Help planning my first solo trip to Indonesia
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
CO
Hi everyone, I’m a 67-year-old woman who loves to travel, and for my third solo trip, I’ve decided to explore Indonesia. I’ll be there from September 1st to October 5th, and I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary. I’d love any advice you can share—I’ll read it all carefully. So far, I’ve booked my first two nights with a local host in Jakarta, and then I’m heading to Borobudur. That’s all I’ve got planned for now. Do you think I should book accommodations and transport tickets in advance? It seems really complicated, or could I just decide day by day based on how I feel? Thanks in advance for your replies!
corinnette
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hi there,

I’m leaving from September 1st to October 5th

So, I assume you’ve already looked into the formalities for a stay longer than 30 days.

Do you think I should book accommodations and transportation tickets in advance?

Accommodations, no. Public road transport, no. Daily ferries between the main islands, when they exist, no.

or can I decide day by day based on how I feel?

Yes. Conclusion:

I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary.

You can easily skip planning altogether—freedom is yours!

Jakarta, then heading to Borobudur.

There’s plenty to see between the two.
CO Corinnette69 Regular ·
thanks for your reply... darn, I hadn't thought about the formalities!
corinnette
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Hi there, To give you some advice or ideas, it’d help if you could tell us what you’re prioritizing. Indonesia is huge... Personally, my best memories are from Bali (I’ve been there 4 times for short stays). In Sulawesi, in the Toraja region (Rantepao). On Nias Island (near Sumatra). The most adventurous and oldest experience: With the Mentawai people on Siberut, also near Sumatra. These different islands are so varied in terms of geography and population that each time, it feels like you’ve really changed countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
NO Noirenvoyage Regular ·
Hi Corinne,

To the very relevant comments before mine, I’d add that the first step is figuring out the *why* of Indonesia and the *what*—meaning, what kind of trip would you like to experience?

Indonesia is a country brimming with diverse experiences, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. For me, nature and ecology are important values in my travels, so I went to Sumatra for an eco-volunteering project in the Simolap rainforest. If that interests you, feel free to reach out for more details.

Anyway, I hope you have an amazing experience on your solo trip to Indonesia. Don’t hesitate to ask more questions as you prepare!
Voyager Autrement est Possible Un Voyage à votre image Voyages en immersion et éco-responsables
CO Corinnette69 Regular ·
I’m really curious and interested in human connections, traditions, and architecture—I’d love to swim with turtles, see a volcano, and more!
corinnette
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
For the turtles, head to Tanjung Lepun in Bali (among other things, as there’s plenty to see in northern Bali).

To witness some unusual traditions, take a flight from Denpasar to Makassar (Sulawesi Island), then a night bus to Rantepao in Toraja country. From there, make your way to Ampana and take a ferry to Wakatobi in the Togian Islands—a little slice of paradise still off the tourist radar. In 2018, there were only generators providing electricity to the beachfront bungalows, which are great for snorkeling! You can also go on boat trips with the owner of the accommodations at Sera Beach on Malenge Island. Stay a few days (full board at low prices) and visit the lake of phosphorescent jellyfish (harmless) near Kadidiri.

Since you’ve got time, take a ferry to Gorontalo next, then head to Bunaken to admire the underwater scenery.

Before Bali, on Java, visit Borobudur and the Kawah Ijen volcano—better than Bromo, in my opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
CO Corinnette69 Regular ·
Thanks Jean Michel, what you're telling me sounds really interesting. Do you have any idea about flight prices? Do I need to book in advance?
corinnette
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
For flights, take a direct to JAKARTA or via Singapore, then a train or bus to Yogyakarta. After that, use local transport and head to Bali. Flight from Denpasar to Makassar for Sulawesi, and if you're going to Bunaken, return direct from MANADO to JAKARTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Which flights? Domestic flights? Personally, I don’t book more than a few days in advance. But for the return flight to JAKARTA from anywhere, you need to book before leaving France. For international flights, I use Google Flights for prices and then book directly on the airline’s website—never through an agency site!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
SO Songsam Veteran ·
For the turtles, you go to Bali at Tanjung Lepang.. (among other things because there’s plenty to see in northern Bali). To witness unusual traditions, take a flight from Denpasar to Makassar (Sulawesi Island), then an overnight bus to Rantepao, the Toraja region. After that, head to Ampana and take a ferry to Wakatobi in the Togian Islands—a little slice of paradise still off the tourist radar... In 2018, there were only generators providing electricity to the beachfront bungalows, which are great for snorkeling! Sea excursions with the owner of Sera Beach accommodations on Malenge Island—stay a few days (full board at low prices), and also visit the lake with bioluminescent jellyfish (harmless) near Kadidiri. Since you have time, then take a ferry to Gorontalo and head to Bunaken to admire the underwater scenery. Before Bali, on Java, visit Borobudur and the Kawah Ijen volcano—better than Bromo, in my opinion.

