Compare Taste of Indonesia by TravelLocal vs Java & Bali, Indonesia by Under30Experiences

Day 1: Magelang

Accommodation: Rumah Dharma

Arrival Yogyakarta, transfer Magelang

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta you'll be picked up by a driver and driven to your hotel in Magelang. Estimated travel time - 1.5 - 2 hours.

Day 2: Magelang, Yogyakarta

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Dusun Jogja Village Inn

Borobudur sunrise by bicycle

Be up early today to witness the superb Borobudur with the sunrise. You will head to the foot of the hill by bicycle, then after a short hike of 15 minutes you arrive at the top and wait for the sun to rise. The atmosphere as the sun casts its golden glow over these ancient ruins is thrillingly mystical. Even though the sunrise might not always be perfect, the special mood of this historic site certainly makes up for it. The bike trip ends at your guesthouse where you can enjoy your breakfast.

Selogriyo walk

You drive to the village Selogriyo, the starting point of your walk. A visit to a hidden temple is your goal, but it is the journey to it what makes the hike so special. Surrounded by hills and slopes made of beautiful rice terraces you follow a path with breathtaking views. After arriving at the temple, a well-deserved picnic lunch with delicious Indonesian dishes will be set for you.

Transfer from Magelang to Yogyakarta

Leave the beautiful Borobodur temple complex and its surroundings behind and travel north towards Yogyakarta, one of Indonesia's most bustling and artistic cities. Travel time: Approx 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Notes: breakfast in bike trip, picnic lunch

Day 3: Yogyakarta

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Dusun Jogja Village Inn

Yogyakarta, culinary trip

In the afternoon you will explore culinary Yogyakarta on the back of a motorbike. You will visit some special food stalls and push carts and of course taste everything! This trip ends on the square in front of the kraton that gets more alive in the late afternoon.

The morning is free for you to spend (no car available).

Day 4: Yogyakarta

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dusun Jogja Village Inn

Afternoon visiting Prambanan and other temples for a Ramayana Ballet performance

In the afternoon you will be driven to the Prambanan. Admire this marvellous architecture and the other fascinating temples that surround it, such as the Ratu Boko and Candi Plaosan. After a lovely dinner at a beautiful Javanese restaurant, you will enter the Prambanan complex to enjoy a Ramayana Ballet performance with the stunning temple as backdrop. The performance is based on an epic Hindu story, translated into Javanese music, dance and drama. Please note: Entrance fees for the temples are not included. It's usually only a small amount, but at the Prambanan Temple and Ratu Boku you pay a higher amount; 25 US$ per person. At the bigger temples you can also hire a guide for around Rp 100.000 per hour. Dinner beforehand is included (drinks however are at own expense). An open air performance is not held every evening. If there is no performance we will move you to the Purawisata Theatre in the centre of town where every night a performance is held in a semi open theatre.

The morning is free for you to spend (no car available).

Notes: Buffet dinner at Ramayana performance

Day 5: Solo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Roemahkoe

Economy train from Yogyakarta to Solo

A fun & active day today! You take the train to Solo in the morning. It is not only faster by train than by car, you will also experience the local way of traveling in this ride of about 1 hour. For your comfort, you do not have to carry your luggage onto the train, this is taken by car and driver directly to your hotel in Solo.

Cooking class & city tour Solo

In the morning you will be picked up by the guide and some local women. Together you visit the market to do some shopping for the cooking class. The cooking class takes place within the walls of the craton and you cook with real descendants of the royal family. Of course you will learn traditional techniques, but what is special about this cooking class is that you will not only cook for yourself, but for all the neighborhood kids! You fold as a 'nasi Bungkus’ the lunch in a banana leafs and cardboard and share this with the children. After lunch you visit some of the sights in the city, taste the typical Solo pancake 'serabi' and optionally end your afternoon with a ‘Wayang Orang Sriwedari’ performance. Contrary to the Ramayana performance in Yogyakarta, this performance is held especially for the locals and not for the tourists. If you don’t have too much energy anymore after this intensive day, you can also just visit the dressing room of the dancers and leave the theater after a short attendance. It's quite common at a folk theater to leave before the end of the show! Note: The performance is not held every day: not on Sundays and public holidays and sometimes when the theater is used for other productions.

Notes: Lunch at local family

Day 6: Solo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Roemahkoe

Countryside bicycle ride in Solo, and walk in Sukuh

In the early morning you will go on an exciting bicycle trip through the Solo countryside. You will stop regularly at small house industries and have a chat with the locals. The tour ends with a nice lunch at a local home. Afterwards you continue to the Sukuh area, towards Mount Lawu. Here you will visit the so-called erotic Sukuh Temple (named so for its themes of sexual education and fertility). Then go for a walk of about 1.5-2 hours. If there is still time, you can visit a further nearby park with a waterfall. Entrance to the waterfall is Rp 110.000 / 160.000 pp; entrance fees for temples are approx. Rp 25.000 pp. The driver then picks you up and drive you back to your hotel in Solo.

Notes: Lunch at local home

Day 7: Malang

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Tugu Malang

Solo to Malang by train with snackbox

In the morning your driver will take you to the train station in Solo. You will take the Malioboro Ekspress train in the morning, to arrive in Malang late afternoon (the current schedule is: 08:52-15:43 hrs). We have reserved first class tickets for you. Before the train journey you will receive a snack box filled with delicious specialties from Solo and surroundings. The train also has a restoration wagon where you can buy some Indonesian dishes. Upon arrival in Malang you will be picked up and driven to your hotel.

Day 8: Malang

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Tugu Malang

Sightseeing Malang by walks & public transport

You will be picked up by a guide in the morning and begin with a tour of Malang, sitting in bentors (motorbikes with front seats). It's a great way to see the beautiful colonial buildings and local markets in the city. You will also visit the old part of Malang, enjoy breakfast in a local place, then walk over a train rails to a local market. On the left and right side of the rails you can see the kitchens of the local people living there. After having visited the city center, you continue with the bentors to the suburbs, and see, among other things, how traditional cookies nd krupuk are made following ancient recipes. In a local restaurant you will enjoy a delicious lunch with traditional dishes. After lunch, you will be returned to your hotel.

Notes: Lunch at local restaurant

Day 9: Bromo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Lava View Lodge

Transfer from Malang to Tumpang

The approach of the Bromo via Tumpang (northern side) is not often used, but it is perhaps one of the most scenic ways to reach the Bromo. From Malang it takes around one hour to reach the small town of Tumpang by car, where you will change to special jeeps: the back part has been left open and a railing makes it possible for you to stand in the back part relatively comfortable.

 Tumpang to Bromo by jeep with picnic lunch

In Tumpang you will change to special jeeps: the back part has been left open and a railing makes it possible for you to stand in the back part relatively comfortable. In this way you can really enjoy the beautiful scenery you are going to pass on the way to the Bromo. You will drive on a mountain rim with at the left and right site primary tropical forest. After half an hour you will stop and walk through forest to a well hidden waterfall. Continuing your tour it takes you another half hour to reach the village of Ngadas, the highest village in eastern Java. With clear weather views are amazing here, you will see agriculture fields against the mountain slopes, just like a mosaic. In the background the Semeru volcano is well visible. Around Ngadas a special lunch will be served: nasi tumpeng. Nasi Tumpeng consists of a cone of yellow rice with all kinds of side dishes. The cone symbolizes the sacred Semeru mountain, which can be seen from Ngadas (if weather permits). Nasi Tumpeng has been named one of Indonesia's national dishes. After Ngadas you reach the edge of the mother crater within 15 minutes. Here you will descend and drive through an amazing landscape. You can leave the car and walk through the so called padang rumput (fields of herbs) and laut pasir (sea of sand). Stop at base of the Bromo and have a look at its crater. Afterwards continue to the edge of the mother crater and drive up to the village of Cemoro Lawang. There is no guide joining you and the driver does not speak English, but he is very used to bring foreign guests without a guide. Your car driver will take your luggage and drives to Bromo via an alternative way (takes longer, so he will probably arrive later then you at the hotel, so make sure you separate luggage you need at your hotel, for instance a warm sweater). To enter Bromo you need to pay an entrance fee of around Rp 220.000 per person (Rp 320.000 during weekends and long holidays), you also need to pay for the use of a camera (photo camera / film camera Rp 50.000 / Rp 150.000). Take with you: rain clothes; walking shoes; warm sweater; long trousers. It can be cold standing in an open jeep.

