The 3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia

Your host is an Indonesia trekking expert and has planned alternative options for each part of this itinerary. If conditions or religious ceremonies affect the summit of Mount Catur, you'll instead head to Batukaru temple for a hike of a similar duration through jungles, local villages, and rainforest before arriving at the famous Jatiluwih rice paddies.

If conditions or religious ceremonies affect the Mount Agung summit, your host will instead take you to climb Mount Batur using an alternative trail to avoid the crowds and make the hike more challenging than the usual route.

Your host also has various contingencies should the route up Mount Rinjani be affected during the trip.

Weather conditions very rarely affect the speedboat crossing to Lombok. However, in the unlikely event that services are canceled due to weather, your host will arrange an alternative option – most likely a flight to Lombok. Please note that due to limited flight availability, this decision may need to be made several days in advance. Should this occur, there may be an additional cost to you – ideally no more than $100 – to cover the difference between the speedboat and flight fare. Your host will always do their best to ensure a smooth and timely journey.

You'll be accompanied by one dedicated bilingual leader for the duration of the trip. In addition, you'll be joined by qualified local trekking guides on each of the volcanoes. The need for additional guides is assessed by local legislation and safety; however, you will always have a minimum of one extra trekking guide per 4-5 people on all of the volcanoes.

Your host will provide mineral water throughout your trip from large containers. Bring a reusable water bottle to keep yourself topped up. If you wish to filter your own water on this adventure (or any other MBA trip where the local water supply isn't safe to rely on), please read our guide to the best water filters for adventurers.

Due to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides coverage to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (12,224 ft)

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and lodging, and in some places, options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully before your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form ASAP with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Indonesian cuisine reflects the country's extraordinary diversity as an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, shaped by centuries of spice trade, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic influences, and a tropical climate that yields rice, vegetables, coconut, and an abundance of fresh produce year-round. Meals vary considerably by region but are typically bold and aromatic, centering on rice accompanied by grilled meats, fish, tempeh, tofu, and rich spice-based sauces, with strong local traditions differing between islands such as Java, Bali, and Sumatra. Vegetarians can generally find workable options given the widespread use of plant-based proteins like tempeh and tofu, though fish-based condiments and meat stocks are common and may not always be obvious. Travelers with specific dietary requirements should expect variable awareness outside tourist areas, and guides can be a vital resource in communicating needs clearly to local cooks and hosts.

SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Indonesia offers a wide variety of plant-based dishes using tofu, tempeh, vegetables, rice, and noodles. Please note that some dishes may contain fish sauce, shrimp paste, or meat stock, so advance notice is essential.

Vegan -Vegan diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive, as animal-based ingredients such as eggs, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and dairy are commonly used in local cooking and awareness of vegan requirements can vary outside tourist areas.

Please do consider bringing your favorite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. The host is unable to guarantee a separate, certified cooking/preparation area or the use of certified kosher products. They can, however, provide meals that exclude non-Kosher ingredients (such as pork and shellfish) and avoid mixing meat and dairy.

Halal -Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, and Halal food is widely available in many parts of the country. However, availability may vary in Bali and some international tourism areas where non-Halal options are also common.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive. Wheat-based noodles, soy sauce, fried foods, and cross-contamination are common in local kitchens, although rice-based meals are widely available.

Please do consider bringing your favorite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as grilled meats, rice, and vegetable dishes though eggs are common.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life-threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team before booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy, and egg are commonly used in Indonesian cooking, often in sauces or as garnishes. Cross-contamination risk can be significant in local kitchens and street-food environments. Clear labeling cannot always be guaranteed.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Indonesia is positioned on both sides of the equator, so it has a similar climate year-round with average temperatures between 75°F and 95°F. Indonesia's dry season (from mid-April to November) is when the conditions are ripe for volcano trekking. From December to March, the rains come which make the volcanoes less than desirable and potentially unsafe to hike on, so no trips are run during these months.