Indonesia: Culture, Beaches, Orangutans, & Dragons

Arrive in Jakarta
Welcome to Indonesia! Straddling the equator, the heavenly country of Indonesia is comprised of thousands of islands, little green gems in a sparkling blue sea. Start your unforgettable island-hopping adventure in Jakarta.

During your adventure, you’ll get to know your expert Indonesian guide, who will help you discover the secrets of each island you will explore. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

You will be met and transferred to your hotel in Jakarta. One group transfer will be provided (time TBD); private transfers are available for an additional fee.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman in your trip is excited to explore Indonesia!
Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Borobudur

Jakarta to Kalimantan
After breakfast, return to the airport and board a morning flight to Pangkalan Bun on the island of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Visit a Dayak long house where you will be welcomed with a traditional ceremony performed by members of the local community.

On arrival you will be met and escorted to the nearby port of Kumai, where you’ll board what the locals call a “Klotok,” a wooden riverboat that measures approximately 19.5’ x 6.5’. The boat is equipped with an upper deck that allows you to view the rain forest as you glide by. Travel into the Tanjung Puting National Park located about two hours up-river from Kumai. It is not unusual to see female orangutans building their nests high in the treetops as you cruise up the river.

Lunch will either be served on the klotok on the way to your lodge or at a local restaurant depending on the timing of your flight.

This afternoon, explore and observe the many different forms of wildlife along the river. Enjoy dinner on the boat at the dock near your lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Rimba Lodge

Kalimantan
Board the klotok to travel upriver through the park to Pondok Tanguii. Look for monkeys, birds, and other wildlife along the riverbank.

Arrive at Pondok Tanggui in time for the daily orangutan feeding at 9:00am. Walk into the jungle along small tracks and witness these incredible creatures in a natural habitat from just few feet away.

Have lunch on the boat as you continue along the river. Prepared by the boat crew, your meal consists of delicious Indonesian dishes of fresh fish, chicken, beef, vegetables, and fruit with plenty to drink. During lunch the boat will turn from the “Big” Sekonyer to the “Small” Sekonyer branch of the river, otherwise known as Crocodile River. Living up to its name, this small river is the home to many crocodiles!

Enjoy another orangutan feeding. Observe these thoughtful, fascinating creatures as they come feast on bananas for their breakfast.

Enjoy sunset and dinner on the boat as you cruise back to the lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Rimba Lodge

Kalimantan
Enjoy another morning cruising the river. Head up a branch of the river where you can search for crocodiles.

Arrive at the famed Camp Leakey, established in 1971 to support research activities in Tanjung Puting Wildlife Reserve. Look around the research center and learn about the local families of orangutans. Observe these impressie animals at another orangutan feeding, and perhaps see wild gibbons, macaques, and birds. Try to identify the orangutans from the “family photos” they have on the walls of the research center.

Enjoy an evening cruise back up the river to your lodge. Have dinner along the way. Eating as you watch the riverbanks float past you is a calming and magical experience.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Rimba Lodge

Kalimantan to Java
Wake up early this morning and head to Pangkalan Bun to catch your flight to Semarang on the island of Java. Enjoy lunch when you arrive in Java.

Take a tour of a local coffee plantation, complete with a coffee tasting. You’ll have an opportunity to buy coffee to bring home if you’d like.

Dinner is on your own tonight. There are multiple dining options at your beautiful resort.
Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Plataran Borobudur Resort

Java
Before the sun comes up, head to the stunning and majestic Borobudur Temple. Around 850 AD, the temple was deserted when the Hindu Majapahit Empire overthrew the Sailendra Dynasty. Borobudur is the largest single Buddhist monument in the Southern Hemisphere. Climb the steps to see the 1640 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies. Upon reaching nearly the top of the monument you will (hopefully!) witness an extraordinary sunrise. (Note that the 9th and 10th levels are currently closed, but you’ll have a wonderful view from the 8th level).

Enjoy breakfast after your early-morning excursion.

