Overview
Why Indonesia is the ultimate month-long trip
Indonesia is the most geographically and culturally diverse country in Southeast Asia — 17,000 islands stretched across 5,000 kilometres of equator, with active volcanoes, coral reefs, ancient rainforest and hundreds of languages. It's the kind of country that only really opens up over a long trip.
One month lets you experience far more than just Bali. This route starts in the wild jungles of Sumatra with the orangutans of Bukit Lawang, flies over to the volcanoes of East Java (Bromo and Tumpak Sewu), settles into Bali's culture and beaches, hops the fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis, chases surf and empty coves in Lombok, and finishes with Komodo dragons and pink beaches in the eastern islands.
Budget anywhere from £1,200 for a lean backpacking trip to £4,500+ for a luxurious 5-star holiday. Domestic flights are essential — but they're cheap, frequent and open up regions that would otherwise take days to reach by ferry.
Quick Overview
Duration
30 Days
Country
Indonesia
Best For
Adventure travellers, couples, photographers & backpackers
Budget
£1,200 – £4,500+
Transport
Domestic flights, ferries, fast boats, trains & drivers
Highlights
Orangutans · Volcanoes · Waterfalls · Islands · Diving · Beaches
The Route
Your 30-day Indonesia route
Sumatra → Java → Bali → the small islands east — a logical west-to-east arc built around four internal flights.
Medan (fly in) → Bukit Lawang (car transfer) → East Java via Surabaya (flight) → Bali via Denpasar (flight) → Nusa Penida (fast boat) → Gili Islands (fast boat) → Lombok (public ferry) → Labuan Bajo (flight) → Komodo National Park (boat) → Bali (flight home).
Day 1–4
North Sumatra & Bukit Lawang
Start deep in the jungle. Fly into Medan, transfer four hours through palm plantations, and settle into Bukit Lawang — a river village on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park and one of only two places on earth where you can trek to see wild orangutans.
How to get there
Fly into Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan. Pre-book a private transfer to Bukit Lawang (roughly 4 hours, £30–£45 per car) — public transport is possible but slow. Many guesthouses arrange transfers directly.
Where to stay
Budget
- Garden Inn Bukit Lawang — riverside rooms, jungle views and reliable trekking guides
Mid-Range
- EcoTravel Cottages — well-run eco-lodge with excellent food and licensed guides
Best area to stay: Bukit Lawang Village — everything is walkable along one riverside path.
Things to do
- Half-day orangutan jungle trek with a licensed local guide
- Overnight jungle trek deep into Gunung Leuser National Park (optional)
- Bohorok River tubing back to the village
- Bat Cave hike (short, cool, atmospheric)
- Local Karo village walks through rubber plantations
- Sunrise coffee on the river before the crowds arrive
Ethical trekking notice
Only trek with licensed guides registered with the Bukit Lawang Guide Association (they wear ID badges). Never book a guide who promises feeding or touching — feeding wild orangutans is illegal and spreads disease. Keep a 10-metre distance at all times.
Food recommendations
- Tony's Restaurant — legendary avocado juice and Indonesian classics
- Open-Air Café — riverside dining, great for sunset
- Jungle Hill Café — best breakfast in the village
Day 5–8
East Java: Bromo & Tumpak Sewu
Fly across to Java for the most cinematic landscapes in Indonesia — Mount Bromo's smoking caldera at sunrise and Tumpak Sewu, a horseshoe of waterfalls that feels prehistoric. Base yourself in Malang, a cool highland university town.
How to get there
Fly Medan → Surabaya with Batik, Citilink or Lion Air (2h 15m, £45–£85). From Surabaya, take a Grab or Bluebird taxi to Malang (2.5 hours) or the local train from Gubeng station (2 hours, £3).
