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Two Weeks in Indonesia — Bali, Java, and Lombok or Komodo

A 14-day itinerary covering Bali plus a meaningful side trip (Java's temples and volcanoes, or eastward to Lombok/the Gilis or Komodo). The sweet spot for a substantial first visit.

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Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first substantial Indonesia trip. Enough time to see Bali well, do a meaningful side trip to Java (Yogyakarta + a volcano), and add either Lombok/the Gilis for easy beach time or push further east to Komodo. This itinerary covers the most popular pattern — Bali + Java + Lombok/Gilis — with notes on the Komodo alternative.

At a glance

  • Days 1-4: Bali south + Ubud (4 nights)
  • Days 5-6: East Bali (Sidemen, Amed, or extended Ubud)
  • Days 7-9: Yogyakarta + Mount Bromo (Java)
  • Days 10-13: Lombok + Gili Islands
  • Day 14: Return Bali, depart
  • Total: 14 days, 13 nights
  • Estimated budget: USD 2,000-3,500 per person (mid-range)

Day 1 — Arrive Bali

  • Land at Ngurah Rai International Airport
  • Pay the tourist levy (Rp 150,000) online before arrival
  • Get a SIM card
  • Transfer to Seminyak, Canggu, or Sanur (depending on preference)
  • Beach time, sunset, dinner

Days 2-3 — South Bali

  • Day 2: Surf lesson + beach + sunset
  • Day 3: Day trip to Uluwatu (Kecak performance at sunset) and the Bukit beaches (Padang Padang, Bingin)

Days 4-5 — Ubud

  • Move to Ubud (90 min drive)
  • Day 4 afternoon: Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, evening dance
  • Day 5: Tegallalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul, optional Mount Batur sunrise hike

Day 6 — East Bali

  • Drive to Sidemen valley
  • Afternoon rice paddy walk, mountain views
  • Evening at a quiet boutique stay

Day 7 — Fly to Yogyakarta

  • Drive to Denpasar airport (90 min) or fly from Lombok airport if you've moved
  • Bali → Yogyakarta (1-hour flight)
  • Afternoon at the Sultan's Palace and Taman Sari
  • Evening at Malioboro

Day 8 — Borobudur and Prambanan

  • Sunrise at Borobudur
  • Late breakfast, return to Yogya
  • Afternoon at Prambanan
  • Evening dinner in Yogyakarta

Day 9 — Travel to Mount Bromo

  • Drive from Yogyakarta to Probolinggo (8 hours) or fly Yogyakarta to Malang/Surabaya, then drive
  • Arrive Cemoro Lawang (Bromo base village) by evening
  • Light dinner, early bed (3am wake-up)

Day 10 — Bromo sunrise + travel to Lombok

  • 3am wake, sunrise viewing from Penanjakan
  • Descend to Bromo crater, climb the 250 steps
  • Return to hotel around 9am
  • Drive to Surabaya, fly to Lombok (or Bali → Lombok)
  • Late evening arrival in Lombok or Gilis

Days 11-13 — Lombok and Gilis

  • Option A: 3 days on Gili Trawangan (parties, snorkelling), Gili Air (quieter), or Gili Meno (most relaxed)
  • Option B: 2 days on Gilis + 1 day in Lombok (Kuta Lombok beaches, Senggigi)
  • Option C: 3 days in Lombok with Mount Rinjani 3-day trek (only for fit hikers; replaces some days)

Activities: snorkelling, diving (PADI courses possible), beach time, optional Rinjani climb.

Day 14 — Return Bali, depart

  • Morning fast boat to Bali (90 min)
  • Transfer to airport
  • Depart

Alternative: Bali + Java + Komodo (instead of Lombok)

For visitors prioritising spectacle over relaxation:

  • Days 1-6: Bali (as above)
  • Day 7-9: Yogyakarta and Bromo (as above)
  • Day 10: fly to Labuan Bajo, Flores
  • Days 11-13: Komodo liveaboard or Labuan Bajo day trips (Komodo dragons, Padar Island, Pink Beach, manta rays at Manta Point)
  • Day 14: return Bali, depart

The Komodo option is more expensive (USD 500-1,500 for the trip portion alone) but produces some of the most memorable experiences.

Alternative: Bali + Java + Sumatra orangutans

For nature-focused visitors:

  • Days 1-6: Bali
  • Days 7-9: Yogyakarta and Bromo
  • Day 10: fly to Medan, North Sumatra
  • Days 11-13: Bukit Lawang (orangutan trekking) + Lake Toba
  • Day 14: fly to Medan/Jakarta, depart

Practical notes

  • Don't add a 5th destination — diminishing returns
  • Domestic flights are the workhorse; book several weeks ahead
  • The Mount Bromo route is logistically complex; consider hiring a driver for the Bromo-Ijen transfer days
  • The 2-week mark is when Indonesia really starts to make sense; less than this and it feels like greatest-hits

Costs

Per-person (mid-range, double occupancy):

  • Accommodation: USD 700-1,200 for 13 nights
  • Internal flights: USD 200-400
  • Food: USD 250-500
  • Activities: USD 200-500
  • Transport: USD 200-400
  • Total: USD 1,800-3,500

Budget: USD 1,000-1,500 Upscale: USD 4,000-7,000

Two weeks is enough to come home feeling you've seen substantial Indonesia without the rushed feeling of one week. For most visitors, this is the right trip length.