Islands of Indonesia: Self-Launched
22 days · Indonesia
G Adventures charges £3,299
No-markup version: ~£1,050 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, solo-friendly 22-day loop from Sanur across five Indonesian islands — Bali, Flores, Komodo/Rinca, Lombok and the Gilis. You'll do exactly what the group tour does (Kelimutu sunrise, Ngada village at Bena, Cunca Wulang canyon, Komodo dragons, Munduk and Jatiluwih, Mt Batur, Ubud, Tetebatu trekking and Gili snorkelling) but on local flights, public buses and shared boats, staying in hostels and simple guesthouses. Costs are approximate backpacker estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Sanur, Bali
Sanur, Bali
Land at Denpasar (DPS) and take an official airport taxi or Grab/Gojek to Sanur (~30-60 min, £5-8). Sanur is the calm, beachfront base the tour uses — check into a guesthouse or hostel near Danau Tamblingan and spend the evening on the beachfront promenade. Book your Bali–Flores flight tonight if you haven't already.
🚌Airport taxi or ride-hailing app to Sanur (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Sanur (£12-20)
- →Beachfront promenade walk
- →Book onward Flores flight
Fly to Ende, transfer to Moni
Moni, Flores
Fly Bali (DPS) to Ende (ENE) with Wings Air or NAM Air — roughly £55-85 one way, book early as seats are limited and baggage is capped at 10kg. From Ende airport, take a shared bemo/travel car up the hill to Moni (~1.5 hrs, £4-6, or hire a driver for ~£15). Settle into a simple ecolodge/homestay with volcano views and arrange a 4am ride to Kelimutu for tomorrow.
🚌Domestic flight DPS-ENE (~£70) + shared car to Moni (~£5)
🛏Ecolodge/homestay in Moni (£10-15)
- →Arrive Flores
- →Arrange Kelimutu sunrise transport
Kelimutu sunrise and on to Bajawa
Bajawa, Flores
Leave at ~4am by shared car or ojek to the Kelimutu crater lakes and hike the last 30 minutes to the viewpoint for sunrise (entry ~£3-4). Back for breakfast, then catch a public bus or shared travel car to Bajawa (~4-5 hrs, £5-7). In the afternoon, hire a motorbike or driver to Malanage Hot Springs for a soak (£2-3 entry).
🚌Shared car to Kelimutu (~£5) + shared car/bus to Bajawa (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse in Bajawa (£10-15)
- →Kelimutu crater lakes sunrise hike
- →Malanage Hot Springs
- →Bajawa town walk
Bena village and Ruteng
Ruteng, Flores
Head out early to Bena, the traditional Ngada village with its twin-peaked thatched houses and megalithic stones — entry is by donation (~£2) and local women sell ikat weaving. Then continue inland to Ruteng (~3-4 hrs) through spectacular mountain scenery. Take a cool afternoon walk around Ruteng or visit the spider-web rice fields nearby.
🚌Shared car Bajawa-Bena-Ruteng (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse in Ruteng (£10-14)
- →Bena Ngada village visit
- →Ikat weaving
- →Ruteng mountain scenery
Cancar spider rice fields to Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo, Flores
Travel to Labuan Bajo (~3-4 hrs by shared car or bus, £6-8) with a stop at the Cancar spider-web rice fields for a 20-minute viewpoint hike. Arrive in the bustling harbour town, book your Komodo boat trip for Day 7 and wander the waterfront for sunset and grilled fish dinner.
🚌Shared car Ruteng-Labuan Bajo (~£7)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Labuan Bajo (£12-18)
- →Cancar spider rice fields viewpoint
- →Waterfront sunset
- →Book Komodo boat trip
Cunca Wulang Canyon
Labuan Bajo, Flores
Hire a scooter (~£5/day) or share a car to Cunca Rami/Cunca Wulang trailhead (~1.5 hrs), then trek 45 minutes through rainforest to the canyon and swim in the rock pools beneath the waterfall. Local guide fee and entry ~£5-8. Optional Batu Cermin cave on the way back (~£2).
