YPT Tours to Indonesia
Young Pioneer Tours are pleased to announce our expanded Indonesia Tours and Travel packages for 2026 and 2027.
A long favorite of YPT since the 2010’s, YPT started by visiting Bali (on the way to Timor-Leste), before expanding year after year, yet still barely scratching the surface in this truly unique place.
And indeed, traveling to Indonesia is unique and this is for so many often-contradictory reasons. A huge nation – and the largest Muslim one at that -, the republic also features many ethnic minorities all with their own cultures, languages, and festivals.
Said festivals can be some of the most interesting and bizarre that there are. Travel to and through Indonesia would take forever in what is literally its own continent. Therefore, YPT have done the hard bit by picking out some of the most unique and must-see parts of travel to Indonesia.
Group Tours to Indonesia
Currently YPT run yearly trips that go through West Papua and West Timor, as well as connecting onto and into the former province of East Timor. We are though constantly looking to extend our group tours to Indonesia.
Group tours 2026
Timor Independence Day Overland Tour – May 15th – 23rd 2026 – $1695 / $1995
East Timor & West Papua Tour – May 15th – 30th 2026 – $4295
Discover West Papua Tour – May 23rd – 30th 2026 – $2495
Banda Aceh Tsunami Legacy Tour – June 1st to 6th / 7th 2026 – $695 / $995
West Papua Tour Baliem Valley Festival – August 3rd to 10th / 11th – $1995 / $2395
Explore Java By Train tour – September 27th to October 5th 2026 – $995
Explore Java and East Timor Combo Tour – September 27th to October 12th 2026 – $2895
Explore East Timor – October 5th to 12th 2026 – $1995
All Papua Budget Tour – October 5th – 12th 2026 – $1695 / $595 / $2290
This tour begins straight after our Least Visited Countries Tour (which makes a great combo) and has us starting at the legendary Loloata Island Resort, the perfect introduction to Port Moresby.
Independent Tours to Indonesia
Having worked for more than ten years in Indonesia, as well as being based in South-East Asia, Indonesia is a place that YPT both know and feel comfortable in.
We use the best partners in country, usually local and indigenous to the areas we travel, as well as the best tour guides in Indonesia, to arrange Indonesia tours deep into the country catering your interests, timeframe, and budget. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Indonesia tours.
Example of YPT 9 Day Explore Java By Train Tour Jakarta – Bali
The following is our signature Java By Train tour, which takes in the island of Java by railway, before finishing with a ferry to Bali. This can be done in its entirety, or combined with other tours within the country, or region. For more information about our other packages check out our bespoke tours to Indonesia, or get in touch.
Day 1 – Jakarta
- Arrive at your own leisure in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, which is well connected to major hubs across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
- Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel in Jakarta. Known for its chaotic energy, sprawling traffic, and dense mix of cultures, it is a city that overwhelms and fascinates in equal measure.
- In the evening, we’ll have our pre-tour meeting at a local eatery to introduce the tour, meet your fellow travellers, and enjoy the first taste of Jakarta.
- Overnight at Whiz Hotel Cikini.
Day 2– Jakarta
Morning
- We begin the day with an orientation walk through Gambir and Monas, the National Monument. This obelisk is both a symbol of Sukarno-era pride and Indonesia’s postcolonial ambition. Surrounding government buildings display the layers of Jakarta’s political history. Monas was inaugurated in 1975 by President Suharto to commemorate the struggle for independence, standing as a symbol of national pride.
- Street breakfast stop: try gado-gado (a warm mix of vegetables in peanut sauce), nasi uduk (fragrant coconut rice), or lontong sayur (rice cakes in spicy curry broth).
- Explore Kota Tua, Jakarta’s Dutch colonial Old Town, where canals, cobbled streets, and crumbling art deco facades recall a time when this port city was the heart of the Dutch East Indies.
Afternoon
- Step into the shadowy cellars of the old VOC (Dutch East India Company) headquarters, once used as a prison for political dissidents. The damp air and low stone ceilings are a reminder of colonial brutality.
- Visit the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics or the Museum of Jakarta History, complete with a mock guillotine and displays detailing the city’s turbulent past.
- We’ll enjoy a taste of coffee and pastries at Café Batavia, a colonial-era café featuring slow-turning fans, faded woodwork, and a menu that has remained almost unchanged since the early 20th century.
- Drinks at Jalan Jaksa, once the backpacker heart of Jakarta, now a gritty mix of neon signs, local bars, and a hint of the old city vibe.
- Overnight at Whiz Hotel Cikini.
