Take China Group Tours in 2025 to enjoy 30% discount compared to a private tour. Same Experience & Lowest Price!
At a Glance: Which Indonesia 10-Day Itinerary is for You?
Before we dive into the day-by-day details, let's identify which journey suits your travel style. These two routes are built for entirely different trips.
Route 1: The Cultural Classic (Java & Bali)
The route is: Jakarta -> Yogyakarta -> Bali (Ubud & Sanur).
This Indonesia 10 days itinerary is for the first-timer who wants to understand Indonesia's soul. It's a blend of history, ancient religion, and vibrant city life, with a final reward of Balinese culture.
You will explore the historic heart of the nation on the island of Java, home to colossal ancient temples, before flying to Bali to experience its unique spiritual and artistic side. This route is best for classic traveler, who want not miss the highlights of Indonesia.
Tourist Map of Bali, Indonesia: Bali Map with Attractions, Hotels & Areas
Java Island Map, Indonesia: Tourist Map with Attractions, Area & Itinerary
Route 2: The Island Hopper (Bali & Lombok)
The route is: Bali (Ubud, Batur, Uluwatu) -> Lombok -> Gili Islands.
This 10 days route is for the traveler seeking adventure, nature, and a sun-drenched escape. This route skips the big cities of Java entirely and focuses on the incredible natural beauty of two neighboring islands.
You will hike an active volcano for sunrise, watch dolphins at dawn, surf gentle waves, and snorkel with sea turtles. This is for the traveler who wants to be outdoors, in the water, and experience the laid-back, tropical side of Indonesia.
Lombok Indonesia Map: Island Tourist Map with Kuta, Mt. Rinjani & Beaches
Gili Islands Map for Tourists: Map of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno & Gili Air
Indonesia "Know Before You Go": The Expert Guide
These are the non-negotiable, "insider" tips that will make your trip smooth. Do not skip this section; these logistics are the key to a stress-free adventure.
Best Time to Visit Indonesia
This is simple. Indonesia has two seasons: dry and rainy. The Dry Season (roughly April to October) is the best time to visit for all the activities in these itineraries.
The Rainy Season (November to March) can bring intense, daily tropical downpours. While travel is still possible, hiking can be muddy, and boat crossings (especially to the Gili Islands) can be rough or cancelled.
How to Get Around Indonesia (The Logistics)
This is the most important part of your planning. For these itineraries, you will not be renting a car. You will use a combination of apps, trains, drivers, and boats.
Getting Around Town: In the city, motorcycles are your taxis. Before you land, download Gojek and Grab. These are the main ride-hailing apps in Southeast Asia.
On Java: Java is currently the only island in Indonesia with trains. You can take a train to travel between cities. For example, the ride from Jakarta to Yogyakarta is about 6 hours.
By Ferry: A ferry is the best way to get from Bali to Lombok and the Gili Islands. There are also many boats running between Lombok and the Gilis.
By Plane: For long-distance trips, you'll want to fly. For example, use a plane to get from Jakarta or Yogyakarta to Bali.
Money, SIMs & Budget
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). You will become a "millionaire" the moment you use an ATM, as $65 USD is roughly 1,00t0,000 IDR.
It's best to use ATMs from major banks (like Mandiri or BCA) and always select "without conversion" to get the best rate.
For your phone, get a local SIM card at the airport. Telkomsel has the best coverage, especially if you're going to more remote areas in Lombok.
Health & Safety (Crucial "Expert" Tips)
There are two non-negotiable rules for a healthy trip. First, the infamous "Bali Belly." Do Not Drink the Tap Water. Ever. Not even for brushing your teeth. Use bottled water for everything. Most hotels and cafes offer free, filtered water refills, so bring a reusable bottle.
Finally, temple etiquette is simple. When visiting any temple (Prambanan, Uluwatu, etc.), you must be dressed modestly. This means covering your shoulders and knees.
