Results for "Indonésie+déplacer"

Bonjour.

En retraite le 1ier novembre 2014, nous projetons de partir avec mon épouse 1 mois complet. en Asie pour fêter cet evennement et faire une rupture avec mon ancienne vie bien remplie.

Nous aimerions partir à Bali mais 1 mois complet dans ce seul pays me semble beaucoup. Alors je me disais pourquoi ne pas faire 2 pays sur 1 mois.

1/Je cherche à comprendre le meilleur choix economique en terme de cout de déplacement en sachant que les billets aller/retour sont en general moins cher:

A/France-Vietnam-Bali-France ou B/ France-Bali-Vietnam-Bali France.

2/ Quel site web offrant des billets à couts competitifs

3/ Quand prendre ses billets en sachant qu'en cas de choix B, les prix sur place pourraient etre moins cher ?

Bonjour à tous,

Pour faire bref, je prépare un voyage pour une durée de +/- 20 jours (vol inclus) en Septembre/Octobre 2014.

Nous (jeune couple de 26 ans) sommes à la recherche d'un voyage dépaysant alliant beauté des paysages, cultures et belles balades.

Depuis plusieurs semaines je potasse mes recherches, Argentine : le Nord (Buenos Aires et ses environs, Iguazu, Salta et ses environs) déplacements en car + location d'une voiture autour de Salta. OU Bali / Lombok / Gili : Pourquoi? car nous sommes jamais allé en Asie et que les autres pays d'Asie sont en pleine saison des Pluies. Nous avions pensé : 5/6 jours à Ubud et ses environs (visites en scooters), puis 2/3 jours Munduk (toujours en scooter). Ensuite, ferry jusqu'à Lombok, visite de Kuta Lombok et ses environs sur 2/3 jours, puis remonter sur les Gili pour 2/3 jours et retour sur Bali à Amed quelques jours.

J'aimerais donc avoir vos avis sur ces 2 voyages qui me plaise tous les deux afin de faire notre choix final.

Merci d'avance amis voyageur !!!

Bonjour,

Je vais a Bangkok le 19 février. Je voudrais faire la Malaisie/ Singapour/ Indonésie/ Bali. Je reste 24 jours. Est ce faisable?

Bonjour à toutes et à tous,

Tout d'abord, un grand merci à tous les participants des sous-forums Indonésie et Malaisie (et Thaïlande ! :p) car ils nous auront permis de mieux cibler nos besoins/envies.

Comme vous l'aurez compris par le titre, nous cherchons notre point de chute en Sud-Est Asie pour deux semaines en Juin (du 08 au 22 en gros). Nous pensions d'abord Thaïlande et avons donc lu les 5896 topics sur la mousson en Juin dans cette région. ;)

Du coup, ne tentons pas le diable et reportons nous sur des régions du monde plus favorable à cette époque : Malaisie ou Indonésie (Java/Bali).

L'idée est de juste prendre les vols, la première nuit et ensuite d'aviser sur place pour les déplacements (avec bien entendu les préparatifs qui s'imposent d'un point de vue information sur le pays/régions/points d'intérêts/etc). J'ai déjà l'expérience de ce type de voyages (AmS, Inde, Mexique, Australie, etc.) mais ça sera une première pour ma copine (et une première me concernant en Asie du Sud Est)... donc évidemment, je souhaite que tout se passe pour le mieux (météo, sites, etc.).

Bref ! Je me permets de venir ici quémander vos avisés conseils sur ces destinations, bons plans, etc. Budget ? Hors aérien, pour 13 jours (environ) sur place, un billet de 500€/pers semble très large (selon excursions & cie).

Des premières recherches réalisées, Java semble un peu plus rootz que la Malaisie ou (surtout) Bali. Bali la plus facile et la plus couteuse (la plus "occidentalisée" aussi).