🚌Scooter hire or shared car (~£6)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Labuan Bajo (£12-18)
- →Cunca Wulang canyon trek
- →Waterfall pool swim
- →Batu Cermin cave (optional)
Komodo and Rinca dragons by boat
Komodo National Park
Join a shared one-day speedboat or open-deck tour from Labuan Bajo harbour (~£45-65 including park fees, ranger guide and lunch) to Rinca and Komodo islands for guaranteed Komodo dragon sightings, plus Padar Island viewpoint and Pink Beach snorkelling. Book via your hostel or a GetYourGuide/Klook listing the day before.
🚌Shared tour boat from Labuan Bajo
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Labuan Bajo (£12-18)
- →Komodo dragon ranger walk on Rinca
- →Komodo Island
- →Padar Island viewpoint
- →Pink Beach snorkelling
Fly back to Bali
Sanur, Bali
Fly Labuan Bajo (LBJ) back to Denpasar (~£50-75, 1 hr 15) and taxi to Sanur. Rest, do laundry, and enjoy a cheap warung dinner by the beach.
🚌Domestic flight LBJ-DPS (~£60) + airport taxi (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Sanur (£12-20)
- →Beach time
- →Laundry and reset
Free day in Sanur
Sanur, Bali
A slow day: swim at Sanur beach at high tide, rent a bicycle along the 5km promenade (£2), or take a cheap local boat over to Serangan. Good day to organise a scooter for the Bali leg or pre-book Mt Batur.
🚌Bicycle hire (~£2)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Sanur (£12-20)
- →Sanur beach
- →Promenade cycle
- →Warung food crawl
Lake Bratan temple, Jatiluwih, Munduk
Munduk, Bali
Hire a scooter or share a driver (~£25-35 for the day split between riders) north via Ulun Danu Bratan temple on the lake (£3.50 entry), then walk the UNESCO Jatiluwih rice terraces (£3 entry). Continue up into the cool hills to Munduk and stay in a simple guesthouse among the coffee plantations.
🚌Scooter hire or shared driver (~£8-12 per person)
🛏Guesthouse in Munduk (£12-18)
- →Ulun Danu Bratan temple
- →Jatiluwih rice terraces walk
- →Coffee plantation stop
Munduk waterfalls to Kintamani
Kintamani, Bali
Morning walk to Munduk or Melanting waterfall (£1-2 entry). Then drive east through rice fields and mountain roads to Kintamani (~2.5 hrs), stopping at the local hot spring pool for a soak (£5-8). Stay on the crater rim with views over Lake Batur and pre-arrange your 3.30am Batur guide.
🚌Shared driver Munduk-Kintamani (~£12)
🛏Guesthouse in Kintamani (£12-18)
- →Munduk waterfall walk
- →Kintamani hot springs
- →Lake Batur views
Mt Batur sunrise, then Ubud
Ubud, Bali
Optional (but worth it) 3.30am guided sunrise hike up Mt Batur — book a licensed local guide (~£30-35 including headtorch and breakfast). Afterwards head to Ubud (~1.5 hrs), stopping for lunch at a community training restaurant in the style of the G for Good lunch programme. Arrive Ubud late afternoon for an orientation wander down Jalan Hanoman and Monkey Forest Road.
🚌Shared driver Kintamani-Ubud (~£8)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Ubud (£12-20)
- →Mt Batur sunrise hike (optional, ~£32)
- →Ubud orientation walk
- →Community lunch stop
Ubud: Monkey Forest and Kecak
Ubud, Bali
Walk to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (£4-5 entry) keeping bags zipped. Afternoon free for a yoga class (£8-12) or an organic cooking class (£20-25). In the evening see a Kecak dance performance at Pura Dalem or Ubud Palace (~£12-15). Eat at Gianyar night market for £3-4.
🚌Walking / short Grab rides (~£3)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Ubud (£12-20)
- →Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- →Kecak dance performance
- →Gianyar night market (optional)
- →Yoga class (optional)
Ubud to Candidasa
Candidasa, Bali
Optional whitewater rafting on the Ayung river in the morning (£20-25). Then take a Perama shuttle or Grab to Candidasa on the east coast (~1.5 hrs, £5-7). Beach time and a cheap massage (£5-8) on the seafront.
