Java Overland Tours 21 Days/20 Nights

Java Overland Tours 21 Days/20 Nights Day 1 : Arrival in Jakarta and transfer to Bogor Meeting service at the airport and transfer to Bogor in around 1,5 - 2 hours. Bogor is a friendly though busy city and somewhat cooler than its big neighbor Jakarta. It’s green heart is formed by the Botanical Gardens or Kebun Raya. Opened in 1817 the gardens were used to experiment with all sorts of cash crops, nowadays it is a cool and healthy gateway for visitors both foreign and domestic. The gardens contain streams and lotus ponds and more than 15,000 species of trees and plants are found here. Footpaths and small roads make it easy to explore the gardens and there is more than enough to see to wander around for hours. Day 2 : Bogor, free program Today you will have all the time to relax from your flight and visit the Botanical Gardens. Day 3 : Transfer from Bogor to Bandung You will travel to Bandung via the well-known Puncak Pass, the location of one of the first colonial tea plantations. A mountainous road takes you via far stretched tea plantations (now under management of the government), rice fields and villages. Views are great and there will be plenty of time to stop for making pictures or even walk through the tea trees. Traffic however can be quite severe (especially in the weekends) because the area of Puncak Pass is also a very popular spot for domestic tourists. Near Padalarang you will stop and visit a traditional chalk factory, where chalk from surrounding mountains is processed. In the early afternoon you will reach Bandung. The rest of the day is free for you to spend. Bandung , with at least 2 million inhabitants, was known as the ‘Paris of Java’, were the latest fashion could be bought in elegant shops. It was the place to be seen as a colonial planter. Most of that atmosphere has gone, however Bandung retains the gravitas of a dynamic, major city. Today, grandiose Art Deco building and other historical important houses, market stalls, becaks and multiplexes jostle for space in a city where past, present and future effortlessly coexist. Day 4 : Transfer from Bandung to Cipanas In the morning you will make a city tour through Bandung and visit the traditional coffee factory Kopi Aroma and some Art Deco buildings. In the late morning you will be heading southwards in the direction of Cipanas. On the way you will make a stop at the temple of Cangkuang at the village of Leles. This small Hindu temple is the only one found in West-Java. It is located on a small hill surrounded by a lake covered with pink lotus flowers. You will reach the temple by horse cart and bamboo raft. Afterwards your local guide will take you on an easy and wonderful one-hour stroll through rice fields and small villages. After Leles you will reach your comfortable hotel in Cipanas within an hour. The village of Cipanas is nestled on the hills of the Guntur mountain, the village is known for its hot springs, cool climate and beautiful rice terraces. Your hotel will have a swimming pool filled with hot natural water Day 5 : Transfer from Cipanas to Pangandaran,visit of Papandayan volcano and Kampung Naga An one-hour drive will take you to the Papandayan-volcano. From the parking area it is an easy half-hour walk to the crater, which is riddled with bubbling mud pools, steam vents and crumbling sulphur. After walking near the crater you will return to the car and head downwards. Traveling through amazing rice terraces your next stop will be at Kampung Naga, a very traditional Sundanese village nestled between mountains and rice fields. It is home to more than 100 families who preserve the old ways of life despite the crowds of tourists that pass through here. The architecture is typical Sundanese with houses made from split bamboo and its roofs are thatched with ijuk, fibers of the sugar palm. A long stair leads to the village. After a visit of Kampung Naga you will continue your way to Pangandaran where you will arrive late in the afternoon. Pangandaran is an idyllic place more like an overgrown fishing village situated on a narrow isthmus near the border with Central Java. It has a beautiful western beach and a national reserve filled with monkeys, wild cattle and other animals just on walking distance. The colorful fishing boats can be found on the beach. