Java Highlight Tour


Highlight tour to java including Borobudur and Prambanan

Day 1: Our crew will be ready to pick up You at the hotel, bus/train station or airport around Jogjakarta then drive 3hours to reach Wonosobo regent some part of the way you will pass small plantation and rice field that belong to the villager, check in to the Hotel and overnight.

Day 2: Early morning drive for 1,5hours to chase sunrise at Sikunir hill which need hike 800m in 30mnts. At this spot You will enjoy a beautiful hidden sunrise because for a while still not so many foreign tourist visit this place exceptionally on weekend there will crowd with local tourist. Finish the sunrise continuing to explore Dieng plateau by visit Sikidang crater where You can find one huge field with sulphur gas blowing from earth stomach and it's not only in one crater but several crater and then visit Telaga warna (color lake) the color appear because the effect of sulphur in the bottom of the lake and end by visit Arjuna temple, this temple was built on 809 and divided to 5 main temples inside the area. Arjuna temple, Semar temple, Srikandi temple, Puntadewa temple and Sembrada temple for Hindu people each temple has their own mean and function. Drive back to hotel for wash and continuing to Borobudur area to visit the temple, Borobudur is most famous Buddhist temple in Indonesia. This temple was built on 8th century by Buddha Mahayana adherents along Wangsa Syailendra period. Predicted the temple was built start at 824 by the King Samaratungga and finish around 900 which the kingdom already lead by queen Pramudawardhani (Samaratungga's daughter). And the person who really has influence the architecture is Gunadharma.

Borobudur name is took from Sansekerta language it's means Temple on hills and from the beginning they built the temple it's become a sacred temple for Buddhist adherents. For unknown reason Borobudur didn't used for centuries and affected by the eruption of Merapi volcano Borobudur was covered by volcanic ash, trees and bushes. Especially when Islam influence Indonesia around 15th century. On 1814 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles ( one of England influence person on that period) he order H.C. Cornelius (Dutch engineer) to explore a big discover on hills helped by 200 people they clean the hills from trees and bushes finally on 1835 they finish to explore all part of Borobudur.

Borobudur temple is located in Magelang Middle Java it's about 40km from Jogjakarta. There are about 10 level in Borobudur temple with some stupa on every level totally 72 stupas in it except the main stupa and you can found Buddha sculpture for every single stupa. 10 level expressing of Buddhist philosophy which they need to pass 10 different level process of life to get the perfection of Nirvana, rocks-sands-vegetations-insect-beast-pet-reincarnation-human-soul and finally nirvana. Borobudur massive temple built by giant stones totally about 55.00 cubic meter stones with height 42m and there are about 2670 different reliefs on the wall. Finish visit the temple then check in to nearby hotel and overnight.

Day 3: early morning drive to chase sunrise at Situmbu hill by walk 300mtrs from the parking lot. Finish sunrise back to Hotel for wash and breakfast then drive to Kaliadem village in 1h to start explore Merapi volcano neighborhood to see how big the effect of eruption on 2010. Continuing drive to Jogjakarta to visit Sultan palace and Water castle . The elegant Sultan Palace (Keraton) located in the centre of Jogjakarta, built on 1775 by Prince Mangkubumi or most famous called Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. it's built right between Winongo river and Code river, a dried swamp land. The front yard Sultan Palace called northern square and the back yard called southern square. The design of this building shows how is Sultan Palace , Tugu (Jogjakarta landmark) and Merapi volcano lay in a zline and people believe it as a sacred thing, in past the Sri Sultan used to medicated in one part of the line before he lead some meeting or give an order to his men. Sultan palace itself reflecting symbol and meaning of Religion, Philosophy and Culture. The huge of Sultan Palace is 14.000 m square and all designed by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. And Water Castle (Tamansari) still related with the main building Sultan palace it's located 500m at the southern of the Palace, the architect of this castle is a Portuguese it's mixed of European and Javanese style. The castle divided it in 3 different main parts, First is Sacred part were a building looks different in a corner in past Sultan and family used this part for meditation. Second is swimming pool where Sultan and family spend the time for relaxation. Third is Kenanga part with tunnel inside it which connecting Water castle and Sultan palace.

