bbri

Hello everyone,

So I just booked one month in Indonesia from 20th September.

My skeleton plan at the moment is:

Yogyakarta - Surabaya (mainly for Mount Bromo) - Banyuwangi - Bali - Lombok - Flores (Komodo)

Is this feasible? Are there any places here not worth visiting or places that you suggest I include?

Kathie

It's unclear to me how much time you plan to spend in each place. I'd assume you are going to Banyuwangi just to catch the ferry to Bali. And you really don't want to stay in Surabaya to visit Bromo (too long a drive to get there - stay at Bromo if you want to see Bromo). And do you want to go to Flores or Komodo or both?

Travel within Indonesia can be slow overland. So consider transit times. This looks do-able, but the Flores/Komodo part really takes time.

Lay out your plan on a calendar so you can see how much time you have in each place. You will have several full days in transit.

mcbg1

Flores/Komodo is only a 1 hour flight from Bali. Easy to do...

Kathie

If you want to fly, you are right of course, mcbg. But most people do it via a several day to week long boat trip.

marmot

These are all good destinations. Whether they're workable in a month's time really depends on how long you plan to stay in each place and how you get from place to place. How you allot your time in each place depends on what you like to do. So more information needed!

For example:
5 nights Central Java, split between Yogyakarta and Borobudur area
Fly from Yogya to Surabaya. Drive from Surabaya to Bromo area

4-5 nights East Java, split between Bromo area and Ijen area
Either return to Surabaya and fly to Denpasar
OR
Take the ferry from Banyuwangi to North Bali

10-12 Bali, split among North Bali, Ubud area and South beach area
Ferry to Lombok

3-5 nights Lombok and/or Gilis
Fly to Lombok to Labuanbajo

4-5 nights Flores/Komodo

bbri

Many thanks for all of your very useful replies. If I would like to fly to Komodo, what is the best way to go about it? Which airlines fly there (from Bali/Lombok?

LancasterLad

This link might help with flights...

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...ortQueryType=1

bbri

Thanks for that. What are the alternatives to get from Bali to Labuanbajo and back and what are the respective costs because I am worried that flights will all cost in excess of EUR 150 ?

crellston

Hi bbri
i am in the process of planning a couple of months in Indonesia next year and have been looking at flights and they do seem expensive. In your case, leaving in september, i imagine will be pushing the price up. I did find this website which is quite useful http://www.tiket2.com If you click on the promo fares tab there are some cheaper fares around.

Clearly the only alternative to flying is a ferry. Pelni seems to be the biggest operator. some info @ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesi...getting-around

LancasterLad

If you do consider the trip by sea, then make sure you risk assess thoroughly beforehand. Here's a very recent cautionary tale...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ir-ordeal.html

marmot

The airport near Labuan Bajo, Flores is Komodo Airport (LBJ). There are daily flights from Bali Denpasar on Garuda, Wings, Transnusa and Merpati. I thought there were also flights from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, but they may have been discontinued as I'm having trouble finding information.

Garuda (which is probably the most reliable) Bali Denpasar to Labuan Bajo is about US$225 roundtrip. The other airlines may be lower.

If you have difficulty making reservations on line, you could go through an Indonesian travel agent or ask your hotel in Bali or Lombok to book the tickets for you.

There are many, many tour services that run 3-4 day boat trips from Bali and/or Lombok to Komodo. The quality and safety record of these providers vary widely. In fact, one just sank near Sumbawa and two European passengers are still missing. If you choose a boat tour, check the safety reputation and facilities carefully. Make sure that there are lifeboat spaces for all aboard and that the boat has communication equipment.

Pelni ships are government run, often not very well. Their safety record is dire. I'd go with a private tour operator or fly.

It would be an interesting comparison, but it seems to me that by the time you pay for food etc on a multiday boat trip, flying turn out to be cheaper.

crellston

also found this guide to Flores which you may find helpful
http://www.travelfish.org/freetravel...p#floreskomodo