The best places to visit in Indonesia

Located in East Java, Bromo Tengger Semeru is easily one of Indonesia’s most scenic national parks. Spread across 800 square kilometres, the park is centred around a huge, ancient caldera filled with a sea of sand – the only one of its kind in Indonesia. From this lunar landscape rises majestic peaks, including the smouldering Mount Bromo at 2,329 metres and Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java at 3,676 metres. The most popular way to visit is a 4x4 tour, which takes you up to one of the viewpoints for sunrise before driving over the sand sea to Mount Bromo itself. Don’t forget to wrap up warm and wear protective footwear – it may be a tropical island, but it can get surprisingly chilly once you’re in the mountains.

Nestled in the jungles of northern Sumatra, Mount Leuser National Park is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s a haven for endangered animals such as Sumatran tigers, rhinoceros, elephants and orangutans, which you can watch in their natural habitats on multi-day treks. Although tigers and rhinos are quite elusive, there’s a high chance of spotting elephants and orangutans, as well as macaques, gibbons, saltwater crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species including the spectacular rhinoceros hornbill. Bukit Lawang, a village on the banks of the Bahorok River, serves as the main gateway to the park and has a handful of accommodation options.

The highland village of Wae Rebo is one of the most unique places in Indonesia. Located on the island of Flores, this traditional village lies 1,100 metres above sea level, surrounded by lush green mountains covered in thick forest. It’s known for its thatched, conical huts called Mbaru Niang, which were built with methods that can be traced back for generations. It’s a wonderful destination for those interested in ecotourism, and visitors can either take a day trip or an overnight stay to learn about the local culture and how the residents have preserved it. With no electricity between 10pm and 6am, there are some incredible stargazing opportunities here.

Also in Flores is Kelimutu, three volcanic lakes sitting atop a dormant volcano. Thanks to the volcanic gases and chemicals in the water, the lakes are constantly changing in colour, each one a different shade of blue, green, pink, black, red and brown. Sunrise is a common time to visit, but bear in mind this is when everyone and their mother will be there. It’s better to visit mid-morning after the sunrise rush – this is also when the lake’s colours are most vibrant. Although it may look tempting, swimming is strictly prohibited as the sulphuric water is toxic.