Backpacking Bali: Adventure

Possibly, depending on your vaccination history and your plans. See your GP or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel, tell them your full route, including any time on the more remote islands, and check the Indonesia page on TravelHealthPro. They can advise you on vaccines, malaria and avoiding mosquito bites.

There is one entry requirement to be aware of: you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Yes. Covering up is a sign of respect, and at Bali's Hindu temples it is required. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and tie a sarong around your waist with a sash (selendang). Most temples lend or rent them at the entrance, but carrying your own is easier. Swimwear, vest tops and short shorts are not appropriate.

By Balinese custom, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temples, and signs at the entrance explain this. On Lombok and Sumatra most people are Muslim: if you visit a mosque, cover your arms and legs, women should cover their hair, and everyone takes off their shoes.

We have spent years travelling Indonesia to find the best experiences at the lowest price we can offer. We also sell our trips directly to you through our website rather than through a travel agency, which cuts out a major cost that other tour companies pass on to you.

Yes, please! All accommodation offers the chance to do your washing at very reasonable prices - or at least somewhere just near the hotel will be able to provide this. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go for the bucket wash - the price is right.

Of course! We encourage everyone to talk over our social networks. You can find a list of them at the bottom of this page. If you’ve joined a tour, we will send you an invite to a dedicated Facebook group made for your tour about two months before it starts. Your tour guide and a tour manager will also be in the group to answer any questions you may have.

Your accommodation, transport, the activities on your itinerary and the meals listed on it are already paid for, so your spending money goes on the other meals, drinks, snacks, shopping and any optional activities. As a rough guide, most travellers spend around £20–30 a day in Indonesia. A meal at a local warung costs very little, while cafés and restaurants in the busiest parts of Bali and the Gili islands cost much more.

Budget more if you like nights out, shopping or adding extra trips, and check your tour page for exactly which meals are included.