On this trip in Indonesia we explore the exotic islands of Java and Bali. We visit the incredible Buddhist temple at Borobudur, Yogyakarta’s Kraton Palace and Royal tombs of Gunung Kawi. We enjoy iconic Mount Bromo at sunset and discover the rice paddies and ravines of Ubud in Bali. We also relax on the beautiful beaches of Lovina.
What we say
Staff Member Eileen Harvard travelled on this tour in 2010.
"The people of both islands are really friendly; the tour has so much to offer - culture in its temples & palaces and traditions ways, stories of magic & myths! Walking through amazing lush green layered scenery of mountains, forests, patchwork of terraced farms & villages, also the beach & sea, arts & crafts, lots of variety to get a true flavour of these beautiful Indonesian islands, oh and very few tourists."
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Yogyakarta
Our tour starts late afternoon in Yogyakarta. Situated almost exactly halfway along the length of Java, in an area considered to be the heartland of the Javanese, Yogakarta is home to some of the island’s oldest traditions and blessed with a rich, fertile soil from the volcanic ash. It is the cultural capital of Java, with a real mixture of cultural influences, including Hindu and Buddhist temples, dating from the 8th century, Islamic Palaces from the 18th century and Dutch colonial architecture that harks back to the days when the Netherlands held much of Java in its imperialistic grip.
Overnight Standard Hotel
2
City tour by Becak (Cycle Rickshaw); Visit to Prambanan temple complex
This morning we enjoy a tour of Yogyakarta by Becaks, a type of cycle rickshaw where the driver sits and peddles behind the passenger. The ride will take us to the Kraton Palace and Taman Sari Water Castle. Built by Java’s first ruling sultan, Mangkubumi, the palace lies at the heart of a walled city that houses tens of thousands of people, whilst parts of the outer walls are still occupied by Javanese royalty. Later we drive out of the city, heading for the Hindu temple complex of the Prambanan Plain. This remarkable area is home to an incredible array of temples and palaces from the 8th and 9th centuries. There is the opportunity to view a performance of ‘Ramayana Ballet’, an adaptation of the Hindu epic in the evening.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Drive to Wonosobo and visit Borobodur
This morning we head west to Borobodur, the largest and most impressive Buddhist monument in the southern hemisphere. Constructed in the 8th century this incredible monument – a petrified vision of the Buddhist cosmos – was lost for 900 years, when Mt Merapi erupted and covered Borobodur in a layer of volcanic ash. The structure itself is immense, a gigantic Buddhist stupa constructed from two million blocks that covers an area of 200sq metres and rises some 34.5 metres above the Kedu Plain. Older by nearly half a century than the site at Prambanan, Borobodur is believed to have been built on the top of the foundations for what was originally a temple dedicated to Shiva, abandoned by the Hindu Sanjayas when their Buddhist rivals the Saliendras swept through the Malay peninsula during the 8th century. A combination of earthquakes, subsidence and the mass migration of the Javanese to the east of the island saw the temple abandoned sometime during the 9th century, to be rediscovered again later by the British. Substantial work has been carried out to salvage the exquisite carvings and designs that adorn the structure and we can wander through the site today and marvel at the incredible detail of its narrative panels, which detail everything from Buddhist doctrines to the daily life of the Javanese. Finally we drive to the small town of Wonosobo, nestling amongst the hills of the central mountains.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Vsit Dieng Plateau; drive to Solo
Leaving early this morning we drive up to the Dieng Plateau (1980m), where we visit Java’s oldest temples, set amongst a spectacular vista of mountain lakes, geysers and thermal springs. Lying within a volcanic caldera, Dieng translates as ‘Abode of the Gods’ and at this altitude low cloud and mists very often hug the folded landscape, instilling the area with an air of mystical serenity. Spread across this surreal landscape lie the remnants of hundreds of abandoned temples that date from the 7th century, when Hindu priests and pilgrims regularly occupied this sacred sight. Like the other temples we have seen in the area, Dieng too was abandoned during the mysterious exodus that took place some 1000 years ago. We will visit some of the prime sites around the plateau, including the Arjuna complex, which are believed to be the oldest of the temples. Dedicated to Shiva, one of Hindu’s great deities, the five temples that make up this central complex are all named after characters from the Mahabharata tales. We will also visit the nearby museum at Candi Gatutkaca, where we will find a collection of statuary and sculptures retrieved from some of the other temples around the site. At Candi Bima we discover the fascinating carvings of sculpted faces (kudu), blankly starring back from the walls of the temple and more often seen in the temples of southern India, but strangely unique to Java. As well as the temples the Dieng Plateau is as much renowned for its incredible natural features and our visit also includes the sulphur lakes of Telaga Warna and Telaga Pengilon (coloured and mirror lakes respectively), as well as the smoking fumaroles of Kawah Sikidang. In the afternoon we head to the the city of Surakarta, more commonly known as Solo. This is Java’s second royal city, situated on the banks of the Kali Solo River and nestling in the shadow of three of Java’s highest volcanoes.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Drive to Tawangmanggu via Mangkunegaran’s Palace at Solo; village walk to Candi Sukuh