Suggested route: Malang (base) → Mount Bromo (overnight) → Tumpak Sewu → back to Malang → fly out of Surabaya.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- The Shalimar Boutique Hotel — colonial-era boutique in central Malang, walking distance to cafés
Things to do
- Mount Bromo sunrise from King Kong Hill (4x4 pickup at 3am)
- Sea of Sand crossing and hike to Bromo's smoking crater rim
- Tumpak Sewu Waterfall — the horseshoe amphitheatre viewpoint plus base hike
- Madakaripura Waterfall — a hidden slot canyon waterfall near Bromo
- Kampung Warna-Warni (Rainbow Village) in Malang
- Tea plantation walks around Batu
Transport between attractions
Bromo, Tumpak Sewu and Madakaripura are best done as a 2-day private jeep tour from Malang (£90–£140 per person). The road access changes seasonally and self-driving is not recommended. Book through your Malang hotel or on Klook.
Food recommendations
- Rawon Nguling — legendary East Javanese black beef soup
- Bakso President — famous meatball soup near the train station
- Taman Indie — atmospheric Javanese restaurant beside a lily pond
Day 9–15
Bali
A week is the sweet spot for Bali — enough time to slow down in Ubud, escape the crowds in Sidemen and end on the surf beaches of the Bukit Peninsula. This is Indonesia's cultural heart: rice paddies, temples, offerings on every doorstep.
How to get there
Fly Surabaya → Denpasar (DPS) with Citilink or AirAsia (1h, £35–£65). Pre-book a Grab or Bluebird from the airport to Ubud (1.5 hours, £15–£20).
Suggested route: Ubud (3 nights) → Sidemen (2 nights) → Uluwatu (2 nights).
Where to stay
Budget
- Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel — Ubud's best-rated hostel with pool, yoga and sociable vibe
Mid-Range
- Adiwana Bisma — jungle-view infinity pool a short walk from Ubud centre
Luxury
- The Kayon Jungle Resort — cliff-edge pool suites over the Petanu river gorge
Best areas to stay: Ubud (culture, cafés, jungle), Sidemen (quiet, rice terraces), Uluwatu (surf, cliffs, sunsets).
Things to do
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces at sunrise before the tour buses arrive
- Tirta Empul water temple purification ritual
- Campuhan Ridge Walk at dawn
- Hidden waterfalls: Tibumana, Kanto Lampo and Tukad Cepung
- Sidemen Valley rice-terrace walks and Mount Agung views
- Melasti Beach and the Uluwatu cliff coast
- Uluwatu Temple + Kecak Fire Dance at sunset
- Bingin Beach — surf and warungs on the sand
Food recommendations
- Zest Ubud — plant-based, incredible cocktails, jungle views
- Milk & Madu (Canggu) — the definitive Bali brunch
- Suka Espresso (Uluwatu) — the go-to surf café
- TYGR Sushi (Uluwatu) — the cliff-top sushi & natural wine bar
- The Cashew Tree (Bingin) — Wednesday night live music dinner
Day 16–17
Nusa Penida
A short fast boat from Sanur delivers you to a completely different Bali — dry, dramatic and rugged, with limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise water. Two nights is enough to hit both the west and east coast highlights.
How to get there
Take the fast boat from Sanur (Maruti Duta, Angel Billabong or El Rey) — 30 minutes, £15–£20 return. Book on 12Go or the day before at any Sanur travel agent. Hire a private driver for the day on Penida (£25–£40).
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Maua Nusa Penida — cliff-top villas with infinity pool near Kelingking Beach
Things to do
- Kelingking Beach viewpoint — the T-Rex cliff
- Diamond Beach on the wild east coast
- Atuh Beach and the sea stacks
- Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong natural pool
- Manta ray snorkelling at Manta Point (early morning, less choppy)
- Crystal Bay for sunset
Day 18–20
Gili Islands
Three tiny car-free islands off Lombok's north-west coast, each with its own personality. Pick one main base — you can easily day-trip between them by public boat.
How to get there
Fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan (Bali) to Gili Trawangan/Air — 2 to 2.5 hours, £25–£40 one-way. Wahana, Eka Jaya and Blue Water Express are the reliable operators. Sea can be rough — sit at the back and outside.
Gili Trawangan — the biggest and liveliest. Best for backpackers, sunset bars and a bit of nightlife.
Gili Air — the balance. Bungalows, yoga, great cafés, a real village atmosphere. Best for most travellers.
Gili Meno — the quietest. Honeymooners, castaway feel, one road. Best for couples and total switch-off.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- PinkCoco Gili Air — flamingo-pink boutique with beach club and pool, on the sunset side
Things to do
- Turtle snorkelling straight off the beach (Gili Air east coast)
- Cycle a lap of Gili Air (1 hour) or Gili Trawangan (1.5 hours)
- Fun dives at Shark Point or Manta Point
- Sunset swings and beach bars on Trawangan's west coast
- Island-hopping boat between all three Gilis
- Freediving courses on Gili Trawangan (Freedive Gili)
Day 21–23
Lombok
Bali's laid-back neighbour — bigger, drier and far emptier. The south coast around Kuta Lombok is a string of curved white-sand bays and world-class surf breaks, still without a fraction of Bali's crowds.
How to get there
Take a public ferry from Bangsal (near Gili Air) to Bangsal harbour on Lombok then Grab down to Kuta (2 hours, £15). Or fast boat directly from Gili Trawangan to Lombok's Teluk Kode / Senggigi.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Origin Lombok — design-led surf hotel with pool, coffee bar and shaper's yard on-site
Best area to stay: Kuta Lombok — walkable town, best restaurants, easy scooter access to every beach.
Things to do
- Selong Belanak Beach — beginner surf and the most photogenic bay
- Tanjung Aan — two crescents of white sand and rocky headlands
- Bukit Merese hilltop for sunset over Tanjung Aan
- Pink Beach (Tangsi) — pink-tinged sand on the south-east coast
- Surf lessons at Selong Belanak or Are Guling
- Benang Kelambu Waterfall in the Rinjani foothills
Day 24–28
Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park
The reason most people come to eastern Indonesia. Labuan Bajo is the gateway port to Komodo National Park — dragons, pink beaches, some of the world's best diving and the impossibly scenic viewpoint of Padar Island.
How to get there
Fly Lombok → Labuan Bajo (LBJ) with Batik or Wings Air (1h 20m, £70–£120). Book early — this route sells out.
Where to stay
Budget
- Seaesta Komodo Hostel & Hotel — Labuan Bajo's best backpacker base with pool and rooftop bar
Mid-Range
- Loccal Collection Hotel — hillside boutique with sunset harbour views
Luxury
- AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach — private-beach 5-star resort, best for a wind-down after diving
Things to do
- Komodo Island — trek with rangers to see wild Komodo dragons
- Padar Island — the classic three-bay viewpoint hike at sunrise
- Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) — snorkel over healthy coral reef
- Manta Point — snorkel or dive with manta rays
- Taka Makassar — a sliver of white sand in open water
- Kanawa Island — day-trip snorkelling straight off the beach
- Amelia Sea View — the best sunset viewpoint above Labuan Bajo
Day trip vs liveaboard
A premium speedboat day trip (£65–£110) hits Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Manta Point in one very long day. A 2 or 3-night liveaboard (£280–£800+) is the way to see the outer islands, dive the drift sites and catch sunrise on Padar without another 100 tourists. Book through Wanua Adventures, Kanawa Divers or on Klook.
Food recommendations
- Carpenter Café — best breakfast in Labuan Bajo, harbour view
- La Cucina — legit Italian on the hillside for a post-boat treat
- Atlantis Beach Club — sunset cocktails and grilled seafood
Day 29–30
Return to Bali
Fly back to Bali for your international departure — and give yourself two full days to slow down, shop and swap sunburn for spa treatments before the long-haul home.
How to get there
Fly Labuan Bajo → Denpasar with Batik or Citilink (1h 20m, £45–£90).
Things to do
- Last-minute shopping in Seminyak or Uluwatu boutiques
- Half-day spa (try Sundari Day Spa or Bodyworks) — from £25
- Beach club afternoon at Ulu Cliffhouse, Savaya or Potato Head
- Airport hotel: Fairfield by Marriott Bali South Kuta (5-minute shuttle)
- Luggage storage at DPS airport or Left Luggage Bali (£3/day)
Getting around
Indonesia Transport Guide
Indonesia is huge and archipelagic — internal flights and fast boats do the heavy lifting.
