Indonesia Private Tour Packages

Before travelling to Indonesia, it’s important to be aware of the entry requirements. Most visitors need a visa, and many nationalities are eligible for a Visa On Arrival, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended once. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, and proof of onward travel may be required. For longer stays or multiple visits, arranging a visa in advance is recommended.

As of late 2025, Indonesia has also introduced a new digital “All Indonesia” arrival card, which combines immigration, customs, and health declarations into one online form. Travellers complete it up to 72 hours before arrival and receive a QR code to present at check-in or on landing. It is free of charge and mandatory from September 1, 2025, at Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya airports, and from October 1, 2025, at all international airports across the country. This requirement is separate from your visa, so both must be prepared before travelling.

Getting around Indonesia requires some planning, as it is the world’s largest archipelago with more than 17,000 islands. While ferries and speedboats connect some areas, domestic flights are the most efficient way to travel between major islands such as Java, Bali, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. Within cities and towns, travellers often rely on private drivers, ride-hailing apps, or motorbikes. Journeys can take longer than expected, so it’s wise to keep your schedule flexible.

The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and cash is still widely used. ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist centres, while larger hotels and shops accept credit cards. Smaller towns and rural areas, however, often require cash, so carrying some rupiah on hand is essential for local purchases, tips, and markets.

Health and safety are also important considerations. While major cities like Jakarta, Bali, and Yogyakarta have adequate medical facilities, rural and remote areas are more limited. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised, particularly one that covers medical evacuation. It is also sensible to check vaccination requirements or malaria precautions with your doctor before departure.

Indonesia’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest strengths. The country is home to hundreds of ethnic groups, with Islam being the majority religion, Hinduism predominant in Bali, and Christianity and traditional beliefs found elsewhere. Respecting local customs is key: dress modestly at religious sites, act politely, and show patience in your interactions.

Finally, staying connected is relatively straightforward. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and cafés, though speeds vary. Purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM on arrival is inexpensive and provides more reliable access to maps, messaging, and translation tools during your travels.

Indonesia does not have “states” in the way countries like the United States or Australia do. Instead, it is divided into 38 provinces (provinsi), each with its own governor and capital. Together these provinces stretch across more than 17,000 islands, making Indonesia the world’s largest archipelago and one of its most diverse nations.

On Sumatra, the provinces include Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, and Lampung. Each has its own identity - Aceh is known for its Islamic heritage, while North Sumatra is home to Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake.

Java is Indonesia’s most populous island and the country’s economic and political hub. Its provinces are Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, alongside Jakarta, the Special Capital Region. Here you’ll find the country’s busiest cities, cultural centres, and historical landmarks.

Across the Bali and Nusa Tenggara region, the provinces of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara reveal striking cultural contrasts, from Bali’s Hindu temples to Komodo National Park in Flores.

On Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of Borneo), there are five provinces: West, Central, South, East, and North Kalimantan. This region is rich in rainforests, rivers, and Dayak culture, and also the future home of Indonesia’s planned new capital, Nusantara.

Sulawesi is split into six provinces: North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi. The island is famous for its Toraja highland rituals, volcanic landscapes, and world-class marine parks like Bunaken.

In the Maluku Islands, the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku preserve the legacy of the fabled Spice Islands, where nutmeg and cloves once shaped global trade.

Finally, there is Papua and its surrounding provinces in the far east: Papua, Central Papua, Highland Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, and West Papua. This vast region is home to extraordinary biodiversity, ancient traditions, and hundreds of Indigenous cultures. It is also an area of political sensitivity, as some groups in West Papua seek independence. Travellers should approach with care and respect, as many communities maintain unique cultural identities while living in areas of exceptional natural beauty such as Raja Ampat and the Baliem Valley.

The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, often shortened to Indonesian. It is a unifying language spoken across the archipelago and taught in schools, used in government, media, and business. Bahasa Indonesia is based on Malay but has been shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, drawing vocabulary from Javanese, Sanskrit, Arabic, Dutch, Portuguese, and English.

Although Indonesian is the common thread, the country is home to an extraordinary range of regional languages and dialects - more than 700 in total. The most widely spoken include Javanese, the mother tongue of around 80 million people, as well as Sundanese, Balinese, Batak, Bugis, and many Papuan languages. These local languages are often used at home and in community life, while Indonesian provides a shared means of communication across provinces and islands.

English is increasingly used in tourism, higher education, and international business, especially in major cities, Bali, and other well-visited destinations. Dutch and Arabic remain part of Indonesia’s linguistic history, though they are less common today.

