15 Days in Indonesia - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Winter Highlights of Bali & Nusa Penida

Soak up Bali's warm sun and warmer culture on this 15-day highlights tour, perfect for first-time visitors to Indonesia who want a mix of relaxation and adventure. Discover the magnificent temples in Tanah Lot and Ubud, explore the underwater world surrounding Menjangan Island, and beach hop Nusa Penida Island, all while learning about Balinese culture from local guides.

Welcome to Bali! After arriving at Denpasar Airport, you'll be taken to Tanah Lot and spend your first two days soaking up the warm Balinese hospitality and admiring the village's famous sea temple. Next, enjoy a scenic drive through rice terraces on Pupuan Road to Pemuteran, and head out for a full-day snorkel adventure around Menjangan Island. Over the following three days, you'll use Munduk as a base to explore northern Bali. Trek to Sekumpul Waterfall, learn about the region's agriculture and see how coffee is grown, harvested, and prepared for yourself.

Week two of your trip takes you to Ubud, deemed the cultural heart of Bali, where you'll board a vintage Volkswagen convertible to check out Tegallalang Rice Terrace, swim under Tibumana Waterfall, and wander Tirta Empul. Spend a day hiking Mount Batur and soaking in the hot springs of Pura Batur; then, a short ferry ride brings you to the island of Nusa Penida, where you'll have two uninterrupted days of beach hopping. Rested, head to Jimbaran for a delicious seafood dinner, a sunset at Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, and a Kecak show before saying your goodbyes at Denpasar Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Discover Indonesia: North Sumatra, East Java & Bali

From the dense rainforest of Sumatra to the pristine beaches of Uluwatu, this culture, temple, and beach-packed itinerary is perfect for those who want to explore Indonesia's highlights and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems. With stays in Sumatra, Java, and Bali, you'll have the chance to hike volcanic landscapes, snorkel clear waters, and learn about the local's way of life.

Your Indonesia trip begins with a four-hour drive from Kuala Namu Airport to Bohorok, where you'll search for wild orangutans on a guided trek through the Sumatran rainforest. Then, it's back to Medan to catch a flight to Yogyakarta. Here, you'll wander Borobudur Temple, the world's largest Buddhist temple, and the nearby Hindu Prambanan Temple Complex before hopping on a train for a scenic ride to Surabaya and a transfer to the base of Mount Bromo. Spend your next morning hiking and Jeep touring Bromo's otherworldly landscapes; then it's on to Mount Ijen to embark on a sunrise trek.

After a ferry from east Java to Bali, you'll take to the underwater world with a half-day boat and snorkel trip around Bali Barat National Park and Menjangan Island. Next, it's off to Ubud, where you'll have four days to soak up Balinese culture with cooking lessons, a visit to the Monkey Forest, and a cycling adventure through local villages. With two nights left on your trip, transfer to Uluwatu to raft the Telaga Wja River, visit Uluwatu Temple, and enjoy the area's many beaches before it's time to catch your flight home from Denpasar Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Highlights of Bali & Borneo: Pangkalan Bun, Munduk, Ubud & Sanur

Lose track of time as you explore the dense rainforest of Sumatra, spend two nights onboard a river cruise in Borneo, and embrace Bali's village life on this Bali and Borneo highlights trip. Each day promises new surprises as you travel from magnificent temples to hidden waterfalls and enjoy uninterrupted time snorkeling and beach hopping.

Arrive in Jakarta and settle in with a free day to explore the bustling capital of Indonesia, then it's back to the airport for a short flight to Pangkalan Bun on the island of Borneo. Board a klotok (traditional wooden riverboat) for a two-night cruise through dense rainforest, stopping at the Tanjung Harapan Rehabilitation Center and Camp Leakey to see wild orangutans before catching your flight back to Jakarta. After a relaxing evening, fly to Bali and drive to the tranquil town of Munduk to explore Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, visit Munduk Wilderness Base Camp, and trek to the 262-foot (80-m) high Sekumpul Waterfall.

Next, it's on to Ubud to take in the Balinese way of life. Spend a full day on a cultural excursion around Sidemen, learning traditional cooking, weaving, and language skills, the following day, on a vintage VW convertible tour, and finish your time in Ubud with a sunrise climb of Mount Batur. On your way to Sanur, your home for the last three nights, visit Taman Ayun Temple and Tirta Taman Mumbul, then wake up early the following morning for a full-day boat trip around Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Finish your trip at an evening "Kecak" show before heading to the airport to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Indonesia Island Hopping: Bali, Gili Air & Nusa Penida

Perfect for those who want to spend days alternating between the sand, sea, and lush interior of Bali, this ultimate island hopping itinerary is simultaneously relaxing and immersive. Lose track of time as you wander peaceful villages near Ubud, enjoy three days on the car-free island of Gili Air, snorkel crystal clear waters surrounding Nusa Penida, and indulge in fresh seafood in Jimbaran.

Begin your Indonesia trip with a short drive to Tanah Lot, where idyllic rice paddies lead you to a staggering sea temple and local warungs (family-run cafés) ease you into the Balinese way of life. Meet cheeky monkeys at the Sangeh Monkey Forest, then continue to Ubud to visit Goa Gajah, spend an entire day on a VW Safari Car Tour, and wake up bright and early to climb Mount Batur at sunrise. Before leaving town, roam the temples of Pura Besakih and Pura Kehen and stop by Pengipuran Village in the highlands of Bangli.

Day seven of your trip brings you to the tiny island of Gili Air, known for its laid-back attitude and lack of vehicles. Leaving behind any sense of urgency, you'll have two days to snorkel, swim, and hop between Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno islands. After a speedboat trip to Nusa Penida, you'll again don your swimsuit for a day between sand and sea, followed by a tour of the island's sandy beaches and dramatic coastlines. Take to the underwater world on a snorkel tour around Nusa Penida, then head back to mainland Bali to explore more temples and beaches in Jimbaran before catching your flight home. Learn more

More Great Indonesia Itineraries

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