Tour description
Meeting up at Bogor, at the foot of Gunung Salak where we’ll visit the world-famous botanical gardens with their thousands of species of tree, orchid and flying fox. In the evening we’ll enjoy the spicy Padang cuisine.
Puncak pass
We’ll drive through the spectacular Puncak pass, amidst green tea plantations and sawas, before arriving at Cipanas/Garut where we’ll hike to a point near the crater of Papandayan, a 2675-metre-high active volcano - but we’ll hopefully avoid being engulfed by the suffocating fumes emitted by the brilliant yellow sulphur springs!
Green Canyon
On day 4 we’ll travel through unsurpassed scenic beauty to Pangandaran, a fishing village on the Indian Ocean at which we’ll stay for two full days. We’ll relax on the beach, boarding a boat to the stalactites of Green Canyon or taking an optional hiking tour through the superb Prenanjun national park where we can see monkeys, deer and banteng (wild cows). We’ll also go to Wonosobo, close to the Dieng plateau, where we’ll see multi-coloured sulphur lakes and Java’s oldest Hindu temples.
World heritage site of Borobudur
On the afternoon of day 7 we’ll visit the famous world heritage site of Borobudur. Here the 9th century Buddhist sanctuary, one of the world’s largest, features incredibly intricate decoration and hundreds of open stupas which house statues of a meditating Buddha.
The cultural heart of Java, Yogyakarta
Arriving in Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java, we’ll visit the Kraton, the palace of the Sultan of Yogya, and numerous batik workshops, silversmiths, and the famous shopping street of
Jalan Malioboro. You could explore the narrow alleyways for hours or see a classical Ramayana ballet or a gamelan concert. Or go to the ever-popular 'Buddha' bar for live music, cosy terraces and delicious food. After two nights in Yogyakarta, we will visit the magnificent Hindu temple complex of
Prambanan before moving onto the cool colonial city of Malang. From
Malang we’ll proceed to the Bromo volcano to take a nocturnal walk, horse-ride or jeep-ride to see the sunrise at which time the freakish contours of the volcano are highly accentuated. We’ll stay overnight in Cemoro Lawang, on the outside edge of the Tengger crater.
The centre of Bali
On day 13, after staying overnight in or near the green coffee plantations of Kalibaru, we’ll head for Bali. It’s an island forever associated with gods and demons, its unique culture and stunning scenery. We’ll go to Ubud, the artist’s village in the centre of Bali, from which you’ll be able to take a walking or cycling tour through the paddy-fields and lively settlements. We’ll try to take in a traditional Barong or Kecak dance too! There are many stylish restaurants and bars where you can enjoy fantastic Balinese cuisine, with smoked duck and shrimp satay being particularly recommended.
Padangbai
We’ll then move to the coastal town of Padangbai, allowing you to visit the holy temple of Bali, the Besakih, or to climb the active volcano at Batur. This area also provides plenty of opportunities for diving!
Picture-perfect tropical beach
We’ll then travel by ferry to Senggigi, a picture-perfect tropical beach on Lombok Island. It’s a small and laid-back place, famous for its surf. Walking along the coast will take you to remote white-sand palm-strewn beaches with crystal clear waters which you can enjoy until day 19. We part company upon arrival at Mataram airport.