Indonesia is an island nation of storytellers—traders of spice and silk, kings who raised temples to the sky, and villagers who still dance at sunset to the rhythm of the sea. From the batik ateliers of Yogyakarta to the volcanic moonscape of Bromo and manta-filled waters of Komodo, its diversity is the thrill. This itinerary threads Java’s culture, Flores’ wild reefs, and Bali’s rice terraces into one fluid, time-smart route.

Expect gracious hospitality and a food scene that swings from night-market skewers to refined regional feasts. Coffee is a national pastime; you’ll sip single-origin pour-overs in modern cafes and sweet iced kopi at roadside stalls. For scooters in Bali, carry an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement, always wear a helmet, and ride defensively—traffic is part puzzle, part ballet.

Dry season (roughly April–October) offers the clearest skies for volcanoes and boats, though the wet months bring lush landscapes and fewer crowds. Pack modest attire for temples (sarong and shoulder coverage), reef-safe sunscreen for the islands, and light layers for pre-dawn volcano starts. With a mid-range budget, you’ll enjoy comfortable hotels, standout meals, and a couple of unforgettable guided days on the water.

Jakarta

Days 1–2: Gateway to Java—Old Port, National Icons, and Street Eats

Jakarta’s energy is a heady mix of skyscrapers and spice-route history. Stroll Dutch-era Kota Tua (Old Town), watch phinisi schooners load at Sunda Kelapa, and compare the serene grandeur of Istiqlal Mosque with the neo-gothic Jakarta Cathedral across the street. Ride up MONAS (National Monument) for a skyline primer.

• Eat & drink: Start at Giyanti Coffee Roastery for meticulous pour-overs; grab an iced kopi susu at Toko Kopi Tuku. For lunch, try Soto Betawi H. Husein (rich coconut beef soup). Evening grazing at Jalan Sabang brings satay smoke, martabak (stuffed pancakes), and es campur (shaved-ice dessert). Seafood night? Bandar Djakarta Ancol lets you pick your catch by the kilo.
• Where to stay: Compare stays on Hotels.com Jakarta or browse apartments on VRBO Jakarta.
• Getting in and around: Check international flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. In town, use ride-hailing for traffic sanity; commuter rail (KRL) is handy for Old Town runs.

Yogyakarta

Days 3–5: Palaces, Batik, and the Temples of Borobudur & Prambanan

Yogyakarta is Java’s cultural soul—where gamelan notes drift through the Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) and artisans still batik by hand. Wander the water palaces of Taman Sari, shop for hand-dyed textiles on Jl. Malioboro, and sample the city’s sweet icon: gudeg (young jackfruit stew).

• Temple days: Reserve a dawn visit to Borobudur (upper-terrace access is quota-controlled; book ahead and expect shoe covers) and catch sunset among Prambanan’s spires. On select nights, the Ramayana Ballet stages an open-air performance by the temples—an unforgettable evening.
• Eat & drink: Classic Gudeg Yu Djum, Javanese comfort plates at Warung Bu Ageng, and chewy noodles at Bakmi Kadin. Coffee pilgrims love Klinik Kopi; linger in the leafy garden at ViaVia for smoothies and traveler vibes.
• Where to stay: Budget travelers like EDU Hostel; for resort comforts choose Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta. For a splurge near Borobudur, Amanjiwo is a serene, temple-inspired retreat.
• Jakarta → Yogyakarta: Take a morning train (6.5–8 hrs, ~$18–35) via Trip.com Trains for scenery across rice plains; or fly (1h15, ~$35–80) via Trip.com Flights / Kiwi.com.

Malang & Mount Bromo (East Java)

Days 6–7: Rainbow Lanes and a Volcano at Sunrise

Base in laid-back Malang, a university town with cool nights and colonial streets. Visit the photo-famous Kampung Warna-Warni (rainbow village) and fuel up early for a Bromo run—jeeps depart around 2–3 a.m. to catch the first light over the Tengger caldera.

