Thousands of Islands and Infinite Adventures in Indonesia

With literally thousands of islands to choose from, deciding where to go in Indonesia is the first step. Faced with overwhelming options, most travelers default to the most well-known island of Bali and, even though it’s the most popular for a reason, Origin travel curator Rick wants to help travelers experience the rest of the world’s largest archipelago.

“Indonesia is the perfect destination to strike a balance of culture, spirituality, adventure, and relaxation,” according to Rick, and he can help to plan the perfect island itinerary.

Planning trips to Indonesia has been a huge part of Rick’s professional career and personal travels, ranging from wildlife-focused trips in Borneo to Indigenous experiences in Western Papua. “I encourage travelers to step out of their comfort zone and search for dragons in Komodo National Park or learn about the incredible traditions that are still going strong in Torajaland,” Rick emphasizes.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to exploring Indonesia is getting around the islands, but the extra effort is rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. An additional flight leg sounds like a small price to pay to see orangutans in their natural habitat in Borneo or the world’s only living dragons in Komodo National Park. Even more off-the-radar are islands without airports and only accessible by boat, like the surfer’s paradise of the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra.

Not that you need to find the most remote locations to enjoy what the country has to offer. One of Rick’s personal favorite destinations is Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It’s located on the main island of Java and considered one of the most important cultural sites in all of Southeast Asia.

For first time visitors, Rick still recommends to go with the obvious choice of Bali, specifically the central town of Ubud. “It’s not exactly off the beaten path,” he admits, “but there’s something magical about being surrounded by lush vegetation and rice paddies.” The real allure of Ubud comes from the city’s underlying spirituality, which is tangible in the abundance of temples, the colorful offerings to Hindu gods outside of shops, or during an outdoor yoga session at sunrise.

Outside of Ubud, Mount Agung is the highest point on Bali and looms over the rest of the island, offering unbelievable hiking trails and even better views. And no matter where on the island you are, a postcard-worthy beach is never far away. The mere scope of things to see is the reason that Bali is a favorite whether it’s your first time in Indonesia or your hundredth, a place where Rick says “you can scale a volcano for sunrise views and then enjoy sunset at a beachside haven with a cocktail in hand.”

With so many options, it's just a matter of finding your ideal destination. Chat with a travel curator and Origin can help you narrow down the search with personalized recommendations.