Self-Launched Indonesia: Sumatra, Java & Bali

Fly into Kualanamu International Airport (KNO). Take the Railink airport train into central Medan (~£2.50, 30 mins). Check into your hostel in the Polonia or Maimoon area. Spend the afternoon wandering around Maimoon Palace and the Great Mosque. Grab a bowl of Medan-famous beef noodle soup (mie sop) at a local warung for under £2.

🚌Railink train from airport to city (~£2.50)

🛏Guesthouse/hostel in central Medan — e.g. Rumah Jawa or similar rated guesthouse (~£10-12/night)

• →Arrive and settle in
• →Visit Maimoon Palace (free to enter courtyard)
• →Explore Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque)
• →Try local Medan street food

Take a shared minibus from Medan's Pinang Baris bus terminal to Bukit Lawang (~3.5 hrs, ~£3-4). Bukit Lawang is the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park and is famous for its wild Sumatran orangutan population. Arrive, check in to a riverside guesthouse, and explore the village. Book your jungle trek for tomorrow at one of the many local guide offices (required to trek — typical half-day ~£15, full-day ~£20).

🚌Shared minibus from Pinang Baris terminal, Medan (~£3-4, 3.5 hrs)

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Bukit Lawang — e.g. Ecolodge or Jungle Inn budget rooms (~£10-14/night)

• →Shared minibus from Medan to Bukit Lawang
• →Settle into riverside guesthouse
• →Explore Bukit Lawang village
• →Book jungle trek with a licensed local guide

Head out on a full-day guided jungle trek through Gunung Leuser National Park in search of wild Sumatran orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, and hornbills. Licensed guides are mandatory and bookable directly in the village (~£20-25 full day including park entry). In the evening, join an optional Batak cooking class run by a local family (~£15-20) to learn dishes like fish arsik and rendang chicken — book directly in the village.

🚌Walking

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Bukit Lawang (~£10-14/night)

• →Full-day orangutan jungle trek with licensed guide (book direct, ~£20-25)
• →Gunung Leuser National Park entry (~£3)
• →Optional: Batak cooking class in the evening (~£15-20)

Return to Medan by shared minibus (~£3-4), then take an onward bus to Parapat on the shores of Lake Toba (~4-5 hrs, ~£4-5). Lake Toba is the world's largest volcanic lake and a cultural heartland of the Batak people. Check in, then take the short public ferry across to Samosir Island (~£1) for a more atmospheric base. Explore the first waterfront village of Tuk Tuk.

🚌Shared minibus to Medan, bus to Parapat, public ferry to Samosir Island

🛏Guesthouse on Samosir Island (Tuk Tuk area) — e.g. Horas Family Home or Silintong (~£10-14/night)

• →Shared minibus back to Medan
• →Bus from Medan to Parapat (~£4-5, 4-5 hrs)
• →Public ferry to Samosir Island (~£1)
• →Explore Tuk Tuk waterfront

Spend the day exploring Samosir Island by hired scooter (~£6/day). Visit the Batak traditional village of Ambarita for its ancient stone judge's chairs and clan houses, then head to Tomok to see the ancient Batak royal tombs. Stop at a weaving workshop to watch traditional ulos cloth being made. Swim in the lake's remarkably clear waters at sunset.

🚌Hired scooter (~£6/day)

🛏Guesthouse on Samosir Island (~£10-14/night)

• →Hire a scooter to explore the island (~£6/day)
• →Visit Ambarita stone chairs and traditional Batak village (entry ~£1)
• →Tomok royal tombs (~£1)
• →Traditional ulos weaving workshop
• →Swim in Lake Toba

Take the ferry back to Parapat, then a bus or shared taxi back to Medan (~£4-5). Fly from Medan (KNO) to Yogyakarta (JOG) — book ahead with Lion Air or Batik Air (~£35-55 depending on availability). Arrive in Yogyakarta, known locally as Jogja, and check in. If you arrive with time, head out for a first taste of Jogja's famous gudeg (young jackfruit stew) on Jalan Malioboro.

