BALI

Bali is the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago. The island’s home to an ancient culture that's known for its warm hospitality. Exotic temples and palaces set against stunning natural backdrops are some of its top attractions. Dining in Bali presents endless choices of local or far-flung cuisine. After sunset, famous nightspots come to life offering exciting clubbing and packed dance floors. Inland, towering volcanoes and pristine jungles greet you with plenty to see and do. Most can't stay away from the beach for long, though. Enjoy amazing beach resorts and luxury resorts in any of Bali’s famous areas. These include Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran where most of the great hotels and villas are right on the beach. They’re also home to most of Bali’s exciting surf spots. For tranquil seascapes and sunrises, the eastern beach resorts are your best bets. These include Sanur, Nusa Dua and the remote coast of Candidasa are your best bets.

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In Bali’s farther and lesser travelled East Bali and northern region, you’ll find some world-class diving spots with calm bays. They're home to pristine coral gardens teeming with colourful marine biodiversity. The island’s centre also offers plenty of reasons that it can be better than the beach. Explore the scenic central highlands of Ubud with its flowing rice fields, valleys and forested rivers. Yet Ubud's not only a place for cultural day-trippers. It also offers plenty for adventure-seekers and shopaholics. Picturesque mountain jogging tracks are within a short walk from designer boutique and chic cafe-lined streets. Sightseeing opportunities in Ubud are virtually endless. The town itself is densely dotted with a multitude of ancient temples, palaces and historical sites. There are many more off-the-beaten-track spots around this magical island worth discovering. 

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South Bali (Kuta, Bukit Peninsula, Canggu, Denpasar, Jimbaran, Legian, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, Tanah Lot)
The most visited part of the island by far, with Kuta Beach and chic Seminyak.​ Central Bali (Ubud, Bedugul, Tabanan) The cultural heart of Bali and the central mountain range.​ West Bali (Negara, Gilimanuk, Medewi Beach, Pemuteran, West Bali National Park). Ferries to Java and the West Bali National Park.​ North Bali (Lovina, Singaraja) Quiet black sand beaches and the old capital city.​EastBali (Amed, Besakih, Candidasa, Kintamani, Klungkung, Mount Agung, Padang Bai, Tirta Gangga) Laid back coastal villages, an active volcano and the mighty Mount Agung.​ Southeastern Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan)
Quiet offshore islands in the southeast, popular for diving activities.

JAVA

Java is Indonesia's fifth-largest island. Its 130 million people make up 65% of Indonesia's entire population, and makes Java the most populated island in the world. Covering an area of 127,569 sq. km (7% of Indonesia's area) and with a population density of 940 people/sq. km, Java is the world's most crowded major island as well.​Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is located on northwest region of Java. Surabaya (the second largest city in Indonesia), is located on East Java. Java acts as Indonesia's center of cultural and economic activity.

Java has 121 active volcanoes. Add to that a host of major national parks and, despite its very crowded nature, the island has lots to offer the visitor who appreciates outdoor attractions.The first thing anybody will say about Java is that it’s the most populated island in the world. More than 140 million people live in Indonesia’s beating heart, in an area of just under 50,000 square miles. It’s also a thriving place for culture and food, art and adventure.Outdoorsy types can get a sense of the land at Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park. The park is home to two dormant volcanoes (both of which you can climb) and more than 85 square miles of beautiful rain forest.​No visit to Java is complete without a stop at Borobudur. Dating back to the eighth century, the Buddhist temple complex is one of most significant and oldest in the world. It is considered the single largest Buddhist structure on the planet. Wake up early and visit at sunrise for an unforgettable experience (and fewer crowds) at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

​And, of course, Java is famous for its beaches. For those who wish to escape to a hidden paradise, Karimunjawa Island is touted by visitors for its pristine white sand and impossibly turquoise sea. Go snorkeling among some coral and shipwrecks to experience the best of what Javanese waters have to offer.​Ijen Plateu Located on the eastern tip of Java the Ijen Plateau is an ancient crater 134 sq km in area in which a trio of jagged volcanic peaks have been created that reach an altitude of 3,332 meters above sea level. Plantations have been long been established on the plateau's rich volcanic soil which also supports a diverse ecosystem of lush forests and abundant flora.

One of the main attractions of the area dazzling turquoise blue lake and blue fire of Kawah Ijen, where local labourers mine the valuable sulphur deposits from the water's edge and carry mineral-laden baskets weighing up to 80kg back to their villages.

Ijen is the ideal place to break the journey for those travelling the exciting overland route between Java and Bali.

