Between temples and volcanoes : a Javanese Story

Your English speaking tour-guide will meet you at Yogyakarta airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

In the evening, a welcome dinner gives you the opportunity to get to know your accompanying team.

Your morning is dedicated to exploring Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java. You’ll begin around the iconic Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), built in 1756, where the vibrant pulse of Javanese traditions is still alive. Stroll through the palace’s surroundings, then continue to Taman Sari, also known as the Water Palace during the Dutch colonial era, with its enchanting pools and hidden chambers.

Next, immerse yourself in Javanese craftsmanship with visits to puppet (wayang) and batik workshops, where you’ll witness the skills behind these traditional forms. By late morning, you’ll head towards the Ratu Boko temple, dramatically perched on the Gunung Kidul Hills, offering stunning views over the Prambanan Plain.

From here, begin a short, scenic hike through lush forests, traditional villages, and rice fields, leading you to the majestic Prambanan Temple Complex.You’ll explore its crowning jewel, Loro Jonggrang, a magnificent 47-meter-high temple dedicated to the goddess Shiva, renowned as the most elegant and breathtaking Hindu temple in Java.

For an unforgettable end to the day, you have the option to attend the captivating Ramayana Ballet Show (optional), a vibrant performance set against the backdrop of the illuminated temples.

Return to your hotel in the early or mid-evening.

This morning you reach the southern slopes of the Merapi volcano, where you begin a 2 to 3 hour walk. This walk allows you to get as close as possible to the volcano, and to see the devastating effects of the eruption of October-November 2010. The region was hard hit by the eruption, and still bears the scars. From a viewpoint at an altitude of 1,200m, you can admire an idyllic and grandiose panorama of Merapi, still marked by the destructive effects of the eruption.

You then approach the Gendol river, where the fiery clouds were engulfed during the 2010 eruption, hurtling down the slopes of Merapi at nearly 200km/h, before reaching the surrounding villages. At the end of your walk, you'll have a picnic on the slopes of the mountain.

Then it's on to the fascinating Merapi Museum, where you can learn a great deal about volcanology in general and the region in particular, including through an interesting documentary.

Early this morning you head for the Menoreh hills, around 25 km west of Yogyakarta, overlooking the Borobudur plain. This is the start of an original Early this morning, you’ll set out for the Menoreh Hills, located about 25 km west of Yogyakarta, overlooking the vast Borobudur Plain.

Here begins an original hike through breathtaking landscapes, following scenic ridges that offer extraordinary panoramic views of lush green rice fields below and majestic volcanoes on the horizon, including Mount Sumbing, Mount Merapi, and Mount Merbabu.

As you descend into the valley, the imposing silhouette of the Borobudur gradually comes into view, rising like a stone masterpiece amidst the greenery.

You’ll explore this monumental Buddhist site at the end of your hike, uncovering its intricate carvings and spiritual significance.

In the morning, set off on a scenic 1 to 3-hour hike through magnificent rice terraces toward the hidden Selogryo Temple Selogryo, a forgotten gem rediscovered by locals in 1835, nestled in lush natural surroundings. The breathtaking panorama of cascading rice fields is a reminder that Bali isn’t the only island blessed with such idyllic landscapes.Your trek continues through a light, high-altitude forest, weaving past traditional villages and vibrant plantations. You’ll make your way back on foot, walking once again through the picturesque rice paddies.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Wonosobo, located near the Dieng plateau, where you’ll spend the night in a charming colonial-style hotel.

Nestled on the slopes of the extinct Perahu Volcano, Wonosobo is a charming high-altitude town surrounded by lush plantations, including vast tea fields. Thanks to its fertile soil, the region is one of Indonesia’s richest agricultural areas.In the morning, enjoy a magnificent 2 to 3-hour walk through scenic tea and tobacco plantations, starting from the shores of Menjer lake (1,200 m above sea level). Along the way, you’ll witness the daily activities of local farmers, offering an authentic glimpse into rural life.

You then head for the Dieng plateau, situated at an altitude of 2,000 metres, and explore its main sites (Arjuna temples, Sikidang crater).

