Indonesia · HISTORICAL TOURS

15 Historical Tours in Indonesia and What Each Morning Involves

20 tours  ·  from $20

Indonesian days run early and end wet, so the order matters more than the shortlist. Here are 15 historical tours with what they cost, how long they take and who they suit.

Crafting Heritage Batik Painting Workshops - Drawing With Hot Wax
Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Crafting Heritage Batik Painting Workshops

1.Crafting Heritage Batik Painting Workshops

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · from $29Our pick

Spend about three hours at Five Arts Studio near Ubud learning traditional batik with a local artist. Sketch a design, trace it in hot wax, add colorful dye, and take home your finished cloth. Work at your own pace or ask for close guidance. Tea, coffee, snacks, water, and materials are included.

“I had the most amazing time today, what an experience learning how to Batik paint. The instructor was very professional, patient and made the class fun! I really enjoyed my time, learnt about the history, put the paintbrush into action and have a memorable treasure to take home. If you are in ubud and looking for something fun, quirky and traditional - this is for you!”

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Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private City Tour (Historical) - Fatahillah Museum and the old city hall
City Tours, City Tours in Jakarta, Historical Tours, Jakarta, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private City Tour (Historical)

2.Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private City Tour (Historical)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · from $65

Spend 5 to 6 hours exploring Jakarta with a private guide and driver. Visit Kota Tua, Glodok Chinatown, Sunda Kelapa Harbor, Fatahillah Museum, Istiqlal Mosque, the Cathedral, and Monas. Guides such as Ferdy, Fitri, Enok, and Borneo are praised for flexible schedules and clear local insight. Lunch and a tuk-tuk ride depend on your selected package and traffic.

“I highly recommend this introduction to Jakarta’s monuments and history. Jakarta is a fascinating city, but can be intimidating to a newcomer. Mr. Borneo was the perfect guide—full of energy, insights, and humor. He made us fall in love with this incredible city!”

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Bali Unesco World Heritage Sites Tour (Private & All-Inclusive) - Ulun Danu Bratan and the lake temple
Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bali Unesco World Heritage Sites Tour (Private & All-Inclusive)

3.Bali Unesco World Heritage Sites Tour (Private & All-Inclusive)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · from $117

Spend 8 to 10 hours exploring Bali’s cultural and natural highlights with a private guide such as Yasa, Gusde, Agus, or Buddy. Visit Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Jatiluwih rice terraces, Nungnung Waterfall, Wanagiri Hidden Hills, and Handara Gate. Hotel transfers, admission, lunch, and onboard Wi-Fi are included.

“This fresh start of the tour was simply perfect. Yasa, indeed, guided us with helpful tips, yet we still could learn the insights of culture and nature of Bali. The last stop at a coffee place, which Yasa chose for me completed my day 1 with full of joy.”

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Historical Tours, North Bali, Temple Tours, Temple Tours in North Bali, Tour Reviews, Tours

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple – Tanah Lot Temple Tour by UNESCO World Heritage

4.Ulun Danu Beratan Temple – Tanah Lot Temple Tour by UNESCO World Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $22

Spend 8 to 10 hours visiting Bali’s lakeside Ulun Danu Beratan, royal Taman Ayun, coastal Tanah Lot, and Jatiluwih rice terraces. Private pickup is offered from Ubud and much of south Bali. Drivers such as Bawa, Ricky, Agus, Wira, Yuda, and Madu are praised for patience, local insight, and help with photos.

“Ricky was great, always giving me the time and space if i needed it. He also recommended when to nap in the car ;). He told me about the local traditions and was very friendly over all.”

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Private Tour: Bali UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Handara Gate, a scenic photo stop with limits
Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Tour: Bali UNESCO World Heritage Sites

5.Private Tour: Bali UNESCO World Heritage Sites

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $65

Spend a full day exploring Bali with a private guide such as Adnyana, Angga, Gilang, Dew, or Dewa Putu. Visit Taman Ayun, Handara Gate, Wanagiri Hidden Hills, Ulun Danu Bratan, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, and Tanah Lot. Pickup and admission are included, with time for photos, local stories, and a sunset finish.

