As beautiful and relaxing as Bali is, Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and there are literally hundreds of amazing jewels to discover in this exotic neighbouring land.
It would take a book to list them all, but here are five of the best ones just waiting for you to come and visit.
But just to make things even MORE interesting, we’re going to list experiences and places that you can visit in Indonesia onboard a 10, 11 or 14-night tall ship cruise with Star Clippers. These exciting journeys on unique, modern and luxurious vessels are reminiscent of adventures embarked upon by Robinson Crusoe, with port calls to many tiny jungle-and-sand islands.
You’ll basically feel like you’re sailing on your own private yacht, with spacious accommodation and a maximum of just 170 guests on the ship at any one time. And don’t get us started on the onboard facilities, which includes an indoor-outdoor Tropical Bar and Piano Bar, an Edwardian style library with a Belle Époque fireplace, and not one, but two swimming pools!
Oh, and because Star Clippers tall ships are small, they’re able to visit smaller islands inaccessible to larger ships, yet still offer more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships.
But back to Indonesia’s other jewels. All aboard?!
1. Visit otherworldly Mount Bromo
Looking like it belongs on Mars or the moon, Mount Bromo (2329m) in East Java is probably the most photogenic volcano in the world – it looks great, any time of the day, and from any angle.
This volcano has been important to the local community for centuries, and each year a special Hindu ceremony is held at a small temple which sits at the volcano’s base in efforts to appease the mountain gods thought to reside inside it. If you’re feeling active, why not take an optional hike up the side of the mountain and peek inside its smoky caldera?
Visit the volcanic island of Mount Bromo on Star Clippers 7 night Indonesia Westbound itinerary.
2. See some Komodo dragons
Famous for its dragon, Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia’s premier jewels. Where else can you see living and breathing dinosaur look-a-likes in their natural habitat? These beasts can grow up to three metres and weigh as much as 150kg!
Sailing with Star Clippers, guests will be able to cruise to this stunning island and embark on a short or medium trail in the company of professionally-trained park ranger.
View Komodo Dragons in the wild on Star Clippers 10 night Bali Roundtrip itinerary.
3. Sail to the heavenly Gili Islands
Ah, the Gili Islands… Is there not a more paradisical place on earth?
A trio of islands just east of Bali, these stunners are lined with palm trees and surrounded by turquoise blue waters harbouring colourful reefs – perfect for snorkelling. Otherwise, you can relax on board or even try your hand at some of the other water sports on offer, such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or even water skiing.
You can also just hang with the friendly locals or enjoy a beach barbeque on the white sandy shore – there are no cars on any of these tiny islands!
Visit the Gili Islands on Star Clippers 7 night Indonesia Eastbound itinerary.
4. See untouched Indonesia at its most stunning
Just south of Madura is the small island of Giligenteng, which is home to a colourful community of tiny fishing villages and probably the finest beaches in Indonesia. There are no tourist facilities on the island too, which means it’s as an authentic insight into local life as you’ll find anywhere.
Surrounded by mangroves, this tranquil island is home to many different species of bird and marine life too. Definitely an undiscovered jewel…
Discover Giligenteng Island on Star Clippers 14 night Singapore to Bali itinerary.
5. Set foot on mysterious Sumba
Sumba, located between Bali and Timor, is a rare find in Indonesia. Somehow – some way – this island has escaped Hindu, Muslim, and Christian influence over the centuries, which means you’ll be visiting a part of Indonesia that’s culturally in-tact.
Many villages across the island still follow Marapu – the indigenous ancestral form of worship. It’s still something of a mystery how this all came to be, but one thing’s for sure: you’ll love your time here interacting with the friendly locals in the village of Ratenggaro. The island also flaunts many amazing beaches, so there’s that, too…
Explore Sumba Island on Star Clippers 10 night Bali Roundtrip itinerary.
So what are you waiting for?
Step aboard the intimate 360-feet-long Star Clippers tall ship for a sun-drenched tropical getaway exploring the seldom visited islands of the Indonesian archipelago and you’ll be rewarded with a saving of 20 percent off your cruise fare.
Plus you’ll receive free a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful seaside Alila Seminyak Hotel including breakfast, an invigorating 60-minute Balinese massage, and transfers to/from the hotel.
CLICK HERE for more information.
For more information on the unique Indonesian itineraries available with Star Clippers, head to Adventure World or order a brochure by clicking on the Star Clippers cover below!
Have you ventured beyond Bali? What jewels have you discovered? Share them in the comments below…
This article was brought to you by:
