20% OFF New

Discover Indonesia

Overview

Experience the best of Java and Bali on a journey of faith, culture, family connections and natural wonders

Embark on an immersive journey through the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali: vast temples, volcanic dawns, meals in family homes and rice terraces carved into the hillsides. Guided by an expert local tour leader, we begin at the vast Buddhist monument of Borobudur, cycle past rice fields and village homes, share lunch with Javanese hosts and visit Prambanan’s soaring Hindu temples. We then cross East Java by train to watch the sun rise over Bromo’s caldera, before taking the ferry to Bali for a family meal and blessing in Pinge and time among the rice terraces near Ubud.

Key Information

Travel Style Classic: The quintessential Exodus adventure, pairing iconic sights and cultural discovery with comfortable stays: Classic
Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: AOJ
Ways to Travel: Classic, Guided Group
Countries: Indonesia

What's Included

All accommodation: 11 Comfort nights (hotels and resorts), 2 Simple nights (lodges)
All breakfasts, three lunches, one dinner
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. On this trip, local taxes (approximately US$8) are not included.

Highlights

Marvel at Java’s UNESCO-listed temples: Buddhist Borobudur and the soaring Hindu shrines of Prambanan

Venture by 4x4 to Bromo for sunrise, then cross the volcanic Sea of Sand

Cycle through Javanese villages, cook with local hosts and share lunch with a Balinese family

Unwind in coastal Pemuteran, with optional reef snorkelling, village cycling or hot spring bathing

Admire Bali’s iconic sculpted landscapes at Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Rangreng Waterfall

Itinerary

First Destination: Borobudur, Java
Next Destination: Candidasa, Bali

Accommodation:The Nalaya Hotel & Resto (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Kampung Lumbung Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Lava View Lodge Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Margo Utomo Eco Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Adi Assri Beach Resort & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Adi Assri Beach Resort & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:The Ariras Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Borobudur, Java
Next Destination: Candidasa, Bali

Begin your adventure in Borobudur, a settlement in Central Java named for the vast Buddhist temple that we visit tomorrow.

Around 6pm, say halo to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Indonesian welcome by arranging a group dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Want more time in Borobudur? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation:The Nalaya Hotel & Resto (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Our first full day begins at Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist monument on the planet. Constructed in the eighth and ninth centuries, this World Heritage site was designed to reflect the Buddhist path towards enlightenment, while the astounding scale of the complex reveals the ambitions of Java’s early Buddhist builders.

We then swap temple stones for village lanes, taking to bicycles for a ride (approximately two hours) through the surrounding countryside. Passing rice fields and rural homes, we see the landscape beyond the monument and gain a closer view of everyday life around Borobudur.

Our day ends with a transfer (1hr 30min) to the royal city of Yogyakarta, our base for the next three nights.

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

We’re off to Karangrejek village today to meet local changemaker M. Riza Perdana Kusuma. Leaving a successful corporate career, he returned to the region to found the Narapuspitan Library & Public Space, a community literacy and learning hub that promotes reading, education and community engagement in an area traditionally known for its dry, challenging agricultural conditions.

A local guide then leads us through the neighbouring village, sharing stories of daily life and the residents involved in the project. Along the way, we learn about jamu (traditional herbal preparations) and taste freshly fried tempeh, made from fermented soybeans. We finish our visit over lunch in a traditional Javanese home, sharing dishes prepared by our hosts.

Later, we drive (approximately one hour) to Prambanan, the largest Hindu complex in Indonesia. Dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, and with a 154ft (47m) central tower plus exquisite carvings, it reflects the pinnacle of ancient Javanese architecture.

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Begin today at the Kraton, the Sultan’s Palace, for an introduction to the royal traditions of Yogyakarta. Courtyards, pavilions and historic collections help us understand the role of the court in Javanese culture, with a cultural performance possible depending on the programme that day.

Continuing on foot, we visit Taman Sari, the former royal pleasure gardens and bathing complex. Its pools and gateways reveal a more private side of palace life, away from the formal spaces of the Kraton.

We then transfer (20 minutes) to the historic district of Kotagede for a hands-on cooking class in a local home. Guided by our host, we learn about the herbs, spices and techniques used in Indonesian cooking, while gaining an insight into everyday life in a traditional Indonesian household. Once the dishes are prepared, sit down together to enjoy lunch.

After returning to the city centre, we watch artisans working on batik and silver handicrafts, gaining an appreciation of the patience behind both crafts. This evening, there may be the option to attend a Ramayana Ballet performance at Purawisata.

Accommodation:Duta Garden Hotel and Boutique Villa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early this morning (5.30am) to catch the train to Mojokerto in East Java, a journey of approximately 4hr 15min. Travelling in air-conditioned executive class, we watch Java unfold beyond the windows as we head east.