For travellers, learning a few basic phrases in Bahasa Indonesia is appreciated and can make interactions more personal. Simple words like halo (hello), terima kasih (thank you), tolong (please), and selamat tinggal (goodbye) are useful and show respect for local culture.

Indonesia is one of the world’s most varied destinations, stretching across more than 17,000 islands and thousands of kilometres. Because of its size, the best time to visit depends not only on the season but also on the region you plan to explore.

For many travellers, the most comfortable time is May to September. During these months, much of the country experiences drier, sunnier weather, which makes travel easier and outdoor experiences more enjoyable. It is the ideal season for exploring Java’s temples such as Borobudur and Prambanan, walking through Bali’s rice terraces, or sailing among the islands of Komodo National Park. Volcano trekking is at its best, with clearer skies and safer conditions for hikes up Mount Bromo or Mount Rinjani. Not surprisingly, this period is also peak season, so major sites can feel busy, especially in July and August.

From October to April, conditions shift. This is often called the “green season,” as rains sweep across much of the archipelago, refreshing the landscapes and filling rice paddies, rivers, and waterfalls. Showers are usually heavy but brief, and they create a more atmospheric backdrop for travel. This time of year is perfect for travellers who prefer fewer crowds and a slower pace. Bali and Java remain lively with ceremonies and festivals, while the countryside glows with colour. Diving is especially good in regions like Raja Ampat in West Papua or Wakatobi in Sulawesi, where marine life thrives year-round but visibility is often excellent in the wetter months.

It’s also worth noting that Indonesia’s regions don’t all follow the same seasonal rhythm. The Maluku Islands and Raja Ampat, for example, have different rainfall patterns, with calmer seas and clearer skies often found between October and April, which is opposite to the “dry season” elsewhere. This makes Indonesia unique in that there is always somewhere ideal to visit, no matter the month.

For families and first-time visitors, May to September is often the easiest option, as transport links run smoothly and popular sites are fully accessible. For repeat travellers or those seeking quieter, more immersive experiences, the October to April green season can be incredibly rewarding, with dramatic landscapes, thriving local festivals, and more personal encounters.

In short, May to September suits those who want stability and classic sightseeing, while October to April appeals to travellers looking for atmosphere, lush scenery, and a deeper cultural connection. With Indonesia’s vast size and diverse climate zones, the “best” time is really about choosing the experience that matters most to you.

In Indonesia, how you dress is shaped by respect for local customs as well as the varied settings you’ll find across its 17,000 islands. Day to day, casual and lightweight clothing is fine in cities, towns, and beach resorts, but modesty and neatness are appreciated everywhere.

When visiting religious sites such as temples, mosques, or churches, modest dress is important. For men and women, this usually means covering shoulders and knees. In Bali, sarongs and sashes are often provided at temple entrances, but carrying a light scarf or shawl makes it easy to adapt. In mosques, women are expected to cover their heads, arms, and legs, while men should avoid shorts. Shoes are always removed before entering a place of worship.

In more rural areas and traditional villages, dressing modestly also helps interactions feel more respectful and natural. Clothing that is overly revealing can be considered inappropriate and may make locals uncomfortable. A simple T-shirt and long trousers or a skirt are often the most practical and culturally sensitive choice.

For urban areas and resorts, Indonesians tend to dress smartly in public, especially in the evenings. While shorts and tank tops are common on the beach, you’ll blend in better with neat casual clothing when dining out, shopping, or attending cultural performances.

A popular and versatile local item is the batik shirt or dress, worn for both formal and semi-formal occasions. Buying or wearing batik not only shows cultural appreciation but also gives travellers a comfortable and stylish way to join in local traditions.

Indonesia’s food is as diverse as its 17,000 islands, with each region offering distinctive flavours and specialties. Meals usually balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes, and are often served family-style, with rice at the centre of the table.

A must-try dish is nasi goreng, Indonesia’s famous fried rice, often topped with a fried egg and served with satay skewers or prawns. Another staple is mie goreng, fried noodles with vegetables and meat or seafood. You’ll also find countless variations of satay (sate) - grilled skewers served with peanut sauce, a national favourite.

In Bali, try babi guling (roast suckling pig) and lawar, a spiced mix of vegetables, coconut, and minced meat. On Java, gudeg from Yogyakarta is a signature dish made with young jackfruit stewed in coconut milk and spices. In Sumatra, fiery Padang cuisine dominates, with dishes like rendang, a slow-cooked dry beef curry rich with coconut and spices, and sambal, the ubiquitous chilli paste that accompanies almost every meal.

