Things to Do in Indonesia

Located in West Java, Mount Salak is one of the most accessible volcanoes from Jakarta, and hasn’t erupted since 1935. It’s popular among climbers and nature lovers, with various routes on the mountain range leading up to different peaks. The hiking here is known for being wet and muddy, with often obscured views due to cloud and fog. However, there’s a great deal of variety to be found on Mount Salak’s slopes, including dense jungle terrain, craters, and wildlife – the latter ranging from frogs and reptiles to birds and mammals. 

Mount Salak has seven peaks and offers a number of climbing routes. Peak 1 is the highest and is visited via routes from the east, through Cimelati and Cicurug. It’s a steep but straightforward hike through forest, with very few challenges, and takes approximately four hours to reach the summit. Here, climbers will find a blue sign, a grave site, and two covered shelters, not to mention sweeping views over the forested valleys and lower peaks (weather conditions permitting, of course).

One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, Mt. Merapi’s name literally means “mountain of red fire.” The mountain, which looms over Borobudur, occupies a sacred place in the hearts and minds of many Javanese. When it’s not closed or partially closed due to volcanic activity, Merapi also makes for a spectacular volcano hike or climb.

Volcanologists closely monitor Merapi’s activity levels and, if necessary, will close the mountain to visitors. But when the 9,613-foot (2,930-meter) Gunung (Mount) Merapi is open, hiking is the most popular way to experience it. Hiking tours typically include door-to-door round-trip transfers from Yogyakarta, mountain guiding, food, and drink.

Five-hour treks to the summit and the crater rim, which include challenging features such as volcanic scree, happen at night so hikers see the sunrise and the sensational view—Merapi protrudes 4,449 feet (1,356 meters) from the surrounding highlands. More leisurely daytime hikes along the slopes typically focus on the local flora and fauna. Jeep tours of the lower slopes are also available.

Most Merapi hikes begin in the village of Selo, about 47 miles (75 kilometers) from Yogyakarta (or the airport); the drive can take between 90 minutes and three hours. As there is no practical public transportation and a guide comes in handy on the mountain, most travelers opt for an organized Mt. Merapi volcano climb from Yogyakarta.

While it can rain on Java year-round, hikers should visit Merapi during the dry season (April until September). On a clear night with a full moon, the climb and views are spectacular. During rainy season (roughly October to March), the weather is cold, the path is slippery, sulphur in the air becomes unusually oppressive, and it’s impossible to see the view. 

With around 130 active volcanoes, it’s unsurprising that Indonesia’s hundreds of ethnic groups have developed their own beliefs around these fiery mountains. Mt. Merapi is just one of a wealth of sacred volcanoes. Others include Mt. Agung on Bali, Mt. Bromo in central Java, and Mt. Rinjani on Lombok.

Bali is known for it beautiful beaches, but the interior has its own appeal. Here you’ll find one of the region’s most active volcanoes, Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur), rising 5,633 feet (1,717 meters) above sea level In the highlands of Kintamani.

To best appreciate the Mount Batur experience, sign up for an early-morning trek to the summit. Such excursions typically depart from Ubud at 2am or 3am and arrive at the base of the volcano while it’s still dark. Trekkers then make the 2-hour journey to the top of the volcano using headlamps and the light of the moon, an effort rewarded with amazing sunrise views of Mt. Agung and the surrounding mountains. Since Mt. Batur is an active volcano, you’ll likely also get to experience a very unique breakfast of eggs boiled on the lava-heated rocks. After you’ve made the trip, nearby Lake Batur offers hot springs perfect for relaxing tired muscles. It’s also possible to combine your Mt. Batur sunrise trek with whitewater rafting on the Ayung River or a coffee plantation tour.

While it’s possible to climb Mt. Batur without a tour guide, it’s much more convenient (and safe) to visit as part of a guided tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Ubud, as well as breakfast at the top. The starting point for the hike is usually the village of Toya Bungkah, about an hour by bus from Ubud.

Since Mt. Batur remains one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, it’s important to inquire about current activity before making the trek. For the best chance of clear skies and dry weather, plan to visit between April and October. July and August tend to be busiest on the trails.

