JAVA
Introduction
Java has been the principal seat of power in this region for a thousand years
even though many empires have held sway based in Sumatra, Malaya and as far
afield as Thailand. The fertile, volcanic soils sustained a high population
and a civilised city culture grew up at an early date. Over half of Indonesia's
180 million people live on this island which is approximately 1,000 km long
and 80 km wide. The history of Java reads more like Indo-European history
than that of the rural cultures of the surrounding islands. Evidence of the
refinement of these civilisations can be seen in their monuments dating back
to the 7th century.
Surprisingly, despite the high population, once you are outside the big towns,
the island does not seem crowded in the way India or Europe does. There is
space for a dozen substantial wildlife reserves and pockets of pre-Islamic
peoples still maintain their separate way of life in the hills.The curved
string of volcanoes which runs like vertebrae from Australia to Asia forms
the cool central highlands rising up to peaks of over 3600m. surrounded by
gradations of foothills and the hot coastal planes.
Our journeys across the island give a broad insight into the Javanese culture,
history and landscape.
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DESTINATIONS IN JAVA
JAKARTA
The Dutch, attracted by the spice trade, established themselves in Jakarta
(formerly Batavia) in about 1600 A.D., making it one of the first colonies.
The port of Batavia is a step back in time with the wooden sailing schooners
still being used to trade goods between the islands. Many of the large government
buildings reflect Dutch colonial architecture. The National Museum houses
exhibits from all over Indonesia including ancient Dongson drums and the
skull of Java Man and is considered by some to be the best Museum in Southeast
Asia. There are other museums and many shopping opportunities but being a
crowded, sprawling city (over 10 million people) we try not to spend too
much time here.
Ujung Kulon National Park
A 3 hour drive from Jakarta takes us to Labuhan from where we can take a
boat to the uninhabited Peucang island which is part of the National Park.
You can visit the mainland to search for the elusive Javan rhino. Wild boar,
iguana, deer and a variety of birdlife are more easily seen. Or you might
like to try a 3 day trek along the long deserted beaches and through the
airy tropical forest.
From Labuhan or Peucang Island it is possible to charter a boat to the fabled
Anak Krakatoa- the son of Krakatoa. Continuously rising from the sea, it
splutters smoke and in active periods, boulders and ash from its core.
BOGOR
In addition to being only 60km (about an hour on the toll highways) from
Jakarta International Airport, Bogor is home of the world famous Kebun Raya
Bogor (botanical gardens). The town, originally developed by the Dutch as
a retreat from the heat and noise of Jakarta, is still inhabited by those
Indonesians who can afford to commute to the city. There are some interesting
colonial buildings, including the Presidential Palace, originally built as
the Governor's Residence. This classical style building is set in lawns where
deer graze, in the centre of the town adjoining the botanical gardens. One
of the few remaining Gamelan gong foundries in Indonesia can be visited here.
The gongs are still forged by hand in the traditional way which takes several
days for each one.
The Botanical Gardens
Established by Sir Stamford Raffles and developed by the Dutch with botanists
from Kew Gardens, the Kebun Raya occupy most of the centre of the town, covering
in all about 90 hectares. They have an international reputation for their
research into tropical crops.
The giant lily pads, a well known attraction in the hothouses of Kew, grow
outdoors here. You don't have to be a botanist to enjoy a visit, many people
just come for a relaxing stroll and cup of tea in the pavilion
If you have a particular botanical interest we will try to arrange access
for you to otherwise closed collections.
Puncak Pass
Our journey from Bogor to Garut crosses the spectacular Puncak pass (1500m)
with its beautiful views across the surrounding countryside. Climbing up
from the Bogor valley we pass through large tea plantations where we can
arrange to take a break and join the pickers among the rows of tea bushes,
see how the leaf is dried, fermented and processed, taste the end product
and perhaps buy some samples to take home. Near the top of the pass we stop
at a restaurant overlooking the valley to sample the local Sundanese food
and take a stroll to a little lake in the woods.
Just over the summit is the high altitude extension of the Botanical Gardens,
where the rolling lawns and cooler climate plants are reminiscent of Europe.
Cipanas
This little Spa Resort, with its reputedly healing natural, hot spring waters
lies at an altitude of about 900m in the hills near Garut. During the week
it is very quiet and although many Indonesians come and "take the waters"
at weekends, very few foreign tourists have discovered this little retreat.
