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Indonesia is the largest island country on Earth.
It's made up of more than 17,000 islands and offers endless opportunities to explore and
bask in the beautiful collection of land masses.
Visiting a different island each day would require nearly fifty years to see them all,
so Indonesia will always leave you wanting more.
White sand beaches, snorkeling, volcanic lakes, epic wildlife, and world-renowned cuisine
are just a few reasons to add Indonesia to your bucket list.
Today, we'll show you ten amazing things to see while you're in Indonesia to start your
hopefully long journey of discovering this magical country.
Without further ado, let's dive in!
Number ten.
Komodo National Park.
Komodo National Park covers 29 islands.
The three most prominent in the park are Komodo, Padar, and Rinca.
The park was established to protect the Komodo dragon but has since expanded to protect all
the indigenous land and marine life.
The Komodo dragon is the world's largest lizard, growing up to ten feet in length.
Approximately 2,500 Komodo dragons call this series of islands home, along with other indigenous
flora and fauna.
While visiting this park, you'll see hills peppered with rocky outcroppings and a generally
dry climate with little rainfall for most of the year.
The marine life, in contrast, is full of color, as it is part of the Asia Pacific Coral Triangle.
Take time to hike to the high point on Padar island for an incredible view.
Crescent-shaped beaches will be spread out before you, making for a great photo opportunity.
Visiting the smaller island of Kalong will offer the unique opportunity to see thousands
of giant flying fox bats - the noise these winged creatures make when moving as one is
unforgettable.
Number nine.
Tana Toraja.
Located on Sulawesi island, this cultural gem has some of the most unique cultural practices
in the world.
Toraja culture centers around the afterlife and death and is displayed during the elaborate
funeral ceremonies that occur after death.
Tana Toraja is surrounded by limestone karsts that jut out from the landscape in a dramatic
fashion.
Graves embedded in limestone cliffs are among the most famous attractions when visiting
the island.
Although keep in mind that these aren't just tourist attractions - they are actual grave
sites that should be treated with respect with viewing.
Traditional housing called tongkonan makes for fantastic photographs, with their harshly
sloped roof lines.
And if you'd instead get a view from higher up, take the two-hour hike to the peak of
Gunung Sesean for a beautiful sunrise or the lush terraced rice farming at the base of
the mountain.
Number eight.
Yogyakarta.
Home to some of Indonesia's most important archaeological sites, Borobudur and Prambanan,
Yogyakarta is genuinely representative of Indonesia's culture.
It's also the only province in the country still ruled by a sultan.
Most will visit this area to see Borobudur Temple, located about two hours northwest
of the city.
It's the largest Buddhist structure in the world and is nestled among beautiful mountain
scenery.
Rugged jeep tours can take you to see Merapi Volcano.
It's the most active volcano in Indonesia, with regularly documented eruptions since
1548.
The last major explosion occurred in October 2010 and resulted in the death of more than
350 people.
More than 350,000 were forced to flee, and the most dangerous parts of the eruption spanned
four days.
Several small eruptions have occurred since the beginning of 2020, and volcanologists
keep a close eye on this active giant.
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Number seven.
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
We suggest Bromo Tengger Semeru, National Park if the mountains are calling you.
A landscape of sand is punctuated by four relatively young volcanic cones: Batok, Kursi,
Watangan, and Widodaren.
The park is named after two other mountains - Mount Semeru and Bromo, as well as the local
inhabitants, the Tengger people.
Semeru and Bromo are both active volcanoes, with Semeru erupting every half hour or so,
letting out clouds of steam, smoke, and ash.
On the other hand, Bromo is known for its large crater that constantly seeps sulfurous
smoke.
Nature isn't the only thing on display, with Hindu temples dotting the landscape, as well
as the quaint village of Ngadas that sits on the slopes of Mt.
Bromo.
Number six.
Raja Ampat Islands.
