Itinerary for first trip: East Java - Bali - Komodo

Hi there,

My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.

20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta. 21/09: Borobudur 22/09: Prambanan 23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang) 24/09: Bromo 25/09: Kawa Ijen 26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran 27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran 28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk 29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk 30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk 01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud 02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud 03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud 04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo 05/10: Komodo cruise 06/10: Komodo cruise 07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo. 08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar 09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore 10/10: Flight SIN-YQB

Thanks for your thoughts—and for your time!

Hi there,

The Java part is really fast-paced. I can't see how you could do the days from the 23rd to the 25th without using an agency’s services from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi—you’ll find plenty of options since all travelers in a hurry do it this way. The 1st won’t be doable unless you hire a driver with a car and don’t spend much time at the places you plan to stop.

Day 4: Coming from Ubud, I’d recommend taking an afternoon flight.

Overall, the itinerary is quick and lacks originality, but at least you won’t risk getting lost since so many others do it this way.

Hi there,

Thanks for the comments. Actually, I’ve got an interesting and not-too-expensive flight SIN-YQB on October 11 instead of the 10th, and I’m also thinking we could do Labuan Bajo-SIN on the way back, without going through DPS. That would give us 2 extra days. Where do you think we should fit them in?

About the Bromo - Kawa Ijen part, we’re more interested in Bromo. Would it be better to spend more time at Bromo and skip Kawa Ijen? We already know that if we go, it’ll be for a daytime hike rather than the night trek for the blue flames.

Thanks for your help!

Actually, I have an interesting and not too expensive flight SIN-YQB on October 11th instead of the 10th, and I was also thinking we could do Labuan Bajo-SIN to get back

In this reasoning, are you taking into account that the LBJ-SIN flight isn’t daily? It only operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays (dep. 18:10 arr. 21:35) and Sundays (dep. 9:30 arr. 13:00).

I checked and found options for Saturday (Indonesia Air Asia), but it's a self-transfer (5-hour layover in DPS). Since we usually travel with just a small backpack, we don’t have to worry about luggage retrieval. That said, if there’s a delay or cancellation, it could get a bit more complicated for the second leg of the flight. Still, even without a self-transfer, I’ve had a second flight canceled before and had to organize and find another flight myself because the airline (United) offered me a departure 3 days later 🤪.

So, that gives us 2 extra days. Where do you think I should fit them in?

Is this question still relevant?

So, that gives us 2 extra days. Where do you think I should add them?

Is this question still relevant?

Yes :) . I was wondering if it’d be better to add those days to the Java part or maybe one day in Java and one near Munduk or Ubud. That way, I could have more time for Jatiluwih.

Also, I was wondering if I should spend more time at Bromo and skip Kawa Ijen. We’re not really into doing that night hike to see the blue flames. If we go, it’d probably be during the day, when there are likely fewer people.

Bromo and skip Kawa Ijen. We’re not really keen on doing that night hike just to see the blue flames.

Not everyone visits both, so if you don’t feel like going to Kawah Ijen, why force yourself? I’ve only been to Bromo myself.

Stops that deserve extra time:

-Yogyakarta + 1 night (sightseeing and wandering around the city, bike or becak rides through nearby villages, Ramayana performances, wayang kulit and wayang golek shows in the evening...),

-Eastern Java + 1 night if using public transport: stay 2 nights near Bromo to spend a full day there, and 1 night in Banyuwangi since the trip from Bromo takes longer than it seems (it’ll take most of the day at best via Probolinggo),

-Jatiluwih for 1 to 2 nights,

-Labuhan Bajo (you should arrive in the afternoon if you follow one of my earlier tips) + 1 night to have time to organize the "cruise."

On the other hand, I’d cut your nights in Ubud from 3 to 2 since it’ll be less interesting after Munduk and Jatiluwih. Use the extra full day to hire a driver for a tour of the well-known sites north of the city, and the two evenings to catch traditional performances—no need for more time.

These 2 extra days won’t make the trip feel *that* much more rushed. You’re planning to cover three areas—East Java, Bali, and Labuan Bajo—with the time you have, and that’s one too many.

Hi Thierry,

I’m reworking the Java part of my itinerary (I’ll tackle the Bali section later) and I’ve decided to skip Kawa Ijen. But as often happens when you drop one stop, you tend to replace it with something else—and suddenly, the schedule isn’t any lighter! So, I’m humbly asking for your expert opinion.

09/20: Arrival in Yogyakarta around noon and afternoon visit. 09/21: Prambanan 09/22: Borobudur and overnight train to Malang 09/23: Arrival in Malang around 7 AM, scooter rental, and ride to Tempak Sewu. Night near Promojowo. 09/24: Drive to Cemoro Lawang with a few stops along the way (Kapas Biru, Coban Sriti). Night in Cemoro Lawang 09/25: Hike at Bromo. Night in Cemoro Lawang 09/26: Drive to Malang (very early departure, around 4 AM). Malang-Banyuwangi train, ferry to Bali, and night in Pemuteran.

Do you think this is doable? For the 26th, if I understood correctly, there’s a Malang-Banyuwangi train that leaves around 8 AM. Otherwise, I think there might be an option to take a train around noon with a connection in Bangil, arriving in Banyuwangi a little before 8 PM. I’m not sure if it’s still possible to take the ferry and then continue to Pemuteran at that late hour.

Also, regarding Borobudur and Prambanan, I know many people visit both in the same day. I was thinking it might be better to spread them over two days and keep some free time in the afternoon to explore Yogyakarta or whatever else comes up. But maybe it’s better to do both in one day? Since Borobudur is farther away, I’m wondering about the best plan and where to spend the nights. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears!

I know this is pretty fast-paced, but hey, I’ll try to take it easier for the Bali part—or at least the last few days in Komodo National Park! 😉

Good evening,

Do you think it's doable?

No, it's worse than before.

I know it's pretty rushed, but hey, I'll try to be more relaxed for the Bali part or at least for the last few days in Komodo National Park!

It's even more rushed. As for shortening the Komodo National Park leg, that won't be possible, and I don't believe for a second that you'll be more relaxed in Bali.

You're planning the 3 areas: East Java, Bali, and Labuan Bajo. With the time you have, one of them is too many.