The hotel appears to float in the spring water, there is a hot swimming pool
(naturally) and the rooms have their own facilities with constantly available
hot spring water.
Papandayan Volcano
This is a very atmospheric spot, especially when the mists rolling across
the mountain mingle with steam gushing up from the springs. The road, which
on the lower slopes is lined with bonsai and other colourful plant stalls,
climbs high up the volcano, making it only a short walk to the crater.
Here you can wander as you please among the clear boiling springs, brilliant
yellow sulphur spouts and bubbling mud pools of this strange landscape before
we continue our journey down from the highlands to Pangandaran on the South
coast.
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PANGANDARAN
This fishing village occupies a narrow isthmus leading to a jungle clad headland
which is a national park. The narrow strip of land is flanked on both sides
by long beaches and you can also walk through the reserve to white sandy
beaches away from the village or hire one of the small outrigger fishing
boats to ferry you there.
Even on the public holidays when the village is crowded, the Indonesians,
who are very gregarious, do not stray more than a kilometre from the centre,
so that the further beaches and the headland remain quiet
You can watch the fishermen coming in at dawn on one side of the isthmus
and then stroll across to the opposite beach to watch the sun sink into the
sea!
National Park
Although the park is quite small and close to the village, it contains a
remarkable range of wildlife. Our excellent guide who seems to have a special
affinity with animals has shown us among other things: deer, monkeys, porcupines,
flying squirrels, bats, giant Rafflesia flowers and lianas that you can swing
on like tarzan.
Other Activities
As well as swimming and walking in the jungle you can hire bicycles or motorbikes
and wander around the paths through the coconut groves. We can arrange a
guide to show you the many village industries such as coconut processing,
that you might not discover for yourself. You may also want to visit the
Green Canyon.
Cuisine
They not only know how to catch fish here, they know how to cook it! There
is a wide variety of fish and seafood including lobsters, crab, squid and
prawns. It is all pretty cheap and very very fresh. You can choose your own
on the beach or in the restaurants and have it cooked the way you want. For
those who do not like fish there is a wide range of restaurants serving every
kind of food including good western dishes.
The Backwaters ferry
From Panganderan to Cilacap there is a local ferry along the backwaters,
through the mangroves. The boat chugs slowly through the meandering channels
calling at fishing villages where dry land has been formed by hand packing
mud dredged fiom the river bed. The ferry is the equivalent of a local bus
and wizened old ladies with shiny faced grandchildren clamber on and off
at each stop. The journey takes several hours depending on the tide and gives
you time to get into conversations with anyone who wants to practice their
English or play mime games with the children as the scene drifts by.
The Dieng Plateau
Here too you can walk among steaming sulphur spouts and mountain mists. The
plateau is the caldera of an exploded volcano which the original seventh
century Hindu inhabitants called "Dieng" meaning "the abode of the gods"
because of its proximity to the elements. There are thought to have been
hundreds of temples here but eight now remain in a good state of repair.
They are the oldest in Java, ranging from the seventh to the eighth century
and are smaller and plainer than later candis in the valley below but still
carry some well preserved carvings.
It makes a refreshing morning stroll to wander around the scattered
temples,sulphur springs and mineral lakes in the cool mountain air.
Wonosobo is quite a nice little country hill town which prides itself on
its healthiness, cleanliness and neatness. Staying here allows us to see
the views in the clear morning light on the way up to Dieng. Being up on
the plateau in the morning with only the flower and mushroom farmers gives
us the best of the crisp mountain weather and allows us to leave when the
clouds begin to roll in and the day-trippers arrive from Yogyakarta.
BANDUNGAN
A short journey of about 70km through the valleys between the many volcanoes
that dot this area. The road up the mountain to the hill resort of Bandungan
starts in Ambawara which is known for its Railway Museum.
This little hill resort is popular with Indonesians from the coast who come
at weekends for the cooler climate, it has good accommodation but you are
unlikely to see another western face here. The attraction for us is the view
from the beautifully sited Gedung Songo temples. The eighth century builders
of these nine individual Hindu Candis chose a site where the work of the
gods could really be appreciated.
