Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

556 Views
14 Days From

$5100

Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

14 Days Starting in Medan and ending in Ubud

Visiting: Indonesia

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WOZ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $5100

NB: Prices correct on 07-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

‘Here be dragons’ goes the old cartographers’ adage, and in Indonesia there are, with forked tongues, venomous saliva and scaly bodies. Tracking Komodo dragons in the national park of the same name is just one of the experiences this vast country offers on this two-week trip through Sumatra, Bali and Komodo. We explore the jungles around Bukit Lawang looking for orangutans and various monkeys, take to the seas as we snorkel with a myriad of colourful fish and possibly swim with manta rays and uncover the culture and natural beauty of central Bali.

Highlights

  • Journey through Indonesia’s diverse animal habitats, searching for unforgettable wildlife moments

  • Join expert local guides to track wild orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park

  • Seek prehistoric-looking dragons on the islands of Komodo and the lesser-visited Rinca

  • Snorkel at Manta Point, a hotspot for giant manta rays and turtles

  • Visit Bali to discover the artistic hub of Ubud

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Medan, Sumatra; Drive To Bukit Lawang

Meals Included: Breakfast

Meet the tour leader at the airport at 9am (subject to change – see Final Joining Instructions) and then the rest of the group (it is normally possible to meet the tour leader at our pre-tour hotel at 7.30am and go with them to the airport to meet the rest of the group – though this needs to be arranged beforehand). From the airport, we drive to Bukit Lawang (approximately four to five hours) on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, stopping for lunch on the way.



The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and explore the village. Bukit Lawang is one of the most accessible places to spot orangutans, thanks to an orangutan conservation programme that has been operating on the eastern edge of the park since the 1970s. The Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the final orangutan strongholds, with more than 5,000 thought to be living in the wild. Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran tigers all live in the park, though very rarely seen. The village is attractive, built along one side of the river; relaxing at the riverside, it is not uncommon to see wild orangutans come to the water to drink.



Accommodation: Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang (or similar)

Day 2 : Walk In Gunung Leuser National Park In Search Of Orangutans

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we head into Gunung Leuser National Park, which is one of the two remaining habitats for Sumatran orangutans. This is one of the largest national parks in the world and we spend time with our guide and have an opportunity to explore the trails, searching for orangutans and other wildlife. The hike itself is a leisurely couple of hours and there is a good chance of seeing Thomas’s leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques plus, hopefully, one of the orangutans who inhabit the forest. Our hike ends at the one-time feeding station, where we have an improved chance of spotting orangutans.



Accommodation: Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang (or similar)

Day 3 : Full Day With Local Guides In Gunung Leuser National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we return to the old orangutan rehabilitation centre. Those who want will then venture further from the park headquarters, discovering the flora and fauna of the park, and continuing our search for orangutans and other wildlife. The park hosts approximately 700 different animal species: more than 175 mammals, including Thomas’s leaf monkeys, macaques and gibbons; 320 birds; 190 reptiles; and amphibians. Other mammals include Sumatran elephants and the elusive Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros, although the last is unfortunately facing imminent extinction. We are unlikely to encounter these shy animals. This excursion lasts approximately six hours, including time spent at the feeding station, and can be taxing given the steep, muddy terrain and hot and humid climate. Reasonable fitness is required and, therefore, completely optional. For anyone who chooses not to undertake the jungle hike, the rest of the day is at leisure to relax at the lodge.



Accommodation: Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang (or similar)

Day 4 : Morning Village Walk And Cooking Demonstration; Afternoon Return To Medan

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we explore the cultural side of Bukit Lawang. Following a walk through the village, we head to a local house where we watch an Indonesian cooking demonstration by one of the villagers. This is followed by a homemade local lunch. In the afternoon, we return to Medan (approximately four hours) where we spend the night before our early morning flight tomorrow.



Accommodation: Aryaduta Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 : Fly To Denpasar, Bali; Transfer To Sanur

Meals Included: Breakfast

We fly to Bali via Jakarta. We aim to catch an early morning flight with good connections to minimise travel time but this may not always be possible and we may have to take a later flight. If all goes as planned, we arrive in Bali in the early afternoon and transfer to our hotel in Sanur near the beach. The rest of the day is free to relax and plan any optional activities for tomorrow.



Accommodation: Swastika Bungalows (or similar)

Day 6 : Free Day To Relax On The Beach Or Optional Activities In Sanur

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free to enjoy Sanur. There are numerous options both on land and water whether you’re feeling active, want to take in culture or just relax on a nearby beach. Some of these options include a full-day temple tour, downhill biking tour, rafting or a Bali village tour.



Accommodation: Swastika Bungalows (or similar)

Day 7 : After A Relaxed Morning, Fly To Labuan Bajo, Flores

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we fly to Labuan Bajo at the western tip of Flores island. This town is the main entry point into Komodo National Park and, as such, has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination. We aim to catch the afternoon flight, which means we leave for the airport around 12.30pm and arrive at our hotel in Labuan Bajo later this afternoon.



Accommodation: Puri Sari Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 : Board The Boat; Look For Komodo Dragons On Rinca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Komodo National Park, established in 1980, is comprised of islands and the surrounding sea and includes mangrove forests, seagrass beds and colourful coral reefs. The three main large islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar although many smaller islands come within the park boundaries.



Boarding the boat early, we set sail for the next three days. Our first destination is Rinca, which we visit after lunch. Rinca is one of the islands that houses Komodo dragons but is also home to wild pigs, buffalos and birds. Going ashore, we go on a trek accompanied by a local island ranger to look for Komodo dragons in their natural environment.



Afterwards, we return to the boat and set sail for Padar, where we go snorkelling in the pristine waters. In the late afternoon, we can walk to a hilltop to watch sunset above the national park.



Accommodation on the boat is fairly basic and is a mix of bunks and mattresses on deck.



Accommodation: Boat

Day 9 : Track Komodo Dragons And Snorkelling Excursion To See Manta Rays

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we head to Komodo island. Upon arrival, we trek to Banunggulung, the riverbed where the dragons used to be fed fresh goats (until the mid-2000s). The hike takes us through spectacular scenery and there are many unusual plants along the way. There are about 2,000 Komodo dragons on the island plus wild boar, deer and buffalos. There is also good birdwatching with cockatoos and Gosong birds among others.



Following this, we visit Pink Beach where we have time to snorkel with good chances of seeing parrotfish, clownfish and, with a bit of luck, various other sea creatures including sea turtles. There is ample time to swim and snorkel and enjoy the beach before we head towards Manta Point, so-named as giant manta rays, some with a wingspan of 13ft (4m), are regularly seen here. Our final leg today takes us to Gili Laba Island, where we drop anchor for the night.



Accommodation: Boat

Day 10 : Final Day In Komodo National Park Before Returning To Labuan Bajo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Those who wish can rise before dawn to visit a viewpoint on Laba Island to watch the sunrise.



Later on, we can snorkel more around Laba Island before setting sail again. Time permitting, we make one final snorkelling stop at Kanawa Island on the way back to Labuan Bajo. Returning to Labuan Bajo, we transfer back to our hotel for the night.



Accommodation: Puri Sari Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 : Fly To Bali; Transfer To Ubud; Bali's Cultural Heartland

Meals Included: Breakfast

We fly back to Denpasar (flight times can vary) and drive (approximately two hours) to our final destination, Ubud, surrounded by rice fields and temples.



Ubud gets its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine); the town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, but these days is known for its artistic community, awash with art workshops and galleries. The history of Ubud can be traced to the eighth century, when a Buddhist priest came to Bali from Java. He meditated at the confluence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan, just west of the modern town centre. A shrine was established and later expanded by Nirartha, a Javanese priest who is regarded as the founder of Bali’s religious practices and rituals as we know them today. When Ubud became a Dutch protectorate at its own request, the colonialists interfered little, allowing the traditional arts and culture of the area to remain relatively unchanged. From the 1930s onwards, Western artists and intellectuals arrived and furthered the local art scene, among them Charlie Chaplin and HG Wells. Ubud is still a haven for literati, glitterati and art collectors.



