recommend it to continue quite quickly.
2) Jakarta> Bogor
Look in Bogor, among other things, the botanical gardens, landscaped by Dutch people. Or choose for what a nice Bandung and her beautiful surroundings.
3) Bogor> Pangandaran
Pangandaran is a coastal village with beautiful beaches, delicious fresh food and a forest where you can see many wild animals.
4) Pangandaran> Yogyakarta
In the popular city of Yogyakarta you will find some beautiful temples and other sights. You need a couple of days to explore this city and the surrounding area.
5) Yogyakarta> Bromo
The active volcano complex of Bromo is impressive to see and the whole landscape in this area is beautiful.
6) Bromo> Lovina Beach
From Bromo you go to Banyuwangi, where you can take the boat to Bali. Lovina is a bit quieter than the other beaches in Bali, but no less beautiful.
7) Lovina Beach> Kuta
In the most touristy city of Bali you can shop and shop for good shopping. It's definitely not our favorite destination in Bali, but you must have seen Kuta for a moment. If time allows you, you can go to nice destinations in Bali like Canggu and / or Uluwatu.
8) Kuta> Ubud
The versatile and incredibly fun Ubud is a good base to see Bali rice fields, some temples in the region and Ubud itself is also very fun.
9) Ubud> Gili Islands
Travel from Ubud to Padangbai, here you can catch the boat to the Gili Islands. These islets are amazing, they belong to our favorite destinations throughout Asia.
10) Gili Islands> Lombok
Close your trip through Indonesia on the nice island of Lombok. This is a great stop especially for nature lovers.
Duration of your trip
The Java route can basically take you in a week, especially if you do not spend time in Jakarta. Still, you can spend a lot more time and visit some extra places on the go. Bali is enough to entertain you for a minimum of one week. The Gili Islands have seen you pretty soon, but you probably have the problem that you do not want to go there at all. Also for Lombok you have to book 3 for a minimum of one day. In short, you can take the route in a week or 3, but a few more weeks is so nice.Combine with other routes
From Bali you can fly to other locations in Asia for cheap rates. For example, fly to Bangkok to start our route through Southeast Asia. This tour through Indonesia also closely matches our route through Malaysia, if you do it in reverse order.Backpack Route Bali and Lombok
With this backpack route Bali and Lombok you will see the best destinations in this area in a few weeks. You can do the route - in part - in two weeks, but you can also easily do it for four weeks. You fly to Denpasar, easy to reach from the Netherlands. From there you can see the most beautiful temples, cultural highlights, snorkeling and diving spots and the nicest islands.1) Denpasar
When you fly to Bali you land at Denpasar Airport. This is located near the famous Kuta. This is definitely not our favorite destination in Bali, but it may be a good option for your first night on the island. Seminyak is a somewhat more expensive, but much nicer option to stay. Denpasar is excellent by plane from all over Indonesia, other countries in Asia and the Netherlands.
2) Denpasar> Uluwatu
Go to the nice south of Bali. In Uluwatu you will find a special temple and it is a good spot to surf. In addition, you will find some of Bali's most beautiful beaches in the area.
3) Uluwatu> Canggu
Surfing enthusiasts can also visit the trendy Canggu. You can also eat very well and enjoy it.
4) Canggu> Lovina
In the north of Bali lies the much quieter resort of Lovina. A good spot to dive or snorkel. Spotting dolphins is also a popular activity here.
5) Lovina> Munduk
The village of Munduk is a good base for exploring Bali's beautiful nature. In this area you can see some beautiful waterfalls and terraced rice fields.
6) Munduk> Ubud
The amazingly nice Ubud is a lot to do. Visit an original Balinese dance, watch the temples of the city, walk through the rice fields in the area and eat in one of the many tasty warungs.
7) Ubud> Sanur
Travel to Sanur to take the boat to your next destination. If you are well in time, this is also a pretty nice destination to stay on for a while.
8) Sanur> Nusa Lembongan
Leave the island of Bali and sail to Nusa Lembongan. A much quieter, but very nice island. Enjoy the fun atmosphere here, go diving or snorkeling and chill on the beaches.
9) Nusa Lembongan> Gili Air
Up to the amazing Gili Islands. The boat will take you to Gili Air first. Because of the relaxed atmosphere this is our favorite Gili island. A wonderful destination for a few days to do nothing.
10) Gili Air> Gili Trawangan
If you like a party, Gili Trawangan is the place for you. Dozens of bars and clubs fill the area around the harbor. The authenticity has therefore disappeared, the good atmosphere is not happy.
11) Gili Trawangan> Senggigi
Take the boat to Lombok. Senggigi is the most popular seaside resort on the island. It's not our favorite destination, the beaches are a bit of rain. However, it is a good stopover. Visit from here, possibly the Mount Rinjani. A challenging climb, but a great experience.
12) Sengiggi> Kuta (Lombok)
Unlike the tourist Kuta in Bali, Kuta on Lombok is a very nice destination. You can surf very well, there are beautiful beaches to be found and the atmosphere is good. From Kuta you can - by Senggigi - take the boat back to Bali or take the plane from the nearby airport.
