Hi,
I count 24 destinations/stops in 35 days over 4 strung-out islands !!!!!
Far too much in my opinion.
I've read replies to your posts in both fodor and lonelyplanet and my thoughts are -
Drop Sumatra altogether and add Lombok/Gilis (and maybe transit Sumbawa).
Why Pemuteran in NW Bali? Diving?
Was there April 2008 which is supposedly the best diving/snorkelling season and was great at Menjangan island.
Transport around that area isn't that flash.
Why CandiDasa, Sanur and Seminyak?
Basically just beach, hotels, lotsa shops, restaurants and pubs!!!
I presume it's your first time in Indonesia so I suggest -
Fly into Jakarta
Fly to Yogyakarta (Borobodur)
Overland to Bromo and onto Bali
Kuta/Tuban and Ubud (with trips to Bedugal, Besaki?, Uluwatu, etc, etc)
Nusa Lembongan (few days)
Fly to Maumere in Flores (not much there as far as I could see)
Bus west to Labuhan Bajo via Moni (Kelimutu) and Bajawa (maybe stop in Ende for a break)
Didn't see much to stop for in Ruteng and preferred Bajawa and walking around the traditional villages.
We hired a car/driver/guide at Maumere airport after late arrival from Sumba and paid about $1,000 AUD for 5 days
accomodation included/paid for and I think it may have included the boat trip to Rinca and drop off at Kanawa island.
The windy mountainous roads of Flores are a pain in the arse and we had no intention of doing it by local transport.
Komodo dragons on Rinca
Ferry from Labuhan Bajo to Sumbawa (or fly back to Denpasar)
Ignore Bima and stop for break in Sumbawa Besar if going through Sumbawa.
Onto Lombok and Mataram to Bangsal and over to Gilis (pick an island, any island - Meno is my favourite)
Sengiggi is certainly nothing to write home about but o/n at the Puri Bunga is recommended as it has nice rooms, a pool and is reasonably priced.
You could climb Rinjani while on Lombok if you have the time.
Ferry from Lembar back to Bali and rest.
Enjoy wherever the road takes you.
Anthony
P.S. Domestic airline timetables in Indonesia can be hit or miss and the domestic airlines don't rate too highly on the safety table.
Hi,
Have to agree with first poster far too much in such a short time.
Have another think about it.
Indonesia is a third world country and the transport infrasturcture is not like a western country.
It can take up to 24 hrs to get from North Sumara to West Sumatra by bus and most places you
mentioned for Sumatra esp in the north require long 4hr+ bus trips that are tiring and draining in the heat.
You definitely need down time after these long trips and time to enjoy your surroundings and the fascinating locals
you will meet along the way.
Rushing through Indonesia will not give you a satisfying memorable experience.
I kow I have been there 9 times and still have only seen a small proportion of the country but have had some truly
memorable experiences.
Pamela
Thanks guys!
@Wotthefiqh : great advice, thanks a lot. But why Flores before Lombok if we're coming from Bali?
Also, what's the most beautiful island (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores) for great inland jungle and rice field treks? Bali I suppose?
Thanks guys!
@Wotthefiqh : great advice, thanks a lot. But why Flores before Lombok if we're coming from Bali?
Also, what's the most beautiful island (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores) for great inland jungle and rice field treks? Bali I suppose?
I think it would be easier to catch a flight from Bali to Maumere in Flores then work your way back to Bali overland through Sumbawa, Lombok and the Gilis.
OR
Overland through Lombok/Gilis and Sumbawa then ferry to Labuanbajo and onto Maumere and fly back to Bali.
Having experienced Maumere to Labuanbajo with a comfortable 4Wdrive and local driver (Dino drives tourists back and forth between Labuanbajo and Maumere all the time), I wouldn't want to travel Labuanbajo to Maumere and back on local buses.
The flora, fauna and climate east of Bali (Lombok onwards) changes dramatically (much less rain so much drier) so jungle and rice field treks would be best in Bali.
Got an email from a workmate last night telling me how good the bike trip/tour was from Kintimani downhill to Ubud yesterday. You go through little villages and rice paddies and it is one of the best things to do when you are there.
Highly recommended.
Enjoy to the MAX
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