Day 4: after breakfast start the day by driving to reach Sukuh area in 4h on the way will stop to visit Prambanan temple, this beautiful temple was built on 9th century by 2 different Kings (Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung) with the height 47m means taller 5m than Borobudur temple. Located 17km at the eastern of Jogjakarta this temple reflecting the glory of Hindu period in the past. In main yard Prambanan has 3 temples facing to the east, Vishnu temple, Brahma temple and Shiva temple and each temples has accompany temple facing to the west. Garuda for Vishnu, Angsa for Brahma and Nandini for Shiva there about 234 other temples surrounding main temples. Reliefs in Prambanan lade about Ramayana story and another interesting reliefs is Kalpataru tree which symbolic of life tree for Hindus adherent. Nowadays Indonesia Kalpataru symbol used for one of foundation which really concern with environment. Then continuing for another hours to Sukuh Area check in to the cottage and overnight.

Day 5: after breakfast ready to visit Sukuh temple. Sukuh temple was built on 1437, it's a Hindu temple and founded on1815 by Great Britain government when they was in Java. For some people this temple is unusual because has different kind of building with another Hindu temple, the temple divide into 3 different terrace, first terrace as the main gate then the second terrace is for the welcome gate where we can found the Dwarapala statue as the gate keeper just the same like other Hindu temple. The third terrace there is small yard with the main temple where you can found the relieds on the left side and some statue on the right side of the temple. Inside the main temple there is some steps with small tunnel in it, mainly the temple designed almost looks like vagina and in the past the people use the temple to test the girl do they still virgin or not. They test by passing the tunnel, when they still virgin they will bleeding from the V and if they are not Virgin it's symbolic by ripped with their cloth. Finish visit Sukuh temple then drive 30mnts to Tawangmangu waterfall. This waterfall also known as Grojogajan Sewu for local people and it can be reach easily from the parking lot, from the entrance You just need to walk 500m downing the hill which they already built the trek nicely, along the way you will shadowed by Paint tree or Mahogany tree at the end of the trek there is flowing the waterfall with the height 81m. on the way to the parking is the most difficult part for some people because you must hike up the hill following the same way when You down. When its finish continuing drive 4h to get Kediri area, check in to the Hotel and overnight.

Day 6: Check out from hotel and drive 3h to reach Blitar regent on the way will stop to visit Mount Kelud, this volcano is really unique if we compare with other volcano in Indonesia. It was transform several times by the eruption, noted before 2007 there was a lake inside the crater but it was disappear because the eruption on November 2007 the activity of the volcano creating a huge lava dome with height about 100m it's happen because the power of the eruption is not big enough so the lava just stuck on the surface of the lake but the eruption on February 2014 create a new caldera which filled with volcanic sand and the lava dome was gone. Finish visit Mount Kelud then drive to the hotel in 1h to check in and late afternoon end the day by visit Penataran temple, this temple is the hugest one in East Java was built 1194 and used till 1415 at the glory of Majapahit kingdom in East Java but after 15th century the temple was ignored by people because the influence of Islam then founded again around 1815 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and this guy was the same person who explored several famous temple in Java like Borobudur, Prambanan temple, Sukuh temple and many else . This temple built for some reason they built it for mountain temple and it's really related with Mount Kelud mainly the built it to prevent the danger of volcano eruption. Continuing by private diner inside the Penataran temple, it will become one of unforgettable moment for You. Finish the diner then back to the hotel and overnight.

Day 7: Direct driving from Blitar to Bromo area (Cemoro lawang village)for 6h this village is most famous entrance for visitor and on the way we invite You to stop visit bird market in Malang city. Inside the market You will find various kind of birds even we are not sure this activity legal or illegal, the local people also offer several animal for pet like reptiles, apes etc.