It takes about two hours to make the ascent to the top of Mt. Batur, and the hike is almost entirely uphill over jagged volcanic rocks. It’s a moderately difficult hike suitable for those with at least an average fitness level. 

One of three lakes within the crater of the long-dormant Bratan volcano, Lake Beratan (Danau Bratan) occupies about 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometers) of highland real estate. The star attraction is the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan water temple, but there are also some World War II–era caves, and boat rides on the lake are available.

 

There is no charge to visit Lake Beratan, although a small fee is required to visit the temple of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Most people visit Lake Beratan as part of a tour that includes Bedugul and the central highlands, or Bedugul and north Bali. Many tours focus on the temple, though some include a short boat ride. Hiking is also popular, including a challenging route to the summit of Mt. Catur.

 

Lake Beratan sits in the caldera of the ancient Bratan volcano, by the town of Bedugul, on the main road north from Denpasar to Singaraja. It’s a 2-hour drive from Kuta. Self-driving around Bedugul can be slow and tiring if you don’t know the roads, so many visitors opt to book a tour or arrange for a private driver.

 

Lake Beratan is a popular destination for locals and visitors from elsewhere in Indonesia, so the area can become congested on weekends and public holidays. To beat the tour bus crowds and get the best view of the mirror-like waters, aim to arrive early in the morning.

 

Lake Beratan has been sacred to inhabitants of Bali since time immemorial, and its temple, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, dates back to the 17th century. Dedicated to the goddess of the lake (Dewi Danau), the temple was created by the same king of Mengwi who built Taman Ayun Temple, and the two buildings share a similar style of architecture.

The National Monument sits in the center of Jakarta’s Merdeka Square and was built to commemorate Indonesia's struggle for independence. The tower’s construction began in 1961 under President Soekarno, and the monument – also known as Monas – was finally opened to the public in July 1971.

The tower stands at more than 130 meters tall and is topped with a burning flame, symbolizing that the spirit of the Indonesian people will never be extinguished. The flame is made from bronze metal and coated with gold foil, while the main structure symbolizes a rice pestle and mortar, thereby representing Indonesia’s agricultural history. These objects are also said to symbolize fertility by representing the male and the female. 

A lift on the southern side of the monument takes visitors up to the viewing platform at 115 meters above ground level. The National Monument is surrounded by a well-kept park, often used for sports and recreational activities.

The seaside village of Kusamba in eastern Bali fronts a miles-long volcanic sand beach where traditional sea salt harvesting and fishing continue to be important to the local way of life. Although Kusamba is not one of Bali’s best swimming beaches—it’s scorching hot black sand makes lazing uncomfortable—it comes alive at night and in the predawn hours when prahu fishing boats patrol the nearshore waters and salt workers ferry buckets of seawater on bamboo shoulder-top slings from the shore. Fish are displayed in the town market, but salt making is a process that continues throughout the day. The saltwater is spread over sections of the black sand beach and allowed to crystalize in hot sun. The sand is later collected and rinsed with freshwater before being placed into sifters and eventually wooden vats and atop timber planks for drying. The coarse, iodine-rich salt is finally scooped into woven baskets for sale using coconut halves.

Kusamba also serves as the main access point to Nusa Penida, the largest in a cluster of three islands some seven miles offshore. Though it has limited tourism infrastructure, the Island is inhabited by some 40,000 people and is home to several endangered Balinese bird species.

Located in Central Java about 29 miles (47 km) north of Yogyakarta, the town of Magelang is the closest major town to the UNESCO-listed ancient Buddhist temples of Borobudur. Due to its proximity to the temple, many visitors stop for a night or two in the town to catch the sunrise at Borobudur 7 miles (12 km) away.

Apart from the famous temple, Magelang also serves as a convenient base for explorations of Mount Merapi National Park, home of one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes as well as the beautiful Kedung Kayang Waterfall, and Ketep Pass, where travelers find spectacular views of both Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu.

Back in town, Magelang is most famous for getuk, a sweet local specialty made with cassava, sugar and grated coconut.