Ce que j'ai retenu de la Malaisie. 1- Pour la Malaisie péninsulaire, côte Est plus sympa que côte Ouest. 2- Malaisie plus chère que Thaïlande. Kifkif Java. Moins chère que Bali. 3- Idéalement, le top est Bornéo. Uncle Tan de mémoire ? Il y a des vols KL-Sandakan avec Asia Air j'imagine. Autre chose à faire/conseiller/voir sur l'île ? Sur 15 jours, ça vaut le coût/coup de pousser jusque là ou plutôt se concentrer sur la péninsule ? 4- Taman Negara est parfois conseillé... parfois dit comme sur-estimé... Quid ? 5- La Malaisie ne semble pas, d'après plusieurs avis ici, avoir de lieux "spectaculaires"... exception faite de la forêt. 6- Vaut-il mieux se concentrer sur Bornéo plutôt que la Péninsule ? Genre on arrive à KL, on repart direct sur Bornéo, puis 10 jours sur Bornéo... et ensuite retour KL, Paris, Bretagne (ça nous fait quelques heures de vol tout ça... pour 10 jours, peut être un peu trop ? :/) 7- Si on reste sur Péninsule, ça le fait : Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, les Cameron Highland, Taman Negara, Perhantian ? 8- Nourriture globalement "moyenne", ou en tout cas en dessous de Indonésie et Thaïlande ? J'ai lu aussi tout l'inverse... :p 9- Budget avion 650-700€ / perso + 500€ tout inclus sur place pour deux. C'est correct ?

Ce que j'ai retenu pour Bali. 1- Avion et coût local plus cher que pour les autres destinations. 2- Rizières, paysages, religion, culture. 3- Niveau transport, tout est relativement proche. 4- Plus "facile"/accessible en terme de voyage.

Ce que j'ai retenu pour Java. 1- Volcans, temples bouddhistes, ... 2- Je n'ai pas trouvé beaucoup d'infos. :x (p-ê est-ce du à la fatigue liée aux heures de recherches sur les destinations précédentes ? :p)

Ou... ou... ? Où vous avez peut-être d'autres idées ? Arrivée à KL, puis départ vers Sumatra en bateau ?... Autre chose ?

Ce qu'il faut retenir : Du 08/06 au 22/06. Donc sur place, il faut compter quelques jours en moins (arrivée, départ, etc.). Nos envies : 20% urbain, 80% rural (inclus forêts !) ; 80% paysages, faune/flore et ambiance (village, rue, gens), 20% culture plus traditionnelle (musée, etc.).

Un grand MERCI d'avance pour vos aides ! ;)

Bonjour les voyageurs,

Je viens juste de cloturer les préparatifs de mon voyage de noces en thaïlande grâce à vous 🙂 et je reviens donc vous demander votre avis sur notre voyage à Bornéo (3 semaines de fin juillet jusqu'à mi-aout).

A la base, j'étais partie sur l'idée de commencer par Sabah pour plonger comme des forcenés 😛 à sipadan, puis de barouder dans le kalimantan (observation de la vie sauvage, balades/treks dans la jungle, dans les parcs, en bateau sur des rivières?) et terminer par de la plongée plus calme et du repos sur les îles derawan...

Mais en parcourant le forum, je me rends compte que peu de gens parlent du kalimantan...j'avais dans l'idée de m'y rendre plutôt que dans la partie malaisienne pour éviter trop de perte de temps en transport (sabah puis kutching puis retour vers l'ouest pour derawan me semblait difficile, mais je me trompe peut-être???) et aussi car j'avais l'impression que le trekking et l'observation de la faune et de la flore y serait plus "sauvage", que j'y verrais autant voire plus de belles choses que dans la partie malaisienne (singes, éléphants, plantes, insectes?), tout en étant moins envahie de touristes...

Qu'en pensez-vous? Suis-je à côté de la plaque? Selon vous, vais-je avoir du mal à organiser la partie kalimantan de mon voyage? Y'a-t-il de chouettes hotels, guesthouse de ce côté-là? comment se déplace-t-on? peut-on louer une voiture ou l'état des routes ne le permet pas?

Bref, avant de vraiment pouvoir commencer à planifier tout ça, j'ai besoin de me décider sur les régions que je vais privilégier, et pour ça, j'ai besoin de vos lumières 🙂

Merci à tous !

Caroline

je suis à la recherche d'un itineraire pour 3 semaines aux phillipines et-ou sulawesie en fevrier 2013

nous serons en couple et avons l'habitude de voyager par nos propres moyens , sans organisation prealable,

pas d'idées preconcues pour l'instant ....

Bonjour,

Je souhaiterai visiter la jungle de Bornéo fin janvier et ne sais si elle est plus intéressante du côté malaisien ou indonésien (ou les deux peut être ?). Connaitriez-vous de bonnes adresses, de bons guides ?

Merci d'avance !!!!

Bonjour a tous,

Alors voila nous partons en juin en malaisie et en indonesie pendant 3 semaines. Nous arrivons a KL et nous souhaiterions en fait faire 15 jours Indonésie et la dernière semaine ou un peu moins la malaisie (nous avons deja sejourné en malaisie).

