Java & Bali Explorer

Selamat datang! Welcome to Indonesia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive early, why not check out some of Jakarta's interesting museums, such as the Wayang (puppetry), Balai Seni Rupa (fine arts) and maritime museums. The National Museum is great for first-time visitors. For a city monuments, don't miss the Monas (National Monument) dedicated to the spirit of the Indonesian people.

Familiarise yourself with the city on a full-day tour of Jakarta with your local leader. Take in Sunda Kelapa port – where the Dutch first landed, temple-filled Chinatown and the old town of Batavia. See Si Jagur – an old Portuguese cannon ornately decorated with a disguised meaning. Visit a Chinese mansion (Chandra Naya) and gain an insight into the beautiful Peranakan architecture. Wander Fatahillah Square, then explore the religious side of the city at Cathedral Church and Istiqlal Mosque – the largest mosque in South East Asia. Tonight, you’re free to find some delicious local eats – just ask your leader!

This morning, take a train to Bandung – a former Dutch city which now boasts a thriving art, shopping and cafe scene. When you arrive around lunch time, you’ll head out for a street food crawl at the Paskal Food Market. Maybe try some satay skewers, gado-gado (a traditional Indonesian salad made from boiled eggs and vegetables) or roasted chicken with rice and vegetables. After, walk off the full belly with a heritage walk through Braga Street – once the centre of local development, this street was home to the first shopping arcade in Bandung, with lots of art deco buildings, shops and a cinema. Sit down for a cup of coffee at a 100-year-old cafe here and watch the world go by.

Today you’ll head out of Bandung for a day trip to the largest volcano in West Java – Tangkuban Perahu, the only volcanic mountain in Indonesia that you can drive to – and its lush surroundings. Circled by pine forests and tea plantations, you’ll soak up the views as you learn about the unique history of the volcano. Take a walk around the craters with your leader, then head to the Ciater Hot Springs. Along the way, visit a local tea plantation to learn about the tea industry in Java, then continue to the hot springs for a relaxing soak to soothe the muscles. Later, you have a free afternoon and evening back in Bandung.

This morning, catch a train to Yogyakarta. This town is one of South East Asia's real gems! Known as Java's cultural heart, Yogyakarta has a great atmosphere and is perfect to explore on foot. From batik workshops to the nearby Hindu and Buddhist temples, Yogya offers a great array of cultural avenues to explore. When you arrive, you’re free to explore at your own pace – just ask your leader for recommendations.

Rise early to avoid the crowds at Candi Borobudur – the largest Buddhist structure on earth. This UNESCO World Heritage site is set in a tranquil park and as you approach, you'll see the temple rise before you, looming among tropical foliage. With your local guide, follow the route of ancient pilgrims, circling the mandala-shaped structure from the early realms towards Nirvana. After, you have a free afternoon. You might like to visit one of Yogya's other heritage temples – Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu complex in Java. Tonight, perhaps catch a performance of the Ramayana Ballet – your leader will be able to check dates and availability for you.

Pedal out of the city on a cycling tour through the rice fields and countryside surrounding Yogyakarta. See the locals making various goods, from bricks to tofu and tempeh. Pass palms, lush green grasslands and the odd burst of yellow and pink flowers by the side of the road, which make for great photo opportunities! After, you have a free afternoon to maybe take on a cooking class where you can learn about Indonesian cuisine. Or, why not salute the sun with a yoga class.

Travel by train, then minivan to Seloliman Nature Reserve today. This peaceful reserve sits on the slopes of the sacred volcano, Mt Penanggungan. When you arrive, you’ll meet some of the volunteers working at the Seloliman Environmental Education Centre and learn about what they do here. For lunch, sit down for some delicious, locally grown organic produce cooked by their staff. The centre's accommodation is atmospheric, even with open-air bathrooms built in harmony with the surrounding forest, so take this opportunity to relax this afternoon. This is a beautiful spot to appreciate nature, sit under the stars as the sun goes down and spend an evening technology-free!

Join the reserve staff on a walk around the property this morning, learning about the local environment and the Javanese tradition of herbal medicine. 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. Then, travel to Mt Bromo – the homeland of the Tenggerese. The still-active volcano – standing at 2329 m – is the most well-known of the Tengger massif. Retire early tonight in preparation for tomorrow's early start.

Your early start today (around 3 am) will be well worth it! First, drive to a lookout point in jeeps to catch the sunrise over the sea of sand. After, you’ll 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, stopping for lunch along the way. Tonight, you’re free to relax by the pool or perhaps indulge in a local massage.

Head out early this morning to tour some nearby coffee and cocoa plantations. You'll see how coffee is dried and if there’s time, how cocoa is fermented. Before you set off, enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea and snack on fried bananas – yum! Travel by minibus to the far eastern end of Java – Gilimanuk. There is often a lot of heavy traffic on this stretch of road as it's the main entry point for Bali, so there may be some delays. Next, you'll board a ferry across the Java Strait, then another minibus for a journey along the west coast of Bali to Pemuteran – your destination for the next two nights.

Enjoy a relaxing day in this gorgeous beachside location. Maybe start the day with a yoga class and then explore the local area at your own pace. You could visit the surrounding monkey-filled temples, go swimming off the coast, or think about booking in a snorkelling or diving expedition to the turquoise waters of Menjangan Island. Otherwise, simply sit back, relax and watch the fishermen go about their day-to-day on one of the beaches.

Make the journey to Ubud today – the leafy-green natural paradise of Bali. On the way, stop in at Taman Ayun Temple, to take in the impressive Balinese architecture while you stroll around the gardens. Ubud is Bali's main arts and cultural centre with lots of markets, shops and warungs, close to verdant rice terraces and lush jungles. With nature and wellbeing at its core, Ubud is a highland haven popular with travellers. Tonight, why not get a group of your travel pals together and find a local place to eat some traditional Balinese cuisine.

Enjoy a free day to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of Ubud, before your second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Maybe head to one of the most popular landmarks of Ubud – Pura Taman Saraswati. The most notable feature of the pura is its lotus pond and water garden, marking the outer area of the actual temple. Ubud is also full of boutique shops and cafes serving wonderful organic produce. It is the perfect place to just wander and stop for a bite to eat watching the hustle and bustle go by. There will be a briefing at 6pm for the 2nd part of your journey in Bali.

Start the day with a guided walking tour around Ubud with your local leader. Gain an insight into daily village life as you pass lush rice fields, an alang alang valley (type of wild grass used to make the roof of traditional buildings) and stop by a Balinese home for coffee and experience the traditional Balinese offering. The walk ends in central Ubud, where you'll have time to explore the many cafes, galleries and shops on your own. In the evening, sit down and enjoy a traditional Kecak dance performance. Driven not by musical instruments, but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical performance is considered a highlight by many of our travellers.

Today you’ll explore the area from a different angle – from the saddle of a bike. Head out on a tour through backstreets, villages and rice fields. It’s a relatively easy ride – much of the route is downhill – and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or a brief rest. You’ll also stop to check out some small, intricately carved temples, before concluding your bike tour back in Ubud. After refuelling with lunch, head for the hills to the village of Undisan. Set against a backdrop of Bali's highest peak, Mt Agung, the peaceful village of Sidemen is proof that Bali still has some pockets that are untouched by tourism.

Take a morning walk around Undisan's rice terraces, visiting the craftspeople of the traditional trade, village temples and enjoy a traditional 'bungkus' lunch. The walk is a great chance to take in the beautiful scenery before you make tracks to Sibetan Village. You’ll be given a special welcome by the chief of the village, then check into your homestay accommodation before enjoying some free time in the afternoon. You might like to explore the traditional village a little or simply just relax and take in the atmosphere here. Alternatively, you could take on an optional cooking class and learn the secret ingredients and spices of the traditional cuisine here. This evening, you’ll enjoy some time spent with the locals and be treated to a typical dinner of salak (snake fruit), prepared for you by the villagers.

This morning, take a guided walk through an ancient Salak Plantation with the opportunity to interact with the local community. Here, you’ll see cultural heritage plants – the remains of a white mango tree which was first planted in Sibetan in the 16th century and a Jaka Moding Plant (a type of palm tree). You’ll tuck into Tipat Blayag (Rhombus) for lunch (rice wrapped in young coconut leaves), combined with side dishes of chicken and vegetables. After exploring the village, you’ll continue by car for a journey higher into the mountains, driving along the crater rim road to a fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur. Volcanic Mt Batur (1717 m) sits inside a stark and spectacular caldera and with Lake Batur below, it's a stunning sight. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. Your accommodation for the evening is in a great location to start tomorrow's early morning trek without extra travelling time.

You’ll wake up bright and early at around 3 am this morning to begin the walk to the summit of Mt Batur in order to reach the top before sunrise. Trust us, it’s worth the effort. On a clear morning, it's possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Lombok's Mt Rinjani. The view of the gorgeous sunrise over the valleys of Bali may well be the most memorable part of your trip. Do keep in mind, however, that the weather can be unpredictable and sometimes the view is obscured by clouds. After descending the volcano, there's an option to soak in hot springs with fantastic views over the lake and caldera. Then make the journey from the mountains to the small coastal town of Lovina, made famous by its dolphins that patrol the coast. It's also a great spot for fine food, traditional massages and yoga – just what the doctor ordered after today’s epic mountain climb.

Explore a traditional market in the morning, then head out on a day of snorkelling among Menjangan Island’s coral reef, which is part of the Bali Barat National Park. On the way back from your undersea adventure, you’ll stop for a soak at Banjar Hot Springs – a small spring popular with locals. In the afternoon, stop for a cup of coffee at Global Kafe – a diner whose profits support the Global Village Foundation, providing wheelchairs and mobility aids for people with disabilities and assisting those with illnesses with their medical costs. Tonight, head to Ibu Wayan's to learn about Balinese cuisine before sitting down to a home-cooked meal.

Wave goodbye to Lovina and make our way to Sanur. Along the way, visit Gitgit waterfall and Lake Bratan before continuing to Sanur, where you’ll have a free afternoon. Maybe go for a stroll along Bali's first beachfront walk, watch the fishermen in the shallows or kick back and relax at one of the beachside restaurants. Get a feel for the traditions and local customs which are well maintained here. Ancient temples are also easily accessible – just a short distance away from the beach.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. You may like to stay on for a few extra days to make the most of your visit here. You may want to take a surfing lesson, bike tour or one of the many other activities on offer. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent.