12 unforgettable experiences to enjoy in Indonesia

1. Ride horses on a paradise beach

We didn’t expect to experience something like this… Horses, an empty beach, golden light at sunset. It honestly felt like a dream 🥰

Gili Asahan is part of the “Forgotten Gili”, a small and still little known archipelago off the coast of Lombok. Life here is incredibly peaceful, with only a few hotels on the island. The island feels authentic, with beautiful coral reefs where we spotted quite a few turtles.

It’s in this untouched setting that we experienced this horse ride, between turquoise water and lush green hills. Definitely something we won’t forget anytime soon.

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2. Swim with (harmless) jellyfish

Heading to Misool, in the south of Raja Ampat. Hidden deep in the jungle, there’s a secret lake filled with translucent jellyfish… completely harmless.

We found ourselves swimming right in the middle of them, no wetsuit, no stress. They move so slowly it almost feels like slow motion. Honestly, it’s pretty hypnotic.

It’s not the first time we’ve had the chance to experience this, and honestly… we never get tired of it.

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3. Take part in a Balinese ceremony

Nothing like a show made for tourists.

This was a real ceremony, in a small Balinese village, alongside local families, all dressed in traditional clothes.

We didn’t understand everything, but we felt a lot. The atmosphere, the chants, the gestures passed down through generations… it was powerful.

We just let ourselves be carried by the moment, trying to respect every second and every smile.

Every time we come back to Bali, we ask our drivers and friends Wayan and Ketut if there’s a ceremony happening in their village. And they’re always happy to take us there.

For them, sharing this is something natural. And for us, it feels like a privilege.

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4. Stay in a bamboo house lost in nature

Waking up facing the rice fields, hearing birds singing in the jungle, and that feeling of sleeping both indoors and outdoors…

Bamboo houses have something magical about them. Open to nature and often hidden deep in the Balinese forest, they make you want to slow down, disconnect, and just breathe.

It’s such a nice experience. But just a warning: it’s a true nature experience in every sense of the word 😅.

👉 Small disclaimer:
Bamboo houses are almost never fully closed. So yes, you might get a few surprise guests: geckos, frogs, or other little local creatures. Nothing dangerous of course, but if you’re scared of insects… prepare yourself mentally 💪

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5. Meet the Mentawai flower men

Sleeping in the jungle. Washing in the river. Going worm hunting with the tribe. Cooking sago around the fire.
Here, you share the daily life of people still living in direct connection with nature.

On Siberut Island, off the coast of Sumatra, live the Mentawai flower men. An animist tribe that believes in nature spirits, hunts with bows, and keeps traditions passed down through generations alive.

It’s a real adventure. Comfort is almost nonexistent, but the experience feels incredibly powerful.
And even if the price can seem expensive at first, you quickly realize what a privilege it is to be there. You’re not visiting a staged attraction, you’re being welcomed into their world.

👉 What touched us the most: out of the 7 grandsons of Kuki, an old shaman we met, only one chose to stay and live in the jungle.
He might be part of the last generation of Mentawai flower men…

Honestly, it was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives.

But at times… it was hard. Especially because of the comfort. You sleep in a wooden house on stilts, and at night, pigs and chickens literally fight right under your feet.

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6. Make your own silver ring in Bali

It’s an activity we hadn’t really planned… and it ended up becoming one of the highlights of our trip.
We met Made, a Balinese jewelry artisan with a heart of gold. He welcomes you into his small workshop, guides you step by step, and most importantly, he really takes his time with you.

You choose your design, shape the ring yourself, polish it, and in the end, you leave with a unique piece of jewelry made by you, for you.
It’s the kind of experience that’s perfect to do as a couple, or even to gift someone.

And honestly, don’t hesitate to visit Made. He’s one of the nicest people we’ve met during our travels… and you’ll leave with a souvenir way more special than a made in China magnet 🙈 (even though I’m the first one to buy them).

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7. Swim with manta rays

You can see them in several places across Indonesia, but every single time, the feeling is the same: pure amazement.
We were lucky enough to swim with them in both Nusa Penida and Raja Ampat, while snorkeling and diving.

In Raja Ampat, we went back several times to different spots. And honestly, diving there feels even more magical. You stay still at the bottom, observe quietly… and wait for the mantas to come dance around you. A silent and majestic ballet.

