2 Weeks in Indonesia: The Ultimate Island-Hopping Itinerary

Two weeks in Indonesia is the sweet spot for island-hopping the Lesser Sunda chain — enough time to move at a reasonable pace from Bali’s temple-studded interior through the coral-ringed Gili Islands and Lombok’s empty south coast to the prehistoric landscape of Komodo National Park. This itinerary uses a mix of fast boats, public ferries, and one short domestic flight.

Route overview: Bali (4 nights) → Nusa Penida (2 nights) → Gili Islands (2 nights) → Lombok (2 nights) → fly to Labuan Bajo (1 night) → Komodo boat trips (2 nights) → depart Labuan Bajo.

---

Days 1–4: Bali

Day 1: Arrive — Seminyak or Canggu

International flights arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport. Transfer to your base in Seminyak or Canggu (30–45 minutes, IDR 150,000–250,000 by Grab as of 2026). Settle in, walk the beach, catch sunset at Echo Beach in Canggu or Double Six Beach in Seminyak.

Dinner: Warung Made in Seminyak — Balinese classics, IDR 40,000–80,000. For something upscale, Merah Putih on Jalan Petitenget serves modern Indonesian cuisine in a striking architectural space — mains IDR 120,000–250,000.

Day 2: Ubud Cultural Day

Private driver from the coast to Ubud (IDR 400,000–500,000 for the day). Visit Tegallalang Rice Terraces (entry IDR 15,000), Tirta Empul Temple (entry IDR 50,000), and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (entry IDR 80,000). Walk Campuhan Ridge for valley views (free).

Lunch: Sari Organik — organic Indonesian dishes served in a bamboo pavilion amid rice fields, IDR 40,000–75,000. Dinner: Locavore — Ubud’s premier restaurant, farm-to-table tasting menus from IDR 1,200,000 per person. More accessible: Warung Biah Biah for authentic Balinese plates, IDR 25,000–40,000.

Day 3: Uluwatu and the Bukit

Drive south to the Bukit Peninsula. Uluwatu Temple clifftop walk (entry IDR 50,000), beach time at Padang Padang (entry IDR 15,000), lunch at Single Fin (IDR 75,000–150,000), and the 6pm Kecak fire dance (IDR 150,000). Evening at the Jimbaran seafood grills — choose a beachside stall, IDR 150,000–250,000 per person for grilled fish, prawns, and sambal.

Day 4: Tanah Lot and Free Time

Morning: Tanah Lot Temple at low tide (entry IDR 60,000) — the sea temple is most photogenic in morning light with fewer crowds than sunset. Afternoon: surf lesson at Batu Bolong (from IDR 500,000), shopping in Seminyak, or spa time — Balinese massages from IDR 150,000 for 60 minutes at local spas.

Where to Stay: Bali (Nights 1–4)

• Budget: Kos One Hostel Canggu — pool, social vibe, dorms from IDR 180,000 (approximately USD 11) per night
• Mid-range: Alila Seminyak — beachfront, excellent pool, from IDR 2,000,000 (approximately USD 125) per night
• Luxury: The Legian Seminyak — suites with ocean views, from IDR 4,800,000 (approximately USD 300) per night

---

Days 5–6: Nusa Penida

Getting There

Grab to Sanur harbour from your Bali base (IDR 100,000–200,000), then fast boat to Nusa Penida (IDR 200,000 one-way, 45 minutes). Rocky Fast Cruise and Maruti Fast Boat are reliable operators.

Day 5: West Nusa Penida

Hire a driver for the day (IDR 350,000–450,000). Hit the west coast icons: Kelingking Beach (the T-Rex cliff viewpoint — the descent to the beach is steep, allow 30–40 minutes each way), Angel’s Billabong (natural rock pool, best at low tide), and Broken Beach (natural arch over turquoise water).

Lunch: Penida Colada near Kelingking — basic Indonesian food, IDR 30,000–50,000. Dinner: Amok Sunset on the west coast — grilled seafood with sunset views, IDR 50,000–100,000.