Accommodation: The Artini Dijiwa Ubud (or similar)

Day 12 : Hike To Batur Volcano; Visit Gunung Kawi Temple, Tirta Empul Temple And Tegalalang

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our first stop on our tour of central Bali is the Kintamani area, where we go on a 3mi (4.5km) hike from the rim of the Batur caldera, descending through black lava fields. We can learn more about the volcano and enjoy views over the crater and surrounding area.



Our tour continues to the Tampaksiring area where we visit Gunung Kawi Temple. Set amid rice terraces, this 11th-century temple features 10 rock-hewn candi (shrines) carved into the cliff itself. They stand at 23ft (7m) and combine both Hindu and Buddhist attributes. The descent to the candi involves numerous stairs (which we also have to climb back up!). After this, we can visit Tirta Empul Temple, known among Balinese Hindus for its holy waters, which are believed to wash away bad spirits. The final stop of the day is Tegalalang for sweeping views over paddy fields.



Accommodation: The Artini Dijiwa Ubud (or similar)

Day 13 : Free Day In Ubud; Optional Trekking Or Rafting

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is free to wander through the vibrant streets of Ubud enjoying the cafes, shops, temples and theatres or go on another optional trip exploring other parts of the island. Your tour leader can advise you on how best to spend your time.



Accommodation: The Artini Dijiwa Ubud (or similar)

Day 14 : End Ubud

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends after breakfast. If you’d like more time to explore this beautiful part of the world, speak to your sales representative. Alternatively, join our post-tour extension to the Gili Islands, where white sands and a slice of paradise await.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners

  • All accommodation (see below)

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leaders throughout

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Single accommodation

Food

All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included.



Food is cheap in Indonesia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is available in Ubud and Sanur though it is well worth trying the local cuisine. In more touristy areas, especially Ubud, there are many food options and some fantastic restaurants and coffee shops catering for all tastes and requirements.



Indonesian cuisine is generally fairly simple, with rice as the main staple, though noodles are also common, accompanied by dishes created with various spices including cloves and chilies plus coconut and lemongrass. Fish is popular but meats are also common.



Peanuts are a popular ingredient especially in dishes such as sate or gado gado and you should inform your tour leader if you have a peanut allergy. Nasi (rice) and mie (noodles) are very popular, especially the staple dish nasi goreng (fried rice). Quite often tea or water (aqua) is drunk with a meal. Beer is not always cold and coffee is unfiltered and usually very sugary.



Vegetarian food is available in Indonesia; however, the concept of vegetarianism can be misunderstood so if you are a vegetarian, please be clear and state that you don’t eat meat, chicken or fish. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Accommodation

We spend 11 nights in hotels and two nights on the boat in Komodo National Park.



The nights on the boat are idyllic as we anchor in quiet bays but please be advised the accommodation is basic. Accommodation is a mixture of bunks in cabins and mattresses on deck with shared bathrooms. The reason we spend two nights on the boat is to maximise wildlife viewing around the islands.



Worth knowing



The hotel in Bukit Lawang only has cold water, but as outside temperatures are hot this is refreshing.

Single supplements are available (on request) for 11 nights only. The single supplement does not apply for the two nights spent on the boat in Komodo National Park. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

WOZ - Sept.

Excellent trip, great group and great group leader. Guides also excellent. People very friendly and helpful. Went smoothly and fulfilled expectations.

Perfect trip

Loads of wildlife, orangutans, komodo dragons, snorkeling with huge manta plus monkeys, turtles, water buffalo, wild boar, deer.. The list goes on. Hindu temples and shrines, great scenery, food, an excellent guide, good local guides and transport, comfortable hotels and a group that gelled. A fantastic mixture of wildlife and culture.

