Visit the Borobudur & the surprisingly scenic Dieng Plateau

One of the seven world wonders the Borobudur & the surprisingly scenic Dieng Plateau

In the morning you will visit the Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia that was built in the 9^th century. Overlooking impossibly apple green sawahs, swaying palms and surrounded by eye-catching volcanic peaks, this monumental Buddhist structure has survived Gunung Merapi’s eruptions and many earthquakes. The Borobudur remains as mysterious and as beautiful as it probably also was about 1200 years ago.
One can find three monasteries in the neighborhood of the Borobudur. You are welcome to join the monks at prayer if you like.
If your are ready to continue, the Dieng Plateau is next on your day-trip. This complex of Hindu temples was built in the 7^th century. The five main temples form the Arjuna complex are clustered together on the central Dieng plain, which are connected to eachother by raised walkways. It are Shiva temples that have been named after the heroes of the wayang stories: Arjuna, Puntadewa, Srikandi, Sembadra and Semar. Locals offer, burn incense and meditate here.
Then you continue to visit the Sikidang volcanic crater, one of several craters at the Dieng Plateau that are still active. Kawah Sikidang consists in steaming vents and anxiously bubbling mud ponds. Be careful as the trails are sometimes muddy and slippery. After Sikidang you will visit the Warna lake - Telaga Warna. The lake has turquoise and cobalt colours from the bubbling sulphur deposits around its shores. To find some privacy, follow the trail counterclockwise to the adjoining lake.
When you feel ready, you will go back to your hotel in Yogyakarta.

Accommodation

Ibis Hotel Malioboro

Yogyakarta city tour & Pramabanan temple

Yogyakarta city tour in the morning while the Prambanan temple is scheduled for the afternoon

There are a few cultural must-sees in Yogyakarta. The first one is the Sultan's Palace, also called Kraton, is the cultural and political hearth of Yogyakarta. In fact this is a walled city and home to about 25,000 people of whom 1,000 are employed by the Sultan. The area where the current Sultan still lives was built between 1755 and 1756. This is an examples of Javanese palace architecture. There are daily cultural performances in the kraton’s inner pavilion; starting around 9 or 10 am, varying from gamelan to Javanese poetry readings.
The second must-see is the water castle - Taman Sari - which is another historical relic to be found just southwest of the kraton. It once served the sultan and his entourage. The water castle was built between 1758 and 1765, and lasted only for 100 years due to war and earthquakes. The bathing pools have been restored.
Then the journey continues to the Prambanan temple, just outside Yogyakarta and listed in 1991 on the Unesco World Heritage List. The impressive Hindu temples of Prambanan are set in the plains and the best remaining examples of Java’s extended period of Hindu culture. The temples were built between the 8th and 10th century.
Probably it is getting evening when you are heading back to your hotel. Enjoy your time.

Accommodation

Ibis Hotel Malioboro

Free day in Yogyakarta

Free day in Yogyakarta

Make the most of your day off in the cultural and political hearth of Java.

Accommodation

Ibis Hotel Malioboro

By executive train to Malang

By executive train to Malang

Have an early breakfast at your hotel as your train departs at 07.30. You can take a becak to the train station which is nearby. The Malioboro Express will arrive after about 8 hours in Malang. You will be waited for at the train station and brought to your hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel Ibis Malang - Ibis Malang is situated on the main road between Malang and Surabaya which makes access to the city center both easy and adventurous. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and WiFi. A swimming pool is also available.

Malang, the refreshing city with character

Malang, the refreshing city with character

A day of choices. You can discover the city on foot or by bike with a guide, you can take a guided cycling tour to Tumpang village, or cook your lunch during a cooking class in the kampong. Or, just have the day to yourself and discover on your own or just relax in your hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel Ibis Malang

The breathtaking volcanic Bromo region is your today's destination

The breathtaking volcanic Bromo region is your today's destination

At 01.00 in the morning you will be picked up. It is a three hours drive to Mt. Pananjakan, from which viewpoint you can first meat with the breathtaking volcanic Bromo region. The moonlike landscape in full glory is welcoming you when the sun is rising. Mt. Semeru - Java's highest peak - throws its shadows over the scene, while erupting every 20 minutes.
If Bromo's condition allows you too, you can walk to the crater rim of this active volcano, after you crossed the black volcanic Sea of Sand. Mt. Bromo is flanked by Mt. Kursi (2581 m) and Mt. Batok (2440 m), both higher than Mt. Bromo (2392 m). All three volcanoes have emerged in an old crater which stretches 10 km across, surrounded by the towering cliffs of the crater's edge.
Then, when you meet your driver again, he will bring you to hotel Cafe Lava where you can have your breakfast. After you revived a bit, your journey continues in the direction if Mt. Ijen. Your route guides you via the winding and hilly road over Mt. Arek-Arek before you reach Bondowoso.

