Day 02: Half Day Jakarta City Tour – Fly Yogjakarta – Prambanan Temple             B

Suggested to check out and begin the excursion at 08.30 AM.

After breakfast, check out from your room and depart for Jakarta City Sight Seeing tour around 8 o’clock, visiting some attractions in the central city and surrounding area before heading to the airport to catch your flight to Yogyakarta.

The first visit stop of the day will be the National Monument, a 433 ft (132 meters) tower in the center of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta.  Commonly referred to simply as MONAS, the monument symbolizes the fight for Indonesia’s independence. Construction of MONAS began in 1961, under President Sukarno’s rule, and it was opened to the public in 1975.

Move on to Sunda Kelapa Harbor.  This port which has been in use since the 12^th century was originally used by the Portuguese and Dutch when they were trading with Indonesia.  Now, the port is a minor port, yet it is great for photo enthusiasts, as many of the boats in the harbour are the old style two mast ‘penisi’ boats. Afterwards, proceed to Jakarta airport in time to board your flight to Yogyakarta.

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta drive onwards to visit the 9th century Hindu temple compound of Prambanan. This impressive collection of temples is dedicated to the Trimurti, a concept of Hinduism whereby Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the Preserver and Shiva is the Destroyer which is often referred to as the ‘Great Trinity’ or ‘Hindu Triad’.

Identifiable by its towering and pointed architectural design, Prambanan was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1991 and is the largest, as well the finest, Hindu temple complex in the country. Following your visit to Prambanan, continue to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Meal included   : Breakfast.

Accommodation: 5* Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta (Deluxe Legacy) or similar.

Day 03: Jogjakarta Tour & Borobudur                     B/L

Following breakfast in the hotel, pay a visit to a local cigar factory – which tourists tell us is not an expected industry to be found in Indonesia!  The Tarumartani factory was built in 1918, and today they produce fourteen types of cigars which are known around the world. The uniqueness of Tarumartani cigars is the fact that they are hand rolled and wrapped, ensuring a high standard for every product that leaves the factory.

Next stop is the Sultans palace, also known as the Kraton, located in the centre of the city, which was founded in 1755.  Look out for the ornate reception halls as well as the large open-air pendopos, specifically built so that the Sultan could listen to gamelan performances. There is also an air-conditioned room where the desk at which the ninth sultan planned the overthrow of the Dutch is enshrined.  Something particularly curious, or just plain odd, is the painting of the eighth sultan on the day of his circumcision!

Tamansari (also known as the Water Castle) is situated just 250m from Sultan’s palace, and was built in 1758 by the prince, and was used as a ‘place of pleasure’ by the prince and his harem. The prince would sit in his tower, enjoying watching his harem frolic in the water, and send for any one of them who he fancied at the time.

Visit Kota Gede, where you can visit batik factories, silver smiths and other shopping, as well as a lunch stop.  After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the stunning Borobudur temple.  In around 850AD, the temple was deserted when the Hindu Majapahit Empire overthrew the Sailendra Dynasty.  Borobudur is the largest single Hindu monument in the Southern Hemisphere. Climb to the top of the monument, and don’t forget to look inside the bell-shaped domes, where you can see Buddha statues inside.  It is said to be good luck if you can reach inside and touch the Buddha.

Meal included   : Breakfast, lunch.

Accommodation: Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta (Deluxe room) or similar.

Day 05: Half Day Malang City Tour – Transfer Bromo                      B

After breakfast, be ready with tour to Malang City. You will walk through the Pasar Bunga (Flower Market). As you weave your way through Pasar Bunga’s maze of small alleys, you will be accompanied by the sounds of the many different and colourful birds for sale: parakeets, cockatoos, budgerigars (imported), java eagles, owls and even bats and tree squirrels and, of course, exotic cages and bags and bags of birdseed.  In the Bird Market you will also find many other animals and even tropical fish.

Before heading to Bromo Tengger National Park, enjoyed your day with a real treat: home-made preservative-free ice cream and other culinary delights at the Dutch-built Toko Oen café cum restaurant, probably the most famous cake and ice-cream shop in Malang.  If you are there on a quiet day, sit in the corner and soak up the ambience of the place while listening to old world Dutch and Indonesian music.

Start the journey before midday to the Bromo area where your hotel is located for a check-in and overnight.

Meal included   : Breakfast.

Accommodation: 3* Plataran Bromo (Deluxe Room) or similar.

Day 07: Picturesque Central Bali                               B/L

Your excursion begins with a drive into Central Bali and small town of Mengwi. Long associated with the Balinese Royal Family, Mengwi is home to the superb temple complex at Taman Ayun. Translating as ‘beautiful garden’ Taman Ayun is considered by many to be one of the island’s most attractive temples and is still used today by people from all over Bali for special ceremonies and events.

Drive further north to Bedugul Regency (district), renowned for its stunning beauty and three caldera lakes (Beratan, Buyan and Tamblingan). First stop is the market at Candi Kuning.

Bali is famous for fresh fruits and exotic spices and there are plenty of seasonal varieties to discover at the market, together with stalls selling beautiful, scented flowers used for ceremonies and offerings. The iconic Ulun Danu Temple is the next destination. This important Hindu Shivaite water temple is located on a small jut of land within the calm waters of Lake Beratan. If the water level is high (normally only during the rainy season) it gives the illusion that this 17th century temple is ‘floating’ on the lake.

After a break for lunch, return south stopping to view the rice terraces at Jatiluwih en route. Recognised by UNESCO, these seemingly endless rice paddies offer superb vistas in all directions and are a marvel to behold. There will be an option to walk along some of the terraces (*) before returning to your vehicle and heading back to your hotel.

(*) Please note the rice terraces are often wet and slippery and we recommend footwear with good grip.

Meal included   : Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Sankara Resort Ubud (Deluxe Room) or similar.

Day 9: Transfer Sanur / Seminyak – Sunset Over Uluwatu & Kecak                           B/D

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private air-conditioner vehicle to Sanur or Seminyak area.

Afterwards at 3.30pm, travel to the southern-most tip of Bali to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple (*). One of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island, it is undoubtedly one of the region’s most venerable places of worship. Perched approximately 70 metres above sea level atop a steep cliff, the temple also has one of the most dramatic locations on the island and is the perfect vantage point from which to observe the huge waves as they roll in from the Indian Ocean and crash against the rock face below.

One of the highlights of this excursion is the opportunity to witness a traditional display of Kecak dance, which is regularly performed at Uluwatu. The Kecak dance features up to a hundred male performers who form a circle and sway and chant to hypnotic music. This ritual dance is based on an ancient story from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. King Rahwana captures Sita, the wife of Rama and the drama depicts the battle between King Rahwana and the monkey god, Hanuman.

A seductive crescent of white sand and blue sea, Jimbaran Bay has a reputation for having some of the best seafood on the island and after your visit to Uluwatu you will have the chance to dine in one of Jimbaran’s best beach restaurants overlooking the Jimbaran Bay. The fresh seafood menu and ambient beachside location merge perfectly into a truly sumptuous dining experience.

(*) Please note there are macaque monkeys at Uluwatu Temple, and they can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys. 

Meal included   : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Segara Village Hotel Sanur (Deluxe Room) / Viva Dash Seminyak (Dash Studio) or similar.

Day 13: Departure                           B

You will be advised of the time of your departure transfer from the hotel to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport for your return flight home.

Meal included   : Breakfast.