How to spend 7 days in Indonesia: travel itineraries

Planning a trip to Indonesia? It's a journey worth planning carefully, especially if you've only have a week to explore. For inspiration, we’ve gathered some of our favorite 7 day Indonesia itineraries, created by our Rough Guides travel experts. Read on for ideas for your trip.

Trip #1: Java discovery

On this week long itinerary, you’ll spend your time experiencing the magic of Java, one of the largest islands in Indonesia. The trip begins on day one with arrival at Adisucipto International Airport and a leisurely afternoon in Candirejo village, including a horse cart tour. 

On the second day, you’ll explore the majestic Borobudur Temple with a guided tour, dine at Beukenhof Restaurant, visit the Ullen Sentalu Museum, and enjoy a bicycle tour ending at Sambisari temple. The third day includes a Yogyakarta city tour, with visits to the Sultan’s Palace, Taman Sari Water Palace, and Prambanan temples. 

On the fourth day, an early transfer to the train station is followed by a journey to Jombang, exploring Trowulan’s historical sites, and a drive to Tosari near Mount Bromo. 

Day five features a sunrise trek at Mount Bromo, a horseback ride to the crater rim, and a scenic drive to Kalibaru with stops in Probolinggo and Jember. 

The sixth day includes a plantation tour at Margo Utomo Agro Resort and leisure time. 

The trip concludes on the seventh day with a hike to Mount Ijen crater, exploration of the volcanic landscape, a return to Banyuwangi, lunch, and transfer to Surabaya International Airport for departure.

World biggest Buddhist temple Aerial view at sunrise, Borobudur, Indonesia

World biggest Buddhist temple Aerial view at sunrise, Borobudur, Java  © Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

See the breakdown of this 7 days Indonesia itinerary:

Day 1

  • Arrive at Adisucipto International Airport.
  • Lunch in Candirejo village.
  • Tour Candirejo village on a dokar horse cart.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 2

  • Visit Borobudur Temple with a guided tour.
  • Lunch at Beukenhof Restaurant, Kaliurang.
  • Visit Ullen Sentalu Museum.
  • Bicycle tour through villages, ending at Sambisari temple.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 3

  • Yogyakarta city tour
  • Visit Kraton (Palace of the Sultan).
  • Explore Taman Sari Water Palace.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Visit Prambanan temples.
  • Return to Yogyakarta hotel.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 4

  • Early morning check-out.
  • Transfer to Yogyakarta Railway Station.
  • Take the Sancaka Pagi Train to Jombang.
  • Boxed breakfast on the train.
  • Visit Trowulan and its temples and museum.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Drive to Tosari, near Mount Bromo.

Day 5

  • Mount Bromo sunrise trek
  • Early morning 4WD drive to sunrise viewpoint.
  • Watch sunrise over Mount Bromo.
  • Horseback ride and climb to crater rim.
  • Full-day drive to Kalibaru.
  • Stop at Probolinggo and Jember.

Day 6

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Tour plantations at Margo Utomo Agro Resort.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 7

  • Early morning departure to Paltuding Base Camp.
  • Hike to Mount Ijen crater.
  • Explore crater lake and volcanic landscape.
  • Return to Banyuwangi.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Transfer to Surabaya International Airport for departure.

Top tip:  If you find planning and booking your next trip overwhelming, let our tailor-made trip service take care of it for you.

Taman Ayun Temple - Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock

Taman Ayun Temple - Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock

Trip #2: Bali yoga retreat

Bali has become a hub for yoga enthusiasts, and attracts experienced yoga instructors from around the world. This week long itinerary is a week of yoga and relaxation.

On the first day, you'll transfer from the airport to your hotel. On the second day, start with morning yoga followed by a specially prepared breakfast, then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, ending with a healthy dinner. 

Day three includes a morning yoga class, a sumptuous breakfast, and various healing treatments, including a shirodhara cure. 

On the fourth day, explore Ubud or enjoy more Ayurvedic treatments after your morning yoga class and breakfast. 

Day five focuses on total yoga immersion, with morning classes, personalized lessons, and leisure time for relaxation. 

On the sixth day, take a full-day temple tour, visiting renowned landmarks and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.

Your trip ends on day seven with a final breakfast at the hotel and a transfer to the airport for departure. Read more

Yoga retreatment © fizkes/Shutterstock

Take a week long trip to Indonesia to deepen your yoga practice  © Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

See the breakdown of this 7 days Indonesia itinerary:

Day 1

  • Welcome to Bali!
  • Arrival at Bali International Airport.
  • Transfer to Bagus Jati hotel.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.
  • Enjoy a delicious and nutritious evening dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

  • Yoga Introduction
  • Morning introductory yoga class.
  • Breakfast.
  • Choose from activities such as Jamu (ancient natural healing) or meditation.
  • Afternoon relaxation activities, including yoga classes and Ayurvedic Malabar rejuvenation.
  • Enjoy a delicious and healthy dinner.

Day 3

  • Rest and Relaxation
  • Morning yoga class.
  • Breakfast.
  • Choose from healing treatments and meditation activities.
  • Afternoon shirodhara cure (herbal oil treatment) followed by scalp massage.
  • Optional activities: swimming, gym, steam bath, and hot Jacuzzi.
  • Enjoy a delicious and healthy dinner.