Notes: Picnic lunch nasi tumpeng

Day 10: Banyuwangi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Transfer Bromo - Kaliklatak

From Bromo you take the route along the north coast near Probolinggo and from there on eastwards to your next destination: Ijen. This trip will take around 7 hours. You arrive in the afternoon.

Kaliklatak, plantation tour

You will get a tour of the stretched plantation. A local guide will show you around the coffee plantation and the factory.

Notes: dinner at guesthouse

Day 11: Ijen, Banyuwangi

Accommodation: Local home Kemiren

Visit Ijen

Early morning departure by local jeep with a local guide, it will take a 1,5 hour drive to reach Paltuding from where you start your ascend (currently the entrance fee is around Rp 100.000-150.000 per persoon). A one and half hour to two hour climb will take you to the crater lake, on the way passing the sulphur carriers. Views are spectacular. The Ijen volcano is a very active volcano with a crater lake. Sulphur is forced to the surface and the bright yellow solidified sulphur rocks are taken daily by carriers to a certain point where the rocks are weighed and the carrier paid according to the amount of sulphur taken.

Visit traditional village Kemiren & overnight

You will drive to the local village of Kemiren. Kemiren is a small vilage, home to the Suku Osing that still live traditionally. You will learn about the customs of the Suku Osing, a culture that has been shaped by both Islam and Hinduism, and walk through the beautiful surroundings of the village. A traditional, tasty Suku Osing lunch will be served in a local home. After lunch you have more time to explore the surroundings and interact with the villagers. Dinner is served outside at the ricefields whilst traditional music is performed.

Day 12: Ubud

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Inata Bisma

Crossing Kemiren to Bali, transfer Ubud

After breakfast you will be driven to the harbour and cross to Bali by ferry in about 1 hour. Please note the time difference: Bali is one hour ahead of Java time. From the harbour of Gilimanuk in Bali it takes about 4 hours to reach the town of Ubud. The driver will say goodbye and return to Java.

Dinner at night market Gianyar

In the afternoon you are picked up and driven to Gianyar's night market, a very special and atmospheric market where you can find the most delicious Balinese dishes. It is a market that is much visited by the local population.

Notes: dinner at market

Day 13: Ubud

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Inata Bisma

Cooking class in East Bali

In the morning you will be picked up by car and driver. You will drive towards the village of Bakas, near Klungkung, where the cooking class will take place. Together with your guide you will visit a market to buy ingredients for the cooking class. Afterwards you are taken to a small village where you will be taught to cook some typical Balinese dishes and at the same time you can experience the local life of a Balinese in a typical compound. The lesson ends with a delicious lunch! Whilst enjoying some coffee, tea and snacks after the lunch you will learn how to prepare the Balinese offerings. The women of the house will finish your offerings for tomorrow which they will bring to their temple. In the afternoon you are driven back to Ubud.

Notes: Lunch at local home

Day 14: No Locations For This Day

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Transfer Ubud to Denpasar Airport

You will leave the temples and jungle-clad hiking routes of Ubud behind and travel back across Bali towards Denpasar airport. You will arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your onward connection. Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Day 1

Welcome to Indonesia!

Arrive at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) and take included transportation to your hotel located in Yogyakarta, Java’s cultural capital.

