Indonesia Cruises

The islands of Maluku have many forms of dance, including the cheerful, colourful saureka-reka dance and the ‘crazy bamboo dance’. This mystical ritual involving a piece of bamboo that’s apparently possessed is a fascinating performance to witness.

With its palace, art galleries and yoga studios, Ubud is steeped in Balinese culture. You can barter for handcrafted wares at the bustling market, or stroll the moss-coated pathways of Ubud Monkey Forest in search of ancient temples and long-tailed macaques.

The most distinctive features of Bali’s landscape are the rice terraces. Part of a centuries-old heritage, these scenic, emerald-green fields blanket the island’s steep hillsides and deep gorges. Those at Jatiluwih are a fine example and well worth a visit.

No visit to Bali would be complete without visiting at least one of the island’s beautiful temples. Among the most iconic are the cliff-top temple of Uluwatu, believed to be one of Bali’s six spiritual pillars, and the ancient sea temple of Tanah Lot.

Komodo National Park, which spreads over the larger islands of Rinca, Padar and Komodo, and other small, volcanic Indonesian islands, is home to the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard. Measuring at least three metres (over nine feet) in length and weighing over 70 kilograms (154 pounds), the ‘king of the lizards’ was first documented by western scientists in 1910 following reports of sightings of a land crocodile.  The Komodo dragon is dinosaur-like in appearance, with rugged, armoured scales, a long, forked tongue and up to 60 serrated teeth. 

One of the most visited and beautiful beaches in Komodo, the Pink Beach, as the name suggests, is renowned for its beautiful pink sand, tinted by fragments of red coral mixed in with shell and other coral fragments. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling or simply for relaxing and soaking up the beautiful surroundings.

Enjoy a holy experience at Pura Lingsar - this large temple is the holiest in Lombok, built in 1741. The complex includes a temple for Balinese Hindus and one for followers of Wetu Telu, a syncretic form of Islam that is the traditional belief of the indigenous Sasak people of Lombok.

The stunning Narmada Park is inspired by both Mount Rinjani and the Segara Anak crater lake. Within the water park, the Bale Petirtaan (Fountain of Youth) is a wellspring at the confluence of three sources, and the water here is considered to be sacred by Hindus.

The nature reserve at Rubiah Island is known for its coral reefs, teeming with marine life. This wonderful ecosystem can also be experienced via a glass-bottomed boat.

Kilometre zero is the milestone that many countries across the world use from which all distances are measured. In Indonesia, Kilometre zero sits on the beautiful Weh Island, which is surrounded by coral reef.

This dramatic, enigmatic monument, which looms above rice fields and tropical forest, is one of Asia’s cultural icons and is also the world's largest Buddhist monument. The main temple is built in three tiers, including a monumental stupa at the top.

This exquisite temple complex testifies to the peaceful co-existence of Hindus and Buddhists on Java. There are three temples dedicated to the great Hindu divinities – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma – and three dedicated to the animals who serve them.