A country that feels unreal at times.

Indonesia is where jungle meets the ocean — where misty rice terraces, volcanic landscapes and turquoise lagoons create a world that feels both wild and peaceful.

For this first itinerary, we begin in Bali: sacred temples, hidden waterfalls, slow island days, dramatic cliffs and quiet luxury surrounded by nature.

A journey between grand scenery and softer moments — sunrise hikes, ocean sunsets and life moving to a slower rhythm.

Not to see everything.
To feel the essence of the country.

JATILUWIH RICE TERRACES

BANYUMALA WATERFALL

FILM

The journey, in motion.

THE ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Ubud → Northern Bali → Nusa Penida → Lombok → Uluwatu → Komodo Island / Florès

Twelve days across Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok and Komodo — a first route designed for beauty, rhythm and emotion.

DAY 1

Ubud, jungle mornings & rice terraces

After landing at Denpasar airport, head directly towards Ubud, Bali’s lush cultural heart. To avoid stress on arrival, book a private transfer in advance or use Grab or Gojek. After a long flight, having a driver waiting for you is always a softer way to begin the trip.

The road slowly leaves behind the busy atmosphere of southern Bali. Palm trees appear, temples line the roadsides, scooters weave through traffic, and little by little, the jungle takes over.

Settle into your hotel in Ubud — and here, truly, we recommend indulging yourselves. Ubud is home to some of the most beautiful hotels in Bali, with infinity pools suspended above the jungle, open-air bathrooms and hidden villas surrounded by rice fields.

Begin gently with a coffee plantation, then continue towards Mancingan Rice Terrace for a peaceful walk among palm trees and vibrant green rice fields. Later, head to the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces before stopping at Tis Café for a late lunch overlooking the terraces.

Tip: when using Google Maps on a scooter, avoid the scooter route option. It can send you through extremely narrow local shortcuts. Choose the car route for a safer experience.

Tip : In Indonesia, as in much of Asia, the light softens early, with golden hour beginning around 5PM. We recommend starting your days relatively early to avoid both the heat and the crowds, then returning in the late afternoon to enjoy your pool, the quiet atmosphere of the hotel, and the last golden light filtering through the palms.

Hotel recommendations — Alila Ubud · TikTik Dua · COMO Shambhala Estate · Kappa Senses Ubud · Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape · The Kayon Jungle Resort ·  Bisma Eight Ubud

DAY 2

Jatiluwih, Bali’s most beautiful rice terraces

This morning, head towards Jatiluwih — without question our favourite rice terraces in Bali. Immense, luminous and intensely green, these UNESCO-listed rice fields stretch endlessly across the hillsides and feel far more preserved than the more famous terraces around Ubud.

After spending the morning surrounded by nature, continue towards Leke Leke Waterfall. Hidden deep within the vegetation, this waterfall is accessible after a short and easy walk. You cannot swim there, but the refreshing mist and lush atmosphere make it absolutely worth the stop.

Return to Ubud for a relaxed evening and enjoy one of the many beautiful cafés and restaurants in town.

Practical note — Most waterfalls, rice terraces and natural sites in Bali require small entrance fees paid in cash. We recommend withdrawing a small amount of money beforehand to avoid any inconvenience during the day.

Tip — The light in Jatiluwih is beautiful but particularly intense, especially around midday. Make sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a cap, as the sun can be very strong on the open rice terrace plateaus.

Hotel idea: change hotels within Ubud to experience another side of Bali’s hospitality. Our biggest recommendation is Komaneka at Bisma.

DAY 3

Northern Bali & spectacular waterfalls

Today begins early, as your private driver picks you up for a full day exploring northern Bali — home to some of the island’s most breathtaking waterfalls and lushest landscapes.

Prepare proper walking shoes, as reaching many of these waterfalls requires a bit of effort, but the experience is more than worth it.

Begin the morning at Banyumala Waterfall, a beautiful cascade hidden deep within dense tropical vegetation. Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by jungle, it feels almost untouched and offers a completely different atmosphere from the busier waterfalls in southern Bali. Please note that swimming is not allowed here.

Afterwards, continue further north towards the true highlight of the day: Sekumpul Waterfall.

Including Hidden Waterfall and Fiji Waterfall, this area is easily our favourite waterfall experience in all of Bali. It is also one of the most impressive. If we had to recommend only one waterfall to visit during a first trip to Bali, it would undoubtedly be this one.