Day 6: East Nusa Penida — Diving and Snorkelling

Morning snorkelling trip to Crystal Bay and Manta Point — book through your guesthouse or a local dive shop (from IDR 350,000 per person for snorkelling, IDR 600,000–800,000 per dive). Manta rays are most reliably seen September–March, but Crystal Bay has excellent visibility year-round.

Afternoon: visit Atuh Beach on the east side — accessed by a steep staircase, this secluded cove sits beneath towering sea stacks.

Where to Stay: Nusa Penida (Nights 5–6)

• Budget: Nuansa Penida Hostel — basic rooms near Toya Pakeh port, from IDR 200,000 (approximately USD 13) per night
• Mid-range: Semabu Hills Hotel — hillside with ocean views, infinity pool, from IDR 700,000 (approximately USD 44) per night
• Luxury: La Maison Nusa Penida — boutique, from IDR 1,800,000 (approximately USD 113) per night

---

Days 7–8: Gili Islands

Getting There

Fast boat from Nusa Penida to Gili Trawangan — direct services run with operators like Scoot Cruise (approximately IDR 500,000, 2 hours) or route via Padang Bai with a change. In peak season, the direct service may not run daily — check schedules.

Day 7: Gili Trawangan

Circle the island by bicycle (rental IDR 50,000 per day, 90 minutes for the loop). Snorkel off the northeast beach for turtle encounters — no boat needed. For a guided trip covering all three Gili Islands’ best spots, operators like Blue Marlin Dive charge from IDR 250,000 per person.

Lunch: Kayu Cafe — pizzas and salads, IDR 60,000–110,000. Dinner: Pearl Beach Lounge — beachfront dining, seafood mains IDR 80,000–180,000.

Day 8: Gili Air Day Trip or Diving

Take a public boat to Gili Air (IDR 35,000, 10 minutes) — quieter atmosphere, excellent snorkelling off the south coast. Or book a dive: PADI Open Water courses approximately IDR 5,500,000 (approximately USD 345) with Manta Dive or Trawangan Dive. Certified divers: 2 fun dives from IDR 1,000,000.

Lunch on Gili Air: Mowie’s Bar — Indonesian and Western dishes, IDR 50,000–90,000.

Where to Stay: Gili Trawangan (Nights 7–8)

• Budget: Gili Castle Hostel — dorms from IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 9) per night
• Mid-range: Aston Sunset Beach Resort — beachfront bungalows, from IDR 900,000 (approximately USD 56) per night
• Luxury: Pondok Santi Estate — private pool villas, from IDR 3,500,000 (approximately USD 219) per night

---

Days 9–10: Lombok

Getting There

Public boat from Gili T to Bangsal harbour (IDR 15,000, 30 minutes). From Bangsal, hire a driver or take a Grab south.

Day 9: South Lombok Beaches

Hire a driver for the day (IDR 400,000–500,000). Explore south Lombok’s coastline: Tanjung Aan (crescent bay, white sand), Mawun Beach (sheltered cove), and Kuta Lombok — the main base for south Lombok, far quieter than Bali’s Kuta.

Lunch: Ashtari above Kuta Lombok — hilltop restaurant with panoramic views, healthy bowls and Indonesian plates, IDR 50,000–90,000. Dinner: El Bazar Cafe in Kuta — Mediterranean-Indonesian, mains IDR 65,000–120,000.

Day 10: Selong Belanak or Sasak Culture

Option A: Spend a morning at Selong Belanak Beach — a gentle crescent ideal for beginner surfing. Board rental from IDR 50,000 per hour, lessons from IDR 250,000.

Option B: Visit Sasak Sade Village — a traditional Sasak community near Kuta where residents maintain centuries-old building techniques and weaving traditions. Free to visit, though guides appreciate a donation of IDR 20,000–50,000.

