Island Hopping in Indonesia: Java & Flores

Assistance with immigration and customs. Transfer. Four-night stay in a historic mansion in the centre of Yogyakarta. The building, built in 1918 by a wealthy Chinese merchant, has evolved into a beautiful hotel, combining classic hospitality with a Southeast Asian feel (and a touch of Art Deco elegance). It has comfortable rooms, a large outdoor swimming pool, a gym, and day spa: everything is structured around guests and their wellbeing. In the restaurant, dive into Indonesian cuisine straight away or for a change of scene try Chinese, while starting with a few well-known international classics can offer guests a gentler introduction to local fare. And the hotel is firmly committed to the environment and sustainable development.

Transfer to Denpasar airport and flight to Ende.
Included in the itinerary - Drive to Moni, at the foot of Mount Kelimutu. The volcano's crater contains lakes with spectacular variations in colours and forms, depending on the time of day: milky white, emerald, turquoise, royal blue, red and even dark brown. It's just one of the many explosions of colour this trip has to offer. Overnight stay in a modern hotel, which is simple but pristine, cosy and comfortable and just a 15-minute walk from the village. The menu focuses on family cooking. Solar power and careful water management, both in terms of quantity and quality, demonstrate a real commitment to sustainable management. Dawn is an especially great time to see all the different colours on the lakes.

Already in the itinerary - Tour of the temple of Borobudur. With an expert guide, discover a wonder of Buddhist art: the stupas and mandalas of Borobudur. It was built in the eighth and ninth centuries and depicts the cosmos and path to enlightenment. It features a huge set of bas-relief sculptures, which, in a series of panels, guide the pilgrim from the ambiguous acts and values of earthly life to the attainment of perfect wisdom. The sculptors who created it were among the finest in their field. There is a certain sense of awe at the scale and consistency of the design, and wonderment at its teachings. Then, there are some five hundred statues of Buddha, a true sight in themselves.

Already in the itinerary - Private tour of the Prambanan Temple compounds. Visit this major Hindu shrine with an expert guide. Built in the ninth century, it originally had 240 temples, laid out in a square. In the centre, the main temples are devoted to the 'Trimurti', the three forms of the divine: Shiva and his vehicle, Nandi the bull, along with Brahma and Vishnu and their vehicles, Hamsa the swan and Garuda the mythical winged creature. The style of the buildings conforms to the rules of 'Vastu shastra', the classic system of Hindu architecture. The Shiva Temple, which dominates the shrine, symbolises Mount Meru, the fulcrum of the universe in the Hindu cosmos. Here again, sculptors left eloquent traces of their workmanship.

Included in the itinerary - A scooter ride through the countryside. It's the ideal way to soak up all the sights of the island's countryside. Lightweight, flexible and fast, but not too fast, it's the perfect mode of transport for sightseeing. Strap your helmet on and set off on an adventure behind a private guide. Rice paddy fields form a shimmering green and gold patchwork, where banana trees gently sway. Farmers work in the fields under traditional conical hats. Like everywhere, the villagers like to rest in the hottest part of the day. Only the local dogs are out and about at this time of day; leaving you free to choose the perfect picnic spot. Along the way, see some ancient sites, bearing testament to the island's Hindu and Buddhist past. It's another side to Indonesia, close to the major urban centres but still living life at the slow pace of agricultural cycles.

Included in the itinerary - Drive to Bajawa. A section of the road runs alongside the sea, with a blue pebble beach, then the road winds back up into the mountains. Bajawa is an active regional centre, a major draw for its natural surroundings. Around nine miles away is the Ngada village of Bena at the foot of Mount Inerie. The wooden houses, with steeply sloping thatched roofs, are set out on both sides in a long row. Between the dwellings are pairs of shrines: 'ngadhu' – a sort of palapa, represents the male – and 'bhaga' – a cottage, symbolises the female. There are standing stones as well. Overnight stay at a hotel in the village. A modern two-storey building, with basic furnishings and facilities and sumptuous views from the balcony; just what's needed for a comfortable night's stay.

