This is our proposal for an easy going tour from West to East Java, which will bring you to most of the highlights that Java has to offer and all at your own pace. Java has so much to offer that it is impossible to mention it all on this page. Neither are all visitors to Java the same, each of you have their own interests and wish lists of places to see and things to do. We are here to help make that possible. Feel free to add or skip places, dependant on your interests and the time available. It is for instance, possible to start the tour in Pangandaran or Yogya and visit the places you selected from there. Just contact us if you have any questions or special wishes, we'll check if your request is possible and do the utmost to make it work out for you. Your enjoyment is our goal! Use this 19 day trip as a base to create your own personalised tour and together we will create your holiday of a lifetime. You can be assured that all is ready and arranged for your trip before you even board the plane to Indonesia...
Day 2. After your
breakfast, we'll bring you to Kebun Raya, the world famous Botanic
Garden in Bogor where where you can find thousands of species of plants and
trees
from all over the world. It is a peaceful and tranquil place to
spend a couple of hours or more. In the afternoon, we can take a walk to
a neighbouring
village to see local villager activities, or you might prefer to
spend some more time at the Kebun Raya. the choice is yours. Stay overnight in Bogor.
Day 3. From Bogor
we continue the
trip to Bandung via the Puncak Pass. On the way there, we can make a stop to
visit a tea plantation, where it's even possible to visit a tea
factory (except Sundays) to learn about the production process. In the afternoon
you can enjoy an inspiring Sundanese
traditional music performance at Pak Ujo gamelan school. Stay
overnight in Bandung
or Lembang
Day 4. In the morning we drive to Cipanas,
Garut. On the way, a visit to the Cangkuang temple is an option. Stay overnight in Cipanas.
Day 5. You may wish to make a trip to
the Papandayan volcano to enjoy the beauty of its spectacular nature.
It's a great hike, but sensible shoes are suggested. In the afternoon
relax at the hotel's warm natural spring swimming pool. Stay overnight in Cipanas.
Day 6. This will be a full day of travelling to the fisherman's village Pangandaran. If you like, we can visit Kampung Naga on the way, where you can see the daily traditional activities of the villagers. In the afternoon you will arrive in Pangandaran. Stay overnight in Pangandaran.
Day 7. Pangandaran is famous for the jungle trip in its National Reserve. If you are lucky you might even see some deer looking for their meals. Of course, you can also opt for chilling out and relaxing at the beach and enjoy the fresh seafood. The choice is yours. Stay overnight in Pangandaran.
Day 8. If you want to see
more traditional villager activities, you can make a village tour where you
can witness people making tempe, krupuk, gula jawa, etc. We would
also recommend a trip to the Green Canyon, as this is sight not to
be missed. Stay overnight in Pangandaran.
Day 9. In the morning we drive
from Pangandaran to Wonosobo via Cilacap. It might be a nice idea,
as well as being great fun to do part
of the trip by a by
boat, in that case we will meet you again in the harbour of Cilacap
from where we'll continue our journey together. If you prefer to do
the whole trip by car that's possible too. Stay
overnight
in Wonosobo.
Day 10. In the early morning, we drive to the Dieng Plateau to enjoy its spectacular crater and scenery, as well as the oldest Hindu temple complex in Java. After this visit, we will continue on our way to Candi Borobudur to explore the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia. It's a long, but exciting day! Stay overnight in Yogyakarta.
Day 11. A Visit to the Kraton (Sultan's Palace) of Yogyakarta is a must when visiting in this city (oh well, only if you wish to of course). In Kota Gede you can see the production of silver handicraft and batik. In the evening, you can be thrilled by the beauty of the Ramayana dance (See our Yogyakarta section for more information on this fabulous performance). Stay overnight in Yogyakarta.
Day 12. Explore the beauty of the
highest Hindu temple in Indonesia, Candi Prambanan, where you
can learn the Ramayana story from carvings on the wall of the
temple. As you may not want to miss out on an opportunity to
explore the city by becak (bicycle taxi) you can have a free program
in the afternoon, alternatively, we could bring you to the places of your choice. It is
an option to take a stroll at Jalan Malioboro, which is the famous
shopping street in Yogyakarta. Have a look at our Yogyakarta
section for some more ideas. Stay overnight in Yogyakarta.
Day 13. On this day we'll drive from Yogyakarta to Sarangan, which is already in East Java. On the way we can visit the Sukuh temple which is well known as the most erotic temple in Indonesia! Making a stroll of around 10 kms from Candi Sukuh to Tawangmangu, which will bring you through several typical villages, is a good option, but you might prefer to continue your journey to Sarangan in the comfort of your car. Stay overnight in Sarangan.
Day 14. A whole day driving from Sarangan to Malang,
but you won't be bored as there's such are spectacular views of
breathtaking landscape
around you. So much so, you may wish to make several stops.
Just let us know when something catches your eye and we'll pullover so
you can enjoy your 'discovery'. Before arriving in Malang, we will
have a good view of the slopes of the Arjuno vulcano. Malang is known as the apple town since
it has a big apple orchard. Stay overnight in Malang
Day 15. In the morning we could either visit Trowulan, the former area of the Majapahit Kingdom, or some temples in the area, that would be dependant on your interests. In the afternoon we could make a tour of Malang to see the old Dutch colonial houses at the Ijen Boulevard. For those of you who like to do something more nostalgic a lunch or dinner at Toko Oen is an experience not to be missed. Stay overnight in Malang
Day 16. Another day of choices, we could either visit the apple orchard in the morning or some more temples in Songosari. Then we continue our journey to our next destination, the Bromo, where we'll arrive late in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Bromo.
Day 17. In the early morning, at
04.00, you can drive by jeep to the Bromo volcano to enjoy views
of the crater.
Before doing that, you could also go to the viewpoint at Pananjakan
where, if the weather is clear,
you can witness a spectacular sunrise. For this nightly
excursion we would like to recommend a thick jacket
(warm clothing) since at times the temperature can drop to 5 degrees
Celcius.
When you return to your hotel from this spectacular excursion, you
can enjoy a well deserved breakfasta after which we will bring you
to Kalibaru. At your hotel you can relax or have a stroll through
the plantation grounds. Stay overnight in Kalibaru.
Day 18. Kalibaru is a place which is most famous for it's cacao and rubber plantations which you are more then welcome to visit. If not closed (We'll check that out for you when we're in Kalibaru), we could also visit the local rubber and cacao factory. Another option would be to make a village tour, but you may just want to relax by the pool of your hotel. We will be there to make it possible whatever you may choose to do. Stay overnight in Kalibaru.
Day 19. This is your last day on Java, so we will either bring you to Banyuwangi from where you can take the ferry to Bali and continue your Indonesian Experience by yourself, or, if you prefer we can join you to Bali and bring you all the way to your next destination where we'll say our farewells. As you're already used to by now, ''The Choice Is Yours''.
