Hidden Gems of Java and Bali

DAY 1 - DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Indonesia.

DAY 2 – 4 BOROBUDUR

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. Constructed in the 8th century and constructed from two million individual bits of stone, the Buddhist temple consists of 6 square terraces with three circular platforms and 72 small stupas on top.

DAY 5 – YOGYAKARTA

After breakfast, you will head into Yogyakarta, part of the only sultanate remaining in Indonesia. You will visit the Kraton, the traditional home of the sultan and the royal court, and the elaborate two-story 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 not as well restored as Borobudur, it is a splendid piece of architecture consisting of 8 primary and eight minor temples on a central courtyard, surrounded by 244 small temples in the outer compound. You will 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

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

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 crisp and is surrounded by lovely countryside.

DAYS 8 - BROMO

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

DAY 9 - BROMO

After time to relax at the hotel, you will go for a stunning walk around the mountain as the sunsets. 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 and 11 UBUD

Transfer from your Bromo hotel to Surabaya Airport in the morning and fly to Bali where you’ll head straight to the island’s cultural capital Ubud, in the southern foothills of Bali’s volcanic mountains. During your time in Ubud, you will get an insiders perspective on the artwork, architecture, food and rural scenery that make this region so unique.

Day 12 – 13 Sideman

Continue east with your guide to the picturesque hills of East Bali. Here you’ll reach a lovely retreat where you can relax and get a feel for authentic Balinese life.

You can opt to laze around the resort and take in the views, pool and spa or you might choose a more active stay. Activities on offer include a trek to nearby Pura Bukit which is home to traditional Ikat weavers, cycling through the foothills of Mount Agung or strolling through the remarkably beautiful landscape of rice paddy terraces, volcanic valleys, lush tropical forest and mountain terrain. 

Days 14- 16 Candi Dasa (or Lombok)

Transfer about an hour down to the coast to your peaceful beach hotel in Candi Dasa. Spend three days at leisure relaxing at a fantastic resort spending time at the exotic white sand beaches or perhaps visiting the town with its picturesque lily lake and local restaurants.

As an alternative or addition to Candi Dasa, you could hop east to Lombok.

Day 17 Fly Home

Transfer by vehicle to Denpasar airport for your flight home.