From jungle trekking in search of orangutans to island-hopping, volcano landscapes, and laid-back beach days, Indonesia offers an incredible mix of adventure and relaxation. But with thousands of islands spread across a vast distance, planning a route can feel overwhelming.
This 28-day itinerary brings together some of Indonesia’s most memorable experiences—balancing travel days with time to explore, slow down, and enjoy each destination as a family.
Getting Around Indonesia
If you’re planning to visit multiple islands, travel logistics are an important part of your itinerary.
Indonesia spans a vast distance—nearly as wide as Canada—so getting between destinations often takes longer than expected. Flights frequently involve connections, and travel days can quickly add up. That said, each destination offers something completely different, making the journey well worth the effort.
Things to keep in mind when planning:
- Timing: Travel distances on land are often much longer than GPS estimates due to traffic. Be sure to leave extra time, especially when heading to airports or catching ferries.
- Island Hopping: Flights between islands are not always direct. For example, our journey from Bali to Sumatra (Indonesia’s westernmost island) required two flights with a stop in Jakarta.
- Backtracking: You may find yourself returning to Bali between destinations. This is common due to limited flight routes. We were unable to fly directly from Sumatra to Flores, so we broke up the journey with a stop in Bali.
- Ferry Travel: Ferry quality varies widely, and public ferries are not recommended. Do your research when booking private ferries—some are slow, overcrowded, and lack safety standards. We chose Gili-Gili Fast Boat for its safety record and efficiency.
Day 1: Arrive in Denpasar, Bali
After arriving in Denpasar, travel to Ubud for your first stop (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours).
Days 2–5: Ubud, Bali
Ubud offers a mix of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Highlights included cycling around Mount Batur’s lava fields, walking through the Tegallalang Rice Terraces—some of the most memorable scenery of our time in Southeast Asia—and a hands-on rice farming experience that the boys especially loved. In the evenings, we slowed things down with a traditional Balinese dance performance and time to enjoy the local cuisine.
Day 6: Fly to Sumatra (via Denpasar)
Today we made our way from Bali to Sumatra, with a connection in Jakarta before arriving in Medan.
Days 7–9: Orangutan Trek
Over the next two days, we ventured into the jungle near Bukit Lawang in search of orangutans. Gunung Leuser National Park is one of only two places in the world where critically endangered Sumatran orangutans still live in the wild.
This was a true wilderness adventure that pushed us beyond our comfort zones, but for families up for the challenge, it is a rewarding experience that will stay with you long after you leave the jungle.
Learn how to plan your adventure: Deep in the Sumatra Jungle: A Family Orangutan Trek in Indonesia
Day 10: Return to Bali (Denpasar) → Kuta
Another long travel day, flying back to Bali (via Jakarta), followed by a 30-minute drive south to Kuta.
Days 11–14: Southern Bali
Southern Bali is known for its beaches, resorts, and surf culture. Unfortunately, this was a low point of our trip, as we fell ill shortly after arriving and spent most of our time recovering.
When we were able to explore, we found Kuta crowded and more suited to nightlife and backpackers than families.
If you’re planning to stay in this area, we’d recommend looking into these more family-friendly alternatives (we didn’t visit them ourselves, but they came up consistently in our research):
- Sanur (25 min from airport)
- Jimbaran (40 min from airport)
Day 15: Fly to Flores Island (Labuan Bajo)
A short flight (just over an hour) brought us to Flores Island for our next adventure.
Travel Tip: On our flight into Flores, we experienced something unexpected. Just as we were about to land, the pilot suddenly aborted the landing and took off again. The steep ascent felt unsettling—especially when you’re expecting to be on the ground.
The flight attendants reassured us that this is relatively common here. The runway sits in a narrow valley with strong crosswinds, so pilots will occasionally abort a landing and circle back if conditions aren’t right.
Days 16–17: Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo is a small coastal town built along a hillside, offering beautiful ocean views and serving as the gateway to Komodo National Park—home to the legendary Komodo dragons.
We chose a one-day tour that was packed with unforgettable stops beyond the dragons, including the scenic viewpoints of Padar Island with its three crescent-shaped coves, the soft sand of Pink Beach, and the chance to swim with manta rays and turtles.
Each stop offered something different, and it quickly became one of our family’s favourite days in Indonesia.
Learn more: A One-Day Family Adventure in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Day 18: Return to Bali → Padang Bai
Fly back to Bali and transfer (about 1 hour) to Padang Bai for your onward journey to the Gili Islands.
Day 19: Ferry to Gili Trawangan
From Padang Bai, we took the Gili-Gili Fast Boat (about 1.5 hours) to Gili Trawangan. The boat trip can be rough, especially on windy days.
Days 20–26: Gili Trawangan
After a busy few weeks, Gili Trawangan was the perfect place to slow down. With white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, and no motorized vehicles, it’s incredibly family-friendly.
Highlights of our time included snorkelling with turtles, kayaking to the famous underwater Bask Nest statue, and cycling around the island.
Note: We chose to stay longer here to recharge. If you’re short on time, this portion of the itinerary can be shortened.
Learn More: Fun Things to Do with Kids on Gili Island, Indonesia
Day 27: Return to Bali
Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to return to Denpasar the same day. We prefer to leave a buffer day in case of travel mishaps.
Day 28: Depart Indonesia
An Adventure Across Islands
After four weeks of travelling through Indonesia, we came away with a deeper appreciation for just how diverse the islands are. From trekking through the Sumatra jungle in search of orangutans to cycling around volcanoes in Bali, island-hopping in Komodo National Park, and unwinding on the beaches of the Gili Islands, each stop brought something completely different.
Indonesia is a destination that rewards families who are willing to embrace both adventure and the logistics of travelling between islands. With a mix of wildlife, culture, and relaxation, it’s a journey that leaves you with unforgettable memories.
Ready to Explore Indonesia?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• 16-Day Bali & Gili Island Itinerary with Kids
• Deep in the Sumatra Jungle: A Family Orangutan Trek in Indonesia
• A One-Day Family Adventure in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
• Fun Things to Do with Kids on Gili Island, Indonesia
• 3-Day Ubud Itinerary with Kids
• Fun Things to do with Kids in Ubud, Bali
• Learning to Rice Farm: A Family Experience in Ubud, Bali
• Biking Mount Batur, Bali: A Family Adventure