Once you arrive, a local guide will accompany you by scooter to the starting point of the trek before you begin descending into the valley. Prepare yourself for stairs, river crossings, humidity and a fair amount of walking. The hike can be physically demanding at times, especially on the way back up, but the scenery throughout the entire walk feels absolutely surreal.

For nearly two hours, you move through landscapes that feel straight out of an adventure film: towering jungle walls, roaring waterfalls hidden between cliffs, hanging vines, tropical mist and endless shades of green surrounding you from every direction.

After the hike, head to Hanging Restaurant & Bar for lunch overlooking the waterfalls from above. The panoramic views over the valley offer a completely different perspective of the landscapes you just explored and make for the perfect final stop before returning to Ubud for a well-deserved evening of rest.

— Banyumala Waterfall
— Sekumpul Waterfall
— Hidden Waterfall
— Fiji Waterfall
— Hanging Restaurant & Bar

If you have more time: extend your stay in northern Bali for one or two nights. Far quieter and more untouched than the south, the region is home to some of Bali’s most beautiful landscapes. We especially recommend exploring Sidemen, Munduk, Aling Aling Waterfalls, Kroya Waterfall Slide, Kembar Waterfall Jump and Lovina.

Tip — We highly recommend bringing water shoes for the waterfall hikes, as the rocks can be slippery and uncomfortable barefoot. A waterproof bag is also essential to protect your belongings from the humidity, river crossings and waterfall spray.

DAY 4

Leaving Bali for Nusa Penida

Today, leave mainland Bali and head towards Nusa Penida. You can either choose a day trip to see the island’s highlights quickly, or spend one or two nights on the island — which is what we personally did and highly recommend.

From Padang Bai or Sanur port, take the boat towards Nusa Penida. Once there, rent a scooter or hire a private driver. The roads can be rough, steep and damaged, so if you are not comfortable driving scooters, a driver is the safer option.

This first day is intentionally slower: check into your hotel, enjoy the pool, rest and recharge for the next day.

DAY 5

Swimming with manta rays

Today is one of the highlights of the entire itinerary: swimming with manta rays. You can choose diving if you already have your certification, or snorkeling, which is the option we personally chose.

We departed with Mambo Dive Center for a half-day snorkeling excursion around Nusa Penida. Throughout the morning, you stop at several snorkeling spots where you may encounter tropical fish, coral reefs, baby sharks and, above all, the majestic manta rays.

Seeing five or six manta rays slowly gliding beneath you in the open ocean is difficult to describe. Elegant, peaceful and almost unreal.

Where to stay — We especially recommend Mambo Hill, a peaceful stay with beautiful surroundings and excellent breakfasts, located only a few minutes from Mambo Dive Resort. If you prefer staying even closer to the dive center, Mambo Beach Resort is also a convenient option, though we personally found Mambo Hill far more charming and atmospheric.

DAY 6

The cliffs and beaches of Nusa Penida

Today is dedicated to exploring the island itself. Nusa Penida feels dramatic, raw and spectacular — towering cliffs, turquoise water and roads winding through dry tropical landscapes.

Our personal highlight remains Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach, especially early in the morning when the light is softer and the crowds smaller.

DAY 7

Lombok, quieter landscapes & hidden beauty

Leave Nusa Penida and continue towards Lombok via Bangsal Port. After arriving, take a taxi towards your hotel. Following a long transport day, we recommend staying somewhere peaceful in the north of the island.

One of our biggest hotel favourites from the entire Indonesia trip was Jiva Klui Resort — stunning beachfront setting, beautiful design and excellent facilities, ideally located around 30 minutes from Bangsal Port.

This day is mostly dedicated to resting and enjoying the hotel. If you still have energy, head to Nipah Beach, a beautiful palm-lined beach with calm water and a quieter atmosphere than Bali.

DAY 8

Southern Lombok, wild beaches & green hills

Head south towards Lombok’s stunning beaches. We stayed at Amber Lombok Beach Resort and loved the beachfront setting, but if you want something exceptional, Somewhere Lombok is simply breathtaking.

Spend the day exploring Selong Belanak Beach, Mawun Beach and Pantai Mawi, then continue towards our biggest highlight in Lombok: Bukit Merese. Soft green hills, endless turquoise ocean and dramatic coastal landscapes — every small climb reveals another breathtaking panorama.

If you did not have the opportunity to stay at Somewhere Lombok, we highly recommend stopping there for a drink at sunset before returning to your hotel. The setting alone is worth the detour. Afterwards, enjoy a slower evening by the pool and take time to fully unwind.

If we could redo this trip, we would absolutely spend more time in Lombok. The island feels quieter, wilder and far less crowded than Bali, while offering equally beautiful nature, waterfalls and nearly empty roads.