Bali’s Museum Gedung Arca, also known as Museum Arkeologi or the Pejeng Archaeological Museum, stands in the village of Pejeng, not far from Ubud. Established in the mid-20th century and renovated in 2016, the museum boasts an eclectic collection that covers archaeological finds from millennia of human occupation on Bali. 

At the small Museum Gedung Arca, on the outskirts of Ubud, entrance and tours are free. Guides lead visitors around the eclectic selection of Stone Age tools, Bronze Age relics, and mysterious sarcophagi. 

The museum is not a common stop on Bali tours. Those with a keen interest in prehistory or archaeology can arrange a visit with a private guide, perhaps combined with stops at historic temples such as Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul, and Yeh Pulu.

Not far from the water temple of Tirta Empul and the rock-cut shrines (candi) of Gunung Kawi, the village of Pejeng sits on the Tampaksiring road, around 4 miles (6 kilometers) east of Ubud in central Bali. Most visitors use a private driver or driver/guide, as public transport is not an option. If you’re confident facing Indonesia’s spirited drivers, there is plenty of parking. 

The Museum Gedung Arca is closed weekends, so visiting during the week is a must. The museum is never busy, but if you’d like to take advantage of the free guide service, avoid lunchtime and Balinese festival days.

Indonesian archaeology is in its infancy, relatively speaking, yet researchers are unfolding rich layers of human occupation across the archipelago’s many thousands of islands. From Stone Age tools to Chinese ceramics and Bronze Age drums, Bali’s archaeology reveals a sophisticated web of trading and migration.

One of Ubud’s big three art galleries, Museum Puri Lukisan sits slap-bang in the heart of downtown Ubud. Collections cover not only Balinese paintings and drawings but also wood carvings and work by foreign artists. The Puri Lukisan gallery is also Ubud’s oldest art museum, founded in 1956 by a foundation established in 1936.

 

Set on Ubud’s main street, Jalan Raya Ubud, Museum Puri Lukisan is easy enough to visit independently—the collection is well-labeled and easy to navigate. The east building features classical Ubud art, including 16th-century cloth paintings, ink drawings by the master I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, and art by 1930s expats star in the north building. Colorful contemporary paintings adorn the west building, including works by Dutch-born Indonesian artist Arie Smit. The south building is mainly used for exhibitions.

 

Museum Puri Lukisan is a popular stop on Ubud coach tours. To get the most out of the gallery, though, it’s worth choosing a dedicated art or cultural tour.

 

 

Set in the heart of downtown Ubud, the Puri Lukisan museum is walkable from most Ubud accommodations. The Kura-Kura Bus from Sanur stops literally at the door. Rather than brave the hectic traffic and limited parking in Ubud, many travelers from Kuta and south Bali choose to join a tour or hire a private driver for the day.

 

Open year-round, with the exception of the Nyepi "Day of Silence" holiday, Puri Lukisan Museum is generally best visited in the mornings. It’s a popular afternoon stop for large coach parties. As some of the charm is in the garden, it’s best visited on a dry day, which are more frequent during Bali’s dry season (roughly March to September).

 

From commercial art galleries to large-scale institutions and, of course, the traditional art market, Ubud is known as Bali’s art capital for a reason. The three Balinese art galleries that culturally minded visitors won’t want to miss are the Puri Lukisan Museum, the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), and the Neka Art Museum.

A mellow, family-centered resort on the north coast of Bali, Lovina offers gray-black beaches and more affordable prices than you’ll find at the buzzing resorts to the south. The main attraction is a sunrise dolphin-watching trip. Guests also enjoy diving and snorkeling on the coral reef, and hiking in the hills beyond town.

 

Lovina is a worthwhile destination itself, to chill on the dark sand beaches, hike in the hills, watch dolphins, and explore other coastal attractions. However, many will visit as part of a larger north Bali day tour, combining a sunrise dolphin trip with stops at the Gitgit or Sekumpul waterfalls and in Bedugul. A handful of Lovina dolphin tours also include snorkeling around the spectacular coral near Menjangan Island, a couple of hours west.

