wild orangutans
22-day adventure

Ultimate Indonesia

Indonesia
  • Kandoo Ultimate
  • Kandoo Kayaking
  • Kandoo Summits
  • Kandoo Safaris
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Code: IDUI

22 days
Challenging
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Our local team

Our operation in Indonesia was setup 10 years ago by our own managing director at Kandoo Adventures, Ben Ioan. Our team all hail from Indonesia and love nothing more than introducing travelers to their beautiful country. From our office in Denpasar on the island of Bali, we provide multi activity trips, sea kayaking trips and of course, hiking on some of the beautiful volcanos Indonesia is famous for. What makes Indonesia such a great place for...
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Kandoo's view

Beginning our unforgettable Indonesian adventure in Medan, the largest city on Sumatra, we have a day of exploration around the city before heading to the Gunung Leuser park to go in search of the famous "men of the forest"; Orangutans. Visiting these copper coloured protected species, in their natural habitat, will be our objective during two day treks into the depths of the jungle accompanied by park rangers. Trek completed, we will fly on to our next destination, Bali.

Here, we embrace our playful spirit; surfing, mountain biking and learning to dance like an Indonesian. We summit the renowned Mount Batur just as the sun begins to rise and relax in scenic, natural hot springs. This is all the warm up for the looming challenge awaiting us at Lombok: summiting the formidable Mount Rinjani. This huge, active volcano sits at 3726m and will be an undertaking, but the rewarding views at the top more than make up for it!

Ready to slow the pace somewhat, we journey on to the tranquillity of the Komodo National Park and meet the local people whose lives evolve around this scattered web of islands. Joining up with the Komodo Kayaking open group, we visit the wonders of Cunca Wulang waterfall and Mirror Stone cave before kayaking through lush mangrove forests and snorkelling amongst incredible, Indonesian wildlife including turtles and mantas. We end our adventure in Labuan bajo, a delightful fishing town on the island of Flores.

Trip highlights

  • Search for gangly limbed Orangutans deep in the jungle of Gunung Leuser Park
  • Learn to dance - Indonesian style!
  • Summit the steep sided Mount Rinjani and reach it's crescent shaped crater lake
  • Kayak through crystal clear waters between mangrove forests and utopian islands

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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Sumatra

    Welcome to Sumatra! Our guide will meet us at Medan Kuala Namu Airport (KNO) and transfer us to our hotel.

    • Transport: Private transfer
    • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Day 2

    Medan City

    Today we will spend exploring the lively city of Medan. We will visit the Sultan's palace with its intricate Asian architecture and domed roofs, as well as the Tjong a Fie Mansion; a beautiful art deco museum dedicated to the life of the famed philanthropist and leader, Tjong a Fie. We will sample local cuisine and bask in the chaotic harmony of North Sumatra's capital before hopping into our vehicle and driving away from the bustle of the city, to the peaceful charm of Bukit Lawang, nestled on the edge of the Gunung Leuser Park.

    • Transport: Private transfer (4 hours)
    • Accomodation: Hotel
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
  • Day 3

    Gunung Leuser Park

    This morning we depart on the first of two trekking days in search of the Orangutans inhabiting the Gunung Leuser Park. Currently there are around 6,000 individuals living in this protected area of rainforest. Accompanied by a park ranger, with an eye accustomed to spotting the traces of these incredible primates, we make our way through the dense jungle. On route we have the opportunity to see other animals native to this forest; White and Black Gibbons, Hornbills and Monitor Lizards are just some of the incredible wildlife that live here. At the end of our days trek we return to our hotel, where we spent the night.

    • Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
    • Accomodation: Hotel
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
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Please note

The details in this programme are regularly updated but unforeseeable and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the itinerary may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation at any time if your technical level or fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those around you. Under no circumstances would this give rise to a refund or compensation.

Details

Trip information

Difficulty

This adventure is rated as challenging as it is jam packed and you will be taking part in physical activities on 17/22 days, so a good degree of fitness is beneficial to ensure you have an enjoyable experience. 

