Introducing Indonesia
Adventure looms large in this vast and steamy archipelago, where the best of Southeast Asia’s spicy melange simmers tantalisingly. Heady scents, vivid colours, dramatic vistas and diverse cultures spin and multiply to the point of exhaustion, their potent brew leaving your senses reeling.
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Rippling across the equator for nearly 5000km, Indonesia encompasses more than 17,000 islands, two-thirds of which are inhabited and richly layered with character. On Sulawesi, the elaborate funeral ceremonies and timeless traditions of Tana Toraja are light years from the surfing culture of Lombok. But so too are the mighty saddle-backed Batak mansions of Danua Toba and the volcanic lakes of Sumatra from the mummies and deeply etched gorges of Papua’s Baliem Valley. The resorts and restaurants of Bali pamper precocious style cats, while at the same moment threadbare backpackers are adopted by homestays in Kalimantan.
Indonesia’s cities are in a constant state of urban evolution, where dense populations, technology and construction live in hectic symbiosis. But most of the archipelago’s territory remains unexplored, concealing a wealth of cultures and a myriad of landscapes. Oceanic rice fields and ancient sultanates in Java are humbled by haunting volcanic cones. Maluku’s alabaster beaches and desert islands remain pristine while the tourist trail heads elsewhere. The jungles of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua are zoological wonders, revealing impish monkeys, stoic sun bears, leopards, orang-utans and remarkable marsupials.
And then there are the micromoments, equally exquisite but entirely unexpected; impromptu English lessons with school children, instant friendships in crammed bemos, lending an ear to your becak rider… In Indonesia there is plenty of cause to pause, except when dodging hurtling traffic – but that’s all part of the adventure.
Ready to go? These recommended partners make it easy:
- Explore beautiful Bali
- Blend adventure and relaxation with a trip through the Indonesian archipelago
- Join in a Bali reef cruise
Travel Alert: High level terrorism-related warnings have been issued by Western governments concerning travel in Indonesia. Travellers are advised to check their local consular information and monitor the situation in Indonesia closely before making travel plans. Check out Safe Travel for current government warnings. Travellers should also be cautious when drinking locally sourced alcohol; see the Health & Safety pages for details.
Last updated: Jan 19, 2012
Tips & articles
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Finding Indonesia’s perfect wave
14 January 2012
Surfers have long been known for a nomadic lifestyle spent scouring the globe in search of the perfect wave, and...
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7 natural wonders of the world: Lonely Planet readers’ picks
22 November 2011
The New7Wonders Foundation caused no end of controversy and outrage with their shortlist of the world’s natural wonders, and it...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Java in 4 weeks (Pacitan? Malang to Surabaya?)
by athyka 14 September 2011
Hello all, I (solo female traveler for the first time) will be traveling through Java for 4 weeks (about 27 days, maybe more if I decide…
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Working/Volunteering in Asia?
by melitodes 14 September 2011
Dear fellow travellers, I've been to Asia several times and always had great experiences. Now I have some free time and I'd like to make…
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Working/Volunteering in Asia?
by melitodes 14 September 2011
Dear fellow travellers, I've been to Asia several times and always had great experiences. Now I have some free time and I'd like to make…
Hotels & Hostels
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Indonesia
Things to do
- All things to do (1,001)
- Activities (127)
- Entertainment (119)
- Restaurants (361)
- Shopping (154)
- Sights (232)
- Tours (8)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Indonesia
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1 Kelimutu
Multihued crater lakes set atop an ancient volcano
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2 Sumba
Fascinating and isolated island with unique tribal traditions and a rich weaving heritage
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3 Pulau Weh
Undisturbed beaches, visiting whale sharks and sublime diving
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4 Danau Toba
Gracious Batak hospitality and Southeast Asia’s largest volcanic lake
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5 Banda Islands
Sublime snorkelling and pristine coral gardens in history’s fabled Spice Islands
Fast Facts about Indonesia
- Currency:
what's the Indonesian rupiah worth today?
- Population:
240 million
- Head of state:
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
- Border countries:
- Number of islands:
17,508
- Number of active volcanoes:
129
- Number of airports:
683
- Guinness World Records:
largest scuba diving lesson (2465 participants); most people scuba diving simultaneously (2486 divers)
- Sembako:
Indonesia’s nine essential culinary ingredients – rice, sugar, eggs, meat, flour, corn, fuel, cooking oil and salt
Our favourite Indonesia Blogs (beta)
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Staring for Success
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 2 February 2012
Third-world visas are the bane of our existence. Here in Indonesia, many regional immigration offices have a reputation for bureaucracy, corruption, incompetence, and downright meanness. The office here in Maumere is among the worst. For weeks, I’ve been dreading the thought of trying to extend our visa here, but to continue on to the end [...]
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Travel Bali
Blog: My Little Nomads - 31 January 2012
The best articles and information on traveling to Bali. Continue reading → Related Articles: Washington DC With Kids – The Best Things To Do Cheap Hotels In New York City
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I get around: ten non-traditional means of transportation
Blog: See Simi Travel Blog - 30 January 2012
Getting from one place to another always proves to be an interesting and important part of the travel experience. So why not mix it up a little? Below are some ideas for memorable modes of transportation: planes, trains and automobiles have been excused from the list. (But parachutes, jungle trams and motorbikes did).