 

Lovina sits on Bali’s north coast, around 6 miles (9 kilometers) east of the city of Singaraja. Perama shuttle buses connect Lovina to the major tourist hubs of Kuta, Ubud, and Sanur, as well as northerly destinations such as Padangbai, Candidasa, and Bedugul. North Bali is generally kinder to self-drivers than south Bali, but many will still find it easier to hire a driver.

 

If you’re visiting Lovina to enjoy the narrow beach, the weather is most cooperative during the dry months of May to September. Most visitors come for the dolphins, which can be spotted leaping and frolicking in the bay at sunrise. You’ll find smaller crowds if you visit during the low season months of October, November, February, and March.

 

Lovina is famous for its wild dolphins, although many believe that all the noisy dolphin-watching boats may be detrimental to their well-being. Dolphins in captivity in Bali are mainly kept in unpleasant conditions, usually in cramped, and sometimes even chlorinated, pools. Though you can see dolphins in the wild in Lovina, please don’t plan to swim with dolphins on Bali.

A couple of miles (3.5 kilometers) from the UNESCO World Heritage–listed temple of Borobudur, the charming Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut) features an attached working Buddhist monastery. Built in the early 9th century, the temple and the village that houses it are the starting point for the annual Waisak (Buddha day) celebrations.

There is a tiny admission charge to Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut), which also covers admission to Pawon Temple (Candi Pawon), another small temple related to majestic Borobudur. It’s perfectly possible to visit all three temples independently, but many prefer the seamless transportation of a tour or private driver, perhaps with the historic insights of a private guide.

Most Mendut tours bundle this temple with others in the Yogyakarta area: particularly Borobudur and Pawon. Some combine Borobudur, Mendut, and Pawon with the Prambanan complex, which is a lot to take in over a single day. Mendut is also a popular stop on multi-day tours of Yogyakarta and its environs. 

The best way to reach Mendut Temple independently is by traveling from Yogyakarta to Borobudur then walking or taking a taxi. The 25-mile (40-kilometer) journey from Yogyakarta to Borobudur takes around two hours by bus from the Jombor or Giwangan terminals. Many prefer the ease of an organized tour that starts and finishes at their door and covers off temples such as Pawon and Borobudur, or the comfort of a private driver.

Candi Mendut comes into its own on Waisak (Buddha’s birthday), which falls around May each year on a date set by the lunar calendar—that’s also when the temple is very busy. Assuming you’re combining Mendut with Borobudur, try to avoid weekends and Indonesian public holidays, which is when the Borobudur crowds are at their most hectic. 

Although the Buddhist Sailendra dynasty that built Borobudur and Mendut is long gone, Indonesia boasts a diverse selection of Buddhist traditions. Waisak, a holiday that celebrates Buddha’s birthday, is an official holiday for all of Indonesia. Prayers and processions start from Candi Mendut and progress to Borobudur, and both the temple and the monastery come alive in spectacular fashion. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park covers 669 square miles (1,733 square kilometers) of islands and pristine ocean. Its attractions are twofold: Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizard, and lush reefs. Besides the dragons, wildlife includes boar, bats, deer, wild horses, and monkeys.

 

Komodo tours typically focus on either the dragons or the diving, and generally start from the town of Labuan Bajo on Flores island. The dragons, which can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long, live almost exclusively within Komodo National Park, and tours typically focus on Rinca island, Padar island, or Komodo island. Expect to enjoy a couple of hours’ trekking with a guide, with sightings pretty much guaranteed. Most boat trips will include stops for snorkeling and on photogenic beaches, such as Pink Beach.

 

Komodo dive tours are typically on liveaboard boats, usually based out of Labuan Bajo. The diving in Komodo, generally considered some of Indonesia’s best, focuses on high-current sites and, typically, larger sea creatures. Signature sites include Batu Bolong and Cannibal Rock.

 

Most Komodo National Park tours start from the vibrant port town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores: Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo has direct connections to Bali and Jakarta. Some Komodo backpacker boat tours set out directly from Bali, but most liveaboards base themselves out of Labuan Bajo for the season.

 

Komodo island has a dry climate and can be visited year-round, although seas can be choppy in January and February. Generally speaking, diving conditions are best in the north between April and December, and in the south between October and April.

 

Besides marine wonders, such as manta rays, sharks, whales, dugong, dolphin, and turtles, the desolate volcanic landscapes of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and smaller islands are home to almost 6,000 Komodo dragons. Scientists studying evolution are fascinated by the islands, which are also home to Timor deer and wild boar.

Bali’s first beach hotel opened back in the 1930s on Kuta’s epic sweep of golden sand and metronomic surf. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, Australian surfers popularized the place, and today Kuta Beach is the epicenter of Kuta, Bali’s liveliest and most touristic district. If great waves and beach boys float your boat, Kuta won’t disappoint.

 

Once a sleepy village, the neighborhood around Kuta Beach is now Bali’s busiest—it’s particularly popular with Australians visiting on bargain breaks. But don’t let that put you off discovering the beach: whether bodyboarding or surfing is your thing, there’s fun to be had under the lifeguards’ protective eyes.

Most tours to Kuta Beach focus on those rolling waves. Classic experiences include Kuta surfing lessons and Kuta bodyboarding classes. Kuta surf schools are used to beginners and most have outsize “foamy” boards to help build confidence. While it’s perfectly possible to arrange lessons privately from the many surf rental spots on the beach, many prefer the fixed price guarantee of booking lessons online.

 

Everyone on Bali knows Kuta Beach, or “Pantai Kuta” in Indonesian. The cheapest and easiest way to get there is to ride the Kura-Kura tourist bus, or pick up a motorcycle taxi or 4-wheeled cab. Kuta is no place to learn to ride a motorbike, although tens of thousands try: If you must, stay sober and wear a helmet.

Kuta Beach is popular year-round: sunsets, which fall between roughly 6pm and 7pm, can be particularly stunning, especially washed down with an ice-cold beer. Kuta in general is best avoided during “Schoolies,” a 3-week period from mid-November when Australians graduate high school and descend on Bali en masse.

Bali is blessed with year-round surfing, with the east coast picking up when the west coast slows down, and vice versa. Great beaches for beginners include Double Six, Batu Belig, Kuta, and Canggu’s Batu Bolong; Uluwatu and Padang-Padang in the Bukit Peninsula can deliver spectacular swells. For less crowded breaks, consider heading north, perhaps to Keramas on the east coast or Balian on the west coast.

While travelers flock to more celebrated Balinese peaks such as Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung (when volcanic activity permits), it’s likely you’ll have the wild and unspoiled slopes of Mt. Batukaru to yourself. Even if you don’t choose to summit this 7,467-foot-high (2,276-meter-high) peak, admire majestic views from Pura Luhur Batukaru temple below.

Most organized Mt. Batukaru tours either focus on the lower slopes and scenic foothills, view the peak from the pretty highland town of Bedugul, or visit the thatched shrines of Pura Luhur Batukaru temple. 

If you’d like to hike, your best option is to arrange a private guide, either online or on arrival at the Pura Batukaru temple office. Expect the guided trek to the summit and back to last a full day. An even more scenic route leads up from near Jatiluwih; you’ll need a private guide and driver to find it.

If you’re aiming to reach the summit of Mt. Batukaru, you can start from either Pura Luhur Batukaru temple or near Jatiluwih, famous for its scenic rice fields. Neither is accessible by public transport, so most travelers arrange a tour package that includes a guide and driver.

As with other Balinese volcanic peaks, Mt. Batukaru is best climbed during the dry season (roughly May to September). Leeches can be a particular trial during the wet season. Sunrise from the summit rewards the early morning start with views across to the volcanoes of East Java, the south and north coasts of Bali, and, if you’re lucky, Lombok’s Mt. Rinjani.

Bali’s most sacred mountain is its highest peak and most active volcano, Mt. Agung (Gunung Agung). Yet Mt. Batukaru, its second-highest peak, also plays an important role in local beliefs, and the route up from Pura Luhur Batukaru is lined with temples and pilgrims. For people seeking a quieter climb than the ever-popular Mt. Batur, though, rewards go beyond the spiritual.

