Indonesian Paradise

This is an Indonesian panorama, covering the islands of Java, Bali and Lombok. On our journey we pay homage to ancient Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites and explore these architectural splendours from bygone eras, such as Borobudur and Prambanan. We travel from the cultural splendours of Yogyakarta to ascend the slopes of Mount Bromo, where we spend sunrise at the rim of this still-active volcano. In Bali, we take a boat cruise and spot dolphins, whilst in Lombok we trek up Mount Rinjani and spend the night under the stars near the crater rim. Our odyssey finishes with a fabulous three days on the beaches of the Gili Islands, capturing the essence of paradise that is Indonesia.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Yogyakarta (Java) Your trip begins today in Yogyakarta (often shortened to 'Yogya'). In the evening there will be a short pre-departure briefing to finalise arrangements for our tour. Pronounced with a 'j', as in 'Jogjakarta', Yogyakarta is one of Indonesia's most popular cities and was an ancient Hindu capital until the arrival of Islam drove the Hindus to Bali. In the heart of the Old City lies the spectacular Sultan's Palace and many museums around town that display items from earlier empires. There are no shortage of places to eat out in Yogyakarta as there are a huge number of restaurants and also a lot of cultural shows, most featuring gamelan music with traditional dancing and sometimes displays of shadow puppets. Day 2 - Yogyakarta (Java) Today we take in a city tour with the option of catching a cycle rickshaw (becak) to explore the Sultan's Palace, markets and the batik and puppetry workshops of Yogya. The age-old traditions here extend beyond culture and into political life. Yogyakarta is unique in that it is the only province in Indonesia that is still governed by a pre-colonial monarchy as the Sultan of Yogyakarta also serves as the elected governor of the province. The current sultan is Hamengkubuwono X, who has ruled since 1989. In our free time we get to wander through the markets in Malioboro Street and check out the many cafes in town. Day 3 - Borobudur - Yogyakarta (Java) One of the greatest Buddhist monuments in South East Asia, Borobudur is a huge temple complex on top of a hill, some 40 kilometres from Yogyakarta. Built in the 9th century, 1500 decorative panels along the terraces show depictions of Buddhist teachings and 400 Buddha images sit in chambers. As Buddhism declined in Java, Borobudur was abandoned only to be rediscovered in 1814. At the Mendut Temple there is an imposing statue of Buddha which stands 3 metres high. After our day of exploring we return to Yogya for the night. Day 4 - Malang (Java) (Driving time: approx 8-10 hours) From Yogya we have the option of visiting the famous Prambanan complex, which encompasses 224 ruined Hindu temples that were mainly constructed 50 years after Borobudur. The main temples are quite impressive and can be seen quite clearly from the main road. We then drive to the Dutch colonial town of Malang. Set in beautifully lush countryside, Malang lies at altitude of just under 500 metres above sea level, giving it a slightly more pleasant climate than the lowlands. A large rural city with a bustling central market, there are also many parks and old colonial buildings that gives it an elegant feel. We stay in a pleasant guesthouse just outside the centre of Malang. Day 5 - Mount Bromo (Java) (Driving time: approx 4 hours) We continue on our way to Mount Bromo (Gunung Bromo) and prepare for our trek the next morning to the rim of this spectacular live volcano. Mount Bromo is situated roughly halfway between Yogyakarta and Bali and our drive there from Malang takes us around the perimeter of Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Mount Bromo is literally a crater within an enormous outer crater, with a rugged lava landscape epitomised by rock formations amidst a 'sea of sand'. The volcano still continually emits puffs of sulphurous steam. Arriving at the crater rim in time for sunrise is spectacular experience. Day 6 - Mount Bromo (Java) (Driving time: approx 2 hours in jeeps) Today is an early start as we take jeeps to a stunning viewpoint for the sunrise. From here we look across to Mount Bromo (2581m), the more conical Mount Batok (2392m) and, if the weather is clear, the majestic peak of the majestic Mount Semeru (3676m) - the highest peak in Java. Our jeeps then cross the 'sea of sand' and we climb 246 steps to the cone of Mount Bromo. Please bring along with you a handkerchief or a scarf to cover your nose, as the odour coming out of the volcano can be quite pungent, especially if the wind is blowing the wrong way! After our early morning start we return to our hotel and have the rest of the day to relax or enjoy walks around this beautiful area. Day 7 - Kalibaru (Java) (Driving time: approx 4 hours) Today we drive to the hills of Kalibaru, where we stay the night in beautifully-situated bungalows near coffee, cocoa and rubber plantations. