Experience the best of Java on this 12-day tour in Indonesia. Tour the city of Jakarta, visiting the lively harbor of Sunda Kelapa, where you can see the handmade Makassar schooners. Then off to Taman Fatahilla, home to the renovated Jakarta History Museum, Wayan Museum, and Fine Art and Ceramics Museum. Next, explore the Bogor Botanical Gardens, home to more than 15,000 species of trees and plants over 5,000 species of orchids. Visit Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple. Explore the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), a living museum showcasing Java’s heritage, the Gunung Mas Tea Plantation, and much more await you on this journey of Java.
Highlights
Discover the history behind Borobudur, largest Buddhist Temple in the world
Explore the lively harbor of Sunda Kelapa with its painted sailing ships
See Bogor's Botanical Gardens with over 15,000 species of trees & plants
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival in Jakarta, a VIP service staff member escorts you through fast-tracking immigration service, helping you collect your luggage, and connecting you with your driver. From there, transfer to your hotel and settle in. While Jakarta may seem daunting with its heavy traffic and towering skyscrapers, it also has its own unique charm. Take a visit to Sunda Kelapa, the former harbor of Batavia, and see the traditional wooden schooners docked there. Make sure to stop by Cafe Batavia while you're in the area, head to Jalan Sabang to try some delicious local street food and get a taste of the city's vibrant culture.
During today's city exploration, the focus is on the captivating historic ancient district of Batavia. The initial stop is the vibrant former port of Sunda Kelapa, showcasing brightly adorned sailing vessels, offering the chance to admire the meticulously crafted Makassar schooners. Close to the fish market, there exists a labyrinth of engaging boutiques to meander through. If there's available time, continue to Taman Fatahilla, the central historic hub of old Batavia, which also houses the renovated Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum, and Fine Art and Ceramics Museum. Lunch at Café Batavia is included today.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and set off for an excursion through Bogor and on to Bandung.
Begin with a visit to Bogor's Botanical Gardens, home to 15,000 tree species, and 5,000 orchid species, these botanical gardens are also a haven for birds and bats. Spend time walking around the gardens and enjoying the beautiful landscapes. From the garden, Bogor's Presidential Palace can be seen, which is noted for its distinctive architecture. It was built in 1744 as a retreat for the Dutch governors and was later used by the British administration. (Note: the palace is not open to the public, but can be viewed from the outside).
Continue to drive to Gunung Mas Tea Plantation located near Puncak Pass, a couple of miles off the highway between Bogor and Bandung. Javanese tea has a legacy dating back to the 19th century. The Dutch in Indonesia were the first colonial to grow tea outside China, and the tea plantations were still scattered across Java, Sumatra, and other islands. Today Indonesia is the 12th-largest tea producer in the world, and exports almost all of its tea for brands such as Twinings.
Arrive in Bandung this afternoon and check in to your hotel.
Located in the heart of Banget city, the traditional Lembang fruit market offers a collection of daily fresh fruits and vegetables. Head to Tangkuban Perahu, a stratovolcano positioned to the north of Bandung city, West Java's provincial capital. This volcano is special because it is one of the few volcanoes in Indonesia where you can walk to the caldera without much effort. The caldera offers sights of hot water springs and bubbling mud. After visiting the Tangkuban Perahu, a 40-minute drive leads to the Ciater Hot Springs in Bandung. Immerse yourself in the naturally heated mineral water sourced from Tangkuban Perahu's active crater.
Day 5: Bandung | Train ride to Yogyakarta | Borobudur
After breakfast, depart from the hotel at 07.00 then transfer to Bandung’s railway station and board the morning express executive train to Yogyakarta
Note:
The planned route is aboard Argo Wilis from Bandung to Yogyakarta, departing at 08:15 and arriving at 14:18. Schedule is subject to change without notice.
Full name and passport details are required to book a train ticket and must be provided at the time of reservation
It is advisable to bring something warm to wear, as the air conditioner on the train can be quite chilly.
Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, you'll meet your driver at the train station and takes you to your hotel in Magelang near Borobudur (approx. 1.5 hours drive).
After breakfast, drive to Borobudur, the massive Buddhist Temple recognized as the world's largest, and discover the history of its construction. Comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, this temple was built over 75 years entirely by human labor. Today this UNESCO Heritage site is still visible in its full glory - with magnificent carvings and a beautiful massive structure.