When volcanic and seismic activity permits, 12,224-foot (3,726-meter) Mt. Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s great volcano climbs—even if you stop, as many climbers do, at the crater rim. The towering peak, complete with crater lake, dominates north Lombok, so even when the mountain is closed to visitors, hikes on the lower slopes appeal.

Climbing Mt. Rinjani is a serious hike that involves at least one night camping on the mountain. Any organized trek should include guides, porters, tents, food, water, and sleeping bags, and prices will vary according to the trek length and other extras. It’s possible to arrange Rinjani hikes on the spot in Senaru or Sembalun Lawang, but many travelers prefer to book ahead online.

When the mountain is closed, the crater and summit are inaccessible. Scenic waterfall hikes out of Senaru may provide some consolation.

The hillside village of Senaru is the most popular base both for climbing Mt. Rinjani and for exploring its scenic lower slopes. Despite its status as a trekking center, there is no public transport. Many travelers prefer the convenience of a tour that includes transport from Lombok port or airport.

Mt. Rinjani is regularly closed to visitors during the worst of the rainy season (roughly from December until late March) and occasionally closed because of geological activity. Climbing can be at its most colorful on full moon nights, when local Sasaks make pilgrimages—the mountain is sacred both to them and Balinese Hindus.

Most Mt. Rinjani climbs start from Senaru or Sembalun Lawang and involve at least one night camping on the mountain. The shortest route to the summit is a 2-day hike from Sembalun Lawang; the shortest trek takes you from Senaru to the crater rim in two days. It’s possible to spend up to four days and three nights exploring, but most opt for a 3-day, 2-night trek that includes the crater lake.

Mas Village, one of the many artists villages surrounding Ubud, is the best place on the island to find high-quality Balinese woodcarvings -- considered some of the best woodcarvings in the world. Part of the village’s prestigious reputation stems from it being the birthplace of Ida Bagus Tilem, one of the island’s most celebrated artisans. His wife and son continue to operate their own well-respected gallery and workshop.

Visitors to Mas Village will find a style of woodcarving characterized by a synergy between humanism and naturalism. Balinese masks, as well as carvings inspired by Buddhist and Hindu mythologies, are among the more popular items. Even if you don’t plan to buy, it’s worth visiting Mas Village to watch the masters at work and to see some of the large and very impressive carvings.

With a history dating back more than 1,000 years, the Mother Temple of Besakih (Pura Besakih), set astride the slopes of Mount Agung, is Bali’s single most important temple. Twenty-three shrines make up the complex: 17th-century Pura Penataran Agung, dedicated to Shiva, is the most significant.

 

Despite what Besakih’s famously persistent touts tell you, you don’t need a guide or a Besakih tour to explore the Mother Temple, and entrance fees are very affordable. However, this is a complicated Hindu temple complex with a long history and almost zero signage, so culture vultures will get more out of the experience with a guide.

 

Most full-day tours to Besakih temple bundle the complex with Lake Batur and/or Mount Batur plus Kintamani or with east Bali attractions, such as Tirta Gangga Water Palace or Sidemen.

 

Note: When Mount Agung volcano is very active, access may be restricted.

 

 

Set on the slopes of Mount Agung in east Bali, the road to Besakih temple is both slow and winding, and can be grueling when self-driving: The journey takes about 90 minutes from Ubud and considerably longer from Kuta. Between the transport issues and the famously aggressive touts, many may find organized Bali tours—or a private tour—the easiest option.

 

Besakih temple is one of Indonesia's more popular tourist destinations. Both tour buses and touts start flooding in from 9am so, if possible, enjoy your Besakih temple tour early in the morning. There are colorful ceremonies almost year-round as each shrine has its own “odalan” (birthday): full moon and new moon make an optimal time to see Hindu worshippers in action, though you may need to wear ceremonial gear.

 

Besakih touts sometimes lie about admission fees. As at many religious sites in Indonesia, the ticket should not cost significantly more than 15,000 IDR, although there are separate small charges for parking. Ask for a printed ticket so that you can confirm the price. The complex is full of freelance guides and “temple guardians”: should you decide to hire one, be sure to agree a fee upfront. Their English and their knowledge is often limited.