Accommodation

Bondowoso - Ijen View Hotel.As your stay in Bondowoso is short, you might enjoy your rest, but a swimming pool is also available.

The largest blue fire area in the world: Ijen crater lake - Pemuteran

The largest blue fire area in the world: Ijen crater lake

Early morning departure! At around midnight you will depart to see the phenomenal blue fire at the Ijen crater lake. But, keep in mind that the possibility to see it is depending on local weather conditions. If local weather conditions don't allow you too, or if you do not wish to see the blue fire, you can leave later. Then discuss your departure time with your driver.
After arriving in Paltuding it is a one and a half hours hike to the greatest acidic lake in the world. You will meet the heroic sulphur miners which have probably one of the heaviest tasks in the world. The miners carry baskets between 80 and 100 kg filled with vast sulphur up the crater rim and then down the mountain slopes to the sulphur weighing area behind the parking lot where you parked your car. 
Once you are back at the car, your next destination is Pemuteran in Bali. You will take the ferry in Ketapang.

Note: the blue fire tour is only for those in good physical condition as it is a serious undertaking which can only be seen when it is still dark.

Accommodation

Pemuteran (Bali) - Kubuku Ecolodge & Resto.Kubuku means 'little home', complete with spa, meditation and yoga.... welcome.

Snorkeling neaar Menjangan island & snooze at the beach getaway Pemuteran - Ubud

Snorkeling near Menjangan island & snooze at the beach getaway Pemuteran

Menjangan can be found within the protected area of West Bali National Park. Menjangan is famous for its calm and clear waters, while the bountiful sea life is just an aquarium but then 10 times better. Beautiful coral formations, clownfish-filled anemones, dazzling coral walls and drop-offs, and caves and nooks to hide in. You might even be lucky to see whale sharks, mantas and turtles. The water temperature is lovely with a 29 ºC, and the current is none to mild.
After snorkeling you will be heading to Ubud, the cultural center of Bali. It also has good restaurants and cafes and many street shops filled with the work of local artists.

Accommodation

Ubud - Adi Cottage.As they call it "A peaceful retreat' in the hearth of Ubud. With only 19 rooms that are cocooned within a tropical garden.

Dance, volcanoes and art -  Ubud

Dance, volcanoes & art

Dances are merged with stories and history. The "Barong and Kris Dance" is one of Bali's iconic dances. There are two main characters, namely Barong, which is a lion-like spirit that protects the land and its people, and Rangda, who is a demon queen. A kris is an asymmetrical dagger and deeply rooted into Indonesian culture. The Baron and Kris Dance shows many men waving the kris. The close ties to the mythological traditions of Bali makes this performance interesting.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a Nature Reserve & Hindu temple complex. The Monkey Forest lies within the village of Padangtegal, which owns it. To the villagers the Monkey Forest is as an important spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation center. The Forest covers approximately 10 hectares and contains at least 115 different species of trees and is home to three Hindu temples, that were constructed around 1350. About 600 Balinese long-tailed monkeys live in the forest.
You will also visit the central palace Puri Saren Agung. It was the home of the last "king" of Ubud, and now his descendants live in the palace. It was also Ubud's first hotel, opening its doors to paying visitors in the 1930s.
Another artistic spot to visit is Batuan village, which one can find about 10 km south of Ubud. Batuan village is well-known for its style of painting that originated in the village in the 1930s. This style has emerged into a major Balinese artistic style, known as a Batuan painting. The village also contains art galleries and cooperative art societies. Every full moon the ancient Gambuh dance is performed.
Sri Batu village is a village where one can see how several spices, coffee, cacao, clove, vanilla, cinnamon, and passion fruit are grown. Once can also sample Bali chocolate. Probably you are getting hungry somewhere along this trip. A stopover to have lunch with the volcano Kintamani and Batur Lake as your view, must be brilliant.
Next. Gunung Kawi Sebatu is a Hindu water temple dedicated to Vishnu. The temple complex is built on a natural spring, which feed a series of ponds and pools. Then you still have Tegallalang and Gajah cave on the list for today. Tegallalang is the area north of Ubud and full with beautiful rice fields, those jaw-dropping ones. Take a hike. Goa Gajah - or elephant cave - is your last part of the day, if you still have some energy left. This temple takes you back to the 11th century, if you can imagine it without the parking area and the various souvenir shops and refreshments kiosks.