🚌Bus/shared taxi to Medan (~£4-5), domestic flight Medan–Yogyakarta (~£35-55)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Yogyakarta city centre — e.g. Puri Tanaya or Via Via guesthouse (~£12-16/night)

• →Ferry back to Parapat and bus to Medan
• →Fly Medan to Yogyakarta (book ahead, ~£35-55)
• →Arrive and explore Jalan Malioboro street food scene

Set a 4am alarm. Take an early shared minibus or taxi to Borobudur temple (~1 hr from Yogyakarta, ~£3-4 by shared transport). Arrive before sunrise to see the ancient Buddhist stupa emerge from mist as dawn breaks over the jungle — one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular sights. Entry with sunrise access ~£20 (book online at borobudurpark.com). Return to Yogyakarta by midday, then explore Prambanan Hindu temple complex in the afternoon (~£18, 17km east of Jogja by local bus ~£0.30).

🚌Shared minibus/taxi to Borobudur (~£3-4), local bus to Prambanan (~£0.30)

🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Yogyakarta (~£12-16/night)

• →Early morning minibus/taxi to Borobudur (~£3-4)
• →Borobudur sunrise ticket (book at borobudurpark.com, ~£20)
• →Return to Yogyakarta
• →Afternoon visit to Prambanan temple complex (~£18, local bus ~£0.30)

Start the morning at the Kraton (Sultan's Palace) — the living heart of Javanese court culture. Entry ~£2, guided tour available on-site. Then hire a becak (cycle rickshaw) to explore the old city and reach Taman Sari Water Castle (~£1.50 entry), a beautiful ruined royal bathing complex with underground passages. In the afternoon, browse batik workshops along Jalan Tirtodipuran and pick up hand-crafted textiles directly from artisans.

🚌Becak (cycle rickshaw) and walking

🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Yogyakarta (~£12-16/night)

• →Visit Kraton Sultan's Palace (~£2)
• →Hire a becak for city tour (~£3-5)
• →Taman Sari Water Castle (~£1.50)
• →Browse batik workshops on Jalan Tirtodipuran

Take the Prameks commuter train or an intercity train from Yogyakarta to Solo (~1 hr, ~£1.50-3). Solo is Yogyakarta's quieter, more traditional rival city. Check into your guesthouse, then explore Pasar Klewer batik market — one of the largest in Java. In the evening, wander the night food stalls at Galabo food court on Jl. Mayor Sunaryo for excellent solo street food.

🚌Train Yogyakarta to Solo (~£1.50-3, book at kai.id)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Solo — e.g. Warung Baru or Rumah Turi (~£12-15/night)

• →Train from Yogyakarta to Solo (~£1.50-3, 1 hr — book at kai.id)
• →Explore Pasar Klewer batik market
• →Evening street food at Galabo food court

Visit the Kraton Kasunanan, Solo's royal palace (~£1.50). Then head out to the Sangiran Early Man Site (~30 mins by local bus, ~£0.50), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating museum about Homo erectus fossils found in the region (~£1.50 entry). Return to Solo in the afternoon and watch a free gamelan rehearsal — these happen regularly at the kraton and cultural centres.

🚌Local bus to Sangiran (~£0.50 each way)

🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel in Solo (~£12-15/night)

• →Kraton Kasunanan royal palace (~£1.50)
• →Local bus to Sangiran UNESCO site (~£0.50 each way)
• →Sangiran Early Man Museum (~£1.50)
• →Free gamelan music performance at Kraton

Morning visit to Pura Mangkunegaran Palace — a beautifully preserved royal compound with a blend of Javanese and Dutch colonial architecture (~£2 entry). Members of the aristocratic family still reside here. In the afternoon, take an overnight train from Solo Balapan station to Probolinggo (for Mt. Bromo access) — book the Matarmaja or Logawa train on kai.id (~£5-8, ~7 hrs overnight). Sleep on the train.

🚌Overnight train Solo Balapan to Probolinggo (~£5-8, ~7 hrs, book at kai.id)

🛏Overnight train (sleeper/economy seat)

• →Visit Mangkunegaran Palace (~£2 — book self-guided visit)
• →Overnight train Solo to Probolinggo (book on kai.id, ~£5-8)

Arrive at Probolinggo in the early morning. Take a shared minibus (angkot) from the station to Cemoro Lawang village on the Bromo crater rim (~£4-5, ~1.5 hrs). Check into your guesthouse. Explore the surreal Sea of Sand on foot or by horse (horse hire ~£5). Rest up for the pre-dawn 4am jeep excursion tomorrow. Note: jeep tours for sunrise depart very early — book directly with your guesthouse or via GetYourGuide (~£12-18pp in a shared jeep).