• Bromo game plan: Standard sunrise loop includes the King Kong Hill viewpoint, a drive across the Sea of Sand, and a short hike to the crater rim. Bring a buff and jacket; mornings are chilly and dusty. Optional stop at Madakaripura Waterfall (expect wet shoes).
• Eat & drink (Malang): Old-world sundaes and Dutch-era charm at Toko Oen, East Javanese rawon at Rawon Nguling, and a polished dinner at Javanine. For beans roasted on-site, hit Java Dancer Coffee.
• Where to stay: Browse options on Hotels.com Malang or VRBO Malang. If you base in Probolinggo/Cemoro Lawang for quicker access, see Hotels.com Probolinggo.
• Yogyakarta → Malang: Day train (7–8 hrs, ~$12–25) via Trip.com Trains. Many Bromo tours include Malang pick-up and drop-off.

Surabaya (Transit)

Day 8: A Taste of East Java’s Big Port City

On the way to Flores, pause in Surabaya for a half-day: browse the tobacco-history exhibits at House of Sampoerna, snap the Red Bridge, or stroll the riverside at sunset. It’s also a great city for fiery East Javanese plates.

• Eat & drink: Coconut-rich skewers at Sate Klopo Ondomohen, jet-black beef soup at Rawon Setan, and specialty brews at Cailano Coffee.
• Where to stay (if overnight): Heritage icon Hotel Majapahit Surabaya, modern comforts at Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya, or budget-friendly My Studio Hotel City Center.
• Malang → Surabaya → Labuan Bajo: Train Malang–Surabaya Gubeng (2–3 hrs, ~$5–10) via Trip.com Trains. Fly Surabaya (SUB) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) direct on select days (1h50, ~$70–140) via Trip.com / Kiwi.com. If no direct, connect via Bali (DPS).

Labuan Bajo (Komodo National Park)

Days 9–10 (or 9–11): Early-Bird Speedboat, Pink Sands, and Mantas

Frontier-town vibes meet world-class reefs in Labuan Bajo. The early departure matters here—leaving the harbor before most boats lets you savor Padar’s ridges and Pink Beach in peaceful light.

• Must-do tour: Early Bird Group Speedboat Tour - Explore Komodo Ahead of Crowds

  

  Typical stops include Padar Island hike, Komodo or Rinca with park rangers (observe dragons at a safe distance), Pink Beach, Manta Point, and Taka Makassar sandbar. Expect park fees (~IDR 200,000–500,000 per person depending on day/activities)—many tours collect these in cash.
• Extra day ideas: Snorkel Sebayur or Kanawa, swim in the sapphire pool of Rangko Cave, then catch sunset from Amelia Sea View Hill above town.
• Eat & drink: Mix local and international—family-style buffet at Warung Mama, seafood and cocktails at Bajo Bay Fisherman’s Club, creative sushi bowls at Happy Banana, and wood-fired pies at La Cucina.
• Where to stay: Compare bayside hotels on Hotels.com Labuan Bajo or search villas on VRBO Labuan Bajo.
• Labuan Bajo → Bali: Fly to Denpasar (1h10–1h20, ~$40–110) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Afternoon arrivals give you time to settle into Ubud.

Bali – Ubud, Nusa Penida, and Uluwatu/Seminyak

Days 11–13: Ubud Base + Scooter Days (Rice Terraces, Water Temples, Waterfalls)

Ubud is Bali’s green room: terraced paddies, banyan-shadowed temples, and artisan lanes. With a scooter (IDR 80,000–120,000/day), you can hop between waterfalls and warungs with ease. Start early to avoid traffic and mid-day heat.

