This travel guide gives insight into the best camping destinations, in Indonesia. But is Indonesia any good for camping? Definitely, and we'll explain why. Indonesia is such a diverse country archipelago anyway. You have decided on a backpacking or camping trip around Indonesia, that's a great choice.
That may entail a road trip even if you enjoy two wheels back home and Indonesia is perfect for road trips. How you get around the Islands isn't important but what is, is knowing where you bed down for the night. With that said we will show you the best Islands and why you must consider them.
If you love camping the chances, are you love the great outdoors. You get a rush from the excitement of adventurism and the sense of freedom. You'll find all that throughout Indonesia in spades. There is no shortage of exciting things to see and do in Indonesia:
There are thousands of Islands that belong to Indonesia. Each one has a unique landscape and eco system, the local population often a differing cuisine to try. The only troubling thing you'll face is to decide where to holiday. Before booking flights and accommodation and so forth we had to have a plan. Your holiday will start out the same way, planning where to go.
Bali is the obvious choice because it's a top destination anyway. Bali is always a safe bet if you've never been to Indonesia before. From Bali decide if you're going to travel east or west because you can't go both ways on a 10-day, two-week holiday.
Here is our top ten Islands you could go camping in Indonesia. When you are deciding on where to camp, which campground to use also consider the costs involved. Indonesia isn't the most expensive southeast Asian country but remember costs accumulate. As we found out on one holiday not all camping sites are equal. Facilities or services provided vary, for example parking usually comes with extra charges.
Some of the camping sites will already provide tents for you, so there's no need for you to carry more than you need. Others do not provide a tent but will provide camping equipment for you to rent. That's a great idea because you get the best of both worlds. You can experience the camping adventure but least hassle. You are not carrying a tent and equipment on top of your backpack. Lightening the load increases your holiday enjoyment, take note.
You move into your allocated tent, stay the night and move on the next day.
There is a sense of magic all around this national park when you finally arrive. From wherever it is you are holidaying in Indonesia:
You can grab a domestic flight from any of those four cities to Iskandar Airport. Take note that delays may and do happen. Often it is cancellations due to local holidays (overbooking) and weather. Never leave it until the last minute to book domestic flights in Indonesia. Our experience says to book a day or two in advance.
Your adventure begins from Pangkalan Bun Town, a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport.
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The town has a few hotels what are more than adequate for passing tourists. They're quite modern and facilities are well served. Many shops in the town supply you what you'd need before heading on tour into the Borneo jungle. If you have booked a tour itinerary, then someone will pick you up from your hotel. From there you're driven to the seaport of Kumai Port.
Otherwise, you'll have to make your own way there, knowing when the boats leave.
Your tour guides will take you on a 2-hour journey up the Sekonyer River. It's this river trip that takes you to the first Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The national park's many rehabilitation centers each have sustainable lodges and huts. There is usually a camping site too. Which is why many camping enthusiasts relish a trip to Borneo.
We traveled on one holiday here and it was for the nature. The rare orangutans and elephants, the proboscis monkeys. Those were our reasons for the camping trip.
The park is the largest reserve for the orangutans in the world and you move around in the park on foot and by boat only.
Are you are planning to holiday on the remote, far-flung archipelago of the Raja Ampat Islands? You should of course, the archipelago is amazing in so many ways. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the two top favorite activities. But camping doesn't immediately spring to mind as a thing to do there. But it is possible.
Raja Ampat is an all-year-round top destination. But the seasonal weather dictates the outdoor activities on the Islands.
The waters around Raja Ampat are at their calmest in November, December and January. This three-month window is when you sight the Manta Rays. The average temperature on the Islands year-round is in the mid-80's Fahrenheit. That's quite pleasant actually, and seldom does it dip below 75°F (that's 24°C). If you're serious about wanting a holiday in the tropics, then choose Indonesia.
By all means do come to Raja Ampat, it's most definitely worth it.
The island archipelago is part of the "coral triangle" that comprises Malaysia too. It's the world's largest marine biodiverse area for coral reef. Our recommendation is this. You should want to come to these Islands but not only for the camping but the snorkeling and diving too. It would be a shame to come so far for only to stay on dry land.
Most of our time during our Raja Ampat holiday was in the water close to the Island shore. There's a lot of shallow water surrounding many of the Islands, you can't help but not want to be in the water.
Pro Tip #1: Want the best diving experiences the Islands have to offer? It's better to travel between September and April, and not July and August when the seas are rough.
