Indonesia Explorer for Families (18 days)
Explore the best of Indonesia’s culture, wildlife and scenery on this epic tour designed for families with adventurous children. This trip of a lifetime starts with a short break in Singapore, from where you fly to Central Java to see the temples of Prambanan, and stay beside the awe-inspiring Buddhist monument of Borobudur. After learning about Java’s fascinating ancient civilisations, it’s time to get wet and wild on a rafting trip on the Elo River through exotic scenery. The adventure then hots up with a flight to Kalimantan (Borneo), and an overnight cruise on board a private riverboat in the Tanjung Puting National Park to search for orang-utans and other wildlife. Next fly to Bali, and head to Ubud for some days exploring this beautiful island, and do a community-run hike from Lake Batur in the north. You will then hop on a short flight to the island of Flores, and board a spacious schooner for a cruise through the Komodo Islands to come face to face with the famous dragons, and spend time exploring remote islands and beaches. The trip finishes in style in the trendy Seminyak district of southern Bali, for some well-earned R&R on the beach.
Guide Price
From £4,395 per adult, £3,850 per child based on a double room for departures in June.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: SQ317 London Heathrow - Singapore 11.25 - 07.30 (overnight)
Private transfer: Upon arrival at Singapore airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay (Deluxe Room)
Day at leisure: You have a full day at leisure to relax and explore the vibrant city of Singapore independently. The extensive public transport system is easy to navigate, and will take you all over the city. Spend some time wandering around the various multicultural neighbourhoods, enjoy the city's world-class shopping outlets, or sample some of the best street food in Asia.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from your hotel by your driver/guide, and transferred to Singapore airport in time for your onward flight.
Flight: QZ659 Singapore - Yogyakarta 11.15 - 12.25
Indonesian Lunch: Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, you will be welcomed to Indonesia by your guide and taken for a special lunch at Kaliopak Resto, an authentic Indonesian eatery set on the banks of the Opak river, near Prambanan. Specialities of the house include grilled fish, river prawns and fried noodles accompanied by a number of well spiced vegetables and sauces.
Afternoon tour of Prambanan: This afternoon, you will be taken on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prambanan, Java’s largest Hindi Temple. The Sanjaya Dynasty built the 47m high temple dedicated to the three forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the 9th century and surrounded it with several smaller temples. The temples were first rediscovered by a British surveyor under the instruction of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1811.
Road journey from Yogyakarta to Borobudur: Leaving the city behind, head north into Java's countryside on your road journey to Borobudur, a drive of approximately 2 hours.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Plataran Heritage Borobudur (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Afternoon tour of Borobudur & Mendut: This afternoon, you will be taken on a guided tour of Borobudur. Indonesia's largest and most impressive Buddhist monument, Borobudur is a vast structure with 9 levels and an awe inspiring setting in the midst of a fertile valley ringed by volcanoes. The temple was built as a pilgrimage site to teach followers how to practice the Buddhist way of life. Each level of the monument has intricately carved sculptures and symbology from the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. The top level of the temple is a particularly spiritual place dotted with stupas housing Buddhist sculptures, with magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. After Borobudur, visit the smaller temple of Mendut, and Candirejo village to see small farms and get a taste of local lifestyles.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Plataran Heritage Borobudur (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
River Rafting: Today you will have a 3 hour long rafting adventure on the River Elo in the district of Magelang, near Borobudur. This river has a few class III rapids which are quite challenging and fun, although this rafting experience is also fine for inexperienced rafters.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Plataran Heritage Borobudur (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Road journey from Borobudur to Semarang: Depart by road for Semarang, a journey of around 2-3 hours, depending on local conditions.
Flight: GA7527 Semarang - Pangkalan Bun 12.50 - 14.10
Road journey from Pangkalan Bun airport to Kamai port: Upon arrival in Kalimantan, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the river port at Kumai, a 30 minute journey.
Riverboat Adventure: At the port of Kumai, embark on your Klotok, meet your guide and crew, then settle in for your riverboat adventure. Set off in a southerly direction along the estuary before entering the mouth of the Sekonyer river. Travel upstream for around 15km before reaching the Tanjung Puting National Park, looking out for proboscis monkeys and wild orangutans along the way. This afternoon, you will disembark at the Tanjung Harapan orangutan rehabilitation centre for the 3pm feeding time, where you should get your first sighting of these magnificent apes. Return to your Klotok for a short journey to this evening's mooring place. As dusk sets in your crew will start preparing your dinner whilst you look out for the fireflies which are prevalent in this area. Relax on board and enjoy your first night sleeping on deck, surrounded by nature.
Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the Klotok Riverboat Adventure (Mattress on deck)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Riverboat Adventure: After breakfast on board this morning, your klotok will start motoring towards Pondok Tangguy, one of the newest orangutan rehabilitation centre, for their feeding time at 9am. Return to your klotok and head up the narrow Sekonyer river, more murky in colour and very atmospheric, until reaching the famous research centre at Camp Leaky. There will be the opportunity for a trek in search of orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the forests of the Tanjung Puting National Park, followed by the afternoon feeding time for the apes being rehabilitated back into nature. Return to your klotok this afternoon, and start your journey towards the Rimba Lodge where you will disembark and check in for the night.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimba Lodge (Emerald Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
River journey to Kumai: This morning, embark on a boat for the river cruise back to Kumai. Along the way, there will be the chance to spot proboscis monkeys and wild Orangutans.
Road journey to Pangkalan Bun airport: Upon arrival at the river pier, you will be met and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Flight: GA7526 Pangkalan Bun - Semarang 10.55 - 12.15
Flight: GA447 Semarang - Denpasar 14.15 - 16.35
Road journey from Denpasar to Ubud: Upon arrival in Bali, you will be met by your guide and transferred by road to your hotel in Ubud, a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions).
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ananda Cottages (Superior Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Morning at leisure: This morning is at leisure to relax at your hotel, or explore the nearby attractions in Ubud.
Half day cultural tour of Ubud: Start your afternoon cultural tour with a visit to Tohpati, which is known for batik products and continue to Celuk, the center of exquisite silver works and Mas, known for fine woodcarvings. Enter Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali with many fine art galleries, and a home to a score of local and foreign artists. One of them is Agung Rai Museum of Art which has an extensive collection of paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists in classic balinese and contemporary styles. Afterwards, you can test your bargaining skill at Ubud market prior to a visit to Puri Saren Agung, whose royal family ruled Ubud from the late 1800's until 1917.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ananda Cottages (Superior Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Muntigunung Community Trek: Early this morning, drive just over an hour north of Ubud to Lake Batur and set off on a trek to the villages of Muntigunung. These villages are located on the intensely arid northern slopes of Bali's mountains with dramatic views of Mount Agung and the island of Lombok. A guide from the local community will meet you at the starting point of the trek, from which point the path ascends for around an hour to a viewpoint from where you can see the entire caldera and views of Bali's north coast. After a break for snacks and drinks the trail descends to the villages of Muntigunung in the arid foothills of the mountains, with dramatic views of the volcanic canyons. The locals in the vilages lead a harsh life due to an intense dry season which lasts 8 months. A Swiss backed NGO has set up a project to help the villagers by constructing 11 buildings with expansive roofs to collect and channel rainwater into specially designed tanks so locals can have access to water year round. These roofs also provide a place for the villagers to work, making handicrafts such as weaving an sculptures made from pumpkins. The project also oversees the production and processing of rosella tea and cashew nuts to ensure the people have an income and spend time in the villages so that their children can attend school. After visiting the projects depart by road to the north coast for lunch at a small hotel in Tembok, and then return to your hotel in Ubud.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ananda Cottages (Superior Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Road journey from Ubud to Denpasar Airport: At the appropriate time, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Denpasar airport, a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions).
Flight: GA7036 Denpasar - Labuan Bajo 11.00 - 12.25
Private transfer: Upon arriving at the airport of Labuan Bajo, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the port to board your local boat.
Cruise around Komodo Islands National Park: After a welcome briefing on board, the boat sets sail for Komodo Island. On the way, you will stop off at Pink Beach where there will be time swimming and snorkelling before lunch is served on board. After lunch continue on to Komodo Island and take a trek to Banunggulung to see the Komodo dragons. Return to the boat and then depart for Kalong Island, where you will moor for the night and at dusk you will watch thousands of fruit bats flying out from their nests in search of food. Dinner will be served on board. Please note that the following cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.
Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the MV Sea Villa Cruise (Standard Cabin)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cruise around Komodo Islands National Park: Early this morning, depart for Rinca Island in the Komodo National Park. Breakfast will be provided en route. Upon arrive at Rinca Island, take a trek to Waewaso to see Komodo dragons and other wild animals. Afterwards you will begin the journey back to Flores. Lunch will be served en-route and there will be a stop for snorkelling before you arrive back in port.
Private transfer: On arrival at the port, you will be met by your guide and driver.
Private transfer: You will be transferred from the port to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at La Prima Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Morning Flores tour: This morning, time permitting, you will be taken on a tour of Batu Cermin Cave and Ujung fishing village.
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from the La Prima Hotel and transferred to Labuan Bajo Airport for your flight to Denpasar.
Flight: GA7037 Labuan Bajo - Denpasar 12.55 - 14.30
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Denpasar Airport, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the U Paasha Seminyak for a three-night stay.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the U Paasha Seminyak (Suite)
Meals: Breakfast
Days at leisure: Free days to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the U Paasha Seminyak (Suite)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Denpasar Airport for your Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore.
Flight: SQ947 Denpasar - Singapore 20.00 - 22.40
Flight: SQ322 Singapore - London Heathrow 23.30 - 05.55 (overnight)
Meals: Breakfast