Day 4

  • Ubud and Ayurveda
  • Morning yoga classes.
  • Breakfast.
  • Optional tour of Ubud, exploring galleries, bookstores, and cafés.
  • Afternoon Ayurvedic abhyanga treatment (detoxifying oil massage).
  • Enjoy a delicious and healthy dinner.

Day 5

  • Morning yoga classes.
  • Breakfast.
  • Leisure time in the morning.
  • Personalized yoga lesson in the afternoon.
  • Relaxing leisure time for the rest of the day.
  • Enjoy a delicious and healthy dinner.

Day 6

  • Full-day excursion to Bali's famous temples.
  • Visit Kehen Temple.
  • Lunch at a chosen restaurant.
  • Visit Tirta Empul Temple.
  • Return to the hotel for a sumptuous dinner.

Day 7

  • Bali Departure
  • Breakfast.
  • Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Mount Merapi, Indonesia © Pixabay

Add Merapi to your 10 day Indonesia itinerary  © Shutterstock

Trip #3: Bali’s beaches and temples

This 7 day lndonesia itinerary takes you through the best of Bali’s beaches and temples. Your week begins on day one with arrival and check-in and leisure time. 

On the second day, you’ll explore Tirta Gangga Water Palace and enjoy lunch at Bali Asli restaurant, followed by either a trek to Tenganan or relaxation on a nearby tropical beach. 

Day three includes a drive to Sidemen village for a walk through rice fields, engaging in farming tasks, and participating in workshops on Balinese cooking, arak distillation, and ironwork, before visiting Pura Besakih and transferring to Ubud. 

The fourth day features visits to the Agung Rai Museum of Art, Monkey Forest, Ubud's Royal Palace, and Ubud town market, followed by lunch at Indus Restaurant, a Balinese massage, and a traditional dance performance. 

On day five, you’ll visit the Royal Taman Ayun Temple, walk through Jatiluwih rice fields to learn about subak irrigation, have lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan, and drive to Lovina. 

The sixth day includes a leisurely morning, hotel check-out, and a scenic journey south. The trip concludes on the seventh day with a visit to Tanah Lot temple before transferring to Ngurah Rai International Airport for departure. Read more.

Ubud in Bali © Shutterstock

Sea turtle sanctuary in Gili Meno island, Indonesia © Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

See the breakdown of this 7 days Indonesia itinerary:

Day 1

  • Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.
  • Transfer to D’Tunjung Beach Resort in Candidasa (2.5-hour scenic drive).
  • Check-in at the hotel.
  • Leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 2

  • Explore Tirta Gangga Water Palace.
  • Lunch at Bali Asli restaurant.
  • Choose between:
    • Activity 1: 2-hour trek through rice fields to Tenganan.
    • Activity 2: Relax on a tropical beach near Candidasa.

Day 3

  • Drive to Sidemen village (1.5-hour drive).
  • 1-hour walk through rice fields.
  • Try farming tasks (planting rice, ploughing fields).
  • Enjoy fresh coconut and traditional lunch.
  • Participate in three 20-minute workshops (Balinese cooking, arak distillation, ironwork).
  • Visit Pura Besakih (Mother Temple of Bali).
  • Transfer to Ubud.

Day 4

  • Visit Agung Rai Museum of Art.
  • Stop at the Monkey Forest.
  • Visit Ubud's Royal Palace.
  • Stroll through Ubud town market.
  • Lunch at Indus Restaurant.
  • 1-hour Balinese massage at a local spa.
  • Traditional Balinese dance performance in a nearby village.

Day 5

  • Visit Royal Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi.
  • Drive to Jatiluwih (1-hour drive).
  • Walk through rice fields and learn about subak irrigation.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Visit Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
  • Drive to Lovina, passing Buyan and Tamblingan Lakes.
  • Stop for photos and a drink.

Day 6

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Leisure time in the morning.
  • Check-out from the hotel.
  • Scenic journey to the south, passing Belimbing and other villages.

Day 7

  • Visit Tanah Lot temple in the late morning.
  • Transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar for departure flight.

Top tip: If you’re looking for more inspiration for your next big trip, see our other existing Indonesia itineraries for ideas.

Tua Pek Kong Temple in Batam island © Shutterstock

Tua Pek Kong Temple in Batam island © Shutterstock

Ready for your dream trip to Indonesia?

Ready to explore Indonesia? You can skip the hours of research it takes to plan the perfect trip and instead leave it to our local travel experts. Our trips are completely customisable and come with support 24/7 during your adventure. Here are some of our Indonesia itineraries for inspiration:

  • Nature in Borneo and relaxation in Riau (10 days): Experience the best of both worlds with this unique trip to Indonesia, combining nature in Borneo with relaxation in Riau.
  • Java and Lombok (10 days): Begin in Yogyakarta (Jogja) with its rich cultural heritage, including the Borobudur temple. Hike Mount Bromo, explore East Java in Malang and Surabaya, and finish on the dreamy beaches of Kuta/Lombok.
  • Love trip to Bali (10 days): Indulge in couples' massages at relaxing spas, participate in a blessing ceremony by a Balinese priest, take an authentic cooking class, and unwind on the beautiful white sandy beach of Nusa Lembongan.

 

Dre Roelandt

written by
Dre Roelandt

updated 09.07.2024

Dre Roelandt is originally from the United States but lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Dre is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for travelling. They are an in-house Senior Content Editor at Rough Guides.

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