The candis are distributed along ridges about 1000m up the slopes of Mount
Ungaran, where the mists of the mountain meet the steam from the boiling
streams. In the clear mornings a panorama of distant volcanoes extends for
more than 180 degrees around you and in the valley far below Lake Rawapening
shimmers in the sunlight.
A small paved road winds its way up through the picturesque cabbage and rose
fields to the lowest temple and from here a path links most of the candis
in a circular walk. We like to go early when we have the place to ourselves
and weather is clearest but you can go later and be led around on horse back
if you prefer..
* Bandungan is only a short drive to Semarang from where we fly to Pangkalanbun
to see the orangutans at Tanjung Puting National Park. Ask us for details
of our 4 day trip.
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YOGYAKARTA
Yogyakarta is one of Indonesia's most important centres of learning. Students
form a very high proportion of the population, many of them studying traditional
arts and crafts. The sultan and people of Yogya (as it is universally known)
were particularly instrumental in the fight for independence from the Dutch
and this has given them high status in modem Indonesia. The Sultan was permitted
to retain his position and palace when the Republic was formed, when almost
all of the other numerous monarchies were suppressed, including the nearby
Sultanate of Solo.
Parts of the Kraton (Royal Palace) are open to visitors and Gamelan and Ramayana
Ballet are regularly performed. The present Kraton covers a large area but
the ancient walled royal city was even larger and includes the remains of
the Water Palace. The Sultan has given most of this area over to Batik craftsmen,
traditional puppet makers and the bird market.
Yogya is a large city but the centre is quite compact focused around the
long main street Jalan Malioboro.
During the day the arcades along the front of the buildings are lined with
stalls selling very cheap crafts and clothes.
Jalan Malioboro is a great place to practice your bargaining skills before
you enter the higher quality Batik workshops. During the evening these stalls
become "Lesahan", pavement cafes's where the numerous students hang out and
listen to the buskers. Most of the craft workshops and other places of interest
can easily be reached by Becak (tricycle rickshaw) which are everywhere,
but them is also a village on the edge of the town specialising in filigree
silverwork.
Arts and Crafts
The royal patronage of Gamelan music, Classical dance, Wayan Kulit and Wayan
Golek (shadow puppet and wooden puppet theatre) as well as Batik wax resist
textile production has made Yogya a great centre for the teaching and practice
of these arts. People from all over Indonesia (and the world) come here to
see the performances, buy the crafts or study the techniques. We can arrange
for you to do all these things including taking a short Batik course if you
wish.
Borobudur
Borobudur is famous as the world's largest Buddhist monument. It dates from
the 8th and 9th century Salendra dynasty and consists of a single construction
of nine tiers leading up to Nirvana, built over a partly natural, partly
man made hill to represent the cosmic mount Meru.
There are 500 Buddhas, some enclosed in perforated stupas, but the most
spectacular element of the construction is the finely carved reliefs portraying
the life of Buddha which took three quarters of a century to execute and
add up to a total length of more than 5 km.
It is best to visit the site in the early morning, or the late afternoon,
when it is cool and quiet and we arrange an optional excursion to do this.
Prambanan
Prambanan is the Hindu counterpart of Borobudur built by the 10th century
Mataram Kingdom, a mighty empire covering a large part of Indonesia. The
remains of a complex of a dozen candis spread over the Prambanan Plain 50
exist but the focus of restoration has been the central complex originally
fortified by a series of walled enclosures containing 232 temples.
The three main candis dedicated to Siva, Brahma and Vishnu are solid vertical
constructions over 45im high. Like Borobudur they also symbolised the holy
Mount Meru and their square bases carry reliefs depicting the great Hindu
epic, the Ramayana, which is the story used for much Javanese classical dance
and puppet theatre.
A special theatre for Ramayana Ballet has been constructed near the temples
and, in addition to normal performances, at full moons between May and October
the whole of the Ramayana saga is performed over four nights in the open
air with the floodlit temples as a back drop.
We arrange optional guided tours of the temples and an evening at one of
the ballet perfortnances either in the city or at Prambanan.
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SOLO (SURAKARTA)
Solo is only 65km from Yogya across the Prambanan plain and is its counterpart
in many ways. It is a comparatively quiet town seldom visited by foreign
tourists although it rivals Yogya as the cultural centre of Java.
