Treasures of Indonesia (17 days)
Discover the prized jewels of the archipelago on this tour which includes Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Komodo Island and Bali to see ancient monuments, rare wildlife, uninhabited islands, volcanoes and a great diversity of cultures. The tour starts in Java, the cradle of many ancient civilizations, to visit the Buddhist monument of Borobudur, the Hindu temples of Prambanan and mystical Mount Bromo to witness the sun rise over this lunar landscape.
From Java there is a visit to Kalimantan (Borneo), for a two-day adventure staying in a comfortable lodge in the Tanjung Puting National Park which is one of the best places to see orangutans in the wild. Another great wildlife experience awaits in Flores, with a cruise around the Komodo Island National Park to see the famous dragons, and explore many uninhabited islands which offer superb snorkelling. The tour also includes Bali with a few days in the artisan town of Ubud, and some time at the end of the trip to relax in a boutique hotel on the south coast.
Guide Price
From £4,995 per person based on a shared room for departures in May.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: SQ317 London Heathrow - Singapore 11.25 - 07.30 (overnight)
Flight: SQ5152 Singapore - Yogyakarta 08.20 - 09.30
Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Yogyakarta airport, you will be welcomed to Indonesia by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is free to relax at your hotel after the long journey.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Phoenix Hotel (Superior Room)
Morning Yogyakarta city tour: This morning, you will be taken on a tour to explore the cultural highlights of Yogyakarta. Start with a visit to the “Sultan’s Palace” or Kraton. Parts of the Sultan's Palace, are open to visitors, including a number of open air buildings used for ceremonial purposes and museums with memorabilia showing the life and work of previous Sultans. The Water Castle and gardens of the Palace can also be visited, which is where the Sultans enjoyed their time with their many wives and concubines in a series of elaborate bathing pools. Continue with a tour of a traditional batik workshop to see the process involved in this traditional art form, and Kota Gede the original home of Yogya‘s silver industry where craftsmen have practiced for hundreds of years.
Indonesian Lunch: Today, you will be taken for a special lunch at Kaliopak Resto, an authentic Indonesian eatery set on the banks of the Opak river, near Prambanan. Specialities of the house include grilled fish, river prawns and fried noodles accompanied by a number of well spiced vegetables and sauces.
Afternoon tour of Prambanan: This afternoon, you will be taken on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prambanan, Java’s largest Hindi Temple. The Sanjaya Dynasty built the 47m high temple dedicated to the three forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the 9th century and surrounded it with several smaller temples. The temples were first rediscovered by a British surveyor under the instruction of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1811.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Phoenix Hotel (Superior Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Yogyakarta to Borobudur: Leaving the city behind head north into Java's countryside on your road journey to Borobudur, a drive of approximately 2 hours. On arrival check into your hotel overlooking the famous monument.
Afternoon tour of Borobudur & Mendut: This afternoon, you will be taken on a guided tour of Borobudur. Indonesia's largest and most impressive Buddhist monument, Borobudur is a vast structure with 9 levels and an awe inspiring setting in the midst of a fertile valley ringed by volcanoes. The temple was built as a pilgrimage site to teach followers how to practice the Buddhist way of life. Each level of the monument has intricately carved sculptures and symbology from the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. The top level of the temple is a particularly spiritual place dotted with stupas housing Buddhist sculptures, with magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. After Borobudur visit the smaller temple of Mendut, and Candirejo village to see small farms and get a taste of local lifestyles.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Plataran Borobudur (Garden Plunge Pool Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Borobudur to Semarang: Depart by road for Semarang, a journey of around 2-3 hours, depending on local conditions.
Flight: GA7527 Semerang - Pangkalan Bun 12.50 - 14.10
Road journey from Pangkalan Bun airport to Kamai port: Upon arrival in Kalimantan, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the river port at Kumai, a 30 minute journey.
River journey to the Tanjung Puting National Park: At Kumai embark on a boat for the 15km journey up the River Sekonyer to the Rimba Lodge in the Tanjung Puting National Park. Along the way there will be the chance to spot proboscis monkeys and wild Orangutans.