🚌Perama shuttle or Grab (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse in Candidasa (£12-18)
- →Whitewater rafting (optional)
- →Candidasa beach
- →Beach massage (optional)
Tirta Gangga and ferry to Lombok
Tetebatu, Lombok
Early visit to Tirta Gangga water palace (£2.50) and the rice terraces around it. Then head to Padang Bai for the fast boat to Lembar, Lombok (~2 hrs, £20-25) or the slower public ferry (~5 hrs, £3). From Lembar, a shared car/bemo climbs to Tetebatu (~2 hrs, £6-8), a cool green village under Mt Rinjani.
🚌Fast boat Padang Bai-Lembar (~£22) + shared car to Tetebatu (~£7)
🛏Homestay in Tetebatu (£10-15)
- →Tirta Gangga water palace
- →Fast boat to Lombok
- →Tetebatu village arrival
Tetebatu countryside trek
Tetebatu, Lombok
A 2-3 hour easy guided trek with a local villager through rice paddies, tobacco and coffee plantations and traditional Sasak villages (£8-12 including guide). Afternoon visit to Sendang Gila waterfall (£2 entry) for a swim, or just nap in a hammock. Dinner with your homestay family.
🚌Walking and short ojek rides (~£3)
🛏Homestay in Tetebatu (£10-15)
- →Tetebatu countryside trek
- →Sasak village visit
- →Sendang Gila waterfall swim
To the Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan
Shared car down to Bangsal harbour (~2 hrs, £6), then the public boat to Gili Trawangan (£2) or a fast boat (£10). Check into a hostel near the east side, then walk or cycle to the sunset point on the west coast. Snorkel gear hire from the beach is £4-5 for the day.
🚌Shared car to Bangsal (~£6) + public boat (~£2)
🛏Hostel on Gili Trawangan (£12-20)
- →Boat to Gili Trawangan
- →Sunset on the west coast
- →Beach snorkelling
Gili snorkelling trip
Gili Islands
Join a shared three-island snorkelling boat trip (£15-20) hitting the turtle points off Gili Meno and Gili Air, plus the underwater statues. Afternoon free — optional yoga class in paradise (£8-10), or cycle the island loop (£2).
🚌Shared snorkelling boat
🛏Hostel on Gili Trawangan (£12-20)
- →Three-island snorkelling trip
- →Turtle spotting
- →Yoga class (optional)
- →Island cycle (optional)
Gili to Ubud or Kuta, Bali
Kuta/Sanur, Bali
Fast boat back from Gili Trawangan to Padang Bai (~2 hrs, £22-25) then a shuttle or Grab to south Bali (~1.5 hrs, £7). Use the evening to shop, surf lesson if you're in Kuta (£30-35) or simply reset before your final days.
🚌Fast boat (~£22) + shuttle to south Bali (~£7)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Kuta or Sanur (£12-20)
- →Fast boat to Bali
- →Beach sunset
- →Surf lesson (optional)
Free day in Bali
Sanur, Bali
Optional Tanah Lot sunset tour (£15-20 with shared transport), a final beach massage, or a cooking class. A good buffer day in case boat or flight timings shift.
🚌Grab/Gojek rides (~£5)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Sanur (£12-20)
- →Tanah Lot sunset (optional)
- →Beach day
- →Cooking class (optional)
Kerta Gosa and Sanur
Sanur, Bali
Visit Kerta Gosa in Klungkung, the painted 18th-century Hall of Justice on the old Bali-Karangasem route (£2 entry). Return to Sanur for a last swim and a proper farewell dinner at a beachfront warung.
🚌Shared car or scooter to Klungkung and back (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Sanur (£12-20)
- →Kerta Gosa Hall of Justice
- →Sanur beach
- →Farewell dinner
Departure
Sanur, Bali
Check out and take a taxi or Grab to Denpasar airport (~£6-8). If your flight is late, leave bags at the guesthouse and squeeze in one more beach walk.
🚌Taxi/Grab to DPS airport (~£7)
🛏—
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,050 | £3,299 |
| Duration | 22 days | 22 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,249 per person (68%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,050
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Islands of Indonesia: Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,050 per person for 22 days in Indonesia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,299 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,050 — a saving of roughly £2,249 (68%) per person.
How long is the Indonesia trip?+
This itinerary runs 22 days, covering 22 day-by-day stops through Indonesia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, beaches, culture trip through Indonesia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.