It becarne a royal city when the power base of the great Matararn empire
was moved here but in the mid eighteenth century three sultanates were formed
when the Dutch East India Company decided to divide and rule this empire.
One of the new Sultans founded Yogya but the other two stayed in Solo so
that it has two Kratons. They are both still occupied by the respective royal
families but are open to the public in the mornings when one of the palace
staff will show you round. Although the Sultans' political power was greatly
restricted they were able to stimulate the development of Javanese arts and
this continues to this day. There is an Academy of Arts, a Conservatory of
Music and a Cultural Centre where dance, music, puppet and folk theatre are
performed.
Handicrafts are also studied here and Solo is Indonesia's greatest production
centre of traditional Batik textiles. As well as dozens of small workshops
there is a large Batik market where cloth from the whole area is for sale
and another crafts and bric-a-brac market.
Solo conveniently has its own airport 10km from the town centre, despite
being only 45km from Yogya airport. There are direct scheduled jet flights
to Surabaya and Jakarta and connections to anywhere in Indonesia or the world
Activities
Solo has the feel of a small town, although it has a population of half a
million and orientation around the centre, where the palaces and markets
are, is not difficult since most of the streets here are parallel. The main
boulevard is broad and tree lined with separate bicycle lanes and, strangely,
an unfenced railway track, which makes it easy to distinguish from the other
boulevards. It is an incongruous sight when a train occasionally crawls through
the town.
Bicycles can be hired, and we might arrange a guided bicycle tour of the
craft villages and cottage industries. If you do not want to walk or cycle
around town there are plenty of Becaks (tricycle taxi).
The town goes to sleep in the afternoon and, unless you wish to do the same,
we can arrange optional excursions to the archaeological site of Sangiran
where the Java Man, one of the earliest hominids was discovered or the hill
resort of Tawangmangu. On clear days Tawangmangu has good views and pleasant
walks including a one or two hour hike to the unusual fifteenth century
Majaphahit temples of Candi Sukuh and Candi Ceto high on the slopes of Mount
Lawn.
It used to be possible to climb the 3000m Mount Merapi but "api" means fire
and this year it has been living up to its name. Depending on conditions
you might be able to go and take a closer look at the glowing lava flows.
Cuisine
Eating out seems to be an important part of the culture of Solo and there
is a wide range from comparatively expensive restaurants to very cheap street
cafes all serving a variety of local delicacies such as Nasi Linet (rice
cooked in coconut milk) gudeg (vegetables and jackfruit) and susu manis
(variously flavoured hotmilk) and their own version of crepes.
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MALANG-BROMO
Mount Bromo is holy to the local Tenggerese who are the only remaining Hindus
in Java and thought to be the remnants of the once powerful Majapahit empire.
The dawn pilgrimage to the summit is an ancient tradition and it is still
very popular with young lndonesians from Surabaya who arrive in buses at
3 a.m. and return home in time for breakfast.
During the day the area is deserted except for Tenggerese men wrapped in
cloaks riding around on their high stepping ponies. If you prefer not to
walk the 3 km from the village to the mountain you can him one of these steeds
to carry you. Arriving at the crater rim in the dark and looking down at
the luminous glow of the sulphur, then sitting on the narrow ledge watching
the sun come up is a classic experience, but this area also has a lot more
to offer.
Malang, situated at an altitude of 450m, is a pleasant town built as a resort
for Dutch planters. Their villas remain along the tree lined boulevards and
the town is still visited by a few Dutch who used to live in Java, but very
few other foreigners come here. Malang lies between the BromoTengger-Semeru
National Park and the Aduna-Lalijiwo Reserve. In the foothills of these mountains
are waterfalls, lakes, hot springs and Spa resorts frequented by Indonesians'at
weekends. The variation in altitude provides the opportunity to cultivate
a corresponding variation in produce from tropical fruit such as Blimbing
(star fruit) after which one of the local towns is named, to apples which
are a rarity in the tropics. The Botanical Gardens at Purwodadi falls which
we can also visit, have among other things about 250 different types of banana
tree. Malang has large colourful fruit and flower markets.
The area was the centre of successive Hindu dynasties from the eighth to
the fourteenth century and the hills are dotted with their monuments. Several
well preserved twelfth century Singasari era candis survive within easy reach
of Malang.
The temple at Singasari village has a pair of fat"dvarpala" statues 7m high.
