15D Hidden Java

This 15 days Java overland tour will take you to travel the less touristy path of Java. See pristine beaches in Karimunjawa Archipelago where you can go snorkeling everyday, visit small towns that plays important history in Indonesia, and embark on an adventure through the jungle to get to Sukamade Beach, where you will wait for the turtle to spawn their eggs at night.

Route :  Yogyakarta –  Magelang – Jepara – Karimunjawa Archipelago – Kudus – Surabaya – Mt. Bromo – Kalibaru – Sukamade Beach – Ijen Crater

Highlights : Ratu Boko Temple, island hopping in Karimunjawa, Sukamade turtle beach, Ijen Crater

 

Day 1     Yogyakarta

Pick up at Yogyakarta airport or at your hotel. Today we will visit to the temple district of Prambanan, including Ratu Boko Temple, which is best visit for its sunset. After done, we will proceed to hotel for check in.

Day 2     Yogyakarta – Magelang

After breakfast, we will go to the downtown. We will visit the Sultan and Water Palace. After that, we will continue to Maliboro Street. Along the way, we can see the making of Indonesian Batik and traditional puppet. After done, we will heading to Magelang Regency and check in hotel inside the Borobudur complex.

Day 3     Magelang – Yogyakarta

Rise early for a sunrise trip to Borobudur – sure to be a highlight of your time away. Settle down on the ancient relic and soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable site, built in the 8th century and only rediscovered in 1814. After done enjoying Borobudur, we will heading back to Yogyakarta. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 4     Yogyakarta – Jepara

After breakfast, we will leave Yogyakarta and heading to the coastal town of Jepara, where tomorrow you will catch a ferry over to Kura Kura Resort (or Karimunjawa). Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 5     Jepara – Pulau Menyawakan or Karimunjawa Archipelago

After breakfast and check in hotel, we will catch a ferry departing from Jepara to Karimunjawa. If you heading to Kura – Kura Resort, we will continue the trip using a speedboat. Upon arrival, you can enjoy the white sands beach right on your porch.

Day 6     Pulau Menyawakan or Karimunjawa Archipelago

After breakfast, we will have an island hopping experience. First we will go for Menjangan Besar Island, where we can swim with the sharks. After that we will visit Menjangan Kecil Island for snorkeling and see the beautiful coral reefs, and then lunch at Cemara Kecil Island. Then another boat trip to Gosong Cemara Island for snorkeling. Today’s trip will be ended with a sunset over Tanjung Gelam Bay.Then we will go back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7     Pulau Menyawakan or Karimunjawa Archipelago

Today we have less islands to visit. First we will depart for Gosong Tengah Island, an abrasion victim, so the only thing left of it is the beautiful white sands. And for last snorkeling spot, we have Batu Island. After done, we will go back to the hotel, and you have your own free time.

Day 8     Pulau Menyawakan or Karimunjawa Archipelago – Kudus

Today you’ll head back to Java where you will enjoy an overnight stop in Kudus before heading to East Java tomorrow.

Day 9     Kudus – Surabaya

After breakfast, we will visit a “jenang” factory in Kudus to see the making of it. Jenang is a signature snack of Kudus made from sticky rice and tastes as sweet as sugar. After done, we will continue our trip to Surabaya, which require 5 to 7 hours drive, depends on traffic status. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 10   Surabaya – Bromo

After breakfast, we will visit the biggest souvenir shop in town, Mirota Batik. After done shopping, we will go to the House of Sampoerna, where you can see the traditional handmade kretek cigarettes. After lunch, we will leave for Bromo. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 11   Bromo – Kalibaru

Morning call at 3.45AM. We will depart max. at 4.15AM using a 4WD jeep to the sunrise view point. Done enjoying the warmth of the sunrise, we will go down and to the Bromo crater through the sea of sands. Here you have 2 choices : walk up the 3 km distance between the parking lot to the crater rim, or do a horseback ride. Both, you still have to hike 250 steps of stairs to reach the rim. After this adventurous trip, your breakfast will be served at the hotel. After check out from Bromo, we will continue to Kalibaru district in Banyuwangi area. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 12   Kalibaru Tour

After breakfast, we will do a plantation tour, where you can see the processing of raw rubber, coffee, and cocoa bean until they’re ready to distribute. Then we will see the traditional making of cooking utensils. The trip today will end by riding a “dokar” or traditional Javanese horse cart back to the hotel.

Day 13   Kalibaru – Sukamade

Around 8AM after breakfast, we’ll continue the expedition to Sukamade turtle beach. The first stop for the lunch stop is Rajegwesi Beach, a beach with the typical charm of the Indian Ocean: dark fine sands and large waves. You will be invited along the shore and proceed along the 1 km walk. After about a 5 hours drive, we will arrive at Sukamade. We will check in at a simple guest house which is just 700 meters from the beach. And if you’re interested, at about 4PM you will be given the opportunity to release the baby turtles (locals : tukik) on the beach and enjoying the beautiful sunset. After dinner, at about 8PM we will go back to the beach and waiting for the mama turtle to lay eggs. After that we will return to the guest house to take a rest.

*PS : Turtle sightings are not guaranteed in this trip.. All would go back to nature.. And a sprinkle of your luck.. And all accommodation in Sukamade is very basic.. Please do understand and make a note : it’s in the middle of nowhere.. :)*

Day 14   Sukamade – Sempol

After breakfast, we will depart for Sempol area in Bondowoso. This is the second closest area to Ijen Crater. Upon arrival, we will check in hotel in the area of coffee plantation.

Day 15   Sempol – Ijen Crater – Kuta

Morning call at 3.30AM. We will depart max. at 4AM to Paltuding area, where the hike to Ijen crater rim would starts. The distance is about 3 km one way, and would take time about 4 hours return. After done, we will go back to hotel for check out and proceed to Ketapang Harbor to catch the ferry to Bali. In Bali, we will heading for Kuta area. Upon arrival, check in hotel. End of tour.

*PPS : Ijen blue flame and sunrise sighting is available with additional cost.