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Indonesia Is Bigger Than Bali
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items If Bali is the only part of Indonesia you know, you're really missing out. There are volcanoes to hike, villages tucked away in the mountains, rainforests to explore, and islands that still feel far from the usual tourist trail.
Map
Sections
5
Java — Volcanoes, Hiking & Culture
Sumatra — Wildlife, Lakes & Surf
Kalimantan — Rainforest, Wildlife & Clear Waters
Nusa Tenggara — Islands, Villages & Volcanic Landscapes
Maluku & Papua — The Far East of Indonesia
Java — Volcanoes, Hiking & Culture
Big volcano views, early-morning hikes, and thousands of years of history—all on one island.
One of those places that really does look like another planet. Come for the sunrise, then spend the morning crossing the huge volcanic sand sea around the crater.
Mount Bromo, East Java
A sunrise hike with wide-open mountain views and rolling hills stretching into the distance. The trail is much more approachable than Indonesia’s tougher peaks, which makes Prau a great introduction to mountain hiking.
Mount Prau, Central Java
An enormous ancient temple surrounded by green hills and volcanoes. Go early when the air is cooler and the crowds are quieter, then take some time to notice the hundreds of carved stone panels around the temple.
Borobudur, Central Java
Sumatra — Wildlife, Lakes & Surf
Volcanic lakes, wild Sumatran wildlife, and long stretches of coast make Sumatra feel completely different from the islands further east.
A huge volcanic lake surrounded by green mountains, with Samosir Island sitting right in the middle. The scenery is beautiful, but the Batak culture around the lake is what makes a longer stay worthwhile.
Lake Toba, North Sumatra
A chance to see Sumatran elephants and experience one of Indonesia’s important wildlife conservation areas. It’s a very different side of the country from the usual beach-and-island itinerary.
Way Kambas National Park
White sand, big Indian Ocean waves, and a laid-back coastal setting that has long attracted surfers from around the world. Bali gets the spotlight, but this corner of Lampung has its own serious surf reputation.
Pantai Tanjung Setia
Kalimantan — Rainforest, Wildlife & Clear Waters
Rainforest, orangutans, remote islands, and water so clear it barely looks real—Kalimantan is made for travelers who like getting a little farther off the usual route.
A quiet island with a lake full of jellyfish that have lost their sting over generations. Swimming among them is one of those oddly unforgettable Indonesia experiences.
Kakaban Island, East Kalimantan
One of the best places to experience Borneo’s rainforest and see orangutans in their natural environment. The classic way to explore is by klotok boat, which makes the journey part of the experience too.
Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan
A crystal-clear lake where fresh and salt water meet, creating an unusual layered effect beneath the surface. It’s the kind of place that looks almost edited in photos, but actually exists.
Labuan Cermin, East Kalimantan
Nusa Tenggara — Islands, Villages & Volcanic Landscapes
This is the Indonesia of dramatic hills, volcanic lakes, traditional villages, and wide-open island landscapes. The scenery changes quickly, and so does the culture from one island to the next.
Rolling savannahs, limestone hills, traditional villages, and megalithic tombs give Sumba a character all its own. The island is also known for its handwoven ikat and strong connection to Marapu traditions.
Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara
A traditional mountain village tucked away in the hills of Flores, known for its distinctive cone-shaped Mbaru Niang houses. Getting there takes a few hours on foot, which is part of what makes arriving here feel so special.
Wae Rebo, Flores
Three volcanic crater lakes sit side by side on Mount Kelimutu, each with its own striking color. It’s one of those places where the landscape feels almost too unusual to be real.
Kelimutu Lakes, Flores
Maluku & Papua — The Far East of Indonesia
The farther east you go, the more the scenery starts to change—volcanic islands, tiny coral islets, incredible marine life, and places that still feel wonderfully far away.
Volcanic islands, clear blue water, old spice-trade history, and tiny villages make Banda Neira feel like a completely different side of Indonesia. The islands were once at the heart of the world’s nutmeg trade, so there’s plenty to discover beyond t...
Banda Neira, Maluku
Thousands of little islands, dramatic limestone karsts, turquoise lagoons, and some of the richest marine life anywhere in the world. You don’t even need to dive to appreciate Raja Ampat—the views from above are already something else.
Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua
A huge marine park where whale sharks gather in protected waters, surrounded by coral reefs and quiet coastal landscapes. It’s the kind of destination that makes you realize just how much of Indonesia is still beyond the usual tourist map.
Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua