Attractions of Indonesia

The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra comprises three national parks spread throughout the island - Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, totalling 25,000 km². The highest volcano in Indonesia and highest peak in Sumatra, Gunung Kerinci at 3,805 metres, is located in Kerinci Seblat National Park. The parks are key to the conservation of the biodiversity of Sumatra and its endangered species, particularly the Sumatran orangutan. They are home to some 10,000 plant species, 580 bird species and 465 mammalian species, of which 22 are Asian and 15 endemic to Indonesia.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra

Yogyakarta is the cultural capital of Java with a myriad of cultural influences including 8th century Buddhist and Hindu temples, 18th century Islamic palaces and colonial Dutch architecture. Its main attraction is the Sultan's Palace complex, a huge walled city containing the 18th century Kraton Palace as well as markets and mosques. There are many museums to learn about Javanese history including the Sonobudoyo Museum, which contains an excellent collection of Javanese masks, batiks and puppets. The markets in Malioboro Street offer opportunities to purchase batik, silver and leatherware. Cultural shows in Yogyakarta include gamelan concerts with traditional dancing, Wayang or shadow-puppet shows and Ramayana Ballet, an adaptation of the Hindu epic.

Borobudur, located in central Java 40 kilometres from Yogyakarta, is one of the most impressive Buddhist monuments in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The complex is built on several levels around a hill - a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, three concentric circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with reliefs sculpted in stone which depict the life of the Buddha and the soul's progress towards redemption. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The complex covers 200 square metres, reaching a height of 35 metres. It was built between AD 750 and 842 by the Saliendra dynasty but was neglected in the 11th century and buried in volcanic ash from Mount Merapi. Rediscovered in the 19th century, it has undergone extensive renovation, most recently by UNESCO.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Borobudur Temple Compounds

Built just half a century after the nearby Borobudur Temple in the 9th century, Prambanan Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple complex. There are 224 temple in all but the three central temples, dedicated to Shiva (at 47 metres the tallest), Brahma and Vishnu, are the most impressive. Each is decorated with reliefs depicting the Ramayana. The complex was abandoned due to volcanic activity and left to decay but renovation began in the 20th century.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Prambanan Temple Compounds

Within the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, the active volcano of Mount Bromo is one of four craters set within an enormous outer crater. The surrounding landscape is one of rugged lava formations and a sea of sand. Climbing to the summit of Mount Bromo at sunrise or sunset offers a spectacular vista. Other viewpoints such as the summit of Mount Pananjakan provides similarly impressive views, with the peaks of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and the majestic Mount Semeru (Java's highest mountain) in the distance.

The village of Kalibaru, located in the east of Java in the foothills of Gunung Ruang, is a good base to explore the surrounding area which includes the Ijen Plateau to the north and Meru Betiri National Park to the south. The landscape here has numerous plantations of coffee, cocoa, rubber and spices with much evidence of the influence of Dutch settlers.

The Ujung Kulon National Park is located on the western tip of Java and comprises the Ujung Kulon peninsula, several offshore islands and the nature reserve of Krakatoa. It contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in Java and is home to several endangered species including the Javan rhinoceros.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ujung Kulon National Park

The discoveries at Sangiran have proved to be very important in the study of human evolution. Half of the world's known hominid fossils of Homo erectus have been found here, together with animal and floral fossils, Palaeolithic tools and Neolithic axes.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sangiran Early Man Site

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali. Located on the lush slopes of the central mountains, it is home to numerous temples, museums, art galleries and craft centres. Balinese art flourished under the patronage of the Dutch colonisers and is renowned for its high quality and its reflection of Balinese culture and traditions. The surrounding countryside has a number of attractions including the Goa Gajah (or Elephant Cave) which houses a bathing pool and carvings of Shiva and Ganesh, the temple complex at Pejeng, Sumatran elephant rides at the Pujung Kelod Elephant Park or the handicraft villages near the city.

Lovina is one of Bali's most charming and laid back beaches. With miles of black volcanic sand beaches and warm, calm, crystal clear waters, it's the perfect spot for kicking back and relaxing. The area is also great for diving and snorkelling with spectacular coral reefs around Menjangan and Tulamben. Lovina is also notable for its early morning dolphin cruises, allowing you to catch the sunrise over Bali's volcanic peaks and see the playful and energetic schools of dolphins that surround the boat.

The area around Mount Batur is very scenic, with lush green countryside and the waters of Lake Batur. The town of Kintamani near Lake Batur is at 1,500 metres and is a good base for climbing to the summit. An early morning ascent provides a stunning sunrise over the valleys of Bali and on a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Rinjani on Lombok.

The Subak is a cooperative water management system of canals and weirs in Bali that reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. The site comprises five rice terraces and their water temples including 18th-century Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun, the largest and most impressive architectural edifice of its type on the island. This democratic and egalitarian farming practice has enabled the Balinese to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy

An ascent to the rim of the Mount Rinjani volcano on the island of Lombok is a challenging but spectacular trek. From a base at Senaru, the trek takes you through mountain forest and then up the barren slopes of the volcanic cone. The rim at 2,600 metres offers spectacular views into the crater as well as of Rinjani's peak and the Segara Anak crater lake.

The three Gili islands off the west coast of Lombok, Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, are great spots for relaxation and enjoying the pristine white sandy beaches and clear waters. There are excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling in the waters around the islands with beautiful coral reefs and numerous iridescent tropical fish. The lack of cars and motorbikes ensures a peaceful stay.

Komodo National Park comprises several islands in southern Indonesia, of which Komodo is the largest, though only 37km long by 21km wide. It is famous for being the only habitat in the world of the Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard. They have been extinct elsewhere since the Jurassic period but the lack of competitor or prey species on Komodo has meant they have survived here, with approximately 6,000 currently on the island. They are an aggressive species, up to three metres long and 150kg in weight, and prey on introduced species such as wild boar, goat and deer. A visit to see these impressive creatures is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Komodo National Park

Lorentz National Park, on the island of Guinea, is the largest protected area in southeast Asia, covering 25,000 km². The park comprises a wide diversity of landscapes from snow-capped mountains to tropical marine environments. Its complex geology is caused by its location between two colliding continental plates. The park is noted for its high level of biodiversity and endemism.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Lorentz National Park