Introduction

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words : “Indos” meaning Indian and “Nesos” meaning islands. This is an excellent description of archipelago. As the Republic of Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands and islets is the biggest Archipelago in the world stands between Asia and Australia, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. With land surface of approximately 5 million sq km and about 200 million population. Indonesia is the 3 rd largest country in Asia after China and India. The archipelago has more than 400 volcanoes, many of them are still active, her nice beaches, rain-forests, mountains, plateaus and highlands offer magnificent views to the visitors.

Indonesia is a tropical country, which has only 2 seasons ie. dry season between May to October and rainy season from November to April, so the climate is almost warm all year round.

Indonesia consists of various ethnic groups of people, the biggest ones are Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Malays, Bataks, Dayaks, Balinese, Bugis etc. These people have their own dialects, yet Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the National and official language. They also preserve their own traditional cultures and arts as one of the nation’ sproud – unity in diversity.

Traditionally, the most popular tourist destination is Bali. But there has been a rapid rise in interest traveling in other parts of Indonesia. There are 24 “TOP PRIORITY” areas to provide visitors with an experience of the quintessential soul of Indonesia such as : Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau, Bengkulu, Lampung, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Maluku and Irian Jaya (Papua).

Jakarta           : The capital city of Indonesia with about 8 million inhabitants is   the center for government and politics, arts & culture, trade & commerce. The greater Jakarta covers an area of approximately 550 km2 is offering visitors with various facilities and tourists objects : The National Museum and 20 over other museums, “The Beautiful Indonesia” Theme Park, Pulau Seribu Island Resorts, World Class Shopping Centres, International Hotels and Restaurants, Venues for M.I.C.E activities. Your visit to Jakarta can be combined with tour to Puncak mountain Resorts and Bandung in West Java Province or to Anyer Beach Resorts in Banten Province.  

Yogyakarta    : The old capital city of Indonesia is known as the cradle of Javanese culture, it’s the only still existing Sultanate in Indonesia where you can find the Kraton (Palace) of Sultan Hamengku Buwono and its Taman Sari Water Castle. Yogyakarta is also often called “the city of students”, Gajah Mada University is one of the prominent educational Institute in Indonesia which has the enrollment of thousands of foreign-students. Only approximately 1 hour drive, you may visit the biggest and most magnificent Buddhist Temple in the world – The Borobudur and also the most beautiful Hindu Temple – Prambanan or called the temple of Loro Jonggrang.

Bali                 : The Island of Gods – Bali, is even more famous in the world than “Indonesia”! It’s rich Balinese Hinduism Culture and traditional arts & crafts, the beautiful natural sceneries are the combined attractions of this world leading tourist destination. Temples are everywhere, among them are Besakih, the mother temple; Tanah Lot, the most picturesque temple built in a small islet over the Indian Ocean, Taman Ayun Family Temple, etc. You may enjoy Balinese daily cultural performances either in a remote Balinese village, Royal Family’s Residences or Palaces, dance stage, traditional restaurant or hotels. The famous dances are Kecak Monkey Dance, Ramayana Dance, Barong & Kris Dance, Legong Dance, etc.                                    Bali also offer various types of accommodations from simple Balinese traditional house to the most luxurious boutique hotels with world class facilities and services, such as luxurious room furnishing and amenities, spa, sport & fitness center, dive shop, art & culture activities, conference & meeting rooms, etc. Your visit to Bali can be extended to the other islands east of Bali; Lombok, Florest, Sumbawa, Sumba, etc.

Climate:

The tropical heat is temperated by sea breezes. The coastal plains average 28ºC (81ºF) and the temperature falls by about 1/2ºC (1ºF) per 300 meters or so ascent. There are only 48 minutes difference between the longest and shortest days of the year. November to February are the wettest months and March to October have the most sunshine.

Airport Tax:

Current airport tax of Rp. 100,000,- (Aprrox USD 11) is levied by the airport authorities for International Flight. For Domestic Travel airport tax varies from Rp. 15.000,- to Rp. 30.000,- depending on airport of Departure, plus additional Rp. 6.000,- for flights insurance per person.

Immigration :

The nations from the following countries are granted “Visa on Arrival” facility :

 1. USA                                              19. Swiss

 2. Australia                                        20. New Zealand

 3. South Africa                                   21. Taiwan

 4. Argentina                                       22. Austria

 5. Brazil                                            23. India

 6. Denmark                                       24. Ireland

 7. U.A.E.                                          25. Kuwait

 8. Finland                                         26. Luxemburg

 9. Hungary                                        27. Maldive

10. U.K.                                             28. Egypt

11. Italy                                             29. Portugal

12. Japan                                           30. Qatar

13. Germany                                      31. P.R. of China

14. Canada                                        32. Russia

15. South Korea                                 33. Saudi Arabia

16. Norwey                                         34. Spain

17. France                                          35. Oman

18. Poland                                          36. Belgium

Visa Fees :            For   6 days visit – USD 10

                               For 70 days visit – USD 25

Passport validity : min 6 months from arrival date. The above immigration policy may be reviewed or revised by the Indonesian Government, therefore, its advisable to recheck it prior to your journey.

Major gate ways to enter Indonesia : Jakarta, Medan, Batam, Pakanbaru, Padang, Bandung, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Denpasar (Bali), Mataram, etc.

Shopping:

Indonesia has a lot of varieties of art and handicrafts with the specific things from every place. In big cities there are Supermarkets, Shopping Centres and Department Stores where prices are fixed. This supermarket or department stores open between 9.00 A.M till 9.00 P.M. from Monday to Saturday and some open half day on Sunday. Popular items are woven fibred, and hand bags, hats, cigarettes cases, boxes, table-cloths (kain), from Sumatera and Bali which are often interwoven with gold or silver thread, Indonesia traditional textiles-Batik, both stamped or hand written, Batiks with irregular patterns, silver crafts from Yogyakarta and Bali, modern and traditional paintings, carving from Yogyakarta and Bali, buffalo hornwork and snake skin. Bargaining is accepted in small shops.

Guide:

In general, an English speaking guide will be provided for transfer and tours. Other language speaking guides are available on request.

Payment:

Full payment is required 30 days before arrival, unless other previous agreement has been made with us. Payment can be made by US Dollar Bank draft payable to Universal Travel with Drawee Bank in New York or via Telegraphic transfer to our bank account, in all cases it must be made free of any bank charge or commission. Failure to comply with this may result in cancellation of all reservations without further notice.

Cancellation:

In case of last minute cancellation, a cancellation fee will b charged to any confirmed reservation according to the cost incurred.

Public Holidays in 2006:

01 Jan, 10 Jan, 29 Jan, 31 Jan, 30 Mar, 10 Apr, 14 Apr, 13 May, 25 May, 17 Aug, 21 Aug, 24 – 25 Oct, 25 Dec, 31 Dec.

Liabilities:

Universal Travel acts only in the capacity of an agents and, while exercising every possible care in making the tour arrangements will not hold any responsibility for injuries, damages, losses, accidental delays, additional cost and irregularities which may be caused whether by willful or negligent acts on the part of companies or individuals, accommodation and other services concerned with the tour, or through natural catastrophies, labour disputes, and other factor beyond the control of Universal Travel. We reserve the right to modify or withdraw tour arrangements if circumstances warrant it, or adjust the tour fare when necessary, according to the itinerary actually carried out.