Indonesia’s profile
Indonesia is an archipelago comprising thousands of islands and with an estimated total population of over 255 million people, Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most-populous country and the most-populous Muslim-majority country. The nation’s capital city is Jakarta and despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. Lying along the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate, with two distinct monsoonal wet and dry seasons.
Hike up and watch sunrise from the peak of the mountain
When it comes to experiencing beautiful sunrise from the peak of the mountains, Mount Bromo in Java and Mount Rinjani comes to mind. The hike up to view sunrise over Mount Bromo is famous mainly for its spectacular views from the tip of the volcano. For those who are in Bali, you can consider hiking up the infamous Mount Agung to view sunrise from the peak.
History and culture
Rich with history from the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism in the central and east Indonesia from Yogyakarta to Bali, one can find many famous temples that were well preserved remains of the kingdoms of two very different religion. Indonesia has a rich cultural history as there were Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms during the 7th century and they were also colonised by the Dutch in the 16th century with interruptions from Portuguese, French and British rule.
Beach and Island getaways
If you’re staying in Jakarta, you can catch a boat to Pulau Seribu and snorkel or dive in the coral reefs of the 1,000 islands in that area. If one is looking for crystal clear beaches, then you can head towards Gili Islands or Togian Islands and if you’re looking for nice and luxurious resorts along the beach, Bali will the top choice for many travellers.
Surfing
Indonesia truly has some of the world’s best waves and most of them can be surfed all year round. Surfers from all over the world frequent Indonesia to experience the rolling tubes together with the spectacular beaches that the islands have to offer. When it comes to surfing places like Bali, Lombok, Gili, Sumba Island, Sunbawa Island, Mentawai, Hinako and Nias Island.
Diving
Indonesia is no stranger to serious divers from around the world. With fantastic diving spots such as Togian Islands, Weh Island and Raja Ampat, divers can experience the marine life around Indonesia that boast more than 3000 species. Whether you’re a beginner or and experienced diver, I guarantee that the tropical waters of Indonesia will not disappoint you!
Indonesia is a vast and sprawling archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands in South East Asia. The country is rated as a high-risk destination and there are a number of security threats present in the country.
Travel advisory
The threat of terrorism is high. The nature of terrorism in Indonesia has undergone several changes in recent years. Currently, the threat stems from Islamist extremists, such as the regional terrorist organisation,Jemaah Islamiah (JI), as well as from self-radicalised small-scale groups and ‘lone wolf’ individuals. JI, which reportedly has links to al-Qaeda, has carried out numerous attacks in Indonesia. These have taken place in the capital, Jakarta, and on the resort island of Baliover the past few years. Independence demands and ethnic and religious tensions are additional concerns in a number of provinces, including Aceh, Maluku, North Maluku, Sulawesi, Papua and West Timor. These demands continue to cause insecurity in these regions. Crime levels have been increasing in recent times; petty crimes are prevalent, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Many foreign nationals are targeted due to their perceived wealth. Violent crimes are rare, but caution should nonetheless be exercised. Protests and demonstrations are common in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta. Although most of these pass peacefully, there have been occasional reports of violence.
Indonesia is prone to a number of natural hazards due to its location along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’. Volcanic activity on the various islands is common. Earthquakes also regularly occur throughout the country. There is an additional risk of undersea earthquakes, which can trigger tsunamis. Flooding and landslides on islands across the archipelago are a regular occurrence. Lastly, clients should also be aware of the poor safety record of most public transport facilities, particularly inter-island ferries and domestic flights.
