scottelb

I'm visiting my son in Jakarta,Indonesia for a week in the beginning of September and then my wife and I have a week to travel on our own. I know Sept can be rainy and I know a week is not a lot of time to explore. That said, I'm looking for advice as to where to go. I suppose we could stay and explore Indonesia. I'm sure we will be going to Bali with my son during that first week and maybe Borneo
So the question is where to go during that second week to maximize our time, get the best weather and have a good time. We're not looking for beach time as much as we're looking for culture, wildlife and beauty. Thanks for any help you can give

Scott

Kathie

How about Java? Have you been to central Java to see Borobudor, Prambanam and the surrounding area? With a week, you can also go to the Dieng Plateau. Lots to see and do in central Java. We are going back to central Java in November, and will add on Eastern Java as well.

StanKase

We have visitred Central and EastJava in 2010 and 2011. I always have found that with a good guide we have gained a more enriching experience. Travelers on this Forum know I have recommended our guide and several have used him. He is based in Yogja and in Jan. was appointed the UNESCO Advisor/Laison to Bobodurur but runs a touring service to the Temples, Mt.Bromo, etc.He has a very comfortable van with great A/C which you will need. I suggest 2-2.5 full days in Yogja and between gettibng there and watching the sunset and sunrise at Mt. Bromo you need 2 days. You can even go down in a jeep for an hour in the lava sand at Bromo. there is a great hotelwe liked at Mt. Bromo called the Java Banana. It is ultra modern and that in that area makes it unusual all by itself but it is not that expensive. In Yogja there is the Phoenix where our guide gets discounted eluxe rooms for ~$100 or at the Hyatt Regency, quite a place we stayed at twice, for $150 USD for a deluxe room.
Our guide gives you 10 hours per day of touring which we found almost too much. If you want to contact him: Bobobururtourandtravel.com or [email protected] at his home office. he really can make your trip in my opinion but I must tell you he charges about $20-$25/day more than most guides but after using him you will see whi, I think.

marmot

Two weeks isn't all that long and Indonesia is a big place. Presumably you'll spend some time in Jakarta? If yes, then planning to do both Bali and Borneo in the same week is overly ambitious.

I'd plan 4 to 5 days in Bali. After that Central and Eastern Java are both good next choices. Central Java for Yogyakarta and Borobudur, Eastern for Bromo.

That could easily fill up two weeks, but if you're looking for another exotic destination I'd suggest Tanah Toraja which is in Central Sulawesi or the Manado area in North Sulawesi.

I haven't been to Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) but my understanding is that the logistics are difficult, i.e. time consuming so if Borneo is a priority for you, you may have to limit your other stops.

Air transportation in Indonesia is good, but flights are not always daily and can be delayed or cancelled. Build some time cushions in your itinerary.

Weatherwise in Java and Bali, September is the transitional month. You shouldn't get too much rain, and may not get any. I'm not sure about Borneo.

kuluk

As others have said, 2 weeks is not a lot of time to see such a huge country, but there are places that have fairly good infrastructure and are well worthwhile going to. Just to give you a start on deciding on an itinerary, you might look at the Central Java area ( easy to access from Jakarta), and Bali of course. If you feel you have enough time and energy for another stop you can look at either Komodo island and parts of Flores; or the Tanah Toraja area at the northern end of South Sulawesi. All these places are fairly simple to tour and guides and transportation are easy to arrange.

Borneo is actually more traveller friendly from the Malaysia side, (Sarawak and Sabah) with better infrastructure and organization.

Have a great trip, if you need more specifics or want more opinions feel free to write again!