These are the demon giants who frighten off evil spirits with their massive
clubs and skull earrings. They are finely carved, but their traditional Sumo
Wrestler physique can seem more comical than fearsome.
A little farther afield is the large 14th century "Majaphahit complex of
Panatoran and we can arrange a day excursion to visit this.
Walking
The cooler high altitude climate is good for walking and the landscape varies
from the intricate patterns of the incredibly steep cabbage fields through
pine woodland to barren volcanic sand.
In addition to the dawn walk to Mount Bromo a variety of treks in the
BromoTengger-Semeru National Park are possible. For example, instead of returning
to the village north of Mt. Bromo where we stay the previous night you can
continue west across the sand sea that fills the caldera and over the rim
the other side to Tumpang, then back to Malang.
Many other one or two day walks are possible and really keen walkers can
attempt the peak of Mount Semeru which at 3676m is the highest in Java. For
this trek it is best to take a guide from Malang and be prepared for camping
out or staying on the floor of a local house in the highest settlement on
Java.
EASTERN JAVA
From Bromo or Malang it is possible to drive to Banyuwangi and take the 1
hour ferry crossing to Bali. For the more adventurous there a number of possible
stopovers including Mt Ijien National Park, Baluran Reserve and Alas Purwo
National Park. The parks are home to rare flora and fauna including leopards,
deer, monkeys and the Rafflesia flower. In the latter parks there are miles
of unhinhabited coastline. Accommodation is either in fairly rustic government
ranger's headquarters or simple guesthouses.
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TYPICAL ITINERARY CENTRAL & WEST JAVA
CENTRAL & WEST JAVA
Ancient temples and modern sultanates, volcanoes and beaches:
Day 01: YOGYAKARTA ARRIVAL (D)
On arrival at Yogyakarta airport (please confirm flight details)your guide
will meet you, and transfer to Duta Guest House. Briefing on the tour programme
over dinner at local restaurant.
Days 02 & 03: YOGYA (B)
Optional tours to:
- In the morning before it gets too hot visit Java's most beautiful Hindu
shrine the 9th century Prambanan Temple.
- If you wish you can visit some craft villages on the way back: Kota Gede
the original home of Yogya silver ware and a traditional batik workshop where
batiks are made in the traditional way. - Lunch at local restaurant.
- In the afternoon visit the Kraton, (the Sultan's Palace). Return to the
hotel for a siesta or explore the town an the stalls along the main street
centred on the Kraton (Jalan Malioboro).
- In the evening go to see a Ramayana Ballet performance after dinner. Overnight
at Guest House.
Day 04: YOGYA - BOROBUDUR - DIENG - WONOSOBO (B,L,D)
Drive to Borobudur, the worlds largest Bhuddist monument on the way to Dieng
Plateau. Continue to Dieng the largest volcanic caidera in Java, which lies
2093 meters above sea level. There are ancient temples amongst the sulphur
pools and mineral pools. Lunch on route. On arrival at Wonosobo, check in
to Kresna Hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Day 05: WONOSOBO - CILACAP - PANGANDARAN (B,L,D)
Rise early for the view before the volcanoes cloud-in, then drive at 06.30
to Cilacap. Lunch at local restaurant in Cilacap before catching the ferry
across Anakan Lagoon that services the local fishing villages to Pangandaran.
Pangandaran is a fishing village which has become a resort along the beaches
which fringe the isthmus leading to Pangandaran National Park. Dinner at
a local restaurant and Overnight at Surya Pesona Hotel (the best in Pangandaran)
Day 06: FULL DAY PANGANDARAN (B,L,D)
After breakfast walk in Pangandaran National Park, where you should see monkeys,
deer and maybe flying foxes. You can also visit Green Canyon stopping on
the way at local home industries making brown sugar, tofu and "krupuk". Lunch
en route at local restaurant. Overnight at Surya Pesona Hotel and dinner
at a local restaurant nearby.
Day 07: PANGANDARAN - CIPANAS (B,L,D)
After breakfast, continue your journey northwest towards Cipanas. On the
way you can stop at Naga, a village which has retained its traditional Sundanese
customs over the centuries. It is about a 15 minute walk down the hill from
the nearest road. After lunch at local restaurant continue to Papandayan
Crater. The 45 minute drive up the mountain from the main road is past ornamental
plant nurseries to the parking area where pern-dts are arranged. It is then
~ a 30 minute walk to the craters where steam and sulphur bubble out at you
feet and mix with the mountain mists. Continue drive to Cipanas (which means
hot springs) which is a small spa village. Accommodation and dinner at Agusta
Hotel.
