Indonesia tours that look beyond Bali to Sulawesi’s tribal highlands and a flight-free rail journey across Java. One archipelago of 17,500 islands, two journeys built on contrasts.
Indonesia tours take you across one of the world's most extraordinary archipelagos — from the UNESCO temples of Yogyakarta and the volcanic crater of Mount Bromo on Java, to the carved houses and hanging cliff graves of Tanah Toraja deep in Sulawesi. These are two very different islands, and our Indonesia holidays are built around experiencing both at a pace that makes them make sense.
Our small group Indonesia tour packages travel with a dedicated English-speaking tour leader in groups of no more than 12. One itinerary crosses Java entirely by train from Jakarta to Bali, stopping at Prambanan, Borobudur and Kawah Ijen along the way. The other heads into Sulawesi — Makassar, the Tanah Toraja highlands, Lake Tempe and the wildlife reserves of Tangkoko. Whether you're drawn to rail travel, culture or wildlife, our Indonesia travel packages are built around what the country actually is, not just its most famous coastline.
Indonesia
Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.
Java and Sulawesi sit in the same archipelago but feel like separate countries. Our Indonesia tours are built to show both — the temple complexes and volcanic landscapes of Java on one itinerary, the tribal culture and wildlife reserves of Sulawesi on the other.
The Jakarta to Bali journey is one of the few Indonesia travel packages built entirely around the country's scenic rail network, travelling first class through Yogyakarta, past Borobudur and on to the volcanic east. It's a slower, richer crossing — and one of the most memorable ways to arrive in Bali.
Sulawesi's Tanah Toraja region has no equivalent in Southeast Asia. The carved traditional houses, hanging cliff graves and living ceremonial culture here are not performed for visitors — they are simply how life is lived, and how the dead are honoured.
A maximum of 12 travellers per departure means our Indonesia trips move at a pace that allows genuine encounters — in Torajan villages, Javanese temples and Sulawesi wildlife reserves that larger group tours simply cannot reach in the same way.
See itinerariesIndonesia repays the traveller who ignores the obvious — the real country starts where the tour buses stop.
From the field
Sweet spot: May
Our Indonesia tours depart in May, July and September. May and September are ideal for the Jakarta to Bali rail journey — the dry season across Java brings lower humidity, clear conditions on Mount Bromo and comfortable temperatures for exploring Yogyakarta and Prambanan on foot. July is the recommended window for the Sulawesi Explorer, when highland roads in Tanah Toraja are accessible and the Tangkoko reserve is at its most active for wildlife sightings. Indonesia's climate varies considerably between islands, so if you'd like to travel at a different time of year, contact us and we can advise on a tailor-made Indonesia holiday to suit.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
“Great itinerary to an off the beaten path location. Traditions, people, wildlife all amazing. Very fascinating and impactful trip. Easy to book and communicate with.”
Elsa
Indonesia
“Sulawesi then Java to Bali. Small independent UK company.”
Senior traveller
Indonesia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Great itinerary to an off the beaten path location. Traditions, people, wildlife all amazing. Very fascinating and impactful trip. Easy to book and communicate with.”
Elsa
Indonesia
“Sulawesi then Java to Bali. Small independent UK company.”
Senior traveller
Indonesia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
Every one of our Indonesia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
Indonesia rewards a tailor-made approach. The distance between Java and Sulawesi, the range of landscapes on each island, and the depth of culture in places like Yogyakarta and Tanah Toraja all suit a private itinerary shaped around your pace and interests. You might want more time in the Toraja highlands, a longer stay on Bali's north coast at Pemuteran, an extension into Bunaken Island for snorkelling, or a privately guided version of the Kawah Ijen crater trek. Whatever the combination, our team can build an Indonesia holiday around your travel dates and group. Contact us to start the conversation.
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Our Indonesia tour packages start from £2,345 per person for the 15-day Sulawesi Explorer and from £2,745 for the Jakarta to Bali by Train journey. Both are based on two sharing and include accommodation, overland transport, meals as listed and a dedicated English-speaking tour leader throughout. International flights are not included — contact us for advice and a quote.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Indonesia Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Indonesia that we visit on our tours.
Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.
For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:
Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Indonesia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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