Arrive at the Solo Airport, formerly known as Surakarta, or the Yogyakarta Airport. (Recommended flights: Singapore to Solo SQ5212 (MI 212) where you will be met by your local guide and driver and transferred to your Hotel, 1 hour.
Founded in 1745 by a local king the site for the new Mataram kingdoms’ capital was reportedly chosen through voices heard by the King. Solo is the capital of Batik in Java and remains home to some of the most intact Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia.
For lunch today, you’ll be treated to a traditional Javanese restaurant, Pecel Solo. The fresh, tasty food is served in a charming old home filled with locals and often accompanied by live gamelan music.
This afternoon driving east you’ll ascend a scenic mountain road to reach the isolated 15th century Sukuh temple. The temple is located 910m above sea level on the slopes of Mt Lawu and is surrounded by spectacular scenery. You’ll stop to explore this unique temple with stone carvings of Hindu phallic symbols. Its pyramidal shape is similar in style to the Mayan temples of Central America.
Continue the drive, passing through beautiful tea plantations to another Hindu temple. Located even higher on the mountain, Ceto Temple is rarely visited yet is one of the most beautiful temples in the region. Its carvings are similar to Sukuh temple but the multi-tiered temple differs in architectural layout.
Return to your Hotel with dinner at leisure before a performance of the Wayang Orang, a live masked dance drama. Similar to Shadow puppet performances (Wayang Kulit) it was once only performed as a classical court dance in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. (NB: Not scheduled on Sunday)
After an early breakfast start your day with a walk along the unique Ngarsopuro pedestrian avenue in Solo. Flanked by statues playing gamelan - a set of Javanese traditional music instruments, it is a wonderful entry to the Mangkunegaraan Palace - a classical repository of classical Javanese art. Built as a palace for a ‘junior’ line of the royal family in the 18th century, the splendid building has an extensive collection of 14th century jewellery, majestic silverworks, traditional Javanese weapons and classical dancing body ornaments. (NB: Open daily: 9 am. – 2 pm, Sunday/holiday: 9 am. – 1 pm)
Next take a 2 hours bicycle tour of Bekonang village where ancient skills such as gong making are still practiced. This is also one of the only villages in Java to still produce ‘cui’, a white spirit made from fermenting sugar cane molasses.
Lunch is in a traditional Joglo style restaurant then travel around 90 min to explore the ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan in the afternoon light. 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.
Arrive to the hotel; check in for an evening at leisure.
Take breakfast before travelling along Jalan Malioboro arriving at the Beringharjo traditional market. Beringharjo is also one of the 'four in one' poles (consisting of South Square, Sultan Palace, North Square, and Beringharjo market) symbolizing the elements of the local economy. Your 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, your guide will explain the tradition of ‘Jamu’ in Indonesia – a traditional medicine based on locally blended herbs and spices for 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. As you walk through the various rooms and chambers, you will learn more about this aspect of Javanese heritage and culture.
A local cyclo, becak, will then transfer you 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.
This afternoon drive to Borobudur, 42 kilometers west of Yogyakarta. With your 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 labor and took more than 75 years to complete. These days, the UNESCO Heritage site is still visible in its full glory- with magnificent carvings and an unusual, yet surprisingly beautiful bulk structure.
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 their original location in Java.
You’ll also make 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 and freshen before a short drive where you’ll be treated to a performance of traditional Ramayana Dances while enjoying a Javanese buffet at a local restaurant.
Today begins with a scenic train ride to eastern Java. After breakfast, you will transfer to Yogyakarta Railway station to board the train to Jombang. Your guide will accompany on the journey. (NB: Planned route is aboard KA Sancaka, KA90 Departing 0700, Arriving 1112; Schedule subject to change without notice)
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 Jombang, your local driver will be there to greet you.
Travel by road to Ngadisari with stop for lunch in a local restaurant.
The final leg of today’s journey is a 3.5-4 hour drive to the village of Ngadisari on the edge of Tengger Caldera. This spectacular village is one of the gateways to Mt Bromo.
Check-in to your hotel and freshen up before dinner at the lodge.
Awake early this morning for a sunrise tour of Mt Bromo. You’ll travel by 4WD jeep to a viewing spot with stunning views of the Bromo volcano and surroundings. Watch the sun rise up from behind the volcano in Penanjakan.
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 will take you to a set of stairs which lead to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater.
Return by horse and jeep to your hotel in Ngadisari for breakfast. Check out and continue by road to Jember via Probolingo.
This is a full day of driving (7 to 8 hours) but through some very scenic areas. A lunch stop will be made en route as well as breaks and photo stops along the way.
