The heritage and beautiful islands make Indonesia most loved by the travelers

Indonesia is a very interesting country to visit and makes for an ideal holiday. Its diverse range of culture and beautiful scenery draw back holiday makers year after year. There are some fabulous holiday homes to rent in Indonesia with some stunning holiday villas by the beach. You can also rent self catering holiday apartments and use them as a base to explore this wonderful country.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world and comprises five main islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya and a group of thirty small archipelagoes. It has more than 17,508 islands. Indonesia is a multi-ethnic country with over 300 ethnic groups inclusive of Malay and Polynesian people. The diverse culture of the country has resulted in an opulent and wealthy culture and heritage, which makes it a tourist’s delight.

It is believed that the Java was named after a local plant, namely, the jawa-wut. The island lies between Bali and Sumatra and stretches for over 1,39,000 square kilometers. It experiences a tropical climate and the mercury hovers comfortably between 22°C and 29°C throughout the year. It is however, a wonderful destination to visit any time during the year. The island is divided into four provinces – West Java, East Java, Central Java and Banten. Jakarta and Yogyakarta are special regions. The currency is Rupiah and the calling code is +62. Getting around in Java might be slightly stressful if you choose to travel by road, consider a scenic trip by train or book a flight.

One among the must see places in Indonesia is the Borobudur temple. It is believed that the temple’s name originated from Sanskrit – Vihara Buddha Uhr. It was built in the eighth century and is located in Magelang. It is situated on a hill, overlooking distant hills and sprawling green fields. The temple is built with grey andesine stone and has seven terraces. The great Stupa of the temple is 40 meters tall and the walls are extensively sculpted.

The thirteenth largest island in the world is also one the most densely populated places on the planet. A classic itinerary will see you starting your journey at Jakarta, a city heavily influenced by the Dutch. Fondly called the “The Big Durian”, a play on “The Big Apple”, Jakarta is inescapable. Home to some of the most fantastic museums, zoos and shopping avenues, this city is truly Indonesia in a nutshell. Don’t believe me? Make a quick pitstop at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah; a hundred-hectare park that has the best that Indonesia has to offer on display.

Lake Toba is a beautiful centerpiece of the north Sumatra Lake. The exquisite scenery and the pleasant climate, in the surrounding areas make it a popular tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is the largest lake in South East Asia and it measures 100 km in length. Resultant of a volcanic explosion, the lake’s surrounding landscape is fertile. The island of Samosir is located on the centre of the lake and the culture and tradition of the amiable tribe, Toba Batak attracts tourists from all over the world.

TanaToraja is yet another attraction. Rantapeo, a major attraction of the place, is located in the north eastern part of Ujung Pandang. Rantepeo is located 700 meters above sea level and offers a pleasant climate. The entry point of TanaTaroja is a traditional boat-shaped gate. TanaToraja has cliff graves and two villages, named Lemo and Londa. Londa is considered as one among the oldest sites of hanging graves of local nobility. Taroja has many excellent craft shops for the shopping buffs.

Krakatau volcano is another major tourist spot in Indonesia. The volcano erupted in the year 1883 and is one of the most catastrophic natural events, which is etched in history. The entire region surrounding the volcano was engulfed in darkness. The volcano disappeared, soon after eruption and resulted in the formation of small islands in the area. One of the volcanoes in the area is called Anal Krakatau or the child of Krakatau, which is a young and active volcano. Boat trips to the volcano, allows tourists to get a closer look at the young volcano.

Mt. TangkubanPerahu is a must see sight in Indonesia. The volcano is filled with many places for sight seeing and exploring. It is an interesting spot and the mount is famous for its distinct upturned boat shape. The panoramic view of the mount and the forests is a delightful experience. The peaceful mountain erupted in 1969 and KawahRatu is the main crater or the Queen’s crater, as its name suggests.

Indonesia is a culturally rich country with a picturesque setting. The predominantly Muslim country is a place where people from different religions co-exist. The diversity of the cultures makes it traditionally and culturally rich. The friendly people of the country, year long festivities and innumerable tourist spots make Indonesia a great tourist destination.