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. Day 6 : Pangandaran, free program Explore Pangandaran: watch fishermen return from sea with their fresh catch; walk through the national reserve and spot all sorts of animals or take a boat to the so-called Green Canyon: a spectacular canyon, great for adventurous swimming. Pangandaran is also a good place to see the making of the wayang golek puppets, the well known Sundanese three-dimensional puppets. Day 7 : From Pangandaran to Wonosobo by car and by boat Morning departure from Pangandaran and drive to the harbor of Kalipucang. Here you will board a small wooden boat that will take you in 4 hours to the industrial town of Cilacap through mangrove forest and along the coast of Nusa Kembangan island (partly a national reserve and known for its high security prison). Around noon you will arrive in Cilacap and continue by car to Wonosobo, a scenic trip of around 3 hours. Day 8 : Visit of Dieng-plateau and transfer to the Borobudur. Early morning rise for your trip to Dieng-plateau. It will take you around 1 hour to reach this plateau situated at an altitude of more than 2000 meter. On the way the views are breathtaking, allowing you to enjoy vast views of agriculture fields and volcanoes. At this mystical plateau the oldest Hindu temples in Java were discovered. The name ‘Dieng’ comes from Di-Hyang (Abode of the Gods), and it is thought that this was once the site of a flourishing temple-city of priests. Several of the once hundreds of temples have been restored. You will visit these as well as a blue-green colored sulphur lake. Last stop will be at some impressive fumaroles and craters before you will drive to the highest located Central-Javanese village called Sumbing. Here you will start with a 1,5 hour walk downwards through agriculture terraced fields and small villages, almost everywhere enjoying vast views. Afterwards you will return to Wonosobo and continue in eastern direction. After several hours you will reach the famous temple Candi Borobudur. In stead of just visiting the temple you will overnight in a nice middle class hotel on 50 meters distance of the temple, allowing you to visit the temple as long and as often as you would like. Day 9 : Sunrise at the Borobudur and transfer to Yogyakarta As you overnight at the temple it will be possible to visit the Borobudur at sunrise. The sun will come up from behind the Merapi or between the Merapi and Merbabu volcano (depending on season): a magical sight. After return to your hotel and breakfast you will depart and drive in around one hour to Yogyakarta, on the way you can stop at another well preserved temple, Candi Mendut. Arrival in Yogyakarta around noon. Rest of the day is free for you to spend. Day 10 & Day 11 : Yogyakarta, free program Yoygakarta is one of Indonesia most enjoyable cities. It has a lot to offer, like the sultans palace, the batik- and silver factories; musea etc. Its atmosphere is wonderful, mystical and traditional. A great way to discover this town is to take a becak or to use an andhong (horse cart). In the evening you can enjoy a performance of the Ramayana ballet; a spectacular show. Even bicycle tours through rural villages can be organized and a trip to see how jamu, Indonesian homemade herb medicines, is made is also a great excursion. Day 12 : From Yogyakarta to Tawangmangu with stops at Prambanan temple and the palace of Solo Morning departure for the mountain resort of Tawangmangu. First stop will be at the Prambanan temple, Java’s most beautiful and famous Hindu temple. Afterwards continue to Solo where you will visit the Istana Mangkunegara, the well preserved palace of the royal family of Solo. After lunch in Solo you will drive another 1,5 hours until you reach the erotic temple of Sukuh. This small temple on an altitude of 900 meter is not often visited. It’s main building looks more like a Maya temple. This temple, dedicated to Shiva, is thought to be build in the 15 th century when Islam was introduced. From Sukuh temple you will start with a wonderful 3-hour walk through agriculture fields, small farming villages, clove plantation and enjoying amazing views. After around 2 hours you will reach a small reserve with a waterfall and swimming pools filled with natural spring water set amidst large fern trees: a great way to wash your sweat away. After the fresh dip you will continue walking to your hotel in Tawangmangu. Day 13 : From Tawangmangu to Malang Departure from Tawangmangu to Malang via Sarangan, Madiun and Pare. Via a scenic road you will drive to Malang. No special stops on the way, but nice views. Arrival in early afternoon. Malang is a nice and friendly town. Like most cities in Indonesia it’s centre is crowded with a lot of traffic, but Malang also has several nice and quite area’s will broad lanes, lots of trees and beautiful houses, partly from its colonial history. At a height of 400 meters Malang has a pleasant temperature. Day 14 : Malang, excursion to Wonosari In the morning you will drive to the tea plantation of Wonosari, situated at the slopes of the Arjuna mountain. Originally planted by the Dutch this plantation is well kept and its agro tourism sector is well managed. You will be taken by a local guide on a tour by foot through the plantation, and will sea the workers pick the tea leaves, enjoy the spectacular view (at clear weather it is possible to see the Semeru-volcano, Java’s highest volcano), visit the tea factory and off-course drink some fine tea. The plantation also houses a big swimming pool and a small zoo. After a visit you will return to Malang and visit the small Hindu temple Singosari, on the way. Rest of