— Amber Lombok Beach Resort

— Somewhere Lombok

— Selong Belanak Beach

— Mawun Beach

— Pantai Mawi

— Bukit Merese

— Tanjung Aan Beach

If you have more time: add a few extra days to explore the middle and northern parts of Lombok, including the famous 3-day Mount Rinjani trek, Tetebatu, Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls, Bukit Selong, Tiu Kelep Waterfall and Sendang Gile Waterfall.

DAY 9

Uluwatu… or more time elsewhere

Originally, we had included Uluwatu in our itinerary. But after experiencing it ourselves, we would not necessarily recommend prioritising it.

The beaches are beautiful and the surfing culture is strong, but the area felt far more crowded, expensive and touristy than the rest of the trip. If we could change one thing, we would use these days to spend more time in northern Bali or Lombok instead.

DAY 10

Flores & departure towards Komodo

Head back towards Bali airport before taking a domestic flight to Flores for the final part of the trip: Komodo National Park. After a short flight, you arrive in Labuan Bajo, gateway to the Komodo Islands.

For this first night, book a simple hotel since the next morning begins extremely early. Spend the evening buying snacks for tomorrow’s excursion and resting.

DAY 10

Komodo National Park & island-hopping adventure

Today begins before sunrise. Around 5AM, depart for a full-day boat excursion through Komodo National Park. This part of Indonesia feels completely different from everything you have seen so far — more dramatic, untouched and cinematic than the rest of Indonesia, with spectacular islands and breathtaking coastal landscapes.

As the boat leaves the harbour, enjoy sunrise from the water before heading towards the highlight of the excursion: the mythical Padar Island. After a steep but relatively short climb, you are rewarded with one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Indonesia, with curved bays, pink beaches, turquoise water and rugged hills unfolding in every direction.

Continue towards Pink Beach before heading to see the famous Komodo dragons. After lunch on the boat, stop at Taka Makassar, a stunning sandbank in the middle of the ocean that almost feels Maldivian. Finally, if luck is on your side, end the day at Manta Point for one last chance to swim with manta rays. During our excursion, we were lucky enough to swim alongside eleven manta rays — a surreal and unforgettable experience.

After returning to Labuan Bajo, collect your belongings and for your final night in Indonesia, treat yourselves with a stay at Menjaga Bay — a peaceful overwater hotel, secluded and deeply relaxing.

— Padar Island
— Pink Beach
— Komodo Dragons
— Taka Makassar
— Manta Point
— Menjaga Bay

DAY 11

Time to leave

Take your domestic flight back from Flores to Bali, then your international flight home. Twelve days here will only give you a glimpse of everything Indonesia has to offer — but it will almost certainly leave you wanting to return.

PHOTO JOURNAL

Fragments of the journey, woven through the story.

A curated visual sequence — each place told through multiple frames, like a memory unfolding.

SOMEWHERE LOMBOK – HOTEL

TIS CAFÉ

JATTILUWIH RICE TERRACE

MANCINGAN RICE TERRACE 

SEKUMPUL WATERFALL

DIAMOND BEACH 

KELINGKING BEACH

KOMANEKA AT BISMA – HOTEL

BANYUMALA WATERFALL 

JEEVA KLUI – RESORT

AMBER BEACH RESORT 

SELONG BELANAK BEACH 

MAWUN BEACH 

BUKIT MERESE

KOMODO ISLAND 

MENJAGA BAY 

FINAL NOTE

A country that quietly stays with you.

Indonesia is truly one of the most beautiful countries in Asia.

Even after nearly two weeks travelling through the country, this journey will only give you a glimpse of everything Indonesia has to offer — but it will almost certainly leave you wanting to return.

Indonesia is the kind of destination that quietly stays with you.

Long after the trip is over, you still think about the smell of incense in the morning air, the sound of scooters passing through the jungle, the warm tropical rain at sunset, the endless shades of green, and those moments where everything suddenly feels slower and simpler.

In just twelve days, you will already experience incredible diversity: lush jungles, waterfalls hidden deep in the vegetation, endless rice terraces, remote islands, volcanoes, turquoise lagoons and some of the most beautiful underwater life in the world. Yet this itinerary remains only a tiny introduction to the country.

It is the kind of place that leaves you frustrated in the best possible way — because no matter how much you see, you immediately want to explore more.

To go deeper.
To stay longer.
To discover quieter islands and slower rhythms.

For your next trip to Indonesia — or if you have the opportunity to stay longer — we highly recommend exploring: