The time has come! No more waiting, your bags are packed and you're on your way, just like the rest of the TruFam. Meet up with the rest of your group (future best travel mates) and the Tour Ninja before discussing the next 9 exciting, fun-filled days where we'll explore dense rainforests, spot majestic wildlife and interact with the local communities that call this enchanting place home. Are you excited yet, because we are too! Spend the rest of your evening exploring the wonders of Medan, Sumatra, before beginning your journey around Indonesia's largest island.

Activity: Welcome Dinner

We get up early and have breakfast before setting off on our first stop. We make our way into the lush wilderness of Bukit Lawang, a hidden gem in the heart of Sumatra. Once we arrive in this breathtaking paradise, we'll have some time to drop our bags and grab a bite to eat before spreading our wings and experiencing the adventure of the enigmatic bat cave - figuratively speaking, of course. The stars of the show are the winged wonders themselves - bats! Watch in amazement as these nocturnal creatures flutter and dance above you and show you their nocturnal rituals. Don't worry, they're more interested in selfies than sucking blood. The adventure draws to a close and we make our way back to our accommodation before heading out for dinner on our first evening in the city.

Bat Cave

1x breakfast

Ah, the early morning alarm clock - a symphony of sounds heralding a new day and with it a new adventure! Once we've had our morning fuel - and believe us, you'll need it today. We put on our trekking boots and set off to observe the local wildlife. Look out for orangutans, monkeys, tropical birds and more as we venture into the rainforest. If you've worked up an appetite from all the walking, your local guide will have prepared a monkey-themed lunch for you to enjoy in the heart of the jungle. (Don't worry, you're not eating monkeys, we just love puns) After we've fortified ourselves, we'll take a short walk before changing our mode of transport. Take off your boots and let's hit the river! Skip the road, take the river: tubing on a river adventure from the jungle straight to the hotel door. It's a wild time.

Orangutan Trekking & River Tubing

1x breakfast, 1x lunch

It's travelling day! After breakfast, we drive to the airport to catch a flight to Padang in the afternoon. Padang is characterised by its location on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The city is surrounded by lush green hills and is known for its picturesque landscapes. The nearby coastal areas offer beautiful beaches and great swimming opportunities, so make the most of your free time in the afternoon once we arrive. Head out and see what the largest city and capital of West Sumatra has to offer. After the last few exciting days, we're taking it a little slower tonight to soak up the atmosphere and admire the sunsets that tint the sky with a symphony of colours and cast a magical light on the cityscape. A true feeling of happiness.

Flight to Padang

1x breakfast

It's an early start again today, but for a very good reason. We are setting off on our very own TruExclusive. We drive deep into the jungle to the Mentawai village, where we spend some time with the locals of Sumatra. It's a moment that will stay with us forever. We take a speedboat to Siberut and head straight to Mentawai village, where your stay is more than just a stay - it's an authentic experience of rural life. We dive straight into village life as we have lunch with the locals before exploring the surrounding farm. Let yourself be enchanted by the warm hospitality and unique traditions that make up this unforgettable homestay experience. Our host family will welcome us with open arms in their traditional home, where we will spend the night in cabins. At a traditional farm in a Mentawai village and at the market, you will learn about a sustainable way of life and agricultural heritage. A centre for local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the creativity of Mentawai artisans and perhaps take a piece of their craftsmanship home with you. We end the evening with games and beer and fall asleep to the sound of birdsong.

Local homestay

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

Wake up, rub your eyes and get ready for a crazy jungle adventure that will awaken your senses and ignite your thirst for adventure. When the alarm clock strikes 6.30am, you'll be ready for this unforgettable journey that combines morning tranquillity with the wild spirit of the jungle. Get ready to dive deep into Mentawai culture as you spend the rest of the day in a traditional house called "Uma". Trust us, this isn't your typical visit - here you'll have the chance to make real connections, learn about foraging and hunting and meet the village shaman. We go into the heart of nature and learn about the wisdom of the indigenous tribe. From making traditional threads to learning survival techniques, your time in the jungle will be educational and life-changing.

Shaman village & learn survival skills

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

It's time to say goodbye to the jungle and head to the beach! We say goodbye to the locals of Mentawai village and welcome the slow pace of beach life. In the afternoon, we head to Padang harbour and check out Nagari Sungai Pinang, a cool traditional fishing village on the south coast of Padang. We will spend our last few days in beach huts just a stone's throw away from the crystal clear water and surrounded by nature. In the afternoon, you'll have time to chill out before heading to a bar with live music for dinner in the evening. Sit back and watch the sun go down as we savour the magic of the last nights in paradise.

Speedboat to Padang

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

It's time for an island hop. We hop on boats and head to the surrounding ocean hotspots to jump in! Grab your mask and snorkel and dive down as we swim past the vibrant corals, colourful fish and maybe even a turtle or two! On this day, we'll visit Turtle Point, Nemo Point and Snake Island to experience the natural beauty of Indonesia's most tranquil island. On the beach you can feel the sand between your toes, the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face as we spend a relaxing afternoon before travelling to a turtle project. We'll learn about the importance of turtle conservation and how Sumatra supports turtles in the ocean ecosystem. We also help bathe turtles and release them back into the ocean! An incredible day and a damn good time! In the evening we return to our beach huts and eat and drink as the sun sets. We dance on the beach, sip cocktails and sing along to the live music. It's our last night together as a TruFam, so it's only right... Right?

Island hopping & turtle aid centre

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

Es ist an der Zeit, uns von dieser unglaublichen Insel zu verabschieden, aber unser Abenteuer hört damit nicht auf, denn wir sagen Hallo zu Bali! Wir steigen in einen kurzen Flug und fliegen direkt nach Canggu, wo wir den nächsten Teil unserer Tour beginnen. Den Nachmittag verbringen wir damit, die Gegend zu erkunden, uns eine Acai Bowl zu gönnen, einen Cocktail in der berühmten Finn's Beach Bar zu trinken oder einfach am Pool zu entspannen - Canguu ist deine Auster! Am Abend machen wir uns fertig und machen uns auf den Weg zu einem Willkommensabendessen und -getränken, um den Rest der TruFam kennenzulernen, der dich auf Bali begleiten wird!

Today we dive deep into Bali's local culture and visit two of its most famous temples - Taman Ayun, the beautiful garden temple, and Tanah Lot, Bali's most famous temple in the sea. Are they as pretty as you saw them on Instagram months ago? They are EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL IN REAL LIFE! Don't forget to pack the elephant trousers you bought on your first night of travelling and a t-shirt to cover your shoulders as a sign of respect when visiting temples. After learning a little more about Bali and its wonders, we head to a trendy beach bar lounge. Grab a cocktail or a bintang (Bali's famous beer) and watch the sunset. Then return, treat yourself to a shower and grab your dancing shoes because we're going out to paint the town red (or in our famous TruBlue colour)!

Visit Tanah Lot & Taman Ayun

Breakfast

Surf's up and Shaka's up! Let's go to the beach in Kuta! You've never surfed before? NO PROBLEM! We'll quickly get you standing on the board, riding the waves and maybe not doing backflips straight away, but you'll definitely learn a thing or two! Spend the rest of the afternoon sunbathing on some of Bali's best beaches, coconut in hand, or hit the rooftop pool. We know, we're chic. Freshen up, rinse the salt water out of your hair before we head out for a delicious dinner. (Our Tru Ninjas know all the best places!) Have a drink or six and let's see where the night takes us!

Surf lessons

Breakfast

Today we are travelling to the lively jungle town of Ubud in Bali. Imagine relaxation, art and the ultimate ZEN VIBES! On the way there, we'll stop at Bali's southernmost waterfall, Tegenungan. If you don't take a photo here... I mean, have you even been to Bali? Splash around, cool off before we arrive at our super cool hotel in the afternoon, where we will spend the next 3 nights. Dive into the pool, take a shower before we head out for an evening of live music! We can't promise there won't be any wild air guitars or some awkward dancing, but hey, we're on holiday, right?

Visit to the waterfall

Breakfast

Day 5 and we are up early as a local family and friends of the TruCrew guide us through the bustling food market of Ubud. We learn all about the ingredients used in everyday Balinese cooking, as well as "canang sari", the local offerings made to the gods. Bali has some of the most delicious food in the world, so it's only right that we learn to prepare some of it. Will you be a world-famous chef after this day? You can bet on it! Wayan, a TruTravels legend and his family, will show us the art of Balinese cooking, and of course we'll indulge ourselves afterwards. After all, you cooked it yourself, so you deserve those calories! In the afternoon we spend time in the sacred monkey forest of Ubud, where it is said that hundreds of monkeys live to protect the ancient temples. They are cheeky little creatures, so watch your belongings! They've also been known to steal in the odd selfie. We know, we know, they're crazy! ;) After spending the day with monkeys, we head back and get ready for dinner and drinks with the TruFam. First drink we order? Monkey Shoulder whisky of course.

