INDONESIA

Bali’s fascinating cultural and artistic center, Ubud is situated in one of the most beautiful natural settings in Indonesia. Hike through rice fields on paths radiating out of Ubud, raft the holy Ayung River or visit local mask-makers.

Aside from its refreshingly cool mountain climate, the Central Highlands beckon travelers with dramatic volcanoes and authentic rural life. Besakih, the most holy temple complex on the island, is also well worth a visit.

Established in 1980 to conserve the endemic, ancient Komodo dragon, this park (which includes Komodo, Padar and Rinca islands) also encompasses huge swathes of raw natural beauty and populations of wild horses, buffaloes, pigs and barking Timor deer.

Traditional villages dot this area. Visit Sukarara to learn about brightly patterned hand-woven songket cloth, Pujut and Rembitan for their traditional-style architecture or a Sasak settlement to see their iconic black costumes.

A must for beach-lovers, Kuta’s shoreline is among the most scenic and unspoiled in Indonesia.

Bursting with people, traffic and industry, Jakarta is emblematic of the new Asia at its most enthusiastic. Don’t miss the National Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts from Indonesia’s diverse past; Sunda Kelapa Harbor, home of the world’s largest fleet of commercial sailing ships; or the beautiful Bogor Botanical Gardens to the south of the city.

The must-see attraction of East Java, intrepid travelers are advised to rise before dawn to catch magnificent sunrises from the summit. The volcanic mountain is also a holy place to the native Hindu Tenggerese who practice an annual ritual where offerings are thrown into its crater.

Located in Tanjung Puting National Park and accessible only by river, this renowned orangutan research station reintroduces formerly captive orangutans to the wild and provides the rare opportunity to observe orangutans in their natural habitat.

The largest lake in Southeast Asia, Lake Toba is nestled in the volcanic heights of northern Sumatra. Its shores offer some of Indonesia’s most tranquil scenery and calm waters inviting you to swim, canoe, or sail.

Paradise for wildlife lovers. On land, national parks abound with distinctive indigenous wildlife and dense tropical forests while underwater colorful reefs make for incredible snorkeling.

In the heart of this remote land, Baliem Valley is home to the Dani tribe, known as the “Gentle Warriors of the Highlands.” Recognized by their distinctive penis gourds and feathered headdresses, the tribe is incongruously known for both their gentle, soft-spoken demeanor and a history of bloody tribal feuds.

Often selected as the representative image of Raja Ampat, Wayag Island’s role as the poster child of the archipelago is well deserved. Featuring stunning peaks, pristine beaches, karst structures that resemble mushrooms growing out of the sea, unique flora and fauna, Wayag Island offers abundant opportunities for exploration of beautiful underwater vistas as well as exotic above-ground caves and atolls.