Stunning scenery, blissful beaches, volcanoes and living dinosaurs
Scattered across the equator for nearly 3000 miles are the 17,500 islands that make up Indonesia. It is an incredibly rich and diverse country with 237 million people and a multi-layered culture. There are five main islands in the archipelago – Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan (which is part of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (which is part of New Guinea). Popular Indonesian destinations include the beautiful beach island of Bali and the surfing paradise of Lambok. The islands sit on a volcanic belt made up of more than 300 volcanoes, most of which are extinct. Indonesia has a huge variety of wildlife, architecture and terrain. Volcanic lakes, palm groves, lush rainforest, stunning beaches, verdant terraced hillsides and deep gorges all play their part in this diverse and scintillating country. Indonesia is also home to some rare and wonderful creatures including the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, and Borneo’s Orangutans.
Why Go?
Indonesia is a huge, varied and stimulating country with an enormous amount of things to do. Beautiful beaches, elegant temples, excellent diving, pristine coral reefs, volcanic craters, jungle treks, vibrant nightlife – it has it all. The islands all differ so you can plan your visit according to your interests.
When to Go?
Indonesia has year-round hot and humid weather – although some higher inland areas can be cooler. The country has two seasons. The wet season runs from November to March, and the dry season from April/May to October. The rains are heavy and often come in short downpours, but they can also last for days. The best time to visit the country is during the dry season.
How to get there?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Indonesia. Most flights go via Malaysia or Singapore. There are a large number of airports in Indonesia, including Soekamo-Hatta Airport in the capital, Jakarta, Denpasar Airport in Bali, and Surabaya in East Java. Flight time from London to Jakarta is about 16-18 hours, including the stopover. Lambok is accessible via Bali.
Must see
Go to Komodo Island to see the ‘living dinosaurs’ – the amazing Komodo Dragons. Laze on the beaches in Bali then enjoy the hedonistic nightlife in Kuta. Visit Pulau Weh with its peaceful beaches and whale sharks. Go diving in the Banda islands with its exquisite coral reefs. See the volcanic landscape in Java’s Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Go on a jungle trek in Borneo and meet the orang-utans.
Please note: You are advised to check travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before planning a trip to Indonesia.