You will be required to walk for up to 11 hours in a day with a maximum ascent of 1500m and maximum descent of 2000m. The terrain can be steep and loose and care should be taken to avoid slips and trips, particularly on Rinjani where the ground can be soft underfoot, resembling sand dunes. Being in great physical condition with recent experience of hiking for 8-9 hours with 1000m elevation will ensure that you enjoy your treks. Please be aware that on Mount Rinjani, due to the steep terrain, helicopters aren't able to land, meaning helicopter evacuation isn't possible on this trek. Our descent protocol for climbers whose condition is mild (eg, early signs of altitude sickness, diarrhoea, tiredness) is to bring you down on foot. For anything more serious, you will be carried down by an evacuation team then transferred by vehicle to hospital. We would therefore recommend that you are confident in your ability to complete this climb.

On some days we will have up to 19km of kayaking to do. The areas we kayak in are mostly protected by the surrounding islands, which means we should not encounter large swells or waves. However, the park is known for its strong currents due to the water channelling in between the islands. We select our routes carefully to avoid kayaking against the current as much as possible. Previous kayaking experience or an introduction to kayaking control and stability is not essential but may give you some confidence in your ability.


We are running our trips in the dry season, so in the perfect situation, you should not experience much or any rain, however in recent years this has become more common. Temperatures in the parks are always warm ranging from mid 20’s to mid-’30s during the day and low 20s during the night.  Conditions can also be windy at times depending on the season. If it is too windy or unsafe to kayak we will cover the distance with our support boat. 

 

If you have any questions about your suitability or how to prepare for this trip please have a look at our Indonesia Trip Guide and do not hesitate to contact us.

Food & drink

Indonesia food is delicious! Expect plenty of meat with Sate Padang (beef satay), Ayam Bakar Taliwang (grilled chicken in spices) and Ikan Bakar (grilled fish in Sambal sauce).  The cuisine is vibrant and colourful with intense flavours thanks to the vast array of spices.


A typical meal will always include steamed rice along with one or two main dishes of fish, meat or vegetables. Vegetarians can enjoy Tempe Goreng (Indonesian tofu), Nasi Goreng Lotus (rice with vegetables and egg cooked in a lotus leaf) or Gado Gado (green vegetables with tofu and peanut sauce).


We will take our breakfasts and evening meals either in our hotels or at local restaurants. Lunches will be picnics of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese and cold meats.


If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know  when booking your trip.


Please be aware that tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable. Mineral water can be purchased in most towns and villages but we recommend you bring a water filter or purification tablets. You will be provided with fresh water to fill your bottles each morning and evening.

Accommodation

On this trip we will stay in comfortable hotel accommodation for 15 nights. Rooms will be either double or twin with private bathrooms. Every hotel we use has been carefully selected for its high levels of comfort and cleanliness, great food, facilities and location. A single supplement is available on request and subject to availability.


We provide a good quality 3 man tent per 2 people to allow for maximum space and comfort.  We will also provide a foam mattress per person and a mess tent for use at meal times and as a communal area. You will be required to pitch your own tent at the end of each day.  At camp each evening we will set up a toilet tent and wash tent.  These are very basic facilities that provide a little privacy.  The toilet tent will simply cover a hole in the ground.  The wash tent will contain a basin and cold water.

Toilets - In Indonesia, toilet paper is a rarity, with Indonesians preferring water as their cleanser of choice.  Toilets are more often than not squatties with either a hose, bucket and water, or occasionally toilet paper available. If water is a no go in your eyes then it is definitely worth bringing your own loo roll. In many cases, wiping is a hands-on affair with locals sticking to using one hand for wiping and the other for eating, drinking and shaking hands. Of course, if your wash your hands thoroughly after each visit to the toilet then you shouldn't have any issues either way. In most hotels, however you will find there are flushing, western style toilets with toilet roll available. 

Luggage

Your main bag should be a flexible duffel bag or backpack of around 70-90 litres and not a rigid suitcase. Your  luggage will be transported by bus and can be left on the bus while you are participating in activities. On your domestic flights you have a main baggage weight allowance of 25kg and a hand luggage allowance of 5kg. You will need a daypack of roughly 40 litres to carry with you each day containing your water, spare clothing, lunch, medication etc. This can be used as hand luggage during your flight. We recommend also bringing a waterproof cover for your daypack.

