Fabulous time in Indonesia, expertly organised.
Indonesia
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Jul 22 - Aug 8, 2025
We have just had a fabulous time in Indonesia. The whole process before and during the holiday was expertly run by Marc who understood what we were wanting and adjusted the itinerary to accommodate our preferences. The trip planning was very smooth and he provided all the information we could possibly need, including guide contact details, WhatsApp contacts throughout the trip and helpful photos of pick up points etc.
We had several domestic flights booked and on each change over, the drivers and guides were there as expected and the transfers were seamless. The transfer cars were excellent and the hotels he had arranged were absolutely as expected from his information and were really good. Throughout the trip, the English speaking drivers/guides helped keep us informed on pick up times, plans and optional excursions and opportunities.
When there were travel changes - the airlines adjusted some timings while we were there - Marc kept us informed by WhatsApp so we knew exactly what was happening. The fast boat from Lombok to Bali was threatened with being cancelled due to weather and Marc kept on top of the situation, keeping us up to date, and had alternatives planned in case it did not go. Thankfully it did and there were no issues. It was great to have his local knowledge and experience on tap like that.
Hotel Reviews
Very comfortable clean airport hotel with excellent pool. Confusing restaurant options with no clear hotel floorplan offered, but we worked it out!
This is a lovely hotel, with excellent facilities right in the heart of Yogykarta. The old building is very attractive, the rooms extremely comfortable and quiet, the pool area a lovely place to relax.
Very modern, upmarket hotel in a fabulous setting, making full use of the location with an excellent pool and outdoors area.
Great hotel and location with comfortable rooms, we had a roof terrace to enjoy the stunning views. Diving centre on site was excellent and the snorkelling directly off the beach was excellent, slightly difficult to access but once in, amazing coral, turtles etc.
We had one night here - lovely hotel right in the heart of Sanur.
The boat was great for the family as it had a lovely sun deck but more importantly, a great shaded relaxation area. The food was superb throughout and we were treated extremely well by the staff on board, always with a broad smile and nothing was too much trouble.
Activity Reviews
We had 3 days on board the boat and the whole Flores and Komodo area is breathtaking. It is very different from any region we have visited before and a stunning area to visit. Under water is equally amazing with stunning living corals. The Komodo dragons were at the end of the mating season so largely hidden away but we did see a big male who clearly was well fed and docile and a smaller female. The was a small young dragon on the beach and it was walking around which was nice. A short hike up to see the sunset was picturesque but clearly on the itinerary of everyone so crowded.
Despite clouds covering the volcano, the day was great fun. The jeeps were open top and added to the experience and the drivers and guides we had were keen to keep us entertained. The boys particularly enjoyed driving round an off road course through a rocky river bed.
The temples are being restored currently and our local guide told us how this process was proceeding as well as taking us into the ones which were accessible. The whole setting is peaceful and picturesque.
As we drove up a very rough track in the middle of no where we were uncertain of what to expect. The welcome and briefing was very professional an then we were taken to the rope system that they lower you in on, two at a time. This was nerve wracking but exciting and added a lot to the visit with the 60m descent. The caves themselves are fascinating and the light shaft in the main cave dramatic. Be aware it is muddy++, they give you boots.
We chose not to go onto the temple, on advice about the conservation of it, but it is still very dramatic and impressive. The whole area around it is very peaceful and well kept
We had a lovely drive getting there and then a straightforward walk along the river to the waterfalls that are very impressive, with opportunity to swim and shower under them, only the edges mind you as very powerful! There were lots of people there as it was a weekend and the locals were enjoying it too. This meant our boys were asked for lots of photos which they find amusing! The local village visit also really shows a different pace and lifestyle, completely removed from the modern pace. Lunch was overlooking the waterfalls in an idyllic setting.
We went out in a local trimaran boat and got a lovely view of the coast and sunset over the volcano. We had drinks on board and a peaceful fun trip up and down the coast and then drifted while the sun set. Back at the beach, a table had been set and a BBQ of fresh fish and seafood with veggies and rice was prepared for us, ending a lovely evening.
We managed to see a manta ray - apparently rare at the time of year we visited, so we were thrilled with that. The snorkelling itself was breathtaking with great coral, turtles everywhere and we saw a black tip reef shark.
More amazing snorkelling and cruising around beautiful islands so a lovely relaxing experience The fruit bats leaving their island at sunset was amazing, the numbers of them made for a dramatic, once in a lifetime view.
a morning snorkel was followed by a short trip back to port. As the flight had been moved later, Marc arranged with our guide to do a trip to the local cave and this was an added bonus as it is a dramatic scene deep in the cliffs amongst lovely forest with very few people there.
