Fly overnight to Yogyakarta, the cultural and historical heart of
Java. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.

Destination Information
Yogyakarta – Still headed by its sultan, Yogyakarta is central to Java’s heritage, with traditional life and
contemporary colliding in the huge urban centre. The entire metropolitan area is home to over 3.3 million
people and has cultural attractions wherever you look, with a plethora of coffee shops, street art and
galleries.

The day begins at the huge palace complex, the Kraton, seat of
the reigning Sultan and the hub of the city’s cultural and
political life before continuing to Taman Sari Water Castle, built
in the 18th century as a place for the Sultan to relax. Later, learn
about the art of leather shadow puppet making, a traditional
craft, before a stroll through the Beringharjo market. This
evening, dine in a Javanese house with a local family.

Destination Information
Kraton – The heart of the city, Kraton is a huge palace for the Sultans of Yogyakarta which is effectively a
walled city in its own right, with around 1,000 of the residents being employed by the sultan.
Taman Sari – Located near the Keraton, the water castle is known as the royal garden and has a unique
combination of eastern and western architectural styles.
Beringharjo Market – Traditionally styled, this is Yogyakarta’s biggest market and dates back to the 18th
century. You can find a huge variety of items here, with fruit, vegetables, batik, fabrics being just a few of
the types of items on offer.

Explore the historical neighbourhood of Kotagede, once the
seat of a powerful Mataram sutanate, by becak. Here you’ll see
the thriving silver industry and visit some traditional Javanese
houses including an eclectic Kalang house, as well as Pasar Legi,
a traditional Javanese market. Finally, change into Javanese
costume to wander the sacred royal cemetery. Transfer to
Magelang.

Destination Information
Kotagede – Once the first capital of the Mataram kingdom, Kotagede is now an upmarket suburb of
Yogyakarta and also the hub of the silver industry here since the 1930s

Get up early to witness the sunrise at the famous Borobudur, a
1,200-year-old Buddhist temple set picturesquely amongst lush
paddy fields and tropical forest, before discovering more about
the complex. Get a taste of rural life in the close-by Candirejo,
visiting the village by horse drawn carriage.

Destination Information
Borbudur – Noted for the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Borobudur temple, the world’s largest Buddhist
temple, which still stands tall after over 1200 years, Borobudur region is a gorgeous landscape of impossibly
green rice fields and soaring volcanic peaks and is, noted by locals as the Garden of Java.

Transfer to Solo. Stop en route to explore the spectacular
Turgo Hills by jeep, driving up to a viewpoint where you can
admire a panorama of the surrounding area, including Mount
Merapi. Browse the Sisa Hartaku Mini Museum before
continuing to Kaliurang to visit the Museum of Mount Merapi
and tuck into a Javanese buffet with beautiful views over the
rice fields and volcano. Finally, stop at the 10th
-century
Prambanan Temple with its exquisite sculptural detail

Destination Information
Mount Merapi – Towering 2,930m over Yogyakarta, Borobudur and the other surrounding towns and cities,
Mount Merapi is officially Indonesia’s most active volcano, despite the nation having 127 active volcanoes.

An epicentre of Javanese culture, the city of Solo gives a
wonderfully authentic glimpse of traditional island life.
Explore the streets on a becak ride, stopping off at Triwindu
market to browse the antiques. This afternoon, visit
Laweyan batik village, to learn about this Javanese craft.

Destination Information
Solo – One of the least westernised cities on the island, Solo has a long past as a seat of the Mataram empire
and is full of traditional markets, crafts and performing arts, making it a fierce rival to Yogyakarta as the hub
of Javanese culture.

At Solo station, board the train to Jombang, taking a scenic ride through the countryside into East Java. On arrival,
transfer over to Bromo, located at the foot of volcanic Mt Bromo, stopping en route at the artefact-filled
Trowulan Museum, to learn about the Majapahit Empire.
Please be aware the lodge is a simple facility but is clean and comfortable and is the best option in the area for
amazing views of Mount Bromo.

Rise early and travel up Gunung Penanjakan by jeep for a
spectacular sunrise over Bromo and the surrounding area. Travel
through the Sea of Sand, a nature reserve, to Bromo itself where
you can climb the 245 steps up to the rim for excellent views.
Stop at the village of Cemoro Lawang for a stroll around before
returning to the hotel for an easy afternoon.

Destination Information
Mt Bromo – One of Indonesia’s most breathtaking sights, Mount Bromo stands at 2,329m and is surrounded
by the peaks of Kursi, Batok, with Semeru in the distance. In the middle of a sea of volcanic sand, these
mountains are part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers 800 square km.

Drive to Surabaya, East Java’s capital. Visit the House of Sampoerna, a cigarette factory housed in a 19th century
Dutch colonial building with a fascinating museum. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Transfer back to Yogyakarta and fly to the island of Flores,
a lush tropical island and the gateway to Komodo National
Park.

Destination Information
Komodo National Park – Established in 1980, the 1,817 square km Komodo National Park encompasses
Komodo, Rinca, Padar, other lesser islands and a huge marine ecosystem.

Enjoy a full day boat trip to Komodo National Park. On
Komodo Island, take an easy trek to the
Banunggbratanpark ranger, on which you can spot
Komodo Dragons and enjoy the unusual nature of the
island. Later you’ll be able to swim and snorkel at Pink
Beach and the beautiful Kanawa Island.

Destination Information
Pink Beach – Komodo Island is home to one of the 7 pink beaches on the planet, and gets its striking colour
from Foraminifera, a microscopic animal that produces red pigment on the coral reefs

A second full day exploring Komodo National Park, visiting
first Kelor and then Rinca Island. This voyage past
hundreds of beautiful little islands will take around 2
hours. Here, walk with a local ranger to spot more Komodo
dragons as well as tropical birds, buffalo, deer and pigs.
Cruise on to the tiny Sembilan Island, shaped like a number
9, where you can swim and discover Jellyfish Lake!

After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport and fly to Bali
where you’ll spend the night close to the beach in Denpasar.

Destination Information
Bali – Home to an estimated 10,000 temples, Bali is filled with rich and diverse culture with Denpasar being
a hub for nearly a million locals with a real authenticity.

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.