Where to Stay: Kuta Lombok (Nights 9–10)

• Budget: Pipes Hostel — surf-oriented, dorms from IDR 120,000 (approximately USD 8) per night
• Mid-range: Novotel Lombok Resort — beach pool, from IDR 1,000,000 (approximately USD 63) per night
• Luxury: The Lombok Lodge — eco-luxury, from IDR 2,800,000 (approximately USD 175) per night

---

Days 11–14: Flores and Komodo National Park

Getting There

Fly from Lombok International Airport (Praya) to Labuan Bajo (approximately 1 hour, from IDR 600,000 one-way with Wings Air or NAM Air as of 2026).

Day 11: Arrive in Labuan Bajo

Explore the town — waterfront, fish market, and a sunset trip to Kalong Island to watch thousands of flying foxes leave their roost (IDR 100,000–150,000 for a short boat ride).

Dinner: La Cucina on the waterfront — Italian-Indonesian, mains IDR 80,000–160,000. For budget seafood, eat at the night market near the harbour — grilled fish from IDR 25,000.

Day 12: Komodo Day Trip — Rinca, Padar, Pink Beach

Full-day group boat trip (from IDR 1,500,000 per person as of 2026). The standard route covers:

• Rinca Island — ranger-guided walk to see Komodo dragons, deer, and water buffalo (2 hours). Rinca has more reliable dragon sightings than Komodo Island.
• Padar Island — hike to the hilltop viewpoint (30–45 minutes) for the iconic three-bay vista.
• Pink Beach — snorkel on coral gardens and pink-tinted sand.

Park entry fees are IDR 350,000 per foreign visitor on weekdays, IDR 500,000 on weekends, as of 2026.

Day 13: Manta Point and Kanawa Island

Second boat day: Manta Point for snorkelling with oceanic manta rays (strong currents — suitable for confident swimmers), then Kanawa Island (entry IDR 150,000) for relaxed beach time and reef snorkelling in shallow, calm water. Private boat charters for 2 people start from approximately IDR 5,000,000 per day.

Day 14: Departure

Morning flight from Labuan Bajo to Bali (1 hour 45 minutes, from IDR 700,000) for international connections, or direct flights to Jakarta.

Where to Stay: Labuan Bajo (Nights 11–14)

• Budget: Ciao Hostel — harbour views, dorms from IDR 130,000 (approximately USD 8) per night
• Mid-range: Sylvia Resort Komodo — hillside, bay views, from IDR 800,000 (approximately USD 50) per night
• Luxury: Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach — private beach, from IDR 4,500,000 (approximately USD 282) per night

---

Budget Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation (14 nights)	IDR 3,500,000 (USD 219)	IDR 16,800,000 (USD 1,050)	IDR 49,000,000+ (USD 3,063+)
Food (14 days)	IDR 1,400,000 (USD 88)	IDR 4,200,000 (USD 263)	IDR 11,200,000+ (USD 700+)
Domestic flights (1)	IDR 600,000 (USD 38)	IDR 900,000 (USD 56)	IDR 1,500,000 (USD 94)
Inter-island boats	IDR 1,800,000 (USD 113)	IDR 2,500,000 (USD 156)	IDR 4,000,000 (USD 250)
Activities	IDR 3,000,000 (USD 188)	IDR 5,500,000 (USD 344)	IDR 12,000,000+ (USD 750+)
Local transport	IDR 1,200,000 (USD 75)	IDR 3,500,000 (USD 219)	IDR 6,000,000+ (USD 375+)
Total (14 days)	USD 720–780	USD 2,050–2,150	USD 5,200+

All prices approximate as of 2026.

---

Practical Tips

• Island-hopping buffer days: Build in at least one flexible day. Fast boats cancel in rough seas (especially November–March), and Indonesian transport rarely runs exactly on time.
• Cash management: ATMs are available on Bali, Lombok, and in Labuan Bajo, but the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida have limited or unreliable machines. Withdraw enough rupiah before each island crossing.
• Travel insurance: Essential for this route. Medical evacuation from Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands, or Labuan Bajo to a hospital with full facilities (Bali or Singapore) can cost USD 10,000–30,000 without coverage.
• Packing: Quick-dry clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch for boat crossings, and water shoes for rocky beaches. A light rain jacket is useful even in dry season.