Day 08: CIPANAS - TANGKUBAN PERAHU - CIATER (B,L,D)
After breakfast, drive up to Mt. Tangkuban Perahu (about 4 hours) to see
the huge crater and simply enjoy the splendid panoramic view, From Tangkuban
Perahu drive to the nearby Ciater Hot springs for The views are picturesque
all around and are always green with tea plantation climbing over the hills.
Check in to Ciater Hot Spring Resort for dinner and accommodation.
Day 09: LEMBANG - BOGOR (B, L, D)
After breakfast, drive to Bogor via Puncak highlands. The drive over Puncak
Pass (1200 m) to Bogor
(as seen on Michael Palin's Full Circle) offers views over orderly rows of
the tea plantation which carpet the landscape. Lunch and refreshment will
be made en route. Dinner and Overnight at Mirah Hotel in Bogor.
Day 10: BOGOR - BOTANICAL GARDEN - JAKARTA AIRPORT (B)
After breakfast drive to visit the tranquil Bogor botanical garden situated
just behind the presidential summer palace (5 minutes away from the hotel).
The gardens cover an area of 110 square hectare, and were established by
the Dutch in 1817. They laid out under the direction of Thomas Stamford Raffles
and botanist from Kew. It is about 2 hours drive to Jakarta Airport
PRICE: £770 per person. Since it is totally tailormade you can make
any changes you wish to suit your interests. You will have your own English
speaking guide and driver so even when you are on the tour you can agree
variations such as lazing by the pool rather than sticking exactly to the
programme.
Extension 1:
Visit Ujung Kulon National Park. A 3 hour drive from Jakarta takes us to
Labuhan from where we can take a boat to the uninhabited Peucang island which
is part of the National Park. You can visit the mainland to search for the
elusive Javan rhino. Or you might like to try a 3 day trek along the long
deserted beaches and through the airy tropical forest. 3 nights recommended.
Extension 2:
Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan From Semarang, the
capital of Central Java we fly to Pangkalanbun to emabark an a modern day
adventure aboard a klotok (a small low level boat that plies the inky waters
of the Sekonyer River.) Visit 3 orangutan rehabilitation centres and the
research centre for the bizarre proboscis monkey. Accommodation is available
in the rustic Rimba Lodge, or on the boat. 3 nights recommended.
Extension 3:
East Java- Mt Bromo and Malang. Transfer to Malang as our base for the fabulous
Mt Bromo. 3 nights recommended.
* There are also direct flights from Jarkarta to Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi
and all of the main islands of Indonesia
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JAVA BALI OVERLAND ROUTE
Bustling Jakarta, Javan Fishing Village, Yogyakarta, Mt. Bromo, Tranquil
Ubud, Bali beaches
This is one of the world's classic overland routes. Your "Journey through
Time" begins in Jakarta and travel through lush Indonesian Countryside to
Bali. You climb Mt. Bromo, enjoy superb beaches and discover remnants of
Indonesia's past empires, including a visit to the extraordinary Borobudur
temples.
DAY 01 JAKARTA AIRPORT - HOTEL
Upon arrival at Jakarta International airport, you are met and transferred
to your hotel in Jakarta.
DAY 02 JAKARTA - BANDUNG
You escape the steamy atmosphere and frantic pace of Jakarta with a visit
to the tranquil botanical gardens at the old Dutch hilltop retreat of Bogor.
The drive over Puncak Pass (2900m) to Bandung is one of Indonesia's most
spectacular road trips. Orderly rows of tea trees carpet the landscape and
rich green terraced paddies re-shape entire hills, while tall stands of Bamboo
complete the spectacular mosaic. On arrival at Bandung, check in to a hotel
for your accommodation.
DAY 03 BANDUNG - PANGANDARAN
After breakfast drive to Pangandaran in an air-conditioned vehicle for about
4 hours (total 6 hours including stop for lunch and refreshment en route).
Rest of the day is free to visit the beaches or National Park. Accommodation
at a comfortable hotel.