Walk amongst the 500 temples dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu god, at the Prambanan temple complex. Watch the sunset blaze over the temples before feasting on an included Indonesian dinner.

Enjoy a performance of Ramayana ballet, a representation of an ancient Indian poem in which Prince Rama attempts to rescue his wife, Sita, from the clutches of a demon king, aided by an army of monkeys.

Day 2

Culture of Yogyakarta

Visit Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and admire the intricately decorated stone carvings depicting the life of Buddha.

Learn about Javanese culture on a tour through the Palace of Yogyakarta, the seat of the reigning Sultan, and explore the impressive gardens at the Tamansari Water Castle.

In the evening, partake in a guided walking tour through the city and taste Yogyakarta’s iconic dish, Gudeg, a curry dish made from jackfruit.

Day 3

Train Ride to Malang

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a train ride through the beautiful Indonesian countryside. Sit back, relax, and take in the scenery.

Arrive to the former Dutch colonial town of Malang, located in the highlands of East Java. Walk the mansion lined streets, admire local street art, and step out of your comfort zone to taste authentic Indonesian street food.

Head out with your new group of friends for an included meal underneath the city lights.

Day 4

Waterfalls and a Rainbow Village

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and head to the jungle to experience the 275-foot Coban Rondo Waterfall. Take in the lush green scenery and splash around in the nearby tropical river.

Wander through the narrow streets of Jodipan village where each house is painted in bright colors resembling a rainbow.

Settle in for the evening at the base of Mount Bromo and get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s incredible adventure.

Day 5

Sunrise Volcano Hike

Ever wonder what the inside of an active volcano looks like? Today is your day!

Rise early to see the sunrise revealing the moon-like landscape of Mount Bromo as smoke emanates from the volcano. Trek across the “Sea of Sand” and climb the 246 steps for a view into the crater.

Drive through the beautiful foothills of the Gumitir Valley making your way to the remote town of Kalibaru--a little town surrounded by plantations.  Settle into your boutique cottages and relax in the cool mountain air.

Day 6

Plantations and on to Bali!

Tour local plantations and learn how rubber is processed, coffee is dried, and cacao is fermented. Taste local snacks like fried bananas and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

Take a ferry across the Java Strait to the west coast of Bali!  Travel to the charming coastal village of Pemuteran, one of Bali’s hidden gems.

Gather with your friends to enjoy the sunset and feasting on traditional Balinese cuisine. Nestle into your accommodations, which will be your home away from home for the next two nights.

Day 7

Snorkeling a coral reef

After breakfast, cruise the open waters on a private boat to the island of Menjangan.

Swim in the turquoise clear water, view tropical fish like angelfish and clownfish, and  explore the stunning underwater scenery of the well-preserved coral reefs of Bali Barat National Park.

Return to the mainland in the afternoon and enjoy a free evening to discover the local nightlife or join an optional Indonesian cooking class.

Day 8

Pemuteran to Ubud

Appreciate the charming Balinese countryside as you head to the artistic and cultural town of Ubud.

Make a pit stop to walk through clove and coffee plantations in the hilltop village of Munduk followed by a visit to some hidden waterfalls.

Visit the vast expanses of terraced, green rice paddies at Jatiluwih, one of Bali’s iconic destinations.  Arrive at Ubud in the evening and enjoy a free night to explore this artsy little town.

Day 9

Ubud Countryside Cycling

Explore Ubud’s network of backstreets, villages, and rice fields on a countryside bicycle tour.

After working up an appetite, choose from one of several health conscious cafes for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon to shop in the local markets and art galleries in the downtown area.

Gather together with your friends for your farewell dinner and enjoy a final night out in Ubud.

Day 10

Relaxation and departure

Reflect on your Indonesian experience over breakfast and make plans to keep in touch with your new community of travel friends.

Take the included transportation to Ngurah Rai International Airport for your flight back home or continue the journey on your own and explore more of Bali.