Self-Launched Indonesia: Borneo, Java & Bali (3 Islands)
15 days · Indonesia
Ayla Tour and Transport charges £2,205
No-markup version: ~£613 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of the Ayla Tour 15-day private journey from Borneo's orangutan rivers through Java's temples and volcanoes to Bali's beaches and ceremonies. Instead of a private guide and car throughout, you'll book a 3D2N (extendable) Klotok riverboat klotok trip in Tanjung Puting National Park locally, ride trains and public/private buses across Java, join scheduled Bromo sunrise and Ijen tours from Yogyakarta/Banyuwangi, then take the ferry and local transport around Bali. You'll see the same orangutan feeding stations, Borobudur, Prambanan, Kawah Ijen, Kintamani, Ubud and Uluwatu — but on a backpacker budget using hostels and guesthouses. Costs are rough estimates for one traveller in shared dorm/basic double rooms; expect prices to vary by season and how far ahead you book.
Day-by-day
Fly into Pangkalan Bun & board the Klotok to Tanjung Harapan
Pangkalan Bun / Tanjung Puting NP, Kalimantan
Fly into Pangkalan Bun (PKN) via Jakarta or Surabaya. Head straight to Kumai river port (~20 min by car/ojek, ~£3-4) and meet your klotok crew — most 3-day/2-night Tanjung Puting trips include riverboat, meals, park permits and guide. Motor upriver to Tanjung Harapan, register at the information centre, and watch the 15:00 orangutan feeding. Drift back at dusk spotting proboscis monkeys and macaques on the riverbanks. Easy day after travelling.
🚌Flight to Pangkalan Bun (book separately, ~£60-100 from Jakarta/Balikpapan) + ojek/car to Kumai ~£3-4; klotok included in package
🛏Sleep on the klotok deck (mattress, mosquito net) — included in the boat trip package
- →Airport transfer to Kumai by ojek or car
- →Board klotok riverboat
- →Tanjung Harapan information centre
- →15:00 orangutan feeding
- →Riverbank proboscis monkey wildlife spotting
Pondok Tanggui & Camp Leakey feeding stations
Tanjung Puting National Park
Early klotok ride to Pondok Tanggui for the 09:00 feeding, then a short rainforest walk. Continue upriver to Camp Leakey, the original orangutan research station, for the 14:00 feeding and a look round the information centre. Lunch cooked on board by the crew. Often the best wildlife day of the trip — bring binoculars.
🚌Klotok (included in 3D2N package)
🛏Sleep on the klotok deck
- →Boat transfer to Pondok Tanggui
- →09:00 orangutan feeding at Pondok Tanggui
- →Rainforest trek
- →Camp Leakey information centre
- →14:00 Camp Leakey feeding
Jungle trekking, fireflies & nipah palms
Tanjung Puting NP / Kumai
Morning forest trek with your local guide looking for wild orangutans, hornbills and crocodiles. Optionally a canoe excursion on a side creek. Return to Tanjung Harapan for the afternoon feeding, a walk through the village, and — if you time it right on the return downriver — fireflies in the nipah palm stands at dusk. Overnight either on the boat or in a basic Kumai/Pangkalan Bun guesthouse.
🚌Klotok (included)
🛏Klotok deck or basic guesthouse in Kumai/Pangkalan Bun (~£10-14)
- →Guided jungle trek
- →Optional canoe excursion
- →Village walk
- →Tanjung Harapan afternoon feeding
- →Firefly spotting at dusk
Free morning in Pangkalan Bun, evening flight east
Pangkalan Bun → Semarang
If you didn't do a 4th park day, spend the morning in Pangkalan Bun (local market, coffee) and take an afternoon flight toward Semarang via Jakarta or Surabaya. Ayla's itinerary goes Pangkalan Bun to Semarang on day 5; flying on day 4 frees up a full day for Borobudur. Arrive Semarang, take a Grab to the old town or a bus/train onward to Yogyakarta (Semarang–Yogyakarta by train ~2 hrs, ~£5-8).
🚌Domestic flight ~£45-75; Semarang–Yogyakarta train ~£5-8
🛏Hostel dorm in Yogyakarta or Semarang (~£7-10)
- →Free morning in Pangkalan Bun
- →Flight east
- →Transfer to Yogyakarta or Semarang old town walk
Borobudur sunrise & a Javanese village
Yogyakarta / Magelang
Book a sunrise or early-entry Borobudur tour via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£20-30 including hotel pickup) — the structure-only sunrise ticket is cheaper than the expensive Manohara option. Afterwards explore a nearby village (Karangrejo or Candirejo) for cassava-chip making, a gamelan taster and garden walk; many village co-ops accept walk-ins or book via the village office for ~£8-12. Back in Yogyakarta by evening for Malioboro street food.
