1 Week in Indonesia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Bali 

Explore an island paradise on Bali during this weeklong tour that takes you to a unique "floating temple," the spectacular Munduk Waterfalls, and to the summit of Mount Batur for memorable views at sunrise.

Welcome to Bali! You'll spend the first night in Canggu and visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Day 2, overnighting in Munduk. Hike to the picturesque Munduk Waterfalls and soak in the nearby hot springs on Day 3. Trek to the Twin Lakes Viewpoint to enjoy sweeping views of the lakes below, then finish the day with a traditional Indonesian meal. 

You'll spend part of the next day exploring the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. Move on to Ubud to visit museums and points of cultural interest. Get to bed early because Day 5 brings an early wake-up call: you'll hike to Mount Batur in time to see the sunrise from the summit. Relax in the hot springs of Pura Batur. Then do some souvenir shopping at Sukawati Market before the trip ends. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Bali & Lombok Family Adventure

Discover the top highlights of two islands, Bali and Lombok, on this family-oriented tour that includes boating, beaches, a cooking class with a Balinese chef, a hike to a waterfall, and several days of snorkeling and outdoor adventures in the pristine waters around the Gili Islands.

Spend the first few days of the trip in Bali. Base yourself in Ubud, doing some sightseeing in the city and taking a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Balinese food. By day three, you'll be off to Lombok. Travel by boat and check in to your hotel in Senggigi. It's a great jumping-off point for exploring the Gili Islands, a trio of small islands near the coast of Lombok. 

You'll go snorkeling several times in the next few days. Travel by boat around the three Gili Islands, stopping at different points to get a close-up view of colorful sea life. You'll even have the chance to swim alongside sea turtles and view underwater statues off the shores of Gili Meno. Between snorkeling excursions, refreshments will be served on the boat. Ride a speedboat back to Bali on Day 6 and spend the last evening of the trip in Sanur. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Explore Flores & the Komodo Archipelago

Get off the beaten path on this adventurous itinerary around western Flores and the Komodo Archipelago, hiking through lush jungles, exploring quiet caves, and sleeping in a traditional cone-shaped hut along the journey.

Begin your trip on Flores Island by boarding a boat to explore Rangko Cave. Go swimming in the cave's turquoise waters, then dine on grilled seafood on the harborfront in Labuan Bajo, the town where you'll spend the night. Trek around Cunca Wulang and its limestone cliffs before heading to the village of Pusut, where you'll overnight in a homestay. The next morning, hike up the hill outside of Pusut for breathtaking views over the "spiderweb" rice fields below.

In Mangarai, you'll meet a village chief and learn about Indigenous traditions before sleeping in a traditional cone-shaped hut with a local family. You'll be on a boat for the last few days of the itinerary, enjoying wonderful views as you navigate through the Savu Sea and Komodo National Park. Spot Komodo dragons in the wild on the next day's guided hike—you're also likely to see lizards, wild pigs, and parrots. Relax on the famed Pink Beach before the trip is over. Learn more

Itinerary #4: North Sumatra Adventure 

On this weeklong journey around North Sumatra, you'll explore rugged terrain on a Jeep tour, interact with elephants at a rehabilitation center, learn about Indigenous traditions, and view orangutans in their natural habitat. 

Welcome to Medan on the island of Sumatra, a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Batak cultures. Go on a walking tour of the city and step inside the Great Mosque—one of the most beautiful mosques in the country—before dining in Chinatown. You'll see elephants up close on Day 2 while visiting a rehabilitation center in Gunung Leuser National Park.

The next day brings a Jeep tour of the jungle, followed by an overnight on a farm. On Day 4, you'll see orangutans in the wild in Bukit Lawang. Then catch the ferry to Samosir Island, spending the last part of the journey learning about Indigenous ways of life as you tour historic villages and enjoy views of bright blue Lake Toba and majestic Sipiso-piso Waterfall in the highlands. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Discover Borneo & Java

Interact with orangutans, spot wild pigs in their natural habitats, cruise through the jungle in Puting National Park, and sightsee in Jakarta on this seven-day tour through Java and  Borneo, the third-largest island in the world.

Kick off the trip in Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Stroll through the historic center of Kota Tua and watch the old wooden boats in the harbor at Sunda Kelapa. Then catch a quick flight to Pangkalan Bun, Borneo. You'll board a boat that takes you along the Sekonyer River through Tanjung Puting National Park. Look for open for orangutans, monkeys, bush pigs, wild deer, and a diverse variety of birds.

As the cruise continues, you'll enjoy several interesting stops along the way, including an orangutan rehabilitation center. Go on a guided jungle hike, then continue to the harbor of Kumai, where you'll transfer to the airport and catch a flight to Semarang. It's then on to Yogyakarta, Java's cultural capital. You'll visit historical sites around town, including the sacred temple of Prambanan, erected in the ninth century, the ornate Sultan Palace, and the water palace of Taman Sari. Finish with a tour of Borobudur Temple, built between the eighth and ninth centuries—it's home to 504 Buddha statues. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Indonesia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Indonesia? Check out these other seven-day Indonesia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.