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Rica terraces in Bali, Indonesia

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Things to see and do in Indonesia

Gili Islands

Just off the northwestern tip of Lombok are these three irresistible islands with deep-water coral reefs, beachfront bungalows, miles of white sand beach and bucketfuls of serenity. If it’s all too quiet for you, all-night dance parties are not far away.

Istiqlal Mosque

The modern Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Java (www.jakarta-tourism.go.id) is one of the largest in the world.

Jungle trek

Jungle trek through the Indonesian rainforest - Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra offer the most remote and untouched terrain. The best trails include trips to Bukit Barisan National Park, a remote and beautiful peninsula in Sumatra and the Muller Mountain in Kalimantan.

Meet Orang-utans

Visit and give your support to the rehabilitation centres on Sumatra and Kalimantan that rescue orphaned, injured and captive orang-utans and return them to their habitat.

Prambanan Temple Complex

The Prambanan Temples form the largest temple complex on the Indonesian island of Java. Constructed around AD 900, the compound was deserted soon after it was completed, possibly due to the eruption of nearby Mount Merapi. The temples were restored in 1953 and now form one of the world's great Hindu shrines. There are 224 temples in total, but the site is dominated by the imposing figures of the three main temples: the Brahma Temple, the Vishnu Temple and the Shiva Temple. From May to October, the Ramayana Ballet, a traditional Indonesian dance based on the Hindu epic, is performed at the open-air theatre.

Pulau Bunaken

Indonesia's coastline is reputed to contain 15% of the world's coral reefs. Bunaken National Park and Lembeh Strait, both in North Sulawesi, are magnificent. A mind boggling 300 types of coral and 3000 species of fish await beneath crystal-clear waters.

Puppet shows

Puppet shows are staged throughout Java, in which traditional wayang golak and wayang kulit marionettes act out stories based on well-known legends; performances can sometimes last all night.

Pura Besakih

Do not miss Bali's Pura Besakih, a temple that dates back originally to the 10th century and stands high on the volcanic slopes of Gunung Agung. Nowadays, it is a massive complex of more than 30 temples, and the setting for great ceremonial splendour on festival days.

Samosir

An inhabited island in the middle of Lake Toba, Samosir was once a volcanic crater, 900m (3,000ft) above sea level in Sumatra. The island is home to the Batak people, an ancient tribe who preserve many of their traditions.

Search for the Komodo

Take a boat to Komodo and Rinca islands in search of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. But don't get too close as their bite can be fatal.

Sulawesi

The beautiful Sulawesi (www.north-sulawesi.org) is a land of high mountains, misty valleys and lakes. In the south is Bantimurung Nature Reserve, which has thousands of exotic butterflies and a waterfall. The island has geysers and hot springs at Lahendong and Leilem.

Sultan's Palace

Don't miss the Sultan's Palace in Yogyakarta, a masterpiece of understated Javanese architecture, and still home to the sultan and his family.

Surfing

The best surf spots are in Bali, Flores, Java, Lombok, Sumatra, Sumba and Sumbawa. Some well-known surfing beaches, such as Ulu Watu on Bali, tend to get overcrowded, and are for very experienced surfers, but organised trips to isolated areas are widely available.

Tanah Lot

Travel to the Sea Temple of Tanah Lot on the west coast (a short drive from Kediri), one of the most breathtaking sights of Bali.

Torajaland

Visit Torajaland, known as the 'Land of the Heavenly Kings', on Sulawesi, and note the inhabitants' buffalo horn-shaped houses and custom of burying the dead in vertical cliffside tombs.

Tour Mahakam River

Take a tour up the great Mahakam River in Kalimantan, Borneo (www.visitborneo.com), which is dissected by a network of rivers running from the mountainous interior to the coasts. Starting from the port city Samarinda, such tours continue deep into the upper jungle reaches, where tribal communities have largely preserved their traditions.

Tsunami Museum

This museum, in the province of Aceh (one of the areas worst hit by the 2004 tsunami), is an educational centre that will also be able to serve as an emergency disaster shelter in case the area is hit by a tsunami again.

Ujong Kulon National Park

Paddle in a dugout canoe through the untouched wilderness of isolated Ujong Kulon National Park at the extreme south western tip of Java in search of the elusive Java rhino.

Volcanoes

Trek up an active volcano: on Java island, hike Mount Bromo, (the most visited of Indonesia's volcanoes) and Kawah Ijen crater lake (www.central-java-tourism.com). Take a boat trip to view Krakatoa located between Java and Sumatra. Dormant volcanoes include Gunung Agung in Bali, Gunung Rinjani on Lombok island (www.lomboksumbawa.com) and Keli Mutu on Nusa Tenggara Barat (www.ntb.go.id), which has lakes with different coloured waters.

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