Du coup je ne sais pas du tout comment faire mon periple et m organiser. J ai regardé un peu les vols et avec Air Asia c est vraiment pas cher mais je me demande si je ne peux pas par exemple descendre de KL jusque l indonesie par un autre moyen.

Nous souhaiterions faire l ile de java, lombok en priorité et peut etre Bali si nous avons le temps mais je ne sais pas combien de jours rester sur place etc. De plus il faudrait que je calcule mon budget pour ces 3 semaines sur place et je n ai aucune idée je pensais à 30€ en moyenne pour 2 logement + nourriture sans compter peut etre les deplacements. Je suis un peu perdue et j ai vu qu il n y avait pas de guide du routard pour l indonesie.

SI vous avez fais un sejour un peu similaire au mien pourriez vous m aider car c est la premiere fois que nous partons un peu comme ca à l aventure et j aimerai vraiment faire les 2 si possible quitte à eliminer certaines iles par exemple.

Merci encore pour votre aide Bien cordialement,

Salut !

Je voyage d'Octobre à Décembre 2009 respectivement dans les pays suivants :

Indonésie - Nouvelle Zélande - Australie.

Mes déplacements seront essentiellement à pied et je ne resterais pas 2 jours dans le même hébergement en moyenne. Je ne souhaite pas voyager lourd mais pratique et léger et avec un maximum de précautions que me conseillez vous d'emporter ? (nécessaire santé inclus) Si marques de sac à dos pratique au niveau place et rangement et léger, bienvenu!!!

Merci 😉!

salut à tous, c'est avec bcp de tristesse et de désarroi que je lis les derniéres nouvelles de la thailande et de l'indonésie..... nous partons dimanche en thailande et après 1 mois, direction l'indonésie pour plusieurs mois.... quand on vois les dégats que les bombes ont causées dans les coeurs et aussi dans l'esprit des balinais !!!!!! mais également au niveau des répercutions sur le tourisme (j'ai vue la différence l'année dernière a bali!!!) bref, nous devions nous rendre a bangkok, a chiang mai et au nord, et ensuite vers ko lipe, tout au sud..... peut etre allons nous changer nos prévisions??!!!!..... nous verrons sur place....... merci en tout cas à ceux qui nous tiennes informés de ce qui se passe sur place... car il ne faut mieux pas compter sur les infos....

ha si l'humain etait moins con...............!!!! bref, bonne année quand meme a tous ou que vous soyez!!!! profitez de la vie!!!! et bon voyages en 2007!!!

bonjour,

état des lieux : 1000 euros par tête. on pars à deux. On fait le grand saut : on veux partir et se débrouiller tout seul (en gros ne pas passer par un voyage organisé)

destination : Après avori regardé le globe, discuter avec des personnes de tout part : on hésite entre Bali et le Laos.

date de départ : octobre/novembre

durée : 15 jours minimum

les premières questions : pour un premier voyage, il vaut mieux le laos ou Bali? est ce qu'il faut une préparation physique particulière (course à pied, marche...)

Merci d'avance

luddine

Bonjour,

Après mon coyage en Thaïlande, je serai 10 jours à Singapour. Comme je ne compte rester que 3-4 jours dans la ville, je souhaiterais aller faireun saut en Indonésie.

Est-ce qu'il faut un visa pour aller en Indonésie?

Si oui, est-ce une démarche longue et laborieuse ou une simple formalité qu'un agent de voyage peut faire?

Merci

Zeb

My kids are dreaming of discovering Indonesia this summer—they’ll be celebrating their 15th and 20th birthdays! For the occasion, I was thinking of Sulawesi, a bit farther from Bali’s crowds.

I usually plan my trips myself, but I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to transportation and logistics. We’d be there for about 18 days.

I’ve looked into guided tours, but the prices are pretty high. North or south for 3 weeks? Anyone have any firsthand experience to share?

Hey there, community! Back this weekend, below is my travel journal from my adventure in Indonesia. Enjoy the read!!!