Accommodation

Ubud - Adi Cottage.

Culture and beach - Sanur

Culture and beach

After breakfast, check all your belongings and get them in your bag. You are moving to another hotel for the last time during this trip.
Your day will start with a visit to one of Bali's most beautiful temples. Taman Ayun is a remnent from the Royal Mengwi Dynasty and a landmark in the village of Mengwi. One can see glorious traditional architectural features throughout the temple's courtyards and enclosures Taman Ayun was built in 1634 and underwent a significant restoration in 1937.
You will continue to Tanah Lot, which is a rock formation off the island of Bali. It is home to the pilgrimage temple Tanah Lot. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples was established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast.
To be able to join the afternoon sun and some rest, you can check in at your hotel in the beach village Sanur early afternoon. Enjoy the beach.

Accommodation

Sanur - Peneeda View - Beach Hotel. Sanur's beach stretches over 5 km. It is a white sandy beach with calm blue water, while a small path connects north and south of Sanur.

Relaxed morning

Relaxed morning

Enjoy a relaxed morning as the only thing you will have to do is to get ready for what you are up to next. We can transfer you to the airport in Denpasar.

Visit the Borobudur and the Prambanan temples

Borobudur & Prambanan

Reference 592; the Borobudur Temple Compounds on the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world.

The Borobudur Temple Compounds was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD. The temple is an outstanding monument of the Sailendra Dynasty that ruled Java for around five centuries until the 10th century. The Borobudur temple complex is Indonesia’s most important center for Buddhism, and there are now three monasteries in the surrounding district. You are welcome to join the monks at prayer time.

The reasons behind the desertion of this magnificent piece of work is still a mystery. Some scholars believe that famine caused by an eruption of Mt. Merapi forced the inhabitants of Central Java to leave their lands behind. When area was rediscovered, the glorious Borobudur was buried by the ashes from Mt. Merapi. Then, the Borobudur complex was unearthed by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, in 1814. He had heard that the hill was believed to be the site of an ancient monument called budur.

Weak developmental regulations around the complex are a threat to the extraordinary relationship between the main monument and its wider setting and can affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. But tourism also exerts considerable pressure on the property. The eruption of Mt. Merapi is another potential threat because of its deposit acidic ash as happened in 2010.

Reference 642; the Prambanan Temple Compounds are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The largest temple compound in Indonesia dedicated to Shiva.

Prambanan is the masterpiece of the Hindu culture built in the 10th century. The slim building soaring up to 47 meters makes its beautiful architecture incomparable. The Prambanan is a complex of 240 temples, built during the heyday of the Sailendra Dynasty. Following this creative burst, the Prambanan Plain was abandoned when the Hindu-Javanese kings moved to East Java.

Accommodation

Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa

Celebrate your stay at Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa - 2016 Winner World Luxury Hotel Awards

Celebrate your stay

As you have a room with a private pool, the splendid views over the Borobudur and the hills, set in a lush exorbitant green environment with all Javanese odors, you have a whole day to celebrate your stay and capture the essence of Yogyakarta and its dynasties.

If you would like to spend some time outside the boundaries of the hotel, you can be taken on a city tour in Yogyakarta.
Optional you can play at the Borobudur International Golf & Country Club or at the Merapi Golf Club. Both have fascinating views over the fierce volcano Mt. Merapi.

Accommodation

Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa

Meet the glorious Mt. Bromo

Meet the glorious Mt. Bromo

A morning flight will bring you in just a little longer than an hour to Surabaya, where your driver is waiting for you. From Surabaya it is a 3 to 4 hours drive to your hotel Jiwa Jawa

Accommodation

Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo - "Soul of Java" and 'home of the adventurers', Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo exists to match the natural beauty with soulful service. Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo rests on the towering cliffs of the crater’s edge at an breathtaking altitude of 2000 m. Dine under the stars while mother nature gives away a serenade. The surrounding volcanic soil produces fresh organic ingredients for the hotel's restaurant and are the foundation of the dining experience. The management of Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo works together with the local organization 'Sahabat Bromo', to promote the livelihood of the local Tengger community.

