Temples Volcanoes and Beaches Exploration

Arrive at Yogyakarta International Airport where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in at your own pace. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off early to Borobudur Temple, located about 40 kilometres west of Yogyakarta, to explore before the crowds arrive. This vast Buddhist monument, the largest of its kind in the world, was constructed over nearly a century using thousands of volcanic and river stones assembled entirely by hand. At the entrance, a classic bicycle awaits to accompany us as we cycle around the temple and its surroundings with your local guide. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur remains remarkably well-preserved, showcasing intricate and unusual carvings.Next, we experience local village life with a ride in a dokar – a traditional horse-drawn cart – through Candirejo Village. This peaceful village offers a glimpse into daily activities such as making cassava crackers, playing gamelan music, and harvesting vanilla and chilli. We then return to Yogyakarta, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel.In the afternoon, we delve into an enduring cultural tradition by meeting a Javanese shaman, or Shinse, in the bustling town of Yogyakarta. The shaman will interpret your character and habits using a Javanese calendar method.In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dalem Joyokusumo, a former royal family residence once home to a cousin of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII. Here, you will be served a special menu traditionally reserved for the royal family, offering a unique insight into Indonesian cuisine. Overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin with a visit to Keraton Yogyakarta, the Sultan’s Palace. This impressive complex is a prime example of Javanese architecture and serves as a living museum where you can learn about the region’s rich heritage and culture. At the palace exit, a pedicab, known locally as a becak, will take you on a short transfer to Taman Sari, the Water Palace. Built by the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, this palace was designed as a bathing retreat for his harem.Next, we set off on a bike ride through Kotagede, a neighbourhood renowned for its silver craftsmanship. Here, you’ll see artisans at work, offering a fascinating glimpse into this traditional craft. We pause for lunch at a local restaurant before heading east from Yogyakarta city centre to explore some lesser-known temples.Our first stop is Plaosan, a twin Buddhist temple set amid rice fields and plantations. The temple is notable for its unique reliefs and extensive complex, which includes 116 ancillary domes and 50 smaller temples. Afterwards, a traditional horse-drawn cart will transfer you through a Javanese village to Prambanan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta. This ninth-century Hindu temple complex features three main shrines dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. We explore the temples while learning about their history and symbolism.To conclude the day, we drive along a winding, hilly road to Ratu Boko Palace, perched 200 metres above sea level. Overlooking the Prambanan temples and framed by the distant Mount Merapi, this ancient site offers stunning views, especially at sunset. We then return to the hotel in Yogyakarta for the night. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast, we transfer to Yogyakarta railway station to board the early morning Sancaka train in executive class, heading east to Jombang. Enjoy a scenic journey through Central and East Java, passing volcanic landscapes and meeting friendly locals along the way. We arrive mid-morning at Mojokerto, where your driver will meet you for the approximately four-hour transfer to Ngadisari Village, situated on the edge of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park at around 1,700 metres altitude, offering a cool climate year-round. En route, we visit Trowulan, the former capital of the Majapahit Empire—a vast 13th-century Hindu kingdom that once spanned much of the Asia Pacific region. We stop for lunch at Pasuruan Harbour, a quaint fishing village where you can observe traditional wooden boats and local fishermen at work. After lunch, we continue directly to Ngadisari for check-in and overnight stay near Mount Bromo. Breakfast and lunch are included.

We start very early this morning with a sunrise tour of Mount Bromo. Depart by 4x4 Jeep around dawn, travelling approximately 40 minutes across vast sea sand plains to reach Penanjakan at 2,770 metres. From this viewpoint, enjoy spectacular views as the sun rises behind the Bromo volcano and its surroundings. Afterwards, continue by Jeep down into the caldera, often shrouded in morning mist. Then, take a 25-minute horseback ride to the base of the stairway leading to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater at 2,329 metres. After descending, return to the hotel for breakfast and some rest. Later, transfer to Surabaya for your flight (not included) to Bali. En route, stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, your local guide will meet you and escort you to Ubud, the cultural and artistic heart of Bali, located in the island’s centre. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast at the hotel, immerse yourself in the authentic Balinese way of life and explore local culture and traditions. Begin with a warm Balinese welcome as you enter a traditional compound, where tea, coffee and typical Balinese cakes will be served. Take time to observe daily activities within the compound before learning about the process of making coconut oil. You will also see traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, hat-making, the production of Balinese wine known as ‘tuak’, and mats woven from pandanus leaves. Discover the art of flower and fruit arrangements, an important part of Balinese custom passed down through generations. You’ll have the chance to try climbing a coconut tree to harvest coconuts for beverages, followed by a hands-on experience planting rice using traditional tools – a memorable insight into rural life. Lunch will be served at the Bale Bengong (gazebo), after which we visit Penglipuran, a village renowned for preserving its traditional Balinese house architecture, with distinctive entrances lining the streets. Return to Ubud for some free time to relax or explore at your leisure. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to Tegalalang to admire the iconic rice terraces, a fine example of traditional Balinese irrigation. We then continue through scenic countryside, passing small authentic villages en route to Sebatu Temple, known for its tranquil atmosphere and sacred springs. Next, we travel to the volcanic region of Kintamani, where Mount Batur dominates the landscape alongside the crescent-shaped Batur Lake, nestled within the crater rim. Here, we pause for a set lunch at a local restaurant offering panoramic views over the lake. After lunch, we visit Tirta Empul Temple, famed for its holy spring water where Balinese worshippers have gathered for over a thousand years to partake in purification rituals. We then return to your hotel in the Ubud area, leaving the afternoon free for you to relax at your leisure. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast, your guide will collect you to explore the bustling Ubud Art Market, the island’s most popular traditional market. Wander through the stalls where local vendors offer a wide range of goods, from handcrafted items to spices. Leaving the market, head north from the Ubud Palace for a gentle morning walk through rice paddies, an organic farm and nearby villages. Visit the home of a Balinese painter and admire his artwork displayed throughout the house. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to your hotel in Sanur. Known as the ‘morning of the world’, Sanur is famed for its stunning sunrises over white sandy beaches. Check in and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace. In the afternoon, we visit Uluwatu Temple, one of Bali’s most striking sea temples, perched dramatically on a headland at the peninsula’s western tip. Wander through a small forested area inhabited by monkeys, considered by locals as the temple’s guardians. Follow the path to the first courtyard, then climb a set of stairs to reach the temple’s main area, where sweeping ocean views await. As evening falls, experience the captivating Balinese Kecak dance performance, which narrates the epic love story of Rama and Shinta, set against a stunning sunset backdrop. Afterwards, we transfer to Tanjung Benoa for a traditional Balinese rijsttafel dinner at Bumbu Bali Restaurant. The evening concludes with a transfer back to your hotel in Sanur. Breakfast and dinner are included.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at leisure to relax and explore at your own pace. For those interested, there is an optional early morning excursion to Mount Batur. Depart around 1:30am to begin a two-hour trek along a straightforward path to the crater’s summit. From here, witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Agung while enjoying a simple breakfast of hardboiled eggs and hot tea or coffee, cooked using the natural volcanic steam. Afterwards, descend to the hot springs at Toya Bungkah village, where a full American breakfast awaits. Take time to unwind by the natural hot spring pool, surrounded by tranquil scenery, before returning to your hotel in Sanur. Overnight in Sanur. Breakfast included.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time to relax or explore at your leisure until your transfer to Denpasar Airport for your onward flight home. Breakfast is included.