Itinerary 1: The Cultural Classic (Java & Bali)
Day 1-2: Jakarta
Attractions: Kota Tua, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral
Arrive at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK). Don't linger in the modern city's traffic. Head straight to Kota Tua, the old Dutch colonial heart of the city.
Here, you can wander around Fatahillah Square, which is flanked by the Jakarta History Museum and the Wayang (puppet) Museum.
On second day, visit the Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, an imposing, modern structure. Directly across the street, you will find the Jakarta Cathedral, a beautiful, neo-gothic church.
Jakarta Indonesia Map: Tourist Map of Jakarta City & Jabodetabek
Day 3-4: Yogyakarta
Attractions: Borobudur, Kraton Palace, Taman Sari Water Castle, Prambanan
Spend your first day exploring the city's royal heritage. Start at the Kraton Palace, the still-active residence of the Sultan of Yogyakarta.
From there, walk to the Taman Sari Water Castle, a nearby complex of ruins and restored pools that once served as the royal garden and bathing complex for the Sultan's harem.
On day two in Yogyakarta, wake up in the dark (around 3:30 AM) to make the journey to Borobudur for sunrise. This is the world's largest Buddhist temple.
And visit Prambanan, the "other" great temple. This is a vast complex of sharp, soaring towers dedicated to the Hindu trinity.
Yogyakarta Indonesia Map 2026 | Yogyakarta Map for Tourist
Day 5-6: Ubud, Bali
Attractions: Tanah Lot Temple, Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Ubud Market
Head into the jungle-clad hills of Ubud, the island's artistic and cultural center. Spend a day exploring Ubud's core.
Start at the Sacred Monkey Forest, a lush sanctuary home to over 1,000 long-tailed macaques and three ancient temples. From there, walk to the Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung), the historic residence of Ubud's royal family, located right in the town center.
Across the street is the Ubud Art Market, a vibrant, sprawling market perfect for finding souvenirs, silks, and crafts.
Day 7: Bali's Coast (Tanah Lot Temple & Uluwatu Kecak Dance)
This will be a long but rewarding day. In the morning, you can explore Ubud's surrounding rice terraces. Your first stop is Tanah Lot Temple, a stunning Hindu shrine perched on a rock formation in the ocean, which is only accessible at low tide.
From there, drive south to Uluwatu Temple, another of Bali's six key sea temples, this one set on a dramatic 70-meter cliff. Arrive just before sunset to watch the Kecak Dance, a mesmerizing performance.
Day 8: Sanur & Relaxing Beach Day in Bali
Transfer from the hills of Ubud to the calm coastal town of Sanur. Unlike the party beaches in Kuta or the hipster crowds in Canggu, Sanur is relaxed.
Its beaches are protected by a reef, making the water calm and perfect for a casual swim. Spend the afternoon finding a beachfront cafe and enjoying the quiet.
Day 9-10: Nusa Penida Day Trip (Choose Your Coast)
From Sanur's port, it's a short 40-minute fast boat ride to Nusa Penida, a rugged, untamed island off Bali's coast.
You must join a day tour, which will typically take you to either the "West Coast" (to see the famous T-Rex-shaped cliff at Kelingking Beach) or the "East Coast" (to see the Diamond Beach viewpoint). It's a rough, adventurous day, but it's where you'll find those iconic, postcard-perfect-blue-water views.
Itinerary 2: The Island Hopper (Bali & Lombok)
Day 1-2: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek & Hot Springs
Your first day is for arrival and transfer. Your adventure starts with a 2:00 AM wake-up call on next day. You'll be driven to the base of Mount Batur, an active volcano. After a two-hour trek in the dark, you'll reach the summit just as the sun begins to rise.
Afterwards, reward your tired muscles by soaking in the nearby natural hot springs.
Day 3: North Bali Waterfalls & Lovina Dolphin Watching
Today is all about water. You can hire a driver to explore the stunning waterfalls in North Bali, like Sekumpul or Gitgit.
Alternatively, you could transfer in the evening to Lovina on the north coast, a quiet town with black sand beaches, in preparation for an early morning dolphin-watching tour.