Afternoon at leisure: Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to relax in the magnificent surroundings of the lodge, or arrange a wildlife excursion locally.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimba Lodge (Emerald Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Full day wildlife tour: After breakfast at your lodge take an hour long cruise followed by a trek in search of Orangutans and proboscis monkeys in the forests of the Tanjung Puting National Park. There will be the chance to visit the famous research centre at Camp Leaky for the morning and afternoon feeding time for the apes being rehabilitated back into nature. Return to your lodge early this afternoon for some time to relax before dinner.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimba Lodge (Emerald Room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
River journey to Kumai: This morning, embark on a boat for the river cruise back to Kumai. Along the way there will be the chance to spot proboscis monkeys and wild orangutans.
Road journey to Pangkalan Bun airport: Upon arrival at the river pier, you will be met and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Flight: IL702 Pangkalan Bun - Surabaya 14.00 - 15.10
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Surabaya, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Hotel Majapahit for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Majapahit (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Surabaya to Mount Bromo: After breakfast, you will travel by road to Mount Bromo with photo stops en route, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Once arrived in Mount Bromo, you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Jiwa Java (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Sunrise at Mount Bromo: This morning, wake up at 4am for the chance to see the sun rising over Mount Bromo. Depart from your hotel in a 4x4 jeep and ascend bumpy roads for 45 minutes to a viewing platform on Mount Pananjakan. As the dawn arrives enjoy panoramic views over the lunar landscapes of Mount Bromo and the surrounding mountains. After the sun has risen there is the opportunity to take a horse ride along the sea of sands to the foot of Mount Bromo, where a series of steps leads to the crater rim. At around 8am return to your hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.
Road journey from Bromo to Surabaya: After checking out of the hotel, travel by road back to Surabaya, a journey of approximately 3 hours.
Flight: GA344 Surabaya - Denpasar 13.00 - 15.00
Road journey from Denpasar to Ubud: Upon arrival in Bali, you will be met by your guide and transferred by road to your hotel in Ubud, a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions).
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Alaya Resort Ubud (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Half day cultural tour of Ubud: Start your cultural trip with a visit to Tohpati, which is known for batik products and continue to Celuk, the center of exquisite silver works and Mas, known for fine woodcarvings. Enter Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali with many fine art galleries, and a home to a score of local and foreign artists. One of them is Agung Rai Museum of Art which has an extensive collection of paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists in classic balinese and contemporary styles. Afterwards, you can test your bargaining skill at Ubud market prior to a visit to Puri Saren Agung, whose royal family ruled Ubud from the late 1800's until 1917.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Alaya Ubud (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Ubud to Denpasar Airport: At the appropriate time, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Denpasar airport, a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions).
Flight: GA7036 Denpasar - Labuan Bajo 10.55 - 12.25
Private transfer: Upon arriving at the airport of Labuan Bajo, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the port to board your local boat.
Cruise around Komodo Islands National Park: After a welcome briefing on board, the boat sets sail for Komodo Island. On the way you will stop off at Pink Beach where there will be time swimming and snorkelling before lunch is served on board. After lunch continue on to Komodo Island and take a trek to Banunggulung to see the Komodo dragons. Return to the boat and then depart for Kalong Island, where you will moor for the night and at dusk you will watch thousands of fruit bats flying out from their nests in search of food. Dinner will be served on board. Please note that the following cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.
Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the MV Keti (Private Boat)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cruise around Komodo Islands National Park: Early this morning, depart for Rinca Island in the Komodo National Park. Breakfast will be provided en route. Upon arrive at Rinca Island take a trek to Waewaso to see Komodo dragons and other wild animals. Afterwards, you will begin the journey back to Flores. Lunch will be served en route and there will be a stop for snorkelling before you arrive back in port where you will be met by your guide and driver.
Private transfer: On arrival back at the port, you will meet up with your driver and you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bintang Flores Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time, you will be picked up from the hotel and then transferred to the airport for the flight back to Bali.
Flight: GA 7037 Labuan Bajo - Denpasar 12.55 - 14.30
Private transfer: Upon arrival at Bali's airport, you will be transferred to your Jimbaran Bay hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at Villa Balquisse (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Days at leisure: You have two full days to relax by the beach or explore the area around Jimbaran Bay.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at Villa Balquisse (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Day at leisure: Today is free to relax before your journey home.
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Denpasar Airport for your Singapore Airlines flight to London Heathrow.
Flight: SQ947 Denpasar - Singapore 20.00 - 22.40
Flight: SQ322 Singapore - London Heathrow 23.30 - 05.55 (overnight)
Meals: Breakfast