13 Days in Indonesia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Bali's Rituals & Cuisine: Ubud, Sidemen & Jimbaran

With a mix of culture, beaches, and jungle, this Bali-focused itinerary is perfect for first-time travelers to Indonesia. Let local guides lead the way as you immerse yourself in traditional Balinese life in Ubud, wander Besakih Temple, and beach hop around Jimbaran.

After arriving at the always-bustling Denpasar Airport, you'll make your way to Ubud, the "spiritual heart of Bali," and your home for five nights. You'll immediately feel welcomed by the warm Balinese culture as you visit Ubud Water Palace and indulge in traditional street food at Gianyar Market. Over the next four days, you'll head out on day tours to explore the picturesque Tegallalang rice fields, spend an afternoon shopping, cooking, and farming with a Balinese family in Mengwi, and get up close with long-tail macaques in the Monkey Forest.

Say goodbye to Ubud and head to Pura Besakih, known as the "Mother Temple of Bali," before arriving in Sidemen. Once here, you'll embark on a guided walk through the rice fields and tropical forests, visit the floating palace of Taman Ujung and participate in a full-day cultural immersion. The last five days of your Bali trip bring you to Jimbaran on Bali's south coast, perfect for learning to surf, relaxing on the pristine beaches, and treating yourself to Balinese spa treatments. Enjoy your last evening with a sunset barbecue dinner. Then it's back to the Denpasar Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Balinese Art, Temples & Waterfalls: Ubud to Sidemen

Discover the lush jungles and farmland of Bali on this 13-day itinerary, perfect for those who want to explore on foot. With a local guide, you'll trek alongside rice terraces and through vibrant villages, swim under numerous waterfalls, and mountain bike near Bengkel village. With multi-night stays in Ubud, Lovina, Munduk, and Sidemen, you can unpack and settle into each day's adventures and indulge in authentic Balinese food each evening.

Your Bali adventure begins with a scenic drive from Denpasar Airport to Ubud, where you'll spend three days exploring the temples of Ubud Water Palace, Pura Dalem and Pura Puseh and swimming under Tibumana, Suwat, and Tegenungan waterfalls. Refreshed and ready for adventure, you'll transfer to the beachfront village of Lovina to explore Lake Bratan and Mount Batukaru—Bali's second-highest volcano. Embark on a six-hour guided hike near Sekumpul village, then rest up as the next day, you're off on another rainforest trek at the base of Mount Lesung.

The second half of your Bali trip brings you to the mountain village of Munduk, where a nature trek to Aling Aling waterfall awaits. You'll also set off on a guided wilderness adventure, complete with off-road buggy driving and mountain biking, before traveling to your final destination of Sidemen. With three nights in this traditional village, you'll have plenty of time to take part in a Balinese art and cooking class and see firsthand how cocoa, tropical fruits, and rice are farmed until it's time for your flight out of Bali. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Balinese Escape: Ubud to the Gili Islands

Indulge all your senses and treat yourself to massages, healers, and romantic temples on this slower-paced Bali itinerary. Perfect for those who want an intimate experience discovering Ubud's temples, Gili Islands' soft-sand beaches, and Uluwatu's enchanting traditional Kecak dance, you'll spend your days with peaceful strolls and evenings treating yourself to divine cuisine.

Start your Bali trip off in style at the black sandy coastline surrounding Tanah Lot, ponder the famous temple atop a rocky outcrop, walk amid lush rice fields, and shake off any jetlag with a massage and cocktail under the warm Balinese sun. Next, your driver will take you to Ubud, where you'll spend four nights delighting in friendly Balinese culture. Visit the famous Taman Ayun temple and Goa Gajah, then spend a whole day on a vintage VW convertible tour stopping at Tibumana waterfall, Tegallalang terraced rice fields, and the lively Monkey Forest.

After a full day of cultural immersion, where you'll learn to cook traditional food and experience the healing powers of a balian, and a day of crafts in the traditional village of Sidemen, you'll transfer to Gili Air. Known for its distinct lack of vehicles, warm, clear waters, and laidback atmosphere, you can unpack your bag and settle in for three days of ultimate relaxation. Pampered and sunkissed, you'll take a fast boat to Uluwatu back on Bali to beach hop, enjoy a sunset barbecue dinner, and watch a traditional Balinese Kecak dance before it's time to say farewell to Indonesia. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Bali Adventure: Temples, Jungles & Beaches

Explore Ubud's surreal rice terraces and trek to Mount Batur's summit, then snorkel the crystal clear waters surrounding Menjangan Island and Pasir Putih on this 13-day Bali adventure. Crafted for those looking to stay on the move and fill their days with new experiences, each day promises surprises as you visit Ubud, Pemuteran, Amed, and Sanur.

Your action-packed Indonesian adventure starts with a scenic drive to Ubud, where you'll immediately set off to explore Ubud Monkey Forest or treat yourself to a Balinese body massage. Next, head to Tegallalang rice fields, the most photographed place in Bali, and visit the Hindu temples of Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi. Settled into life on Bali, you'll wake up early the following morning for a sunrise hike to Mount Batur Summit, head out on an afternoon cycling excursion through the countryside, then spend the following day rafting on the Telaga Waja River.

Leaving Ubud behind, you'll pass through the center of Bali to Pemuteran, your home for the next three nights. Visit the famous Ulun Danu Bratan temple on Bratan Lake, whizz alongside rice terraces on an electric bike tour, and take a half-day boat trip around Bali Barat National Park. After another scenic drive along Bali's north coast, you'll arrive in Amed. Stroll through the seven temples of Pura Luhur Lempuuyang and scuba dive in Tulamben before heading to the sleepy town of Sanur. Spend your last full day on a snorkel tour from Nusa Penida, then head to the airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Temples & Tradition in Java & Sulawesi

Journey from massive temples and remote intricate wooden house villages to the sandy shores of Bira on this culture-filled Indonesia itinerary. With three or more nights in Yogyakarta, Rantepao, and Bira, you can unpack your bags and uncover the traditions and rituals of Java and Sulawesi, ideal for those interested in covering multiple Indonesian provinces.

Welcome to Indonesia! Your trip begins in Yogyakarta, your home for the first three nights, where you'll shrug off any jetlag and get your first taste of Java's rich culture. Explore Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, and Candi Pawon, Mendut Temple, and Prambanan Temple before flying to Sulawesi. Make the most of your one night in Makassar and check out the famed Losari Beach food market; then, it's off to Rantepao, where you'll stay for four nights. From your base in central Sulawesi, you'll take a guided tour through Tana Toraja, where intricate wooden house villages pop up between endless rice terraces.

Day 9 of your 13-day Indonesia itinerary brings you to Sengkang and the floating villages on Lake Tempe. Watch the sunset on a motorized canoe and learn about life on the lake, then it's time to head to the soft sands of Bira. Over the next two days, snorkel among sea turtles off Liukang Loe Island, sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the mix of traditional restaurants and upmarket resorts. Refreshed, you'll journey back to Makassar, stopping at the salt marshes and the Tana Beru shipyard before catching your flight home. Learn more

More Great 13-Day Indonesia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Indonesia? Check out these other 13-day Indonesia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.