A Journey Into The Heart Of Java

After breakfast in the morning, travel along Jalan Malioboro to Beringharjo Traditional Market. According to locals, Beringharjo symbolises traditional elements of the local economy with its 'four in one pole’ consisting of South Square, Sultan Palace, North Square, and Beringharjo Market. The local guide will point out the exotic vegetables and spices unique to Indonesian cooking, as well as the seasonal tropical fruits – there’s even the opportunity to taste what’s in season! Stepping up to the second floor, the guide will explain the tradition of jamu in Indonesia – a traditional medicine and beverage based on locally blended herbs and spices that’s used to treat a variety of ailments.

Learn more about Yogyakarta’s historic and cultural traditions with a half-day city tour. Start with a visit to the Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton. This building, built between 1756 –1790, is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. While walking through the various rooms and chambers, learn more about this aspect of Javanese heritage and culture. Then, receive a transfer by local cyclo, becak, to Taman Sari Water Palace and Garden. This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan, with bathing pools for his harem.

In the afternoon, drive to the UNESCO Heritage site of Borobudur, 42 kilometres west of Yogyakarta. With the guide, explore this massive Buddhist temple- the largest in the world- and discover the incredible history behind its construction. Comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple was assembled entirely by human labour and took more than 75 years to complete.

Continue with a visit to nearby Mendut Temple. Older than Borobudur, this pyramid-shaped temple houses three impressively carved stone statues; Sakyamuni (Sitting in cross legged pose with turning the wheel of dharma hand gesture), Awalokiteswara (A bodhisattva as a human helper), and Maitreya (The savior of humans for the future). The statues are thought to be some of the most impressive in Java. There will also be a stop at Pawon Temple, a simple yet beautiful monument known for its precise symmetry and a former storehouse for King Indra's weaponry. Return to the hotel late this afternoon.

Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Drive to Kaliadem, around a one-hour drive from Yogyakarta for a two-hour cycling trip. Hop on a bike and peddle through the village with stunning view of Mt Merapi until the finish point in Candi Plaosan. (Cycling level: easy to moderate, mostly downhill)

Sit back and relax after cycling in Prambanan Resto where your lunch will be served. Following lunch proceed to Prambanan Temple, the ancient Hindu temples built in the 9th century. This collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. UNESCO named Prambanan a Heritage Site in 1991. Your guide will explain the history and symbolism of the temples as you walk around. Return to your hotel in Yogyakarta for the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. njoy breakfast at hotel.

Drive to Kaliadem, around a one-hour drive from Yogyakarta for a two-hour cycling trip. Hop on a bike and peddle through the village with stunning view of Mt Merapi until the finish point in Candi Plaosan. (Cycling level: easy to moderate, mostly downhill)

Sit back and relax after cycling in Prambanan Resto where your lunch will be served. Following lunch proceed to Prambanan Temple, the ancient Hindu temples built in the 9th century. This collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. UNESCO named Prambanan a Heritage Site in 1991. Your guide will explain the history and symbolism of the temples as you walk around. Return to your hotel in Yogyakarta for the evening at leisure. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

You will leave your hotel in the very early morning to be transferred to Yogyakarta Railway Station for a scenic train ride to Mojokerto in East Java.

The previous evening, bring down main luggage to the reception before 22:00 with clear name identification. Main luggage will be transferred during the night with the driver and vehicle and be available for pick you up the next morning on arrival at Mojokerto Railway Station in East Java.

It is advisable to bring a small bag with a change and toiletry and something warm to wear, as the air conditioner on the train can be quite chilly.

Travelling by train in Java is a wonderful opportunity to meet local people, and is also the best way to enjoy the volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java.

Upon arrival in Mojokerto, meet with the local driver who will be waiting and travel by road to Ngadisari or Tosari, with a stop for lunch in a local restaurant along the way. The final leg of today’s journey is a 4-hour drive to the village of Ngadisari or Tosari on the edge of Tengger Caldera. These spectacular villages are one gateways to Mount Bromo. Overnight in Ngadisari or Tosari in Bromo.

Awake early in the morning for a sunrise tour of Mount Bromo. Travel by 4WD jeep to a viewing spot with stunning views of Bromo volcano and its surroundings. Watch sunrise from behind the volcano in Penanjakan -a truly unforgettable experience, and one of the most photogenic occasions to be had anywhere in Asia. Afterwards, continue by jeep down to the volcano caldera, often still covered by mist in the early morning. The mist, combined with the grey ashen-covered ground form to create an unusual atmosphere, often compared to the surface of the moon. A 20-minute ride on horseback heads to a set of stairs which lead to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater. Return by horse and jeep to the hotel in Tosari or Ngadisari for breakfast. Check out and continue by road to Banyuwangi via Probolinggo.

This is a full day of driving through some very scenic areas. A lunch stop and photo breaks will be made en route. Follow a scenic coastal road in East Java to the hotel for the evening. Upon arrival, check in and spend the rest of the evening at leisure -but be sure to tuck in early, as it’s another very early rise on the next morning. Overnight in Banyuwangi.

Depart in the very early morning for an excursion to Mount Ijen.

