Best of Java

Selamat Datang”! Your Guide is there to greet you upon your arrival at the airport and welcomes you in Indonesian. You will then go directly to your hotel in the city of Jakarta, where your trip to Indonesia begins. After dropping off your belongings, relax from your hours of flying at your hotel

Familiarise yourself with the city on a full-day tour with your expert local leader. Take in Sunda Kelapa port – where the Dutch first landed, temple-filled Chinatown and the old town of Batavia. Wander about Fatahillah Square and visit a Chinese mansion (Chandra Naya) and gain an insight into the beautiful Peranakan architecture. Enjoy lunch at a Chinese restaurant that has been serving some of the city’s best and most authentic food for more than a century. After lunch, explore the religious side of the city at Cathedral Church and Istiqlal Mosque – the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Included activities

• Jakarta – Storytelling Lunch
• Jakarta – City tour

Today there’s some distance to cover, so you will spend large chunk of the day travelling. Travel by train to Banjar City (approximately 6.5 hours), then take a private minibus to Batukaras (approximately 2 hours ). The fishing village and surfing hot spot of Batukaras is one of the most enjoyable places to kick back and surf in west Java. A tiny one-lane fishing settlement, with the calm and local sweetness will light up your holidays which you’ll see some of tomorrow!

Set off on a tour of the local surrounds, villages, cottage industries and the impressive Green Canyon. Your day trip begins with a stop at a local market to check out the produce and home industries such as palm sugar and rice cracker production, as well as the famous Javanese wayang golek (traditional wooden puppets). Then you’ll continue to the Green Canyon. Hop aboard your boat and travel upriver (approximately 30 minutes) through superb jungle scenery, before stopping for a swim up in the canyon itself. This spot, whose water is as green as its name suggests, is a popular hangout for locals, so take the opportunity to interact. Your day will take you to a nearby beach where you can have a break for lunch and swim in the afternoon before heading back to your accommodation.

Included activities

• Batukaras– Green Canyon
• Batukaras – Village & cottage industries tour

After your breakfast at the hotel, We visit The Nature Reserve is on the Peninsula of Pangandaran and includes  500 hectares with more than 700 different plants. We will do a trekking through the jungle for 4 to 5 hours. We will see waterfalls, one of the biggest flower in the world (Rafflesia Flower), a big variety of wild animals as, deer, porcupine, buffalo, grey/ black monkeys, tukan and so on. We end the walk on a white sand beach where you can do snorkelling or just relax and enjoy the sunset. Spend the night in Batukaras.

Included activities

• Pangandaran – Nature Reserve

The striking site of Prambanan

Today you will explore the Kota Gede district, a part of the old city of Yogyakarta and center of silver crafts. Then, you visit the temples of Sewon and Plasoan before exploring the famous Hindu temple complex of Prambanan at sunset. Dating from the 8th century, it is essentially made up of three pyramid-shaped buildings, dedicated to the three gods Bramah, Shiva and Vishnu. As soon as you enter the place, you are amazed by the beauty of the majestic monuments. The tranquility that emanates from the place attests to its spiritual and religious character. Night at the hotel Yogyakarta.

Included activities

• Yogyakarta – Prambanan temple
• Yogyakarta – Plasoan & Sewon temple
• Jogyakarta – Kota gede silver crafts

Pedal out of the city on a cycling tour (approximately 6 km) through the rice fields and countryside surrounding Yogyakarta. See the locals in this area making various goods, from bricks to tofu and tempe. As well as palms and lush green grasslands, you will see the odd burst of yellow and pink flowers by the side of the road, which make for great photo opportunities. This cycling tour is on relatively flat ground, so it won’t be too strenuous. There will be ample time to take in all the interesting scenes of slow-paced local life. You will then have a free afternoon today and there are many activities for you to choose in Yogyakarta. Perhaps a cooking class to learn about Indonesian cuisine or salute to the sun with a yoga class – there is something for everyone!

Included activities

• Yogyakarta – Countryside cycling tour

Sunrise at Borobudur Buddhist Temple

This morning, get up at dawn to watch the sunrise from the top of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Dating from the 8th century, its architecture, the precision of its bas-reliefs, its countless Buddhas and its enormous bells make it a must-see in Indonesia. You then return to the center of Yogyakarta city for your lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you visit the Kraton, the Sultan’s palace and the Taman Sari known as “the water tower”. You enjoy strolling and getting lost in the small surrounding streets, punctuated by numerous artists’ houses and local craft shops. Night at the hotel.