Day 1 - August 10, 2025 New life downloading for three weeks! And for that, Flo and I launched a public tender... A public tender? What’s that got to do with a travel journal???... Well, when you think about it, few destinations tick all the boxes for an August adventure: Meaning, finding a place that’s exotic in the middle of August, not too expensive, not too packed with tourists, warm but not *too* warm, with postcard-perfect landscapes, dreamy beaches, tasty cuisine with a hint of exoticism, friendly and welcoming locals, where you’re free to sleep under the stars among the mosquitos, take transport surrounded by chickens, and even eat from a pig trough if you feel like it—well, turns out it’s not that easy to find! I’d even say, given how thick the list of requirements is, there’s a big risk the tender could be declared unsuccessful for failing to meet just one criterion. Let’s just say the candidates better submit a rock-solid proposal!

After reviewing all the responses and presentations from the candidates, the obvious choice for us is... Indonesia! Except that trying to explore a country as vast as Indonesia and its 17,504 islands in less than five years is a bit like reading the summary of a Proust novel without taking the time to savor each of its 950 pages! Don’t worry, I won’t name them all here. Besides, do they even all have names? No! Only 7,870 have been named—their parents clearly ran out of ideas for the rest. Anyway, our society, which worships the "work more to earn more" mantra, unfortunately limits our adventure time. So we’ll only get to see a small part of Indonesia, and we’ll have to make a tough choice to head for the best of the best in this archipelago of over seventeen thousand islands. Each one has its own selling points: Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, the Celebes, Bali, Borneo, Papua, Timor, the Moluccas... So many names that smell of adventure... Another tender, another list of requirements, another review of proposals... Drumroll... Splash splash... And the lucky winner is... Ta-da... Java, Bali’s big sister, where I’ve already been eight years ago... Java the programming language. The Java of Broadway. We’re gonna *do* the Java. Java the coffee. And yes, Java is also an island!

This island, four times smaller than France, is home to 136 million people, making it the most populated island in the world! Fun fact: Indonesia, with its 260 million inhabitants, is just shy of the podium for the world’s most populated countries, after the winning trio of India, China, and the United States. And it’s on this island of Java that you’ll find Jakarta, the (soon-to-be-former) capital and main airport of the country, where we’ll soon land after our nineteen-hour flight! Yep, nineteen hours! I mean, Indonesia in general—and Java in particular—is a *tad* farther than going on vacation to Grandma Yoyo’s! Not sure where it is? Easy. Grab a map. Plant your finger on the big island at the bottom right—aka Australia for those who struggle with geography—move it up two centimeters, and bam, welcome to Indonesia!



Nice transition, right? Because "Welcome to Indonesia" is exactly what the friendly flight attendant just said to me as we got off the plane! That’s it, our chakras are open, we’ve arrived at our (air)port. Time for rest, pool, cocktails, and a beach with our toes spread out... Wait, if you bought that, you clearly don’t know us yet! Since we still have energy to burn and need to adjust to the flight and time difference, we tackle the long administrative formalities to enter Indonesia, just to earn the right to hop in a 45-minute Grab taxi to the train station. The train station? What train station?... What do you usually do at a train station? Take a train, of course! Off we go for a three-hour train ride to Bandung, where we’ll officially start our adventure tomorrow after our first Indonesian night...

Unfortunately, we were a bit slow off the mark, which meant we missed the 6:25 PM train by two minutes. Oh well, we’ll have to wait until 11 PM. We take the opportunity to stretch our legs in Jakarta, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the delicious smells wafting from the *warungs*—those little typical street restaurants. A quick stop at the National Monument, a detour to a night market to devour our first *kwetiaw goreng* and *teh manis* for 60,000 rupiahs (that’s 3 € for two), and just like that, our penalty is lifted, and we’re allowed to hit the road again. Off to Bandung, where we arrive at 2 AM for... a *very* short night...

Hello everyone!

In early July, we’re heading to Indonesia for a solid three weeks as a family (my partner and I are in our fifties, and we have two daughters aged 17 and 20). We’ll be arriving and departing from Denpasar. Our itinerary is still entirely up in the air, and we’d like to explore islands other than Bali (we’ve already been there a few years ago).