How do I get there?

You will need to arrive into Medan Kuala Namu Airport (KNO) on the island of Sumatra on Day 1 of your trip. 

From the UK, Singapore Airlines have convenient flights departing from Heathrow with 1 short stop in Singapore on the way. Another airline to consider from London is Malaysia Airlines who fly via Kuala Lumpur. Qatar, Turkish Airlines, Malaysia and Singapore Airlines all offer flights to Medan from the rest of the UK; Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, with two stops on route.

From the US, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines offer flights from New York and Los Angeles, whereas Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia airlines offer flights from Atlanta, Dallas and Miami. All these flights have two stops on route to Medan often via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Doha. 

On arrival in Medan, after clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, please look out for a member of our team in the arrivals area. They will be holding a large “KANDOO” sign.

A customs declaration form must be filled out 48 hours prior to arrival in Indonesia. Follow the link to fill out the form  - Declaration Form 

You will need to book your departure flights from Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo (LBJ). If your onwards travel is to the US, Etihad Airways and Emirates offer flights alongside Citylink to New York and Dallas with stopovers in Jakarta and the Middle East.  To fly to the west coast of the US, BatikAir Indonesia offer flights via Bali and Singapore to Los Angeles with Singapore Airlines and flights via Bali and Taiwan to San Francisco with China Airlines.  If you are returning to the UK, Emirates offer flights alongside Citylink via Jakarta and the Middle East to most of the UK's major airports.

If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.

Budget & change

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonisian Rupiah, Rp (IDR). You can withdraw Indonesian Rupiahs from in-country ATMs or exchange money at the airport/local currency exchange offices. ATMs can be found at the banks in Medan, Denpasar and  Labuan Bajo.

The cost of an average meal in Sumatra and Bali is between $4 to $11 and in Labuan Bajo will be about $15 per person. The hotel we use in Labuan Bajo is situated on the beachfront with it's own restaurant and many of our guests choose to eat here rather than in the town itself. When purchasing souvenirs, we ask our guests to respect the Species Protection Agreements (CITES) which protects 2,500 species of animals by prohibiting the trade of hides, scales, corals, shells and live animals.

Tips

Tipping when you are satisfied with the service you have received is customary in Indonesia. However, it is not mandatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual.


We recommend for your entire trip:
$60 - $80 per guest for kayak guides
$150 - $200 for your Kandoo guide and drivers 
$30 - $45 for Rinjani local guides and porters

Formalities & health

Passport

As soon as possible after booking your tour, please provide Kandoo Adventures with your passport details (first name, last name, date of birth, passport number, issue date, expiry date) along with a photocopy of the photo page. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your departure date.

Visa

United States and UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Indonesia for a period of less than 30 days. On arrival you will be granted a maximum 30 day stay in the country.

This information may be subject to change, without notice, by the local authorities. It is your responsibility to check the latest travel requirements and information before departure.

Vaccinations

Recommended vaccinations include Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis and Tetanus. It is your responsibility to check the latest health information before travel.

Insurance

Before you can join any Kandoo Adventure, you will need to insure yourself against accident, injury, and illness.

Your insurance must cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and repatriation if necessary. Make sure your insurer knows of your travel plans, and verify that your policy fully covers your trek, climb, and any other activities you will participate in. Specifically, for our Volcanic Adventures trip, you need to be covered for trekking above 4000 metres and for our Bali Multi-Activity you need to be covered for trekking above 3,000m. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.

We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf. You will also need to bring details of your insurance cover to the pre-trek briefing.

We recommend the global supplier of travel insurance, World Nomads. Make sure to choose the correct policy for the altitude you are trekking to. Be sure to read the small print carefully for any policy you are considering - different policies provide different levels of cover, so make sure you understand what is and isn't included in your policy.

Health

Malaria prophylaxis are not required for travel to Java and Bali but are required in other parts of Indonesia such as Lombok and the Komodo Islands.