Day 3 – Jakarta – Bandung
Morning
- Board the Argo Parahyangan executive-class train from Gambir Station at 9:25am. The train winds through the volcanic highlands and terraced rice fields, offering some of Southeast Asia’s most scenic rail views. This route follows a line first established by the Dutch in the early 20th century to connect Java’s key cities.
- Onboard snack: keripik tempeh (crunchy fermented soybean chips), and hot Kopi Tubruk, the thick, sweetened black coffee served in traditional cups.
Afternoon
- Arrive at 12:15pm in Bandung, a former colonial hill station dubbed the “Paris of Java.” The cooler climate and Dutch-era architecture make it a unique contrast to Jakarta.
- Visit Saung Angklung Udjo, a cultural music school where children perform on traditional bamboo instruments. Learn the history of angklung, its connection to local rituals, and enjoy an interactive performance.
- Explore Jalan Dago, lined with Dutch-built tea houses, art deco buildings, and small galleries showcasing Bandung’s colonial heritage and modern artistic revival.
- Drinks at a jazz café on Braga Street, a narrow avenue that has been a hub of Bandung nightlife for over a century, with retro vibes, local musicians, and a mix of students and expats.
- Overnight at Mogens Guesthouse.
Day 4– Bandung – Yogyakarta
Morning
- Depart Bandung Station on the Lodaya Pagi Economy train at 6:30am. This early journey passes rice terraces, jungle outcrops, and volcanic ridgelines. The sunrise over Java’s mountains is breathtaking.
- Train lunch: mie goreng from the onboard kitchen or purchased at platform stops along the way. A simple yet quintessentially Javanese meal as the countryside slides by.
Afternoon
- Arrive at 1:10pm in Yogyakarta, Java’s cultural heart. The city has been a seat of Javanese royalty since the 18th century and remains a centre for art, batik, and traditional performances.
- Walk along Malioboro Street, a sensory riot of batik sellers, fried snacks, horse carts, street performers, and neon signs.
- Dinner at a colonial-era eatery near the train station. Try ayam goreng kalasan (crisp fried chicken with sambal), and gudeg (sweet jackfruit stew), alongside the ambient chatter of locals and travellers.
- Drinks at a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Lanterns glow across the skyline, students gather beneath trees by the Tugu monument, and the night hums with quiet energy.
- Overnight at Arys Hotel Yogyakarta.
Day 5– Yogyakarta
Morning
- Visit Kraton, Yogyakarta’s royal palace, which is still home to the Sultanate. Observe traditional ceremonies, palace architecture, and collections of heirlooms that have survived centuries of colonial rule.
- Explore Taman Sari, the Water Castle. Its maze of pools, tunnels, and abandoned courtyards once allowed the Sultan and concubines to bathe in privacy while moving unseen through the complex.
- Sample local snacks at Pasar Ngasem: sweet bakpia pathok and warm ginger dessert soup, wedang ronde, providing a taste of traditional Javanese sweet treats.
Afternoon
- Visit Prambanan, the 9th-century Hindu temple complex. Marvel at its towering spires, detailed stone reliefs of the Ramayana, and the sheer scale of a site that has survived centuries.
- Stop at a nearby warung for soto ayam and es cendol. Observe locals chatting, children playing, and temple-goers passing by as you taste this authentic, everyday Javanese meal.
- Drinks at a small craft beer bar in Prawirotaman. Listen to gamelan-infused background music, relax into the evening, and reflect on the day’s temple and palace explorations.
- Overnight at Arys Hotel Yogyakarta.
Day 6– Yogyakarta – Banyuwangi
Morning
- Visit Ullen Sentalu Museum in the Kaliurang highlands, one of Java’s most atmospheric cultural museums, dedicated to Javanese royal life.
- Wander through the local bird market and batik workshops, witnessing artisans at work and sampling the cacophony of sounds and colours.
- Lunch at a roadside warung with sate klathak, mutton skewers grilled over iron rods, paired with simple rice and sambal.
Afternoon
- Free time to explore Yogyakarta’s backstreets, capture street photography, or enjoy a massage at a Dutch-era spa.
- Board Wijayakusuma 158 at 6:30pm for the overnight train to Banyuwangi. Executive air-conditioned carriages with reclining seats take you east across sugarcane fields, small towns, and sleepy villages.
- Overnight on the train.
Day 7 – Banyuwangi
Morning
- Arrive at Banyuwangi at 5:20am and transfer to the guesthouse near Mount Ijen.
- Breakfast of nasi tempong: spicy rice with sambal, fried chicken, and fresh vegetables.
- Visit local markets, watch villagers selling produce, and observe the preparation of daily essentials.
