Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, a living mosaic of Hindu-Buddhist temples, spice-route ports, volcanic peaks, and coral gardens. This 15-day itinerary combines three quintessential destinations: Yogyakarta on Java for history and craft, Labuan Bajo for a Komodo National Park adventure, and Bali for culture, jungle, and coast.

Expect contrasts: sunrise bells at Borobudur, dragon tracks on savanna hills, the hum of scooters through Ubud’s banyan-lined lanes, and cliff-top chants at Uluwatu at sunset. You’ll sample gudeg in Yogyakarta, line-caught tuna in Flores, and babi guling in Bali, with specialty coffee everywhere.

Practical notes: Indonesia’s dry season (May–September) brings clear seas and easier temple days; November–March is wetter, but crowds thin. Dress modestly for temples, carry small cash for warungs, and plan inter-island flights in the morning to dodge tropical weather delays.

How to arrive and move between islands: Fly into either Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS), then connect to Yogyakarta (YIA). For the best fares and schedules across Indonesia, search flights on Trip.com. For some routes, you can also compare on Kiwi.com.

Yogyakarta (Days 1–4)

Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java, pairs royal heritage with a thriving student art scene. The 9th-century Borobudur and Prambanan temples rise just beyond the city, while batik workshops, shadow puppetry, and gamelan spill from neighborhoods near the Kraton palace.

Days 1–4: Temples, crafts, and street food

• Borobudur: Visit early morning when the mist hangs over rice fields. The reliefs read like a stone comic of Buddhist cosmology; a local guide brings the stories to life. Note: top-stupa access is managed in small timed groups—arrive early and bring a sarong.
• Prambanan: A masterpiece of Hindu temple architecture with soaring spires dedicated to Shiva. Stay for the Ramayana Ballet (open-air on select nights) where dancers and fire tell an epic under the stars.
• Kraton & Tamansari: The Sultan’s palace museum and the “Water Castle” illustrate Javanese court life—look for intricate batik motifs and the underground mosque.
• Hands-on Yogya: Join a batik class on Prawirotaman Street or a silver workshop in Kotagede; you’ll appreciate the detail behind pieces you see in galleries.

Coffee, breakfast, and bites:

• Kopi Klotok Kaliurang: Rustic countryside breakfast—omelets cooked over charcoal, fried bananas, and a spread of Javanese dishes served buffet-style with views of rice fields.
• Klinik Kopi: A cult favorite roaster; sip single-origin pour-overs and chat with baristas about beans from Toraja to Aceh.
• Gudeg Yu Djum: The city’s signature young jackfruit stew—sweet, savory, and served with krecek (spicy cow-skin stew), rice, and a hard-boiled egg.
• Sate Klatak Pak Pong: Iconic lamb skewers grilled on iron rods for better heat conduction—minimal marinade, maximal flavor.
• House of Raminten: Whimsical Javanese decor meets late-night comfort food; try nasi liwet and wedang uwuh herbal tea.

Where to stay (browse more on VRBO/Hotels.com):

• Search Yogyakarta stays on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com.
• Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta: Resort-style gardens and a nine-hole course—easy base for temple days. Check availability.
• EDU Hostel Jogja: Social, budget-friendly base near Malioboro. See rates.
• Amanjiwo (near Borobudur): Limestone suites overlooking Menoreh hills—perfect if you want a serene temple retreat. View Amanjiwo or compare via this option.

Getting there: Fly into Yogyakarta International (YIA). From Jakarta: ~1h15 direct; typical fares ~$35–$90. From Bali (DPS): ~1h30 direct; ~$50–$120. Search current prices on Trip.com. Assuming a morning arrival, you can tour the Kraton and Tamansari the same afternoon.

Labuan Bajo (Komodo National Park) (Days 5–7)

On Flores’s western tip, Labuan Bajo is the springboard to Komodo National Park—home to the world’s largest lizards, manta cleaning stations, and beaches tinged pink by microscopic foraminifera. The harbor glows at sunset, dotted with phinisi schooners.

