The Heart of Indonesia: Java and Bali

Explore the magnificent Buddhist temple complex at Borobudur and Prambanan Temple, Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex, on this tour. Travel about 25 miles out of Yogyakarta in the morning to Borobudur, which was built in the ninth century. It is the largest single Buddhist monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took two million blocks of stone to complete the complex, which is made up of three circular terraces on top of six square ones and contains more than 2,500 relief panels and over 500 Buddha statues. Then, head for the ninth century temple compound of Prambanan, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is dedicated to the Trimurti, an idea in Hinduism wherein Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the Preserver and Shiva is the Destroyer. There are 240 temples altogether, with the three main temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The compound is characterized by tall and pointed architecture, with the central building rising 154 ft. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Meals Not Included; Fitness Level: Easy, Access to Borobodur structure closed on mondays)

Discover the exhilarating sight of Mount Bromo and its stunning surroundings on this half-day tour. The best time to view the entire Bromo landscape is dawn, which necessitates an early start. The first part of your journey, to the small village of Wonotoro, is accomplished in a regular vehicle. The village is the gateway to the region and sits 2000m above sea level. From there, switch to a private jeep and head for the rim of Mount Penanjakan, hopefully arriving in time for sunrise. The rim provides the best views of Mount Bromo as well as Mount Batok and Mount Semeru. After watching night give way to day, go back down the volcano in your jeep, cross the Laotian Pasir, or Sand Sea, and alight at the foot of Mount Bromo. From here it is about 250 steps to the rim of the crater. Your effort will be rewarded with more spectacular views of this unique landscape. For an additional cost, you can choose to climb to the rim on horseback. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Meals Not Included; Fitness Level: Moderate. Start at 3 am)

Hike up the side of a volcano and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the landscape from the crater rim. Start out on this tour at 3 am in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Pass through rural villages and tropical rainforest on the way to the village of Jampit, which is where the road ends. From there it is a 90-minute hike on foot to the crater lake. The volcano is part of the Ijen Plateau and the scenery here is diverse, with plenty of evidence of volcanic activity. Once you reach the top, you can look down on the aqua blue crater lake. You can also see local miners descending into the crater and emerging with up to 80kg of yellow crystalline sulfur deposits. After spending some time at the top enjoying your surroundings, hike back down to your vehicle and return to the hotel in time for breakfast. (Duration: 8 hrs ; Start Time: Jiwa Jawa Ijen (3:00 AM), Ijen Resort (2:30 AM) ; Private Activity & Transfer; Meals Not Included; Fitness Level: Moderate; visitors need to provide a valid health certificate as a requirement to be able to hike Kawah Ijen. Your guide will take you to the clinic on the way to your hotel before check in so the next day you won’t have to queue before the trek.)

Set off in the afternoon with your expert guide to explore the fascinating volcanic craters formed by the active Mount Batur volcano. Walk across the unique landscape comprising of ash cones and frozen lava rocks formed by over a dozen volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1999. Pass by an expanse of volcanic ash as you make your way to the rim. Enjoy splendid views of the caldera along with gorgeous vistas of Lake Batur, Mount Agung, and Mount Abang. You might even be able to see as far as Mount Batukaru and Mangu Peak on a clear day! Stroll along for a closer look at fumaroles and mini stalactites of colorful mineral deposits caused by the steam. Sip on afternoon tea as you watch your guide prepare your meal in a unique volcano oven! Enjoy your food before you saunter down the mountain to the vehicle that awaits you. (Duration 5 hrs excluding transfers; Light Dinner Included; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Moderate; drive time: approx 1 hr each way depending upon your hotel location )

Discover Besakih Temple, or the Bali Mother Temple, located on the slopes of the sacred Mount Agung volcano. This uniquely terraced landmark, is a very important religious site for local people. Venture onwards to the 700 year old walled Tenganan Village, in which a community of the Bali Aga reside. They are the earliest aboriginal Balinese who first settled on the island. Their customs are sprinkled with a touch of magic, as the women weave a rare cloth which is said to protect the wearer, and is important during cremation ceremonies. Travel on to the Tirta Gangga, or the 'Water of the Ganges', where a beautiful park with a huge water fountain and a rambling pond awaits. This park was built by the Karangasem King of Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem in 1948. Villagers believe that the park contains a sacred spring which serves as a divine bath for the Gods. (Half Day: Private activity & transfer; Travel time to activity: 2 hrs; Duration: 4 hrs; Fitness level: Easy; If you have a preference for timing, please tell your travel consultant at the time of booking, otherwise our team will schedule the tour at the best available time.)

Visit one of Bali’s most iconic Hindu temples on this trip. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the afternoon by your local guide and driven to the magnificent temple complex of Uluwatu. Take in a spectacular sunset from your vantage point overlooking the Indian Ocean. Later in the evening, enjoy a traditional Kecak Dance performance by a lotus pond. Watch episodes from the ancient Indian epic, ‘The Ramayana’, reenacted by local dancers. After the show, head to a restaurant at Jimbaran Bay and enjoy a dinner of delicious Balinese seafood. Savor gorgeous views of the ocean along with your meal before heading back to your hotel.(Duration: 5 hrs exclusing transfers ; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: dinner; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please dress appropriately for a temple visit, covering forearms and legs)