| Although the wily jungles of Indonesia are | | | | Bunaken Island off the coast of North |
| slightly tamer than the days of the Borneo | | | | Sulawesi. Bunaken has suffered some damage to |
| headhunters, there are still many options for | | | | its coral reefs from blast fishing, but much |
| the modern day thrill seeker. Whether | | | | is still alive or recovering through the |
| trekking in the jungles and mountains of the | | | | efforts of local conservation groups. If you |
| vast archipelago, diving in some of the most | | | | prefer a liveaboard, there are many operators |
| biologically diverse waters in the world, or | | | | to the Komodo Islands, Sulawesi's Wakatobi |
| visiting with some of the few remaining | | | | and Lembeh Strait, Flores, and Alor, to name |
| tribal groups in the world, Indonesia can | | | | a few. Shop around for the best price and |
| still live up to its unfettered past. | | | | definitely check up on the company or you |
| | | | might find your accommodations less than |
| From the snow capped peaks of Papua to the | | | | desirable. Once you get in the water though, |
| smoking volcanoes of Java, Indonesia presents | | | | expect to be awed by teeming barracudas, |
| any trekker with a wide array of choices, | | | | colorful cuttlefish, and mantas. |
| regardless of skill level. The further a | | | | |
| field you plan to go, the more valuable you | | | | For the eco-tourist, the options are endless. |
| will find using a tour agency to arrange your | | | | From orangutan spotting and jungle trekking |
| trip. Tour agencies often get better deals on | | | | in Kalimantan to Komodo Dragon watching on |
| national airline tickets and can arrange for | | | | the shores of Komodo, options vary by budget |
| transportation and accommodation in areas | | | | and time frame. The orangutan population |
| where such amenities are scarce. Papua, the | | | | continues to dwindle every year and some of |
| easternmost province of Indonesia, is | | | | the money garnered from eco-tourism goes to |
| unfortunately experiencing periods of civil | | | | support foundations and local groups that |
| unrest, so be sure to get updated information | | | | work to save them. Although the number of |
| if you plan to set off there. The snow | | | | visitors is limited each year, tour companies |
| covered Carstensz Pyramid, locally known as | | | | can arrange a visit to the famous rainforest |
| Puncak Jaya, is the highest mountain in | | | | study area of Tanjing Putting National Park |
| Papua. Please note - the trek up Carstensz | | | | and Camp Leakey in Kalimantan (formerly |
| Pyramid is for the experienced climber. For | | | | Borneo). A visit to the Ministry of |
| those looking for something challenging, but | | | | Forestry's feed station might earn you the |
| without the need for carabineers, try the | | | | chance to interact with the orangutans |
| third highest peak in Papua, Trikora | | | | directly. Accommodation and transportation |
| Mountain. Indonesia requires all trekkers in | | | | are best arranged beforehand as flights can |
| Papua to obtain a climbing permit, usually | | | | vary throughout the year. Another popular |
| arranged by your tour company. Trekking can | | | | ecotourism destination is Komodo National |
| be combined with a visit to one of the few | | | | Park which includes the three large islands |
| remaining tribal groups on the island to | | | | of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar as well as |
| experience first hand the wonder of what it | | | | several smaller islands. A visit to this area |
| means to live off the land. | | | | can be combined with a dive trip as the |
| | | | waters in the reserve are home to an |
| If you like diving, the blue waters of | | | | estimated 900-1,000 marine species. The |
| Indonesia, teeming with marine life of all | | | | Komodo Dragons themselves, giant monitor |
| shapes and colors, are not to be missed. Some | | | | lizards, are relatively easy to spot, but |
| of the best diving in the world is found in | | | | you're guaranteed to find them safely with |
| Indonesia and options come in all price | | | | the help of a guide. Accommodation in the |
| ranges, from a quick dip off the coast of | | | | National Park is rustic, but the staff is |
| Bali to a two week liveaboard that will take | | | | friendly and the food is decent. Foregoing |
| you to areas otherwise inaccessible. Among | | | | the beaches of Bali may not be easy for some, |
| the most popular dive spots for those wanting | | | | but the treasures of the other Indonesian |
| easy access, as well as beach resorts, is | | | | islands are not to be missed. |