Semarang I Wonosobo I Magelang I Yogyakarta I Solo I Mt. Bromo I Surabaya, Java
Discover the natural and cultural wonders of Java from Central to East on this enchanting 10-day tour. Awarded as the best island in the world in 2018, we’ve combined the island’s highlights with some hidden local gems to bring you a unique Java travel experience.
You will begin your tour in Central Java with an exploration of seaside Semarang and the cool highlands of Central Java, jumping from a coffee plantation to the slopes of Mount Sumbing, and to the countryside Magelang where the largest Buddhist temple in the worldm, Borobudur stands majestically amidst lush nature. Plenty of dramatic moments and eye-opening explorations follow, including an exploration to the remaining of the latest Mount Merapi eruption, a visit to the largest Hindus temple in Indonesia, Prambanan and a pre-dawn ascent of Mount Bromo to see the sun come up over the lunar. The Best of Java offers the major highlights of Java including a tour to the two fascinating cities which also homes for the infamous Batik – Yogyakarta and Solo. You will visit the Yogyakarta and Solo’s Royal Palace, partake in Batik class, and discover other hidden temples in Java. A scenic drive with local train travel gives you a chance to relish the panoramic view of Java as well as to mingle with the local. You will arrive in the former capital of the Majapahit Kingdom and explore its historical relics. Your tour in the best island in the world leaves a picture-perfect memory listed on your best experience.
Welcome to Semarang! Nestled on the north coast of the island of Java, Semarang is the capital and the largest city of the province of Central Java. Our guide will welcome and greet you at Ahmad Yani International Airport. En route to the hotel, we will stop by Lawang Sewu. Built in 1907, it was once the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies national railway and currently becomes the city’s main landmark with a masterpiece of Dutch colonial architecture. The name in Javanese means “a thousand doors” due to the high number of large windows which people often referred to it as doors. Afterward, you will transfer to Magelang to check in and overnight. Meals included: Lunch & Dinner.
After a hearty breakfast, you will partake in a short tour of the lush coffee plantation at Banaran Coffee that nestled on 350-hectares land. Producing mostly Robusta, Banaran exports the coffee to Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The factory also grinds coffee, and you can see the whole process, from roasting and grinding to packaging. Then, continue on 1.5 hours drive to Selogriyo, a rustic village on the slopes of Mount Sumbing. You’ll begin a fun-soft trek through verdant plantations and stunning rice paddies passing the villagers at work and the farmers caring for their crops or making charcoal to your destination: Selogriyo Temple. Then, head out to Wonosobo, a small town located 790 meters above sea level. This is the gateway to the volcanic Dieng Plateau, the “home of the gods.” After check into your hotel, you will have time for relaxing and dinner at your leisure. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Wake up bright and early as your tour today will begin with a breathtaking sunrise over the Dieng Plateau. You’ll leave Wonosobo at 04:00 and take a scenic one-hour journey to the volcanic Dieng Plateau, the “Home of the Gods,” which perched on an altitude of 2,000 meters. Upon arrival at Sembungan village in Dieng, a 40-minute hike (depending on your pace) up Mount Sikunir will be rewarded with a picturesque vista of sunrise over the plains. Then, observe the volcanic activity of the Dieng Crater, Kawah Sikidang, and explore the oldest Hindu temple in Java which has eight shrines dating from the 7th and 8th centuries line the crater floor amid sulfurous fumes and rugged natural surroundings. Afterwards, you will visit Tambi Tea Plantation and learn that the workers here gather around 7 kilograms of tea leaves in a mere 20 minutes! In the afternoon, transfer to Magelang to Borobudur Area. Enjoy a scenic drive for 2.5-hours via Mungkid where you’ll travel over a small road on the southern slopes of Mount Sumbing, an active volcano with an altitude of 3,371 meters. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Today, you can spend the whole day at leisure. Enjoy the hotel’s excellent amenities under the tropical ambiance of the best island in the world! Meals included: No meals included on this day.
