Ultimate Java Experience : The Island of a Thousand Faces (21 Days)

Your English-speaking tour-guide will meet you at Jakarta international airport and transfer you to the seaside in the far west of Java. In the early evening, you will be welcomed by a family of fishermen, who will invite you to taste crabs, prawns and other grilled fish… a true delight! You'll then spend the night in a simple yet lively hotel (Indonesians come here to spend the weekend and contact is easy and cheerful)! From the hotel, you can sometimes hear the distant rumble of a Krakatoa volcano explosion.

In the middle of the morning, you’ll head towards the harbor of the village,from there you’ll take a speedboat to set sails to the outskirts of the legendary Krakatoa volcano.Then you make a tour of the island keeping a safe distance,because of the unstable volcanic conditions (since the eruption, end of december 2018). Depending on the activity of the “Anak Krakatau”, as Indonesians like to call it,

You will camp at the foot of the volcano or on one of the surrounding islands.

The morning is dedicated to the exploration of the Krakatoa volcano. Depending on the activity of this one you may have the opportunity to climb it, passing along the slopes of the ancient cone to observe the new one, born in 2021 and regularly erupting.

After the climb, you’ll have time to swim in the sea before returning to Carita. In the early afternoon transfer by speedboat to Ujung Kulon national park, and in particular to Peucang Island, located off the northwest coast of the national park. With its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, Peucang is a tropical paradise. The vibrant marine life is complemented by encounters with grey monkeys, deer, wild boars, and a variety of bird species. In the late afternoon, enjoy a scenic hike around Cidaon, where you may spot wild bulls and a few Javan peacocks in their natural habitat. After dinner, experience the thrill of a night hike, tracking the sounds and movements of nocturnal wildlife.

In the early morning, you’ll head towards the Cigenter River for an exciting canoe adventure through dense tropical jungle. This is a unique opportunity to spot local wildlife: the riverbanks are marked with the footprints of bantengs and Javan rhinoceroses, offering a glimpse into the park’s rich biodiversity.

Look up, and you’ll see hornbills perched in the treetops, while pythons hang from branches and monitor lizards dash toward the water’s edge. . In the early afternoon, transfer to the island of Handeleum. Here you can explore the surrounding jungle and underwater life. You will also stop off on the island of Badul, uninhabited and renowned for its white sandy beaches.

Return to Carita in the late afternoon.

Rightly Often called the "Paris of Java," Bandung sits on a plateau at 768 meters, surrounded by majestic volcanoes.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Geological Museum, the Indonesian Volcanology Center, or the Museum of the 1955 Non-Aligned Movement Conference, as well as explore the vibrant Braga district.

In the early afternoon, head north to the Tangkuban Perahu volcano (2,076 m), meaning "upturned boat," which overlooks the city. Enjoy a scenic walk along its ridges, where geothermal activity is on full display, and discover unique endemic tree species.

Return to Bandung in the early evening.

Rightly Often called the "Paris of Java," Bandung sits on a plateau at 768 meters, surrounded by majestic volcanoes.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Geological Museum, the Indonesian Volcanology Center, or Musée de la Conférence des Pays Non-alignés, as well as explore the vibrant Braga district.

In the early afternoon, head north to the Tangkubanperahu volcano (2,076 m), meaning "upturned boat," which overlooks the city. Enjoy a scenic walk along its ridges, where geothermal activity is on full display, and discover unique endemic tree species.

Return to Bandung in the early evening.

Morning departure for the hills of the Malabar region, famous for its tea plantations. Once you've settled into a room near the former Dutch planter's residence, take the opportunity to explore the lush, green surroundings on foot. Along the way, you’ll come across the tomb of Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha, the visionary founder and benefactor of the nearby tea plantations.

Rightly Often called the "Paris of Java," Bandung sits on a plateau at 768 meters, surrounded by majestic volcanoes.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Geological Museum, the Indonesian Volcanology Center, or the Museum of the 1955 Non-Aligned Movement Conference, as well as explore the vibrant Braga district.

In the early afternoon, head north to the Tangkuban Perahu volcano (2,076 m), meaning "upturned boat," which overlooks the city. Enjoy a scenic walk along its ridges, where geothermal activity is on full display, and discover unique endemic tree species.

Return to Bandung in the early evening.

In the early morning, transfer to the harbor of Jepara, where you’ll board a speed-ferry that will take you to the paradise that is the Karimunjawa (2-hour trip).

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

In the morning, a traditional private boat (with crew and guide) will take you to discover the archipelago's most beautiful islands. Multi-coloured coral reefs, turquoise lagoons, white sandy beaches and the most beautiful dive sites will be yours to discover!

At lunchtime, a barbecue of fresh fish grilled over a coconut fire gives the fish an exceptional taste (the meal is accompanied by fruit, fresh drinks and coffee/tea). This is also the opportunity to admire exceptional panoramic views until sunset. Please note that the program is flexible and can be adapted at short notice according to your wishes.

The tour can also be taken by speed-boat, if required.

A 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.

Morning at leisure until transfer to the port of Karimunjawa, where you take the speed ferry back to Jepara (2 hrs).

Transfer by private vehicle to Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java.

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

En début de matinée, transfert vers les abords de la rivière Kulon Progo, où vous allez effectuer une agréable mise en jambes champêtre dans un petit village javanais, à partir duquel vous découvrirez la nature environnante à vélo (hollandais). Vous allez effectivement découvrir la campagne javanaise en douceur, et vous effectuerez quelques stops dans les villages environnants, où vous aurez notamment la possibilité d’observer le travail artisanal local. En milieu d’après-midi, transfert vers le temple de Borobudur. Retour vers l’hôtel en début de soirée.

Balade à vélo : 2h

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

In the early morning, 4x4 vehicles will take you to the Tengger region, where the famous Mt Bromo (2,329 m) spits out its volutes, and the caldera that surrounds it forms a gigantic sea of sand.

On this journey, you pass through the stunning forest of the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, skirting part of the crest of the Bromo volcano caldera, before descending to the sea of sand to reach the village of Cemorolawang (located on one of the opposite crests). Mt Bromo is the most revered́ of the Hindu Tengger people who live in the area.

Climb the Bromo volcano in the early afternoon. You'll be able to admire its crater resembling a steaming cauldron. It's easy to understand why the Javanese once regarded this place as the entrance to purgatory.

You then make your way to the summit of Mont Pananjakan (2,775m) to witness a fabulous spectacle. You can watch the world set against a lunar backdrop, with a breathtaking view of Mount Bromo, its sea of sand, and the Semeru volcano, both of which emit thick fumaroles. A truly unique experience!

Return to the hotel in the early evening.

Transfer to East Java, and in particular the village of Kalibaru, situated in the midst of various plantations that were once exploited by Dutch colonists. In the afternoon, you embark on a pleasant hike in the surrounding area.

Morning departure by 4x4 to Meru Betiri National Park. After around 5 hours on the road, which can be chaotic at times but takes you through superb rubber, cocoa and coconut plantations, you arrive in the small village of Sukamade. In the afternoon, take your first walk to explore the surrounding area, and in the evening head for Sukamade beach, where you will witness a fabulous spectacle: sea turtles laying their eggs.

Short morning walk to "Cap Vert", a superb white sandy beach bordered by crystal-clear waters. Swimming is possible.

Approx. 1h30 hours' walk.

Then on to Ketapang, on the edge of Kawah Ijen.