Temples, Volcanoes and Beaches; Private Tour

Arrive at the Yogyakarta International Airport and meet your guide to transfer to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. 

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to Borobudur Temple before the crowds arrive, located around 40 kilometres west of Yogyakarta. Discover the incredible history behind the construction of this massive temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks were assembled entirely by human labour, taking nearly 100 years to complete. At the entrance gate, your classic bicycle awaits you to explore the temple and surroundings together with your local guide. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful temple is still visible in its full glory boasting magnificent and unusual carvings.

Next, get a taste of local life with a horse-drawn cart ride through Candirejo Village. Known as a dokar, the local horse-drawn cart takes you through this peaceful, charming village. Travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities, such as making cassava crackers, playing gamelan – traditional music – and harvesting and drying of vanilla and chili. Drive back to Yogyakarta, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, then return to the hotel.

Shamanism is still practiced to this day in Indonesia, especially in Java and Bali, and this afternoon it is your turn to get to know this old cultural tradition. Make your way to the busy town of Yogyakarta to meet with a Javanese shaman, or Shinse. The shaman will read your profile, character and habit through a Javanese calendar method.

In the evening, discover Indonesian cuisine over dinner at Dalem Joyokusumo. This dalem, or royal family house, was inhabited by Raden Wedono Condrokusumo, a cousin of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII, the king of Yogyakarta. Here they offer you a royal family ‘secret’, or special menu that is usually served only for the royal family.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, visit Keraton Yogyakarta, the Sultan Palace, a grand complex and a fine example of Javanese architecture. Walk through this living museum and learn more about Javanese heritage and culture. At the exit, a pedicab, known locally as a becak, awaits you for your short transfer to Taman Sari, the Water Palace. This palace was built by the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, especially dedicated for his harem as a bathing pool.

Next, go on a bike ride and explore the neighbourhood of Kotagede with its signature silver craftsmanship. Exploring Kotagede is an interesting experience as you see the artists at work. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer from the city centre of Yogyakarta, heading east to discover the lesser-known temples in the area. Plaosan is a twin Buddhist temple in the middle of a rice field and plantation. The temple features many unique reliefs and has 116 ancillary domes and 50 ancillary temples.

After, a traditional horse-drawn cart awaits you for a short transfer through a traditional Javanese village to Prambanan. Explore the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta. Built in the ninth 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 World Heritage Site in 1991. Learn the history and symbolism of the temples as you walk around the complex. Afterward, drive through a winding and hilly road to reach Ratu Boko, proudly standing 200m above sea level, overlooking the magnificent Prambanan temples, with the mystical Mount Merapi as its distant backdrop. Ratu Boko Palace is a remnant of the glorious golden age of the ancient Javanese kingdoms. From this mystic temple, witness beautiful scenic views as the sun sets over the horizon. Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast and lunch included.

After breakfast, transfer to the Yogyakarta railway station to board an early morning train to Jombang. Begin with a scenic train ride to eastern Java with your guide. Your ride will be on the Sancaka train in executive class very early in the morning to arrive mid morning at your destination. Train travel in Java is a great experience – meet friendly locals and enjoy the volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java.

Upon arrival in Mojokerto, your driver awaits to transfer you to Ngadisari Village (approx. 4 hours), located on the outskirts of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The climate here is cool all year round as the village is perched at an altitude of about 1,700 metres above sea level. On the way, visit Trowulan, once the capital of the Majapahit Empire centuries ago.  The Majapahit Empire, which dates back to the 13^th century, was a large Hindu empire, stretching from Sumatra to New Guinea, consisting of a large part of Asia Pacific. A stop will be made at Pasuruan Harbour for lunch. In this charming fishing village, see traditional wooden boats and the daily activities of the local fisherman. Afterwards, head directly to Ngadisari village for check-in.

Overnight in Bromo. Breakfast and lunch included.

Today we make an early start this morning to go on a sunrise tour of Mount Bromo from Penanjakan. Depart the hotel by 4x4 Jeep very early in the morning to reach the first stopping point at Penanjakan (2,770m), approximately 40 minutes from the hotel passing through wide areas of sea sand. From this vantage point, the stunning views of Bromo volcano and surrounds will amaze you as the sun slowly rises up from behind the volcano. Afterwards, continue by Jeep down to the volcano caldera, which is usually still covered by mist early in the morning. Then a 25-minute horseback ride will take you to the first stairway that leads you to the rim of still active Bromo crater (2,329m). Return to the hotel for reviving breakfast, perhaps a shower, and a rest.

