The Ultimate Adventure in Java and Bali

Touch down in Yogyakarta, the cultural soul of Java. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your beautiful, eco-friendly hotel in the laid-back Prawirotaman district. Check in, relax, and ease into island time. Your adventure begins tomorrow.

Shake off your journey over breakfast at your base before heading out to explore Yogyakarta. Start your day at the Sultan’s Palace, a living museum of Javanese art, culture and tradition, before continuing on to the mystical Taman Sari Water Palace. Tuck into delicious Indonesian food at a local restaurant handpicked by your host, before the main event this afternoon, a hike up to the iconic Borobudur Temple. Access to the summit is limited to a set number of visitors each day, and your spot will be reserved in advance. While most enter via a car park further up, you’ll take the scenic route – a fantastic way to experience this magical site from a different perspective and get your heart rate up at the same time. As you ascend the ancient stone steps, you’ll pass intricately carved panels depicting stories of Buddhist teachings and scenes from Javanese life over a thousand years ago. At the upper terraces, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Kedu Plain and surrounding volcanic peaks, with the temple’s iconic stupas and serene Buddha statues by your side. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and stands alongside Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of Southeast Asia’s great archaeological wonders, quite simply a must-see while in Java. After soaking up this special place, hike back down and return to Yogyakarta for an evening stroll through a local market, sampling street food as you go.

Leave the buzz of the city behind and hop on a bike for a peaceful morning ride through Imogiri Village, a patchwork of rice terraces, water buffalo trails, and sleepy hamlets nestled beneath the dramatic Watu Gede hills. Pedal at a gentle pace through traditional Javanese villages, waving to curious locals and soaking up the slower rhythms of rural life. After lunch, lace up your boots for a hike up Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano – a weathered peak in the heart of Gunung Kidul. The trail winds through lush forest and volcanic rock formations, and in just over an hour, you'll be standing atop the caldera, soaking in panoramic views of the surrounding highlands. Round off the day at one of Java’s most awe-inspiring monuments: Prambanan Temple. With its towering spires, intricate stone carvings, and rich spiritual legacy, this 9th-century Hindu masterpiece is a spectacular finale to your time in and around Yogyakarta.

Settle in for a morning train journey to Mojokerto, watching the shifting landscapes of rural Java roll past your window as the adventure moves towards wilder terrain. From Mojokerto, hop off the train and continue your journey by road to the foot of the magnificent Mount Bromo, an active volcano that rises 2329 m above sea level, located within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Mount Bromo is a breathtaking sight, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It has erupted 47 times across the 19th and 20th centuries, and three times since the turn of the millennium. Check into your hotel and take some time to relax after the long journey. An early night is recommended, as tomorrow you’ll be starting your next adventure at the crack of dawn.

Rise early and hop into your private jeep around 04:00 for an unforgettable morning in the highlands. Your driver will steer clear of the crowds, heading to a lesser-known viewpoint for a peaceful, jaw-dropping panorama. As the first golden light spills across the horizon, Mount Batok’s perfect cone, Bromo’s smouldering crater, and Mount Semeru, Java’s tallest volcano, emerge from the mist to reveal one of the most spectacular views in all of Asia. After the sunrise spectacle, descend into the vast Tengger Caldera to begin an epic hike across this otherworldly landscape. The trail leads you to the crater rim of Mount Bromo, where the earth trembles softly underfoot and volcanic smoke rises from below. At the summit, your guide will lead a simple flower-offering ritual. A quiet tribute to the Tenggerese people and their deep spiritual connection to the mountain. Continue your trek across the 'Sea of Sand', a wide-open plain of volcanic ash framed by craggy ridgelines and wind-sculpted dunes. Hike on through soft sands, wild grasslands and lunar terrain as your guide shares stories of the region’s myths, ecology, and the powerful Yadnya Kasada ceremony, when offerings are cast into the crater in honour of the mountain gods. Your hike ends at Lava View Lodge, where a well-earned lunch and stunning views await. Then it’s back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and some downtime this afternoon and evening.

Bid Bromo farewell after breakfast as your journey continues eastwards. Today’s road trip takes you towards Java’s coast, with a spectacular hike to break up the drive. Your first stop is Madakaripura Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Java and the second highest in Indonesia, perched at around 1000 m above sea level. Its cool, lush atmosphere offers a refreshing contrast to the volcanic terrain you’ve just left behind. A beautiful hike leads you to this unique, circular-shaped waterfall framed by verdant plant life. Known as the 'eternal waterfall' – as Madakaripura never runs dry, it’s wise to pack a raincoat, as sudden downpours are common and only add to the mystical charm of the place. Afterwards, continue your journey to Ketapang, tucked away on the east coast of the island. Your hotel here is a gem, with open spaces and stunning views across the ocean towards Bali.