Days 5–7: Padar viewpoints, dragons, and Pink Beach

• Early boat day: Go at first light to beat the crowds and winds. Classic route: Padar Island (panoramic ridge hike), Komodo or Rinca for dragons with a ranger, Manta Point for drifts with gentle rays, and Pink Beach for a snorkel.
• Harbor stroll: Back in town, browse simple seafood grills and cafes; sunsets from Paradise Bar or the hill near the mosque are stellar.

Recommended boat tour:

Early Bird Group Speedboat Tour - Explore Komodo Ahead of Crowds

Why it’s great: one of the first boats out, efficient routing, and ample time at each stop—ideal for photography and calmer seas.

Coffee and dining:

• Café.in.hit: Reliable espresso and smoothie bowls before an early departure.
• Bajo Bay Fisherman’s Club: Grilled octopus, tuna bowls, and icy coconuts—sea-to-table and easygoing.
• Happy Banana: Sushi and poke with Flores tuna; try the dragon fruit smoothie after a salty day out.
• MadeInItaly: House-made pasta and wood-fired pizza; a well-earned carb-load after that Padar climb.

Where to stay:

• Search Labuan Bajo stays on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting there (morning flight): From Yogyakarta to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) usually connects via Bali or Surabaya. Expect total travel time ~3.5–5 hours door-to-door; fares often ~$120–$220 depending on season. Compare options on Trip.com.

Bali (Ubud & Uluwatu) (Days 8–15)

Bali blends village ritual with rainforest, crater lakes, and beaches. You’ll split time between Ubud’s temples and terraces and the south’s cliff-backed coasts—plus a day hop to Nusa Penida for electric-blue water and dramatic capes.

Days 8–12: Ubud and central Bali—rice terraces, waterfalls, and temples

• Tegallalang Rice Terrace: Wander the subak irrigation maze in golden morning light; grab a coconut at the rim cafes and watch farmers at work.
• Tirta Empul: A sacred water temple where locals queue to purify—observe respectfully, or join with a guide to understand the ritual sequence.
• Waterfalls: Tegenungan for an easy-access roar, or Kanto Lampo/Tibumana for photogenic cascades tucked into the jungle.
• Ubud Monkey Forest: Ancient banyans, mossy temples, and long-tailed macaques—secure your sunglasses and keep a polite distance.

Curated Ubud tours (pick your style):

Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour

Ubud Top Attractions: Waterfalls, Temples and Rice Terraces

Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting

Why these: flexible private options for temples/terraces, plus a fun Ayung River paddle and jungle ATV if you want some adrenaline between shrines.

Ubud eats and coffee:

• Seniman Coffee Studio: Bali’s craft coffee pioneer—V60s, nitro cold brew, and a roasting lab tour if you’re keen.
• Anomali Coffee: Indonesian single-origins and hearty breakfast plates; sit street-side and people-watch.
• Warung Biah Biah: Order a nasi campur sampler—sautéed greens, peanuts, tempeh, sambal matah, and whatever’s cooking that day.
• Ibu Oka: The famous babi guling (spiced roast suckling pig) with crackling and lawar—go for lunch before it sells out.
• Bridges Bali: Romantic riverside dinners and a serious wine list; ideal for a celebratory night.
• Alchemy: Plant-based café with raw desserts and vibrant salad bowls—great reset after a rich temple-day lunch.

Where to stay in Ubud:

• Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Riverside sanctum with jungle views. Check Mandapa.
• Viceroy Bali: Private villas perched over a lush ravine. See Viceroy.
• The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud: Family-friendly wellness focus. View Westin Ubud.
• Pertiwi Bisma 1 or Ubud Tropical Garden: Solid midrange near the action. Pertiwi Bisma 1 | Ubud Tropical Garden.
• Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel or In Da Lodge (budget/social). Puri Garden | In Da Lodge.
• Browse more: Ubud on VRBO | Ubud on Hotels.com.

Days 13–15: South Bali—Uluwatu cliffs, Seminyak dining, and Nusa Penida

• Uluwatu Temple at sunset: A clifftop shrine to the sea spirits; stay for the kecak fire dance as the sky turns tangerine and the ocean thunders below.
• Beach-hop: Padang Padang for a sandy cove, Bingin for casual surfer vibes, and Melasti/Green Bowl for dramatic limestone backdrops.
• Seminyak food & sunset: Spend an afternoon browsing boutiques, then grab an oceanfront spot for the golden hour before dinner.
• Nusa Penida day trip (optional but highly recommended): Think cobalt water and cliff arcs—Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay.

Handpicked South Bali experiences:

Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida

Why these: a well-paced temple/sunset/dinner trifecta, and a comfortable, upgraded Penida boat day for those postcard cliffs without ferries.

Breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner:

• Revolver Espresso (Seminyak): The espresso bar that sparked a coffee wave—go for flat whites and breakfast burritos.
• Sisterfields (Seminyak): Brunch classics with Bali produce; their smashed avo and soft-shell crab burgers are crowd-pleasers.
• Suka Espresso (Uluwatu): Great pre-beach eggs and smoothies; good gluten-free options.
• Menega Cafe (Jimbaran Bay): Choose your fish by weight and dine with toes in the sand as planes arc into DPS.
• Cuca (Jimbaran): Chef-driven small plates with Indonesian soul (try the BBQ octopus and the Bali-inspired desserts).
• Mason Uluwatu: Wood-fired meats, sourdough, and craft cocktails in a refined, breezy space.
• Single Fin (Uluwatu) or Potato Head Beach Club (Seminyak): For golden-hour drinks; book ahead on weekends.

Where to stay in South Bali:

• Uluwatu: Alila Villas Uluwatu (architectural icon on the cliff), Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu (modern comfort near surf), or Padang-Padang Inn (simple and walkable to the beach).
• Seminyak: The Legian Seminyak, Bali (timeless beachfront), Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort (central and family-friendly), Tijili Seminyak or Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak (value picks).
• Browse more: Uluwatu on VRBO | Uluwatu on Hotels.com | Seminyak on VRBO | Seminyak on Hotels.com.

Optional add-on day trips if you extend Bali: Tanah Lot and Jatiluwih’s UNESCO rice terraces up north, or East Bali’s Lempuyang “Gates of Heaven” and Tirta Gangga water palace.

Transfers and timing:

• Labuan Bajo → Bali (DPS): ~1h10 nonstop; fares ~$60–$150. Morning flights are smoothest. Check Trip.com.
• DPS → Ubud: 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic. South Bali → Airport: 40–75 minutes.

Notes on drivers: In Bali, hiring a private driver for a day is affordable and efficient for temple/waterfall loops (typical full-day ~$40–$65 depending on distance). If you prefer to pre-book with reviews and English-speaking drivers, look at options like this: Experts Bali Driver: Best Bali Private Driver.

Putting it all together (multi-day blocks):

• Days 1–4 (Yogyakarta): Kraton, Tamansari, Borobudur, Prambanan, batik/silver workshops, and legendary street food.
• Days 5–7 (Labuan Bajo): Early-bird speedboat day for Padar–Komodo–Manta Point–Pink Beach; sunset dinners by the harbor.
• Days 8–12 (Ubud): Temples, terraces, waterfalls, Monkey Forest, and an optional rafting/ATV combo day.
• Days 13–15 (South Bali): Uluwatu sunset and kecak, beach-hopping, Seminyak dining, and an optional premium Nusa Penida day.

In two weeks you’ll trace Indonesia’s story from stone mandalas to living ritual, then swap temple bells for boat wakes and cliff chants. This itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room, great food, and the right travel windows to keep the journey smooth.