I’d love to gather your tips and great recommendations to help us plan our route. For now, we’re thinking of visiting Lombok, Flores, and the Komodo archipelago. Here are some of our questions: - I visited Lombok myself back in 1999. I loved it, but I’ve been reading very mixed reviews in recent travel journals. Some are as enthusiastic as I was back then, while others are much more lukewarm (due to the overly strict and visible influence of the island’s governor on the population and because of massive hotel projects—I’m not sure if they’re on hold, underway, or completed). What’s the current situation? Is Lombok still a must-visit? And do you have any tips (hotels, places to visit, health, etc.)? - Still on Lombok, I did the Rinjani trek back then. I remember the hike wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as tough as what I’ve read in quite a few recent travel journals... My partner and I are in decent shape, but that’s about it, and especially, my partner and our two daughters really don’t like the cold. What’s your experience with this trek? And do you have a trekking agency to recommend? (If we do it, I think we’d want to make sure we have good support, including quality gear, tents, jackets, etc.) - Flores and Komodo would be a completely new experience for all of us. Any tips and recommendations are welcome (sightseeing, accommodations, transport, etc.)! In particular, we’d like to explore the Komodo archipelago with a trusted agency that will take the time to show us the archipelago’s treasures in good conditions (safety and "decent" comfort). Do you know of any such agencies? - Are there other nearby islands you’d recommend? Any advice on places to visit and where to stay?

We’ll have three weeks on the ground... and we like to mix sightseeing with downtime where we just enjoy the moment. So we’re not looking for an overly packed itinerary, but still something rich (no point traveling so far just to lie on a sunbed all day ;-))

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

Albin

Here’s the thing: ever since Sumatra, I’ve become picky. I don’t want the grey-green of the North Sea anymore. I want turquoise, crystal-clear waters—so clear you can see the coral 10 meters down. You see it, right? I don’t want those "equatorial greenhouses" you visit politely in well-maintained park alleys. I want wild, humid, buzzing jungle—hostile yet captivating at the same time. I don’t want wheat that becomes flour that becomes bread that dips into soup. I want jade-green rice terraces rippling in the wind through distant valleys, where you can enjoy a nasi goreng. I want more! I want coconut trees in sight, fine sand underfoot, smiles in the streets, and the world’s largest volcanic lake with a charming little island inside. Simple, really!

Here’s the 26-day itinerary across this island:

LAKE TOBA: 4 days It’s the story of a volcanic island at the bottom of a lake at the bottom of a volcano. The lake is Toba. The island is Samosir. Time here is for pausing. Time is for savoring lobsters, swimming in calm waters, enjoying the mild climate without the tourist crowds. And when time isn’t for pausing, it’s for wandering at a leisurely pace—walking, canoeing, or scootering. You’ll discover lush jungle landscapes, Batak villages (a Christian ethnic group) with surprising architecture, small inner lakes, and breathtaking views from the summit. Tuk Tuk, the main village on Samosir, offers plenty of charming restaurants and accommodations. But you can also venture into lost villages and find a peaceful haven with locals... and never want to leave. If you want to know more and see all the photos, it’s here: Lake Toba.

BERASTAGI: 2 days We’re in the heart of Sumatra’s volcanoes. Berastagi is the starting point for climbing the smoking, sulfurous mountains nearby. The town itself isn’t interesting, but you’ll find everything you need (markets, lodging, warungs, restaurants...). For the volcanoes, the most accessible is Gunung Sibayak. No guide needed—the hike only takes a few hours (depending on where you start). All accommodations provide clear directions. The summit is only 2,095 meters high. Oh, this volcano isn’t all that impressive. But it’s really nice to feel the earth’s warmth in this lunar, ochre-yellow landscape, through the hissing fumaroles escaping the rocks. The place is stunning on a clear day, or even better if you’re lucky enough to rise above the clouds. Across from it, you’ll see the splendid view of a more turbulent neighboring volcano: Mount Sinabung and its dramas.

The jungle KETAMBE: 4 days

This is the real jungle. Not the Hollywood studio kind or the city zoo version. No: the jungle. Teeming, dense, humid, and noisy. With the help of a specialized guide, we spotted plenty of insects and birds, long-tailed macaques, "Thomas leaf monkeys," and the much-anticipated orangutan... Ketambe is less touristy than Bukit Lawang. The animals are completely wild, not "semi-tame." This part of Gunung Leuser National Park is also harder to access, but the experience remains authentic even as tourism grows. In these times of deforestation advancing like a terrestrial cancer, experiencing the jungle is a unique, moving, essential moment: it’s "For the wild beauty of the last primary forests" (Le Monde, November 13, 2013). Leech socks and a small backpack: you’re ready for a multi-day trek? Off you go for muddy slopes, liters of sweat, hot rivers, endless green... and primates! Sleeping at least one night is a memorable adventure: the sounds of the jungle in total darkness deliver their dose of sensations, chills, and lifelong memories. If you want to know more and see all the photos, it’s here: the Ketambe jungle.