After a 90-minute drive, reach the Paltuding Base Camp (1850m). The trek to the top is 3 kilometres and follows a wide, packed-dirt pathway. At the top of Mount Ijen is a large crater lake surrounded by sulphur mines. Upon reaching the top (2,385m) take time to enjoy views of the crater lake which is 200 metres deep and contains about 36 million cubic metres of steaming, acidic water. Witness the agility and strength of the famous miners as they collect and carry the sulphur blocks up to the crater rim.

Return via the same route to base camp and continue by road to the former Dutch Plantation of Kali Klatak. Take a delicious traditional lunch on arrival complete with a sampling of local coffee before embarking on a tour to learn about the production and harvesting of produce such as cacao, coffee, pepper and rubber using techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation. Finish the tour with afternoon tea at a viewpoint that provides a fantastic vista across to Bali. Enjoy dinner at your resort this evening.

After breakfast in the morning, travel across the Bali Strait to the island of Bali by local ferry for a scenic journey to Gilimanuk, on Bali’s western shores. Upon reaching Bali, continue by road to Lovina – one of Bali’s renowned volcanic black sand beach destinations, on Bali’s peaceful and scenic north coast. After arriving in this sleepy town, wander along the beach or relax on your resort deck chairs under palm trees. Overnight in Lovina.

Start the morning with a visit to the Pura Beji, a temple famous for its beautiful stone carvings and for being the largest ‘rice temple’ in Bali. Travel along the winding mountain roads before stopping at the temple of Pura Puncak Penulisan for amazing 360-degree cloud-shrouded views across the valley – well worth the steep ascent by stairs. This temple also holds a vast collection of deified king and queen statues dating to the 10-14th centuries. Continue to the crater village of Kintamani, which offers spectacular views over Lake Batur and its volcano. Mount Batur stands at 1,412 meters tall and, although it’s not the tallest volcano in Bali, it is the most active, having erupted more than twenty times during the last two centuries. It’s also surrounded by a spectacular caldera. Afterwards, continue the drive to Ubud, in the centre of Bali, and check into the hotel late in the afternoon. The rest of the evening is free to spend at leisure. Overnight in Ubud.

Enjoy breakfast before travelling north to the lush rice terraces of Tegalalang. Here, take a soft two-hour trek through the rice fields and learn from the guide about subak systems of rice irrigation, which are a signature method of cultivation in Bali. These quiet verdant paths lined by palm trees provide astounding photographic opportunities, so be sure to bring a camera along!

Afterwards, visit the Blanco Renaissance Museum. Antonio Blanco is arguably the most famous artist to have ever lived in Bali, and his former home has been converted into a museum with an extensive collection of works as well as his studio. The museum stands as testament to his love for Bali.

Then, learn about the Hindu spiritual significance of the Pura Dalem Agung at Sacred Monkey Forest. This temple is located at the highest point in the forest and is still used for ceremonies. The guide will also explain the architectural details of the Holy Bathing Temple and the Cremation Temple.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the many arts and crafts that are available in central Ubud until being picked up from the hotel at 19:00. Early in the evening enjoy a local performance of one of the many styles of Balinese dance in a local village -one of the most magical experiences to be had in Bali. Overnight in Ubud.

After breakfast, start the day with a morning tour of the traditional Ubud Market. This is the best time to see the market as it is full of fresh produce from all over the island. Mingle with the locals as they after breakfast, start the day with a morning tour of the traditional Ubud Market. This is the best time to see the market as it is full of fresh exotic produce from all over the island. Mingle with the locals as they go about their morning activities buying fruits, vegetables, spices and sweets. The market is also filled with the colourful flowers that the Balinese use in daily temple offerings.

Continue to the smallest regency of Bali, Klungkung, to visit the former Royal Court of Justice known as Kertagosa. The highlight here is an elaborately decorated ceiling featuring a wayang-style painting depicting the battle of good versus evil. Kertagosa Taman Gili is a unique building set on a fish pond giving it a ‘floating’ appearance.

The excursion continues along small, scenic roads to Besakih, which is also known as the ‘Mother Temple’ of Bali. Located on the western slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest volcano (2,567 m), Besakih is the largest and most religiously important temple on the island.

Take lunch at Maha Giri Restaurant, with stunning terraced ricefield views against a backdrop of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest volcano. Pay a visit to Tirta Gangga. Meaning 'water of the Ganges,' this sacred water palace was built in the early twentieth century by the last king of Karangasem. It boasts many decorative ponds, fountains, lush plant life and natural bathing pools. From here, drive to the nearby Taman Ujung Water Palace. Built in 1909 and designed by Dutch and Chinese architects, it’s one of the most impressive and unique buildings Bali has to offer and is not very well known amongst tourists as it is not one of the famous sights in Bali. Continue along roads of terraced rice fields to the less-visited east coast of Bali to the hotel in Candidasa.

Be picked up from the hotel for the transfer to the nearby harbour in Padang Bai (join-in transfer). From there, depart Bali on a speedboat to the Gili Islands.Upon arrival in the tropical paradise of Gili Trawangan, be welcomed by our representative and transferred by cidomo (horse-drawn cart) to the hotel.

Note: There are no cars on the Gili Islands and the transportation available is by either cidomo or bicycles -so the island retains a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.

The afternoon and evening are at leisure to relax on the beach or take a bike ride around the island. Don’t miss sunset on the western side of the island with views across to Bali.Overnight on Gili Trawangan Island.