🚌Shared minibus Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang (~£4-5)

🛏Guesthouse in Cemoro Lawang — e.g. Bromo Permai or Cafe Lava Hostel (~£10-14/night)

• →Shared minibus Probolinggo to Cemoro Lawang (~£4-5)
• →Explore Sea of Sand on foot or horse (~£5 for horse)
• →Book shared jeep sunrise tour for 4am tomorrow (~£12-18 via guesthouse or GetYourGuide)

Wake at 3:30am. Join a shared 4WD jeep tour (~£12-18pp) to Penanjakan viewpoint for the iconic Mt. Bromo sunrise over the volcanic caldera — one of the most photographed landscapes in Asia. After sunrise, the jeep descends to the Sea of Sand. Hike up 250 steps to peer into Bromo's active crater (entry included in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park fee ~£8 for foreigners). Return to guesthouse for breakfast. Afternoon: begin journey towards Bali — take a shared minibus to Banyuwangi (~4 hrs, ~£5-6).

🚌Shared jeep (sunrise tour), shared minibus Cemoro Lawang to Banyuwangi (~£5-6)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Banyuwangi — e.g. Aston Inn or local losmen (~£10-14/night)

• →Shared jeep sunrise excursion to Penanjakan viewpoint (~£12-18)
• →Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park entry (~£8)
• →Hike to Bromo crater rim
• →Shared minibus to Banyuwangi (~£5-6, 4 hrs)

Optional morning: visit Ijen volcano for the famous blue fire and sulphur miners — depart 1am, guided trek (~3 hrs each way, guide ~£10-12, entry ~£6). Otherwise, take the morning public ferry from Ketapang ferry port to Gilimanuk, Bali (~30 mins, ~£0.80). From Gilimanuk, take a local bus east towards Lovina or Ubud (~£3-5 depending on destination). Head directly to Ubud.

🚌Public ferry Ketapang–Gilimanuk (~£0.80), local bus to Ubud (~£3-5)

🛏Budget guesthouse or homestay in Ubud — e.g. Bisma area homestay or Pondok Pundi (~£12-18/night)

• →Optional: Ijen volcano blue fire trek (guide ~£10-12, entry ~£6, depart 1am)
• →Public ferry Ketapang to Gilimanuk (~£0.80, 30 mins)
• →Local bus or shared bemo towards Ubud (~£3-5)

Explore Ubud on foot. Start at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£3.50 entry). Walk the rice terrace path at Campuhan Ridge Walk (free). Visit Ubud Traditional Art Market for local crafts. In the afternoon, hire a scooter (~£5/day) and ride out to the iconic Tegalalang Rice Terraces (~£1.50 entry, ~8km north of Ubud). Watch the sunset from a rice paddy warung with a Bintang.

🚌Walking + hired scooter (~£5/day)

🛏Guesthouse/homestay in Ubud (~£12-18/night)

• →Sacred Monkey Forest (~£3.50)
• →Campuhan Ridge Walk (free)
• →Ubud Traditional Art Market
• →Hire scooter (~£5/day)
• →Tegalalang Rice Terraces (~£1.50 entry)

Morning visit to Pura Tirta Empul, Bali's famous holy spring temple where locals and visitors perform traditional purification rituals (~£2.50 entry). Continue to the impressive Kehen Temple in Bangli. In the afternoon, hike to Tegenungan Waterfall (~£1.50 entry, 11km south of Ubud — reachable by scooter). Return to Ubud for an evening at one of the nightly traditional Kecak fire dance performances (~£8, check schedules at Pura Dalem Ubud).

🚌Hired scooter (~£5/day)

🛏Guesthouse/homestay in Ubud (~£12-18/night)

• →Pura Tirta Empul holy spring temple (~£2.50)
• →Kehen Temple, Bangli
• →Tegenungan Waterfall (~£1.50 entry)
• →Kecak fire dance performance in Ubud (~£8 — book at venue or via Klook)

Stay at a locally-owned community guesthouse — many in the Ubud area are family-run with rice paddy views. Visit Widya Guna Foundation (a social enterprise supporting disabled youth) to learn to make traditional Balinese prayer offerings (canang sari) — bookable directly (~£5-10 donation/fee). In the afternoon, visit a healer (balian) in the traditional Balinese style, or explore the Neka Art Museum (~£2.50) to understand the island's art traditions.