Primates & Dargons of Indonesia

An excellent trip seeing the highlights of Indonesia - both animals and scenery - plus the tourist areas of Bali.

Excellent trip - full of variety

I loved the variety in this trip, it's three different holidays in two weeks ! From jungle hiking in Sumatra to seas and sunsets in Flores and finally Bali for temples, the beach and chilling. Despite the distances covered and three flights, it doesn't feel like you are always on the move as when you get to a location you stay for several days. All the accommodation was good and well located and the Indonesian people are lovely and welcoming. Food on the boat is exceptional and sleeping on deck is an experience. An excellent guide and fantastic travel companions made this a highly memorable trip

A wonderful guide and very well organised trip

The trip was very well organised and the local guides were incredible. Although the trip is only 2 weeks long we were able to pack a huge amount and sample the diversity of Indonesia, with some level of flexibility. From the Orangutans in the North to the Komodo dragons and Manta rays in the south. This trip has it all and so much more. It was amazing to respectively see these creatures in the wild. Elly, our guide, is filled with so much joy and enthusiasm. It was lovely that although she has done this trip many times, she is filled with just as much awe as us tourists at Indonesia's natural world. We could have perhaps done with a little less time in Bali but other than that I have no complaints! I hope one day I will be back and be able to visit the local people I can now proudly call friends.

Amazing wildlife

A fantastic holiday, you see and do a lot including the two main highlights of the trip (Orangutans & Komodo Dragons) in a beautiful country. The trip is very well organised so it's not too hectic or tiring but full of great experiences.

Inspirational Indonesia

I have been on several wildlife trips with Exodus and I think this is probably , all things considered the best one that I have been on when taking into account the wonderful support of the guide Elly and the great crew on the boat . The variety of activities on offer, the locations, the food and the hotel accommodation all had a part to play in contributing to that recommendation.

Superb wildlife and varied itinerary

This is a highly varied trip which includes a number of iconic species (Orangutans, Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, Komodo Dragons) and great scenery alongside local culture and beaches. I was initially worried about the amount of internal travelling, but it was broken up quite nicely and didn't make things tiring at all. The leaders make a point of saying animal sightings aren't guaranteed, but we saw lots.

Exceptionally good adventure holiday

I've been lucky enough to travel on many small group adventure holidays over the years, and this is one of the absolute best. It features a well designed itinerary that balances activity and rest, an exceptional tour leader, and wonderful settings for wildlife viewing, scenery and culture. Although some of the walks are on the challenging side (at least if you're unfit like I am), the days of travelling provide a good opportunity to rest up and to reflect on what you've seen. I finished the trip feeling both that I'd seen and done a lot, and that I was rested and had been able to relax - not something I find with many holidays where it's either one or the other! The variety is exceptional, feeling like several holidays in one and yet all integrated well into an overall package. The standard of the accommodation and food was also really good. I'd very highly recommend the trip to anyone who enjoys this type of holiday.

Primates and Dragons of Indonesia

Fantastic way to see both orang-utans and komodo dragons in the wild. It is difficult to find a trip that takes you to Komodo, so this one is great that you get to both Komodo and Rinca. Also got to see many other animals, including turtles and a shark whilst snorkelling, snakes and lizards and other primates. Trip notes list the trip as moderate activity but first few days are a lot more active than that.

Read all 22 reviews

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025
$5400

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
$5100

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 22, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
$5100

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$5175

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
$5100

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025
$5400

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$5100

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 07, 2026 - Jun 20, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 14, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 21, 2026 - Jul 04, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 30, 2026 - Sep 12, 2026
$5700

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 13, 2026 - Sep 26, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 20, 2026 - Oct 03, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 10, 2026
$5475

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 11, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
$5475
Prices last published on 06-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Enquire for huge savings

Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.

By submitting this form, I accept Travel Club Elites terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Similar Tours