YPT Tours to Indonesia

Young Pioneer Tours are pleased to announce our expanded Indonesia Tours and Travel packages for 2024 and 2025.

A long favorite of YPT since the 2010’s, YPT started by visiting Bali (on the way to Timor-Leste), before expanding year after year, yet still barely scratching the surface in this truly unique place.

And indeed, traveling to Indonesia is unique and this is for so many often-contradictory reasons. A huge nation – and the largest Muslim one at that -, the republic also features many ethnic minorities all with their own cultures, languages, and festivals.

Said festivals can be some of the most interesting and bizarre that there are. Travel to and through Indonesia would take forever in what is literally its own continent. Therefore, YPT have done the hard bit by picking out some of the most unique and must-see parts of travel to Indonesia.

Group Tours to Indonesia

Currently YPT run yearly trips that go through West Papua and West Timor, as well as connecting onto and into the former province of East Timor. We are though constantly looking to extend our group tours to Indonesia. 

Palawan Island Hopping & Explore East Timor Combo – September 27th – October 14th 2024 – $2995

Explore East Timor – October 7th – 14th 2024 – $1995

Discover West Papua Tour – May 22nd – 29th 2025 – $2495

Timor Independence Day Overland Tour – May 14th – 22nd 2025 – $1995

Independent Tours to Indonesia

Having worked for more than ten years in Indonesia, as well as being based in South-East Asia, Indonesia is a place that YPT both know and feel comfortable in.

We use the best partners in country, usually local and indigenous to the areas we travel, as well as the best tour guides in Indonesia, to arrange Indonesia tours deep into the country catering your interests, timeframe, and budget. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Indonesia tours.

Example of YPT 8 Day East Timor Tour starting and finishing on Bali

Day 1 – Bali

• Arrival in Bali at own leisure
• Kuta is somewhat infamous as a party place in Bali, and whilst you might not want to stay here too long, for one night it does the trick.
• Overnight in Kuta

Day 2 – Dili

• We transfer to the airport to board the 09.15 flight to Dili, capital of East Timor Arrival at 12.00 arrange our visas on arrival before transferring to our very centrally placed accommodation.
• Lunch in town.
• Optional Scuba dive (at own cost) or free time for some rest
• We take a walk down to the pristine beachfront in Dili where we will grab dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea. At dinner we will be joined by a leading politician, former prisoner, and veteran of the independence war with Indonesia, to hear about his experiences in fighting for Timorese independence.
• Overnight in Dili.

Day 3 – Dili

• We go for a city tour of Dili including the parliament, presidential palace and old Portuguese architecture.
• Visit to the Timor genocide museum, not only a very moving place but essential in understanding the recent history of the nation.
• Lunch in a traditional Timorese restaurant.
• TRIP HIGHLIGHT: We head to the HQ of FRETELIN, the former ruling party of Timor-Leste to buy t-shirts, and probably have our photos taken for their propaganda! Expect lots of raised fists, and to be called comrade a lot. All very YPT.
• Our local guide continues our driving tour of the city with a visit to the former prison building of the Indonesian army and other sites related to the war of independence.
• Back to the hostel for shower and change before we transfer to the beachside barbecue restaurants to sample how the locals get together for drinks and food. This is street food at its best!
• Walk down the seafront for nighttime beers overlooking the sea.
• Overnight at Dili

Day 4 – Baucau

• We get up nice and early to board our private bus to drive to the second largest and most important city in the country – Baucau.
• The journey takes around 3 hours with us stopping on the way for pictures opportunities and lunch.
• On arrival in Baucau, we check into our bungalows on our very own private beach. This is simple, but also extremely serene.
• City tour of Baucau including the old colonial building and government house.
• We then head to what is quite a surprising highlight of the trip by visiting the local market.
• Considering this is the second biggest city the market is surprisingly primitive with foreigners rarely venturing here. This offers a lot of opportunities to observe contemporary life as well as interact and speak with the locals.
• In the evening, we enjoy a home cooked meal with our hosts before grabbing some beers and heading down to our very own private beach for a kickback. The sea has bio phosphorescence, with the water lighting up on your every move.
• Overnight in beachside bungalows.

