15 Days of Hidden Java

Day 1 : Yogyakarta Arrival

Pick up at Yogyakarta airport or train station. Today we will make a visit to the 9th century Prambanan Temple, and followed by Ratu Boko Temple after, which is best visit for its sunset. In the evening, you can opt to watch the Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple at your own cost. After done, we will proceed to hotel for check in.

Day 2 : Yogyakarta –  Magelang

After breakfast, we will go to downtown Yogyakarta. We will visit the Sultan and Water Palace. After that, we will continue to Malioboro Street and Beringharjo Market for a feel of the local. Along the way, we can see the making of Indonesian batik and traditional puppet. After done, we will head to Magelang Regency and check in to hotel nearby the Borobudur Temple complex.

Day 3 : Magelang – Semarang

Rise early for a sunrise trip to Punthuk Setumbu. After done, we will head to the Borobudur Temple itself – 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 head back to your hotel for check out, and proceed to Semarang. Upon arrival in Semarang, we will enjoy a cultural city tour featuring Lawang Sewu, a historic Dutch colonial building with a rich past, and Sam Poo Kong Temple, a centuries-old Chinese-Muslim temple that reflects the city’s diverse heritage. After done, proceed to your hotel for check in.

Day 4 : Semarang – Jepara

After breakfast and check out hotel, we will do some city tour and stroll through Semarang Old Town, a charming district lined with colonial-era buildings and cobbled streets. Visit the iconic Gereja Blenduk, one of the oldest churches in Central Java, known for its striking dome and historical significance. After done, we will continue our trip to the coastal town of Jepara, where tomorrow you will catch a ferry over to Karimunjawa. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 5 : Jepara – Karimunjawa

After breakfast and check in hotel, we will catch a ferry departing from Jepara to Karimunjawa. Upon arrival in Karimunjawa and after dropping off your luggage at the accommodation, we will do a short tour around the island by visiting the Mangrove Point, Annora Hill, and hunting for a nice sunset at Tanjung Gelam Beach.

Day 6 : Karimunjawa

Today we will do some island hopping with a small fisherman’s boat. We will visit Menjangan Kecil Island first, which famous for its coral reefs. Here you can opt for a snorkeling session or just do some sunbathing by the beach. Our second stop will be Geleyang Island, where we will have our island barbecue lunch. Our next stop will be Gosong Cemara Island for another snorkeling session, and continued by Cemara Kecil Island for enjoying its white sands beach. After done, back to mainland.

(Diving is available at an additional cost) 

Day 7 : Karimunjawa

After breakfast, we will have another island hopping day, visiting Gosong Kecil Island, where you can do some snorkeling, and then another barbecue lunch at Kecil Island. After lunch we will visit another two spots, which is Tengsh Island, where you can dip in the water, and Seloka Island for a sunset playtime by the beach.

(Diving is available at an additional cost) 

Day 8 : Karimunjawa – Semarang

Today we will hop on the ferry and head back to mainland Java where you will enjoy an overnight stop in Semarang before heading to East Java tomorrow.

Day 9 : Semarang – Surabaya

After breakfast, we will continue our trip towards Surabaya. Upon arrival, check in hotel and you can have a free time at the city center.

Day 10 : Surabaya – Mount Bromo

After breakfast and check out hotel, we will proceed to Mount Bromo area. Upon arrival, check in hotel and you can explore the surrounding village and farm.

Day 11 : Mount Bromo – Kalibaru

Morning call at 2.30AM. We will depart max. at 3AM with 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 (own expense) 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

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. 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, we will go back to the beach and waiting for the mama turtle to lay eggs. After that we will return to the guesthouse 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 with limited to none cell reception. Please do understand and make a mental note : it’s in the middle of nowhere.*

Day 14 : Sukamade – Licin (Banyuwangi)

After breakfast, we will depart for Licin area in Banyuwangi. This is the closest area where our hike to Ijen Crater will start. Upon arrival, check in hotel.

Day 15 : Ijen Crater – Ketapang Harbor

Morning call at 3AM. We will depart max. at 3.30AM to Paltuding area, where the hike to Ijen crater rim would starts. The distance is about 3 km one way, and will take time about 4 hours return. After done, we will go back to hotel for a clean up and check out, then proceed to Ketapang Harbor to catch your ferry ride to Bali. Drop off to any part of Bali is available at additional charge. End of tour.