Indonesia is also known for its soups and stews, such as soto ayam, a turmeric chicken soup, and bakso, a comforting meatball soup popular across the country. On the coast, seafood is plentiful - grilled fish, prawns, and squid are often served fresh from the day’s catch.

For snacks, sample martabak (stuffed pancakes), pisang goreng (fried bananas), or klepon, sweet rice cakes filled with palm sugar. Tropical fruits like mango, rambutan, salak (snake fruit), and durian add a refreshing finish.

For a short trip of 7-10 days, most travellers focus on Bali and perhaps one neighbouring island such as Lombok or the Gili Islands. In a week, you can experience Bali’s cultural heart in Ubud with its temples, rice terraces, and traditional ceremonies, while also spending time on the southern coast in Nusa Dua, Seminyak, or Jimbaran for beach relaxation. Adding a few days in Lombok or the Gilis gives you a taste of quieter beaches, island cycling, and snorkelling. This is the perfect timeframe for a first visit if you want a mix of culture, landscapes, and coastal leisure without too much travel.

With around two weeks, you can begin to combine different islands for a more varied journey. Many travellers pair Bali with Java, flying into Yogyakarta to explore the UNESCO-listed temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, sample Javanese cuisine, and enjoy village cycling tours. Another popular option is to combine Bali with Flores and Komodo National Park, where a liveaboard cruise takes you to see Komodo dragons, snorkel with manta rays, and hike Padar Island for its iconic viewpoint. Two weeks offers a balanced mix of culture, adventure, and island-hopping, while still allowing downtime to relax.

A longer trip of three weeks or more is the ideal way to truly appreciate Indonesia’s scale. With this amount of time, you can move beyond the classic Bali - Java - Komodo circuit to include regions like Sulawesi, with its Toraja highland rituals and Bunaken’s world-class diving, or Sumatra, home to orangutan trekking in Bukit Lawang and the volcanic scenery of Lake Toba. Some travellers choose to journey through Kalimantan (Borneo) on a riverboat to see orangutans in Tanjung Puting National Park, or fly to Papua’s Raja Ampat, one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. With careful pacing, three to four weeks allows you to visit three or four very different regions without rushing.

For those with a month or longer, Indonesia becomes an immersive journey rather than a single holiday. Extended stays allow for slow travel, deeper cultural interaction, and time to explore less-visited islands such as Sumba, the Maluku Islands, or West Papua. You might combine overland journeys, such as a week-long drive across Flores, with island-hopping cruises, rural homestays, and urban explorations in Jakarta or Surabaya. Travelling at this pace highlights not only Indonesia’s famous sites but also its quieter rhythms, from village traditions to remote natural wonders.

In summary, the right length of stay depends on your goals:

• 7-10 days: A focused introduction, usually Bali plus one nearby island.

• 14 days: A broad but comfortable journey, combining Bali with Java, Flores, or Lombok.

• 21+ days: A deep dive across multiple regions, with time for adventure and cultural immersion.

• 1 month+: A once-in-a-lifetime exploration of Indonesia’s extraordinary variety.

Because of Indonesia’s size and the travel time between destinations, it’s always better to choose fewer regions and explore them fully rather than rush through too many islands.

Yes - Indonesia combines very well with neighbouring countries, and a private tour operator can arrange the logistics smoothly. Because the archipelago is so large and well connected by air, it’s quite easy to add a second destination to your journey.

One of the most common pairings is Indonesia and Singapore. Many international flights to Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya connect through Singapore, so it’s convenient to spend a few days there at the start or end of your trip. The city-state’s modern skyline, hawker food culture, and gardens provide an interesting contrast to Indonesia’s islands and traditions.

Another popular option is Indonesia and Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a major air hub for flights to Bali, Lombok, and Sumatra. Combining the two allows you to explore Malaysia’s colonial towns, highlands, and wildlife alongside Indonesia’s cultural and natural highlights.

Travellers also frequently combine Indonesia with Thailand or Vietnam, flying between Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City and Bali or Jakarta. This pairing works well for those who want Indonesia’s temples, beaches, and island-hopping blended with another country’s cuisine, history, and city life.

Because Indonesia’s distances are large and flight connections vary, it helps to use a specialist tour operator to design a seamless route. Companies such as Asia Unbound can arrange private transfers, regional flights, and guided tours so that border crossings, visas, and schedules are handled smoothly. This allows you to focus on enjoying each destination rather than managing complex logistics.