Are you sure you’re not biting off a bit more than you can chew? Jakarta (where you’ve planned 2 nights), Yogyakarta, Kawah Ijen, northern Bali and its turtles, not to mention returning to Jakarta at the end (which would be unreasonable to schedule on the same day as your international flight home) will already take at least 15-16 days if you rush a little. Will 19 days be enough for the Sulawesi program you’ve been suggested?
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
With 33 or 34 days, it should work. I never plan much—or hardly anything at all. Once I’m there, I adjust based on the number of days left. If after the Toraja region (which I recommend) it looks tight for the Togians + Bunaken, I’d skip one of the two destinations to make it to MANADO in time for the flight to JAKARTA. Obviously, never arrive in JAKARTA on the day of your flight back to France—plan for one or two extra days. The main issue is the visa for stays longer than 30 days. PS: The bus to Rantepao is taken overnight after the Denpasar/Makassar flight (nothing interesting in Makassar), and the ferry to Gorontalo is also overnight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Following your suggestion to take a ferry from the Togians to Gorontalo to continue to Manado and Bunaken. If time is short and you can't make it all the way up there, Gorontalo has 1 to 2 daily flights to Jakarta, which in that case would be better and especially faster than going back down to Makassar the same way you came up.

*Batik Air daily and Garuda 5x/week.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
I find Djalma’s suggestion a bit ambitious (though adaptable to some extent) due to limited time, so here’s my take—simpler and geographically more compact:

Jakarta: 2 nights Flight to Bali for a 17-night trip, possibly including some beach time in the Gili Islands (which also offer snorkeling with turtles*) Then a relaxed return to Jakarta with stops that could look like this: Kawah Ijen and Bromo volcanoes, by bus, 3 nights total Solo (Surakarta), overnight bus, 3 nights (architecture) Yogyakarta, by bus, 4 nights (architecture, active volcano, among other highlights) Cirebon, by train, 3 nights, off the beaten path, architecture. Close enough to Jakarta to skip an extra night there if your return flight is in the evening. Jakarta, if needed, 1 night. Total: 34 nights.

traditions,

You’ll find this in northern** Bali (along with genuine encounters) by exploring without a set itinerary, following your instincts, using (slow) local transport (bemos***) and hitchhiking short distances. Few travelers do this, even though Bali is perfect for it—and don’t worry about accommodation; rural Balinese won’t let you sleep outside.

* endangered species. ** draw a horizontal line just above Ubud. *** which usually stop running around 4 PM.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Since Corinnette shared her "wish list" (I’m really curious and interested in human connections, traditions, architecture—I’d love to swim with turtles... see a volcano... among other things), Djalma and I have posted our itinerary suggestions. Of those who chimed in at the start of the discussion, only yours is missing. Plus any from other folks who might have ideas.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

From what I understand, your round-trip flight is already booked and lands in Jakarta.

It’s not necessarily the best choice, but if it’s already purchased (Indonesia is huge, so it’s better to plan your route—choosing the islands—before booking tickets to optimize your journey).

For volcanoes, Java has everything you need.

For monuments, Java as well. Nice temples in Bali too.

For something different, I’d say Sumatra, Flores, or Sulawesi.

The last one is pretty exhausting in terms of travel.

For beaches, Lombok. As for turtles, I’m not sure.

Overtourism: mainly southern Bali.

Booking in advance is best when you want something very specific. This applies anywhere in the world.

In Indonesia, the trickiest time for bookings is Idul Fitri. Flights and accommodations—everyone in the country is on the move.

For 2026, that’s already passed.

For inter-island flights, if there’s only one or two flights per week, it’s better to book ahead. If there are 10 a day...

Jakarta didn’t exactly sell me on the dream.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
SO Songsam Veteran ·
I just realized that the time you’ll be traveling coincides with Karapan Sapi on the island of Madura (now connected to Surabaya* by a bridge). Karapan Sapi are lively local traditional bull races that lead to festivities in several towns across Madura. I don’t know much about it, but there’s no doubt you’ll get your fill of tradition here too.

* "just a stone’s throw" from the volcanoes in eastern Java.

https://youtu.be/qmvjIjHZtvI?si=eZviQG1j94cPVobx
NO Noirenvoyage Regular ·
I’m really curious and interested in human connections, traditions, architecture—I’d love to swim with turtles... see a volcano... among other things

That’s a great approach. I see you already have a few itinerary suggestions. I’m not an Indonesia expert, but I can tell you that in Sumatra, I experienced preserved nature and authentic human connections. Volcanoes, human encounters, and traditions—you’ll find what you’re looking for there, far from Bali’s overtourism. Plus, you’re going during the dry season, so travel will be a bit easier. During the rainy season, road conditions deteriorate quickly. The island is large, so journeys can be long. Planning as you go is a good strategy, and taking time to rest and enjoy your chosen destinations is key.

So, if I were you, I wouldn’t book everything in advance. That’s the beauty of a five-week trip: being able to adjust your itinerary based on encounters, weather, or a sudden inspiration. I’d just plan the first few nights and the major inter-island trips. For the rest, booking a few days ahead is often enough in September. A little tip: don’t try to see all of Indonesia. Each island has its own personality, and it’s much more enjoyable to explore a few of them at a leisurely pace than to rush through transport. And at 67, traveling solo for a third big adventure—I think that’s amazing! I wish you wonderful encounters; those are often the memories that last the longest.
Voyager Autrement est Possible Un Voyage à votre image Voyages en immersion et éco-responsables
CO Corinnette69 Regular ·
thanks so much Tega, you're right—it's the human connections that make for wonderful memories, and every trip I meet people who become friends. That's exactly what I need, and I hope the energy and good health last for a long time to come.
corinnette
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
If time runs short and you can't make it all the way up there, there are 1 to 2* daily flights from Gorontalo to Jakarta, which in that case would be better—and definitely faster—than going back down to Makassar the same way you came up.

That’s a useful tip I didn’t know about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

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