bmtrips

I am planning a one month trip to Indonesia, any suggestions? Can I fly into Bali and out of Jakarta, returning back to Vancouver BC? My ideas so far are Pangadaran, Mount Bromo, Lombok and Gili Islands.

cmenoni

Try to fit in a trip to Sulawesi and the Tana Toraja area. One of the best trips I've ever done, and yes, it was part of a trip similar to what you're doing.

Ericka

If you are flying in or out of Jakarta, make sure to allow a bit of time for the Java countryside, Borobudur, etc. Beyond that and the obvious stops in Bali, try to see some of the islands further a-field. I don't have any personal experience with these but I understand they contain some of the most beautiful landscape in the world (and some of the very best diving and snorkeling, too.)

marmot

bmtrips, Indonesia is vast and fascinating. You could easily fill up a month between Java and Bali alone, You have to be careful not to spend too much time and money on getting from place to place, as the distances are greater than you might imagine and land transportation is unreliable.

Without knowing your budget and interests it's hard to give you recommendations, but in priority order this is what I'd do in in a month:

10 days Bali
3 days Lombok
5 days Central Java (Yogya + Borobudur)
2 days Bromo
5 days Tanah Toraja (Sulawesi)
5 days Manado area (North Sulawesi)

I would give Pangadaran and the Gili Islands a miss.

And yes, there are frequent flights between Bali (Denpasar) and Jakarta. Actually there are frequent flights all over Indonesia.

You don't necessarily have to use Jakarta as your hub. There are interational flights from Hong Kong or Singapore and other Asia cities to all of the larger airports in Indonesia. If you're planning a round trip from Vancouver to any of the above destinations it may actually make more sense to avoid Jakarta.

bmtrips

Thanks Marmot. This itinerary looks like it incorporates both indonesian culture and great beach time. Just wondering, would you go to N. Salawesi beaches if you were only a snorkler? They look idealic. Have you been to the Gili Islands? I like accomodations that have a local feel, certainly not a 5 star hotel. The price is not as important as having a great experience.