Duration of your trip
Four weeks is the ideal travel time for this route. This way you can stay on a number of destinations for a few days and keep calm. If you only have two weeks, you can better skip a few destinations. For example, skip Lovina and Munduk or choose not to go to Lombok. For example, if you're not a surf fan, you can skip Canggu.Bali
Bali is part of Indonesia, but actually the island is not comparable to the rest of the archipelago. Both Hinduism dominated in Bali and mass tourism present distinguish the island of the rest of Indonesia. The island is famous for its beautiful nature with terraced rice fields and around the active volcanoes. You will also find many temples, beautiful beaches, shopping centers and nightlife on the island.The capital of the province of Bali is Denpasar. In this city is the island's international airport. Close to Denpasar is the place Kuta. This is Bali's most tourist destination, but it is also the least fun of us. Drunk Australians, chaotic traffic and too many shops make this not a fun destination. You can surf and go well, but we recommend to skip the city. Near Bali is Seminyak. In this resort there are also many tourists, but it is a bit more luxurious and the atmosphere is a bit better. You will find fun - but quite expensive - beach clubs. Sanur is also a popular seaside resort in Bali. Many activities can not be found, but you can enjoy the beach.
Canggu is one of our favorite spots in Bali. You can surf, go out and have a nice meal. If you want to learn more about the fascinating culture of Bali, you can go to Ubud. In and around Ubud is a lot to see and do. Near the town are some beautiful rice fields and the famous Monkey Forest. Another nice place is Lovina. In this coastal town on the north coast it is considerably quieter. Spotting dolphins is a popular activity here. On the north coast you can also find Amed. This coastal region of seven villages is Bali's best spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. Somewhat more to the south is even more peaceful Munduk. This village is surrounded by beautiful nature, which makes a nice place for fun walks.
In southern Bali lies the nice Uluwatu, with some beautiful beaches and good surf spots. The relaxed atmosphere, spectacular cliffs and cozy bars make this a very nice area. More towards Kuta is Jimbaran. In the evening, the tables are laid out on the beach and you can enjoy dinner here while watching the sunset.
Overnight in Bali
With the right preparations, cheap accommodation in Bali is definitely possible. Often you pay a little more than in other locations in Indonesia, but backpackers do not need to avoid Bali due to prices. On Booking.com you will find the most offer and you can book a room.Doing in Bali
You can spend a few weeks in Bali without getting bored. Shopping, surfing, sunbathing, temples visit, diving, going out and delicious food are some of the activities you can do. If you want some more action, you can raft on the Tegala Waja River. Not only fun to do, but also a unique way to discover Bali.How do I get there?
Bali has a large international airport in Denpasar. Flights from all over Indonesia are increasing, but connections with the rest of Asia and Europe are also good. Check out our tips on booking the cheapest flights to Indonesia.If you come from Java, you can take the boat to Gilimanuk on Bali in Ketapang. This ferry operates 24 hours a day and leaves every 15 minutes. The boat trip itself only takes 25 minutes, but you have lost some extra time with loading and unloading. Ketapang is easily accessible by bus from all over the region.
Backpack route Sumatra
Follow our Sumatra backpack route to visit Sumatra's highlights within a few weeks. Actually, the route only takes place on the north of the island. The true highlights of Sumatra are as far as we are concerned in this region. If you want to travel on the island, we will provide a number of options at the bottom of this page. If you also want to visit other parts of Indonesia, we refer to the two other routes, also found at the bottom of this page.Backpack route Sumatra
1) Medan
Medan is a big, not too nice city. However, it is a good starting point for your trip through Sumatra. The city is well accessible from both other islands in Indonesia and from other parts of the world. In addition, you travel from Medan to other, more fun destinations on Sumatra.
2) Medan> Lake Toba
The beautiful Lake Toba has long been a popular destination. We'll do this because it's really fun here. From the island of Samosir you explore this beautiful area.
3) Lake Toba> Berastagi
Use the hill town of Berastagi as a base to visit the active but well-accessible Sibayak volcano. After a good climb you will be rewarded with a magnificent view, on the way back you can join the hot springs. In the vicinity of Berastagi there are even more fun walks.
4) Berastagi> Bukit Lawang
From the nice village of Bukit Lawang, you make a trek through the rainforest to spot wild orangutans. If you are here for a two-day hike, you have a great chance to see these amazing animals close by. Bukit Lawang itself is touristy, but very nice to relax.
5) Bukit Lawang> Ketambe
Ketambe is somewhat northerner in the Gunung Leuser National Park. This makes it much more difficult than Bukit Lawang. Here you can also make drawings to see wild orangutans. These tours are even more fun than in Bukit Lawang, but it is therefore a less touristy and difficult to reach destination.
6) Ketambe> Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is not a great city, but from here you travel to the island of Pulau Weh. Banda Aceh itself was heavily affected by the tsunami in 2004. In the city an interesting museum dedicated to this devastating natural disaster is worth a visit if you have some time left in this big city.
7) Banda Aceh> Pulau Weh
On the island of Pulau Weh you will find some beautiful beaches and a laid back atmosphere. The highlight is, however, underwater. It's a great spot to dive and snorkel, even one of the better of all of Asia.
8) Pulau Weh>?
Travel back to Banda Aceh. Here you can take the plane to your next destination. Or travel to Medan to fly back / forth from here. This is a larger airport, with more chance of cheap flights.