When volcanic activity permits—an evacuation zone has been in place since 2017—the sacred volcano Agung offers one of Bali’s most challenging and exciting hikes. Towering 9,444 feet (2,878 meters) above northeast Bali, it’s typically climbed in one long and tiring day, either from Pura Pasar Agung or from the Mother Temple of Besakih.

 

An experienced mountain guide is not only essential for climbing Mount Agung safely but required by local law. (While the mountain is off limits due to volcanic activity, no guides are available.)

 

Some tours will bring you all the way to the summit; others stop at the crater rim. Most aim to reach the apex of the climb for sunrise—perhaps Bali’s most beautiful—with sweeping views across the island. The mountain is both steep and sacred to the Balinese: Treat it with respect.

 

In Karangasem, northeast Bali, Mount Agung can only be climbed with a guide. Most travelers opt for a convenient sunrise trekking tour that includes round-trip transfers from their accommodation and doesn’t require self-driving after a night climb. Freelance guides are usually to be found at the two main starting points for the trek: Pura Pasar Agung (Pasar Agung temple) and Besakih temple.

 

For views and visibility, Mount Agung is almost always a sunrise climb. Climbing during the dry season (roughly March to September) is recommended, as rains can make an already steep and challenging path very slippery and further reduce temperatures at the summit.

 

Indonesia is home to more than 120 active volcanoes, and a volcano climb is a rite of passage when in the country. If Mount Agung is closed due to volcanic activity, or if you prefer a less physically challenging climb, Mount Batur offers beautiful sunrise views, while Mount Rinjani on neighboring Lombok is an epic multi-day hike.

Backed by the volcanic slabs of Mount Batur and Mount Abang, Lake Batur (Danau Batur) is a striking crater lake considered sacred by the Balinese. Besides sunrise trekking, Mount Batur offers hot springs, canoe trips, and tours of Trunyan village, where the local Bali Aga people expose their dead to rot in the open air.

 

Set in the heart of the Kintamani farming highlands, Lake Batur can be appreciated on a range of levels. One popular option is a buffet lunch at the strip of restaurants set high above the lake. However, a sunrise climb of Mount Batur is probably the favorite stand-alone tour. A visit to the lake as part of a tour is also sometimes combined with excursions to rice terraces and the island's art villages.

 

Volcanic hot springs feed a series of pools around the lake, which also offer services from Balinese massage to restaurants. Boat trips on the lake typically run to Trunyan village, where villagers practice a type of sky burial unique in Bali. Canoes are also available for rent.

 

 

Set in the highlands of east-central Bali, Lake Batur’s main attractions are spread out along the shore. As such, having your own transport—whether a private driver, self-driving, or an organized Bali day tour—is essential. The easiest place to base yourself for Batur day trips is Ubud, around an hour’s drive from the lake.

 

Lake Batur can get choppy in the afternoon and evening, so if you’re planning water-based activities, it’s best to visit in the morning. As with most touristic restaurants in Indonesia, the lakeview restaurants are typically full of large groups at lunch time: If this is a priority for you, consider visiting a little earlier or later in the day.

 

While Mount Batur, an active volcano, is Kintamani’s star attraction, the area around the lake has plenty of charm. Kintamani is a farming country, known for its orchards and coffee plantations. Many Lake Batur tours include stops at one of the plantations that produces Bali’s famous Kintamani coffee, as well as cacao and spices.

Kota Gede is a historic suburb within the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It was once the capital of Mataram and is home to an ancient mosque that holds the remains of the first sultan, Panembahan Senopati. Senopati’s graveyard can be found in the grounds of the mosque, which is located to the south of the neighborhood’s central market.

Kota Gede is made up of a labyrinth of narrow streets, lined with mosaic-tiled houses that were once home to the upper-class. The neighborhood is also known for being the main hub for the city’s silver industry; Jalan Kemasan is the main street leading into town and this is lined with silver shops, where everything from handmade bowls to modern jewelry are made, bought, and sold.