With over 17,000 islands and 300 ethnic groups that make up this archipelago, the options for adventure travel in Indonesia are limitless. Each island reveals a vastly different backdrop, from smoldering volcanoes to hidden jungles overgrown with exotic plant and animal species. The
cultural diversity is just as breathtaking, whether you are exploring ancient Buddhist temples in Java or watching, mesmerized, by the carefully quivering fingers and exaggerated gestures of traditional Balinese dances.
Go Wild in Borneo
In Indonesian Borneo,
adventure abounds. Take a river boat into Tanjung Puting National Park, and appreciate the natural beauty as civilization gives way to heavy mangrove forests. Further in, the river narrows, and the jungle grows dense. The sounds of exotic
wildlife are all around- proboscis monkeys screeching, the rustle of kingfishers shooting past, and air bubbles popping at the water’s surface from fish below- or crocodiles! The real highlight is seeing wild orangutans up close and personal. There are treks for all levels with private guides that know the jungle like the back of their hand. Back on your private boat at night, lay under the brilliant starry sky, and listen to sounds of the jungle as they lull you to sleep. You can also stay overnight in a traditional village to experience an entirely different way of life in this wild environment.
Surrender to the Beauty of Bali
Incredible
natural beauty is just the beginning of what this small island offers. It really has it all: volcano and jungle treks, world class diving and surfing sites, natural spas, and enticing restaurants. As the only predominantly Hindu island, the atmosphere is unique. Stunning temples dot the landscape and there are flower and incense offerings everywhere you look-from the rice fields to the city streets. Groups of local women dressed in their regal traditional lace shirts and sarongs, balance towers of offerings atop their head, as they make their way to the temple. Witnessing such beauty and devotion all around you will inspire relaxation and spiritual rejuvenation. In Ubud, the island’s spiritual and cultural center, you can find many classes teaching traditional Balinese dance, cooking, and crafts, as well as meditation,
yoga, or reiki, and much more.
Explore History in Java
Java has a rich
history that is evident in the old temples and palaces found there. Borobodur, an 8th century Buddhist temple in Central Java, transports the visitor through three tiers, representing different levels of enlightenment. Making your way upwards through the dark, reaching the top, silhouettes of Buddha statues and hundreds of bell shaped stupas reveal themselves. As the sun rises over the horizon, the entire countryside of rice terraces and jagged volcanic peaks are illuminated. In the nearby city of Yogyakarta, the royal palace exemplifies the splendor of Javanese architecture. Make your way to East Java to experience legendary Mt. Bromo and the turquoise Ijen Craters.
Experience Traditional Performing and Visual Arts
Traditional dance performances are not to be missed. The temple is quiet as the first notes of the gamelan orchestra strike. Adorned in elaborately gilded costumes, each dancer moves carefully to the music, picking up speed and passion as the music grows more frantic. Dramatically lined eyes dart quickly and fingers tremble gracefully. Seeing artists at work is just as alluring- intricate wood carvings, painted masks, batiks fabrics, and silver jewelry are crafted with expertise passed down through generations.