Related Reading: Traveling to Raja Ampat, west Papua
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The best months for camping in and around Ubud Town are between June and October. The vibrant green of the rainforest jungle is very attractive for tourist. The Island's many waterfalls and a stunning sunrise, also bring you to Bali. The luxurious jungle resorts of course, are desirable. But it's okay for you to neglect those in favor of the jungle camping sites.
Your ultimate experience of Bali will not differ so much either way. Camping or a luxury staycation, both result in an incredible long-lasting experience.
Words fail how you feel when you are standing in a jungle clearing pre-dawn and waiting for the sun to happen. The rays shine through the trees reaching beyond you. Then everything begins to sparkle like diamonds against the light. For those brief minutes you've waited so long for, the jungles around the town of Ubud are perfect. After breakfast you can go off and explore the jungle for the many waterfalls.
Many of the campsites have tents, huts and hammocks available to you. In low season you only need to show up to secure one.
It doesn't mean you must carry a tent with camping equipment with you, per se. You can enjoy backpacking your way around Indonesia without the extra baggage. Camping gear is usually available to rent, such as stove and gas bottle and so forth. Aside from the joys and pleasure of the waterfalls, there is the local Balinese culture. Often there are live performances.
One of the best performances is the Legong Dance, which creates a nice lively atmosphere.
This little heard of, and even less traveled, Island is another hidden gem you'll go, explore and fall in love with it. The Islands are your typical tropical paradise. What we dreamt about, we found. The pristine clear waters, white sandy beaches and natural beauty. Warm waters for the swimming and snorkeling.
We felt blessed on an emotional rollercoaster, and you will too. Because so few international tourists have heard of the Togean Islands. You only have to share the Islands with the locals. That will change, once Sulawesi becomes a household name like how Bali and Lombok have become.
Best to get there quick, before everyone else does. Hidden gems don't stay a secret for long. The main activity on the Islands is snorkeling, scuba diving and hiking, as well as swimming of course.
You accept you'll spend a lot of your time Island hopping. You chart one of the fast boats, to take you where you want to go. And don't worry about costs, as the boat hire is very cheap too. Only, be sure you have a lot of local currency, that's all. There are no ATMs on the Islands, so carry the cash before flying from Ampana Airport.
With some of the Islands, there are long bridges that bring the Islands together. One or two are quite long, spanning some distance between each Island. It's this distance which fills you with apprehension but in all honesty, they're safe to cross. For things to see and do when traveling around central Sulawesi, you could:
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If you've never dived before or are still a little wary then there are diving centers on the Islands. The centers are close to the many resorts and they're most helpful in pointing out the best places to dive. Regardless of your level of diving experience, the instructors are always helpful.
Another pastime on Sulawesi is to go exploring, and soon enough you meet local villagers. Many are happy for you to go fishing with them. When you sight one of the villages, venture inside because their cuisine is delicious. Difficult to describe the taste and flavor but the cooked fish we enjoyed.
Do note, not so many of the locals speak much English or another language. Very friendly, nonetheless.
Whilst there are two airports you could use either, it is better to have a flight into Ampana Airport.
The reasons are for greater ease and convenience. Gorontalo, to the north we never flew in or out of there. Daily fights arrive from domestic airports such as from Bali and Jakarta City. Check online for inbound flights to Ampana from which airport closest to where you. If you do decide on camping in the Togean Islands, you'll need to know which airport to use.
The inbound boat you're on may arrive too late to catch your return flight. Returning from Ampana Airport after your camping trip, that's normal. It means you staying a night until the following day. Getting from Ampana to the Islands, you'll need to use a fast boat. Several a day go back and forth, transporting you the 60km within 2 hours, 30 minutes.
One of the most difficult camping adventures you could attempt, is Indonesia's volcanoes. An entire leg of a trek is possible to complete in two days, and one night we would urge you to do so within a group. That may mean you having to book in advance with a tour operator.
That's okay, be sure the guide has local knowledge of the volcanic in question. There are numerous tour operators and different routes. See the link below to our other travel guide for details about Indonesia's volcanoes.
Read Also: Indonesia's Best Volcanic Wild Jungle Treks
You will more likely than not camp out for the night on this mountain. At 2000m above sea level, it's the best place to rest and relax after hiking. You'll want to rest anyway to enjoy amazing views of the setting sun across the horizon. Once the sun has long gone and the darkness arrives, look up and stare long and weary before calling it a night.
The perfect experience and your reward for accepting the challenging trek.