Stop off at Bentar beach for a break and perhaps spot the whale sharks that cruise this area at times of the year. Take the walk along the intricate and lengthy piers to get a great photographic perspective of the coast.
Follow the coastal road at the very east of Java to your hotel.
Awake early this morning for an excursion to Mt Ijen. Breakfast is served at the hotel before setting off by 4WD jeep.
After a 1.5 hour 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 Mt Ijen is a large crater lake surrounded by sulphur mines and during your walk, you will probably encounter men carrying loads of up to 70 kg, often barefooted, down the mountainside.
Upon reaching the top (2385m) there is time to enjoy the views of the Crater Lake which is 200 meters deep and contains about 36 million cubic meters of steaming, acidic water. Witness the agility and strength of the miners as they collect and carry the sulphur blocks up to the crater rim.
Please note: Mt Ijen is an active volcano. Subject to volcanic activity, an alternative program will be provided if the Volcano is closed during your stay.
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 sampling of the local coffee before embarking on a tour, learning 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.
This morning you travel across the Bali straits to the island of Bali by local ferry for a scenic journey to Gilimanuk on Bali’s western shores.
Upon reaching Bali, you will continue by road Lovina – one of Bali’s renowned volcanic black sand beaches on Bali’s peaceful and scenic north coast.
Your afternoon is free to enjoy this sleepy village, wandering along the beach shorefront or relaxing on your resort deck chairs under palm trees.
Take a leisurely start to the day before you are met by your local Balinese guide and driver around 10.00am. Start this morning with a visit to the Pura Beji, a temple famous for its beautiful stone carvings and 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 staircase. This temple also holds a vast collection of deified King and Queen Statues dating to the 10-14th Century.
Continue to the crater village of Kintamani, offering spectacular views over Lake Batur and its volcano. Mt Batur standing at 1412 meters high is not the highest volcano in Bali, but it is the most active, having erupted more than twenty times during the last two centuries, and is surrounded by a spectacular caldera. Here you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
Visit Panglipuran village, a traditional countryside village well known for its traditional Balinese entrance gates and unique architectural traditions before travelling on to the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud.
Enjoy your breakfast before travelling north to the lush rice terraces of Tegalalang here you take a soft one hour trek through the rice fields where your guide will explain the ‘subak’ systems of rice irrigation that is common to Bali. Rice fields are a signature of Bali and these quiet verdant paths lined by palm trees provide great photographic opportunities.
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 his works as well as his studio. The Museum stands as testament to his love for Bali.
Learn about 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. Your guide will also explain the architectural details of the Holy Bathing Temple and the Cremation temple.
Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the many arts and crafts that are available in central Ubud, until you are picked up from your hotel at 1900 to enjoy a local performance of one of the many styles of Balinese dance in a local village.
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 go about their morning activities buying fruits, vegetables, spices and sweets for the daily family meal. The market is also filled with the colourful flowers that the Balinese use daily in their offerings at temples.
Continue to the smallest regency of Bali, Klungkung to visit the former Royal Court of Justice known as Kerta Gosa. The highlight here is an elaborately decorated ceiling featuring the “Wayang” style of painting depicting the battle of good versus evil. Kertha Gosa Taman Gili Building is a unique building set on a fishpond giving it a ‘floating ‘appearance.
Your excursion continues along small, scenic roads to Besakih: visit Besakih, known as the ‘Mother Temple’ of Bali. Located on the western slopes of Mt Agung, Bali highest volcano (2 567 m), Besakih is the largest and most important temple on the island.
Take lunch at Maha Giri restaurant; with stunning terracing rice field views against a backdrop of Mt Agung.
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 and fountains, lush plant life and natural bathing pools.
Continue along roads of terracing rice fields to the less visited east coast of Bali, the village of Amed; set on the coast under the shadow in Mt Agung.
You will be picked up from your Hotel around 0800-0815 and transferred to Jemeluk in Amed for the 0830 boat departure to Gili Trawangan, the largest of the islands off the Northwest coast of Lombok.
Upon arrival at the harbour, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred by cidomos (horse-drawn cart) to your hotel.
Note: There are no cars on the Gili islands. Transport is provided by cidomos and bicycles so the island retains a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.
This 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.
Today there are no planned activities, so you can relax and enjoy or take an excursion. Options include snorkelling trips, touring of the other islands, scuba diving or a glass-bottom boat excursion. The waters around the Gilis are teaming with coral, a multitude of tropical fish, sea turtles and other marine life.
This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast and time on the beach before a mid-day departure.
Take a local motorized outrigger boat this afternoon to Lombok where you will continue by car to Selaparang airport in Mataram for your late afternoon flight to Bali or Singapore.
Transfer Lombok International Airport for your late afternoon flight.