After, transfer to Surabaya for your flight (not included) to Bali with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar where you will be greeted by your local guide to then head to the town of Ubud. Located in the island’s centre, Ubud is the artistic and cultural capital of Bali. Check in to your hotel, with the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Ubud. Breakfast and lunch included.

Start with breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover the true Balinese way of life and get to know more about the culture and traditions. Be Balinese for a day! Experience a warm Balinese greeting as you step into the traditional way of life before entering a Balinese compound, where you'll be welcomed with tea, coffee, and typical Balinese cakes as refreshments. After exploring the compound and observing local activities, you will be shown the process of making coconut oil. You can also witness traditional Balinese crafts such as Blacksmithing, where Balinese people produce their traditional tools, Hat-making, showcasing the craftsmanship of creating Balinese hats, the production of Balinese wine, ‘tuak’ and mats woven from pandanus tectorius leaves. Flowers and fruit arrangements, an inseparable part of Balinese tradition, will also be on display, showcasing customs passed down through generations for centuries. You'll have the opportunity to practice climbing a coconut tree to harvest coconuts for beverages, and afterward, participate in rice farming using traditional tools. Planting rice in this way is an experience you’ll treasure. Finally, we will gather at the Bale Bengong (Gazebo) to enjoy lunch. Then proceed to Penglipuran, a traditional village that still preserves its traditional Balinese house architecture. These typical Balinese entrances stand in a row on the left and right sides of the village. Return to Ubud, with time at leisure.

Overnight in Ubud. Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, start your journey as you feel the gentle breeze of Ubud. Your first stop is at Tegalalang where you can admire the beautiful rice terraces. Continue to Sebatu temple, passing through a scenic drive along small authentic villages. Arrive at Kintamani, a volcanic region where Mount Batur reigns over the land, offering breathtaking views. Adjacent to the volcano is the large crescent-shaped Batur Lake, surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim.

Stop for a set lunch menu at a local restaurant with all-encompassing views over Lake Batur, and then continue the drive down to Tirta Empul Temple, famous for its holy water, where Balinese worshipers have been drawn to this temple for more than 1,000 years. You will find a bathing pool of natural spring of water displaying an archetype of Balinese style. Transfer back to your hotel and enjoy time free at leisure.

Overnight in Ubud area hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Begin with breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, our guide will pick you up to check out the Ubud art market, the most popular traditional market on the island of Bali. Here, wander the aisles where the local vendors sell a variety of goods from handicrafts to spices. Depart onward to the north from the Ubud palace and start a morning walk through a rice paddy, organic farm and villages. Visit a Balinese painter’s house, displaying his works of art around the house. Then savour lunch at a local restaurant. Next, transfer to your hotel in Sanur, the ‘morning of the world’, which is not far away from the truth. The morning sunrise here is sure to leave you in awe, as the warm sun ascends over the white sand beaches. Check in at your hotel with the remainder of the day free.

Overnight in Sanur . Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning free at leisure. In the afternoon, head to one of Bali’s most impressive temples, Uluwatu Temple, an exquisite monument perched above the sea and situated on a headland at the westernmost tip of the peninsula. Stroll through a small grove inhabited by hundreds of monkeys where the locals believe them to be the guardians of the temple. The walkway leads you to the first courtyard, then ascend a set of stairs to reach the highlight where magnificent views await.

In the evening, the epic Balinese Kecak dance performance begins. The performance tells the story of an external love tale between Rama and Shinta and the stunning sunset background will complement an unforgettable experience. Onward, transfer to Tanjung Benoa where you will experience a typical Balinese rijsttafel at Bumbu Bali Restaurant. End the evening with a transfer back to your hotel in Sanur.

Overnight in Sanur. Breakfast and dinner included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy today at leisure.

Optional excursion: Morning trip to Mount Batur. For this early morning trek, depart very early before dawn breaks (around 01:30 hrs) and follow the straightforward path to the centre of the crater during approximately two hours. Once on the crest, enjoy the awesome view of the sun rising from behind the mighty Mount Agung. Meanwhile, sample a replenishing breakfast of hardboiled eggs and hot tea or coffee, cooked to perfection in the natural heat steaming from the belly of the volcano. After taking in the beauty of the summit, head down to the hot spring of Toya Bungkah village where an American breakfast will be served. Enjoy and relax by the pool of the natural hot spring with the view of the beautiful surroundings before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Sanur. Breakfast included.

Breakfast at hotel. Free time until it is time to be transferred to the Denpasar airport for your flight back home.

Breakfast included.