Indonesia Symphony Journey

Upon arrival at Jakarta International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is the economic hub of the vast archipelago and one of the busiest cities worldwide. After checking in, you have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and settle in. Overnight in Jakarta.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off to explore Jakarta’s Old Town, the heart of Indonesia’s largest metropolitan area. Our route passes Merdeka Square, the National Monument (Monas), and the Presidential Palace. Our first stop is Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, capable of accommodating up to 120,000 worshippers. Directly opposite stands Jakarta Cathedral, built in the Gothic Revival style in the early 20th century, symbolising the peaceful coexistence of two major religions in Indonesia. Next, we visit the National Museum, which houses extensive collections representing Indonesia’s diverse history, archaeology, ethnology, and geography, including the country’s largest assemblage of ancient Hindu-Buddhist art. We then return to Monas, a 132-metre tower at the centre of Merdeka Square that commemorates Indonesia’s independence. Afterwards, we drive to Sunda Kelapa Harbour, a historic port dating back 500 years that once linked the kingdom of Pajajaran to international markets and was a key trading post for Portuguese and Dutch merchants. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before we return to the hotel for a free afternoon. Overnight in Jakarta. Lunch included.

After breakfast, we take a morning flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. On arrival, meet our local representatives and transfer directly to the Sultan’s Palace, or Kraton, situated in the heart of the old city. This vast palace complex was once a walled city within Yogyakarta and offers insight into Javanese heritage and royal culture as we explore its various rooms and chambers. At the palace exit, a pedicab, known locally as a becak, will take us on a short ride to the nearby Taman Sari Water Castle. Built in the mid-18th century, this former royal bathing complex was designed as a private retreat for the sultan’s harem. After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is dedicated to Yogyakarta’s traditional arts and crafts. We visit a batik workshop to see this iconic Indonesian textile art, followed by a trip to Kotagede, a historic district about 10 kilometres from the city centre. Once the seat of the powerful Mataram Kingdom, Kotagede is now renowned for its silversmiths and charming Javanese-Dutch colonial architecture. Later, we travel to the outskirts of Yogyakarta to explore the ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the ninth century. The complex features three main shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Our guide will explain the temples’ history and symbolism before we enjoy a traditional Ramayana dance performance here. This unique ballet combines Javanese dance, drama and music to tell the legendary Ramayana story. After the performance, we return to the hotel for overnight in Yogyakarta. Lunch is included.

After breakfast, we drive just under an hour northwest of Yogyakarta to visit the vast Borobudur Buddhist temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched on a hill overlooking lush fields and distant hills, Borobudur is renowned for its extensive collection of Buddhist bas reliefs. Built entirely from volcanic and river stones by hand over 75 years, the temple is an impressive feat of ancient engineering. At the temple exit, a bicycle awaits for a gentle ride through the surrounding Javanese countryside to a nearby village. Along quiet lanes, you’ll see traditional houses and local village life, pausing to enjoy a refreshing coconut amid the plantations. We then continue by vehicle to Mendut temple, dating from the ninth century and older than Borobudur, which houses three notable stone statues. Nearby is Pawon temple, situated between Mendut and Borobudur. Lunch is served at a local restaurant overlooking a rice paddy before returning to Yogyakarta. Later in the afternoon, we visit Alun-alun Kidul (Southern City Square), where you can try the local game Masangin—walking blindfolded between two banyan trees, said to bring good luck if successful. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dalem Joyokusumo, once home to a cousin of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII, where you will be served a selection of royal culinary dishes. After dinner, return to your hotel for overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

This morning, transfer to Yogyakarta train station to board the Sancaka morning train to Mojokerto, enjoying a scenic journey through East Java’s countryside. The train departs early and arrives mid-morning (schedule subject to change). Upon arrival, your driver will meet you for the approximately four-hour transfer to Tosari village, situated on the edge of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Perched at around 1,700 metres above sea level, Tosari enjoys a cool climate year-round. En route, visit Trowulan, the former capital of the Majapahit Empire, which ruled a vast region from the late 13th to early 16th century. Stop for lunch at Pasuruan harbour, a charming fishing village where you can observe traditional wooden boats and local fishermen at work. After lunch, continue to Tosari village, check in to your hotel, and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Bromo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Rise early for a sunrise tour of Mount Bromo. Depart the hotel before dawn in a 4x4 jeep, travelling approximately 40 minutes over sandy terrain to Penanjakan (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 volcanic caldera, often shrouded in morning mist. From here, take a 25-minute horseback ride to the base of the stairs leading to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater (2,329 metres). After exploring the crater, return to the hotel for breakfast. Following breakfast, check out and travel to Kalibaru, a tranquil hillside area overlooking Mrawan Mountain and the Gumitir Valley, surrounded by plantations and natural scenery. Lunch is served at a local restaurant en route. Upon arrival in Kalibaru, check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is served at the hotel.