🚌Shared tour van/hotel pickup ~ included in tour price; or public bus to Borobudur from Jombor terminal ~£1
🛏Yogyakarta hostel dorm (~£7-10)
- →Borobudur Temple (sunrise or early entry)
- →Candirejo/Karangrejo village visit
- →Cassava chip making
- →Gamelan music intro
- →Malioboro street food
Yogyakarta city: Kraton, Taman Sari, Kotagede & Prambanan
Yogyakarta
Rent a bicycle or use Grab/gojek scooters. Start at the Sultan's Palace (Kraton, ~£1-2), then walk or take a becak (pedicab, ~£2) to Taman Sari Water Castle. Head to the bird market (Pasar Ngasem) and Kotagede's silver workshops. Late afternoon, take a Trans Jogja bus or Grab to Prambanan (~£1.50) for the temple complex — even better, stay for the Ramayana ballet (~£15-25) if it's showing.
🚌Bicycle rental ~£2/day or Grab/Trans Jogja ~£3-4 total
🛏Yogyakarta hostel dorm (~£7-10)
- →Kraton (Sultan's Palace)
- →Becak ride to Taman Sari Water Castle
- →Pasar Ngasem bird market
- →Kotagede silver workshops
- →Prambanan Temple
- →Optional Ramayana ballet
Train to East Java — Probolinggo or Malang
Yogyakarta → Probolinggo/Malang
Take a daytime train from Yogyakarta to Malang (~8-9 hrs, ~£12-18 economy/executive) or to Mojokerto/Surabaya and bus onward. Ayla's version runs Yogya to Mojokerto then Bromo; doing it by train independently puts you in position for a cheap 3D2N Bromo–Ijen tour from Malang or Probolinggo (many hostels sell these for ~£60-90 including jeep, transfers and accommodation). Evening free to eat and prep for the early start.
🚌Yogyakarta–Malang train ~£12-18; or train to Surabaya then bus ~£8-12
🛏Guesthouse in Malang/Probolinggo (~£10-14)
- →Train journey across Java
- →Evening in Malang or Probolinggo
- →Book Bromo–Ijen tour locally
Bromo sunrise — Pananjakan, Sea of Sand & crater rim
Mount Bromo
Join a shared jeep tour (most start ~03:00) up to Pananjakan viewpoint for sunrise over the caldera, then cross the Sea of Sand to the Bromo crater — walk or rent a horse (~£8-12). Several operators offer a short version plus an afternoon transfer toward Ijen; otherwise return to the guesthouse for a nap and move on next day.
🚌Shared jeep tour (usually part of a Bromo–Ijen package); overnight transfer possible
🛏Simple guesthouse near Bromo or Probolinggo (~£10-14)
- →Pananjakan sunrise viewpoint
- →Sea of Sand crossing
- →Mount Bromo crater climb (or horse ride)
- →Jeep tour
Toward Banyuwangi for Ijen
Bromo → Banyuwangi
Travel east by shared tour van or public bus (Probolinggo–Banyuwangi ~6-7 hrs, ~£8-12). Check into a guesthouse in Banyuwangi and book the midnight Ijen hike with a local operator (often £20-30 including guide, mask and head torch; a shared 3D2N package may already cover this). Rest in the afternoon — you'll be climbing at 1-2am.
🚌Shared van/bus ~£8-12
🛏Banyuwangi guesthouse (~£10-14)
- →Scenic drive east along the north coast
- →Banyuwangi guesthouse check-in
- →Book Ijen midnight hike
Kawah Ijen midnight hike — blue flames & sulfur miners
Ijen Crater
Leave ~00:30-1:00, drive to Paltuding, then hike 1.5-2 hrs up to the crater rim for sunrise. See the turquoise acid lake, blue flame glow (conditions depending) and the sulfur miners carrying baskets. Gas mask and head torch are essential — rent on site if not included. Back in Banyuwangi by mid-morning, then afternoon ferry over to Bali (Ketapang–Gilimanuk, ~1 hr, ~£1) and bus/shuttle to Lovina (~3-4 hrs, ~£6-10).
