Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrive Solo or Jogjakarta – Prambanan – Jogjakarta (-/L/-)
Arrive at the Solo Airport or the Jogjakarta Airport.

Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Jogjakarta for check-in. (1 hour from Solo and 15mn from Jogjakarta Adisutjipto Airport)
Despite the official spelling of ‘Yogyakarta’ this town is usually pronounced and often written Jogjakarta or simply Jogja. It is the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Jogja is a center of art and education and the cradle of traditional Javanese culture.

Lunch at leisure at your hotel.

This afternoon will be spent exploring the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometers from Jogjakarta. 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.

Note The May 2006 Jogjakarta earthquake caused significant damage to some parts of Prambanan. The site is open again, but some temples are cordoned off and as of mid-2009 entry into most temples is not allowed.

Following your visit to Prambanan, return to your hotel in Jogjakarta for dinner at leisure.
Overnight in Jogjakarta.

Day 02 / Jogjakarta (B/-/D)
Today you will have the chance to learn more about Jogjakarta’s historic and cultural traditions with a full-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.

You’ll also visit the adjacent ‘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.

A local cyclo, becak, will then transfer you through the streets to the bird market where you’ll see a slice of local Jogja life. Keeping songbirds as pets is a popular Indonesian tradition and the market is filled with birds with beautiful voices and vendors who entice shoppers to listen to their birds’ songs. In addition to birds, an array of other animals are sold as pets including snakes, hamsters, rabbits and cats.

Continue this morning’s tour with a visit to Sonobudoyo museum. Focusing on Javanese culture, the museum features exhibits of artifacts such as hand-crafted weapons,wooden wayang puppets, masks and old Javanese gamelan instruments.

Lunch at leisure.

This afternoon is dedicated to exploring more of the art and handicrafts of Jogjakarta. Visit a traditional Batik workshop and then the village of Kotagede. Located around 10 kilometers from the city center, this 16th century village is known for producing some of the best silver handicrafts in the country.

Return to Jogjakarta for a chance to relax and freshen-up. This evening, you’ll be treated to a performance of traditional Ramayana Dances while dining at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Jogjakarta.

Day 03 / Jogjakarta – Borobudur – Candi Rejjo – Ambarawa – Losari (B/L/-)
Awake early this morning to drive to Borobudor, 42 kilometers west of Jogjakarta. 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.

Next, you’ll get a taste for local life with a horse cart ride through Candirejo village. Known as a dokar, the local horse cart will take you through this peaceful, charming village. You’ll travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan and harvesting and drying of vanilla and chili.

Following the dokar ride, enjoy lunch at a restaurant surrounded by rice fields.
Continue by road to Ambarawa, a two hour drive north. You’ll check in at magnificent Losari Plantation Resort. Featuring a blend of colonial buildings and traditional Javanese cottages, the hilltop resort is surrounded by coffee and tea plantations.

The remainder of this afternoon and evening are at leisure to walk around the resort, enjoy a steam bath at the spa or relax on your cottage’s balcony. (NOTE: first class accommodation will be at Tlogo Agro Coffee Plantation- standard category in cottage room- located in Salatiga near Ambarawa).

Overnight in Losari.

Day 04 / Losari Plantation and Gedong Songo (B/L/-)
Start today with a walking tour of the Losari Plantation. Your guide will explain everything you need to know about the quality organic robusta coffee grown on the property as you walk through the fields. At the coffee shed you’ll witness traditional techniques of roasting and grinding the beans. Then, amid the plantation, you’ll stop to enjoy a tasting session of Losari’s coffee as well as jamu, Javanese herbal drinks. You will also see the organic vegetables and tropical fruits grown on site.

Enjoy lunch at the plantation with views over the fields.

An afternoon excursion takes you to the nearby Gedong Songo temples complex. This group of small, 8th-century Hindu temples are amongst the oldest in Java. A short ride on horseback takes you to the mountain top for spectacular views and a chance to roam among these ancient monuments.

Return to Losari late this afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Note for first class accommodation option, tour and lunch will be at Tlogo Agro Coffee Plantation.

Overnight in Losari.

Day 05 / Losari – Solo – Sukuh Temple – Blitar (B/L/-)
Early morning, depart from Losari and drive to Solo. Formerly known as Surakarta, this charming city is referred to as the ‘twin’ sister of Jogjakarta (1h30 drive).

Upon arrival, visit Mangkunegaran Palace, a 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 jewelry, majestic silverworks, traditional Javanese weapons and classical dancing body ornaments.

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 continue 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.

Drive down the mountain and onwards another 5 hours to Blitar. A quiet town in East Java, Blitar is the hometown of Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno.

Upon arrival, check-in at Hotel Tugu Blitar.
This evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in Blitar.

Day 06 / Blitar – Penataran Temples – Malang – Mt Bromo (B/L/D)
After breakfast, depart for a morning visit to Penataran. Penataran is the largest ancient Hindu temple in east Java dating from the Majapahit period. Walk around this tranquil temple complex with its three courtyards and intricate stone carvings. This compound was famously rediscovered in 1815 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the famed lieutenant General Governor of the British colonial government.

Following your visit, continue by road to Malang. During the period of Dutch colonization, Malang was a popular destination for European residents who were seeking cool air and beautiful countryside. Affectionately known as the “Paris of East Java”, the city has retained many old Colonial Dutch buildings.

You’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant before embarking on a city tour, visiting the old Dutch buildings a wide, tree-lined streets of the town.

The final leg of today’s drive (2.5 hours) takes you 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.

Overnight in Ngadisari / Bromo.

Day 07 / Mt Bromo – Surabaya – Departure (B/L/-)
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 behind the volcano.

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 Surabaya, stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant.
You’ll be dropped at the Surabaya airport for your onward flight to Bali or to a hotel in Surabaya for the overnight stay (Not included).

Minor programme changes are sometime necessary, depending on confirmed flight, road conditions, weather and availability of room.

Land Cost
Prices per person in USD dollars, and based on 02 persons travelling together.

Deluxe Hotels

• USD $2,286 Twin
• USD $924 Single Supplement

Deluxe Hotels

• Jogja ~ Hyatt Regency in Gardenn View room
• Losari ~ Losari Plantation Resort in Plantation Villa
• Biltar ~ Tugu Biltar in Tugu Suite
• Bromo ~ Java Banana in Deluxe room

Superior Hotels

• USD $2,196 Twin
• USD $852 Single Supplement

Superior Hotels

• Jogja ~ Phoenix Hotel in Superior room
• Losari ~ Losari Plantation Resort in Pantation Villa
• Biltar ~ Tugu Biltar in Tugu Suite
• Bromo ~ Java Banana in Deluxe room

Validity

• Oct 01, 2011 – Sep 30, 2012

Inclusions

• Hotel accommodation in half-twin/double room with daily breakfast.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles.
• English-speaking local guide (supplements apply for other language guides)
• All entrance fees and tours as indicated in itinerary.
• Empty return to Jogjakarta for vehicle and guide is included

Exclusions

• All international flights and airport departure taxes
• Indonesian Visa and Visa arrangement, where applicable
• Pre and post tour accommodation in Jogya or Surabaya
• Meals other than mentioned above.
• Camera/video entrance fees.
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips, etc).
• Travel insurance
• Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

Seasonal Surcharges for Hotels

• Peak season surcharges may apply and compulsory meals may also apply during Christmas and New Year periods; changes to itineraries may also need to be arranged during these times.

Land Package Validity

• Oct 01, 2011 – Sep 30, 2012