This morning, we visit a plantation in Kalibaru to explore the cultivation of key Indonesian crops such as coffee, cocoa, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla and pepper, alongside a variety of tropical fruits. Enjoy the fresh morning air as you walk through the plantation fields, your feet brushing through the dew. We will also observe the traditional process of making coconut sugar, from palm flower to packaged product. After returning to the hotel for lunch, we continue our journey eastwards to Ketapang. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Breakfast and lunch are included.

We start early to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Ijen caldera, a vast volcanic region dominated by the cones of Ijen, Merapi and Raung. After a scenic 1.5-hour drive through rice paddies and pine forests, we arrive at Paltuding, a tranquil alpine area known for its coffee plantations and sparse settlements. From here, we walk for about 90 minutes along a well-maintained path to the rim of the Ijen crater. Take time to admire the striking jade-coloured lake and the vivid yellow sulphur springs, and meet the sulphur miners who extract this unique ‘yellow gold’. A boxed breakfast is included. Afterwards, we return to the hotel to rest before lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, we travel by ferry via Pemuteran to Bali, where you will be dropped off at your hotel in the heart of Ubud. There is an optional morning excursion to Baluran National Park, a diverse wildlife reserve featuring savannah, coastline and mangroves, home to species such as the Javanese wild ox and over 100 bird species. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast, we set off to visit Gunung Kawi temple in Tampak Siring village, an 11th-century archaeological site carved into living rock. The temple is reached by descending around 315 stone steps through scenic rice terraces, surrounded by lush greenery. Next, we continue to Tirta Empul temple, renowned for its sacred spring water where Balinese worshippers have gathered for over a thousand years. Here, you can see the traditional bathing pools designed in classic Balinese style. From Tirta Empul, we ascend to Kintamani to enjoy sweeping views over Lake Batur and the active Mount Batur volcano, which rises to 1,412 metres within an impressive caldera. Lunch is served with this stunning panorama as a backdrop. After lunch, we board a classic Land Cruiser 4x4 to explore the black lava fields on the slopes of Mount Batur. This unique trail crosses lava flows from eruptions in 1834 and 1964, offering a glimpse of the rugged countryside within the caldera. Before returning to the vehicle, we visit a cave formed inside a lava flow. We then return to Ubud for the evening. Breakfast and lunch are included.

After breakfast, we set off westward to explore Tabanan Regency, renowned for its striking natural landscapes. Our first stop is Jatiluwih, a vast expanse of rice terraces recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its traditional subak irrigation system, a sustainable farming method. Here, we take a short walk through the paddies, enjoying the fresh morning air before continuing to Bedugul to visit the serene water temple. Next, we pause at Candikuning market, a vibrant local hub brimming with fresh fruit, vegetables, spices and exotic flowers. Lunch is served at a nearby restaurant overlooking the rice fields and distant green mountains. In the afternoon, we visit the Alas Kedaton monkey forest, where local belief holds that the monkeys guard a small, well-preserved temple within the forest. Our final stop is the iconic sea temple of Tanah Lot, perched on a rocky islet and surrounded by the ocean’s waves, offering a remarkable setting. We then return to your hotel in Ubud for the evening. Breakfast and lunch are included.

In the morning, meet your guide and transfer to Guliang Kawan Village in central Bali. You will be warmly welcomed by the villagers and enjoy a simple Balinese breakfast with tea or coffee. Next, visit a traditional local market to select fresh spices and vegetables for your cooking class. During the class, we explore the exotic ingredients and daily cooking techniques of Balinese cuisine. After lunch served in a hut overlooking the rice fields, join a hands-on rural activity to experience rice farming—planting, transplanting or harvesting depending on the season—while learning about the subak irrigation system. Afterwards, visit Pengelipuran, a traditional village known for its well-preserved Balinese architecture, where the distinctive entrances line both sides of the village road. Later, transfer to your hotel in Nusa Dua, a peaceful beachside area offering a relaxed atmosphere and world-class hospitality. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure to enjoy the hotel’s facilities, relax by the pool with a good book, or unwind on the soft sands of one of the nearby stunning beaches. Overnight in Nusa Dua.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace. In the afternoon, visit Uluwatu Temple, one of Bali’s most striking sea temples, perched dramatically on a cliff at the western tip of the peninsula. Afterwards, relax at a nearby cliffside villa with stunning ocean views. Take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool while enjoying a complimentary bottle of beer, accompanied by peanuts, crackers and a towel as you watch the sunset transform the horizon from blue to gold. Alternatively, you may choose to attend a traditional Kecak dance performance at Uluwatu Temple instead, at no extra cost. Later, transfer back to your hotel in Nusa Dua for your overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to Denpasar airport for your onward flight home. Breakfast is included.