Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Slow Travel
Spend a week at Misool allowing time to fully immerse in the ethos of this Eco resort. Travel to paradise and make a difference.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
the people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education
Sustainable Luxury in Indonesia
Staying at Misool Eco Resort, Capella Ubud and Nirjhara, this itinerary showcases the best of sustainable luxury in Indonesia. Responsible travel is no longer the preserve of homestays and sleeping bags, hotels can be both stylish and beautiful while upholding strong ethics. Begin with the treehouse luxury of Nirjhara before exploring the reefs of Misool and finishing in the tented escape of Capella Ubud.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Wellness
The perfect opportunity for a digital detox with spa treatments using ancestral therapies and traditional cleansing rituals.
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Bali Beach Vibes
Balance peaceful temples with surf breaks. Spirituality, culture and sea breezes – a typical Balinese cocktail.
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Sustainable travel
Cycle through paddy fields by bamboo bike and work with rangers as they release turtle hatchlings.
Why we like it
Properties and experiences throughout Indonesia have a varying approach to sustainability, however, with this holiday idea we’ve shown how it can be done with style. Misool Foundation’s mission is to safeguard the most bio-diverse reefs via the empowerment of local communities while Capella’s focus is on slow travel and gentle impact. A stay at Nirjhara combines cutting edge design with sensitive materials and community engagement. All three properties complement each other, making for a holiday diverse in experience yet sharing a common theme to tread lightly and protect their fragile environments.
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Day 1
Bali (Nirjhara)
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Day 2
Bali (Nirjhara)
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Day 3
Bali - Sorong (Swiss-Belhotel)
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Days 4 - 9
Misool Eco Resort
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Day 10
Misool - Sorong (Swiss-Belhotel)
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Day 11
Sorong - Bali - Ubud (Capella Ubud Resort)
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Days 12 - 13
Ubud (Capella Ubud Resort)
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Day 14
Ubud - Denpasar
Depart Bali
Day 1
Bali (Nirjhara)
Arrive into Bali where you’ll be met and driven to the Nirjhara Hotel.
Day 2
Bali (Nirjhara)
Stay in a wooden treehouse amidst Balinese jungle and paddy fields.
Day 3
Bali - Sorong (Swiss-Belhotel)
Travel from Bali to Sorong for an overnight stay.
Days 4 - 9
Misool Eco Resort
Travel by private boat to Misool. An island paradise, home to emerald waters, teeming with life, hidden villas and powder-white beaches.
Day 10
Misool - Sorong (Swiss-Belhotel)
Day 11
Sorong - Bali - Ubud (Capella Ubud Resort)
Fly to Bali before being driven to Ubud in the centre of the island.
Days 12 - 13
Ubud (Capella Ubud Resort)
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the rainforest at this beautiful tented camp.
Day 14
Ubud - Denpasar
More details
Property
Misool Eco Retreat
Misool is a world-class private island hideaway accessible only by boat. Stilted cottages and villas made from reclaimed hardwoods look out over either the lagoon or house reef. Misool offers exclusive adventure built upon an ethos of sustainability.
Snorkel and dive the world’s richest reefs amongst the marine reserve, work with the rangers for a day to protect turtle hatchlings and explore the nearby lagoons by stand up paddleboard. On land, visit the local village, spend a lazy day as a beach castaway, take a night-time star gazing cruise or try an Indonesian cookery class.
Positive Impact
Misool Foundation
The primary goal of the Misool Foundation is to reinforce the belief that sustainable tourism and community-based conservation can work together. The Misool Marine Reserve is a 1,200-square-kilometre area patrolled by rangers who have been supported and trained via the foundation. This partnership has enabled the protection of some of the world’s most bio-diverse reefs and sustained a ‘no take zone’.
Alongside the management of the reefs, the Misool Foundation has built schools to provide early primary education to local children, providing materials and paying teachers’ salaries. These children are attending school and becoming better prepared for further education.
Property
Capella Ubud
A quirky blend of a traditional camp feel and cutting-edge modernity, Capella Ubud offers views of rainforest, rice terraces, rivers and valleys. No trees were felled in its construction, so nature is abundant and reinforces the immersed feel of the camp.
Time spent at Capella Ubud can be split between temple visits, cycling through paddy fields or venturing further afield. Or, if you’re feeling less energetic, head to Auriga (the rainforest spa), sample chocolate tasting, or try your hand at Keliki traditional painting.
Positive Impact
Capella and SolarBuddy
Capella Ubud – alongside their other roles in supporting the local community – have partnered with the charity SolarBuddy to work towards ending energy poverty. They have pledged ongoing support with the aim of meeting the seventh UN Sustainable Development Goal: providing affordable and clean energy.
As part of International Youth Day, Capella Ubud delivered 100 solar lights to schools in Sumaba, Indonesia. This is an area where education can prove challenging with over 50% of students having no access to electricity at home.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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The Misool Marine Reserve covers 1,220 square kilometres and protects some of the richest coral reefs in the region. Though its establishment, damage to the reefs from fishing has been dramatically reduced. Beyond this, the reserve also works to protect vulnerable species, such as turtles. Rangers ensure their nesting sites are undisturbed and gather at-risk hatchlings for re-release.
Capella Ubud has partnered with SolarBuddy to work together towards ending energy poverty. By providing solar-powered lighting to local communities, this partnership helps provide light sources that aren’t reliant on expensive fuel or the unreliable electricity grid.
Misool sits within some of the most heavily fished waters in the world. In 2005, a powerful partnership between the resort and local communities was established, leading to the creation of the Misool Marine Reserve. Every stay here helps fund the management and protection of this 1,220-square-kilometre protected area. It comprises two no-take zones – the first in the region – which provide a precious sanctuary for fish and other marine species.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £6,125 Per person
When to travel
Indonesia in January
November to March is the rainy season in most of Indonesia, apart from northern Sumatra, Maluka and Papua, which have fantastic diving conditions. It is a quieter time of year, with the ability to travel with spontaneity. January and February are the wettest months.
Indonesia in February
November to March is the rainy season in most of Indonesia, apart from northern Sumatra, Maluka and Papua, which have fantastic diving conditions. It is a quieter time of year, with the ability to travel with spontaneity. January and February are the wettest months.
Indonesia in March
November to March is the rainy season in most of Indonesia, apart from northern Sumatra, Maluka and Papua, which have fantastic diving conditions. It is a quieter time of year, with the ability to travel with spontaneity. January and February are the wettest months.
Indonesia in April
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in May
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in June
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in July
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in August
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in September
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in October
April to October is the dry season for most of the country. Wildlife is at its peak, and long sunny days make for perfect beach weather. Travel outside of July and August to secure the best accommodation, or be prepared to book well in advance.
Indonesia in November
November to March is the rainy season in most of Indonesia, apart from northern Sumatra, Maluka and Papua, which have fantastic diving conditions. It is a quieter time of year, with the ability to travel with spontaneity. January and February are the wettest months.
Indonesia in December
November to March is the rainy season in most of Indonesia, apart from northern Sumatra, Maluka and Papua, which have fantastic diving conditions. It is a quieter time of year, with the ability to travel with spontaneity. January and February are the wettest months.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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