Day 5 – Jaco Island – Lospalos

• Breakfast at the hotel before the adventure continues.
• We take the incredibly scenic drive to the legendary Jaco Island.
• There will be lots of chances to stop for pictures in the journey as this is perhaps the most beautiful part of Timor-Leste.
• We head out to the uninhabited, but famously beautiful Jaco Island where will make a BBQ and spend the day making the most of our very own private beach experience, so this is as close to being on a deserted piece of paradise as it gets.
• Before sunset we continue our journey to far-east of Timor-Leste and Lospalos.
• Again we will stop at a number of scenic stops of the way for photos.
• On arrival in the city we check into our hotel, before a short walking tour of this historic city
• Dinner, drinks and overnight in Lospalos.

Day 6 – Lospalos – Dili

• Breakfast at the hotel before we go out exploring!
• Walking tier of the city including the Church, as well as the government building. We arrange meeting with a local politician who can talk about life in the city.
• Lospalos is full of natural beauty, so we start the day with a trip to Ira Lalaro Lake where we can not only enjoy the scenery, but also watch the many species of migratory birds that call this home.
• We need to head to Lush river valley, a beautiful valley situated in Los Palo of Lautem District. This river valley covered by full of eye-catching greenery and the Mount Paitchau is easily seen from the river valley.
• Lunch in the city, before we head back on the scenic drive to Dili.
• On the way back we will stop at scenic site for sunset.
• On arrival in Dili check into our beachside hotel.
• Dinner and drinks on the waterside of Dili.

Day 7 – Dili – Bali

• Free morning in Dili to either do some last-minute shopping (yes, we will get you fridge magnets), or simply relax by the beach before we head to Dili Airport for our flight back to Bali.
• We take the 2.15 pm flight to Bali arriving at 15.00 in Bali.
• Transfer to our hotel in Kuta for a relaxing afternoon.
• With it being our last night together, and in Bali we head out for one last YPT BBQ and goodbye drinks.

Day 8 – Tour end

• End of the tour with YPT able to arrange all sorts of further transportation, accommodation and excursions all throughout South East Asia.

Bespoke Tours to Indonesia

YPT currently offer several regional specific tours within Indonesia, which can also be done as bespoke tours. This is particularly the case in some of the least visited parts of Indonesia, such as West Timor, West Papua and Banda Aceh. Also the nearby exclave of Oecusse, surrounded by Indonesia, can be visited with us.

Tours to West Timor

We currently run tours of West Timor as part of our Timor Overland tour which finishes in East Timor. You can check out our Timor-Leste tours here, and our West Papua Tours here.

West Papua Tours

As part of our extensive programs to Papua New Guinea, YPT also offer tours through West Papua in Indonesia. These can be combined with PNG tours, as well as us offering bespoke Papua Overland tours. Click the link for our West Papua Tours. 

Tours to Banda Aceh

Previously in a long-term war with the central government before suffering the tragedy of the tsunami, Banda Aceh has now recovered to a level where tourism is gaining importance. Known as perhaps the most Islamic “state” in the world, planning tours here is no easy task, but one with which YPT are adept at. 

Tours to Maluku Islands 

Another area which has seen more than its fair share of trouble with the central government. Previously a Dutch colony, where there is still a government-in exile, they also represent the former nation “Republic of South Maluku”. Still a political hotbed, but also culturally one of the best Indonesian tours you can take. 

Festival tours to Indonesia

Indonesia has perhaps more crazy festivals than any other country. If there is a festival that you would like to visit or cover as media in Indonesia, then YPT can help you arrange this. 

Party tours to Indonesia

While being the largest Muslim country on earth, there are stills places that you can party in Indonesia. Principal among these is Bali, as well as the Gilly Islands, although there are more! YPT can arrange these as part of longer tour, as well as standalone Indonesian trips. 

Filming in Indonesia

Through our media arm Pioneer Media YPT can arrange for people to film in Indonesia, from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange journalist travel to Indonesia, although different rules apply in different regions. 

School Trips to Indonesia 

YPT can arrange school trips to Indonesia, with the majority of the country being very safe for younger visitors. These can be arranged to fit yours, or your organization specific needs. 

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Indonesia

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