Included in the itinerary - Drive to Ruteng. Soak up the captivating landscape dominated by ride paddy fields. Nearby is the famous Liang Bua limestone cave, which is also home to a few orangutans. Meet stunning leaf lorikeets and Flores scops owls, two species of bird endemic to the island of Flores. Excavations on the site first exhumed Stegodon florensis insularis, a small extinct species of pachyderm, and then, most importantly, 'Flores Man' (100,000 to 60,000 BC), two fascinating examples of the island's miniature residents, while, in contrast, the Komodo dragons represent the island's supersized inhabitants. Spend a night at a convent; quite fitting in a predominantly Catholic area. The nuns have opened a few rooms for visitors. It doesn't claim to be luxury accommodation but the premises are kept clean and tidy and to a good standard. A contemplative atmosphere and a unique experience, just minutes from the centre of Ruteng.

Transfer to Labuan Bajo. Four-night stay on Waecicu Beach. Your traditional Indonesian-style wooden bungalow looks out over the Flores Sea and is a short walk from the beach and swimming pool. The interior design has a laidback seaside charm. The decor also pays gentle homage to the heritage of the archipelago. The veranda at the front is ideal for scoping out which hammocks are free under the garden's trees. The restaurant serves Indonesian cuisine with seafood as a speciality. Meals can be enjoyed in the dining room with its welcoming fresh breeze, on the beach or even in the hills above the hotel. The spa is a welcome addition to the hotel's other amenities. The long jetty running out to the sea is the starting point for kayaking trips and the best snorkelling spots on the coast.

The sand, sea and swimming pool are the main focus of activities and the perfect setting for utter relaxation. Labuan Bajo is no longer just a fishing village, but it's still a charming place to visit Every day, the boats go out to sea to fish; in the evening, the harbour turns into a night market with grilled fish and squid. During the day, a scooter ride up into the hills offers lovely views of the bay. Looking west, the broad setting sun dips below the horizon. As dusk falls, spot colonies of fruit bats cutting through the air over the mangroves of Kalong Island, a small island belonging to the Komodo National Park. The powerful sound of them in flight is an unforgettable experience.

Included in the itinerary - The Komodo dragons of Rinca Island. The idyllic islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca all belong to the Komodo National Park. They are home to the famous Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). These magnificent creatures can easily devour deer and reach ten feet in length. Rinca is a rugged island, covered in dry savannah and lined with white beaches. It's less crowded than Komodo and there are still plenty of Komodo dragons; and you can track them down with the help of a ranger. Although these dragons don't breathe fire, seeing them is still a thrilling experience. Then, go diving off the corals of Pembe and Kelor. A refreshing break after watching the dragons.

Included in the itinerary - Coral Guardian. At the top of the Coral Triangle lie the Philippines, to the south-west Bali, and in the south-eastern corner, the Solomon Islands. This area represents 30% of the world's coral reefs. Flores is also part of the group, with biodiversity that puts it at the forefront of environmental efforts. Sound management of these resources would provide significant long-term protein for the local population. This can be achieved by analysing the situation and aligning practices. The non-profit international organisation of Coral Guardian is taking the lead in this area and championing the cause. Spending the day with a private guide is a great opportunity to discuss coral reef biology, conservation issues and their social and economic implications. Locals are also involved in the itinerary. Briefing over, go diving in a protected area and collect fallen corals. Viable parts are then placed in coral nurseries. Once they have grown, they are then replanted back into the reef.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Denpasar. Transfer to Jimbaran. One-night stay just minutes from the sandy beach. The estate comprises three old wooden houses and a garden. The interior features natural hues. The generously proportioned rooms form a harmonious whole, while light shines through the latticed bay windows. The rooms combine elements of refinement and rusticity. The restaurant serves modern and delicious Indonesian food on traditional 'batik' tablecloths. Plus, there's the added bonus of a luxury spa and treatments and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.