Our driver meets us in Mojokerto, where we reunite with our main luggage and continue to Trowulan. Here, surviving monuments recall the Majapahit kingdom. We visit Bajang Ratu, an elaborately decorated gateway, and Candi Tikus, a sunken bathing complex, for a different perspective on Java’s architectural heritage.

Following a stop for lunch in Jombang, we continue via Pare towards Batu city, taking the mountain road around the western slopes of Mount Arjuna.

Arriving in Batu, we settle into our hotel with the evening free.

Accommodation:Kampung Lumbung Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

There is time to relax this morning or join our tour leader for an optional walk around Batu before we transfer (20 minutes) to the city of Malang.

Upon arrival, we explore a local market before discovering Kampung Warna Warni, nicknamed the Rainbow Village for its brightly coloured properties inspired by the favelas of Rio. A walk through the streets gives us a closer look at this community, with time for a refreshment.

We then travel north through Pasuruan and Probolinggo before climbing towards Sukapura. Here, we change to local shuttle transport for the final leg to our lodge in the Bromo area. Settle in and prepare for tomorrow’s early start.

Our main luggage stays on the bus in Sukapura, so we take an overnight bag with toiletries, a change of clothes and warm layers for the sunrise excursion.

Accommodation:Lava View Lodge Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Rise (very!) early this morning, around 3.30am, for a special start to the day. Travelling in 4x4s, we journey to the Penanjakan 2 viewpoint, where, as daylight hits, the shapes of Bromo volcano and the surrounding mountains emerge above the vast caldera.

Descending by 4×4, we cross the Sea of Sand to approach Bromo itself. We continue on foot and climb the staircase to the crater rim, subject to local access restrictions. Our tour leader helps us understand the significance of this volcano to the Tengger people who live in the surrounding highlands.

We return to the lodge for breakfast, then take the shuttle to Sukapura and rejoin our bus. A long drive takes us east towards Kalibaru. Forested hills accompany the final stretch before we arrive at our accommodation.

Accommodation:Margo Utomo Eco Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Head to the village of Kalibaru this morning, where we tour the surrounding plantations. Among cacao, coffee, pepper and rubber, we learn about the local growing and harvesting processes, which use techniques passed through the generations. We’ll finish the tour with a coffee tasting.

We then leave for Ketapang harbour, where we board a local ferry and cross the Bali Strait to Gilimanuk, exchanging Java’s eastern shore for Bali, the next island of our adventure.

On arrival, we continue (45 minutes) to Pemuteran on the northwest coast, where the rest of the day is free.

Accommodation:Adi Assri Beach Resort & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Today is free to enjoy Pemuteran at your own pace. Spend time by the beach or ask our tour leader to arrange one of the optional activities below, paid locally.

For time on the water, join a shared boat excursion to Menjangan Island in West Bali National Park. Snorkel above coral reefs, then take a short island walk with the possibility of spotting deer. A packed lunch is included.
Alternatively, a village cycling trip introduces daily life in West Bali (approximately 3hr 30min–4hr). The proposed route includes a market, village temple, salt production and an introduction to arak, a locally produced spirit, with agricultural activities varying by season.
For a slower outing, visit Banjar Hot Spring, where warm mineral water feeds bathing pools surrounded by tropical gardens.

Accommodation:Adi Assri Beach Resort & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Leaving Pemuteran, we travel (approximately three hours) inland to Pinge, a traditional rural village in the Tabanan highlands. Here, Mr Darmawan welcomes us into his family home for an introduction to Balinese life and traditions.

We share lunch with our hosts, with time to talk about the customs that shape family and village life. A blessing from Mr Darmawan’s father at the family temple adds a personal dimension to our visit.

Continuing into the Bedugul highlands, we could visit Ulun Danu Beratan on the shore of Lake Beratan. Dedicated to the lake goddess Danu, the temple highlights the importance of water in Balinese religious life. Its tiered shrines stand beside the lake, appearing separated from the shore when water levels are high.

We then continue (one hour) to Ubud and settle into our accommodation for the next three nights.

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We have a free day in Ubud, the spiritual heart of Bali, with time to pursue our own interests or simply relax.

For a closer look at the relationship between farming, wildlife and village life, join an optional visit to Begawan. The optional experience introduces efforts to conserve the Bali starling alongside regenerative rice farming, with insights into subak, Bali’s community irrigation system.

A guided visit to the fields and gardens helps explain how rice cultivation connects with Balinese culture. Lunch at Begawan Biji rounds off the experience, bringing the farm’s produce to the table.

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

For those keen on an additional challenge, you may wish to join an optional guided sunrise trek on Mount Batur. Leaving the hotel around 4am and setting off in darkness, we climb towards the crater for views across the volcanic landscape as daylight arrives, with a simple breakfast included.