Monkey Forest, cookery course

Breakfast & Lunch

Today we head north to the picturesque rice terraces of Tegalalang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You've probably seen them on the cover of every magazine about Bali, but they're even more breathtaking in real life! We'll learn how these formations still play a very important role in the daily lives of the locals. Snap a photo, learn about the heritage and culture. A win-win situation, right? Next, we head to the Kintamani region where we have our lunch overlooking one of Bali's active volcanoes, Mt Batur. Is this one of the best days in Bali? It sure is! It's going to be a blast ;) In the afternoon, we stroll through the local market. Grab a kitschy souvenir, a pair of fake sunglasses or just that key ring you promised your mum back home. After an action-packed day, relax by the pool before we go out for dinner with the crew.

Visit the local markets, rice terraces and volcano viewpoint

Breakfast

TIME FOR TROPICAL FLAIR! You haven't seen paradise until you've been to the Gili Islands! We hop on the ferry and then take a short bus to the tiny island oasis of Gili Trawangan. Cars? Motorbikes? Not on Gili T! The island is so small that it's our own personal piece of bliss. Turquoise-coloured clear water, golden sandy beaches - you'll fall in love. Will you ever want to leave? For us, it's a definite no! Check into our accommodation, sip cocktails by the pool or take a walk around the island. The sunset is like no other, so we sit back and relax before going out for dinner together. Although it's a tiny island, Gili T has a pretty lively nightlife. So put on your best party shirt because we're really going OUT!

Boat to Gili Trawangan

Breakfast

Just when you think it couldn't get any better... There's not just 1, but 3 Gili islands! We take you on an island hopping tour to the best snorkelling spots around Gili Meno & Gili Air! ALL ABOARD, TRUFAM! The local marine life is some of the best in the world, unspoilt marine life and islands only accessible by boat ensure healthy and thriving waters. The Gili Islands have coral conservation projects, so check them out! Keep an eye out for a turtle or two swimming by nearby. Gili Islands? Yes, that's the turtle package ;) We enjoy lunch on the beach at Gili Air before heading back, freshening up and then getting ready for dinner and another exciting night in our new favourite place!

Island hopping & snorkelling

Breakfast

The best way to explore an island is, of course, by bike! Today we're going on a discovery tour! By bike, of course. Feel the wind in your hair, the cool, fresh sea air. It's perfect. Visit the famous Gili T swings, treat yourself to a smoothie on the way or explore the most secluded hidden beaches of Gili T before we stop to refresh our taste buds with a beer and watch the golden sunset. Simply perfect.

Island bike tour

Breakfast

After an incredible few days on the Gili Islands, it's time to move off the beaten track and head to Bali's sister island. We're going to Lombok! Of course we're taking the scenic route and heading to the coastal surf town of Kuta Lombok! After a morning of travelling, the afternoon is yours to do with as you please! Check into your hotel and spend a relaxing afternoon by the pool or go exploring the town. Whatever you decide, Lombok is THE place you want to be.

Important note: The second part of this trip is truly unique and adventurous. A once in a lifetime experience as we take you to some less visited and unspoilt parts of Indonesia. So be prepared for a slight change in travelling style!

Boat to Lombok

Breakfast

Don't go chasing waterfalls... Sorry, we couldn't stop singing that. Today we start the day by immersing ourselves in the local customs and culture of Lombok at Sasak Village. This is your opportunity to learn all about village life from one of our super cool and friendly local guides. Try your hand at traditional weaving which has been passed down from generation to generation, they are real masters at it. Will you weave your grandma a giant scarf for Christmas using the skills you've learnt today? Who knows! This afternoon we're off to 2 of Lombok's picturesque waterfalls, which are only accessible via a jungle trek. Let's go, Vamanos. Call yourself Dora the Explorer. Hike through lush green jungles, enjoy the most spectacular views and peaceful surroundings before cooling off and jumping into the waterfalls. Did someone say "EPIC"!