Like its younger rival Yogya, Solo is a hub of Javanese culture and tradition, but has probably seen more than its fair share of upheaval and bloodshed following its foundation in the mid 18th century. We start our day with a visit to the palace of Puri Mangkunegaran, which has the largest pavilion in Indonesia, a cavernous structure with a vividly decorated ceiling depicting figures of the Javanese zodiac. The palace also houses an excellent museum containing some quite unique artefacts, including goldplated dresses, unfeasibly large Buddhist rings and his and hers golden genital covers! After our visit we drive to Candi Sukuh, a mysterious structure that sits some 900m above the surrounding countryside. Built during the 15th century this unusual pyramid seems to bear little resemblance to the earlier structures that we have seen and indeed there is still some mystery as to who built it and why. Its remarkable carvings would seem to indicate that the temple was dedicated to a fertility cult and it is believed that part of the temple’s purpose was to determine the faithfulness of existing wives and the virginity of potential ones. We hike through the rural villages towards the hill town of Tawangmanggu, lying on the slopes of Gunung Lawu close to the border with eastern Java where we spend the night.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Drive to Malang
Today sees a full day drive through the countryside to Malang, established in the 18th century by the Dutch this city has some wonderful colonial architecture and interesting markets.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Drive to Bromo; Enjoy sunset at Mt Bromo crater
Today we drive via Probolinggo to the village of Cemoro Lawang on the slopes of the Tengger Caldera. We plan to enjoy sunset views of the cone of Mount Bromo from the edge of the caldera.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
8
Optional excursion by jeep to Mt Penanjakan and across the "Sand Sea" to Bromo crater; Drive to Kalibaru
This morning we have the option to take an excursion by jeep and on foot to the slopes of Mt Penanjakan (2770m) for some breathtaking views of Mt Bromo crater just before sunrise. The trip then drives across the "Sand Sea" of the caldera towards the crater itself, admiring the beautiful pink glow of our surroundings as the sun slowly rises.
Volcanoes have mystified man since the earliest of times, and with this breathtaking scene laid out before us this morning it is easy to understand why. Later in the day we will continue our journey to Kalibaru for the night.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
9
In Kalibaru
In Kalibaru we stay on a plantation where we enjoy a guided tour of the gardens where nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, cocoa, coffee and coconuts are grown. We also see how palm sugar is processed. Volcanic conditions allowing, there may be the opportunity to take an optional excursion to climb the crater of Mount Ijen. The trek up to the highest point (2300m) is undertaken in the early hours of the morning to see sunrise across the stunning sulphuric crater lake, its milky green waters surrounded by steep natural dams of craggy rock.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Drive to Lovina Beach
We leave Java behind this morning and head to the neighbouring island of Bali, crossing the Bali Strait by ferry from the coastal town of Ketapang. It is just a short ferry ride from here to Gilmanuk on Bali’s western tip, from where we transfer along the island’s scenic coastal road to laid back Lovina Beach on the northern shore. The rest of the afternoon should afford plenty of time to explore something of our new surroundings, enjoying the long black, volcanic sand beaches and perhaps making the most of the warm, tranquil waters of the Bali Sea.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
11
Free time in Lovina
Today has been left tree for you to make the most of your time here. The reefs off shore mean that the waters around Lovina are generally calm, making swimming safe and offering some spectacular options for snorkelling. You could take a boat trip out to nearby Menjangan (Deer) Island, where some of the best reefs are found, or enjoy one of the early morning Dolphin trips that the resort is famous for. Leaving the resort around dawn the boats venture out into the offshore waters in search of the schools of dolphins that play in these waters. An added bonus to an early start to the day is the chance of a magnificent sunrise over the surrounding volcanic peaks. Closer to home the area boasts some relaxing hot springs and Bali’s only Buddhist monastery, containing a golden Buddha and a vividly colourful grotto. Of course you may just prefer to relax by the pool, wander the beaches, soaking up the lovely ambience of this typically Balinese setting, and perhaps try the local catch at one of the resorts beachside fish restaurants.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
12
Drive to Ubud via Kintamani
After breakfast we drive to nearby Kintamani where six traditional villages surround the lake at the base of Mount Batur. The lake is the largest in Bali and serves an important role as the sole irrigation source for the local farming community. We start our sightseeing today with a visit to the royal tombs of Gunung Kawi which are associated with the 11th century king Anak Wungsu and his wives. Later we move on to the Tirta Empul temple. Located in a peaceful environment with shady gardens and clear pools, the spring waters of the temple were once the bathing place of eastern Bali’s Kings. The name derives from the large spring in the centre of the temple, Tirta meaning Holy Water. The waters are believed to have magical powers, the legend has it that the God Indra, whose army had been poisoned by the Evil King Mayadenawa, pierced a stone here to produce magical water that would revive his men. We then continue on to Ubud, our base for the rest of the trip.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
13
In Ubud
We start our day with an orientation walk around the rice paddy fields, learning about local farming techniques and the life of the farmers here. The rest of the day is free to explore the town on your own. There's the option to visit some of the various handicraft workshops for which Ubud is famous, or cultural sites such as the Goa Gajah cave, Yeh Pulu rock carvings and the Pejeng Temple. Balinese art reflects many of the traditions and culture of the islands, recounting religious and historical epics, elements of puppet theatre and even real life, and in Ubud you can find some of the finest examples of the work anywhere in the archipelago.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
14
Tour ends Ubud
The tour ends after breakfast this morning, although clients on the Explore group flights to London will have some free time in Ubud before the late afternoon transfer to the airport at Denpasar.
Included meals: Breakfast
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