Best of Java & Sumatra

This 20-night small-group tour with G Adventures takes you through the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. The trip starts in Medan, Sumatra’s largest city, before moving into the jungle of Gunung Leuser National Park where efforts to spot Sumatran orangutans demand patience and steady feet. From there the route sweeps south to the shores of Lake Toba and its volcanic island, Samosir, paired with visits to Batak villages where local culture remains lively.

Crossing over to Java, you’ll follow a path through Yogyakarta’s colonial streets and the extraordinary Buddhist temple of Borobudur. Not far away, sunrise on the slopes of Mount Bromo gives a typically otherworldly volcanic spectacle, reached by jeep just as dawn breaks. Other highlights range from a bike ride through Borobudur-adjacent villages to time spent in Jakarta, where the old town and Sunda Kelapa harbour offer reminders of the country’s colonial past.

Throughout the trip, accommodations mix hotels with two nights in local homestays, while the itinerary includes a fair share of guided walks, jeep rides and cultural visits. Local dishes punctuate the days, while your G Adventures CEO will help with the rhythm and background, and introduce you to people whose lives unfold far from the usual tourist track.