Finally, transfer to Bandungan, a high-altitude resort on the slopes of Mt Ungaran.

In the morning, set out for a scenic walk around the Gedong Songo Temples, dedicated to Shiva. These ancient temples, inspired by the style of those in Dieng, are scattered along the slopes of an ancient volcano at an altitude of 1,300 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Afterward, descend into the valley and board a traditional canoe for a magical one-hour tour of Rawapening Lake, a marshy expanse where local fishermen can often be seen at work, creating a picturesque and serene scene.

You will also make a stop in Ambarawa to visit the train museum, housed in a disused station and featuring around fifteen steam locomotives straight out of the 19th century.

In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Surakarta (Solo) to conclude the day’s adventure.

Embark on a cultural journey to Surakarta, also known as Solo.Yogyakarta’s twin city, with its own unique charm and rich heritage. You’ll explore the city’s two royal palaces: the Keraton Hadiningrat and the Mangkunegaran Palace, both living museums of Javanese art and history.Surakarta is also famous for its exquisite batik textiles, which you’ll find in numerous local shops.

Don’t miss a visit to the Danar Hadi Museum, where you’ll uncover the fascinating secrets behind the creation and history of this iconic Indonesian art form.

Morning transfer to the Sukuh temple, the last bastion of Hinduism in Central Java in the face of the spread of Islam. The temple's original iconography, including phallic figures and large turtle-shaped tables, suggests the existence of initiation and even orgiastic rituals.

You then set off on a walk towards the village of Tawangmangu, on the slopes of the Lawu volcano . This walk is an opportunity to discover some of the plant species found in this region, as well as admiring superb panoramic views of the surrounding pine forest and high-altitude plantations. You finish your walk by crossing the Tawangmangu park, which leads you to a superb waterfall (Grojogan Sewu) in the middle of a tropical forest inhabited by a large community of monkeys.

In the afternoon, transfer to Tumpang, near Malang, at the western foot of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru massif.

Morning departure for the Lumajang region, skirting the southern flanks of the majestic Semeru volcano. You will then reach the Tumpak Sewu waterfall ("Thousand Waterfalls" in Javanese).

As you descend into the gorge (on a slippery and sometimes steep path), you will feel the force of the hundreds of streams as they "plunge" over 100m. Seen from above, the beauty of this waterfall seems ephemeral as the fine mist soaks everything in its path. No wonder, then, that a photo of Tumpak Sewu with Mt Semeru in the background won the award for "best aerial shot" in 2019. And, if you're also taking your camera equipment with you, remember to protect it from moisture.

Return to Tumpang in the late afternoon.

Early in the morning, 4x4 vehicles will take you to the Tengger region, where the famous Mt Bromo(2329 m) releases its plumes of smoke, and the surrounding caldera forms a vast sea of sand. Along the way, you’ll pass through the beautiful Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, skirting part of the Bromo volcano’s caldera rim before descending to the sea of sand to reach the village of Cemorolawang, located on the opposite rim. Mt Bromo is deeply revered by the Tengger Hindu people who live in the region. In the early afternoon, climb the Bromo volcano and admire its crater, resembling a steaming cauldron. It's easy to see why the Javanese once believed this place to be the gateway to purgatory.

Next, head to the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2,775m) for a truly unforgettable experience. You’ll witness a stunning view, with a lunar-like backdrop of Mount Bromo, its sea of sand, and the Semeru volcano, all emitting thick fumaroles. A truly unique sight! Return to the hotel in the early evening.

Early morning transfer to the outskirts of Kawah Ijen. After settling into your hotel, your guide will take you to some breath-taking rice terraces, from where you will begin a pleasant walk through traditional villages and other plantations (fruit, spices, etc.).

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

In the early morning, you set off again in a 4x4 towards the slopes of Kawah Ijen ("green crater" in old Javanese), which you can easily climb in the company of the men who extract sulphur every day from the edge of the largest acid lake in the world. These real "convicts" carry around 80 kg of ore on their backs for around 15 km to the processing plant! You then witness the weighing and the various employment contracts. A very powerful and striking image of your journey.

4 hours of trekking

Return to the hotel at the end of the morning. The afternoon is free.