PULAU WEH: 5 days It’s all here: turquoise waters, fishing villages, thrilling scuba diving, lush jungle, coconut trees, warungs, and fresh fish on abandoned beaches with seashells and crustaceans. A small island north of Sumatra (50 minutes by ferry), Pulau Weh is slowly recovering from the 2004 tsunami. For now, the place isn’t overrun by tourists. But the infrastructure is more pleasant than in the rest of Sumatra. You’ll find some charming bungalows right on the water. Rent a scooter, and you can easily find yourself alone on a paradise-like cove for a romantic sunset. For the party scene, uh... it’s pretty quiet! People come here mainly for scuba diving with its colorful corals (though some have bleached) and lively marine life. Snorkeling also reveals beautiful sights. If you’re not here to swim, there’s always lazing on the beach in a hammock, sipping while gazing at the turquoise waves. That’s great too! If you want to know more and see all the photos, it’s here: Pulau Weh.

LAKE MANINJAU: 2 days The mist yawns slowly over the waters at dawn. When it finally lifts, you discover a blue treasure at the bottom of the old volcano’s caldera. In central-west Sumatra, Lake Maninjau is home to the Minang Kabau people. Less touristy than Lake Toba, it still offers equally beautiful landscapes. By scooter, a full day is enough to circle the lake (40 km) through villages, jungle, and rice terraces: it’s very pleasant, especially the southern part where traffic is light. You’ll find bungalows by the water, mainly near the village of Maninjau (yes, same name as the lake). From the crater’s heights, you can admire the whole of Maninjau (the lake!). To get there, you can navigate the 44 hairpin turns (!) by motorized vehicle from Maninjau (the village!) or tackle the path climbing from Bayur to Puncak Lawang, where the view is... top (yes, same name as the village).

HARAU VALLEY: 3 days Magnificent rice terraces surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. That’s what awaits the adventurer—happy like Ulysses after a long journey to the fertile Harau Valley. It’s peaceful, off the beaten path, and rejuvenating. Few tourists here, and few accommodations. The well-known Abdi Homestay offers quiet bungalows, slightly set back from the main road, in a stunning setting. Again, renting a scooter is a great idea, but here, "happiness is in the fields"—well, the rice terraces. So, park your two wheels and venture along the paths crisscrossing the terraces, following small streams, brushing past villages lost in the valley. If you want to know more and see all the photos, it’s here: Harau Valley.

BEACHES SOUTH of PADANG: 4 days 20 km south of Padang lies Bungus Beach. But that’s not it yet... You’ll need to take a fisherman’s boat for 40 minutes south to land on a peninsula inaccessible by car. That’s the minimum to reach this little paradise, nestled between jungle and sea, far from Padang’s pollution and hustle. An Eden on an isolated beach, with nothing but small bungalows and possible excursions to the nearby islands. The only way to get around: by boat and on foot... Pure bliss, toes in the water. And on the blog "Un tour dans le sac", nothing is spared—especially not the description to make your mouth water (Indian Ocean water, that is): sublime turquoise waters, postcard-perfect coconut trees, lazing in your favorite hammock.

For the practical side, here’s some info:

Sumatra Travel: Itinerary Summary My thoughts Sumatra is a magnificent Indonesian island and still relatively untouched. Tourists mainly flock to Java and Bali. It’s especially suited for nature lovers who’ll appreciate its volcanoes, paradise islands, jungle, and rice terraces. Sumatra is huge: in 3 weeks, we only visited the northern half of the island... And even then, we barely scratched the surface of this stunning part of Sumatra. That said, this itinerary offers an exceptional variety of landscapes: beaches, volcanoes, rice terraces, jungle—the winning combo!

Overall, Sumatra is still lacking in infrastructure, and maybe that’s a good thing: it’s far from Bali’s rampant "hotel urbanization." That said, you’ll have to accept spartan comfort: Sumatra, as beautiful as it is, is only for backpackers, adventurers, and travelers who can do without cozy 3-star hotels. In short, Sumatra is earned, but the effort is well worth it, and the warm welcome from the locals will make you forget the minor travel inconveniences.

A disappointment? The food isn’t as good as Bali’s (check out our article on the subject (link)). The stop in Berastagi is nice but not essential, especially if you’ve already seen Java’s impressive volcanoes.

A favorite? There were so many! But if I had to choose, I’d pick the Ketambe jungle. It was my first experience in a natural environment I didn’t know: a primary forest and memories that’ll last!

