A Truly, Wonderful Experience.
Indonesia | Jul 1 - Jul 14, 2024

Kim
Kim L.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2024

We had the most amazing trip to Indonesia.

Priscilla put together a perfect itinerary that incorporated our wishes of balancing historical, adventure, cultural and scenic aspects.

My husband and I took the trip with our 11-year-old grandson. We hopped between 4 Islands and had 5 inter-Indonesian flights in 11 days. We wanted to see as much as we could but knew two weeks would be our limit if travelling with a younger person.

We experienced the Borobudur & Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Java with a private guide.

Balikpapan was another wonderful stop. Our primary goal of the trip was to see the Orangutans. Our itinerary made the most of our time in Borneo. We saw the Orangutans, Sunbears, climbed the Canopy Suspension Bridge, trekked the rain forest, took a boat down the Sungai Hitam/Black River, and saw Proboscis monkeys, a couple of Pythons, and thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil and beauty of the various mangroves and palms. We were so fortunate to have had one of the caregivers of Samboja Lestari as our guide.

We then flew to Bali and enjoyed the beautiful cities of Ubud & Seminyak. We had a relaxing massage at our hotel and then kicked it up a notch to explore the area with our most amazing guide (Budi). Budi is a wonderfully kind, respectful, knowledgeable man who paid extra special attention to our grandson. I am sure he is the perfect father to his sons, and we LOVED him and LOVED having him as our guide!
We saw the Tegallang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Bathed the Elephants, took a Farm to Table cooking class and visited the Uluwatu Temple where we were able to watch a traditional Balinese (Kecak Dance).

Our last stop before making our way back to Jakarta and home was spending some time in Labuan Bajo, Flores. We wanted to see the prehistoric looking, large lizards - Komodo Dragons. Priscilla arranged for a hotel pick up, boat group tour, to see, the incredible views of Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Taka Makassar Island. We were fortunate enough to have seen two Komodo Dragons and thoroughly enjoyed our two stops that allowed us the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling.

Priscilla looked after every little detail of our trip. She tapped into our needs and executed them perfectly. She coordinated the tours, guides, transfers, and flights within the country, and the whole journey was seamless. We had an on-ground support person (Janice,) through WhatsApp, which worked out flawlessly for communication if needed.it was our first-time using Kim.Kim but will definitely not be our last. Our experience was FANTASTIC!

Hotel Reviews
Anara Airport Hotel
Jakarta

A hotel right in the airport. Perfect, beautiful and a wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
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The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection
Yogyakarta

Built in the 1918's, once a mansion now a gorgeous hotel. The decor is stunning. Staff is wonderful and the breakfast is scrumptious.

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Staff
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Samboja Lodge
Balikpapan

Very friendly staff. A perfect location to see the orangutans. Nothing fancy but it suited our needs completely.

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Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Kalyana Ubud
Ubud

Very pretty grounds, amazing spa treatments, friendly and helpful staff and very convenient restaurant. Clean and lovely.

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kanvaz Village Resort Seminyak
Bali

A beautiful, clean hotel, very nicely located. The breakfast were wonderful and the pool was really nice to relax and enjoy some down time. Lovely staff.

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Staff
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Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo

Beautiful ocean view. Very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Grove Suites
Jakarta

This hotel was quite dated. The lobby was beautiful, breakfast was good, staff was friendly and helpful. I think the rooms could use an update and I didn't feel the room cleaning was up to my standards.

Authenticity & Character
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Activity Reviews
Visit Prambanan Temple
Visit Prambanan Temple
Indonesia

We were a little late in the day to see this up close but even from a distance it looked incredible.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Ubud Palace
Visit Ubud Palace
Indonesia

Nice to see this modest Palace in the heart of the city. Worth a stop.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Arrival Airport Assistance
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Arrival Airport Assistance
Jakarta International Airport (CGK)
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bathe the Elephants
Bathe the Elephants
Ubud, Bali

Our grandson loves this. The elephants are very well looked after and seem very happy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Indonesia

Beautiful views and really interesting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Indonesia

Loved this. The monkeys were cheeky and super active. Very fun!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Borobudur Temple
Visit Borobudur Temple
Indonesia

This temple is amazing and a must see. The size is incredible and knowing that it is the largest Buddhist Temple in the world is fascinating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Yogyakarta (YIA) to Balikpapan (BPN) via Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Transfer from Yogyakarta (YIA) to Balikpapan (BPN) via Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Indonesia

We stayed at the Samjoba Lodge which was walking distance to Orangutan Island. So much care is taken to look after the Orangutans and try to rehabilitate them. The Sunbears are much smaller than we thought. A beautiful experience!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Visit Sungai Hitam
Visit Sungai Hitam
Balikpapan

We really enjoyed the tranquil small boat ride down the Sungai Hitam. We were so fortunate to see a family of Proboscis monkeys and a couple of Pythons.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Canopy Bridge and Trekking
Canopy Bridge and Trekking
Balikpapan

Great view from the Canopy Bridge and we really enjoyed the trekking. Not that difficult but a lot to see.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Visit to Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Afternoon Visit to Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Balikpapan

Never seen Sunbears. The are much smaller than what we thought.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Farm to Table Cooking Class
Farm to Table Cooking Class
Indonesia

This was one of our favorite experiences. They instructor was fun and funny and we learned a lot and had a wonderful feast. Loved this!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Uluwatu Temple
Visit Uluwatu Temple
Indonesia

Very pretty views. The temple is quite far away but pretty spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Watch Kecak Dance Performance
Watch Kecak Dance Performance
Indonesia

Very interesting watching this. All acapella chanting. Definitely worth seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Padar Island
Visit Padar Island
Indonesia

The view from the top was probably the most spectacular view I have ever seen. A little bit of a hike but definitely worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Pink Beach
Visit Pink Beach
Indonesia

I have never seen red coral before that turns a beach pink.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Visit Komodo Island
Visit Komodo Island
Indonesia

Very cool that we were able to two Komodo Dragons.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Taka Makassar
Visit Taka Makassar
Indonesia

Beautiful!! The depths of the water were incredible with all the different colors.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Priscilla Puteri
Priscilla
Priscilla Puteri
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jul 22, 2024

Hi Kim,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story about Indonesia. It was nice meeting you, Frank, and Lukas in Jakarta :) We really hope you had a great time here in Indonesia and that the experiences and memories you made will stay with you forever.

Stay happy and healthy! And know that you always have friends here in sunny Indonesia :) We are always ready to welcome you back and help you discover even more of what our country has to offer.

Warm regards,
Priscilla