Highlights
- Take in the sunrise over Mount Bromo and the Tengerr Caldera
- Visit Prambanan, a 1000-year-old Hindu temple complex
- Join a cooking class and learn to make a traditional Javanese dish
- Cycle through tea plantations in Candirejo
- Wander the world's largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Jakarta, Fly to Surabaya City, Drive to Cemoro Lawang | Cemoro Lawang |
| Day 2 | Sunrise Excursion Up Mount Pananjakan, Drive to Mojokerto, Train to Solo | Surakarta |
| Day 3 | Discover Batik, Explore Sukuh & Ceto Temples, Drive to Yogyakarta | Yogyakarta |
| Day 4 | Explore Prambanan Temple and Gunung Purba | Yogyakarta |
| Day 5 | Candirejo Cooking Class & Cycling Tour | Yogyakarta |
| Day 6 | Drive to Suroloyo Peak, Visit Borobudur Temple, Drive to Wonosobo | Wonosobo |
| Day 7 | Explore Wonosobo & Dieng Plateau, Return to Yogyakarta | Yogyakarta |
| Day 8 | Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Jakarta, Fly to Surabaya City, Drive to Cemoro Lawang
Welcome to Java! Depending on your arrival time in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, you'll catch a quick domestic flight across the island to Surabaya City. Here you'll meet your driver and transfer to the small village of Cemoro Lawang, northeast of Mount Bromo (3-4 hours). Settle into your accommodation for an early night's sleep.
Day 2: Sunrise Excursion Up Mount Pananjakan, Drive to Mojokerto, Train to Solo
Before first light, climb in your private Jeep and drive to the summit of Mount Pananjakan (9,104 ft/ 2,775 m) to watch a memorable sunrise over the Tengger Caldera. From this vantage point, you will have a panoramic view of Mount Batok and the active Mount Bromo, as well as the caldera in the background. When you're ready, descend by Jeep across a sea of sand for a more intimate look at Mount Bromo's crater.
Return to your hotel for breakfast before carrying on your journey to Mojokerto (3 hours). Here you will board a train east and arrive in Surakarta (often called Solo) in the afternoon. Take the rest of the day to settle, exploring your surroundings at your own pace.
Day 3: Discover Batik, Explore Sukuh & Ceto Temples, Drive to Yogyakarta
In the morning, you will venture into the core of Surakarta, famous for its textile artisans. Here you will discover the traditional art of wax-resist dyeing known as batik. In the afternoon, head east to the Mount Lawu area to find the well-preserved 15th-century Javanese-Hindu temples, Sukuh and Ceto, as well as the nearby small Hindu community (1.5 hours). Next, you will explore the heart of this fertile region, stopping to visit a variety of tea plantations as you work your way south to the city of Yogyakarta (2-3 hours).
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Explore Prambanan Temple & Gunung Purba
This morning you will make the short drive to Prambanan to discover the UNESCO-protected ninth-century Hindu temple compound of the same name. From there, continue to the less-frequented tourist destination, the inactive ancient volcano Nglanggeran, sometimes referred to as Gunung Purba or Purba volcano (40 minutes). Trek to the summit for sweeping vistas over the region. In the late afternoon, you'll return to Yogyakarta.
Day 5: Candirejo Cooking Class & Cycling Tour
This morning, you will drive to the small village of Candirejo, an eco-community in Central Java, to participate in a cooking lesson of traditional Javanese cuisine. Reward yourself with your home-cooked lunch before switching things up and grabbing your cycling gear to tour the nearby villages and plantations with a local guide (two hours). In the evening, return to city life and your hotel in Yogyakarta.
Day 6: Drive to Suroloyo Peak, Visit Borobudur Temple, Drive to Wonosobo
Early this morning, you will hit the road and drive northeast to the Suroloyo Peak on the border of Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta (1.5 hours). Stretch your legs and take a gentle hike of the area, working your way to a traditional Javanese village (about 2 hours) and enjoying Gamelan music (classic ensemble music played on bronze percussive instruments) before having lunch. From there, you will make the short drive to the ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist temple, Borobudur. Wander this vast complex, marveling at the historic temples and over 500 statues.
Satisfied with this stellar photo opportunity, continue northeast to the small city of Wonosobo (1.5-2 hours).
Day 7: Explore Wonosobo & Dieng Plateau, Return to Yogyakarta
Join your guide for a morning stroll through tea and vegetable plantations within the Wonosobo region (about two hours). From here, you'll drive to the marshy Dieng Plateau to take in the stunning views from Bukit Sikunir, Batu Padan, and Candi Arjuna (temple).
In the afternoon, you will return to Yogyakarta (two hours), stopping to visit the impressive Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat palace complex.
Day 8: Depart
It's time to say goodbye to Java and the streets littered with offerings of delicate flowers to the gods. Meet your driver and transfer to the Yogyakarta airport to catch your return flight back to Jakarta for your onward journey.
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