If you've dream of being among the millions who flock to southeast Asia each year seeking adventure, freedom and escapism then you can't simply shoot off. You must slow yourself down and think what you must take with you: take not the right things and you'll be seriously inconvenienced, and take too much then your experience may be ruined somewhat. Our advice for your Indonesia packing list, consider our thoughts below, first. If you are going solo then forget about packing a suitcase, especially if you will be holidaying on a budget and frequenting hostels and perhaps village homestays.
Let's start off with the essentials first followed by what clothes you should be wearing. Rember Indonesia has a tropical climate and it's relatively warm still, even when its raining. Nonetheless, the jungles are full of creepy crawlies, (large) flies and bugs and they tend to annoy humans ― in a big way so never fly out without a quality insect repellent. Not only will you be annoyed and frustrated at the little so and so's, your skin may break out due to constantly being bitten.
If it's the first time for you to Indonesia then you should arrive prepared, and have a rough idea of what to expect. In fact, a little research helps you where ever it is your going therefore your anxiety levels are more manageable (really, everyone is nervous when on any trip abroad, it's normal). Here are the more important things in quick succession:
These essentials, you pack in a separate bag to contain them, so they're not loose causing havoc in your backpack. It's your worst nightmare having to pull everything out (especially in low light or darkness) just to find one small item "lost" in among everything else. If you are aiming to camp out a lot of the time, then you'll also need additional items:
It's doubtful you actually need to pack a tent, cooking stove and so on. All over Indonesia there are camping and glamping sites that have tents, huts and hammocks set up for you to rent, and the site also has equipment available. No need for you to carry extra weight around, so it really is a case of packing light for maximum fun and enjoyment. It's also a recommendation to pack a power adapter, and local currency as well as US dollars.
Wear a wallet or pouch around your neck, where it is secure and it can be hidden under clothing, for valuables.
When putting together your backpack bag clothing essentials, you should only be thinking about 3 changes of clothing. Also, neatly folding your clothes is pointless because the inside of your bag will become untidy anyway ― it's a bag, not a suitcase so don't be overly concerned about neatness. It's actually advisable to roll your clothing for your backpack, leaving socks to the last moment, they can be squeezed into the remaining nooks and crannies. After a day or two of rummaging through your backpack you couldn't care less about the state of what's inside.
Average temperatures can vary from lows of 73°F to highs of 95°F so you are thinking along the lines of loose fitting clothing and swimwear:
Valuables, you keep those on your person at all times ― never, ever have them in your backpack in the event you lose the pack or its stolen. Things such as your passport, travel and insurance documents. Visa documents, cash and bank cards should all be in a waterproof wallet or pouch that can be secured to yourself.
As well as the essential clothing items listed above, you can pack for yourself additional items such as: a sarong, a skirt and blouse. Perhaps a summer-like dress, or two. Indonesia has many chic restaurants and bars, so dressing a little more casual helps you blend in more easily. And not stick out like a sore thumb. When backpacking, even on a low budget it's still possible to stay in a nice hotel at very reasonable prices ― as a treat to yourself, of course.
Find a hotel with empty rooms and do your best to haggle on price. You'll be surprised at what you can get for "next to nothing". Take note that whilst many hostels may have working WIFI, that isn't always the case. On the other hand, hotels and resorts must have a strong WIFI service. Avoid bringing with you things such as:
When ever you are abroad on holiday it's custom to buy clothing anyway, so bear that in mind when you feel your not packing enough. You buy clothing because you see something you like and would wear again once back home. But also to feel like you are fitting in with the environment and locality.
It's important to understand Indonesia has only the two seasons: dry and wet. From early June until the end of September is the dry season, and from there (towards October) until May the following year it's the rainy season. Like most tropical countries, there is no Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter months so you must plan for the hot, humid period or the cooler, wet period. Expect lows of 73° and highs of 95° Fahrenheit from one season to the next.
The months of August and September has the least amount of rain, with September, October and November being the hottest.
The best time is the dry season. You have warm days, often hot (but not too hot) and all attractions are open as normal with peak season being July and August. If you hate large crowds, avoid traveling to Indonesia on those two months. Other than wanting to avoid the crowds, there is no bad time to travel to Indonesia ― which is typical of many tropical countries, with the exception being Malaysia and the Philippines due to their typhoon seasons.