Late this morning, visit Candirejo Village and have an opportunity to meet with the local community members to see their farms and plantations. End your visit with a lesson in traditional Gamelan music at one of the local homes. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Spend the afternoon at your stunning hotel. Explore the grounds or take a dip in the inviting pool to cool off after your busy morning.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Plataran Borobudur Resort

Java to Komodo Island
Today is a long travel day, but the reward is worth it. Take an early morning flight from Java to Bali. During your layover in Bali, you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before connecting with your onward flight. Land in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, the departure point for a visit to the Komodo National Park.

Transfer to the harbor and board your luxury chartered vessel, Cheng Ho, setting sail for a two night voyage to search for Komodo dragons.

Watching the fruit bats take flight from Kalong Island is an astonishing sight. Thousands of bats are backlit by a stunning sunset as they fly off of the island in the evening to feed.

Enjoy dinner on board. After dinner, take some time to stargaze.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Cheng Ho

Komodo Island
After breakfast on board the Cheng Ho, get in smaller boats and hop out on Komodo Island. You’ll be escorted by rangers to search for Komodo dragons on foot. Climb to the top of the hill just behind the beach on Komodo Island for a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding area.

After lunch on the Cheng Ho, spend some time on the Pink Beach, which gets its name (and color!) from the particles of red coral that are mingled in with the sand. Do some snorkeling from the beach, or just swim and relax on the sand.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Cheng Ho

Komodo Island to Bali
Spend a relaxing morning on the Cheng Ho, watching islands drift by as you cruise back to your port in Labuan Bajo. Enjoy lunch on board before saying goodbye to the boat crew.

This afternoon, fly to Denpasar, Bali – the “Island of the Gods,” and proceed to Ubud, arriving just in time for dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Komaneka Rasa Sayang

Bali
Embark on a culinary adventure that unlocks the secrets of authentic Balinese cooking, utilizing traditional ingredients and preparation methods, in a fully equipped community village kitchen. Your day begins early at the Ubud markets with the chef as you buy fresh herbs and spices, crisp vegetables, and choice cuts of meat. Explore cooking techniques and the fascinating kitchen myths of Balinese cuisine, and learn about the exotic herbs and spices used in ceremonial and everyday Balinese dishes. After preparing the meal, sit down together to enjoy it as a group.

Take the afternoon to explore, shop, or maybe just relax. This is a fun area to wander around in small groups.

Spend time with a woman from the local community. Learn about what it’s like as a woman in modern Bali, what traditions they continue, and what is changing.

Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Komaneka Rasa Sayang

Bali
This morning, you’ll visit Goa Gajah, or Elephant Cave, a Hindu meditation center built in the 11th century. Explore the food market, and learn about local produce, and enjoy visiting the art market.

Lunch today is at a restaurant overlooking the Tjampuhan River, with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.

After lunch what’s more fun than an active whitewater rafting trip on the world-class Ayung River! The adventure begins with a safety and equipment briefing given by your expert guide. You’ll walk down a long set of stone stairs (600 stairs!) to reach the river. It’s then head-long into the first set of Class II & III rapids, through towering gorges and past untamed rainforest and magnificent rice paddy terraces. Your professionally trained and experienced guides will call out instructions and safely navigate your rafts through this exciting river. Go AdventureWomen! At the end of the rafting adventure, climb the stairs (another 350 stairs!) leaving the gorge.

Take just a few minutes to freshen up, and then head out for dinner in a Bedulu village hosted by a local family.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Komaneka Rasa Sayang

Bali
Explore Bali by bicycle, starting just north of Ubud. You will ride through villages, seeing the real Bali. Visit temples and ride through rice fields. You’ll visit a local family’s compound and learn about the significance and uses of each building. Biking is a peaceful way to explore the countryside. Finish your ride with a delicious lunch.

Check out of your hotel and drive to Sanur, a beautiful beach area in southern Bali. Enjoy this evening on your own.
Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Maya Sanur Resort

Bali
The beaches in this area of Bali are incredible – white sands, deep water, and long stretches of beach are perfect for swimming. Bali is the ideal place to relax before you head home.

Spend a full day relaxing at the beach at your beautiful hotel. Perhaps schedule a massage!

Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends. Reminisce over all the memories you have made and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this truly spectacular country.
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Maya Sanur Resort

Depart Bali
Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.