the day is free for you to spend, and you can explore some of Malangs colonial buildings in the centre of town. Day 15 : From Malang to Tumpang and by jeep to the Bromo. The approach of the Bromo via Tumpang (northern side) is not often used, but it is perhaps one of the most scenic ways to reach the Bromo. It takes around one hour to reach the small town of Tumpang, where you will change to special jeeps: the back part has been left open and a railing makes it possible for you to stand in the back part relatively comfortable. In this way you can really enjoy the beautiful scenery you are going to pass on the way to the Bromo. You will drive on a mountain rim with at the left and right site primary tropical forest. After half an hour you will stop and walk through forest to a well hidden waterfall. Continuing your tour it takes you another half hour to reach the village of Ngadas, the highest village in eastern Java. With clear weather views are amazing here, you will see agriculture fields against the mountain slopes, just like a mosaic. In the background the Semeru volcano is well visible. After Ngadas you reach the edge of the mother crater within 15 minutes. Here you will descend and drive through an amazing landscape. You can leave the car and walk through the so called padang rumput (fields of herbs) and laut pasir (sea of sand). Stop at base of the Bromo and have a look at its crater. Afterwards continue to the edge of the mother crater and drive up to the village of Cemoro Lawang. Your hotel is located right on the edge of the mother crater, from where the Bromo is very well visible. Day 16 : Bromo at sunrise and drive to Kalibaru. Very early rise to witness the sunrise near the Bromo. Drive with a four wheel drive jeep to the viewpoint called Mount Penajakan. From here you have a great view of the Bromo and its surrounding landscape. After sunrise drive to the base of the Bromo and climb the stairs to the top (if not already done on day before). Return to hotel and after shower and breakfast you descend via a different route to the north coast near Probolinggo. Continuing your way to the town of Kalibaru, situated at an altitude of around 400 meters. You arrive in the early afternoon. Kalibaru is a small town known for its plantations. There are several very attractive hotels with garden and swimming pool. A great place to relax. Day 17 : From Kalibaru to Sukamade By jeep or truck you will leave Kalibaru behind and drive to the plantation of Kendang Lembu. Here you will find rubber trees as well as coffee-and cacao trees. At a higher point surrounded by forest you will start with your 2,5 hour walk through healthy primary forest. The path on which you will be walking is broad and easy to follow, allowing you to look around whenever you want (in stead of looking at your feet). Forest is beautiful, views amazing and often you encounter black monkeys, hornbills and other birds. At the end of the walk your vehicle is waiting for you to take you to the beach of Rajagwesi, although forbidden to swim here, it is a beautiful white sandy beach, suitable for a picnic lunch. After resting and having lunch you will continue via a very bad road to Sukamade through a thick tropical rainforest. Stop as often as you want to enjoy the scenery and to go for a walk. Arrival in the village of Sukamade will be in the afternoon. Your accommodation is very basic but sufficient. After diner you will drive in half an hour to another stretch of beach. Here you have to be patient and a bit lucky to see the big sea turtles moving slowly from the water to the beach to lay their eggs: a spectacular experience. Day 18 : From Sukamade to the Ijen volcano In the morning there will be some time to visit a small factory next to your guesthouse where rubber is being processed and coffee- and cacao beans are being dried. Afterwards you will return following the same road as the day before. Arriving at the main road you will continue eastwards in direction of the harbor of Java. At a certain point you will leave this road and enter a scenic secondary road al the way up to your guesthouse or hotel near the Ijen volcano. The Ijen volcano is a very active volcano with a crater lake. Sulphur is forced to the surface and the bright yellow solidify sulphur rocks are taken daily by carriers to a certain point where the rocks are weighed and the carrier paid according to the amount of sulphur taken. Day 19 : Walk to the crater of the Ijen volcano Early morning departure. A one and half hour walk will take you for the parking place to the crater lake, on the way passing the sulphur carriers. Views are spectacular. After returning to your hotel, you will have the rest of the day free to spend and perhaps can visit the nearby coffee plantations and factory or take a swim in the swimming pool. Day 20 : From Ijen volcano to Surabaya A five hour drive will take you from the Ijen volcano to the capital city of East-Java, Surabaya. Day 21 : Surabaya, flight to next destination