This intimate tour combines discovery of majestic volcanoes with pristine beaches, like those of Karimunjawa island, offering the perfect blend of volcanic adventure and tropical paradise.
It’s an ideal way to experience Java’s rich cultural and natural diversity.
Beyond that,Yogyakarta Surroundings offers stunning hikes toward the Merapi and the famous temples that are Prambanan and Borobudur, both listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Get ready to be amazed by everything Java has to offer!
Welcome at Surabaya airport by your English speaking tour-guide and transfer to the slopes of Bromo caldera.
Free morning. In the afternoon, you’ll embark for a lovely hike towards Bromo volcano.
The most revered by the Tenggerese who live in the region.
After 250 steps you reach the summit, from there you’ll be able to admire the crater, which looking like a steaming cauldron. We can understand now why in the old times the Javanese liked to call it purgatory.
4 hours of trekking
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
By 4x4, you’ll head early in the morning to the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2.775m) to witness a breathtaking spectacle: the world awakening in a lunar-like landscape, with stunning views of Mount Bromo, its sea of sand, and Mount Semeru, both releasing thick plumes of smoke.
A truly unique experience!
Afterward, return to the hotel for breakfast.
Your 4x4 will then take you towards the Malang region. Along the way, you’ll cross the vast sea of sand, skirt part of Bromo’s caldera rim, and drive through the lush forest of Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park.
Next, you’ll head towards the Lumajang region, circling the southern slopes of the majestic Mount Semeru. There, you’ll reach Tumpak Sewu Waterfall ("A Thousand Waterfalls" in Javanese).
As you descend into the gorge via a steep, sometimes slippery path, you’ll feel the raw power of the cascading streams plunging over 100 meters.
From above, the waterfall’s beauty feels almost fleeting, with a fine mist soaking everything in its path. It’s no surprise that a photo of Tumpak Sewu with Mount Semeru in the background won the “Best Aerial Shot” award in 2019. If you bring your camera, don’t forget to protect it from the humidity.
3 hours of trekking
Transfer to the Malang area in the late afternoon.
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. Your first steps in the park will take you to a superb waterfall (Grojogan Sewu) in the middle of a tropical forest inhabited by a large community of monkeys.
3 hours of trekking (Difference in heights : +400 m / -300m)
In the afternoon, transfers to Yogyakarta.
The morning is devoted to visiting Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java,starting with the area around the Sultan's Palace, built in 1756, where life is relaxed and vibrant. Your city walk will take you to Taman Sari, once known during the Dutch colonial era as the "Water Palace," followed by visits to puppet and batik workshops.
Late in the morning, you’ll head to Ratu Boko temple, perched on the Gunung Kidul hills with stunning views over the Prambanan plain.
Then, embark on a short hike through forests, traditional villages, and rice fields to reach the iconic Hindu temple of Prambanan. Once at the temple complex, you’ll visit Loro Jonggrang, a magnificent 47-meter-high temple dedicated to the goddess Shiva. Widely considered the most elegant and awe-inspiring Hindu temple on Java, it’s a true marvel.
Optionally, you can attend the Ramayana ballet performance. Return to your hotel in the early to mid-evening.
In the early morning, transfer to the banks of the Kulon Progo River for a relaxing start in a charming Javanese village.
From there, you’ll explore the surrounding countryside by bicycle (Dutch-style), offering a peaceful introduction to rural Java.
Along the way, make stops in nearby villages, where you’ll have the opportunity to admire local handicrafts. In the afternoon, visit the stunning Borobudur Temple built in the 8th and 9th centuries during the Sailendra dynasty.
Transfers to Jepara in the late afternoon.
In the early morning, transfer to the harbor and board a speed-ferry that will take you to the paradise that is the Karimunjawa archipelago (2-hour trip).
The rest of the day is free.
By mid-morning, you’ll set sail on a traditional private boat (with a crew and an English-speaking guide) to explore the archipelago’s most beautiful islands.
Discover vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, pristine white sandy beaches, and some of the region’s finest dive sites.
At lunchtime, enjoy a delicious barbecue of freshly grilled fish, cooked over a coconut fire for an exceptional flavor, served with fresh fruit, refreshing drinks, and coffee or tea.
Spend the rest of the day discovering the rich underwater flora and fauna of this protected marine national park and soaking in breathtaking panoramic views until sunset.
Day at leisure. You can take advantage of the hotel's facilities, relax by the sea, explore the island on a scooter, or even go diving in the surrounding area.
A must try is to taste local food, enjoy fresh fish or lobsters grilled over a barbecue by the villagers in the main square.
Morning at leisure until transfer to the port of Karimunjawa, where you take the speed-ferry to Jepara (2h). Transfer by private vehicle to Semarang. End of services.