Sunrise or Bromo panorama experience

Sunrise or Bromo panorama experience

The magnificence of Mt. Bromo is underestimated by a few travelers only. If you are an early bird, or a fan of sunrises you, the tour will you first bring to one of the many viewpoints. You will just have to stare to the east as the sun slowly rises. The brilliant sea of color that will grow each minute, will also change as quick as the wind. Keep your eyes focused...
Once the sun has risen and warmed you a bit, your journey continues to the lunar-like landscape in which Mt. Bromo resides. The winding road will bring you to the black Sea of Sand north of the active volcano. But, get to the savanna first, which is an incredible contrast to the Sea of Sand around the front. Then just head back to Mt. Bromo when all the other visitors left to have breakfast. Standing on an active volcano in a landscape nowhere else around the world to be found, while imagining your smallness compared to the roar of a volcano... might make you think.

If you aren't an early bird, you can opt for the Bromo Panorama Experience. You won't meet the sun the minute it peeps out on the horizon, but just a few hours later. Around 7 is a good moment to firstly depart to Mt. Bromo. Although Mt. Bromo isn't the highest peak within the caldera, it certainly portrays a-once-in-a-life-time-views.
Last part of your Panorama Experience is Mt. Pananjakan. The crowd will be gone by now, enabling you to experience Mt. Bromo and the era in which it sits in some quietness and peace.

After packing and checking out you will be heading to the airport in Surabaya to take a flight to Denpasar in Bali, a one hour flight only. In one and a half hours drive you will be arriving at The Hanging Garden in Ubud.

Accommodation

Hanging Gardens of Bali - The world's first seven stars boutique hotel. Overlooking the Ayung river and the ancient Dalem Segara temple, Hanging Gardens of Bali was built on the edge of a stunning valley, encircled by rain forest. The 44 private villas combine contemporary and Balinese decor, have an open-air dining area and a private swimming pool. Their spa experience is inviting as it "combines natural, local ingredients and ancient techniques to create beauty therapies and treatments that soothe the mind, rejuvenate the body and energize the soul".
- Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards 2016 - Luxury Resort of the Year 2016 - Best Luxury Boutique Hotel of Indonesia 2016 -

Hanging Gardens of Bali - 2016 Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards

Brilliantly picturesque

Make the most of your stay in the hotel...

Accommodation

Hanging Gardens of Bali

Visit Bali's highlights: choose the destinations of your interests

Visit Bali highlights: choose the destinations of your interests

Depending on your interests, we can assemble your day. To get inspired and to summurize Bali's well-known fibes: Tegallalang rice fields, yoga, Agung Rai Museum of Art, Monkey Forest, Pura Gunung Kawi, cycling, Don Antonio Blanco museum, river rafting and tubing, Satria coffee plantation, Tanah Lot temple, theater, surfing, medicine man, rafting, silver craft, Campuhan Ridge walk, Kintamani volcano...
Not reading what you are looking for? Just ask......

Accommodation

Hanging Gardens of Bali

A day at the beach...

A day at the beach...

Bali wouldn't be Bali if you didn't spend time at the beach.....

Accommodation

Hotel Tugu Bali in Canggu - Tugu Bali is an exotic out of the box experience. Featuring a sizeable antique collection on the property that includes Balinese, Javanese and Asian artifacts. The air-conditioned suites at Hotel Tugu have Asian decor and wooden furnishings. Live Balinese dance and musical performances by local musicians held weekly in the evenings add to the traditional atmosphere. The hotel is located on Echo Beach, along the coast just north of Seminyak. Nestled within private gardens, the hotel features an outdoor pool overlooking panoramic sunset views and 5 themed in-house restaurants. This last relax resort with courteous staff, wonderful hot tub and holistic massages at its spa is your last hide-out. It is just a 45 minutes drive to the airport and about 12 km to central Seminyak and Tanah Lot.

Ending

Ending

As time never ever has stopped ticking away... We will drop you at the airport in Denpasar.