4 Conscious Travel Experiences in Indonesia That Redefine Luxury

Across the thousands of islands of Indonesia, the rules of luxury travel are being quietly rewritten. In the country’s crystalline waters, oysters filter the ocean while producing some of the world's most coveted South Sea pearls. Deep in Ubud's emerald rice fields, chefs harvest herbs from rooftop gardens, transforming them into extraordinary tasting menus. This is the country’s sustainable revolution, where a focus on the environment enhances your holiday. Here are four of the best ways to experience it.

Dive into the world of South Sea pearl farming

From Ubud, take the scenic three-hour mountain drive through mist-shrouded hydrangea fields to reach Atlas Pearls’ floating farm in North Bali. Like an underwater vineyard, rows of pearl lines disappear into the depths of the ocean, each one nurturing thousands of oysters on their four-year journey to become lustrous treasures. Join a complimentary tour to learn about the hatchery’s sustainable practices, watch a seeding operation in action or witness marine farmers as they delicately open the shells to reveal South Sea pearls in shades of silver and gold.

Or make your way to Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, 700 kilometres east of Bali, where you can embark on a 20-minute boat ride to Pungu Island. Here, the precious pearls grow amid mangrove-fringed waters. As with each of the company’s eight farming locations, the oysters act as natural water filters and enhance the marine biodiversity – they’re also considered climate-positive due to their ability to capture and store carbon dioxide. 

For a more remote adventure, travel to the Atlas Pearls farm on the island of Waigeo in the pristine archipelago of Raja Ampat, approximately 3000 kilometres west of Jakarta. There, you’ll board a superyacht and sail under the shadows of the region’s volcanic peaks and through waters so clear you can see coral gardens swaying 20 metres below. 

No matter which site you visit, you’ll find that the conservation efforts extend beyond cultivation, spanning mangrove planting and coastline restoration to partnering with local turtle rescue organisations such as Sahabat Penyu. During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to take home a keepsake, such as the Frangipani Necklace, which features a semi-round South Sea pearl, at a direct-from-farm price.

Stay at the eco-luxe Bambu Indah

Located 20 minutes from the bustling centre of Ubud, Bali, lies the boutique hotel Bambu Indah, where century-old architecture meets eco-conscious living. Each one of the 23 freestanding bungalows tells its own story – some are restored Javanese bridal houses with intricately carved wooden façades transported from their original villages, while others are sculptural sanctuaries handcrafted by local artisans with rapidly renewable bamboo.

Wake in your elevated treehouse to the sound of the rushing Ayung River as golden light filters through the jungle canopy. There are minimal walls throughout; instead, diaphanous curtains are used to separate you from the rest of the world. After a leisurely sleep-in, wander through the property’s organic permaculture gardens where your breakfast’s herbs grow alongside lettuces and exotic fruits before slipping into the natural spring-fed swimming pool to cool off in the tropical heat.

Sail Komodo National Park on an eco-friendly cruise

Your journey to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park begins 10 kilometres south of Denpasar at Benoa Cruise Ship Terminal, where you’ll step onto the teak deck of the Aqua Blu yacht for your seven-, 11-, 12- or 21-day expedition. From there, a world of volcanic islands, untapped diving spots and three-metre-long Komodo dragons await. Hosting just 30 guests at a time, Aqua Expeditions’ excursions are designed to be intimate and low-impact; options include kayaking adventures and a trip to Atlas Pearls’ sustainable farm in Raja Ampat. The ship runs with 65 per cent lower engine emissions than standard vessels, returns only clean water to the sea and sources more than 80 per cent of its produce locally. But this doesn’t come at the expense of indulgence, with the five-deck yacht featuring 14 to 34-square-metre suites, a plunge pool, spa, cinema, lounges and a barbecue.

Discover conscious fine dining at Locavore NXT

Chefs Ray Adriansyah and Eelke Plasmeijer aren’t just on a mission to spotlight local Indonesian ingredients; they rely on them entirely. Set in a brutalist compound fringed by rice fields five kilometres south of Ubud’s CBD, Locavore NXT delivers a tasting menu of 20-plus courses crafted with produce grown onsite in a sprawling rooftop food forest and fermentation kitchen. Dishes might include mushrooms cultivated in an underground chamber with foraged jungle garlic in a fragrant broth, or dry-aged duck served with pickled rosella flowers. The sustainability ethos even extends beyond the plate: 172 solar panels generate 15 per cent of the site’s power and an integrated greywater system and Circular Waste Centre reinforce its closed-loop philosophy.