🚌Hired scooter / walking

🛏Community guesthouse/family homestay in Ubud area (~£12-16/night)

• →Move to community/family-run guesthouse for authentic stay
• →Prayer offering workshop at Widya Guna Foundation (~£5-10)
• →Optional: visit a traditional Balinese healer (balian)
• →Neka Art Museum (~£2.50)

Head to Medahan Village (a short ride from Ubud) for an authentic encounter with local Balinese daily life. Walk through the traditional market, visit community temples, explore working rice paddies, and see a natural spring. This can be arranged directly with local guides from Ubud (~£10-15 for a guided village walk). In the afternoon, attend an optional Balinese cooking class bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25-30, includes market tour and 4-5 dishes).

🚌Hired scooter / walking

🛏Guesthouse/homestay in Ubud (~£12-18/night)

• →Medahan Village walking tour with local guide (~£10-15)
• →Visit traditional market, temples, rice paddies, and spring
• →Optional: Balinese cooking class (~£25-30 via GetYourGuide/Klook)

Head east to the quieter fishing coast of Amed (~1.5 hrs by hired scooter or shared shuttle ~£5-7). Amed is a string of peaceful fishing villages with stunning volcanic views and excellent snorkelling directly from the black-sand beach. Explore the famous Japanese shipwreck just offshore by snorkelling (gear hire ~£3-4). Check in to a beachside bungalow and watch fishermen haul their jukungs (outriggers) at sunset.

🚌Shared shuttle or scooter Ubud to Amed (~£5-7)

🛏Beachside bungalow or guesthouse in Amed (~£12-18/night)

• →Travel to Amed by shared shuttle or scooter (~£5-7, 1.5 hrs)
• →Snorkel over Japanese shipwreck (gear hire ~£3-4)
• →Explore Amed fishing villages on foot
• →Sunset at the beach

Morning swim or snorkel at Amed beach before heading west along the coast to Candidasa (~30-40 mins, shared shuttle ~£3-4 or scooter). Candidasa is a calm seaside town — a great base for the Blue Lagoon snorkel site. Visit Pura Goa Lawah (Bat Cave Temple, ~£2) en route — one of Bali's most important sea temples, with a cave full of thousands of bats. Check in and relax by the water in the evening.

🚌Shared shuttle or scooter Amed to Candidasa (~£3-4)

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Candidasa — e.g. Puri Oka Beach Bungalows (~£12-18/night)

• →Morning snorkel at Amed
• →Travel to Candidasa (~£3-4 by shared shuttle)
• →Stop at Pura Goa Lawah bat cave temple (~£2 entry)
• →Relax at Candidasa beachfront

Take a short hired boat or drive to the Blue Lagoon, located just outside Padangbai (~15 mins from Candidasa). The Blue Lagoon offers crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reef, and diverse marine life including turtles — snorkelling gear can be hired directly on the beach (~£3-4). Boat transfer from Padangbai ~£5-8. In the afternoon, join a Balinese cooking class — bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25-30), or ask your guesthouse to arrange a local one for less.

🚌Local boat to Blue Lagoon from Padangbai (~£5-8)

🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse in Candidasa (~£12-18/night)

• →Boat to Blue Lagoon from Padangbai (~£5-8)
• →Snorkelling at Blue Lagoon (gear hire ~£3-4)
• →Afternoon Balinese cooking class (~£25-30 via GetYourGuide/Klook)

Your journey ends in Candidasa (Candi Dasa). If flying home from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, allow around 2-3 hours for the transfer (~£12-18 by private car or ~£6-8 by shared shuttle/Grab taxi). Spend a final morning at the beach or browsing Candidasa's small craft shops. Safe travels!

🚌Shared shuttle or Grab car to Denpasar airport (~£6-18)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final morning at Candidasa beach
• →Transfer to Ngurah Rai Airport Denpasar (~£6-18 depending on transport)
• →Depart Bali