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 (Deluxe 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 (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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 Villa Borobudur (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: This morning, transfer to the train station for the scenic journey to East Java.

Train: Solo - Jombang 08.00 - 11.30 (Executive Class)

Road journey from Jombang to Malang, via Trowulan: Upon arrival in Jombang, travel by road to Malang, a journey of approximately 4 hours. There is an option to do a detour to the town of Trowulan, once the seat of power of the powerful Majapahit Kingdom. This was Java's most significant Hindu emprire which flourished between the late 13th and 15th Centuries. The success of the empire came from an enterprising spirit to trade spices and rice that grew abundantly in the fertile soils of East Java with merchants from Malaya. Today the largest reminder of this once great era is a large bathing pool and several small Hindu temples made of red brick surrounded by exceptionally well tended gardens with colourful flowers. The town also has a museum with displays of pottery and other artefacts to tell the story of the Majapahit empire. Sir Thomas Raffles re-discovered the ruins in the 19th century and described the site as ‘the pride of Java'.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tugu Malang (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Half day city tour of Malang: This morning, you will be taken on a tour of Malang. Classic Dutch architecture can be seen in all corners of the city including the cathedral, schools, hotels, mansion houses and even a coffee shop. Just outside Malang there are the small Hindu ruins from the Singosari Empire which ruled East Java for a brief spell in the 13th Century before the ascendency of the mighty Majapahit Kingdom in nearby Trowulan.

Afternoon tour of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall: This afternoon, depart Malang and head south to Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls, a drive of around 2 hours. Fed by the Glidik River, the waterfall forms a dramatic, semicircular curtain of water cascading into a deep canyon. Mist rises constantly, nourishing moss, ferns, and other lush vegetation clinging to the near vertical cliffs. The waterfall’s power and symmetry make it visually striking from the many viewpoints which can be accessed on various walking trails at this natural wonder. If you would prefer to have time at leisure this afternoon please let your guide know.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tugu Malang (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Jeep ride from Malang to Mount Bromo: This morning depart Malang and head in an eastward direction to the Bromo National Park. After driving an hour from Malang, arrive at a typical East Javanese village and take a coffee break in a local family house. From this point onwards the vehicle will be changed to an open top jeep for the bumpy ride through the volcanic landscape to the start point of an optional trek through an area of the Bromo Savannah most visitors do not get to see. Descend into the caldera where Mount Bromo is located and walk for about three hours over a bizarre black lava lake to the other side of the crater rim. If you do prefer not to do this trek your guide can arrange for you to remain on the jeep. Continue to your hotel to check in late this afternoon.

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 Mount Bromo to Probolinggo: After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the train station at Probolinggo, a journey of approximately 2 hours.

Train: No 87 Probolinggo - Banyuwangi 11.07 - 15.30 

Road journey to Ijen: Upon arrival in Banyuwangi, you will be met and transferred to your resort on Mount Ijen, a journey of approximately 40 minutes

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ijen Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning hike to Ijen’s Crater: After an early wake-up call and breakfast travel by car to one of Java’s last rainforests, passing by rural villages and spice plantations. Ijen’s slopes are covered with towering trees, giant ferns and a multitude of wildlife. The 90 minute hike to Ijen Crater starts from the Park Ranger’s post. The trail follows a shady track with interesting plants and views to see along the way. The crater rim is an altitude of 2883 meters from where there are spectacular views of the lake with its eerie colour, and smoke wafting from bright yellow sulphur deposits. The landscape is desolate and barren yet vibrantly alive. Watch miners descend into the crater and re-emerge carrying up to 80 kilos of ore on bamboo basket along the treacherous path. Afterwards walk down the mountain and drive back to your hotel. Please note this trek is on steep and uneven terrain that can get slippery, and not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

After this morning’s hike you have the chance to visit nearby Jagir Waterfall if you are not too tired. Alternatively, this visit can be arranged the following morning before travelling to Pemuteran in Bali. The final arrangements can be discussed and agreed with your guide during the trip.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ijen Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Ijen to Ketapang Harbour: After breakfast this morning, depart for Bali. The journey starts with a 1.5 hour drive to Ketapang Harbor.

Ferry crossing: Drive on to the local public ferry for the crossing to Gilimanuk harbour in West Bali, a journey of approximately 30 minutes.

Road journey from Gilimanuk to Pemuteran: Continue your journey by road to Pemuteran, a drive of approximately 45 minutes.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Taman Sari Cottages (Ocean Front Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Time at leisure in Menjangan: You have two days free to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently. An impressive range of activities can be arranged at the resort which includes snorkelling and diving trips, trekking and jeep safaris in the National Park, paddle boarding, kayaking, horse riding, mountain biking and bird-watching.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Taman Sari Cottages (Ocean Front Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Pemuteran to Munduk: After breakfast this morning, continue your journey by road to Munduk, a drive of around 1.5 hours ascending from north Bali's coastal plains to the central highlands.

Plantation hike around Munduk: Your guide will take you on a leisurely 2 hour hike in and around the rural village of Munduk. The area is very fertile and large plantations are found throughout. The walking trail leads through clove, cacao and coffee plantations with stunning views over the coastline of north Bali. There is also the chance to visit a waterfall in an area of rainforest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Sanak Bali Retreat (One Bedroom Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Munduk to Sidemen with sightseeing en route: After breakfast this morning set off on the fascinating journey to Sidemen, passing through the eastern region of the island. There will be opportunities to stop off en route for sightseeing such as Besakih Temple, located on the slopes of Bali’s highest volcano Mount Agung. This shrine is called the ‘Mother Temple of Bali,’ as it houses ancestral shrines for all the Hindus on the island and there are 24 temples within the complex. After your visit continue driving south to your hideaway resort in Sidemen.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Samanvaya Sidemen (Kayu Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning optional rice terrace hike: This morning you have the option of a guided hike in the famous rice terraces around Sidemen. The trail will take you across paddy fields, over water irrigation channels, through bamboo forests and plantations of coffee and clove. This is a fascinating trek for those who want to explore the stunning rice terraces, see local agriculture and the daily life of local people.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is free for you to relax and soak up the views and atmosphere at the Samannvaya.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Samanvaya Sidemen (Kayu Villa)

Meals: Breakfast