• Scooter loops:
  • North Loop: Tegallalang Rice Terrace boardwalks → Tirta Empul water temple (bring a sarong; purification available) → Coffee farm for luwak-free tastings → Tukad Cepung or Tibumana waterfall.
  • West Loop: Campuhan Ridge Walk at dawn → village workshops in Mas (woodcarving) and Celuk (silver) → late afternoon Goa Gajah → sunset in Sayan Ridge.
• Guided options (swap in if you prefer a driver):
  • All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour

    

    Hits Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, and a waterfall with a private driver-guide.
  • Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour

    

    A polished, unhurried overview with temple etiquette and cultural context.
  • Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting

    

    For an adventure day, combine jungle tracks with the Ayung River.
• Eat & drink: Espresso at Seniman Coffee Studio, flaky croissants at Butter Manila Ubud, betutu (spiced chicken) at Warung Nasi Ayam Ibu Mangku, crispy duck at Bebek Bengil, and fresh Indonesian plates at Clear Café. Nightcaps on Jl. Goutama feel lively but low-key.
• Where to stay (Ubud): Luxe jungle sanctuaries at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve or Viceroy Bali. Great mid-range at Pertiwi Bisma 1 or The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud. Budget favorite: In Da Lodge or Ubud Tropical Garden.

Day 14: Nusa Penida by Boat—Cliffs, Coves, and Crystal Water

Swap rice terraces for island cliffs on a full-day jaunt to Nusa Penida—think Kelingking’s T-Rex viewpoint and turquoise lagoons. A small-group yacht keeps it intimate and comfortable.

• Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida

  

  Expect hotel pick-up, fast crossings, and curated stops like Kelingking, Diamond Beach, and snorkeling if conditions permit.

Days 15–16: Uluwatu/Seminyak—Beach Hops by Scooter, Cliffside Temples, Night Bites

Finish on Bali’s southwest coast. In Uluwatu, surf breaks crash against honeyed limestone cliffs; in Seminyak, boutiques and cocktail bars orbit a golden strand of sand. Scooters shine here for short beach-to-beach hops.

• Uluwatu day: Beach-hop Padang Padang → Bingin → Melasti. At golden hour, head to Uluwatu Temple for the storied Kecak fire dance, then dine on the sand in Jimbaran (try Menega Café or Lia Café for grilled snapper and prawns).
• Seminyak evening: Espresso martinis and ribeye at Boy’N’Cow, Balinese classics in an elegant setting at Bambu, smoky ribs at Naughty Nuri’s, and third-wave coffee at Revolver Espresso. Sunset? A simple coconut on Double Six Beach never fails.
• Suggested tour: Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

  

  Ideal if you’d rather skip parking and focus on the show.
• Where to stay:
  • Uluwatu: Design-forward cliff villas at Alila Villas Uluwatu, resort comforts at Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, or value near Padang at Padang-Padang Inn.
  • Seminyak: Beachfront refinement at The Legian Seminyak, Bali, wallet-friendly chic at Tijili Seminyak or Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak, and resort leisure at Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak.
  • Alternative beach hubs: For Kuta families, check The Anvaya Beach Resort or Bali Dynasty Resort. For Nusa Dua calm, see The St. Regis Bali Resort, Grand Hyatt Bali, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, or Holiday Inn Resort Benoa.

Practical Wrap-Up and Flow (16 Days)

• Days 1–2: Jakarta highlights and street-food intro.
• Days 3–5: Yogyakarta, Borobudur sunrise, Prambanan sunset/Ramayana.
• Days 6–7: Malang base and Bromo sunrise by jeep.
• Day 8: Surabaya transit and evening flight to Flores.
• Days 9–10 (add Day 11 if you want): Komodo National Park speedboat day; optional extra day for caves/snorkeling.
• Days 11–13: Settle in Ubud; 2–3 scooter days for terraces, temples, waterfalls (or swap in private tours).
• Day 14: Nusa Penida day trip.
• Days 15–16: Uluwatu/Seminyak beaches, Kecak dance, sunset seafood; depart.

• Local driver option: If you decide to skip scooters entirely, hire a vetted driver for custom days via Experts Bali Driver

  

  for flexibility and insider stops.

For Bali-only hotel splurges, consider Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan or The St. Regis Bali Resort. Wallet watchers can keep the vibe high at Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel or M Boutique Hostel.

This route balances time and texture: Java’s royal courts and volcano dawns, Flores’ dragon isles, and Bali’s scooter-sized freedom. With smart travel blocks and a mid-range budget, you’ll get Indonesia’s big highlights—plus quiet moments in warungs and on cliff edges you’ll remember long after the suitcases are home.