Indonesia is every traveller’s dream destination - it really has it all. Beaches? Tick. Jungle? Tick. Amazing food? Tick! From the orangutans of Borneo to the marine animals of the Indian Ocean, wildlife-lovers are spoilt for choice. Then there's the cities and cultural urban centres, home to stunning local crafts and a modern slice of Indonesia.
Highlights of Indonesia
Bali is perhaps the best-known of Indonesia's 17,000 islands. But Sumatra, Lombok and Kalimantan have just as much to offer the intrepid traveller. Check out the lakes of Kelimutu, which lie in volcano craters near the town of Moni, try a jungle trek in the rainforests of Lombok, go diving in the clear waters of Sumatra, or get lost in the Kalimantan wilderness!
Java is the most populated of all the Indonesian islands. It offers everything from active volcanoes to historical 1000-years-old monuments, and is home to the capital city of Jakarta, with lots of markets and the huge palace of sultans called Kraton. Visit the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah cultural park in Jakarta to see some traditional houses and cultural performances (especially on Sundays).
Also on the island of Java is Yogyakarta. It's the centre of Javanese culture and fine arts. Don’t miss the 1200-year-old Buddhist relic Borobudur stupa. This immense and mysterious monument covering a small hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the greatest South East Asian Buddhist monuments.
Cultural experiences
Indonesia consists of an interesting mix of cultures - there are approximately 700 languages spoken and 320 ethnical groups in this country. Most of the population is Muslim. Because of the great mélange of different ethnicities, there are lots of big festivals throughout the year that are worth experiencing. See the Torajan funereal feasts held in central Sulawesi - celebrated between August and October, Larantuka Island’s Easter Parade and of course the Balinese New Year held around March-April.