Best of Indonesia

• Day 1:

  Upon landing at Yogyakarta airport and clearing the arrival formalities, you will meet your guide for the transfer by private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.

• Day 2:

  Setting out before sunrise, visit the stunning temple complex at Borobudur, one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive sites and the largest single Buddhist monument in the world. This morning’s excursion ends with a lesson in Indonesian Gamelan music and lunch at a local restaurant. Rest of the day at leisure.

• Day 3:

  Start your day with a visit to a traditional Kris-Maker. Listed by the UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, the Kris is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron, which can take up to one month to forge a single piece. Later you will visit the Ratu Boko archaeological site. This former royal palace is situated on a plateau 196 metres above sea level and is noted for its fine views of the temples at Prambanan (which are located just 3km away) and also Mount Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia. Return to Yogyakarta and check-in to your historic hotel.

• Day 4:

  Begin today with a transfer to Jogjakarta railway station. Here you will board a local train and travel east through the volcano-dotted terrain to Mojokerto station, an important junction on the main Yogyakarta-Surabaya railway line. Disembarking at Mojokerto, you will be met by our local representative and driven to Bromo area. The journey will take in the region of 3.5 - 4 hours if done directly but with yet more classic Javanese scenery to behold, there is the possibility to stop for photographic opportunities along the way. Upon arrival in Bromo, you will be transferred to your hotel.

• Day 5:

  With its huge crater and almost mystical-like scenery in all directions, Mount Bromo and its surrounds are stunning beyond question. Sunrise is the most magical time to view the entire Bromo landscape, but this does involve a very early morning start of 3:00 AM as you travel by private jeep to the rim of Mount Penanjakan in time for dawn. From here you will have the best views not only of Mount Bromo, but also Mount Batok and Mount Semeru. After (hopefully) witnessing a spectacular sunrise, you will return to your jeep and make the steep descent back down to the bottom of the volcano and then cross the Laotian Pasir (Sand Sea) to the base of Mount Bromo itself. The climb of approximately 250 steps to the rim of the crater is definitely worth the effort and you will be rewarded with yet more incredible vistas. Later return to your hotel for breakfast. Before heading to Surabaya International Airport to catch your flight to Bali Island, you will visit Madakaripura Waterfall located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The 200-meter waterfall is the highest waterfall in Java and the second highest in Indonesia. Continue the drive to Surabaya Airport and board your flight to Bali. Upon landing at Bali airport and clearing arrival formalities, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle. The journey will take approximately 1½ hours and the rest of the day is at leisure.

• Day 6:

  The day will start with a stop at three villages near Ubud known for their arts and crafts. Visit Gunung Kawi, a fascinating Hindu temple complex northeast of Ubud, which comprises of ten rock-cut shrines (candi) carved into the cliff face. Then proceed to the village of Kintamani, the best spot, weather permitting, for views of Mount Batur, an active volcano, which sits alongside Lake Batur. On the return journey, stop at Goa Gajah in Bedulu near Ubud. Often referred to as the Elephant Cave, it was established in the 9th century as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks. The last stop today is Ubud Monkey Forest, a lush nature reserve and temple complex on the outskirts of Ubud. The forest is home to more than one hundred species of trees, a number of interesting temples and hundreds of crab-eating macaque monkeys.

• Day 7:

  Drive a short distance to the White Water Rafting venue. Grab your oars and get ready to for this exhilarating rafting adventure on the spectacular Ayung River.  Enjoy a two-hour rafting journey over 11kms. After taking a moment to refresh, continue to meet your local food specialist guide and drive to a traditional Balinese house at the outskirts of Ubud. Continuing your culinary discovery, you will stop at a small local Warung for a popular refreshment called ‘Cendol’, a jelly-like drink consisting of green pieces of Tapioka, mixed with water and coconut milk and sweetened with brown sugar. Next, take a walk around the famous Gianyar Night Market, which any local will tell you has some of the best food in Bali. End the evening at a hidden local bamboo restaurant near Ubud to experience a traditional ‘Megibung’ dining experience, in which people share several meals on a plate or Banana leaf.

• Day 8:

  This morning excursion begins with a stroll through central Ubud. Pass through the local market, which is always bustling with activity. Visit the Ubud Palace – the local royal family still reside in the palace but you are free to wander around the majority of the compound, discovering the ornate architecture and learning about the Asta Kosala Kosali tradition of house building, a method not dissimilar to the ancient art of Feng Shui. Next head into Central Bali and visit the small town of Mengwi. Long associated with the Balinese Royal Family, Mengwi is home to the superb temple complex at Taman Ayun. Translating as ‘beautiful garden’ Taman Ayun is considered by many to be one of the island’s most attractive temples and is still used today by people from all over Bali for special ceremonies and events. The final destination’s today is Tanah Lot. With its spectacular location, Tanah Lot is an integral part of Balinese mythology and one of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island.

• Day 9:

  Enjoy your free day at leisure

• Day 10:

  After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the island of Flores. Arrive at Mutiara airport of Labuhan Bajo, and transfer directly to the harbour, where you will board a boat for the Komodo National Park. Begin your navigation before stopping at one of the pristine beaches that are found in these waters for snorkelling or scuba diving. Some of these sandy beaches are made of coral remnants of red and white. The Komodo National Park with its rich marine life is certainly one of the best places in the world for scuba diving. Afterwards proceed to Rinca Island, the home of deer, horses, buffaloes, pigs, megapode birds and Komodo's. Trek through the jungle and see the Komodo hiding in the grassy undergrowth, waiting for its prey. Overnight onboard ship.

• Day 11:

  After breakfast, start early and walk around 2 km to Banunggulung to spot Komodo’s. Komodo Dragons, the largest lizard in the world, grow up top 3 metres in length, and weigh up to 65kg. After lunch on board continue sailing to Kanawa Island where you have the opportunity to relax and take in the rich marine ecosystem and enjoy its pristine beaches and a snorkelling excursion. The fine white sand beaches are formed by remnants of corals. The boat will moor off the island for dinner and overnight.

• Day 12:

  After your last breakfast onboard, cruise back to Labuan Bajo and, if time permits, visit the local market and take a short tour to Batu Cermin Cave. Batu Cermin is the Indonesian name for Mirror Rock. Upon arrival in Bali, you will be met by your local guide and drive to the southern-most tip of the island to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple.

• Day 13:

  Today, you will be collected from the hotel for the transfer to Denpasar airport. Upon arrival, check in for your onward flight.

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Accommodation as per itinerary in twin share/double rooms with daily breakfast included
• Experience onboard the MV Pasole or Carpe Diem vessel or similar boat in the Komodo National Park
• Komodo National Park’ fees (including park ranger)
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in air-conditioned vehicles
• Service of English-speaking local guide for all included sightseeing and transfers
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (drinks are not included)
• VAT Government tax and services charge
• Bottled water and cool towel provided on transfers and sightseeing

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• International and domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified
• Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
• Meals other than specified as included
• Compulsory festive dinners applied by hotels during festive season
• Travel insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
• Tips or gratuities to guides/drivers/porters/hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities