Indonesia is a unique region of the world, and Dominique Clarisse, the photographer who will supervise and advise you during this trip, has always considered this archipelago as a “true planet” on the planet! The approximately 17,000 islands that form this nation along the famous “Ring of Fire” are all brimming with breathtaking landscapes, people and lights. No one has enough of a lifetime to explore these often hidden treasures.
Dominique Clarisse, a French professional photographer who has li...
Welcome at Denpasar airport by Dominique Clarisse and transfer to Ubud, a city located in the hills north of Denpasar, in a hilly landscape of green rice fields and ravines. Ubud is famous for its painting school. Despite the exponential tourist development it has experienced in recent years, the city has managed to preserve its tranquility and beauty. The rest of the day is free.
This morning you get up early to enjoy the most beautiful morning lights and explore Ubud and its surroundings. First you head towards the Ubud central market which is already bustling with activity.
You will then explore the monkey forest where you can frame its primates who often tend to “tease” visitors.
At the beginning of the afternoon you leave for the surroundings of Ubud to discover the shy local populations who willingly lend themselves to the game of photos. Before sunset you return to Ubud and enjoy a stop at the edge of the famous rice fields of Tegalalang which are particularly interesting to photograph between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. when the light is low.
After dinner, Dominique takes you to watch a colorful show of Balinese dances.
At the end of the night, departure towards the caldera of batur volcano which you photograph at sunrise. Possibility of descending into the lava flows of 1926/27 for “lunar” shots.
After this first session of the day you enjoy lunch with a family of sculptors in Sebatu and attend a Balinese dance show (with a gamelan orchestra), which then allows you to photograph at leisure dancers and musicians.
Return to Ubud, depending on the time possibility of stopping at the temples of Gunung Kawi & Tirta Empul.
Morning transfer to the very aesthetic Kehen temple located in the Bangli region. Still little visited, it is nevertheless considered one of the most revered temples in Bali.
Continuation of the journey towards the east of the island via a very pretty road along the sides of the Agung volcano to get to Sidemen. This small traditional village, stuck in a narrow valley which faces this mountain of fire, offers superb lights at the end of the day. Check into the hotel and explore the surrounding area.
The morning is devoted to a pleasant stroll through the surrounding rice fields and villages, in order to capture peasant life and the quintessence of Balinese culture. Any excuse is good here for courtesy stops at locals and to interfere in local habits and customs. Return to the hotel.
Transfer to the surroundings of Tanah Lot in the afternoon. Installation in a small charming hotel (Agung Village Hotel), then departure for the famous Tanah Lot temple, which you will photograph at sunset.
Your last day in Bali is dedicated to taking photos on the nearby beach or in the surrounding rice fields. Pretty Balinese models in bikinis or traditional outfits accompany you, to highlight your shots.
Transfer to Denpasar International Airport in the afternoon and flight to Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java.
The morning is devoted to visiting Yogyakarta the cultural capital of Java, and particularly the surroundings of the Sultan's Palace built in 1756, where life is good. Our city stroll takes us to Taman Sari, known during the Dutch colonial empire as the “Aquatic Palace”, then to the puppet and batik workshops.
In the afternoon you take the road to the southern beaches for some sunset shots, notably on the famous beach Parangtritis, which the locals like to nickname “Paris”. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Very early departure towards the slopes of the majestic Merapi volcano. Approach to the lava flows of 2010, 1994 & 1998. The day is dedicated to this “God” who is so revered and feared by the natives, as his eruptions can be devastating and sources of life (they make the earth very fertile and it is not not uncommon to see up to 3 rice harvests per year).
The volcanological post of Babadan is the final stop of the day, where, at sunset (and on a clear day), the light colors the gray flanks of the volcano with rare orange tones.
Transfer course in the vicinity of the Borobudur temple. Night in pretty guest rooms nearby.
At sunrise, your guide takes you for morning shots of the Borobudur Sanctuary. It is in fact from the crests of the Punthuk Setumbu hill that you will obtain the best shooting angle. A little later, other spots are suggested in the surrounding area, then visit the Borobudur temple.
After a succulent gourmet meal, discovery of the surroundings of Mt Sumbing and a bucolic stroll towards a forgotten temple, that of Selogriyo. Night in the same guest rooms.
At dawn you set off to photograph the summit of Mt Sumbing and the surrounding volcanoes (Merbabu and Merapi) from the village of Mampang, located at an altitude of more than 1,500 m and which dominates the entire region. Superb panorama which allows, on a clear day, to see the Yogyakarta region (more than 60 km away).
Then departure towards the surroundings of Ambarawa and the marshy lake of Rawapening. After settling into the hotel, you spend the afternoon exploring the surroundings of the lake, where you have the opportunity to observe some unique activities, such as collecting mud (later transformed into fertilizer). This is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lake activities of the natives: fishing and mud collecting in particular. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Early in the morning, short transfer to the temples of Gedung Songo where a superb panorama of the entire Ambarawa valley awaits you. If the weather is unfavorable (fog for example), return to the shores of Lake Rawapening and take photos with the fishermen. Return to the hotel at the end of the morning.
Transfer to the coastal city of Semarang, the capital of Central Java. in the afternoon.
Exploration of the old town, if there is time.
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport, then flight to Karimunjawa - which is home to no less than 27 islands, each more heavenly than the last.
The rest of the day is free. Possibility of renting a scooter to tour the main island (allow 1h30) where you are staying, or take a hike to discover some secret beaches. Night at the seaside hotel.
The day is dedicated to discovering the archipelago by boat: deserted and idyllic islands (Gleyang Island in particular), diving or snorkeling spots, marine farms, where you have the opportunity to swim with perfectly harmless black sharks. , etc. Return to the hotel after sunset.
Free day on the main island of the Karimunjawa archipelago.
Free time until your very short transfer to Karimunjawa airport and flight to Semarang.
Domestic or international connection, for your next destination.