DAY 04 PANGANDARAN
Full day free where you can enjoy the and relax on some of Java's best secluded
beaches, fringing the isthmus at Pangandaran National Park, where the jungle
teems with monkeys, and fishermen bring in their catch by hauling in huge
nets.
DAY 05 PANGANDARAN - YOGYAKARTA
After crossing the Anakan Lagoon on a boat that services the local fishing
villages, you continue to Yogyakarta on the bus for about 4 hours. Overnight
at a friendly comfortable guest house.
DAY 06 YOGYAKARTA
A half day city tour to get your bearings of the city. In the afternoon you
are free to relax or do some shopping. The unusual chiming rhythms of Gamelan
music hang in the air as you barter for some of Indonesia's best handicrafts
in this delightful Asian city.
DAY 07 BOROBUDUR
A day trip then showcases the restored splendour of the world grandest Buddhist
complex at Borobudur and the equally impressive Hindu Prambanan Temples.
DAY 08 YOGYAKARTA - SUKAPURA - MOUNT BROMO
After breakfast take a long drive across to East Java for about 8-9 hours
through the scenery road. Stop en route for lunch and refreshment. Arrive
Sukapura change to small vehicle for final drive up the mountain and to the
hotel. (This is a group excursion).
DAY 09 MT. BROMO - LOVINA BEACH (BALI)
An early wake up at 3.30 am. Followed by an easy walk, as you ascend to the
rim of the smoking peak of Mount Bromo (2329 m) for sunrise. Stark, almost
surreal, views of the active volcanic countryside surround you as you continue
your journey. After breakfast depart for the coast where a short ferry crossing
takes you across to Bali . Continue to the peaceful fishing village of Lovina.
Check in to a comfortable sea side hotel for your accommodation. Free evening
program where you can enjoy the main tourist centre along the beach or main
road.
DAY 10 FREE DAY AT LOVINA BEACH
Free day at your leisure. Snorkelling is quite good here but you will need
to charter a boat to get to the reef. Hot springs are a short bemo ride away
or you can relax on the black sand beach.
DAY 11 LOVINA-TIRTAGANGGA
A drive around the northern coast of Bali passes between the dry, volcanic
sands of Mt Agung and the turquoise sea. The road diverts inland, past verdant
paddies, to the quaint village of Tirtagangga.
DAY 12 TIRTAGANGGA
A morning walk amidst the rice fields and temples of this region finishing
at the refreshing water palace. Afternoon free.
DAY 13 MT BATUR-UBUD
After breakfast leave Lovina at 9.30 am and drive pass Singaraja and procceed
up hill to Kintamani and stop for view over beautiful Mt.Batur and Lake
Kintamani. Continue to Ubud. After lunch there is an optional tour to t Goa
Gajah (Elephant Cave) 10 minutes drive from Ubud. The cave is an old Hindu
& Buddhist shrine only rediscovered early this century and excavated
in the 1950's. You can continue to Yeh Pulu where scenes of 14 and 15th century
life are carved into the rock.
DAY 14 UBUD FREE DAY
Free day in Ubud. A great place just to wander around and check out the shops
and art galleries. The place is very much a centre for art as well as plenty
of good restaurants and cafes. A cycle ride or walk will take you through
lush terracing and friendly villages.
DAY 15
Departure day. Transfer to the airport for you r flight, Or you may like
to spend a few days on the southern beaches.
PRICE for 2 people sharing £ 1115
Including: transfers, land transport, ferry, accommodation in comfortable
hotels or guesthouses including breakfasts, English speaking guide and entrance
fees.
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POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANNING
When to Go: We operate tours to Java all year round. You can expect more
rainfall from Dec-Feb but it usually doesn't interfere with holiday enjoyment.
Peak season for European tourists is July -Aug
Festivals: The Ramayana Ballet is performed at the open stage at Pramabanan
Temple over the full moon nights each month from May to October.Bull races
of Madura are held from August to October
How to get there: We can help you to arrange your flights. Prices from £430
plus tax from London with Garuda. BA, Qantas, KLM or Singapore
Extensions: Any itinerary in Java would combine well with any other Indonesian
Island such as Bali, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, to see the orangutans or the islands
to the east: Lombok, Flores, Sumba etc
* We provide full Pre-Departure Information on booking or by request.