Wake up bright and early for a unique chance to see the sunrise over the majestic Borobudur Temple – a UNESCO World’s Heritage Site. Here you will explore the temple at the most mystical time and watch the sun rays make their way through the morning mist. Take photos as many as you wish or simply enjoy looking at the sunrise. After breakfast, you will stroll around Borobudur for more in-depth exploration of the temple until lunchtime coming. This tour then takes you to Candirejo village to experience rural Java’s traditional life – a local vehicle called dokar will take you to travel along small lanes of traditional houses and stop by to see the village’s activities, such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan, harvesting and drying vanilla and chili. Afterward, you’ll back to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Today, a Merapi Lava Tour will fulfill your memory with thrilling experience as you will ride the vintage jeep to explore the remaining of the latest Mount Merapi eruption. It’s indeed a perfect adventure every adrenaline seeker dreams of. A little visit to Ullen Sentalu Museum probably may soothe your nerve after the jeep riding. There you can enhance your knowledge about the history, art, and culture of Yogyakarta and Solo Royal Palace. If you stay energized, after lunch you can partake in an excursion to Kaliadem Village where a cycling adventure awaits. Transfer to Yogyakarta, the first stop is the largest Hindus temple in Indonesia, Prambanan Temple. Dedicated to three great Hindu divinities: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, Prambanan is a complex consisting of more than 500 temples representing not only an architectural and cultural treasure but also a standing proof of past religious, peaceful cohabitation. Then, you will visit Ratu Boko Temple, about three kilometers south from Prambanan Temple. The site covers 16 hectares in two hamlets displaying attributes of an occupation or settlement site. Here you will relish an exceptional sunset. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Your seventh-day tour in Java will take you to the heart of Yogyakarta – The Royal Sultan Palace of Yogyakarta, locally known as Keraton, the palace was built with traditional Javanese architecture. Each feature of the complex has a special symbolic meaning related to sophisticated Javanese worldview. Taman Sari Water Castle will then be your next stop. It is known as the garden for the Sultan of Yogyakarta. The most famous place in Tamansari is the bathing and resting place of the Sultan and his Princesses named Umbul Pasiraman. Most tourists find this place interesting as there is a unique story behind its origins. After lunch, your trip continues to Tirtodipuran Village to learn about the profound Javanese philosophy behind some of the batik patterns, and you can create your own Batik here. You have an option to visit Ansor’s Silver Kotagede for silver making experience and silver craft souvenirs shopping after the batik class. Then, you will savor a sumptuous dinner and off to Prambanan Temple to watch a spectacular Ramayana Ballet Dance performance. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
A scenic drive will transfer you to the Java’s batik capital – Solo. Lying across in fertile plain terrain along the longest river in Java, Solo is the cradle of Javanese culture with two royal houses in one single city. Today, you are going to visit one of the houses – Keraton Mangkunegaran, with its splendid building that holds a wonderful collection of classical Javanese art. Built in the 18th century as a palace for a line of the royal family, the Keraton houses some remarkable royal relics, such as 14th-century jewelry, silver items, body ornaments, and Javanese weapons. Then, head to a batik museum to learn how this Javanese craft developed through the ages and complement the batik crafters work. At the end of your tour today, visit Sukuh and Cetho Temple, two Hindu temples built in Java before the island’s royal courts were converted to Islam in the 16th century. Located on the border between Central and East Java, these two temples are situated on the western slopes of Mount Lawu amid beautiful landscapes of terraced tea plantations. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Today, you’ll embark on a train journey from Solo to Jombang in East Java. After an early breakfast, you and your guide will go to Solo Train Station and catch the Sancaka Morning Train. Train travel in Java is wonderfully romantic and offers excellent opportunities to meet with the locals and the best way to relish in Central and East Java’s dramatic volcanic landscapes. On arrival in Jombang, enjoy a 40-minute drive to the town of Trowulan which was once the capital of the Majapahit Kingdom. The Majapahit kings ruled the island of Java from the late 13th to 16th centuries. Explore the relics of this proud culture with a visit to Bajang Ratu Temple, the red brick temple of Majapahit; to the Rat Temple, the ancient park for Majapahit Princess which locally known as Candi Tikus; and to the local archaeological museum – Trowulan Museum, displaying and preserving the number of historical treasures discovered in the vicinity of the old Majapahit capital. Next, a four-hour drive takes you to the Bromo area for dinner and overnight. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Before the sun rises at 4 AM local time, a four-wheeled (4WD) jeep car will bring you to the world's most famous view point at Mt. Pananjakan (2,750 m) on the rim of the Tengger caldera to enjoy the sunrise breaking over the volcano cones including Mt. Bromo and Mt. Semeru in the background that may let you be dumbfounded! Continue across the sand sea to the active Mt. Bromo volcano and climb the 2245 steps to visit the crater which nestled on 2,500 meters above sea level. There you may explore the route up to Bromo on Horseback instead, adding an extra dimension to your journey up whilst saving you the long steep walk. Afterward, the 4WD car will bring you back to the resort for breakfast. After check-out, your private driver will transfer you to Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya (approximately a four-hour drive). Upon arrival in Surabaya, head to the Sampoerna Factory for a late lunch and a chance to see how Indonesia’s famous kretek cigarettes are made. Finally, you’ll be transferred to Surabaya Airport for your return flight or onward journey. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.
WHAT TO BRING
Unforgettable experiences you’ll get:
Semarang I Wonosobo I Magelang I Yogyakarta I Solo I Mt. Bromo I Surabaya, Java
Classic Highlights
10 Days 9 Nights
Start from $1,990 per person
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