13-day Indonesia tour: icons of Java & Bali

Nusa Dua

Tag 1: Welcome to Bali!

Welcome to Indonesia! Upon your arrival at the airport in Bali, a private driver will transfer you to your beachfront hotel in Nusa Dua. Take the time you need to rest and unwind after your travels, and begin enjoy your hotel's facilities - your amazing holiday has just begun!

Nusa Dua - Uluwatu - Nusa Dua

Tag 2: Historic traditions & beach bliss

Wake up the sound of the sea and sit down for breakfast. Today you will explore the beautiful Bukit Peninsula. The beaches and crystal-clear ocean waters are just stunning in this area of Bali, so take your time to swim and sunbathe at leisure.

After a few hours of beach sun and relaxation, your journey continues to the famous Uluwatu temple, sitting at the edge of a high limestone ocean cliff. The ocean views from up here are magnificent and you'll spot lots of cheeky monkeys around.

As the sun gets ready to set, sit down for a traditional kecak dance filled with music, costumes and fire. If you're feeling hungry afterwards, head to Jimbaran Bay to munch on a seafood dinner by candlelight - your driver will be happy to take you there, before returning you to your hotel for the night.

Nusa Dua

Tag 3: At leisure in Nusa Dua

After breakfast, spend today at leisure in Nusa Dua - you'll be free to do as much or as little as you wish! Relax on the beach, or if you're feeling truly lazy, simply stay on your hotel grounds and enjoy the comfort of its on-site facilities.

Nusa Dua - Yogyakarta - Borobudur

Tag 4: The temples of Yogyakarta

Today, travel from Bali to the mystical island of Java and the charming city of Yogyakarta! On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in Borobudur, on the city's outskirts.

After check-in, you will set out to explore some of the most significant temples of Yogyakarta, including the UNESCO-listed Prambanan temple. This temple complex consists of 224 shrines, and is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia, dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Continue on to the iconic Borobudur temple, built in the 9th century. Its compounds are a fine example of Indonesian art and architecture, and nearby you'll find two more noteworthy structures - the temples of Mendut and Pawon.

Borobudur - Yogyakarta

Tag 5: A day of plentiful natural draws

Head northbound today, to explore more beautiful sights and sounds in Central Java. First up is the Dieng Plateau, where the scenic volcanic landscape, sulfur springs, and coloured lakes form a truly wonderful picture. Even the drive to get here offers impressive sights and on the way up, you will pass through tobacco plantations and picturesque mountains.

You'll then have the opportunity to stand atop the impressive Sikidang Crater, surrounded by steaming vents and bubbling mud ponds, before continuing on to the Arjuna Temple Complex - home to some of the oldest temples on the island. Lastly, stop at an enchanting multicoloured lake, which shimmers quietly in shades of red, green, blue, white and mauve, before heading back to Yogyakarta for an overnight stay.

Yogyakarta - Surabaya - Bromo

Tag 6: Journey to Bromo

Good morning! After breakfast and during your final few hours in Yogyakarta, check out of your hotel and head to the train station, where you'll begin a scenic journey to Surabaya through local villages and evergreen landscapes. You'll be travelling eastbound for around four to five hours, and upon your arrival into Surabaya, you will be picked up and driven to your hotel in Bromo. A full day of travelling is on the cards, so once you've arrived at your hotel, check in and rest up for the night.

Bromo

Tag 7: See Mount Bromo at sunrise

Today, wake up before sunrise and enjoy a quick breakfast, before hopping into a jeep bound for Mount Bromo. You'll first be taken to a viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan, where you will watch the jaw-droppingly beautiful sunrise over Bromo.

Continue the drive through a desert-like landscape to the foot of Mount Bromo, one of the most iconic mountains of Indonesia. This majestic and still-active volcano sits inside the massive Tengger caldera, and is surrounded by the plains of Laut Pasir - the Sea of Sand. To get to the crater, you can enjoy a 15-minute pony ride followed by a climb to the top.

After a day of active thrills, you'll then return to your hotel in the shadow of Mount Bromo, to rest and relax for the remainder of the day.

Bromo - Ijen

Tag 8: Journey to Ijen

Spend a leisurely morning enjoying breakfast and the stunning views of Mount Bromo. Then, after checking out of your hotel, you'll continue your journey on to Ijen at around 12pm. Make sure to rest up today, as you'll have a few busy days lined up afterwards!

Ijen - Menjangan Island

Tag 9: The entrancing blue flames of Ijen

Early in the morning, under the light of the moon and stars, your guide will take you on a trek to the crater of Mount Ijen, passing by coffee and clove plantations on the way. You'll reach a stunning crater lake, which sits at a height of 2,883m, and begin your climb up to the top of Ijen to witness its magical blue flames.

After returning to your hotel for breakfast, prepare for a transfer to Menjangan Island, Bali. This journey should take around five hours, including a ferry service from Java to Bali and a further 20-minute boat ride from Bali's mainland to Menjangan. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, located within the serene grounds of West Bali National Park, and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Menjangan Island

Tag 10: A wonderful snorkelling adventure

Enjoy your breakfast early in the morning and prepare for an amazing private snorkeling tour in the sea that surrounds Menjangan Island. Marvel at beautiful reefs, coral gardens, and fish in all colours of the rainbow. After drying off, visit a significant temple on the island - all the while keeping an eye out for wild deer. Finally, in the late afternoon, you will return to the resort where you can enjoy a rest in your beautiful cottage.

Menjangan Island - Ubud

Tag 11: Into the heart of Ubud

After breakfast, check out of the resort and transfer back to Bali's mainland, where you'll continue on to Ubud - stopping at several places of interest en-route.

Accompanied by a professional guide, you will visit the Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist monastery, then drive into the Bedugul Highlands to explore the shores of Danau Beratan lake and the sacred Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. You will also stop at the iconic Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, where you can snap the most amazing photos.

In the evening, arrive at a beautiful resort in Ubud, where you can relax after a lovely day filled with wonderful experiences and intrigue.

Ubud

Tag 12: A day of river rafting thrills

On your final full day in Indonesia, enjoy an early-morning yoga class and scrumptious breakfast at the resort, before being transported to Ubud’s Ayung River. There, your adrenaline will shoot up with a thrilling rafting adventure. You'll spend 2.5 hours on the river, rafting 11km in this gorgeous, lush river valley, passing waterfalls, cliffs and rapids as you go. Don't worry: whether or not you've river-rafted before, your friendly and experienced team of instructors is trained according to international safety standards. You'll have a warm shower and delightful lunch waiting as a reward; just bring some extra clothes, for you will definitely get wet during this river adventure.

Ubud

Tag 13: Goodbye, Bali!

After breakfast, make the most of your remaining time in Ubud, before sadly bidding Indonesia goodbye as you transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Safe travels!