A Journey Across Java

This private 12 night/13 day tailor made holiday will allow you to experience the extremes of the most densely populated Indonesian island. From the dazzling sights and sounds of the giant metropolis of Jakarta to the quiet pace of Yogyakarta, true heart of all things Javanese. You will explore beautifully restored archeological sites, from an era when powerful kings ruled Java like Hindu gods. Observe the processing of age-old crafts. Pay homage to the Sultan, traditional ruler of an intriguing society on the crossroads of ancient and modern times.
Travel onwards to the charming and far less populated East Java. Visit the famous Prambanan Temple complex and enjoy a fabulous dawn trek up Mt Bromo to view the still active volcano and enjoy the stunning views. This holiday will give you a fabulous insight into this wonderful island and all it has to offer.

Day 1: Departure

Today you will depart the UK on a flight to Singapore on Singapore Airlines.

Day 2: Land Jakarta

Land Singapore. Transit and board the flight to Jakarta, Java.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel. Overnight in busy Jakarta city, the capital of Indonesia.

Day 3: Bogor (B/-/-)

Today you will drive to Bogor, a former retreat for the colonial elite. Bogor lies on an altitude of some 300 meters, but has a much more pleasant climate than Jakarta. The famous Bogor botanical garden provides refuge from the heat for locals and tourists alike. Once started by Sir Stamford Raffles, with the help of botanists of London's Kew Gardens, it became an invaluable research centre under Dutch administration. Spend time in the gardens and overnight in Bogor.

Day 4: Bandung tea lands (B/L/-)

Enjoy a late start today when you will drive onwards to Bandung, the regional centre of West Java in the heart of tea land. You'll be in time to catch an art performance at Pak Udjo's, the centre for all things Sundanese. Join in and watch a moving performance of children and adults, showcasing the musical traditions of West Java.

Day 5: Bandung (B/L/-)

Today you will explore the vicinity of Bandung, with its rolling hills and vast tea plantations. First it's off to Tangkuban Prahu, with its hissing and fuming craters, which is one of the most accessible volcanic areas in the world. Take a small hike through the rainforest to another part of the same volcano. In the afternoon, you'll visit one of the magnificent tea estates of West Java. Factories, some of them dating back to colonial times, process "the green gold" amidst endless undulating carpets of the tea bushes.

Day 6:Bandung to Wonosobo (B/L/-)

After an authentic train journey through scenic West Java, you will reach Baturaden, one of the prettiest hill stations in Central Java. Move on by car to Wonosobo, a sleepy hilltop village. On a clear day, there are great panoramic views to be enjoyed over Mt Sumbing. It is also the best possible base to explore the Dieng plateau.

Day 7: Dieng Plateau / Yogyakarta (B/L/-)

Sprinkled all over the Dieng plateau, there are some small, unassuming temples. Unimpressive when compared to the larger monuments such as Prambanan and Borobudur, they are however the oldest in Java. The name Dieng is probably a corruption of the two Sanskrit words, Di and Hyang, which literally translates into 'abode of the Gods'. These small lonely temples create a fascinating ambiance. Drive onwards to Yogyakarta and your chosen hotel.

Day 8: Yogyakarta (B/L/-)

This morning you will get to know Yogyakarta, rightly dubbed 'the cradle of Javanese culture'. Top of your list is the stately Kraton, right in the centre of town. Meander through the pavilions and low rise, white and green clad buildings. Many have priceless heirlooms on display. In the city outskirts, various handicrafts villages can be found and you will also visit a traditional batik workshop.

After lunch, discover the mystery and history of the world famous Borobudur temple, one of the most impressive Buddhist monuments ever erected. It lies against the splendid background of the Menoreh mountain range, some 40 km northwest Yogyakarta. The terraced temple tells the times and lives of the Lord Buddha in well over 1.500 bass-reliefs, the temple illustrates the will of man to preserve the past. Once enshrined by a wild jungle, it took more than ten years and great effort to restore the monument. Overnight Yogyakarta.

Day 9: Yogyakarta / Solo (B/L/-)

Before you head out to Solo, you will visit the royal graves at Immogiri. This is a fascinating City of the Dead, with numerous references to an era when Java was under Hindu influence. All the Sultans of Yogyakarta since the 16th century are buried here and on Mondays and Fridays, people come here to pray for their souls. Entrance to the individual graves is only allowed on these days and when properly dressed in Javanese attire.

Then it is off to Prambanan, a splendid temple complex about 16 km east of Yogya. Comprising more than 200 large and smaller buildings, this place is another fantastic reminder Java's Hindu past. After your visit, transfer onwards to Solo.

Day 10: Solo (B/L/-)

After breakfast, explore Solo town and visit the Sultan palace. Then continue drive towards Gunung Lawu, one of the largest and least active volcanoes of Java. This area has been a favorite location for centuries for temple building. Two of them have been restored into their former glory. Return to Solo, through soft rolling hills covered with tea plantations.

Day 11: Solo / Mt Bromo (B/L/-)

A morning drive to Surabaya, and onwards to Tosari, nestled against the mighty slope of Gunung Bromo. On the way, there are plenty of photo ops, with sights of dormant volcanoes, rice fields, picturesque Javanese villages, old sultanate towns and the never boring street sights, cluttered with thousands of vehicles and people, moving goods in becaks, bicycles and pushcarts. Arriving late afternoon, the rest of the evening is free, allowing you to prepare for this evening's fabulous excursion you will never forget. Day 12: Mt Bromo / Surabaya (B/L/-)

After an early breakfast, it is off to Mount Bromo. Enjoy the jeep ride along spectacular hanging vegetable gardens and even some horse riding to get to the foot of the volcanic cone, rising out of a sea of sand. Take the steep stairs to the peak where you can see into the inner nucleus of the still active volcano and enjoy the stunning surrounding moonlike landscape.

It is back to the hotel for a hearty breakfast and then onwards to Surabaya. After lunch, you will visit The House of Sampoerna, situated in "old Surabaya". This stately Dutch colonial-style compound was previously used as an orphanage and then a tobacco estate and is now a preserved historical site. Overnight in Surabaya.