Day 4: Uluwatu's Cliffs, Temples & Jimbaran Seafood Dinner
Transfer south to the dramatic cliffs of Uluwatu. Spend the afternoon at a clifftop beach club or visit Uluwatu Temple. At sunset, experience the famous Kecak Fire Dance at the temple.
After the performance, drive 15 minutes to Jimbaran Beach for a classic Bali experience: a fresh seafood barbecue dinner, with your table right on the sand.
Day 5-6: Lombok Waterfall Adventure
Head to Padang Bai port and take a 1.5-hour fast boat to Lombok, Bali's "sister island."
You can base yourself in Senggigi for traditional resorts or, as I'd recommend, head south to Kuta Lombok (not to be confused with Kuta, Bali), which is a hub for surfers and adventurers.
Visit the island's magnificent waterfalls. The most famous duo is Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu, which are near each other. Benang Kelambu is particularly magical, known as the "curtain waterfall" as the water flows through a wall of dense greenery.
Lombok Indonesia Map: Island Tourist Map with Kuta, Mt. Rinjani & Beaches
Day 7: South Lombok Culture & Surf (Sade Village & Selong Belanak Beach)
Visit Sade Village, a traditional village of the Sasak people, where you can see unique horn-shaped houses and local weaving.
Head to Selong Belanak Beach, a stunning crescent of white sand with gentle, rolling waves, making it one of the best beaches in the world for learning to surf.
Day 8: Gili Islands Snorkeling Trip (Air, Meno, Trawangan)
From Lombok, take a short boat trip to snorkel the famous Gili Islands: three tiny, car-free islands.
Gili Trawangan is the "party" island, Gili Meno is the quiet, romantic "honeymoon" island, and Gili Air is the perfect balance of both. You can join a boat tour that hops between all three, stopping at spots famous for sea turtles.
Gili Islands Map for Tourists: Map of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno & Gili Air
Day 9-10: Bali (Sanur) & Final Beach Day
Take a fast boat from the Gili Islands or Lombok all the way back to Sanur in Bali (about 2-3 hours). After a whirlwind of hiking and snorkeling, use this last day to relax on Sanur's calm beach, get a final Balinese massage, and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Have More (or Less) Time in Indonesia?
It's common to look at these itineraries and want to add "just one more thing."
- If you are lucky enough to have more time, for Route 1, the obvious addition is to travel overland from Yogyakarta to Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater in East Java to see the "blue fire"—an incredible, multi-day adventure before you fly to Bali.
- For Route 2, I would use the extra days to spend a few nights on Nusa Penida instead of just doing a day trip.
If you have less time, like only 7 days, my advice is to not try and do it all. You will spend your entire trip in transit. For a 7-day trip, I would recommend a "Bali-Only" itinerary or a focused "Yogyakarta + Bali" trip (flying between the two).
East Java Map: Map of East Java (Mt. Bromo & Ijen Map Included)
Explore Indonesia with Asia Odyssey Travel – Your Trusted Asia Travel Experts
Welcome to Indonesia! Plan your holiday with Asia Odyssey Travel. We are a leading travel company in Asia with over 10 years of experience.
We are experts at organizing trips across Southeast Asia, whether you want a deep tour of Indonesia or a multi-country adventure. With our experience and strong network, we make sure your trip is safe, smooth, and perfectly planned.
Pick Your Perfect Trip Below:
✅ Indonesia Tours: See all our best travel plans for the whole country.
✅ Bali Tours: Our most popular trips to the famous "Island of the Gods."
✅ Departing from Asia & Pacific: › Bali Tours from Singapore › Bali Tours from Malaysia › Bali Tours from Australia › Bali Tours from India › Bali Tours from Philippines › Bali Tours from Nepal
✅ Departing from North America: Bali Tours from USA · Bali Tours from Canada
Contact us today to start planning your Indonesia & Southeast Asia journey!
Data in submission...
