Java in Depth with Sulawesi Adventure Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

DAY 1 - DEPART THE UK

 Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Yogyakarta.

DAYS 2 – 4 BOROBUDUR (JAVA)

On arrival you’ll be met by your guide for the road transfer west to your hotel near the stunning Borobudur temple. You will have plenty of time to relax after your journey, taking in the beautiful green surroundings of paddy fields and volcanoes before exploring this unique and memorable region. Rise before the sun to climb to the top of Borobudur for the majestic sunrise over Mount Merapi and the forested plateau to the east. Built in the 8th century and constructed from two million individual bits of stone, the Buddhist temple is made of 6 square terraces with three circular terraces and 72 small stupas on top.

DAY 5 – YOGYAKARTA (JAVA)

After breakfast you will head into Yogyakarta, part of the only sultanate remaining in Indonesia. Visit the Kraton, the traditional home of the sultan and the royal court, and the elaborate two-storey mansion retreat known as the Water Palace. In the afternoon you will leave the city and visit the magnificent tenth century Hindu temple, Prambanan. While it is not as well restored as Borobudur, it is a magnificent piece of architecture consisting of 8 main and 8 minor temples around a central courtyard, surrounded by 244 small temples in the outer compound. Stay at the temple until the sun sets, when on a clear day the temple will appear as a silhouette against the backdrop of a sky of bright reds, pale blues and wisps of white clouds.

DAY 6 – MALANG (JAVA)

Leave Yogyakarta to take a train east through the stunning central mountains towards Jombang, East Java. On arrival your driver will meet you for the onward journey through beautiful countryside to Malang, via small plantation villages, where you will have a chance to stop and take in the scenery and explore the villages.

DAY 7 - MALANG (JAVA)

Your guide will take you on a tour of Malang to see the colonial architecture, various art centres, the botanical gardens and a range of local temples. Malang is refreshingly cool and is surrounded by fantastic countryside.

DAYS 8 - BROMO (JAVA)

Drive through the dramatic volcanic peaks of East Java towards your hillside hotel in Bromo.

DAY 9 - BROMO (JAVA)

After time to relax at the hotel, take a stunning walk around the mountain as the sun sets. By this point you'll have reached a vantage point to see the sun go down over the magnificent Mount Bromo, away from the crowds of tourists.

DAY 10 MAKASSAR (SULAWESI)

Today you’ll travel overland to Surabaya where you’ll catch a short afternoon flight across to Makassar in southern Sulawesi.

DAY 11 MAKASSAR TO TANA TORAJA (SULAWESI)

Today you’ll begin the drive to Tana Toraja; it's a long but scenic journey to reach this fascinating part of the world, with stops along the way. There are now 50-minute flights between Makassar and Tana Toraja but they are few and far between, so speak to your Indonesia expert for details.

The scenic drive follows the coast to Pare Pare where you will stop for lunch. From there, head inland up into the stunning mountains before arriving, late afternoon, at your hotel. Accommodation is in traditionally-styled Tongkonan houses and facilities include a swimming pool.

DAY 12 TANA TORAJA (SULAWESI)

Explore the eerie yet beautiful traditional ancestral hanging graves, effigies and cave tombs of Lemo and Londa. On their death, Toraja people are entombed in cave or hanging graves in the steep cliffs around these sites, which are guarded over by tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) carved in their image. Learn about the intricate Christian and ‘animalism' hybrid religion that has developed uniquely in this region of Sulawesi. You will also visit Kete Kesu, a wonderful Toraja village, where you will be able to see the incredible Tongkonan houses and rice barns, which are designed to look like boats.

DAY 13 TANA TORAJA (SULAWESI)

Today will begin with a walk around the markets to see the local farmers selling their wares - among them coffee, cloves and nutmeg. Every 6th day cattle are brought to market and though traditional money is accepted in Toraja, if you visit on this day you will see that the 'local currency' in Toraja is cattle!

You will then head up to Batutumonga for stunning views across the countryside surrounding Rantepao, one of Tana Toraja's main towns.

DAY 14 MAKASSAR (SULAWESI)

 After breakfast you’ll begin the journey back to Makassar, stopping for breaks along the way. As before, a short flight may be an option so speak to your travel expert for details.

DAY 15 - 17  WAKATOBI, BUNAKEN OR GANGGA ISLAND

 The conditions of the waters around Sulawesi nurture some of the best marine life in the world (the island was featured in the 2017 Blue Planet II series). Think turtles, dolphins and exceptionally vibrant coral. There are a number of options for the beach part of your holiday and it is best to discuss the pros and cons with your consultant.

You can fly north to Manado where a car and boat ride will take you to Gangga Island,  and Bunaken is reached the same way. Alternatively you could fly to southeast Sulawesi and head to Wakatobi.

DAY 18 HOME OR STAY

Depart Manado for your flight back to the UK.

If you have extra time to spare we would recommend extending your beach stay or incorporating a further 3-4 days in Sulawesi (pre-beach) to spot wildlife on the northern mainland in Tangkoko Nature Reserve.

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.