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided walking tour of the nearby plantations and local nature reserves. Day 8 - Seminyak Beach (Bali) (Driving time: approx 5½ hours; ferry journey: approx 40 minutes) We drive along the north coast of East Java for 1½ hours to Banyuwangi. At the port we may see children diving for coins from high poles - a local sport. A short boat trip takes us across to Gilimanuk, in the paradise island of Bali. From here we drive for three to four hours to our hotel in Seminyak Beach, which is an extension of the Kuta-Legian area. Day 9 - Ubud (Bali) (Driving time: approx 1½ hours) Today we drive to Ubud - the cultural centre of Balinese life. There will be time to explore the nearby Monkey Forest, temples, paddy fields and the famous art and craft market in the centre of town, as well as a chance to see some traditional Balinese dancing. Ubud has been described as Bali’s cultural heartland. It houses a great proliferation of temples, museums and art galleries and its artistic heritage stems from when the small kingdom became a Dutch protectorate in 1900. In the 1930s, western artists and intellectuals were invited here, providing an enormous stimulus to local art. That tradition is now as strong as ever. Surrounded by lush jungle, rice fields and temples, it would be difficult not to be inspired. Works from Ubud’s artists have been displayed the world over, making this place a showcase of Balinese culture. Day 10 - Lovina (Bali) (Driving time: approx 4 hours) Drive towards Bali’s northern coast via the temples of Taman Ayun and Tanah Lot, as well as the market at Bedugul. On the way there we drive over the highlands that divide the north coast from the south. En route we visit Gitgit Waterfalss, with a possibility of a cool swim. It has been said that it is in these hills that the heart of Bali truly beats. Day 11 - Lovina (Bali) A wonderful day with lots of options. We can head to Menjangan (Deer) Island and spend the day swimming, snorkelling or diving. Alternatively you can get up early for a dolphin cruise. North Bali’s black volcanic sand beaches stretch uninterrupted in either direction as far as the eye can see. Central to it all is Lovina. This laid-back town is pure escape from the normal Bali beach experience – there is crystal clear water and long deserted stretches of sand with only the occasional fisherman preparing his 'prahu' outrigger canoe for the night’s fishing beyond the reef. This is certainly a far cry from some of the more developed parts of the island. At night our senses are treated to a mixture of lamplights, fresh seafood sizzling away on beach barbeques and ocean views at dusk. One of the highlights of any stay in Lovina is the pre-dawn dolphin cruise (optional). Boats gather beyond the reef before dawn to witness the sunrise over Bali’s majestic volcanoes. Suddenly a dolphin will leap from the waves followed by more, our boat cruising along to catch all the action. The dolphins surround our boat as if in some big game. They leap into the air and seem to be showing off rather than fishing for shrimp. They perform back flips, spins and belly flops, then as quickly as they arrive they cease their game and disappear beneath the waves. Our boat then waits for the next sighting. Bali’s north coast also offers great diving and snorkelling with Menjangan and Tulamben being the most popular sites. The shoreline that surrounds this island is encircled by some of the most spectacular and breathtaking coral reefs in Indonesia. We will discover the best snorkelling and diving opportunities here with grottoes, crevices and a shipwreck to amuse even the most amateur of enthusiasts. Day 12 - Kintamani (Bali) (Driving time: approx 2 hours) We leave the coast and ascend the incredibly scenic slopes of Mount (Gunung) Batur. We stop at several viewpoints to take in views of the crater and its lake, before continuing to our guesthouse in the Kintamani area. Kintamani is a highland town at an altitude of 1500 metres with predominantly wood and bamboo houses. The dark volcanic soil is very fertile and a wide range of fruit and vegetables are grown here, with a market held every few days which attracts people from all the surrounding villages. There are many temples in the area and Kintamani is situated near Lake Batur. The town is not far from Mount Agung - Bali's holiest peak. Day 13 - Padang Bai (Bali) (Driving time: approx 1½ hours) Optional sunrise walk up Mount Batur. After breakfast we head for the lovely fishing village of Padang Bai, which is surrounded by beautiful beaches. En route we visit the temple at Besakih and the palace and museum at Klungkung. Day 14 - Senaru (Lombok) (Ferry crossing: approx 4-5 hours; driving time: approx 3 hours) Today we cross by ferry to Lombok and drive to Senaru - our stop for the night. In Bali, the people are predominantly Hindu and the island has undulating and fertile scenery. Lombok on the other hand is wild and volcanic; the people are predominantly Muslims and the scenery is dramatic and in some places barren. The central focal point of the island is Mount Rinjani - a volcano that was thought to be extinct until it suddenly erupted in 1994. Day 15 - Senaru (Lombok) Today is a free day to enjoy the lovely surrounds. We can undertake optional village walks and also visit the stunning nearby waterfalls and rice terraces. In the evening we gather together for a briefing on our pending