“The best tour and tour guide in Bali. The day was perfect from start to finish. Thanks Adnyana! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend this business and tour guide.”

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Yogyakarta Cultural Tour: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Merapi Volcano - Mt. Merapi by 4x4: the day’s change of pace
Cultural Tours in Yogyakarta, Historical Tours, Temple Tours, Temple Tours in Yogyakarta, Tour Reviews, Tours, Village & Cultural Tours, Volcano Tours, Volcano Tours in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta Cultural Tour: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Merapi Volcano

6.Yogyakarta Cultural Tour: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Merapi Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $261

Start at 6:30 a.m. with hotel pickup, then visit Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut, Merapi’s lower slopes by 4x4, and Prambanan. An English-speaking driver, lunch, water, Wi-Fi vehicle, and private transport are included. Entrance fees and the Merapi jeep ride are paid separately on the day.

“The places were great but there was enough time to have 1-2 more additional stops. I felt for me it did not have enough”

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Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya - Bajang Ratu and the gateway to sacred space
Half-Day, Historical Tours, Private, Surabaya & Malang, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya

7.Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $79

Travel from Surabaya to Trowulan with a private guide such as Ryan or Dea, visiting red-brick gates, temples, royal bathing ruins, and palace remains linked to the Majapahit Empire. The five-hour tour includes transport, bottled water, parking, fuel, and admission fees, but not lunch.

“Sehr kompetenter Reiseleiter, gute Organisation, es wurde auf alle unsere Wünsche positiv reagiert.Hatten viel Spaß und haben eine Menge an historischen Informationen erhalten.”

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Mataram Lombok Historical City tour - Kebon Roek Market shows ordinary Mataram
City Tours, Historical Tours, Lombok, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mataram Lombok Historical City tour

8.Mataram Lombok Historical City tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · from $49

See Mataram beyond the beaches with a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Batu Bolong Temple, Pura Meru, Mayura Water Palace, the NTB State Museum, Islamic Center Mosque, a local market, and Lombok Epicentrum Mall. Guides such as Andy and Bohari are praised for clear explanations, though guide quality can vary.

“The guide showed us what real life was like on the island, including an open air market where locals shop plus temples and typical tourist stops”

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BALI ATV Kuber Through Historic Tunnel and Scenic Waterfalls - The historic tunnel is the route’s best surprise
ATV Rides in Bali, Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Quad Bikes, Tour Reviews, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in Bali

BALI ATV Kuber Through Historic Tunnel and Scenic Waterfalls

9.Bali ATV Kuber Through Historic Tunnel and Scenic Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $33

At Kuber Bali Adventure near Ubud, you’ll ride a quad bike through muddy jungle paths, a cool historic tunnel, rugged terrain, and scenic waterfalls. Instructors provide safety training, helmets, boots, insurance, and lockers. Pickup and private transport are available, with guides such as Teja, Ketut, Dwi, and Oka praised for friendly service.

“Bali ATV Kuber was perfect from beginning to the end. During ATV ride, the guide was professional & he checked in on all passengers periodically and ensured our safety. Special call out to Wayan, our driver who picked us up from hotel, greRead more”

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Taste & Explore Bali: Denpasar Street Food & Historic Sites - Starting at Pura Agung Jagatnatha
Food & Drink, Historical Tours, South Bali, Tour Reviews, Tours

Taste & Explore Bali: Denpasar Street Food & Historic Sites

10.Taste & Explore Bali: Denpasar Street Food & Historic Sites

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $45

Walk through central Denpasar from Jagatnatha Temple to Badung Market, sampling babi guling, bakso, Jaje Bali snacks, and Indonesian Arabica coffee. Guides such as Putra, Irfan, Lena, and Srix have led this small-group experience, which begins at 4:00 pm and ends at Nadhi Heritage.