Visit to the Sasak village & waterfalls

Breakfast

Attention all beach lovers! Today is your day! Grab your sun cream, your sunglasses and that tiny bikini you've been dying to wear! We're visiting some of the most beautiful beaches in Lombok. Forget the crowds, Lombok's beaches are secluded, quiet and pristine. We make our way to two different locations along the south coast where we spend the day on white sandy beaches. Grab a beer, sit back and relax. We treat ourselves to lunch right on the beach from a local restaurant and the afternoon is ours. Have you perfected your surfing skills in Kuta? Then show them off! Ride the waves, baby! And do you know what that means? Shaka's up and smile!

Visit 2 beautiful beaches

Breakfast

We set off for our next destination, the island of Sumbawa! We are travelling by bus and ferry. Sumbawa is a far less developed and remote area of Indonesia than the ones we have visited so far. It's time to relax - after all, it's been an exciting few days. Enjoy a moment of tranquillity and relax amidst its beauty. Spend a peaceful afternoon on the beach or relax by the pool to catch the sun's rays. In the evening, get ready for dinner and drinks with the rest of your TruCrew.

Bus & Ferry to Sumbawa Besar

Breakfast

A TruExclusive awaits you today! That means you can only get this experience from us! We're heading to the uninhabited island of Moyo. We are well known here, so the locals take us into the heart of the island. They show us all the hidden treasures hidden in the jungle and take us to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Indonesia. Untouched and beautiful. Moyo's waterfalls could be the highlight of your trip. Dive in, swim or throw your hair back in the water and get a friend to film. Whatever works for you ;) Moyo is a TruTraveller favourite, so enjoy it to the fullest! We enjoy lunch on the beach before heading back to the boat for a sunset cruise!

Explore the island & waterfalls, Moyo Island

Breakfast

Today we are going on our own liveaboard boat tour, an amazing Tru Exclusive. We will be on a converted traditional wooden boat that has been remodelled for this once in a lifetime trip! Share a dormitory on the upper deck and enjoy traditional showers - it's a truly unique backpacking experience that you won't get anywhere else! The first part of our trip takes us to Satonda Island. Grab your snorkel and mask and jump into the water! Explore the bay or the salt lake crater! End the day with a delicious local meal on deck as the sun sets for our first night at sea. Fall asleep under the stars as we sail all night. With little or no light pollution around the Komodo Islands, the skies have never been so clear. It's the ultimate island hopping paradise.

Visit to Satonda Island, liveaboard boat

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

Wake up and enjoy breakfast with a view of mountainous landscapes, look down and see crystal-clear water. You are in paradise. How about a boat trip? ;) We're in Komodo National Park. Fill up properly at breakfast, because we're sailing to Manta Point, home to families of manta rays. Snorkel up close with some of the friendliest creatures in the marine world. Although they look imposing in size, manta rays are harmless and thrive in the wild here. We will also visit Pink Beach. Yes, it really is pink! Before we go on a short hike on Padar Island to visit one of Indonesia's most famous viewpoints. Tonight is our last night on the boat, so we'll have dinner on board and a few too many drinks! Sleep up on the deck, stay awake all night listening to the waves, vow to return home and become a sailor. You do what you think is right.

Visit to Satonda Island, liveaboard boat

1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you've all been waiting for! We are entering the Jurassic world of Komodo dragons. Komodo dragons are only found on 5 islands worldwide! So feel lucky, TruFam, our local guides who live on the island welcome us before we set off in search of these prehistoric creatures. We take an informative tour and learn all about our dinosaur friends and their lives here in Indonesia. Will the journey drag on? Not at all! It's a fun-filled day before we head eastwards as our time on board comes to an end. I know, we're crying too. Say goodbye to captain & crew before we check into our beautiful resort in Labuan Bajo, Flores. It's our last night together, so we go for a farewell dinner and a mojito or two.

Meeting with Komodo dragons

Breakfast, lunch

It's time to say goodbye, adios, "Sampai", goodbye! It's been a wild journey and you've made memories for life. It's hard for us to let you go, so we'll just say see you next time? Our Travel Ninja is available for all your needs. Whether it's travel matters or sadness-induced hugs, they'll do their best to help you. Until next time, TruFam, you're a great bunch!

Help & support for the continuation of your journey

Breakfast