trek up Mount (Gunung) Rinjani. Day 16 - Mount Rinjani Trek (Lombok) Today we embark on an early start for our amazing trek up the slopes of Rinjani. A full day's walk will take us to the rim of this volcanic mountain, where we spend the night camping under canvas or under the stars. This is a definite highlight of our trip and is sure to be one of the most spectacular treks you will ever make is here. This massive volcanic cone is more than six kilometres across. In the base of the cone is the 'Child of the Sea' Lake and nestled in its crescent shape is the 'New Mountain' - only 200 years old, a recent addition to the region’s volcanoes. Trekking to the rim is an exciting adventure that culminates with a spectacular sunrise. We hike through mountain forest that echoes to the call of monkeys, then emerge on to the moonscape slopes of the ancient volcanic cone. The trek included in this trip is graded 'Moderate' to 'Strenuous' and consists of a combination of moderate and demanding hiking of up to six hours per day. For the most part, we walk along established tracks used by local people and the trek is lead throughout by a qualified guide and our tour leader. Although everyone can walk at his or her own pace, there are some steep ascents and descents, which can be tough on your legs. Therefore you require a good level of fitness and we recommend that you do some physical preparation before your trip. The more physically fit you are, the more easily your body will adapt to hiking up the mountain. We also recommend that you bring hiking boots with ankle support as footing can be treacherous. Please note that this trek must not be used as a way of getting fit – you must be fit before starting this trip. The trek will not take us to high altitudes (the starting altitude is 600 metres and we camp at 2600 metres on the volcano rim - problems with altitude sickness are normally only experienced when reaching altitudes above 3000 metres, when the air becomes thinner). You only require a small amount of luggage during the trek and you can leave the vast majority of your belongings in storage at our hotel in Senaru, leaving you with only a small daypack to carry. All other equipment will be carried by porters and our accommodation will be in tents provided or under a blanket of stars. Basic bedding will be provided, but we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag. As we are trekking through one of Indonesia’s most remote regions, please be prepared for very basic washing facilities. Our tour leader will carry a comprehensive first-aid kit throughout the duration of the trek. However this kit does not include any kind of oral medications (you should bring personal medical supplies, including rehydration salts, a blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirins, sunscreen, necessary medicines, etc). (Note: your tour leader can arrange accommodation and transport for those who do not want to participate in the trek). Day 17 - Mount Rinjani Trek - Senggigi (Lombok) We reach the rim at sunrise and enjoy the weightless feeling of being above the clouds and the incredible view looking down into the crater. We also take in the spectacular views of Rinjani’s peak, Segara Anak (the crater lake) and the new volcano. After sunrise we take the track back down to our waiting transport to whisk us away back to the coast. This trek is hard work, but the views make it absolutely worthwhile. We descend back to Senaru and continue to Senggigi - our last night on Lombok’s mainland. Day 18-20 - Gili Islands (Boat journey: approx 1½ hours) We ride in 'cidomos' (horse-drawn carts) to the beach to our waiting boat which takes us to the marvellous Gili Islands. The word 'Gili' means 'island', so the term 'Gili Islands' is actually an anomaly. There are actually three islands perched off the west coast of Lombok. They are home to the best snorkelling in Lombok. Those who come to the Gili Islands come for the simple pleasures of sun, snorkelling and socialising. There are no cars on the islands and life moves at a very slow and peaceful pace. Best of all, there are no cars or motorbikes on the island - all of which contributes to the peacefulness and tranquility. Remoteness comes with a basic level of infrastructure and travellers here must be prepared for minor inconveniences, such as irregular electricity supply and salt-water showers! This is also without doubt one of the best diving venues worldwide. We have time here to further pursue advanced diving certificates. Those with no accreditation at all can try an exploratory one-day dive. Avid diver may even like to extend their trip by enrolling in a full PADI course. All in all we have nearly three days to relax and enjoy all the activities available on these isolated and very beautiful islands. Day 21 - Seminyak Beach (Bali) (Ferry crossing and driving time: approx 7 hours in total) We transfer back to Bali and Seminyak Beach, where the afternoon is free to enjoy any last-minute shopping or relaxing. In the evening we have go for an optional last night out together to celebrate our amazing adventure. Day 22 - Seminyak Beach (Bali) Our tour ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation in Seminyak Beach is available on request.