“It was lovely to experience a little of how the people of Bali actually live their lives in an urban setting. And we learnt so much about their food and culture”

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Tanah Lot & UNESCO Heritage Small Group Tour - Ulun Danu Bratan: temple towers at the crater lake
Historical Tours, Temple Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, West Bali

Tanah Lot & UNESCO Heritage Small Group Tour

11.Tanah Lot & UNESCO Heritage Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $20Best value

Travel from Kuta with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and a group of no more than 10 people. Visit Taman Ayun, Ulun Danu Bratan, Jatiluwih, and Tanah Lot. Guides such as Alit and Agus Sudiatmika are praised for patience, clear explanations, and flexible hotel pickup. Entrance fees and meals cost extra.

“Great way to get a good understanding of the American war and how smart the VC & NLF were, plus a brilliant experience of learning about Vietnam its culture and people. Our guide Lam was exceptional, knowledgable and fun. Thank you.”

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Private Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Heritage Site and Culture Tour - Buyan and Tamblingan, two lakes divided by forest
Historical Tours, Private, Rice Terrace Tours, Rice Terrace Tours in West Bali, Tour Reviews, Tours, West Bali

Private Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Heritage Site and Culture Tour

12.Private Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Heritage Site and Culture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $36

Travel privately from your Bali accommodation with Dewa Alit’s team on an 8 to 9 hour cultural and nature tour. See Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Buyan and Tamblingan lakes, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, Jatiluwih rice terraces, and Taman Ayun Temple. The route can be customized, but attraction entrance fees are extra.

“If you ever have the Chance to experience a Tour with Dewa dont hesitate to do it! He is honestly the best Guide you could wish for - authentic, humble, funny and so spontaneous. We were in rainy season in Bali and spent a whole day witRead more”

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Majapahit Heritage Archaelogy tour via surabaya - Three hours at Trowulan Archaeological Museum
Historical Tours, Surabaya & Malang, Tour Reviews, Tours

Majapahit Heritage Archaelogy tour via surabaya

13.Majapahit Heritage Archaelogy tour via surabaya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · from $80

Spend 6 to 10 hours tracing Majapahit history around Trowulan with a private vehicle and guide such as Barli or Bari. Visit five archaeological sites, see Hindu and Buddhist monuments, explore a museum of daily-life artifacts, and enjoy included lunch and snacks. Pickup and return are in Surabaya.

“Bari was our guide and driver. He did a wonderful job. These sites are very interesting and definitely worth the visit!”

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Private Tour: Bali Heritage Sites - Tanah Lot, Bali’s sea temple opening act
Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Tour: Bali Heritage Sites

14.Private Tour: Bali Heritage Sites

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $60

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking driver-guide visiting Tanah Lot, Taman Ayun, Tirta Empul, Mount Batur, and artisan villages near Ubud. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned minivan, stop for lunch at your own cost, and can ask the guide to shape the day around your interests. Yogi is one guide praised for tailoring the route.

“Yogi - our guide was amazing! He had excellent knowledge of the sites, took us everywhere we wanted and tailored our tour to our interests. Would recommend to anyone who wants a private tour with a lovely guide! Thanks again xx”

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Exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bali - Jatiluwih rice terraces and the broadest views
Bali, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Bali, Tour Reviews

Exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bali

15.Exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bali

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $65

Set out from Seminyak at 8 a.m. in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a guide such as Putu. Visit Taman Ayun, Ulun Danu Bratan, Jatiluwih rice terraces, and Tanah Lot. Admission, taxes, bottled water, and transport are covered. Bring money for lunch and expect a full day of temple visits, walking, and scenic stops.

“This tour was the highlight of the trip. Very last minute decision but still accommodated our booking. Our guide Putu was polite and friendly and gave us some brilliant information on the sites we visited. He adjusted our schedule to what we preferred. Do not feel rushed and pushed through. Definitely recommend Putu to anyone.”

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