In all our trekking in Indonesia, the best experience we treasure the most has been this volcano. Yes, the others were marvelous too, but Rinjani holds something special for us. We're positive you'll find happiness too, so give it a try and never look back.
On the very edge of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, is where this active volcano lies. It's one of many active volcanoes found in Indonesia. Along with Rinjani, Batur, Agung and Ijen all being consistent in ash fall and lava flow in recent times. And east Java is gorgeous in wild rugged landscapes and nature, it's rough and ready for you.
The top destination is for backpackers, the east of Java is a popular adventure waiting for you. With over 140 active volcanoes, it's advisable you choose a reputable tour operator. We wouldn't recommend you trek and camp without guidance. Too risky.
Not only because the guides know all the best trails and safety knowledge. But because they're up to date with volcano activities and will not let you go if there's a threat to life. If you decide to go alone, without guidance then you could be none the wiser of any danger.
When it's safe, your guide will take you to within a distance of viewing eruptions. In the case of Mount Ijen, the gases which once sparked, flash in the night a bright blue, simultaneously spouting lava.
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One more sensational experience of camping on Mount Semeru is the night sky. There is nothing preventing you wallowing in all its beauty. When there is no light pollution, the heavens are memorizing. Any 2-day camping tour from Malang City is more than adequate. You get to camp out on the volcano and also the trek to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is the cherry on the cake.
We know we're not alone in thinking Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is the best waterfall in southeast Asia. From the platform you stand on to look down into the gaping hole, to looking up from the bottom. Moments like those are never repeated, nor found elsewhere on this Earth.
Indonesia Travel: The Most Dramatic Waterfalls in Indonesia
To the north Sumatra is the world's largest volcanic lake. It's the largest volcanic lake in the world, stretching over 100km in length and 30km in breadth. It's also one of Indonesia's top camping stomping grounds. You could lose yourself on Sumatra and forever be content and happy. Read our separate travel guide to Toba Lake, the link is below.
Related Reading: Lake Toba Holiday Guide to Sumatra
West Sumatra isn't the first destination most people think of when it comes to Indonesia. You should of course, consider it. At least, if being next to a body of water is what you relish you should put this Island on your bucket list. The world-renowned Island is famous for its lakes. One lake particular we visited was Lake Maninjau.
We had the most relaxing time camping by the shore, the best camping in a long time, abroad.
As it turned out, there were quite a few travelers camping on the banks of the lake as well, many were Europeans. With so much in common anyway, making friends is very easy around a campfire. What is so great about this lake is not only because of its size but the sunset on the Barisan Mountains.
You couldn't ask anything more to capture on film. It's the perfect picture postcard with rolling hills around you, and the dense forests.
In parts of the landscape where it's flat the land is farmland. This creates more beauty for you to discover low lying rice terraces. Little things like that remind you of the tell-tale signs you're in Indonesia. It leaves you feeling incredible inside and that's priceless.
What can we say?
Bogor City would be such an amazing experience for those of you in love with the beauty of nature. Only a few hours from Indonesia's capital city Jakarta. There's no excuse at all for not spending a few days there on a camping trip. We have a separate travel guide about Bandung City, actually. That guide also covers this amazing city you should read too (link below).
Read Also: Bandung Guide: Reasons why you Should Visit west Java
It isn't obvious that Indonesia is a world class destination for wild camping, but it is. All over Indonesia there are camping grounds, large and small. They're very accessible and low budget renting camping pitches, tents and equipment. Very unlikely will you have to backpack through Indonesia with full tent and camping gear in tow.
Bring your backpack aboard your flight out and have a plan in place where you'll camp when and where.
Then rent your spot which comes with a tent, clean inside and spacious. The bigger the tent you want then the more it costs, and availability may become an issue. Which is why it's always best to book your tent as soon as possible in advance. Equipment such as gas stove is rentable on a per day basis, or the duration of your stay. The gas bottle may be an extra charge, bought (but not always).
What also affects the pricing of renting a tent is where the pitch is. If there are gorgeous views looking out from the spot, then charges are higher.
You must pay more for the privilege, take note. When you are backpacking in Indonesia (or elsewhere), camping works out to be cheaper. If you're not keen on paying more for a guesthouse, don't. Camping is trendy and budget friendly, more people are loving it. Much more fun too. We said earlier, it's easy to make new friends because camping is a very sociable activity.
The thought of "roughing it", those days are over. Modern camping sites now have working toilets and showers with running hot water. Electricity as well is often available at no extra charge. So, you can explore Indonesia on a budget that favors you.
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