Head to Mendut and Pawon temples, situated near Borobudur. These pyramid-shaped temples, older than Borobudur, house three exquisitely carved stone statues. Return to Yogyakarta (approximately 1.5 hours' drive).
Note: Present regulations allow visiting is only until the platform of Borobudur due to monument protection.
Morning Village Cycling with an Old Bike (begins at 08.00)
After an early breakfast, depart from the hotel at 07.00, followed by a drive to Sentolo, Kulonprogo, for a village cycling experience with Towil. The cycling journey encompasses the village and rural areas while riding an old bike. Observe the locals' way of life, pay a visit to a tempeh maker, and engage with community members. Throughout your cycling adventure, you'll encounter diverse crops based on the season. You are welcome to join the rice planting, harvesting, and pulling out the grass for the cattle. While cycling alongside the irrigation system, you'll notice the water flowing through the Mataram canal, which serves to irrigate the nearby rice fields.
Enjoy a homemade lunch prepared by your host. After your cycling experience, return to the hotel for a good night's rest.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel then drive to Yogyakarta (approximately 1.5 hours drive). Visit the Sultan's Palace, also known as Kraton, a living museum that offers deeper insight into Java's remarkable heritage. Explore the building, which is still utilized as the Sultan's residence, and understand how its architectural style reflects Javanese cosmology traditions. Step inside to see the incredible collection of cultural artifacts such as puppets and other handicrafts.
Next, visit the Sonobudoyo Museum (Note: Closed on Mondays). Established in 1935 and designed by Dutch architect Kersten, this museum presents traditional wooden puppets, masks, textiles, and an extensive array of keris, and indigenous daggers.
Travel by becak to Taman Sari, a royal compound dating back more than 200 years. Learn about the Sultan who built this leafy compound and explore its diverse elements, including the pools utilized by the Sultan's concubines.
Afterward, head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan (approximately an hour's drive). These ancient Hindu temples, constructed in the 9th century, rank among the world's most spectacular cultural heritage sites. Under the guide's lead, learn about the temple's captivating history and the meanings behind its decorations.
This afternoon, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day on your own.
Today, explore Kotagede on a heritage walk, a part of Yogyakarta that is rarely visited by outsiders. Known for its silver workshops, it is a maze of alleyways and narrow streets, offering a look at authentic traditional Javanese daily life. During the walk, explore the unique architecture of this close-knit community and see how people live. No visit to Kotagede would be complete without a visit to the local market and mosque, with its unique royal graveyard and bathing complex. After the walk, enjoy a delicious lunch.
After the tour, return to the hotel by car, leaving the remainder of the day open for leisure.
Day 10: Train ride Yogyakarta | Mojokerto | Ngadisari
Early this morning, transfer to the Yogyakarta Railway Station for a scenic train ride to Mojokerto in East Java. You are accompanied by a guide on this journey.
Please take note of the following:
The planned route is aboard Sancaka Pagi (optional) from Yogyakarta to Mojokerto, departing at 06:45 and arriving at 10:58. Schedule is subject to change without notice.
Full name and passport details are required to book a train ticket and must be provided at the time of reservation.
It's advisable to bring something warm to wear, as the air conditioner on the train can be chilly.
Exploring Java via train offers a splendid chance to mingle with locals and is the finest way to enjoy the volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java.
Upon reaching Mojokerto, meet with a local driver waiting for you, and proceed on a road journey to Ngadisari. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way.
The last segment of today's journey is a 4-hour drive to Ngadisari village, positioned at the edge of Tengger Caldera. These breathtaking villages are entry points to Mount Bromo.
Check in at the hotel and relax after a long day of travel.
Following an early morning wake-up call, your journey begins with a jeep ride to the sacred Mount Bromo, an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. After a brief, steep drive, stop at Penanjakan viewpoint to witness a glorious sunrise. Only when the first ray of dawn begins to appear does you realize the magnificence scene as it unfolds and greets you - a spectacular panorama featuring the highest mountain tops of Java. From here, you drive into the huge Bromo caldera and then cross a wide, open terrain to get to the center of the caldera. Here you climb a staircase to reach the summit of an active Bromo volcano! After your adventure, transfer back to your hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 12: Ngadisari | Surabaya | Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to the Surabaya Airport for your departure flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30% ($400 minimum) + Internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to surcharge and a maximum $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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