Would I do the Sumatra trip again? I regret not going to the Mentawai Islands. This archipelago, off Sumatra’s west coast, has long remained isolated: some inhabitants still live traditionally. These "flower men" live in harmony with nature. Unfortunately, their way of life is threatened by modern influences, and their fragile, unique culture risks disappearing. I would’ve loved to spend time with this incredible ethnic group. But it takes time: a week seems necessary. I would’ve had to skip some stops in our itinerary—maybe the peninsula south of Bungus and Berastagi?

Budget: It’s really cheap, especially the food, which, let’s be honest, isn’t amazing. Backpackers who can settle for spartan comfort (small bungalows without AC or hot water) and local food in warungs can easily get by on 20 € per day for two people (food + lodging). The cost of flights from Europe to Sumatra remains high. For our part, we found great deals on Paris-Hong Kong tickets (350 € round trip). Then you just need to reach Medan by low-cost airline.

No mandatory tipping in restaurants or accommodations. However, it’s more common to tip guides or taxi drivers.

Like many places in Indonesia, everything is negotiable. If you’re new to this, it’s not easy at first... Especially when dealing with a population poorer than us, "rich Westerners." But bargaining is part of the local culture! And you’ll get used to it—it even becomes fun. Plus, you don’t want to be that tourist paying the "tourist price" they’ll likely quote first, right?

To negotiate, be firm, respect your counterpart, smile, stay polite... Clearly show it’s too expensive or that the deal is done (by shaking hands, for example). Typing the numbers on your phone helps communicate the price. Learning a few words in the local language ("It’s too expensive," "How much?") is appreciated! Okay, it’s a rough tip, but here’s a base: dividing the first price by 2 gets you close to a fair negotiation.

Currently, 15,000 Indonesian rupiahs are worth about 1 €.

Accommodation Infrastructure is underdeveloped in Sumatra. You’ll find fewer "charming lodgings" than in Bali. Still, there are some very pleasant places. If you read our Sumatra articles, we recommend Abdi Homestay in Harau Valley and Silimalumbo at Lake Toba. In Pulau Weh, the choice is wider, but we suggest trying the seafood pasta at Bixio Café!

Health We didn’t get sick in Sumatra. By following a few simple rules (avoiding tap water, not swimming in stagnant freshwater), you’ll avoid the main issues. Hygiene is improving anyway. Anti-malaria treatment is still recommended, but cases are rare.

Also, keep in mind that Sumatra has a hot, humid climate—adjust your behavior accordingly (stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun, etc.).

Bonjour nous voudrions faire du snorkeling, avec un petit budget départ depuis la france . Nous avons pensé a l Indonésie ou Philippines ou Thaïlande, nous aimerions savoir le quel de ces trois choix correspond le mieux a un petit budget.A savoir nous avons déjà fait aux Philippines , Coron sur l ile de Palawan. Tres beaux fonds pour le snorkeling. Mais Coron qui est au bord de l eau , na pas de plage , pour faire la petite plongée, il faut prendre des tours ou trouver comme nous l avons fait , un pêcheur qui moyennant finances , vous transporte tout les jours , d iles en iles . Dans l attente Merci d avance a ceux qui prendrons de leurs temps pour nous répondre.

Hello everyone!

This travel journal aims to help future travelers (well, I hope so!), since there’s so little information available about this remote archipelago. Big thanks to Lolodesiles and Ayis for answering my questions while I planned this trip!



Context This is our fourth trip to Indonesia as a couple—after Java-Bali in 2011, Flores-Komodo in 2013, and Sulawesi in 2016—each time for three weeks. It’s also our tenth trip to Southeast Asia overall.

We’re traveling like we have in previous years: with a rough itinerary that often changes based on who we meet, tips from other travelers, how tired we are, or what we’re feeling in the moment. In the Moluccas, it’ll change constantly, mostly depending on transportation.

Our only accommodation booking: the first few nights in Ambon when we arrive.

Planned route (to be refined on the spot): Ambon - Banda Islands - Lease Islands - Ternate - Tidore - Halmahera (between Sofifi and Tobelo) - Morotai and the neighboring unnamed archipelago.

Flights: Lyon-Paris-Singapore on Air France (428 € round-trip), with good meals, champagne, and wine (we like our little comforts when going on vacation 😏). Then Singapore-Jakarta-Ambon on Air Asia and Garuda. Return flight: Ternate-Jakarta-Singapore on Lion Air, with a 3-day stopover in Singapore before heading home.

