Indonesia in 5 Days: 4 Recommended 5-day Itineraries to Indonesia

Whether you are looking for adventure, culture or a beach holiday, 5 days in Indonesia can cater to all your needs. For inspiration, check out our selection of 5-day Indonesia itinerary ideas below.

This 5-day itinerary in Indonesia will base you in Yogyakarta or ‘Jogja’ for a deep dive into Indonesian culture. The seat of ancient Java, Jogja is famed for its extraordinary preservation of traditional arts, including shadow puppetry and batik. Make sure you visit the ornate kranton, Sultan’s Palace and take a stroll down Jalan Malioboro to pick up some excellent souvenirs. Then, explore Borobudur, a 1,200-year-old pyramid adorned with over 500 Buddha statues and 72 stupas, and Prambanan, an ancient Hindu temple complex dating back to the 9th century. Both temples are a remarkable testament to Java’s rich and varied religious heritage. Slightly further afield take a day trip to the Dieng Plateau, where you’ll find a majestic volcanic landscape littered with crater lakes and ancient temple ruins.

You can get a personalized tour to Indonesia similar to this.

On this 5-day Indonesia itinerary, you will start your journey from Labuan Bajo and set sail to Komodo National Park. Spend the day visiting the park’s islands and be on the lookout for the fierce Komodo dragon. This is the only place in the world to see them in the wild. You’ll also have time to cool off in the sea and swim with gentle manta rays and visit the beautiful and aptly named, Pink Beach. Continue to the little visited island of Sumbawa, stop for a swim at pristine beaches and enjoy the unspoilt tropical scenery. At Saleh Bay, you’ll have the opportunity to swim with the whale sharks that reside here year-round. These remarkable creatures can grow to nearly 18 meters (60 feet) long and are the world’s largest fish. Your sailing adventure finishes on the beautiful island of Lombok. See all Indonesia holiday packages.

With so many things to do in Bali, it can be a challenge to decide what to include in your itinerary. This Indonesia tour will show you the best of Bali in five days. Here you’ll find excellent tourist infrastructure, thumping nightlife, plenty of cold beer and picture perfect beaches. While you may be tempted to laze on the beach, don't skip a trip to Tanah Lot, a pilgrimage temple perched on a rocky outcrop surrounded by crashing waves. Escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist districts and take a day trip to the tiny island of Nusa Penida—there’s excellent diving and snorkeling and the beaches are some of the finest in Indonesia. One of Bali’s most popular off-beach destinations is the Ubud Monkey Forest, where you’ll find over 1,200 rambunctious long tailed macaques thriving in the lush jungle and a sprawling temple complex. While you’re in the area, consider checking out Ubud, this hippie haven is a great place to indulge in spa and wellness activities. See all Bali tours and trips.

If you’re searching for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bali, consider this itinerary that is based in Lombok. Leave the tourist crowds behind and discover raw natural beauty, cascading waterfalls and traditional villages of this less visited island. The low key tourist area around Sengiggi has a great beach and makes a handy base for exploring other parts of the island. Visit the village of Banyumulek, famous for its artisan pottery and the village of Sukara, where beautiful gold-threaded songket cloth is still hand woven. Spend a day relaxing on beautiful Selong Belanak Beach, or if you’re feeling more active, this is a great spot for a beginner surf lesson. Sendang Gile is one of Lombok’s most beautiful natural wonders, this two tiered waterfall is well worth the effort—it’s too shallow to swim here, but the mist rippling off the falls is most refreshing. There are so many things to do in Lombok.

Given its massive size but relatively undeveloped transportation infrastructure, Indonesia is not the easiest place to navigate solo. There are handy regularly scheduled flights to most major tourist destinations, but if you’re wanting to get away from the main tourist hubs, more planning is involved. Buses are available but can be unreliable and difficult to navigate. Inter island ferries can be useful, but safety can also be an issue. While you could work on a 5-day Indonesia itinerary plan yourself, for a safe and hassle free vacation, join a packaged Indonesia trip led by a local guide. You can also opt for a bespoke Indonesia holiday.

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Optimum duration to spend in Indonesia
3 days in Indonesia
10 days in Indonesia
Indonesia for a week
When to travel to Indonesia
Best activities to do in Indonesia