Afternoon
- Explore the Osing villages to learn about the culture, daily life, and traditions of Banyuwangi’s indigenous people.
- Dinner at a seafood warung on the beach, with grilled squid, sambal prawns, and fresh young coconut.
- Drinks at the hotel bar, preparing for the midnight volcanic trek.
- Overnight at Kampoeng Joglo Ijen.
Day 8 – Mount Ijen Blue Fire – Bali
Morning
- Depart from the guesthouse at 12:15am to the Mount Ijen base camp. The Ijen Crater trek takes approximately 3 hours, beginning gently and turning steep over switchbacks of volcanic rock and loose gravel. Paths can be slippery after rain. Headtorch and warm clothing are essential.
- By 1:00am, we reach the foot of Mount Ijen and begin the trek to witness the electric-blue sulphur flames, a phenomenon found only in two places in the world.
- As the first light of day creeps over the horizon, the crater comes alive. Below us, the turquoise lake glows softly in its steaming cradle. On the rim, silhouettes of sulphur miners appear, carrying heavy baskets through the smoke.
- Descend to panoramic views over the turquoise crater lake.
- Return to the guesthouse for breakfast, a hot shower and a morning nap.
Afternoon
- Transfer to the Ketapang ferry terminal, driving through coastal scenery where fishermen mend nets and coconut palms sway gently in the breeze.
- Board the ferry at 3:00pm for a 45-minute ride across the Bali Strait, a shimmering ribbon of sea that separates Java from Bali.
- Transfer to our hotel in central Kuta.
- Farewell dinner and drinks at a beachside bar overlooking the ocean, reflecting on the volcanic, cultural, and urban landscapes explored across Java.
- Overnight at Gora Beach Inn.
Day 9 – Bali
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- The tour concludes. YPT can assist with onward transport, or you can continue directly on to the East Timor tour, starting from Bali.
Bespoke Indonesia Tours
YPT currently offer several regional specific tours within Indonesia, which can also be done as bespoke tours. This is particularly the case in some of the least visited parts of Indonesia, such as West Timor, West Papua and Banda Aceh. Also the nearby exclave of Oecusse, surrounded by Indonesia, can be visited with us.
Tours to West Timor
We currently run tours of West Timor as part of our Timor Overland tour which finishes in East Timor. You can check out our Timor-Leste tours here, and our West Papua Tours here.
West Papua Tours
As part of our extensive programs to Papua New Guinea, YPT also offer tours through West Papua in Indonesia. These can be combined with PNG tours, as well as us offering bespoke Papua Overland tours. Click the link for our West Papua Tours.
Tours to Banda Aceh
Previously in a long-term war with the central government before suffering the tragedy of the tsunami, Banda Aceh has now recovered to a level where tourism is gaining importance. Known as perhaps the most Islamic “state” in the world, planning tours here is no easy task, but one with which YPT are adept at. YPT currently offer one group tour to Banda Aceh.
Java By Train/Indonesian Train Tours
Young Pioneer Tours are currently offering one Java By Rail tour per year. This tour has us taking in all the major sites in Java, by railway, before we take the ferry to Bali. As well as the Java By Train itinerary YPT are able to offer other tailored train based tours throughout Indonesia, as well being connected to othe railways journeys in South-East Asia.
Tours to Maluku Islands
Another area which has seen more than its fair share of trouble with the central government. Previously a Dutch colony, where there is still a government-in exile, they also represent the former nation “Republic of South Maluku”. Still a political hotbed, but also culturally one of the best Indonesian tours you can take.
Festival tours to Indonesia
Indonesia has perhaps more crazy festivals than any other country. If there is a festival that you would like to visit or cover as media in Indonesia, then YPT can help you arrange this.
Party tours to Indonesia
While being the largest Muslim country on earth, there are stills places that you can party in Indonesia. Principal among these is Bali, as well as the Gill Islands, although there are more! YPT can arrange these as part of longer tour, as well as standalone Indonesian trips.
Filming in Indonesia
Through our media arm Pioneer Media YPT can arrange for people to film in Indonesia, from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange journalist travel to Indonesia, although different rules apply in different regions.
School Trips to Indonesia
YPT can arrange school trips to Indonesia, with the majority of the country being very safe for younger visitors. These can be arranged to fit yours, or your organization specific needs.
Frequently asked Questions about travel to Indonesia
Please note that there are further specific visa rules for East Timor or West Papua, which you can find on our respective sites.
You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385
Yes, this is an easy country to visit in general and yes, the mainstay things do not need an outside company. That is though why we concentrate on what makes Indonesia so unique a place to travel to.
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