Highlights of Java Island - Yogyakarta, Borobudur, Prambanan, Volcano Bromo

ITINERARY:
✈Yogyakarta ➝ Borobudur & Prambanan ✈ Surabaya ➝ Bromo Volcano ➝ Surabaya ✈

Arrive in Yogyakarta & Yogyakarta city tour

Yogyakarta in the center of the Indonesian island of Java forms, together with the neighboring city of Surakarta (Solo), the center of traditional Javanese culture. With several universities, especially the prestigious Gaja Madah University, Yogyakarta is also the educational center of Indonesia. Traditional Javanese culture and arts are firmly rooted here and Yogyakarta is home to several colleges of art, music and dance.

During the city tour you have the opportunity in the old town (Kota Gede) to see the Sultan's Palace (Kraton) with 14,000 square meters of a kind of city within the city. The complex was built around 1750. Parts of the palace are open to tourists for sightseeing. In the museum, mainly traditional court scenes and the corresponding clothing can be admired.

Then visit Taman Sare. The moated castle (built from 1758 to 1765) served the sultan as a pleasure palace, where his harem was located. The castle was surrounded by a reservoir and could only be reached by water. The reservoir no longer exists and the actual castle is a ruin. The Taman Sare bathing pools have been preserved and can be visited.

If time permits, you can also stroll through the traditional Beringharjo market on Jalan Malioboro and, if interested, visit a batik factory and/or silversmiths. Yogyakarta is known throughout Asia for its fine silver and batik work.

Accommodation in a first-class boutique hotel with colonial ambience The Phoenix Yogyakarta.

The temple complexes Borobudur & Prambanan

After an early breakfast, drive to Borobudur Temple, 40km from Yogyakarta. It is a Buddhist sanctuary and one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. The impressive Borobudur Temple is located on a hill and is designed like a step pyramid. There are nine floors on a square foundation of 123m length. Each higher level represents a further development of man. On the terraces there are many niches and Buddha statues and a total of 5 km long reliefs that tell about the life of Buddha. Six terraces are square and the top three are circular. On the top terraces, dedicated to enlightenment, are 72 stupas, each housing a Budda statue. From the top you have a fantastic view over the landscape and across to the mountains.

In the afternoon visit the huge Prambanan temple complex built in honor of the Hindu gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. The Loro Jonggrang Temple, built in the 10th century, is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The temple consists of a main building in the center surrounded by eight smaller temples dedicated to different deities and countless smaller ones. All temples have a high pointed shape. In 2006 the complex was severely damaged by a strong earthquake and not all areas are accessible to visitors.

Then drive back to Yogyakarta, 17km away, and stay overnight again at The Phoenix Yogyakarta

Flight Yogjakarta to Surabaya and trip to Mount Bromo

Hotel pickup and transfer to Yogyakarta airport for morning flight to Surabaya in East Java. Pick up from the airport in Surabaya and visit of House of Sampoerna in "old Surabaya", a museum and one of the oldest still operating production halls for the production of hand-rolled kretek cigarettes from tobacco and cloves. Afterwards visit of the Klenteng Hong Tiek Hian Tempel in which 3 religions pray at the same time and the Cheng Ho Mosque known for its unique Chinese architecture. then drive (approx. 3-4 hours) to the volcano Bromo. The landscape around Bromo is characterized by vegetable plantations, which are also located on steep slopes. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the mild climate, many types of vegetables grow here. Overnight stay at the comfortable and scenic Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo, located outside of the touristy and not very attractive Cemoro Lawang village.

Jeeptour & Hiking Bromo Volcano

The volcano Bromo is 2329 m high and is a part of the Tengger volcanic massif. It is one of the most active volcanoes on Java and a popular tourist destination. To see the Sunrise, it is necessary to get up early. You will be picked up about 4am from hotel and drive by jeep to View point Penanjakan , where you wait for the Sunrise. Don't forget warm clothes, because at this altitude it is in the morning quite cold. Then we continue to the edge of the crater of Bromo volcano. At first walking through a sandy desert, passing the Hindu Tempel Pura Luhur Poten and then 256-step staircase have to be climbed up to the crater. The way until the stairs you can also ride a horse. If you wish this please talk to your guide and he will organize it.

Unfortunately, the sunrise viewpoint is very crowded. If you want to share the view with just a few, you can start the tour later or first to the Bromo crater rim and then to the viewpoint. Avoid weekends and Indonesian public holidays when planning your trip, as this is when Bromo is particularly crowded.

After hiking back the jeep will bring you back to hotel for breakfast. Afterwards drive back to Surabaya and stay overnight in stylish and historical Majapahit Hotel Surabaya