ADVENTURES AWAIT

IF YOU COULD ENJOY JUST ONE ADVENTUROUS EXPERIENCE IN EACH OF MANDALA’S STUNNING DESTINATIONS, HERE’S WHAT WE RECOMMEND

Bali

A globally recognized tourist favorite, Bali is also the center of a booming design and handicrafts industry. 

Adventure: Set off with a driver for the astonishing Jimbaran Cliffs, which provide a jaw-dropping view of the Indian Ocean. Along the way, visit the swathe of beautiful new cliff-side resorts, stopping for a drink at one of them. Then in the late afternoon, in time for sunset, head to Bali’s sacred Uluwatu Temple for one of Indonesia’s most breathtaking sunset views.

Balikpapan

This clean and orderly Borneo seaport is a major hub for Indonesia’s timber, mining and petroleum industries. 

Adventure: Book a river tour on the Mahakam River, one of Kalimantan’s major waterways. The mythical river takes you right into the heart of the tropical jungle, past native wildlife including orangutans in their natural habitat. Stop by a traditional Dayak village along the way to glimpse the timeless local way of life, including many traditional tribal customs.

Banjarmasin

This Venice of the East is famous for its waterways, specifically its attractive canals and floating markets.  

 

Adventure: Rise early and hail a klotok river taxi to reach the early morning floating market on the Barito river, to view a 400 year old tradition of traders and sellers hawking their wares on the river. Next, head to Cempaka village, 45 minutes away, to see traditional diamond mining and polishing techniques, carried out by hand using traditional equipment.

 

Batam

 

As well as being a center of industry, Batam has developed into a resort island known for its many fine golf courses.  

 

Adventure: Test your golf skills on any two of the three nine-hole courses (Island, Resort and Palm) at the Palm Springs Golf & Country Club, Nongsa, on the northeast coast of Batam. Enjoy the breathtaking view from the signature sixth hole, taking in the sea and offshore islands. Afterward, head to Nagoya Food Court for a great selection of Chinese and seafood dishes.

 

Bengkulu

 

Situated by a mountain range, Bengkulu offers close proximity to a host of lush nature and wildlife reserves.

Adventure: Visit the old Marlborough Fort, a British relic-turned-museum, complete with gravestones, trenches and prison cells dating back to 1713. Then head to Dendam Tak Sudah Lake, just eight kilometers outside Bengkulu. Rent a boat or take a walk to enjoy the mountain scenery and exotic flora, including the many rare orchids that bloom there.  

Jakarta

The financial hub of Indonesia, this capital city offers world-class restaurants and an ever-growing cultural scene.

Adventure: Get up early and drive to Puncak, for a refreshing stroll amid rolling vistas of tea plantations. On the way back, snack on the super-sweet Cilembu yams roasted along the road. Return in the afternoon and tour one of the many sprawling malls such as Grand Indonesia on Jalan MH Thamrin, to see how upscale Jakartans pass their days.

Jambi

A melting pot for many different ethnic groups, Jambi is also the gateway to numerous parks and islands.

Adventure: Charter a speedboat to the forested temple complex at Muara Jambi, 26 kilometers downstream from Jambi on the banks of the Batanghari River. The 12 square kilometer site tucked behind the village of Muara Jambi amid tropical forest is dotted with temples, side temples and other remains of buildings in various states of preservation or ruin.

Jogjakarta

This cultural and artistic center is home to the famous eighth-century Borobudur Buddhist temple.

Adventure: Climb Borobudur early in the morning to escape the heat and get the best view of the sun as it rises over some 1,500 intricately carved stone reliefs. For contrast, drive an hour away to Prambanan temple complex. The jagged pyramidal shape of this Hindu temple differs greatly from the horizontal bulk of Borobudur. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Kupang

A key gateway to East Indonesia, and most particularly Nusa Tenggara, Kupang bustles with energy and commerce.

Adventure: Arrange a guided trip around Timor Island, exploring the many traditional villages and rainforest pockets. Avid trekkers and birdwatchers will love this excursion. Alternately, consider an overnight scuba trip to the island of Alor, offering some of the best diving in the country, with great visibility and pristine environs teeming with fish and corals.

Medan

Medan, the third largest of Indonesia’s cities, offers one of the nation’s most varied culinary scenes.

Adventure: Drive or take a bus to Bukit Lawang to see orangutans in their habitat, a rugged area of mixed forests crossed with clear rivers and streams. See the young orangutans during the twice-daily feedings provided by staff, at 8.30am and 3pm. Back in Medan, hit the night market on Semarang Street where stalls serve up a myriad of dishes.

Padang

Home to the world’s largest matrilineal tribe, the Minangkabau, Padang is regionally famous for its delicious cuisine.

Adventure: Explore the town of Bukittinggi two hours away, including the network of underground Japanese World War II tunnels and bunkers. Don’t miss Sianok Canyon (Ngarai Sianok). Climb the two-storey observation tower overlooking the canyon for the best views – if you’re there at dusk, you’ll likely see swarms of fruit bats swooping across the sky.  

Pangkalpinang

Beside exports of tin, Bangka Island’s largest city, Pangkalpinang, offers pristine white beaches.

Adventure: Island hop to one of Bangka’s many white sand beaches, the best of which are located on the northeast coast, close to the town of Sungailiat. Pick between the more crowded Parai Tenggiri beach and the deserted Matras Beach five kilometers away, depending on your preference. Roll out a beach towel and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru is a clean and modern town, and the focus of extensive oil industry activity.

Adventure: Board a boat and travel 120 kilometers downriver from the city, a pleasant winding journey, to Siak Sri Inderapura. This site is the location of the Asserayah el Hasyimiah Palace, the former seat of the Siak sultanate, which was built in 1889. The palace has been restored and made into a museum and the site includes a dazzling silver-domed white mosque.

Pontianak

Pontianak, on the Kapuas Delta, is a sprawling Borneo city on the equator with a strong Chinese influence.

Adventure: Start the day with a strong cup of coffee and a side of srikaya toast in local style at one of the many ubiquitous coffee shops. Afterward, visit historic Kadriyah Palace and the Jami Mosque, or hire a boat and row yourself out on the Mahakam River at dusk. Watch the sunset before checking out the local food scene on Jalan Gajah Mada.

Semarang

A major herbal medicine producer and industrial center, Semarang shows off a blend of old and new architectural styles.

Adventure: Sightsee in the old part of the city, where the streets are lined with impressive and historic buildings including the circa 1753 Dutch church Gereja Blenduk. Further south, plunge into Chinatown and view the brightly painted Tay Kay Sie Temple. On the way back, drop by Johar Market (Pasar Johar) for an intriguing glimpse of local life.

Surabaya

Indonesia’s second largest city, Surabaya is a major industrial site, an important port, and a gateway to Mount Bromo.

Adventure: Take an overnight trip to see the sunrise break over Bromo, in the Tengger-Semeru National Park. Rise in the chilly predawn darkness and cross the sea of volcanic sand on foot, by vehicle or on horseback, before ascending the steep slopes before you. You’ll be well rewarded by the vista from the top, as the sun makes its appearance in a blinding flash of red.

Tarakan

A spread of low hills off the coast northeast of Tanjung Selor, Tarakan floats above extensive oil reserves.

Adventure: Set off for a fascinating historic visit, first visiting the scene of a fierce World War II battle between allied and Japanese forces, where the graves of fallen soldiers still sit alongside bunkers carved into the hills. Then stroll down toward the scenic Amal Beach, where you can dip your toes or cool off with a refreshing swim, in sight of the Makassar Strait.