• Baluran National Park — large forest and coastal park. Relatively easy access to and from Bali

• Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park — popular hiking destination featuring the still-rumbling Mount Bromo. The star attraction in the region, however it may be closed at times depending upon the eruptive status of the caldera

• Madura — a dry and crowded island very much off the beaten path for visitors

• Sempu Island

• Sukamade — turtle conservation beach

• Trenggalek — beautiful white sand beaches

LOMBOK

Located just east of Bali, Lombok in many ways lives up to or exceeds the promotional term, "an unspoiled Bali". With beautiful beaches, enchanting waterfalls, the large, looming volcano of Mount Rinjani combined with relatively few tourists, Lombok is indeed the paradisiacal tropical island that many people still mistakenly imagine Bali to be now. Lombok and Bali are separated by the Lombok Strait.With a few exceptions, the natural landscape and the traditional way of life have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Virtually all small to medium size businesses are run by local families. Many of these businesses sell a wide variety of merchandise, where villagers can find food, hardware, and toys all in a single small store. While it is possible to find five-star hotels run by global corporations this is the exception not the rule. The ubiquitous global fast food franchises are restricted to two outlets in the precincts of Mataram Mall in the main City of Lombok and are well sign-posted.

In the Indigenous language of the Sasak people of Lombok the word "lombok" luum-book which literally translates into Bahasa Indonesian as as lurus ("straight ahead"). A common misunderstanding is that the name of the island Lombok is derived from the Bahasa Indonesian meaning of lombok which is chillior (cabe in Bahasa Indonesian) as is thought by many visitors and some Indonesians from other parts of the archipelago.

West Lombok (Bangsal, Lembar, Mataram, Tanjung, Senggigi.) North Lombok (Mount Rinjani, Senaru). Mighty Mount Rinjani, waterfalls, glorious scenery and home to the Waktu Telu traditions.​ Central and East Lombok (Praya, Labuhan Lombok, Selong, Tetebatu). Quiet rural villages and beaches and ferry departures eastward to Sumbawa and onward to Flores.​ South Lombok (Kuta, Sekotong, Tanjung Aan)
Magnificent remote beaches and surfing heaven​. Gili Islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan),tiny islands of the west coast, popular with divers and a vital cog in the Asian backpacker circuit​. Other destinations​. Gili Nanggu — the beauty private island off the west coast, close from Lembar ferry harbour. a nature conservation and protection of sea turtles. has a stunning underwater scenery. Sembalun — gateway village area to Mount Rinjani, with great scenery of rice paddies, waterfalls and the mountain itself. Senaru — another gateway village area to Mount Rinjani, with some great waterfalls and other spectacular natural scenery.Sekotong — off the beaten path in West Lombok, this area is fast becoming a tourist destination.Tanjung Aan — almost impossibly beautiful isolated bay in the southeast which is earmarked for high end resort development

Tetebatu — village on the southern edge of the Mount Rinjani National Park with wonderful scenery

KOMODO

Located in East Nusa Tenggara, Komodo National park is the home of the unique and rare Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Because of the unique and rare nature of this animal, KNP was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.

The park includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 square km of land. At least 2,500 komodos live in this area. Large dragons are usually three meters long and weigh up to 90 kg. Their habitat has beautiful panoramic views of savannas, rain forests, white beaches, beautiful corals, and clean blue seas. In this area, you can also find horses, wild buffalo, deer, wild boar, snakes, monkeys, and various types of birds.

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On Rinca Island, you can see komodos lying down outside the homes of national park rangers, or "parking" near the officials' homes. If you don't see a dragon, Rinca and Komodo have beautiful sceneries with white beaches, mangroves, savannas and blue waters. During the dry season, these savannas and hills have dried grasses.

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You can also engage in other activities such as diving and snorkeling. You can take a cruise ship or fishermen's boat in the persuit of these activities. There are diving points highly recommended to visit which include Merah Beach, and Batu Bolong and Tatawa islands.

This place has a rich and amazing underwater sea biotica. Divers claim that Komodo waters are one of the best diving sites in the world. It has fascinating underwater scenery. You can find 385 species of beautiful corals, mangrove forests, and seaweeds as a home for thousands of fish species, 70 types of sponges, 10 types of dolphins, 6 types of whales, green turtles and various types of sharks and stingrays. The waters that surround the island are turbulent and teeming with unparalled marine life. A marine reserve has recently been established and this reserve is largely undocumented and remains unexplored.

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Your feet will be your trusted companion on this island. Good thing most people never leave home without them. When you wish to see these animals in their natural habitat, you have to walk to the hills nearby (paths have been designated). On Komodo Island, you have to climb Mt Ara (538 meters above sea level) for 3-4 hours.

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On Rinca island, you have to trek for about 1.5 hours. If you are lucky, you can see Komodos attacking prey, fighting, or even employing their mojoes along the way, as illustrated by this picture on the left. If that's too wild for you, you can try to spot a group of deers, buffaloes or wild horses.

By daily flights from: Bali-Labuan Bajo/Komodo Airport-Bali (each 1.5 hours). Everyday, there are flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo. In addition, there is a twice a week flight from Kupang. Inter-island motorboats from Sape in West Nusa Tenggara are also available everyday (when the weather permits), and the Pelni ship from Bali and Lombok makes a stop over here every two weeks.

Land transportation from the East (Flores mainland e.g., Ruteng, Bajawa, Ende and Maumere) is also available. If you are interested in making a long trip in Flores, you can start from Maumere to the west i.e., to Moni, Kelimutu, Ende, Bena, Bajawa, Ruteng and lastly Labuan Bajo (Komodo) or vice versa.