🚌Ijen tour ~£20-30; ferry ~£1; bus/shuttle to Lovina ~£6-10
🛏Lovina guesthouse (~£10-15)
- →Ijen crater midnight hike
- →Crater rim sunrise
- →Sulfur mining observation
- →Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry to Bali
- →Transfer to Lovina
Lovina black sand & Munduk highlands
Lovina / Munduk
Morning at Lovina's black sand beach — optional dolphin boat trip (~£8-12, ethically best to skip or book a responsible operator). Hire a scooter (~£5/day) or a driver to see Brahma Vihara Arama near Singaraja (~£2 entry) and the Munduk hot springs (Banjar, ~£3-5). Waterfalls (Banyumala, Melanting) are on the same road if you have time. Simple local warungs for lunch.
🚌Scooter rental ~£5 + fuel ~£1, or private driver day ~£25-35
🛏Munduk or Lovina guesthouse (~£12-16)
- →Lovina black sand beach
- →Brahma Vihara Arama temple
- →Munduk/Banjar hot springs
- →Optional Banyumala waterfall
- →Scooter or local driver day
Kintamani volcano, Gunung Kawi & Tanah Lot sunset
Kintamani / Tabanan
Hire a scooter or join a small shared tour (GetYourGuide ~£25-35) covering Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring (entry ~£3), Tirta Empul (~£3), Kintamani with views over Mount Batur and the lake, lunch at a volcano-view warung, Taman Ayun temple (~£2) and Tanah Lot (~£4) for sunset. Long but achievable day; keep entry small notes ready.
🚌Shared day tour ~£25-35 or scooter ~£5 + fuel
🛏Ubud hostel dorm (~£8-12)
- →Gunung Kawi Temple
- →Tirta Empul holy spring
- →Kintamani volcano & Lake Batur views
- →Taman Ayun Temple
- →Tanah Lot sunset
Ubud culture & waterfalls
Ubud
Morning Barong dance at Batubulan (~£6-8), then Celuk (silver) and Batuan (painting) workshops — many are free to enter, just buy a small item. Tegenungan waterfall (~£2), lunch in Ubud, Tegalalang rice terraces (~£3), Sacred Monkey Forest (~£4) and Ubud Palace plus the market. Return walk from the terraces is long — scooter or Grab is easier. Evening: free Legong dance or just eat at a warung.
🚌Scooter ~£5/day or Grab rides ~£8-12
🛏Ubud hostel dorm (~£8-12)
- →Barong dance at Batubulan
- →Celuk & Batuan craft villages
- →Tegenungan waterfall
- →Tegalalang rice terraces
- →Ubud Monkey Forest
- →Ubud Royal Palace & market
Uluwatu, beaches & Jimbaran seafood
Uluwatu / Jimbaran
Travel south to Uluwatu — first to Garuda Wisnu Kencana (~£7-8) or go straight to Dreamland/Padang Padang for a swim or surf lesson (~£20-30). Be at Uluwatu Temple (~£3) by 17:00 for the Kecak fire dance (~£8-10, book online or arrive early). Finish with grilled seafood at Jimbaran beach (~£8-15 from a mid-range warung) and take a Grab to a Jimbaran/Kuta guesthouse for the night.
🚌Grab/scooter around Bukit ~£8-12
🛏Jimbaran/Kuta guesthouse or hostel (~£12-18)
- →Garuda Wisnu Kencana
- →Dreamland Beach swim/surf
- →Uluwatu Temple
- →Kecak fire dance
- →Jimbaran seafood dinner
Depart from Bali
Jimbaran → Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS)
Slow breakfast, then a 15-25 min Grab to Ngurah Rai International Airport (~£4-6) for your flight home. If your flight is late, Kuta or Seminyak beach is a short ride away.
🚌Grab to DPS ~£4-6
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport
- →Optional beach time before flight
Self-launched vs. Ayla Tour and Transport
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Ayla Tour and Transport | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£613 | £2,205 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,592 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Ayla Tour and Transport-style trips? Check them out here.~£613
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Indonesia: Borneo, Java & Bali (3 Islands) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £613 per person for 15 days in Indonesia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Ayla Tour and Transport?+
Yes — Ayla Tour and Transport charges around £2,205 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £613 — a saving of roughly £1,592 (72%) per person.
How long is the Indonesia trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Indonesia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Indonesia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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