Episode 1: Ambon to Banda Our guesthouse, booked two days before departure, is 45 minutes from Ambon Airport, near Natsepa Beach (northeast of Leihitu). It’s a pretty average beach—quiet on weekdays but packed on Sundays (we saw the difference). It’s lined with warungs. This rainy day helps us readjust to the atmosphere of this country we love so much.

Our “Solim Guesthouse” is a lovely house with a living/dining room and garden, costing 15 € per night for two, including a hearty breakfast. Dinner is at Gaba Gaba, a great restaurant just a short walk away, right by the water, recommended by our host. Fun fact: it’s in the Lonely Planet, and it might be the only LP-listed spot in the Moluccas that actually matches the description (the others either don’t exist or have nothing to do with what’s advertised 😠).

For the next two days, the super-friendly owner lends us his scooter. We set off to explore the coastal villages in northern Leihitu (the western part of Ambon Island, which has a weird shape). Laundry and trucks washed in the same stream.

Liang Beach, described as the island’s most beautiful, is almost gone (climate change or something else?), but the colors are magical.

We continue 25 km toward a snorkeling spot our host recommended, taking a gorgeous, deserted little road through tiny villages in clove plantations (oh, those unforgettable scents!), stunning coves, and dense forest.



We’re greeted dozens of times with “Hello Mister”—a daily routine in the Moluccas. Every time we stop, we pose for photos to be saved on locals’ smartphones. They don’t see tourists often.



We ask for directions to the snorkeling spot (not easy—we only know basic Indonesian like *Selamat pagi*, *siang*, *sore*, and other polite phrases). Not many people know where it is (especially since we never know which village we’re in), but we eventually reach a small village that seems to be the right place. 🙂



We ask a local to take us there by boat (it’s not reachable by land).



The spot is at most 100 meters long, but the coral is in good condition (apparently not dynamited by fishermen, unlike in other parts of this beautiful country where fishing methods are destructive and nature pays the price 😠). The fish are plentiful and diverse. It’s a great start before heading to Banda. We’re happy to have the place to ourselves… though we don’t yet realize we won’t see a single tourist for the rest of the trip!

After two days of rest, we head to Tulehu Port in the morning, aiming for the Banda Islands. We know the journey is often tricky: the Pelni ferry runs twice a month but doesn’t match our dates, the 10-seat Suzi Air plane is always full (you can’t book—you have to show up on Mondays and Fridays), and it’s often canceled due to weather. So we opt for the Tuesday speedboat (which also gets canceled if there are waves or wind), with the next one on Saturday. We’re used to Indonesian ports—crowded, rusty boats, no English speakers—but we still feel lost. When I ask about the speedboat to Bandaneira, people gesture wildly, someone takes me to the “harbor office,” then tells me there’s no boat, others try to sell me tickets, and some just say, “No boat.”



Luckily, an English-speaking local approaches us and confirms the speedboat is broken. The next one will be Saturday *if* it’s fixed—otherwise, even later. 🤪 😠 We’re crushed. We came here for the Banda Islands… 🙁 We decide waiting five days for a maybe-boat isn’t an option, so we decide to head straight to North Moluccas, which was planned for later. We’re so disappointed we don’t even want to stay in the area. The Lease Islands don’t appeal to us despite what we’ve read, and Seram would deserve its own trip with its remote mountain tribes. Huge disappointment—we’d been dreaming of Banda for months, with its incredible drop-offs like Bunaken, its islands covered in nutmeg trees, etc. I’d read that Banda is in the world’s top 5, alongside Bunaken (amazing—we went in 2016), Komodo (incredible—we went in 2013), Sipadan, and another spot I’ve forgotten.

We take a taxi back to Ambon (45 minutes) to a travel agency to buy plane tickets to Ternate. There’s a daily ATR72 flight at noon—perfect timing. Ambon is the capital of South Moluccas (or Central, depending on who you ask!) with 300,000 people. The city doesn’t seem unpleasant, but we don’t stop. On the plane, there are only about ten passengers for 72 seats. The flight attendants are stunning, as always with Wings Air—clearly, they’re hired for their looks. 😊



Stopover in Bacan—a runway in the middle of coconut trees serving a tiny town—then we fly over countless volcanoes, the last one towering over Ternate.

Next episode coming soon: Ternate.