Tailor Made Holidays in Indonesia: Highlights

Admire the scenery of the Ijen Plateau

Ijen's turquoise sulphur lake surrounded by the volcano's sheer crater walls combined with views of Gunung Merapi and Gunung Raung in the distance make Ijen Plateau and the Buluran National Park one of the highlights of Eastern Java. On a clear, dry season morning views across the Bali Straits of Bali Barat National Park and towering Mount Agung are quite spectacular.

 
Dive in Sulawesi

There are many fantastic dive spots around Indonesia, but one of the best has to be Northern Sulawesi. The reef around this area is very unspoilt and the Bunaken Marine Park is a protected area, so the waters remain pristine and the the marine biodiversity unequalled elsewhere in the world. It can be an effort to get here, but this just adds to the remote feel of the area and ensures the waters won't be crowded with other divers.

Read more about: Bunaken National Marine Park
 
Experience the funeral culture in Sulawesi

This may sound a bit morbid, but one of my favourite experiences in Indonesia was witnessing two funeral ceremonies on Sulawesi. When someone dies during planting or harvesting time, the villagers don't have time to prepare for a funeral, so the bodies are embalmed until there is enough time to give them a proper send off. This is usually in July and August, and your guide will let you know exactly where and when it will be taking place. Depending on the importance of the person that has died, funerals go on for several days, and include cock fighting, buffalo sacrifice, singing, dancing and huge feasts. People travel from miles around to be there, and set up makeshift camp sites to house them during their stay in the area. Tourists are welcomed as honoured guests as they are not often seen in the vicinity, and this can certainly be the most memorable travelling experience you will have.

 
See the magical sunrise at Gunung Bromo

Smoking Gunung Bromo, best viewed at sunrise as the skies light up and illuminate the landscape before you has to be one of the most breathtaking views one will ever see. Bromo itself is a midget compared to java`s other peaks but its very setting with towering Gunung Semeru as its backdrop is its beauty.

 
Visit the indigenous groups on Samosir Island

Visit the settlements of the many different indigenous groups who populate the islands, to experience their cultures.

Read more about: Lake Toba
 
Stroll around the Prambanan temple complex

The 244 temples of the Prambanan temple complex were built in the middle of the 9th century and are thought to have been constructed to commemorate the return of a Hindu dynasty to Java.

Read more about: Prambanan
 
Relax on the beach in Lombok

Of course there are beautiful beaches on Bali, and in fact many of the smaller islands have some fantastic beach properties, but our favourite is the Oberoi Lombok. A combination of a truly top class hotel with a deserted beach and some fascinating excursions make this a great choice for a beach break at the end of your touring holiday.

 
See Komodo dragons on Komodo Island

See the Komodo dragons in their rugged natural habitat.

Read more about: Komodo Island
 
Try to spot the orang-utans in Tanjung Puting National Park

A 4,000 km2 park of tropical rainforest, this is one of the few places in the world to see orang-utans in the wild.

Read more about: Tanjung Puting National Park
 
View the relief sculptures at Borobodur relic

Built in the 8th century, Borobodur displays the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist relief sculptures in the world.

Read more about: Borobodur
 
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