After reuniting back at the hotel, we head into the countryside to visit Tegallalang, where picturesque rice terraces follow the contours of a steep valley. Our outing also includes a visit to Rangreng Waterfall and a lunch stop at a restaurant overlooking Mount Batur, before we return to Ubud for free time.

An optional Balinese dance performance provides another way to end the day, with expressive gestures and elaborate costumes bringing traditional stories to the stage.

Accommodation:Sri Ratih Cottages (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

We leave Ubud at approximately 11am and travel (1hr 30min) to Candidasa on Bali’s east coast. With the afternoon free, we have time to settle into our resort and relax by the pool or on the beach.

Around 7pm, we can gather for a farewell dinner – a chance to revisit some of our favourite moments from our adventure together, and perhaps start planning the next!

Accommodation:The Ariras Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

You’ve explored the vast Buddhist temple of Borobudur, watched dawn break over Bromo and shared meals in Javanese and Balinese homes, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Bali Island Extension

Extend your adventure with additional nights on your chosen island: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Nusa Penida.

Whichever you choose, a tropical paradise awaits: white sands, palm trees, and warm waters teeming with rays, sharks and other marine life.

Spend your time snorkelling, diving or just relaxing by the turquoise sea and taking in the atmosphere. Our extensions include hotel pick up, transfer, fast boat and meet and greet services at each ferry port, plus as many days accommodation as you wish.

On your return, hotel pick up, fast boat transfers and a meet and greet service are included, either taking you to Ubud, a south Bali hotel, or to Denpasar Airport. If you have a same day flight connection, we advise this to be after 8pm.

Speak to your sales representative for more information and to discuss accommodation choices.

Essential Information

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Transfers: Most drives are reasonably short (between two and six hours). The longest day is from Yogyakarta to Batu; however, this day is broken up by mixing modes of transport as we use a train (four hours) plus transfers and stop to sightsee en route.

Hikes: The optional sunrise hike on Mount Batur (Day 12) takes two to three hours; it is not a challenging hike, but you need a reasonable level of fitness. Additionally, you will need to rise very early (3am-4am) for that hike and for the optional sunrise hike on Day 7.

Tourism in Indonesia: Service may not be as fast or reliable as you are used to and Indonesian attitudes towards certain things such as animal welfare and food may differ from your own. That said, if you come ready for an experience, the country’s rewards will not fail to deliver.

Key information

Start hotel: The Nalaya Hotel & Resto, Jl. Balaputradewa No.22, Dusun XVII, Borobudur, Kec. Borobudur, Kabupaten Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56553
Phone: +62 (0) 293 788 779
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time on Day 1; there is a welcome briefing around 6pm
Airport: Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 20min drive from Yogyakarta International Airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer (2hr 30min) to Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Indonesia

Many nationalities can apply for a 30-day visa on arrival at Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Batam, Bali and Yogyakarta at a cost of 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$33). Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

All Indonesia Arrival Card

The All Indonesia Arrival Card is a health and customs declaration that must be completed three days (72 hours) prior to arrival.

• Visit allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id
• Switch the website to English → select “Foreign Visitor”
• Fill in the required details:
– Personal: nationality, full name, date of birth, passport number & expiry date, contact information
– Travel: arrival/departure dates, e-Visa (if applicable)
– Transport & Accommodation: airport/port of arrival, flight/ship details, hotel or residential address
– Health & Customs: recent symptoms/travel history, items to declare (e.g., animals, electronics, baggage)
• Submit the form to receive a QR code
• Present the QR code (printed or digital) along with your passport upon arrival

Travellers must still obtain the appropriate visa for their stay. Travelers with visa exemptions are still required to complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card.

Bali tourist levy: The Bali provincial government has introduced a tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$8) for all foreign tourists arriving in Bali. You can pay online or on arrival. See the Bali provincial government website for more details.

Indonesian cuisine is generally fairly simple and cheap, with rice as the main staple, though noodles are also common, accompanied by dishes flavoured with cloves, chilies, coconut and lemongrass. Fish is popular but meats are also common.

Peanuts are a popular ingredient, especially in dishes such as sate or gado gado, so you should inform your tour leader if you have a peanut allergy. Nasi (rice) and mie (noodles) are very popular, especially the staple dish nasi goreng (fried rice). Quite often tea or water (aqua) is drunk with a meal. Beer is not always cold, and coffee is unfiltered and usually very sugary.

Vegetarian food is available in Indonesia; however, the concept of vegetarianism can be misunderstood so if you are a vegetarian, please be clear and state that you don’t eat meat, chicken or fish. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Indonesia has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. It is hot and humid; temperatures range from 23C-33C (73F-91F) during the day and rarely drops below 20C (68F) at night. In the mountains, temperatures are much cooler; on the coast, sea breezes usually keep temperatures comfortable. In most parts of Indonesia, the rainy season falls between late October and early May, though rain occurs throughout the year. Rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.