Java Temples, Volcanoes & Coffee

Java Temples, Volcanoes & Coffee Overview

Explore the unique, cultural and geological wonders of Java from the coastal city of Semarang and on to Borobudur and then Jogjakarta. Visit traditional villages and markets, see magnificent views of volcanic craters, visit Solo to see the traditional 'Batik' style of design and spend time in the plantations that produce the famed Java coffee.

Central Java Temples, Volcanoes and Coffee Plantations

Explore the unique, cultural and geological wonders of Java with this comprehensive tour. From the coastal city of Semarang, visit the spectacular 9th Century Buddhist temple of Borobudur, before arriving in Indonesia's cultural capital, Jogjakarta. Visit traditional villages and markets, see magnificent views of volcanic craters, visit Solo to see the traditional 'Batik' style of design and spend time in the plantations that produce the famed Java coffee.

Best time for this itinerary: is during dry season from Jun to September,

Touring style: Professional English speaking guide and driver, private basis.

Day 1: Arrive into Semarang and drive to Ambarawa

Your guide will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the city centre of Semarang, the capital of Central Java. A short city tour of Semarang visiting Lawang Sewu, the city’s landmark and a masterpiece of Dutch colonial architecture. Drive to Ambarawa in Central Java highlands. Time at leisure to explore the resort’s coffee plantation.

Overnight.

Journey distance and driving time: 62 km / 2 hours

Day 2: Ambarawa to Borobudur and Jogjakarta

Drive to Borobudur. Take a horse cart ride through the small traditional Javanese village of Candirejo. Explore the massive Buddhist Temple of Borobudur, the largest in the world, and discover the incredible history behind its construction. Comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple was assembled entirely by human labour and took more than 75 years to complete.

Continue with a visit to nearby Mendut temple which houses three impressively carved stone statues. Make a stop at Pawon temple, a simple yet beautiful monument.

Leave for Jogjakarta for overnight.

Journey distance and driving times:

Ambarawa to Borobudur: 42 km / 1.30 hours

Borobudur to Jogjakarta: 42 km / 1.30 hours

Day 3: Jogjakarta touring

Start the day with a visit to the Sonobudoyo Museum. Focusing on Javanese culture, the museum features exhibits of artefacts such as hand-crafted weapons, wooden wayang puppets, masks and old Javanese gamelan instruments.

Next, visit The Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton. This building constructed between 1756 and 1790, is a fine example of traditional Javanese Sultanate architecture. Cultural performances ranging from Golek Menak Puppets to classical Javanese Poetry performance are performed on certain days.

Visit a home batik factory for a short demonstration of Wayang Kulit, the famous Javanese leather puppet before proceeding to the charming town of Kotagede, famous for its traditional Javanese atmosphere and its silversmith workshops.

In the evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Ramayana Dance while dining at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Jogjakarta.

Day 4: Jogjakarta to Mount Merapi and Solo

Drive to Kaliurang in the cool highlands near Mount Merapi for magnificent views of the active volcano.

Afterwards drive to the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometres from Jogjakarta. Built in the 9th century, this collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Drive to Solo for overnight.

Journey distance and driving times:

Jogjakarta to Kaliurang: 25 km / 1 hour

Kaliurang to Prambanan: 25 km / 1 hour

Prambanan to Solo: 46 km / 1.30 hours

Day 5: Solo touring

Start your day with a visit of Solo, the capital of Batik in Java and remains home to some of the most intact Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia. Visit Keraton Mangkunegaran - a classical repository of classical Javanese art. Visit a batik museum where you will learn about this famous Javanese art and see the craftsmen at work.

In the afternoon, depart for a half-day excursion to Sukuh and Cetho, two of the latest Hindu temples built in Java. The temples are located on the western slopes of Mt Lawu (3 265m), amidst terraces covered by beautiful tea plantations and are known for their stone carvings of Hindu phallic symbols.

This evening, enjoy a classical performance of the Wayang Orang, a live masked dance drama, similar to Shadow puppet performances (Wayang Kulit).

Overnight in Solo.

Journey distance and driving times: 41 km / 1.30 hours each way

Day 6: Solo to Jombang - Trowulan - Mount Bromo

Transfer to Solo Railway station for a scenic 3-hour train to Jombang in East Java. Meet your driver on arrival and drive to Trowulan, the site of the former capital of the Majapahit Kingdom to visit the archaeological museum and the temples of Candi Banjang Ratu and Candi Tikus.

From Trowulan, drive Bromo through picturesque mountain roads to Bromo-Tengger National Park.

Overnight in Tosari or Ngadisari near Bromo.

Journey distance and driving times:

Solo to Jombang by train: 187 km / 3 hours

Jombang to Trowulan: 20 km / 40 minutes

Trowulan to Mt Bromo: 115 km / 4 hours

Day 7: Mount Bromo to Surabaya and departure

Early morning sunrise tour of Mt Bromo. Depart by 4WD jeep to a viewing spot with stunning views of the Bromo volcano. Continue by jeep down to the volcano caldera and take a 20-minute ride on horseback to the rim of the still-active Bromo crater for a magical sunrise view over Mount Bromo.

Return by horse and jeep to your hotel for breakfast before a drive to Surabaya Airport for departure.

Journey distance and driving times:

Mt Bromo to Surabaya: 100 km / 4 hours