In Nusa Penida, it’s more accessible, but it can also get crowded depending on the season. So if you can, try to go early in the morning or outside peak tourist periods.

And wherever you see them, don’t forget to keep your distance. These gentle giants are sensitive animals, and the experience feels even more special when you observe them respectfully.

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8. Climb an active volcano

What if your dream hike was actually someone else’s everyday reality…?

🌋 Climbing Kawah Ijen is one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had in Indonesia (after exploring 7 islands!). You start in the middle of the night, wearing a gas mask, heading toward a crater that honestly feels like another planet.

💀 But at the bottom of the crater, miners still carry up to 80 kilos of sulfur on their shoulders. Their life expectancy is drastically reduced because of the toxic fumes.

For us, it’s an “experience”. For them, it’s survival.

That’s why some travelers choose to boycott this hike.
The real question is: can tourism help create new opportunities for the miners instead?

We honestly regret not hiring a guide, because many of them are former miners themselves. Supporting them is one way to help prevent others from having to risk their health in the crater.
In the end, we gave all the cash we had on us to the miners we met along the way.

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9. Sleep in the jungle to see orangutans

The jungle in Sumatra is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen. Dense, alive, filled with sounds you never really forget.
We spent 2 nights there, and honestly, it went by so fast. It’s an intense experience but still very accessible, especially when you’re lucky enough to be with passionate guides who also know how to make the whole adventure fun along the way.

But we want to be honest: seeing the orangutans left us with mixed feelings.
Yes, it’s incredible to see them in their natural habitat. But there can also be quite a lot of people… sometimes too many.

👉 If you go, really take the time to choose an agency that respects the animals and is willing to go deeper into the jungle (we shared our recommendations in the guide). It honestly makes all the difference.

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10. Ride a small boat on the clearest lake in the world

It’s often called “the clearest lake in the world”…
And honestly, it’s true. This place is just… EXCEPTIONAL 🥹

The lake is located next to a small village surrounded by palm trees, with no big constructions around. If you arrive early in the morning, the water becomes perfectly still. The whole scenery feels magical.

And, whether the weather is sunny or cloudy, the lake still looks absolutely stunning.

It’s our third time in Sulawesi, and it still remains our favorite island in Indonesia… and probably the most preserved one.

🛵 Good to know: you don’t need organized tours here. With scooters, taxis, and small local fishing boats, we were able to explore everything easily.

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11. Attend a Toraja funeral ceremony

Welcome to Toraja Land, in the heart of Sulawesi. It’s one of our favorite places in Indonesia.

What we love here is this rare balance: people living in a modern world while still preserving traditions that have existed for centuries.

And one of the most fascinating ones is their funeral ceremonies.

Here, death isn’t seen as a tragic ending, but as an important passage celebrated collectively. It’s a whole process, often long and complex, that can last for weeks, sometimes even months after someone has passed away.

Attending a Toraja ceremony really makes you question your own vision of the world. It’s emotional, unsettling at times, and incredibly eye opening.

👉 If you go there: respect, curiosity, and an open mind are essential. The Toraja people are incredibly welcoming, but every gesture and ritual carries deep meaning.

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12. Go on a liveaboard trip in Raja Ampat or Komodo

In June 2025, we did a 3 day liveaboard trip in Komodo… and it was absolutely incredible.
The landscapes are breathtaking at that time of the year (from April to June), still super green and lush before the dry season slowly turns the hills into golden brown tones.

Whether you choose Raja Ampat or Komodo, the concept is pretty similar: spending several days on a boat, sailing between dream islands, diving or snorkeling all day long, and sleeping in the middle of the ocean.
A complete immersion in nature.

There are liveaboards for every budget, from simple boats to luxury yachts.
But what really makes the experience special is the access to remote and preserved spots that are often impossible to reach from land. Colorful coral reefs, reef sharks, manta rays, thousands of fish… it honestly feels like an underwater firework show.

If you have the time and the budget, we really recommend going for at least 2 or 3 nights. It completely changes the experience.

👉 Small tip if you’re going to Komodo in July or August: some spots can get really crowded, especially Padar Island, Pink Beach, or Manta Point.

But with the right timing, it’s often still possible to enjoy them peacefully.

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