Included activities

• Borobudur – Temple Tour
• Yogyakarta – Sultan Palace
• Yogyakarta – water castle

Travel by train (approximately 4.5 hours) before transferring on a minivan (approximately 1 hour) to Seloliman Nature Reserve. The peaceful Seloliman Nature Reserve is situated on the slopes of the sacred volcano of Mt Penanggungan. Meet some of the volunteers working at the Seloliman Environmental Education Center and eat delicious, locally grown organic produce cooked by their staff. The center’s accommodation is atmospheric, even with open-air bathrooms built in harmony with the surrounding forest, so take this opportunity to relax. This is a beautiful spot to appreciate nature – be sure to sit under the stars tonight and take in the ambiance of what’s around.

Including activities

• Seloliman Nature Reserve – Environmental Education Centre Visit
• Seloliman Nature Reserve – Environmental Education Centre Lunch
• Seloliman Nature Reserve – Environmental Education Centre Dinner

Join reserve staff on a walk around the reserve, learning about the local environment and the Javanese tradition of herbal medicine (approximately 2.5 hours). You’ll gain an insight into the region’s flora and fauna, traditional farming methods, rice production and the mini hydroelectricity plant. Finish up with a traditional jamu demonstration and a tasting of this Javanese herbal medicine. Continue on to Mt Bromo – the timeless homeland of the Tenggerese (approximately 4 hours). The still-active volcano – standing at 2329 metres – is the most well-known of the Tengger massif. This region is also the homeland of the Tenggerese and the steep, cultivated hills of the Tengger Valley. Retire early tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s early start.

Included activities

• Seloliman Nature Reserve – Guided Walk & Herbal Drink Tasting
• Seloliman Nature Reserve – Environmental Education Centre Lunch

Sunrise and ascent of Mount Bromo

Your early start today (around 3 am) will be well worth it; trust us. First, drive to a lookout point in jeeps for sunrise over the sea of sands. If the weather is clear, the sunrise over this eerie sea of volcanoes is an unforgettable experience. Afterwards descend in your jeep to the sea of sands and climb up to the volcano crater to take a peek inside. The ascent is not too difficult (approximately 45 minutes), but it can be very cold, so don’t forget to bring extra layers of clothing. It’s also worth bringing a scarf to cover your nose and mouth, as it can get dusty. Return to the hotel to freshen up and then depart midmorning to Kalibaru in a private minivan (approximately 5.5 hours). You’ll stop for lunch en route, then arrive in the afternoon, with time to relax by the pool or perhaps indulge in a local massage.

Included activities

• Bromo – Bromo sunrise

Discovery of the Javanese countryside

This morning, take the time to wake up at your own pace. Then, you set off to meet the inhabitants of the region and the coffee, rubber, cocoa and sugar cane plantations that bring the region to life, accompanied by your guide. You are amazed when one of the locals suddenly starts climbing the coconut trees barefoot to get you a nice, fresh coconut, to sip straight away! You then take the road again with your driver towards Mount Kawah Ijen. Along the way, the hundreds of colourful and flagged boats at the traditional fishing port of Muncar are worth seeing and delighting you. Night at the hotel.

Included activities

• Kalibaru – Coffee, Cocoa & Rubber Plantation Tour

Ascent of Mount Ijen, “the green crater”

It is still dark when you set out to discover Kawah Ijen accompanied by your guide. You climb alongside the sulphur carriers who walk the volcano every day, carrying their balanced baskets, in order to extract the yellow crystals from the edge of the largest acid lake in the world. The climb is regular and continuous through the forest to the edge of the crater. Optional descent to the edge of the milky green lake to get a closer look at the work of the miners. Arriving at night, you have the chance to see the A extraordinary spectacle of blue gas flames in a completely unreal atmosphere.

Go back down then Our services end. Do not hesitate to contact one of our java tour travel experts who will be delighted to meet your travel desires. See you soon in Asia with Pangandaran Travel.

Included activities

• Ijen – Creater Lake

Special information :

Today’s Climbing time is approximately 3 hours.

The summit trail starts more easily, while heading to the crater it climbs steeply with switchbacks over volcanic rocks and gravel. A good level of fitness is required. The path can be slippery, particularly after rain so good shoes are essential. Please bring your headtorch and a warm layer to wear at the summit. The climb may be cancelled during heavy rain and unsafe conditions.