7D Java Explorer – Temples to Volcanoes,
Java Island, Indonesia

Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrive Solo or Jogjakarta – Jogjakarta (-/L/-)
Arrive at the Solo Airport, formerly known as Surakarta, 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.

After freshening up, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before setting off on an afternoon excursion. You’ll be introduced to one of Indonesia’s most famous crafts with a visit to a traditional batik factory. Not only will you learn about the ancient techniques and observe skilled craftsmen, but you will also have the chance to create your own batik. Start from scratch, making a design, applying wax and mixing your own dye. Your creation will be delivered to your hotel after drying.

Dinner at leisure at the hotel.

Overnight in Jogjakarta.

Day 02 / Jogjakarta – Borobudur – Candirejo – Jogjakarta (B/L/D)
Today you will have the chance to learn more about Jogjakarta’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.

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.

Lunch in a local restaurant in Jogjakarta.

This afternoon 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 adokar, 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, return to Jogjakarta arriving early this evening.

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 – Prambanan – Sukuh & Cetoh Temples – Solo (B/L/-)
After breakfast, drive 17 kilometers from Jogjakarta to the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan. Built in the 9^thcentury, 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.
Continue with a drive to Solo. Formerly known as Surakarta, this charming city is referred to as the ‘twin’ sister of Jogjakarta.

Upon arrival, visit Mangkunegaran Palace, a classical repository of classical Javanese art. Built as a palace for a ‘junior’ line of the royal family in the 18^th century, the splendid building has an extensive collection of 14^th 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 gamelanmusic.

This afternoon continue driving east. You’ll ascend a scenic mountain road to reach the isolated 15^thcentury 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 Solo late this afternoon.

Dinner is at your leisure in the hotel or at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Overnight in Solo.

Day 04 / Solo – Surabaya (by train) – Ngadisari / Mt Bromo (by road) (B/L/D)
Today begins with a scenic train ride to eastern Java. After breakfast, you will transfer to Solo Balapan Railway station to board the train to Surabaya. Your guide will accompany on the journey.

Note Planned route is aboard KA Sancaka, KA90 Departing 0812, Arriving 1238; 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 Surabaya Gubeng Railway station, your driver will be there to greet you. Before continuing onwards, stop in Surabaya 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.

Overnight in Ngadisari / Bromo

Day 05 / Mt Bromo – Kalibaru (B/L/D)
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 (7-8 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.The final stretch of the journey takes you through beautiful forests with mountains forming a dramatic backdrop.
You’ll reach Kalibaru, a remote area known for its coffee and spice plantations, early this evening and check into your hotel. After freshening up, dinner will be served this evening at the hotel.

Overnight in Kalibaru.

Day 06 / Kalibaru – Ijen (B/L/D)
Spend the morning with a tour of Kalibaru. Visit plantations growning local products such as cacao, coffee, pepper and rubber. Learn about the growing and harvesting processes, using techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation in the area. Finish the morning’s tour with a coffee tasting session.

Return to Margo Utomo hotel for lunch.

This afternoon, proceed to Ijen (around 4h drive). Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Nestled amid vibrant rice fields, surrounded by jungle and woodlands and with Mt Ijen looming in the distance, the location is unbeatable. Relax poolside or on the balcony of your room.
Enjoy dinner at Ijen Resort this evening.

Overnight in Ijen.

Day 07 / Ijen – Bali – Pemuteran or Lovina – Departure (B/L/-)
Awake early this morning for an excursion to Mt Ijen and its surroundings. Breakfast is served at the hotel before setting off by 4WD jeep.

After a 1.5 hour drive, reach the Paltuding base camp (1,850m). The trek to the top is 3 kilometers 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.

Return via the same route to basecamp and continue by road to Ketapang. Before boarding the ferry to Bali, stop for lunch in a local restaurant in Ketapang. Then, cross the Bali Strait by local ferry for the scenic journey to Gilimanuk on Bali’s western shores.
Upon reaching Bali, you will continue by road to either Pemuteran or Lovina Beach.

Minor program 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 $1,740 Twin
• USD $450 Single Supplement

Deluxe Hotels

• Jogja ~ Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden View room
• Solo ~ Novotel Solo Hotel in Superior room
• Bromo ~ Java Banana in Deluxe room
• Margo Utomo ~ Margo Utomo (Hill View Cottages) in Deluxe Cottages
• Ijen ~ Ijen Resort in Superior Room

Superior Hotels

• USD $1,668 Twin
• USD $378 Single Supplement

Superior Hotels

• Jogja ~ Phoenix Hotel in Superior room
• Solo ~ Novotel Solo Hotel in Superior room
• Bromo ~ Java Banana in Superior room
• Margo Utomo ~ Margo Utomo (Hill View Cottages) in Superior Cottages
• Ijen ~ Ijen Resort in Superior 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

• International flights and airport departure taxes
• Indonesian Visa and Visa arrangements, where applicable
• Pre and post tour accommodation in Bali in Pemuteran or Lovina Beach
• 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