Ultimate Java and Bali Tour

Your adventure begins today as you arrive in Jakarta and transfer to your hotel in Bogor. Bogor was during the Dutch colonial times, called Buitenzorg. Buitenzorg literally means without worry and you’ll come to understand why this title is so fitting! Bogor is a welcomed escape from the metropolis of Jakarta. Located at the foot of the 2,211 m high Gunung Salak, Bogor’s higher elevation also makes its temperature more pleasant than Jakarta’s. Settle in and enjoy your first evening in Bogor.

Today you have ample time to visit the world-famous botanical garden: Kebun Raya. This beautiful garden of 80 hectares is home to over 15,000 different plants including 400 different kinds of palms. The grounds wrap around the former presidential palace which is a true sight to behold. A walk through the park leads you along rivers and delicate lotus ponds. At the highest point of the garden lays an atmospheric colonial tea and coffee house where you can enjoy refreshments.

You’ll continue your journey this morning through the beautiful landscape of Java. Via the spectacular Puncak Pass at an altitude of 1,439 meters. Passing several tea plantations and Sawa's, you will soon arrive in Bandung. On the way, you’ll pass through tea plantations as far as the eye can see and can even visit a tea factory along the way! When Bandung was erased in 1920, the plan was to make a modern city, and architects were called from Europe to use the art deco style here for the design of the buildings. There are still some nice examples to be seen. The museum Geologi and the museum Asia Afrika here are both well worth a visit.

By car, you can get up as high as the crater of the active volcano Tangkuban Perahu. It is beautiful to walk along the rim of the crater of this 2,076m high volcano. Nearby the volcano you can take a relaxing hot bath at the natural hot springs of Ciater.

On the way to Pangadaran, you’ll visit the only temple of West Java, Cangkuang. To get there you need to cross a lake filled with water lilies on a bamboo raft. Further on you can visit Naga, a traditional Sudanese village that still lives a step back in time. Late In the afternoon you will arrive at the small peninsula where Pangandaran is located.

You have two full days in Pangandaran. On the beach, fishermen get on the traditional manner the fish in. You can laze away on the beach or opt to visit the famous Green Canyon (not included). With a small boat, the guide will lead you through the caves where beautiful stalagmites and stalactites can be seen. The small nature reserve Prenanjun has a variety of wildlife such as porcupines, deer, and cheeky monkeys.

In the morning you’ll leave the south coast and drive up to the mountains to the city of Wonosobo. Wonosbo lays on the edge of the 2,000 m height situated Dieng Plateau. The night here can be cold thus a sweater can come in handy!

In the early morning, the mysterious landscape of Dieng is at its best. The oldest Hindu temples of Java appear serene from the mist. A walk down along mountain paths with beautiful views on the slopes and along the vegetable gardens of the farmers is hard on the knees but very pleasant. In the afternoon you will arrive at your unique accommodation located on the complex of one of the largest Buddhist sanctuaries in the world, the Borobodur. A stunning sunset this evening will be the icing on the cake!

In the early morning, you can visit Borobudur at its best when it is still quiet as the day visitors have not yet arrived. The morning light is great for photographing this awe-inspiring World Heritage Site of Borobudur. Built-in the 8th century, this stunning artistic and architectural marvel lay undiscovered until 1815. Before you head on to Yogyakarta you will visit the nearby Pawon temple, which is in the middle of a typical village, and Mendut temple with its magnificent statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni.

Mid-day you will continue to Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java.

Many optional excursions (not included) await you today! Opt to take a city tour with a cycle rickshaw (becak) to explore the Sultan’s Palace which is located in the heart of the old city. The huge palace of the Sultans of Yogyakarta is the centre of a small walled city within the city. Over 25,000 people live within the greater Kraton compound, which has its own market, shops, schools, and mosques. In the evening you opt to attend a performance of the classic Ramayana dance and theatre.

Today you’ll make your way to beautiful Solo, on the way, you will visit the famous Prambanan temples which encompass 224 ruined temples. The Hindu temple complex is of stunning beauty and devoted to the gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. You will check-in at the hotel in Solo by midday. In the afternoon you can visit the Sultan Palace. Here a local guide will show you around. At walking distance from the Sultan palace, there is the Batik Museum Danar Hadi. This private museum houses a great collection of excellent Batik, antique and Royal textiles from Java and China etc. A guide will lead you to the 11 rooms with all kinds of Batik. At the end and in the back of the museum you see about 200 people working in a big hall processing the batik textiles using different techniques.

In the evening there are great dining opportunities in the city. Interesting is the town centre where the night market is put up around the Alun Alun- the city centre.

You will continue your journey as you make your way to Malang today. Drive time is approximately 8 hours to reach this old colonial city.

This morning is free to explore charming Malang town at your leisure. In the early afternoon, you’ll ride via Probolinggo to the Gunung Bromo Volcano. Your hotel is in or nearby Cemoro Lawang, situated spectacularly on the edge of the Tengger crater. The ascent of the volcano is usually the highlight of every visit to Java. You can watch the sunset at spectacular Bromo this evening.

An early rise this morning (4.00 am!) will ensure you have enough time for the jeep ride to the sunrise viewpoint up above. Cross the sea of sand’ and climb 246 steps upwards to the cone of Mt Bromo, and in the morning light you will see smoke rising from the crater; a fantastic view, made even better when the slowly rising sun reveals an amazing moon-like landscape. After this adventure, you head back to your hotel for breakfast and continue to Kalibaru, where you stay the night in beautifully situated bungalows surrounded by coffee, cacao and rubber plantations. Travel time today is approximately 7 hours.

Drive along the north coast of East Java to Banyuwangi today to reach Java’s east coast port. Here you’ll be fascinated by locals diving into the water off high construction poles to fetch the coins dropped into the water by passengers. A short boat journey with the local ferry will then bring you to Bali, the fabled Island of Gods and Demons. Travel time today is approximately 5 hours.

A day with lots of optional activities for you to choose from (not included). If you want to see dolphins, prepare to get up early, and go out on the sea by small boat. Or for excellent snorkelling and diving head to Menjangan (Deer) Island, part of the West Bali National Park. Or take a step back in time and visit the old Colonial houses or the only Buddhist temple there is on Bali. The warm springs of Banjar, finally, are also worth visiting.

First, you visit the Gitgit Waterfall and proceed on to Bratan Mountain Lake, which is situated at a height of 1,240 meters. The Pura Ulun Danu temple in this lake is said to be home to the Danu goddess, who is responsible for the water distribution to Bali’s many rice terraces. Travel time today is approximately 6 hours.

A wide range of optional excursions (not included) are possible for exploring Ubud today and its surroundings. Interesting temples and palaces such as the Elephant Cave, Tampak Siring or the famous Pura Besakih (the mother temple) and Kintamani are only a few of the interesting sights to visit. Trekking around Ubud rice fields, white water rafting and spa treatments are also available. Interesting dance performances in former palaces or temple ceremonies are worth a visit, too! And last but not least, the many galleries in and around Ubud offer a wide range of handicrafts and arts.

A short drive will bring you to Sanur, a tranquil coastal town on the southeast coast of Bali. A perfect place to relax and let all the impressions of the adventure thus far settle down in your mind forever. The accommodation for the night is a pleasant cozy bungalow near the beach.

You will have the opportunity to visit Bali highlights, rafting, cycling etc. Sanur has a wide range of excellent restaurants and shops for your souvenirs. It also has a peaceful, quiet beach.

This morning your 3-week odyssey in Indonesia comes to an end. Pack up and check out of your hotel to depart.