Premium: The Ultimate Adventure in Java and Bali

Your host is an expert in all things Indonesia, specialising in itineraries across Java and Bali, and has been running trips in the region for many years. If weather or other factors affect the ability to visit a particular place or carry out a specific activity, your host will have plenty of alternative options available.

You'll have one main guide for the entirety of the trip. Throughout the adventure, specialist local guides will join for many of the activities and experiences, to give you expert local guiding and insight into the places you are journeying through:

• Snorkelling guides in Menjangan
• Canyonning guides in Munduk
• Local hiking guide at Kawah Ijen
• Local guide for the Madakaripura hike
• Local guide for the coffee & rubber plantation hike in East Java
• Yoga instructor in Ubud
• Local chef for the cooking class in Ubud

This trip starts and ends at different hotels in different parts of Indonesia, so it's not viable to leave luggage in Yogyakarta at the start of your trip. The vehicles used throughout the adventure, are available to leave additional luggage securely in the vehicle for the duration of your adventure through Java and Bali.

The train journey between Yogyakarta and Mojokerto has limited space for large luggage, so you’ll only be able to take a daypack on board. Your main luggage will be transferred separately by vehicle overnight and will meet you at the next destination. You’ll need to prepare your luggage the evening before departure, handing your main holdall to the driver. For the train journey, pack a small bag with your overnight essentials and anything you’ll need for the following day. You’ll be reunited with your main luggage on arrival at your hotel in Bromo

No. Guided tour groups do not take visitors down into the crater itself. Descending into the crater involves significant risks, including exposure to toxic sulphur gases, unstable terrain, and physically demanding conditions. Due to safety concerns, reputable tour operators do not include this as part of their guided experience. Some independent travellers and backpackers choose to descend into the crater at their own discretion. However, this is done entirely at their own risk and is not supported or supervised by tour providers. Conditions in the crater can be hazardous and unpredictable. Proper protective equipment (such as gas masks) and experience are essential. Even then, risks remain high. Your guide will show you an incredible experience at Kawai Ijen around the crater rim, with safety and sustainability at the forefront of their minds when guiding in this special place.

Filtered water is available at most of the hotels you stay at on this trip, allowing you to fill up your refillable bottle each day. Additionally, your tour leader and driver will carry a large container of purified water for the group to refill their bottles from.

You’ll be riding a hardtail mountain bike with front suspension - ideal for the tarmac and light dirt roads you’ll be cycling on. While the road quality in Java is relatively good compared to other parts of Indonesia, front suspension is still recommended over a rigid fork, as found on classic road bikes. Your host will provide helmets; however, if you prefer to use your own, please bring it with you.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Indonesian cuisine reflects the country's extraordinary diversity as an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, shaped by centuries of spice trade, Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic influences, and a tropical climate that yields rice, vegetables, coconut and an abundance of fresh produce year-round. Meals vary considerably by region but are typically bold and aromatic, centring on rice accompanied by grilled meats, fish, tempeh, tofu and rich spice-based sauces, with strong local traditions differing between islands such as Java, Bali and Sumatra. Vegetarians can generally find workable options given the widespread use of plant-based proteins like tempeh and tofu, though fish-based condiments and meat stocks are common and may not always be obvious. Travellers with specific dietary requirements should expect variable awareness outside tourist areas, and guides can be a vital resource in communicating needs clearly to local cooks and hosts.

SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Indonesia offers a wide variety of plant-based dishes using tofu, tempeh, vegetables, rice and noodles. Please note that some dishes may contain fish sauce, shrimp paste or meat stock, so advance notice is essential.

Vegan -Vegan diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive, as animal based ingredients such as eggs, shrimp paste, fish sauce and dairy are commonly used in local cooking and awareness of vegan requirements can vary outside tourist area.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. The Host is unable to guarantee a separate, certified cooking/preparation area or the use of certified kosher products. They can, however, provide meals that exclude non-Kosher ingredients (such as pork and shellfish) and avoid mixing meat and dairy.

Halal -Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, and Halal food is widely available in many parts of the country. However, availability may vary in Bali and some international tourism areas where non-Halal options are also common.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive. Wheat-based noodles, soy sauce, fried foods and cross-contamination are common in local kitchens, although rice-based meals are widely available.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as grilled meats, rice and vegetable dishes though eggs are common.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy and egg are commonly used in Indonesian cooking, often in sauces or as garnishes. Cross-contamination risk can be significant in local kitchens and street-food environments. Clear labelling cannot always be guaranteed.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Java and Bali have a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. Daytime temperatures typically range between 25°C and 30°C (77°F to 86°F), with slightly cooler conditions in the highlands, particularly during early mornings and evenings.

The dry season runs from May to September and is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, snorkelling, and exploring. During these months, rainfall is minimal and skies are generally clear.

The wet season lasts from October to April, bringing higher humidity and frequent rainfall, often in short, heavy bursts during the afternoon or evening. Despite the rain, temperatures remain warm, and showers are usually brief enough not to disrupt daily plans.