Domestic flights
Garuda Indonesia (full-service flag carrier), Batik Air (reliable, comfortable), AirAsia Indonesia and Citilink (low-cost) cover every route in this itinerary. Flying is the only time-efficient option for Medan → Surabaya, Surabaya → Bali, Lombok → Labuan Bajo and back. Book on Skyscanner, Traveloka or 12Go 2–4 weeks ahead.
Trains
Only useful on Java — Surabaya, Malang and Probolinggo are all connected by comfortable trains via KAI. Executive class is £5–£12 and beats a bus for comfort. Book through the official KAI Access app or 12Go. There are no trains on Bali, Sumatra or the eastern islands.
Fast boats
The workhorse of eastern Indonesia. Key routes: Bali ↔ Nusa Penida (30 min from Sanur), Bali ↔ Gili Islands (2–2.5h from Padang Bai), Lombok ↔ Gili Islands (20 min public boat from Bangsal). Book on 12Go. Sit at the back and outside if you're prone to motion sickness.
Ride-hailing: Grab & Gojek
Grab and Gojek are both fully available in Medan, Surabaya, Malang, Denpasar and the Bali tourist zones. Both do cars, motorbike taxis and food delivery. Coverage in Ubud is fine but pickup zones are restricted (local taxi mafia rules). No coverage on the Gili Islands, Nusa Penida or Labuan Bajo — use hotel drivers or scooter hire.
Private drivers
In Bali, Lombok and Nusa Penida a full-day private driver is £25–£40 and by far the easiest way to cover multiple sights. Every hotel can arrange one. WhatsApp is the standard booking channel.
Apps to download
Grab, Gojek, 12Go (buses/ferries/trains/flights in one place), Google Maps (with offline maps saved for each region) and Klook for Komodo trips, Bromo tours and orangutan trekking packages.
The Numbers
Indonesia Budget Breakdown
All-in estimates per person for 30 days — accommodation, food, four internal flights, fast boats, activities including orangutan trekking and a Komodo trip. International flights excluded.
| Budget Style | Cost For 30 Days | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | £1,200 – £1,700 | Guesthouses & hostels, warungs, public boats and buses, group tours for Komodo and Bromo. |
| Mid-Range | £2,200 – £3,500 | 3-star hotels and villas, restaurants, all internal flights, fast boats and a private Komodo day trip. |
| Luxury | £4,500+ | Boutique resorts, private drivers, business-class flights, liveaboard Komodo cruise and spa villas. |
Accommodation
- Backpacker£10–£18/night
- Mid-Range£40–£85/night
- Luxury£180+/night
Food
- Backpacker£10/day
- Mid-Range£22/day
- Luxury£55+/day
Flights & ferries
- Backpacker£220 total
- Mid-Range£380 total
- Luxury£700+ total
Activities (Komodo + Bromo + orangutans)
- Backpacker£280
- Mid-Range£520
- Luxury£1,200+
Add roughly £700–£1,100 for return flights from the UK depending on season.
FAQ
Common questions about 1 month in Indonesia
Keep planning
Related Indonesia & Asia guides
Indonesia destination guide
Islands, regions, costs, visas and FAQs.
Best time to visit Indonesia
Wet vs dry season by region.
Indonesia travel costs
Per-day breakdowns for every travel style.
Bali travel guide
Ubud, Uluwatu, Canggu and hidden corners.
North Sumatra travel guide
Medan, Bukit Lawang and Lake Toba.
Bukit Lawang travel guide
Ethical orangutan trekking and jungle stays.
East Java travel guide
Malang, Bromo and Ijen Blue Fire.
Mount Bromo guide
Sunrise tours, transport and where to stay.
Komodo National Park guide
Day trips, liveaboards and dive sites.
Lombok travel guide
Kuta, Rinjani and empty south-coast beaches.
Southeast Asia backpacking routes
More day-by-day itineraries across the region.
Indonesia travel tips
Money, visas, scooter safety and etiquette.