Day 8: 03.30 ready to chase sunrise drive by 4wd to reach Mount Penanjakan (2770m) to wait the sun rising. After enjoy the magnificent sunrise continuing by drive to cross sand sea to reach the parking lot in the middle of caldera (diameter approximately 10 km), The caldera has seen been filled with grey sands, and it's called Lautan Pasir or Sand Sea. Tourists walk through this expanse on their way to Mount Bromo. Standing at a height of 2329m Mount Bromo is not the tallest volcano in Java. The tallest one is Semeru (3676m), located on the south of Mount Bromo and within sight. Also called Mahameru, meaning "great mountain", Mount Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia constantly belching steam from the peak. On the right corner of the sight there is another inactive volcano called Batok (2440m) where possible to see some vegetations growing on it like fern, acinium (kind of bush that only grow in high altitude) and family of Casuarina (paint tree). Be sure to bring long warm cloth, and the temperature can drop to between zero and five degrees Celsius in the morning when You start to enjoy the sunrise and it will getting warm when the sun rising while You exploring the Caldera and Bromo volcano itself. 08.00 back to the Hotel for wash and breakfast then preparation for transfer to Kalibaru area in 7h.

Day 9: After breakfast at the Hotel day begin by drive in 4WD vehicle to reach Sukamade in 5hours. On the last part of driving you will pass one of hidden Jungle part of Meru Betiri National Park and cross 3rivers to reach Your homestay, it will become one of unforgettable adventure for You. After check in to homestay continuing the day by Release turtle's baby to Sukamade beach by walk 700mtrs from the parking lot which part of Hindian ocean, Back to homestay to wash and Diner. At 7pm walk back to the beach to chasing Turtle when they laying the egg if You lucky you will found giant turtle and 100eggs with them, when you done then back to Your homestay and overnight.

Day 10: Simple breakfast at the homestay then start drive for transfer to Ijen area in 5H, on the way you can stop to see the process of rubber production and see cacao plantation, check in to the hotel and overnight.

Day 11: Regularly morning departure drive by 4WD vehicle in 1.5h to reach Paltuding parking lot (1850m). Ijen crater located 45km from Banyuwangi regent which is most popular entrance for visitors. Last minutes drive you will pass one of the best virgin rainforest in Java with original vegetation when lucky You can found black Javanese monkeys hanging on the tree and most special when You see the Puma crossing the road even it's rare and impressive giant fern along the way. At the parking lot where You start to hike for 3.3km the temperature quite freshly average 14-20 degrees Celsius. the trek itself divide in 3 different parts, at the beginning you will found an easy part for 900mtrs continuing by most difficult part 1.4km and end by part looks like almost flat for 1km best way to hike just take your own rhythm or just slowly but sure usually needed 1,5h to reach the peak of Ijen volcano (2386m). All will be worth when you arrive at the point of view from here You will enjoy a magnificent scenery, Ijen crater fill with blue green massive acid lake which contain about 32-33 million cubic meter water in it and it's become the hugest acid lake in the world. On the left corner of the lake with the deep about 325m from point of view there is a yellow slope area called Sulfatara where miners produce bright yellow stone called Sulphur. At the same time you will see the miners up and down the hill transporting the Sulphur with 60-100kg weight on their shoulder just next to the parking where You start to hike. It's one of the toughest profession in the world. When you finish enjoy the scenery just walk down to the parking lot passing the same way when You hike in 1H then drive back to drop off You On the way to Banyuwangi there is a huge plantation produce several kind of tropical product most famous with Clove and Robusta Coffee when You visit between April till September that will the perfect timing because so many activities to see from local people when they harvest the plantation

Day 12: After breakfast ready for Your transfer out to Bali, drive by car to reach Ketapang harbor then crossing Bali strait by ferry for 1hour and another drive by car to get your hotel in Bali.

12 Days Java Highlight Tour by JavaExplorers

Java Highlight with Private dinner 12D11N

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