Raja Ampat is made up of nearly 1,500 islands in an archipelago and has vibrant biodiversity.
It's a small pocket of paradise - its rugged islands have kept it relatively untouched.
Still, it's quickly being discovered as a beautiful place to visit if you're willing
to participate in elaborate island-hopping to get there.
Snorkeling is terrific here - colors, shapes, and textures will assault your senses as you
explore the underwater world of Raja Ampat.
Several world-famous dive sites are ready to explore if you're a diver.
This area is still developing in terms of tourism, so there may not be as many options
for fancy hotels.
A great alternative is using a homestay offered by locals on the islands.
You'll get a one-of-a-kind authentic experience of local life and be treated to great hospitality
from some of the 50,000 residents in the archipelago.
Number five.
Dieng Plateau.
This marshy plateau sits more than 8,000 feet above sea level and is home to some of the
oldest Hindu Temples in Java.
The temples themselves are a small portion of what once was - you can see eight temples,
but there used to be more than 400 in the area.
Linked by raised walkways to avoid walking through the marshy landscape, you can also
see evidence of ancient tunnels that drained the flatlands.
Two parallel lakes provide beautiful vistas and the unique addition of sulfur deposits
along the shore that burble to the surface.
The annual cultural festival features a traditional lantern release, puppet show, performances,
fireworks, and artwork.
Number four.
Wae Rebo Village.
As far as traditional villages go in Indonesia, Wae Rebo is one of the most famous.
Seven traditional houses with conical roofs stand in stark opposition to the lush green
mountain landscape surrounding the village.
These homes have stood for 19 generations of inhabitants, and about 1,200 people call
Wae Rebo home.
The cone-shaped homes are made up of five levels each - the base level holds the main
living quarters.
The following three stories are used to store various foods and goods, with the top-level
reserved as a sacred place to give offerings to ancestors.
Farming, weaving, and tourism are the primary industries of this village, and a coffee garden
offers delicious coffee varietals that can be sampled.
Number three.
Bali.
Bali is likely one of the first places to come to mind when thinking of Indonesia.
And while the sprawling beaches and glittering surf are great reasons to visit, it's only
part of the charm of Bali.
The center of Bali is known for its terraced rice fields and yoga retreats in Ubud.
The high-end resorts are mainly situated on Bali's southern coast in the Seminyak region
and are perfect for relaxation.
And if hiking or trekking is of more interest, check out Munduk - an often overlooked mountain
village that opens you up to a world of waterfalls, lakes, hills, and lakes.
Number two.
Tanjung Puting National Park.
In order to access this park, you'll need to hop on a river cruise that will take you
to the land of Borneo Orangutans.
The wooden boats that carry you into this untouched landscape are called Klotok and
provide a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.
They operate as your floating hotel as you navigate to various orangutan feeding stations
along the river.
Wildlife abounds, including freshwater crocodiles, hornbill birds, proboscis, and Gibbon monkeys.
If you're able to take part in a night walk, you might see giant tarantulas, loudly singing
frogs, or even the rare tarsier.
Number one.
Lombok.
Lombok lies east of Bali and is far less frequented by tourists.
And that's what is perhaps most appealing.
It offers many beautiful vistas, without the crowds you might expect in some more popular
destinations.
Lombok is predominantly Muslim, so you'll see plenty of beautifully adorned mosques
throughout Lombok.
And if you're a foodie, experiencing the local markets is a must.
Full of vibrant and spicy chilies and local tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen,
snake fruit, rose apples, tamarind, rambutan, and starfruit.
It's home to Indonesia's second-highest volcano, Mount Rinjani, and a multi-day guided tour
to the top will afford trekkers with views of Crater Lake.
The Pusuk Monkey Forest has countless monkeys that traverse the jungle and venture into
nearby streets.
That concludes our list for today!
What is your favorite place to visit in Indonesia that didn't make our list?
Let us know down in the comments below!
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