Twenty days is the classic Indonesia loop — Bali's temples and rice terraces, Yogyakarta's culture, the volcanic drama of Bromo and Ijen, Komodo dragons around Labuan Bajo, and a final island stretch in Lombok and the Gilis.
Twenty days in Indonesia gives you enough time to experience the country beyond a single island. This route combines Bali's rice terraces and cliffs, Java's temples and volcanoes, Komodo's wild island landscapes and Lombok's beaches before ending with the slower rhythm of the Gili Islands. The plan: four nights in Bali, three nights in Yogyakarta, two nights across Bromo and Ijen, three nights in Labuan Bajo, three nights in Lombok, three nights in Gili Trawangan and one final night in Uluwatu.
Trip overview
Length: 20 days. Route: Ubud → Yogyakarta → Bromo → Ijen → Labuan Bajo → Kuta Lombok → Gili Trawangan → Uluwatu. Best for: first-time visitors with three weeks, culture seekers, beach lovers and nature travellers. Pace: active but balanced. Best time to go: April to October. Start and end point: Denpasar / Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Before you fly: sort your Indonesia data
Get your Indonesia eSIM with Airalo before you board. Activate it on the plane so you have data, maps and messaging the moment you land.
Day 1: Arrive in Bali and go to Ubud
After landing in Bali, go directly to Ubud with a private airport transfer. Keep the first evening soft: check in, rest and have dinner near your accommodation.
WHERE TO STAY IN UBUD (4 nights): Search Booking.com. Stay near Ubud Palace or Jalan Bisma.
Day 2: Ubud rice terraces, temples and waterfalls
Spend your first full day around Ubud's classic landscapes: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple and one waterfall near Ubud.
An Ubud tour covering Monkey Forest, rice terraces and a waterfall keeps the day structured. Over 7,600 reviews, hotel pickup included.
Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise or cooking class
Choose between a Mount Batur sunrise jeep experience and a Balinese cooking class. Spend the afternoon resting before the Java section.
Day 4: Fly to Yogyakarta
Fly from Bali to Yogyakarta — around 1 hour on Garuda or Citilink. (Arrange via Traveloka.) Keep the afternoon light. Walk around Malioboro, have a local dinner and prepare for the temple day.
WHERE TO STAY IN YOGYAKARTA (3 nights): Search Booking.com. Near Malioboro or Prawirotaman.
Day 5: Borobudur and Prambanan
Spend the day visiting Borobudur and Prambanan with a Borobudur and Prambanan temple trip from Yogyakarta (SEARCH klook.com: "Borobudur Prambanan day trip Yogyakarta").
Day 6: Yogyakarta city culture
Use Day 6 for the Sultan's Palace, Taman Sari Water Castle and a batik workshop. A Yogyakarta private city tour (SEARCH viator.com: "Yogyakarta private city tour Sultan Palace Taman Sari batik") works well. Keep the evening simple before moving east.
Day 7: Travel to Mount Bromo
Leave Yogyakarta and travel towards Bromo. A Yogyakarta to Bromo and Ijen overland route (SEARCH klook.com: "Bromo Ijen overland from Yogyakarta multi-day") is the easiest way to manage this section.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR BROMO (1 night): Search Booking.com.
Day 8: Mount Bromo sunrise
Wake before dawn for Mount Bromo. A Mount Bromo sunrise tour helps manage the timing and local transport. 1,984 reviews. Continue towards the Ijen area after the visit.
Day 9: Ijen crater and return to Bali
Start early for Ijen — known for its crater lake and blue fire before 5am. After Ijen, take the Banyuwangi to Bali ferry and position yourself for the flight to Labuan Bajo.
WHERE TO STAY IN BANYUWANGI (if needed): Search Booking.com.
Day 10: Fly to Labuan Bajo
Fly to Labuan Bajo — around 1.5 hours. Check in near the harbour and keep the afternoon relaxed. Dinner watching sunset over the water.
WHERE TO STAY IN LABUAN BAJO (3 nights): Search Booking.com.
Day 11: Komodo National Park
Spend the day in Komodo National Park. A Komodo National Park full-day speedboat tour from Labuan Bajo (SEARCH klook.com: "Komodo National Park full day speedboat Labuan Bajo") usually includes Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Manta Point and snorkeling stops. One of the strongest days of the entire route.
Day 12: Slow Labuan Bajo day
Keep Day 12 lighter. A Rangko Cave and sand island half-day trip (SEARCH klook.com: "Rangko Cave Labuan Bajo half day") or a full rest day by the pool.
Day 13: Fly to Lombok and settle in Kuta
Fly from Labuan Bajo to Lombok, then continue to Kuta Lombok with a private airport transfer to Kuta Lombok. Spend the afternoon settling in.
WHERE TO STAY IN KUTA LOMBOK (3 nights): Search Booking.com.
Day 14: South Lombok beaches
Explore South Lombok's beaches: Tanjung Aan and Selong Belanak. A South Lombok beach tour makes the day easier with a driver, or trade it for a beginner surf lesson at Selong Belanak.
Day 15: Lombok slow day or waterfalls
Use Day 15 based on energy. For waterfalls, head north to Senaru for the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls day trip. Or rent a scooter and explore the south coast at your own pace.
Day 16: Travel to Gili Trawangan
Leave Lombok and cross to the islands on a fast boat from Lombok to Gili Trawangan. No cars or motorbikes on the island — rent a bicycle and spend the afternoon by the beach.
WHERE TO STAY IN GILI TRAWANGAN (3 nights): Search Booking.com.
Day 17: Gili Islands snorkeling
A 3-island Gili snorkeling tour covers all three Gilis with turtles, coral and the Gili Meno underwater statues. Keep the afternoon free.
Day 18: Slow Gili day
No plan. Breakfast by the beach, cycle the island, slow afternoon. If interested in diving, arrange a session with a local dive centre.
Day 19: Return to Bali and move to Uluwatu
Take the return fast boat from Gili Trawangan to Bali, then head south to Uluwatu. Spend the afternoon at Padang Padang, Bingin or Melasti Beach. Stay for the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu.
WHERE TO STAY IN ULUWATU (1 night): Search Booking.com.
Day 20: Slow morning and departure
Final morning slowly. Ocean view breakfast, short walk or last massage. Airport buffer time.
Where to stay — full summary
Ubud — 4 nights (Booking.com)
Yogyakarta — 3 nights (Booking.com)
Bromo area — 1 night (Booking.com)
Labuan Bajo — 3 nights (Booking.com)
Kuta Lombok — 3 nights (Booking.com)
Gili Trawangan — 3 nights (Booking.com)
Uluwatu — 1 night (Booking.com)
Practical info
- Best time to visit
- April to September (dry season). Best weather across Bali, Java, Komodo and Lombok.
- Getting there
- The easiest way to reach Bali is to fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar and continue by domestic flights, ferries, and private drivers. Compare the best flight, stay, and transfer options before you go.
- Getting around
- Mix of domestic flights, private drivers, ferries and fast boats. Book inter-island flights early in peak season.
- Currency & money tips
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). ATMs widely available in cities and tourist hubs. Carry cash for remote areas.
- SIM card / connectivity
- Sort your Indonesia eSIM with Airalo before you board. Activate it on the plane so you have data, maps and messaging the moment you land. A local SIM (Telkomsel or XL Axiata) is also available at airport arrivals for around $5–8.
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