Indonesia: Java & Bali - 23 Days

Welcome to Java. Arrive at any time.

There's so much to discover in Yogyakarta today! Explore some Javanese temples, bike to rice paddies on the outskirts of the city, or go for a foodie tour and try street food like gudeg (curry made from unripe jackfruit).

Visit Candirejo Village on the way to Magelang today. Accompanied by a local guide, learn more about this village and why its known as a symbol of Javanese culture. Here you will gain more insight into daily activities, the multiple-crop farming system, and their traditions. After a delicious local lunch, drive to Magelang for the night.

We'll rise before the sun today in order to catch a beautiful sunrise atop Setumbu Hill. This easy hike will bring you above the early morning fog for a gorgeous view of the jungly temple topped mountains. After descending, return to the village for an easy biking tour to see its beautiful sites like Borobudur Temple and the traditional market. This evening, drive to Solo.

Spend the day getting to know the history and traditions of Central Java in Solo, known as the center of Javanese culture. With visits to Mangkunegaran Palace, Triwindhu Market and Laweyan Village, you'll have the chance to see how traditional heritage is still alive today.

After breakfast, continue east to Ngadas Village. On the way, make stops to explore Alun Alun Malang City Square and colorful Jodipan Village. Arrive to Ngadas in the late afternoon. This picturesque village in the foothills of Mt Bromo is known for its Javanese traditions and beautiful nature.

An early morning jeep ride is the best way to see the Bromo Crater this morning. Followed by a 45 minute hike to reach Penanjakan Hill view point just in time for sunrise! Admire the oranges and pinks before continuing the hike through the Sea of Sands to the top of Bromo Crater. Enjoy a picnic breakfast at Teletubbies Hill. Return to Ngadas Village for a walking tour (and maybe a coffee?) to see the temples, the tomb of mbah Sedek and the holy forest. Enjoy a local lunch and dinner at the homestay with free time to explore how you wish in between.

Fill up on breakfast, then load into the bus to drive to Surabaya. The rest of the day is yours to explore the bustling city of Surabaya how you'd like.

Get to know the city of Surabaya a little better during your last day in the city. Through the lens of your local guide, explore the historic port town on a walking tour. In the afternoon, take a train to Kalibaru in East Java.

Explore the beautiful, lush plantations of Kalibaru village on a walking tour through the gardens, rice paddies and local businesses. After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon.

Drive to the far eastern coast of Java to arrive in Banyuwangi this afternoon. Along the way, we'll stop at the enchanting De Djawatan Forest to stretch our legs and take some photos. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy how you'd like in Banyuwangi. Opt to relax in the hotel pool or visit Baluran National park by jeep.

This extra early morning is totally worth it when you see the incredible sunrise over Ijen Crater. This moderate level hike will bring us above the clouds to see pinks and oranges glisten over the turquoise lake. As you explore the crater, you will encounter the sulfur miners of Ijen, known for their incredible strength and endurance. These miners extract sulfur from the crater floor, working in harsh conditions with minimal protective gear. They carry heavy loads of sulfur, often weighing between 70 to 90 kilograms, up the steep, rocky path to the crater rim and then down to the base camp. The work is incredibly physically demanding, making it one of the most grueling jobs in the world. After hiking back down, enjoy a much deserved breakfast. Take the rest of the day to rest or explore Banyuwangi.

Catch the morning ferry from Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Harbor on Bali. Drive to the ecolodge in Pemuteran and check in for the next two nights. Enjoy a free afternoon and opt to relax by the pool, join a local cooking class or hike Bukit Kursi.

Today is your day to explore the magic of Pemuteran however you'd like. Opt to snorkel around Menjangan Island, known for its pristine coral reefs and rich marine life. Go for a hike in West Bali National Park or relax in Pemuteran's small town vibes.

Drive from Pemuteran to Seminyak today. As one of Bali's most exciting coastal towns, enjoy time to relax on the beach, eat at a delicious warung and cheers with a sundowner!

Head north this morning as we say goodbye to Seminyak and travel toward Munduk. Our day will be filled with exciting stops along the way, starting with the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jatiluwih Rice Terraces where we can explore the ancient emerald-green fields. The second stop is Baturiti Fruit Market where we can wander through the colorful stalls and try fresh fruits like rambutan and dragon fruit, depending on the season. Continue on to the gorgeous temple in the middle of the lake, at Ulun Danu Temple. Take the scenic route to Munduk with one final pit stop at the Twin Lake photo spot. Arrive to Munduk in the evening, check into the guesthouse and enjoy some free time.

We're off to our G for Good supported community homestay in Bulian today but not without some adventure along the way. A dip in Banjar Hot Springs is without a doubt the perfect way to start today. From a relaxing moment to some upbeat adventuring, we head to lively and exciting Pasar Anyar Singaraja, a traditional market full of fresh produce and handmade homeware where locals come to haggle. The last stop of today is Beji Temple where we'll explore this historic complex before finally arriving to Bulian in the afternoon. Embark on a village tour and traditional Balinese offering making workshop as you immerse yourself in our homestay in Bulian.

After a delicious breakfast, we're off to Lemukih Village for the day. Trek through rice paddies, a durian plantation, a coffee plantation and even a natural waterslide that we'll get a chance to enjoy. After lunch in a local warung, we'll continue our trek to visit 2 beautiful waterfalls, where we can swim and relax. Head towards Kintamani, a highland region in Bali known for its stunning volcanic landscapes, like the active Mount Batur and the serene Lake Batur.

Don't miss the opportunity to explore Mt Batur at sunrise today! Choose the more active option of trekking to the sunrise point or choose the thrilling jeep sunrise adventure. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll visit the well preserved Penglipuran Village to experience picturesque Balinese culture. Afterwards, stop at the beautiful Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple on the way to Ubud. In the evening, arrive to Ubud.

Ubud is often considered the cultural heart of Bali. Today you have the opportunity to explore however you'd like. From monkey forests, local cooking classes, making spiritual offerings and Balinese village experiences, your options for today are endless.

After a yummy breakfast, we drive from Ubud to the coast! Arrive in Candi Dasa in eastern Bali this afternoon and enjoy some free time.

Enjoy the amazing chance to explore Candidasa however you'd like! Opt to join a local Balinese cooking class and learn to make local favorites like Chicken Tum and Gado-Gado. Or take a snorkeling trip to the beautiful Blue Lagoon! The choice is yours.

Depart at any time.