Happy New Year! Your 2026 starts here! We are so happy to be back with you.
As we begin the year, we wish to gently flag new travel regulations in Indonesia, scheduled conservation closures of the volcanic peaks in East Java and a festive note, the iconic Pasola Festival, an absolute must-see for travellers in the islands over the coming months.
For our first issue of the year, the focus turns to quiet, meaningful moments, the raw beauty of Komodo and the cultural soul of Java. We’re also keeping a close eye on some beautiful rebranding hotel projects in the Nusa Dua and Sanur area.
Thank you, as always, for partnering with us.
Happy reading!
Product updates
Island Wonders of Komodo
Full day
- Trek to the summit of Padar Island for breathtaking panoramic views
- Encounter the famous Komodo dragons in their natural habitat
- Swim, snorkel and relax at Pink Beach, Taka Makassar, Manta Point and Siaba Bay
Why EXO likes it
It compresses an extraordinary range of experiences into a single day. From standing on windswept hilltops to seeing Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, then slipping into the water with manta rays and turtles. It’s an experience that stays with travellers long after the day ends.
Ideal clients type
FIT, Couple, Small groups, & Family
Komodo Sunset Escape
Full day
- Relax on Kelor Island or enjoy a short hike to its hilltop viewpoint
- Snorkel in the calm, clear waters of Manjarite Island
- Explore Rinca Island, known for Komodo dragons and rugged landscapes
- Witness flying foxes at sunset from Kalong Island
Why EXO likes it
It offers Komodo at its most intimate and unhurried. Experiencing the islands in the late afternoon means fewer crowds, softer light, and a calmer atmosphere that allows genuine connection with nature.
Ideal clients type
FIT, Couple, Small groups, & Family
An Introduction
to Java Coffee
Half Day
- Discover a shade-grown coffee plantation
- Experience the process of coffee making with a farmer
- Enjoy Java coffee made by a local barista
Why EXO likes it
By supporting local micro-businesses and embracing an organic lifestyle, this experience creates deeper connections with the people and traditions behind the coffee. It’s a hands-on workshop that celebrates craftsmanship, sustainability and the simple joy of doing things the traditional way.
Ideal clients type
FIT, Couple, Small Groups
Gombeng Village and Plantation Tour
Half Day
- Discover a village near a mahogany protected forest in East Java
- Explore people’s coffee plantations
- Sample a local village cuisine for lunch
Why EXO likes it
This homestay genuinely supports local entrepreneurs while offering an experience rooted in real connection. Peno and Mariah open their home and share their story with warmth and pride. It’s travel that feels personal, meaningful and deeply respectful of the local community.
Ideal clients type
FIT, Couple, Small Groups
Hotel updates
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa
Bali
Why EXO likes it
It combines the ease and comfort of a full-scale resort with a strong sense of Balinese identity. The private beach, family-friendly facilities and spacious setting are balanced by thoughtful architecture and cultural details.
Ideal clients type: FIT, GIT, and Family
The Meru Sanur
Bali
Why EXO likes it
A newly launched luxury retreat, this family-friendly resort feels welcoming to everyone, with thoughtfully designed mobility-friendly rooms. Set amidst tranquil waters and soft white sands, it also offers a scenic jogging path along the shoreline, perfect for a peaceful morning run or a leisurely stroll by the sea.
Ideal clients type: FIT, GIT, Family, Honeymooners, and Wellness-seekers
Destination News
The All Indonesia Arrival Card
In September 2025, Indonesia introduced a unified digital portal, named “All Indonesia”, to streamline immigration, customs and health procedures into a single form, replacing multiple separate processes like SATUSEHAT (health declaration) and e-CD (customs declaration) online forms. Official Website: https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id/
The new All Indonesia Arrival Card is not a visa. It’s a mandatory digital entry declaration (immigration + customs + health) but does not replace visa requirements.
All Indonesia Arrival Card: This is a separate online form every traveller must complete (where available) within 3-days before arrival, even if they already have a visa or are visa-exempt.
Completing the health and custom forms are essential, but now partially superseded components under the legacy process. The “All Indonesia” system is the new, unified standard currently being implemented, especially relevant for Bali arrivals.
Closure schedule: Mt. Ijen & Mt. Bromo
- Mt. Ijen, East Java
Mt. Ijen is closed on the first Friday of every month for ‘Ijen Rijik,’ a scheduled community cleaning initiative.
- Mt. Bromo, East Java
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park will be temporarily closed on specific dates. This decision by the National Park Authority (BB-TNBTS) ensures the preservation of the Wulan Kapitu sacred rituals, facilitates essential ecosystem restoration, and allows for waste cleanup and safety adjustments during extreme weather.
Scheduled Closure Dates
17 – 18 January 18 – 19 March
06 – 12 April 30 May – 2 June 09 – 10 December
All access points to the national park—including the four main entrance gates—are restricted. Entry is strictly limited to local residents and ritual participants, who need proper identification to enter through the four regency gates.
Team insight
We’re keeping busy this low season! Recently, our team embarked on an overnight, cross-departmental inspection of West and North Bali.
The trip gave us the chance to explore destinations with minimal mass tourism, refresh our knowledge of the region and expand our understanding of eco-tourism and nature-based experiences, specifically the Pemuteran and Menjangan Island area.
As we tried out some experiences including Sunrise trekking to Bukit Kursi, Menjangan Snorkeling and visiting local properties, these areas remain perfect for travellers looking for peaceful escapes, stunning landscapes and authentic cultural experiences, far from the crowded southern hotspots.
Festivities
- Bau Nyale, West Lombok Regency – (10-11 February 2026)
Every year, the beaches of Lombok come alive for Bau Nyale, a unique cultural phenomenon where the Sasak community gathers to harvest sea worms. Deeply intertwined with local mythology and the lunar calendar, the ritual is more than a harvest, it is a sacred cultural event believed to ensure prosperity and a bountiful agricultural season.
- Chinese New Year – (17 February 2026)
Many of the New Year celebrations take place in family homes or at the island’s Chinese Buddhist temples. It’s worth visiting the temples during this time as they are elaborately decorated with red lanterns, money trees and other festive ornaments.
- Pasola Festival, West Sumba – (February to March 2026)
The Pasola Festival, a yearly highlight in Indonesia’s cultural calendar, draws international visitors with its unique blend of ritual and performance. At its heart lies a dramatic mock battle between horseback riders wielding wooden spears, a tradition meant to appease spirits and guarantee a bountiful harvest. However, Pasola also encompasses a wider celebration, including traditional dances, musical performances, elaborate parades with decorated horses and opportunities for visitors to learn about local crafts and culinary traditions through workshops.
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