Indonesia Small Group Holidays

Introducing Indonesia (Continued...)

ge of people, with over 300 distinct ethnic groups populating the country. It has the world’s biggest Muslim population, although Christianity and ancestral beliefs are still celebrated, upholding the national motto ‘United in Diversity’. As the second most bio-diverse country in the world, Indonesia’s environment is as varied as its people. Over a third of all species are endemic, from the three-metre long Komodo dragon to Borneo’s treasured orang-utans and Sulawesi’s minute tarsiers.

With the ‘Ring of Fire’ striking directly through the archipelago, Indonesia is home to more active volcanoes than any other country in the world – one of the most famous being Krakatoa, which can be seen sometimes electrifying the night sky in Java.

With an equatorial climate, expect 70-90 per cent humidity and temperatures that rarely drop beneath 25°C. Anytime of year is good to visit, although the driest months are from June to September, with the rainy season falling between December and March.

Mountain Biking

Along dusty beachside tracks and rugged mountain trails, Bali offers some of Indonesia’s most accessible biking routes, but to access hidden jungle and isolated beaches, guided tours are your best bet. Sanur is particularly well equipped and is a good base from which to explore Bali’s epic volcanoes, coconut groves and paddy fields en-route to Balinese villages and breath-taking beaches.

To avoid the rainy season, April to September brings the driest weather but also the most humid; the highlands are significantly cooler during this time.

Surfing

‘Indo’ has been a surfers’ mecca for decades but beware that some of the most legendary breaks are not for the fainthearted. Bali is awash with surf schools but if travelling further afield, bring your own board.

With a huge swell encircling the island, Bali boasts epic year round surfing. Kuta beach is perfect for beginners and offers a satisfying day for the more advanced. Further north, Canggu serves up rolling waves for amateurs and big barrels for pros. If it’s fifteen-footers and 300-metre long rides you’re after, Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Nusa Dua is where it’s at, with Dreamland a little mellower – just watch out for the jagged reef breaks (booties are a must!).

Java’s head-high waves and deep barrels, offer fewer options for amateurs but are a magnet for ambitious surfers, with G-land (east Java) dubbed as the world’s ‘finest left-hander’.

Sailing

Indonesia’s secluded bays and warm waters offer serene conditions, while the swell of the open sea can serve up challenges for those looking for them. For an extended trip, the ancient trade routes and paradise islands of eastern Indonesia are particularly appealing, bringing the opportunity to explore the diverse Wallacea region; sail past underwater volcanoes and visit Komodo and the Rinca Islands to discover white-sanded beaches and Komodo’s legendary ‘Dragons’.

Avoiding the December to March monsoon, the June to September dry season is the best time to enjoy Indonesia’s tranquil seas.

Hang Gliding

Predictable breezes provide perfect conditions for air-borne activities and offer a truly privileged way to explore some of Indonesia’s most captivating sights. Soar over the tea fields of Java and peer into the craters of volcanoes. In Bali, fly in the thermals over jungle-fringed cliffs and steer clear of the crowds on the beaches below; in Lombok, gaze down over breath-taking jungle and volcanic peaks.

Overland Tours

Over-landing is a fantastic way to explore distant beaches and the Indonesian islands’ lesser visited interiors. In Bali, travel with the locals on bemos to traditional villages and cultural towns such as Ubud. You could then venture deeper inland by jeep, or cycle along beachfront paths to swim and snorkel on remote beaches.

To travel beyond Bali, catch a ferry to the luxurious jungles and lofty peaks of Bali’s neighbouring island, Lombok, or experience the serenity of Indonesia’s car-free islands by hopping between the coral-fringed Gili Islands (a short boat ride from Lombok).

Kayaking

Having the advantage of being able to paddle to some of Indonesia’s most remote beaches, Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the serene beauty of areas such as the Komodo National Park (eastern Indonesia). Lying within the Wallacea region, Komodo and the neighbouring Rinca Islands are in a global conservation area - keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, dolphins and Komodo dragons.

Kitesurfing

Bali is where the kitersurfers flock, with June to August dubbed as ‘kite season’. Indonesia’s calm breezes are particularly good for beginners - average wind speeds are around 15 knots, and 10 to 14 metre kites are the norm.

Sanur is well equipped and accommodates both beginners and wave riders, with a flat-water lagoon and 10ft waves beyond the protective reef. Or, on Bali’s southern peninsula, Nusa Dua’s safe beaches and shallow lagoons are an ideal learning ground. With sea temperatures averaging around 28C, bring only board-shorts and rash vests.

Scuba Diving

Bali offers a massive variety of diving options, with huge coral bommies, virgin reefs and steep drop-offs. Night diving is exceptional, with extraordinary crabs and Spanish dancers making regular appearances. The season is year round, with April to December bringing some of the best conditions. Expect 45-metre visibility and 26C waters.

A two-hour flight north of Bali is the Wakatobi National Park. Located within the bio-diverse ‘Wallacea’ region; this archipelago of stunning islands lies just off the tip of Sulawesi, in the Banda Sea. Expect to see bumphead parrotfish, massive gorgonian fans and pygmy seahorses. Water temperatures can reach 30C here in October.

Boasting the biggest marine diversity on the planet, the Raja Ampat archipelago (eastern Indonesia) is an underwater heaven just off the coast of west Papua; awesome underwater topography, over 1000 different fish species and 75 per cent of all known corals in the world lie below.

Classic Itineraries

Many visitors choose to base themselves around Bali, where you’ll find a massive variety of easily accessible activities and decent tourism infrastructure.

Lombok, Bali’s lesser known neighbour, is a short ferry ride away and offers the luxury of un-crowded beaches and quieter waters.

At the heart of Indonesia is Java - a less visited but equally stunning destination, where you can mingle with the locals while indulging in world-class surf and trekking.

Other Activities

Hiking is hugely popular in Indonesia, from rambling through rice paddies to jungle trekking and scaling dormant volcanoes. Organise village stays en-route to discover the immense variety of Indonesia’s unique customs and ethnic traditions.

Indonesia is also a popular destination for golf enthusiasts, with some of the best courses found in Bali and Java.