When it comes to options for nightlife, Jakarta has innumerable options. Spend a lovely evening at SundaKelapa and sample a piece of history or check out Museum Wayang. If time permits, head out to Bogor, home to the famous Kebun Raya Botanical Gardens. The next stop on your itinerary would be Bandung, perfect for a bit of peace and quiet. The Puncak pass on the way to Bandung is very scenic and has some of the most fantastic views that the island has to offer. You are faced with a dilemma – head over to Pangandaran for some “beach time” and some fun in the sun or head deeper into Java and visit Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta or “Jojgakarta” is quite popular with tourists and travelers all over the world. This destination is perfect if you wish to gaze deep into Indonesia’s soul. Make Yogyakarta your hub and take a trip to Borobudur which is simply charming and truly astonishing. Check out the magnificent temples at Prambanan. Consider a day trip to Surakarta (Solo), else, pack your bags for Surabaya. Spend the remainder of your trip taking in the city’s amazing colonial past. It is no wonder that holiday makers love Indonesia so much and many choose to rent holiday villas and self catering apartments. By renting holiday home accommodation in Indonesia you are able to use them as a base to explore this amazing country.

For those looking for something challenging, but without the need for carabineers, try the third highest peak in Papua, Trikora Mountain. Indonesia requires all trekkers in Papua to obtain a climbing permit, usually arranged by your tour company. Trekking can be combined with a visit to one of the few remaining tribal groups on the island to experience first hand the wonder of what it means to live off the land.

If you like diving, the blue waters of Indonesia, teeming with marine life of all shapes and colors, are not to be missed. Some of the best diving in the world is found in Indonesia and options come in all price ranges, from a quick dip off the coast of Bali to a two week liveaboard that will take you to areas otherwise inaccessible. Among the most popular dive spots for those wanting easy access, as well as beach resorts, is Bunaken Island off the coast of North Sulawesi. Bunaken has suffered some damage to its coral reefs from blast fishing, but much is still alive or recovering through the efforts of local conservation groups. If you prefer a liveaboard, there are many operators to the Komodo Islands, Sulawesi’s Wakatobi and Lembeh Strait, Flores, and Alor, to name a few. Shop around for the best price and definitely check up on the company or you might find your accommodations less than desirable. Once you get in the water though, expect to be awed by teeming barracudas, colorful cuttlefish, and mantas.

A component of the world famous Ring of Fire, Mount Rinjani is also known as Indonesia’s second highest mountain. It is traditionally considered as a sacred spot both by the locals of Lombok and Bali, and folklore have it that the top of the mountain is a dwelling place of Gods. The Segara Anak crater of Mount Rinjani draws thousands of pilgrims who take a bath and make offerings in the water for the purpose of having their diseases cured.

A home for various flora and fauna such as Belibis, an endemic duck, Mount Rinjani is also a model of eco-tourism in Indonesia, offering visitors an opportunity for exhilarating trek expeditions and magnificent scenery. A trek, which starts either at Sembalun in the east or Senaru in the north, consumes three days before taking the trekker to the mountain’s summit.

For the eco-tourist, the options are endless. From orangutan spotting and jungle trekking in Kalimantan to Komodo Dragon watching on the shores of Komodo, options vary by budget and time frame. The orangutan population continues to dwindle every year and some of the money garnered from eco-tourism goes to support foundations and local groups that work to save them. Although the number of visitors is limited each year, tour companies can arrange a visit to the famous rainforest study area of Tanjing Putting National Park and Camp Leakey in Kalimantan. A visit to the Ministry of Forestry’s feed station might earn you the chance to interact with the orangutans directly.

Accommodation and transportation are best arranged beforehand as flights can vary throughout the year. Another popular ecotourism destination is Komodo National Park which includes the three large islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar as well as several smaller islands. A visit to this area can be combined with a dive trip as the waters in the reserve are home to an estimated 900-1,000 marine species. The Komodo Dragons themselves, giant monitor lizards, are relatively easy to spot, but you’re guaranteed to find them safely with the help of a guide.

Accommodation in the National Park is rustic, but the staff is friendly and the food is decent. With the proper initiation, you can do the best travel experience by using our service. (Published in March 15,2020)

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