Indonesia Route: Bali to Komodo, 14 Places to See

Explore Indonesia's most captivating destinations across its vast archipelago. This 12,502 km route showcases the country's diverse landscapes, from Bali's cultural temples and terraced rice fields to Lombok's pristine beaches and the Gili Islands' crystal-clear waters, revealing why Indonesia ranks as the world's largest archipelagic nation.

Distance
12502.2 km
Mode
Places
Start
Welcome to Indonesia
End
Toba Lake
Stops
14
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Indonesia
  2. Gili Trawangan — Coral-fringed island off Lombok's coast featuring pristine beaches, vibrant reef diving, and car-free infrastructure for relaxed tropical exploration.
  3. Gili Air — Smaller sibling to Gili Trawangan offering quieter beaches, excellent snorkeling in shallow waters, and traditional fishing village atmosphere.
  4. Wae Rebo Villages* — Traditional Manggarai hilltop settlement featuring distinctive cone-shaped communal houses and terraced rice paddies in remote mountainous terrain.
  5. Kintamani, Bali — Highland village overlooking Mount Batur volcano and crater lake, famous for coffee plantations and panoramic sunrise trekking opportunities.
  6. Komodo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage site protecting endemic Komodo dragons and diverse marine ecosystems across volcanic islands in Lesser Sunda region.
  7. Komodo Island — Primary island in national park home to world's largest living lizards and dramatic volcanic terrain with sparse savanna vegetation.
  8. Jodipan Villages* — Colorful hillside settlement where houses painted in vibrant rainbow hues have transformed a rural area into Instagram-famous street art destination.
  9. Nusa Penida — Rugged limestone island southeast of Bali featuring dramatic clifftop vistas, hidden beaches, and rich marine biodiversity beneath turquoise waters.
  10. Nusa Lembongan — Smaller island near Bali offering serene beaches, seaweed farming traditions, and excellent surfing and diving conditions along reef breaks.
  11. Banda Islands — Remote volcanic islands in Molucca Sea historically central to nutmeg spice trade, now prized for pristine diving and colonial-era architecture.
  12. Karimunjawa Islands — Marine national park comprising 27 islands with white-sand beaches, coral gardens, and mangrove ecosystems supporting diverse tropical wildlife.
  13. Wakatobi Islands — Southeast Sulawesi archipelago featuring world-class coral reefs, endemic fish species, and UNESCO biosphere designation for exceptional marine conservation.
  14. Toba Lake — Massive caldera lake created by supervolcanic eruption, surrounded by lush highlands and home to Batak cultural communities in North Sumatra.

Useful for your trip

Timing
Plan 2 hours to explore Gili Trawangan island fully; it measures about 3 km in length and 2 km in width.
Tip
Trek to Wae Rebo village takes 3 to 4 hours through hills and mountains; village sits at 1,100m altitude.
Where to stay
Stay overnight in traditional mbaru nyang houses (conical bamboo houses) in Wae Rebo village for cultural immersion.
Food
Try kopi luwak (civet coffee), one of the most expensive coffees in the world, made from beans passed through weasel digestive process.
Tip
Hike Mount Batur at dawn to witness breathtaking sunrise from summit with panoramic views of Lake Batur.
Transport
Gili Air is the closest of the Gili islands to mainland Lombok with population of about 1,800 people.
Tip
Padar Island features three crescent-shaped bays with rare white, black, and pink sands visible from the island summit.
Food
Try local Yogyakarta cuisine: gado-gado (jackfruit stew) and bakpia (sweet pastries) from street vendors and local restaurants.
Tip
Gili Air is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving along eastern coast where you can encounter turtles swimming among coral reefs.
Tip
Indonesia is the largest archipelagic nation in the world; exact number of islands unknown as small islands submerge during high tide.
Tip
Komodo National Park covers 1,733 sq km and is UNESCO world heritage site with guided walks to observe Komodo dragons in natural habitat.

Video on this route

Wonders of Indonesia | The Most Amazing Places in Indonesia | Travel Video 4K

More routes nearby

Map