Yogyakarta to Bali overland tour

Yogyakarta to Bali overland tour Overview

Yogyakarta to Bali overland tour Explore ancient temples, venture into rural villages, walk through lush coffee plantations and discover local cultures on this overland tour from Jogjakarta to Bali.

The city of Jogjakarta is Indonesia’s cultural heart and soul. Explore the wonders of this ancient city with this comprehensive tour. Visit the water palaces and museums before taking a becak ride. No trip will be complete without a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage listed temples of Borobudur.

• Visit the UNESCO listed temples of Borobudur
• Experience Javanese culture and traditional arts
• Scenic train journey in East Java
• Horseback across the sea of sand to Mount Bromo for sunrise
• Sulphuric crater of Mount Ijen

Day 1: Arrival Yogyakarta

Your guide and driver will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your selected hotel in Borobudur. In the mid-afternoon, a short visit and a good introduction to the ancient architecture of Central Java with a visit to two small and interesting temples located in the vicinity of Borobudur. Visit Mendut, a pyramid-shaped temple housing three impressively carved stone statues and Pawon temple, a simple yet beautiful monument known for its precise symmetry.

Overnight in Borobudur.

Distance and journey time:

Yogyakarta to Borobudur: 42 km / 1.30 hrs

Day 2: Sunrise at Borobudur and sightseeing

Wake up early this morning to reach Borobudur for the sunrise. This is the most mystical time to see the temple - the sun rises over the structure in the tranquil morning air with very few tourists at the temple. Before the crowds arrive, explore with your guide, this massive Buddhist Temple - 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. These days, the UNESCO Heritage site is still visible in its full glory with magnificent carvings and an unusual, yet surprisingly beautiful bulk structure.

In the mid-afternoon, you’ll get a taste for the local life with a horse cart ride through Candirejo village. Known as a dokar, the local horse cart will take you through this peaceful, charming village. You’ll travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan and harvesting and drying of vanilla and chilli.

Overnight in Borobudur.

Day 3: Borobudur - Dieng Plateau – Yogyakarta

Depart early this morning from Borobudur for the drive to the small town of Wonosobo in Central Java and gateway to the volcanic Dieng Plateau located 2000 metres above sea level and known by Javanese as the “home of the ancient gods”. Upon arrival in Dieng, walk downhill to reach the shores of beautiful Telaga Warna Lake with its amazing emerald green colour. Discover Sikidang Crater where you can watch the incredible volcanic activity of the plateau famous for its sulphurous fumes and craters with bubbling waters. Afterwards, proceed to Yogyakarta for overnight.

Distance and journey times:

Borobudur to Wonosobo: 54 km / 2 hrs

Wonosobo to Dieng Plateau: 26 km / 1 hr

Dieng Plateau to Yogyakarta: 116 km / 2.30 hrs

Day 4: Yogyakarta and Prambanan

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. Remaining today as the residence of the Sultan, this living museum features a showcase of Javanese Culture and relics and depending on the day of your visit there will be a cultural performance ranging from Golek Menak Puppet‘s to classical Javanese Poetry performance known as Macapat. Continue with a 30 minutes ride by becak and explore the neighbouring Kauman village built in the vicinity of the Kraton. This village is the central keepers of the Islamic religion as authorised by the Sultanate. The small alleyways of this village are so designed to ensure minimal disturbance of noise and traffic so as to not interrupt the Santri or Islamic students from their study. End your becak ride at the Taman Sari Water Palace This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan with bathing pools for his harem.

In the afternoon, visit a home batik factory where you will attend a short demonstration of Wayang Kulit, the famous Javanese leather puppet and proceed to Prambanan.

This afternoon will be spent exploring 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. UNESCO named Prambanan a Heritage Site in 1991. Your guide will explain the history and symbolism of the temples as you walk around.

Return to Yogyakarta for a chance to relax and freshen up. This evening, you’ll be treated to a performance of traditional Ramayana Dance while dining at a local restaurant.

Overnight.

Day 5: Yogyakarta to Jombang / Malang

Take a scenic 4-hour train ride to East Java. Upon arrival in Jombang, meet up with your driver and continue to Trowulan. Trowulan was the former capital of the Majapahit Kingdom who ruled Java for centuries. Visit the archaeological museum and the temples of Candi Bajang Ratu and Candi Tikus before driving to Malang for overnight.

Distance and journey times:

Yogyakarta to Jombang by train: 208 km / 4 hrs

Jombang to Trowulan: 20 km / 40 minutes

Trowulan to Malang:115 km / 4 hrs

Day 6: Malang to Mount Bromo

Tour Malang by becak visiting its grand colonial-era buildings, bird and flower markets and Chinese temple Eng An Kiong and the city Cathedral. Start your scenic drive to Mount Bromo, to the village of Ngadisari on the edge of Tengger Caldera. This spectacular village is one of the gateways to Mount Bromo.

Overnight near Bromo.

Distance and journey time:

Malang to Bromo: 48 km / 1.45 hrs

Day 7: Sunrise over Mount Bromo. Travel to Kalibaru

Early morning, depart for Ngadisari Village where you will be transferred to jeeps for the final climb to the rim or the outer crater before ascending by horseback across the sea of sand to Mount Bromo to witness the spectacular sunrise. Afterwards, travel to the tobacco farms of Jember and continue to Kalibaru for overnight.

Optional side trip to Sukamade where turtles nest on the beach.

Distance and journey time:

Mount Bromo to Kalibaru: 201 km / 6 hrs

Day 8: Kalibaru to Mount Ijen

Drive to Licin village near Ijen for overnight.

Distance and journey time:

Kalibaru to Mount Ijen: 103 km / 3 hrs

Day 9: Excursion to Kawah Ijen and ferry crossing to Bali

Awake early for a 4 wheel jeep excursion to Mount Ijen. Take a 1 and a half hour trek on a dirt path to the top of Mount Ijen, a large crater lake surrounded by sulphur mines.

Afterwards, transfer to Ketapang ferry terminal near Banyuwangi for the crossing to Bali. Arrive into Gilimanuk harbour and transfer to your chosen beach resort.

Distance and journey times:

Ijen to Ketapang: 63 km / 3 hrs

Ferry to Gilimanuk, Bali: 30 minutes