Indonesia with family for 15 days: feedback on Java, Bali, Gili itinerary

Hi everyone,

Family of 4—2 adults and 2 kids (11 and 15) who are well-traveled. We’re planning a 15-day trip to Indonesia and would love your thoughts on our itinerary. We love discovering local culture, food (!!), seeing beautiful landscapes, and keeping an active pace. We’re not the type to lounge on the beach for 5 hours or spend ages by the pool when we’re halfway across the world. Also, we try to avoid places "ruined" by mass tourism (like Holbox in Mexico, which we loved 10 years ago but not at all on our last visit, or Phi Phi in Thailand, completely destroyed by mass tourism).

Special note: we love traveling by train :)

Here’s what we’ve planned so far:

**Day 1** Arrival in Jakarta, then domestic flight to Yogyakarta. Settle in Yogyakarta.

**Day 2** Borobudur in the morning, then exploring nearby villages.

**Day 3** Prambanan in the morning, followed by culinary discovery / market / local vibe in Yogyakarta.

**Day 4** Train to Jombang, then driver/bus to the Bromo area. Overnight stay.

**Day 5** Sunrise at Bromo, exploring the volcano and sea of sand. Relax in the afternoon.

**Day 6** Travel to eastern Java, then train, ferry, and road to reach Sidemen in Bali.

**Day 7** Sidemen

**Day 8** Sidemen

**Day 9** Sidemen

**Day 10** Transfer to Gili Air (car to the port + fast boat?)

**Day 11** Gili Air

**Day 12** Gili Air

**Day 13** Transfer to Ubud

**Day 14** Ubud

**Day 15** Return to Bali airport, flight to Jakarta, then international flight.

Does this itinerary seem coherent for a family? Does it feel too packed or well-balanced? Would you make any changes to certain stops, durations, or transfers?

Thanks so much for your tips and experiences!

Hello,

When?

Oh right, sorry, thanks! 15 days between July and August ;)

One thing surprised me even before knowing the dates: the itinerary seems somewhat at odds with your stated goals. Now that I know when you're going, it’s even worse.

keep an active pace, we’re not the type to laze around on the beach for 5 hours or sit by the pool for ages when we’re on the other side of the world.

So why include Gili Air when the only things to do there are sunbathing, dipping in the water, and drinking with the crowds of tourists in the evening? Gili Air is only slightly less bad than Gili Trawangan.

Finally, we want to avoid places "ruined" by mass tourism (like Holbox in Mexico, which we loved 10 years ago but not at all last year, or Phi Phi in Thailand, totally destroyed by mass tourism).

So what exactly are you planning to do in Ubud (where in July-August you’ll barely move forward without elbowing your way through crowds) and the Gilis? The crowds will be more or less the same in Yogyakarta and around Mount Bromo, but at least there’s must-see stuff there.

Train to Jombang, then driver/bus? to the Bromo area. Overnight stay.

I don’t know Jombang, and I’m not sure if you can find buses to Probolinggo from there—where public transport to Ngadisari/Cemoro Lawang starts (unlike what local private drivers might tell you). From Surabaya or Malang, you can find buses to Probolinggo. If I understand correctly, the Yogyakarta-Sidemen route would only be broken up by two nights near Bromo? That won’t work (even if you’re driving the whole way). You’ll need to add a third night, either in overnight transport or another city.

Transfer to Gili Air (car to the port + fast boat?)

Fast boat, yes—otherwise, you’ll be stuck with slow ferries that leave Padangbai 24/7 for Lembar (Lombok), plus a series of transfers to the Gilis that’ll take 5-6 times longer than a fast boat. From Sidemen, the closest port is Padangbai. For Sidemen-Padangbai, a few options: - Unfortunately, no Perama shuttle, - Book a private driver through your accommodation the day before, - Some fast boat companies offer paid pre-transfers to Padangbai from certain cities, either shared or private. Just don’t plan on a fast boat leaving at dawn—transport in Bali, even private, is slow.

Ubud Day 15 Return to Bali airport

Here, the Perama shuttle is an option (only in this direction) to book through one of Ubud’s many tourist agencies the day before or two days prior. Or take a taxi/private driver if you prefer.

Does this itinerary seem logical for a family?

Yes, but plenty of others would work too.

Does it seem too packed? (...) Would you change any stops, durations, or transfers?

Yes, way too rushed—see my note about the Yogyakarta-Sidemen stretch too. Cutting one stop would be wise.

Sticking to just Java wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Perama shuttles: https://peramatour.com/b/en/shuttle-bus Site listing all fast boat companies between Bali and Lombok/Gilis: https://www.gilibookings.com/bali-to-gili-fast-boat Each company also has its own website.

Thanks for this helpful reply—blunt but useful. I’m asking questions because I’m not sure if these choices are the right ones, obviously. Travel is about hospitality, sharing, and smiles, isn’t it? ;)

"So why include Gili Air?" It might sound odd, but we love coastal environments—the sea often creates stunning landscapes, and we enjoy walking along the beach. It’s not at all about lying on the sand doing nothing. Our first trip to Holbox is etched in my memory forever, and we didn’t even swim. Maybe it’s still a bad choice for that, though.

As for Ubud, it’s because everyone I know who’s been to Indonesia said they enjoyed it despite the tourism. If it’s really shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, then it’s definitely not for us. But we’ve loved some touristy spots around the world—Aït Ben Haddou in Morocco, the tombs of Luxor, Bacalar in Mexico, etc. When I say "destroyed by tourism," I mean no local life left and everything feeling internationalized.

Anyway, thanks for all the tips, and if you have any suggestions for tweaking the itinerary, they’re very welcome! ;)

if you have any adaptation ideas, they’re welcome ;)

One of the two points from my previous reply:

Cutting out a stop would be a smart move. Sticking to just Java wouldn’t be a bad idea.

to consider: Karimunjawa, off the coast of Java: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&hs=jC2U&sca_esv=089c91361eed6c29&udm=2&fbs=ADc_l-bpk8W4E-qsVlOvbGJcDwpnHC5OJXXTJvmMu2n9YYx-G8xzgQk24aW1N_FyIND5zVDADCs_Fwd6mWmfkY-_5enaVlb8kyVj3FSWlUdu3l6J7xCJGBaECJupQtL22gjNu3rpPniULdSw4f7hE_e0IFGuj0nolE3wu1rWQmrAThehrcuD2r_PxyzxIJCXQsaUmeKcRDyO&q=karimunjawa&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim0KrthOuTAxWOdaQEHaNNA4QQtKgLegQIEBAB&biw=1920&bih=908&dpr=1

Wow, this is a serious travel plan! I totally get wanting to avoid tourist traps—I’ve had the same struggle in Thailand for 8 years, and honestly, it’s become almost mission impossible in some spots. The good news is, Indonesia is still *more* doable than Thailand for staying off the beaten path.

Your base itinerary looks solid, but here’s a real question: don’t you feel like you’re rushing *a bit* too much? 15 days with Java + Bali + Gili is doable, yeah, but you’ll spend a lot of time in transit, which is a shame. That said, if your kids are tough and you love train rides, why not?

Speaking of trains, I’m a huge fan, and the Jakarta-Yogya line exists and is decent. From what I remember, it passes through some gorgeous landscapes. Borobudur in the morning is a smart move, but try to get there *super* early to avoid the tourist groups that show up around 9am. Sunset from the temples is also really nice if you have the time.

About Bali and the Gili Islands—honestly, the Gilis have become the Phi Phi of Indonesia, but smaller. Gili Air is still *somewhat* manageable compared to the others, but it’s not amazing either. I’d suggest looking at Lombok instead, especially around Senaru or the northern beaches—it’s way more authentic, and your kids will love it. The scenery there is insane.

For food, you’re in for a treat—Indonesia is a *wild* culinary adventure. Make sure to try local warungs, not the touristy restaurants, obviously.

Do you have an approximate budget, or are you going for quality without restrictions?

For the food, you're in for a treat—Indonesia is a total gastronomic frenzy.

Wow, that sentence really stopped me in my tracks. Apart from Java and Bali, which have diversified their food scene, the rest of Indonesia isn’t exactly a foodie paradise, honestly. I’m not saying it’s bad, just that you pretty much eat the same things over and over. I don’t doubt you can find some great dishes, but overall, it’s not that exciting. Where have you eaten in Indonesia?

I’d love for Indonesia to have the same level of food as Thailand. I already can’t bring myself to go anywhere else except Indonesia (and one island way up north on our planet), but if the food were as good as in Thailand, I’d have to move there 😉

For the food, you're in for a treat—Indonesia is a total gastronomic frenzy.

That sentence really knocked me for a loop.

He’s not one to shy away from nonsense, and honestly, the point you’re raising isn’t even the worst of it.

We chat a bit about the character with Erwanploz starting from reply 10 in this thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=11468572;live=1;#11468572, or should I say "characters," since their writing style can change from one post to the next (the one who sounds like J-C Vandamme is almost hilarious...).

Hi there. With only 15 days and to make the most of it, I’d recommend sticking to Java—it’s way more authentic than Bali. And if you love paradise beaches, check out Karimunjawa; you won’t be disappointed.... Let me know if you’d like more details, and in any case, have a great trip!