Indonesia Essence Exploration

Upon arrival at Yogyakarta International Airport, your guide will meet you and assist with your transfer to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities, allowing you to unwind after your journey. Overnight stay in Yogyakarta.

After breakfast, we will collect you at 7 am for a morning tour of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. With your guide, explore this remarkable monument built entirely by hand from thousands of volcanic and river stones over a period of more than 75 years. We will then visit Mendut Temple, older than Borobudur, notable for its pyramid shape and three finely carved stone statues. Next is Pawon Temple, a modest yet elegant structure renowned for its precise symmetry. Around midday, enjoy lunch at a restaurant set amidst the rice fields. In the afternoon, experience local village life with a horse-drawn cart ride through Candirejo Village. You will travel along narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and observe daily activities such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan, and harvesting and drying vanilla and chilli. We will return to your hotel in Yogyakarta by approximately 5 pm for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will collect you at 8 am to visit the Sultan’s Palace, known locally as the Kraton. Built between 1756 and 1790, the palace is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. As we explore its various rooms and chambers, you will gain insight into Javanese heritage and culture. At the palace exit, a pedicab—called a Becak—will be ready to take you to Taman Sari, or the Water Palace. This site, originally built as a bathing pool for the Sultan’s harem, offers a glimpse into royal life. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant around 1 pm. In the afternoon, we visit Prambanan Temple, a ninth-century Hindu complex dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its impressive architecture and cultural significance. We will return to your hotel in Yogyakarta by approximately 6 pm for your overnight stay.

After an early breakfast at 5:45 am, we transfer you to Yogyakarta train station to board the Sancaka executive morning train to Mojokerto. Departing at 07:20 and arriving around 11:20 (subject to schedule changes), this scenic journey takes you into East Java. On arrival, your driver will meet you and take you to Tosari or Sukapura village, located on the edge of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Perched at approximately 1,700 metres above sea level, the village enjoys a cool climate year-round. Before reaching the village, we visit Trowulan, once the capital of the Majapahit empire. At around 1 pm, we stop for lunch at Pasuruan harbour, a charming fishing village where you can observe traditional wooden boats and local fishermen at work. After lunch, we continue to Tosari or Sukapura village for hotel check-in around 6 pm. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight in Bromo.

We start early with a 4x4 jeep ride at 3:00 am to Penanjakan I, situated at 2,770 metres. The journey takes around 40 minutes across the Sea of Sand plain. From the viewpoint, we watch the sun rise behind Mount Bromo, offering spectacular views. Afterwards, we continue by jeep down into the volcanic caldera, often shrouded in morning mist. Here, a 25-minute horseback ride takes us to the base of the stairs leading up to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater at 2,329 metres. After exploring the crater, we return to the hotel by 7:00 am for a quick shower and breakfast. At 8:30 am, we check out and set off towards the eastern tip of Java. Lunch is served at a local restaurant around 1:30 pm en route. We arrive in Banyuwangi by approximately 5:30 pm, where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Rise early and collect your breakfast box before setting off at 4:30 am in a 4x4 jeep towards Ijen Paltuding. The journey from your hotel in Banyuwangi to the base camp at 1,850 metres takes about an hour along mountainous roads. From there, we begin a moderate 3-kilometre trek up a packed dirt path to the summit of Mount Ijen at 2,385 metres, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Along the way, you will encounter the local sulphur miners carrying heavy loads of bright yellow sulphur—an impressive sight of their daily toil. At the crater’s edge, take in the striking views of mountain peaks rising above the clouds and the jade-green crater lake below, where sulphur vapours condense into yellow crystals. The descent follows the same steep and sometimes slippery path. We return to the hotel around 10 am. Later, at 11:30 am, we drive to Ketapang and board a ferry to cross to Bali’s western tip at Pemuteran. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Pemuteran around 2 pm. Afterwards, we continue to Ubud, arriving at approximately 8 pm for your overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a full day at leisure in Ubud. Take the opportunity to relax by the pool, explore the hotel’s facilities, or simply unwind with a book or some music. This free day allows you to recharge and soak up the tranquil atmosphere of this cultural heartland. Overnight in Ubud.

After breakfast, we begin the day at 8:30 am with a visit to Penglipuran village, known for its well-preserved traditional lifestyle and distinctive community culture. Next, we travel to Besakih, Bali’s largest and most important temple complex, often called the ‘Mother Temple’. Set on the mountainside, it comprises 30 temples arranged over seven terraced levels. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant around 1 pm. On the return journey, we stop at Goa Lawah Temple, or ‘Bat Cave’, where thousands of bats roost along the cave’s entrance. We arrive back at the hotel by approximately 5 pm, leaving the remainder of the day free for you to relax at your leisure.

After breakfast, begin your day at 8:30 am with a visit to Taman Ayun Temple, a well-preserved site dating back to the Royal Mengwi Dynasty. Continue to Bedugul, situated on the shores of Lake Bratan, where you can enjoy the cool mountain air and take in the striking views of Ulun Danu Temple. Next, stop at a local market to see fresh fruits and vegetables on offer. Lunch will be served at a nearby restaurant around 12:30 pm. In the afternoon, explore the expansive Jatiluwih rice terraces, renowned for their traditional irrigation system and scenic beauty. Afterwards, visit Pura Luhur Batukaru Temple, nestled on the slopes of Gunung Batukaru. The day concludes with a drive to Kuta, where you will check in for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel. At 3:30 pm, we will drive to Uluwatu, a striking sea temple perched on Bali’s southern cliffs. The temple is home to a troop of monkeys regarded as local guardians. Here, you will experience one of Bali’s most memorable sunsets, with the sky glowing golden over the horizon. As the sun sets, watch the traditional Kecak dance performance, which tells the timeless story of Rama and Shinta through captivating chanting and movement. After the show, at around 7 pm, we will transfer you to Jimbaran for a fresh grilled seafood dinner by the beach. You will return to your hotel in Kuta at approximately 9 pm for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer at 6:30 am to Serangan Harbour. Here, you will board a speedboat departing at 8:30 am to Gili Trawangan. Upon arrival, a local horse-drawn carriage, known as a ‘Cidomo’, will transfer you directly to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax and explore this charming island. Overnight in Gili Trawangan.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure to make the most of the hotel’s facilities. Relax by the pool, read a book or simply unwind with your favourite music in the tranquil surroundings of Gili Trawangan. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure to relax and make the most of your hotel’s facilities. Whether you choose to unwind by the pool, read a book, or simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere, the day is yours to spend as you wish. Overnight at your hotel in Gili Trawangan.

After breakfast, check out and take a ‘Cidomo’ horse cart to the speed boat departing at 10 am for Serangan. Upon arrival, transfer directly to your hotel in Kuta. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore independently. Overnight in Kuta.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before spending the morning at leisure until check-out. At the appropriate time, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home, concluding your journey.