By land and sea: the most incredible adventures for the brave in Indonesia

Scuba diving and snorkeling illustrate a varied and colorful underwater seascape, while above water, challenging surf spots attract intrepid athletes from around the world. On land, trekking, biking and wildlife watching combine in a landscape of rugged peaks, rainforests and flooding rivers. Indonesia it's an inexhaustible source of adventure.

"Bali is the main island of Indonesia: with its clear-water beaches, it brings together tourists from all over the world in search of sun, tradition, good waves and hectic nightlife. This heavenly destination also combines incredible scenery, unique sunsets, traditional temples (Besakih or Pura Gunung Kawi), rice paddies and ecological reserves (Monkey Forest Reserve), making it a very special place. " Infobae travel agency experts To take off

Indonesia is a favorite destination for travelers who dare to experience Southeast Asia with beaches, temples and culture. According to the information revealed by the company, the Argentineans who visit it choose to do so in pairs (51%) or alone (20%).

"Indonesia has some of the best places in the world for diving, such as the Raja Ampat region in the east of the country or Manado de Sulawesi in the north, it is also a dream destination for surfers. the best known and, therefore, the most popular are in Bali, but for the more explorers, other islands also have waves of exceptional quality, such as Desert Point, south of Lombok Island. 'one of the best waves in the world', he explained in a conversation with Infobae Inés Peluffo, TurismoCity's travel expert.

Many travelers are looking for heavenly beaches such as those of the Gilli Islands, the island of Nusa Penida just a few minutes by boat from Bali or the Flores area. With so many different islands surrounded by turquoise water and white sand, it's hard not to like them. Others are attracted to colorful Balinese culture, especially after the success of the film Eat, pray and love, which takes place in the city of Ubud, Bali.

The position of Indonesia, which stretches along the equator, makes trekking conditions often difficult. This immense country offers everything: the Tana Toraja hills in Sulawesi offer ideal conditions for hiking in picturesque landscapes. Bukittinggi (meaning "high hill") in the Sumatran highlands is one of the most underrated trekking bases in the world.

The mountains of flowers (lined with more than 17 spectacular volcanoes) and the magnificent Danau Toba in North Sumatra are magnificent hiking regions that lead travelers through traditional villages, offering new cultural experiences. Even in Bali, it is possible to think outside the box. The virtually unknown valleys around Sidemen Road are gaining reputation among hikers interested in avoiding the crowds around Ubud.

The Coral triangle, which mainly covers Indonesian waters, contains about 75% of the world's total coral species, which means there is more than enough to explore under the water. Nusa Lembongan's moon covers and moon fish draw hundreds of snorkelers daily to Bali, and the Gili Islands are also a paradise for divers.

Diving through the walls and reefs around the small island of Menjangan, at the northwestern tip of Bali, can even surpbad the famous Maldives. There you can see dolphins, pilot whales and even whale sharks. While technical divers can test their skills in a wide range of conditions across the country, amateur divers can enjoy spectacular spots like "Manta Alley" in Komodo, where giant blankets swim like spaceships.

Lately, the majestic islands Raja Ampat they have usurped the Komodo diving crown, an area of ​​spectacular beauty and a world-clbad diving experience among whale sharks and about 1,427 species of fish. Sulawesi is another highlight of Pulau Bunaken, and the Wakatobi Archipelago offers virtually unexplored reefs among its 143 islands.

For an island known for its waves, Bali also has calm waters for paddling. The entire north coast is an expanse of turquoise reefs (visited by dolphins, turtles and even whales) and coves lined with mangroves. It is possible to rent kayaks on the beaches of Lovina and Pemuteran and in many tourist centers.

In Menjangan, in western Bali, tourists can navigate through an entrance inhabited by wild deer and on the coral reefs tropical fish. For something less calm, the Ayung River, near Ubud, it is the country's most popular degree II-III whitewater rafting refuge, but the Telaga Waja River, east of the island, is just as beautiful and less populated.

The Citarak River, west of Java, is stocked with IV water quality whitewater, as well as the river Sa & # 39; Dan Tana Toraja, where three-day rafting expeditions are organized. In Bukit Lawang, nocturnal jungle walks between wild orangutans are badociated with a tube descent on the Bohorok River.

Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other country in the world, with an estimate 127 Although eruptions and activities can keep travelers away at any time, many Indonesian volcanoes are excellent trekking scenarios. The morning hike on Bali's Batur Volcano attracts hundreds of hikers every day and the spectacular Kawah Ijen of East Java (with its mysterious "flaming river") is almost as popular.

Tomohon in the north of Sulawesi, the highlands around Bandung, West Java and the craters and peaks of Halmahera in Maluku are some of the truly amazing volcanic landscapes that make it the scene of world-clbad trekking. Gunung Batukaru is the second highest peak in Bali (and the westernmost volcano), however, it is rarely visited by hikers and has hardly been visited. It offers incredible views of much of the island and even the smoky summit of Gunung Agung.

G-Land in Java, Uluwatu in Bali, the left of Occy's Sumba, "The Point" in Lagundri Bay, Nias, Indonesia, is the Disney of surfers. The peninsula of Bukit, south of Bali, with Seminyak and Canggu, They are the epicenter of the most recent surf blast in the region. However, anyone who practices a sport and complains of waves full of people must keep in mind that in a country with more than 50,000 km of coastline, there will always be a wave without surfing if you search for it.

The islands Mentawai from Sumatra they have attracted pbadionate surfers, but the other access points that make the reputation of the "new Bali" are the islands of Sumbawa in western Nusa Tenggara and Krui in South Sumatra. The north coast of West Papua, virtually deserted, collects the same North Pacific wave as that affecting Fiji and Hawaii. However, every traveler who visits the country has his own "secret place" is not willing to share.

Wildlife observation

If your goal is to discover wildlife during your adventures, Indonesia may be the right place. It's the only country that houses two species of orangutans: the orangutans of Borneo in Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan, while Bukit Lawang provides an excellent opportunity to observe Sumatran monkeys very rare.

For the observation of Komodo Dragons, The island of Komodo has become synonymous with the best safaris in Southeast Asia. And although Bali's National Park is rarely visited, it is home to several types and species of monkeys, deer, wild pigs, giant veranus, fruit bats and birds, It's also a great introduction to wildlife for the little ones.

"A visit to Elephant Safari Park from Taro is one of the mandatory stops in Bali. This park extends into a unique enclave of 3.5 hectares of tropical vegetation and is home to nearly thirty Sumatran elephants. It offers an unforgettable experience as travelers will have the opportunity to interact, feed, walk, learn and play with elephants. All international standards are respected for the care of these endangered animals, "Despegar said.

Crossing the famous Wallace line to the east of Bali, you enter an area where Australasian species replace Asians, until reaching West Papua with your birds of paradise, marsupials and strange arboreal kangaroos. The Huge Kerinci Seblat is one of the most underrated national parks in Indonesia and offers the opportunity to see elephants, a hazy panther and the last viable population of Sumatran tigers in the world.

According to the resistance and dedication, the walls that fly over the volcanoes of Bali could represent a challenge of proportions of the Tour de France or a charming descent without adrenaline. And even if the traffic can be intense, the tour operators offer excursions on the heights and along the ridges and the rice fields.

Islands without cars like the islands Gili and Nusa Lembongan These are great places for families to walk from one group to the next. If what you are looking for is something a little harder, the road 666 km Trans-Flores This is definitely a memorable tour, but for a more "mid-range" course, the flatter, less crowded road on the north coast of Bali may be the best option.

While excessive tourism has been, at least in part, at the root of many social and environmental problems in Indonesia, sustainable tourism also offers some of the most viable solutions. Often, some initiatives and organizations intervene to respond to ecological and local needs in areas that need significant support. These organizations, both global and local, are working to prevent further ecological damage and raise awareness among indigenous tribes to help them thrive.

The growing fleet of starboard boats of Indonesia and, in particular, the traditional pinisi (Bugis indigenous boats) are the pioneers of the country's future tourism and offer ecological accommodation in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to visitors. In less known and culturally fascinating archipelagos like Alor and Maluku, such boats may be the only available accommodation and, through the hiring of local produce, local guides and badistance to local communities, often provide a vital tourism income to preserve Aboriginal cultures.