Medication

Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times. However, we recommend bringing any medicine you feel you may need. This could include:

  • Painkillers
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets
  • High factor sunscreen for lips and skin
  • Moisturising cream (for sunburn)
  • Elastic bandage, regular bandages and Blister bandages
  • Sanitary products
  • Water purifying tablets or filters
  • Mosquito repellent

Equipment & clothing

Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures

  • 3-man dome tent per 2 people
  • Comfortable sleeping mat
  • Toilet tent
  • Eating utensils 
  • Snorkelling equipment including mask, snorkel and fins
  • Kayaks - The kayaks we use are called Komodos. They are adjustable meaning they can be dismantled and made into a 1 or 2 man craft. Usually on an expedition, you will share a double kayak, however if you prefer to paddle in a single kayak, please let us know before departing for your trip. The kayaks are made out of durable plastic and are perfectly suited for expeditions such as this. They have large storage space in both the front and back of the craft as well as secure deck straps for immediate use equipment. Each kayak comes with a handheld bilge pump, waterproof torch, and compass. The kayaks slot together like a jigsaw puzzle and are then secured together to the support boat. You will be asked to check your kayak each morning and afternoon.
  • Paddle
  • Life jacket
  • Spray deck to keep water out of the capsule

Clothing to bring

  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Buff / gaiter
  • T-shirts (short and long sleeve)
  • Thermal long sleeve shirt
  • Lightweight long sleeve shirt 
  • Rash vest or t-shirt to wear whilst kayaking
  • T-shirts (short and long sleeved)
  • Thermal leggings in case of cold nights
  • 2 sweaters - 1 light/1 warm
  • Soft shell or fleece jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof hard shell jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof hard shell trousers
  • Breathable fast drying underwear
  • Comfortable long trousers (fast drying)
  • Knee length shorts for trekking in warm weather
  • Comfy trainers/shoes for evenings
  • Socks for hiking
  • Hiking boots (with ankle support and a slightly ridged sole)
  • Kayaking booties or trekking sandals to protect your heels
  • Neoprene gloves to protect from blisters whilst kayaking
  • Sunglasses with a retaining cord
  • Broad brimmed sun hat with cord 

Equipment to bring

  • Sleeping bag with comfort rating of 10 degrees
  • 1 head torch with spare batteries and bulb
  • 1 duffel bag - 70 to 90 litres (flexible and water resistant)
  • 1 daypack - 30 to 40 liters to carry with you while hiking
  • Water purification system (charcoal filter, chlorine tablets or similar)
  • 2 water bottles (minimum 1 litre or a water bladder)
  • Toiletries (including wet wipes)
  • Quick drying towel
  • Dry bags – for packing your kit into if your bag is not waterproof

Gear rental

  • Head torch
  • Walking poles
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Dates & prices

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10/07/2024 31/07/2024 £5,399 $7,015
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14/08/2024 04/09/2024 £5,399 $7,015
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11/09/2024 02/10/2024 £5,399 $7,015
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10/04/2025 01/05/2025 £5,999 $7,795
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15/05/2025 05/06/2025 £5,999 $7,795
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10/07/2025 31/07/2025 £5,999 $7,795
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14/08/2025 04/09/2025 £5,999 $7,795
Available
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11/09/2025 02/10/2025 £5,999 $7,795
Available
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Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!

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Price includes

  • Domestic flights (KNO-DPS, DPS-LBJ)
  • Local guide fees
  • 6 nights full board camping 
  • 1 night in cabin on support boat
  • All accommodation stated in itinerary 
  • Professional local English-speaking guide throughout expedition
  • All meals stated on itinerary
  • Mineral Water provided
  • Airport transfers
  • All other transfers including speedboat return transfer (Bali-Lombok)
  • All tours and entry fees to sites stated in itinerary (Except Komodo national park fee: around £75)
  • Kayak use with all safety gear including life jacket, paddle etc

Price does not include

  • International flights
  • Airport Tax (~$12)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Camera fees in the Komodo National Park
  • Tips
  • Drinks - that aren't water
  • Personal expenses
  • Komodo National park fee (Around £75 - pay when you arrive at the park)

Options

Optional additional nights in Medan or Labuan Bajo.

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