Step off the tourist trail and into the heart of rural East Java – a land of rolling plantations and generations-old traditions. After breakfast, you’ll meet a local guide from the area and head into the fertile highlands, a region renowned for producing some of Indonesia’s finest coffee, rubber and cloves. You’ll set off on a gentle 10km hike, winding through patchwork hillsides, jungle paths and quiet villages. If it’s harvest season, you might spot workers sorting beans by hand or drying cloves on woven mats laid out along the trails. Midway through, you’ll stop at a local home nestled in the plantation for a freshly prepared lunch, made with homegrown ingredients, using what’s in season and served family-style, often with a side of strong, sweet Javanese coffee. In the afternoon, you’ll meander back along the plantation trails, enjoying sweeping views across the Ijen Plateau. Return to your hotel in time to unwind by the pool, sip something cold, and watch the afternoon light fade over the Bali Strait.

Enjoy a relaxing start and a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before meeting your guide and setting off towards Paltuding, the starting point of today’s memorable hike. Kawah Ijen is a volcanic crater famed for its turquoise-blue lake and the extraordinary ‘blue fire’ phenomenon, caused by underground volcanic heat igniting sulphur on the surface. Although sunrise is a popular time to visit, it can get extremely busy. To help tackle overtourism at Kawah Ijen, you’ll be hiking later in the morning, avoiding the crowds and enjoying a far more peaceful experience. After a 4x4 ride to the trailhead, you’ll begin your ascent to the crater rim of Mount Ijen, following a winding volcanic path through a hauntingly beautiful landscape. At the summit, your efforts will be rewarded with jaw-dropping views over the electric blue crater lake, which is one of the most acidic bodies of water on Earth. It is framed by a dramatic backdrop of steaming vents and jagged volcanic rock. With far fewer people on the trail at this hour, you’ll have space to soak up the eerie quiet and capture some epic photos. The hike takes around four hours in total, and once you’ve descended, you’ll return to your hotel for some well-earned downtime – relax by the pool or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings at this gorgeous base. This is your final day on the island of Java, so make the most of it. Tomorrow, you’re hopping over to Bali.

Bid farewell to Java as you hop on a boat for the short crossing to Bali. You’re not done island-hopping yet - next, you’ll head north, taking a traditional wooden boat to reach Menjangan Island: a small pearl of land just off the coast, and one of Bali’s best-kept secrets. This coral-fringed marine sanctuary is a true paradise. As you approach, the island’s name starts to make sense - Menjangan means 'deer' in Indonesian, and you might just spot a few Bali stags wading in the shallows or grazing near the beach. Once on the island, your guides will kit you out for two snorkelling sessions along Menjangan’s vibrant coral reefs. The marine life here is incredible, with technicolour shoals of tropical fish and endless coral gardens teeming with life. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a sea turtle gliding past, or even a reef shark cruising through the clear blue waters. Between sessions, recharge with a picnic lunch on the boat or find a shaded spot on the island. Take a moment to breathe it all in: the sound of lapping waves, the scent of salt and sunscreen, and the total disconnect from the outside world. In the afternoon, you’ll continue on to Lovina, a laid-back beach town on Bali’s north coast, where the rest of the day is yours to unwind. Lounge by the pool, stroll along the beach at sunset, or treat yourself to a massage at your beachside hotel.

Journey deeper into Bali’s interior today, heading to the Munduk area for a half-day canyoning adventure in a pristine tropical setting. After a thorough safety briefing, your experienced guides will lead you to the starting point. From there, a scenic hike through lush jungle takes you to the canyon, where the real adventure begins. You’ll navigate through nature’s playground, abseiling down waterfalls, plunging into natural pools, floating along river passages and sliding down smooth rock chutes. The experience finishes with a well-earned soak in a natural hot spring, the perfect way to unwind after an exhilarating few hours. After lunch, continue your journey towards Ubud, Bali’s artsy and spiritual heart, nestled amongst rolling emerald foothills. Check into your 5 star jungle-edge retreat, one of the most iconic stays of the trip. Then, head out to explore Ubud a little before dinner.

Unwind and settle into the chilled rhythm of life in Ubud with a gentle morning yoga session at your base, led by an experienced teacher. Whether you’re new to yoga or a long-term practitioner, this class invites you to connect with your body, breath and surroundings. After yoga, you’ll have time to explore the vibrant heart of Ubud at your own pace. Wander the bustling streets lined with art galleries, boutique shops and traditional markets, or relax in a cosy café. Later in the afternoon, you’ll join a Balinese cooking class led by a skilled local chef. Dive into the fragrant world of Indonesian spices and traditional techniques as you prepare a variety of authentic dishes. The day ends with a shared farewell meal, enjoying the flavours you’ve created together and reminiscing about your incredible journey through Indonesia.

Enjoy some free time to explore the last of the Ubud area at your leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, your guide and driver will transfer you to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in time for departure. What an incredible trip!