Be sure to do the following before flying out to Indonesia, because once you land it may be extremely difficult to remedy:
Be sure to get a Malaria vaccination also. Exchange your currency locally for Indonesian IDR as it'll be more favorable rates to you. If you wait to exchange once in Indonesia the rates aren't so good. It's a must have, to carry Indonesian currency because not all ATM's work, or they may be out of cash. Don't depend upon them.
Now that you are sorted with what to bring with you ― and what not to bring ― you are thinking where would be best for a backpacking destination in Indonesia. Well, we have hand-picked 5 such destinations for your next backpack fueled adventure. The most popular destinations are:
Your journey on Java will most likely begin from the capital Jakarta City, with the aim of reaching Yogyakarta City for the culture. The two UNESCO World Heritage sites are also extremely good excuses for wanting to travel on the Island. Both temples, Borobudur and Prambanan are famous and world renowned with Borobudur Temple being on par with Cambodia's Angkor Wat Complex, everything being equal.
Following on, you are finding Indonesia's best waterfalls in your favor and both volcanoes Bromo and Ijen are how you'll end your stay on Java.
For backpacking enthusiasts and casual wanders alike, Lombok's crown jewel with great certainty is Mount Rinjani. Like how Bali shines with Mount Agung and Java roars at you with Mount Bromo, each Indonesian Island creates its own magic. You really do feel the magic it has to be said after so many hours of hiking, to finally reach over 3,700m above the clouds. And what's great about this active volcano is Lake Segara Anak placed inside the 50km odd wide caldera.
It may be a relic from a long forgotten past, but it is unmissable being the largest thing on Lombok, such a small Island. If you dare yourself to ascend this beauty, you'll wish to spend at least 3 days minimum on Lombok ― one day spare to enjoy Kuta Beach before moving onto the three Gili Islands.
One of your favorite things holidaying in Indonesia is Island hopping ― jumping on and off buses and ferries quite regularly. You'll already have experience of this long before reaching East Nusa Tenggara, a group of several hundred Islands. It isn't difficult to understand why you'll hop over to East Nusa Tenggara, having exhausted your interest on West Nusa Tenggara. The only alternative heading further west beyond Bali is Java. Going east gives you delights such as:
So you do not double back on yourself, perhaps it is best to fly into Jakarta City to begin with? And not simply land in Bali because that's the first flight you picked out the hat. Moving from west to east would be the better bet for two reasons:
Are you really short on time, or simply on a very tight budget? Only then you fly into Bali's Denpasar International Airport and go either west or east.
Malaysia has a share of Borneo as does Indonesia. The part which belongs to Indonesia is split into many parts. We have traveled only in the east of Kalimantan, west Kalimantan and south Kalimantan however. It's really only worthwhile going so far out of the way were your plans involved sightseeing the rare orangutans and wild elephants. If you want the "real deal" with a wild untamed natural environment, Kalimantan is for you.
In that case, most definitely Kalimantan would be the best place to start in Borneo. It would also be the ideal stepping stone for crossing the border into Malaysia, via Sabah or Sarawak.
You can appreciate that Indonesia is such a huge archipelago, it's impossible to detail all the potential for your backpacking trip in one story. Clearly it is going to take more than one or two holiday trips to Indonesia for you to enjoy most of the thousands of Islands, the different local cultures and traditions and so on. Like most holidays, it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity isn't it? Because it's so difficult to find the time (and money) to come back again and also because there are so many other jungles in Asia also demanding your attention.
If you've never backpacked before in Asia then be sure 100% that Indonesia should be your starting point. It's safe, it's cheap and it's really a nice, amazing place to be for those "feel good" times.
Often is the case, the impression is one being backpacking is for the younger generation: students taking a gap year from their studies, or solo travelers with few responsibilities to tie them down in one place. That's not always the case. A growing number of people in their later years are enjoying backpacking too, with Asia being an interesting prospect for many. In other words, more people are finding themselves healthier as their getting older and backpacking is one way of enjoying greater freedom.
So long as you are sensible to follow our guide and remember to check everything is packed before leaving, there is nothing to stop you having a great time. No matter what your age is. One more thought is that what brings many people to backpack in Indonesia is the volcanoes found all over the archipelago. From one end to the other there are dozens of volcanoes that are ripe for conquering.
Backpacking is one way of traveling around Indonesia on a strict budget, and if you can a) set and control a budget, and b) plan your backpacking adventure day to day but in advance then you'll have an amazing holiday. You can experience new food and culture on the cheap, create life long lasting memories and be a stronger, more confident and independent person for it.
Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.