The 2-weeks easy study, walking and photographic tour crosses
Java from West to East and ends on Bali. Its itinerary and focus are optimized in order to provide excellent conditions and locations for photography. Your guide is one of the best available in Indonesia with excellent knowledge of locations, people and photographer's needs.
The program allows generously for sufficient time to explore the most interesting landscapes of Java and its volcanoes in depth:
Krakatoa and Papandayan in West Java,
Merapi in Central Java, and the
Tengger caldera, Bromo, Semeru and Ijen volcanoes in East Java.
Even if you are not a photographer, you will get an unforgettable and competent introduction to Java's multicolored landscapes, people and their culture.
This tour combines easy to moderate excursions with a portion of luxury. You travel to some of Java’s most fascinating landscapes and meet its friendly people and their colorful culture.
Last but not least, an adventurous camp on Krakatau's tropical beach, as well as
Indonesia’s delicious cuisine will round out the trip.
The tour can be combined with a flexible
add-on program on Bali, where you and your guide decide which areas you are visiting, based on your preferences. There is no predefined program: after more than 2 weeks, you have become a close team and since the groups are always small, the best recipe for a great extension is to stay completely flexible and decide on the spot where to go and what to visit. Please inquire with us for details how to book this trip with an flexible extension on Bali (or elsewhere, of course).
- The best photo locations on Java
- Expert guide with excellent knowledge of Java & Bali and photography
- Exclusive small group sizes = optimal flexibility
- All major volcanoes of Java in one tour including 2 nights on Krakatau
- Sufficient time to explore interesting locations
- Option to add Bali as flexible program
- Rain forests, waterfalls, tropical beaches, colorful lakes, deep craters, fumaroles
- Cultural highlights (Borobodur, Prambanan etc.)
- Contact to friendly local people
- Delicious food and great hotels
Krakatau to Bali (16 days Java)
Note:
Depending on weather, volcanic activity, preferences of the group etc. small variations on the actual itinerary could be necessary.
Day 1:
Arrival & meeting in JakartaArrival in Jakarta, transfer to downtown hotel and group dinner.
Acc.: : good mid-class hotel in Jakarta (D)
Day 2:
Transfer to Krakatau volcanoIn the morning, a private minibus picks us up at the hotel and brings us straight to the West Coast. After a lunch, we embark on a motor boat that brings us to the
famous island group of Krakatau, where we will set camp on a
paradise beach facing the often active Anak Krakatau volcano.
Acc.: : camp on the beach of Krakatau (B, L, D)
Day 3:
Full day on KrakatauA full day to observe Krakatau, visit the island group, sail around and explore photographic opportunities.
Acc.: : camp on Krakatau (B, L, D)
Day 4:
2nd day on Krakatau - return to coastSecond day on Krakatau for observation / visit of Anak Krakatau. After a snorkeling break at a coral reef near Rakata Island return to West coast.
Acc.: : hotel or bungalow on West Coast beach (B, L, D)
Day 5:
Transfer to Garut in West JavaTransfer day: drive through West Java to the small university town Garut in West Java
Acc.: : good mid-class hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6-7:
Papandayan + Galunggung volcano - Cipanas hot springsTwo full days in the beautiful volcanic area to explore hot springs & volcanic craters (Papandayan, Galunggung etc.).
Acc.: : as before (Garut) (B, L, D)
Day 8:
Scenic train ride to Yogyakarta - Prambanan TempleAn early train (first class) brings us comfortably directly to the beautiful, lively city of Yogyakarta, Central Java's capital. The ride is very scenic and takes about 7-8 hrs.
Acc.: : very good mid-class hotel in downtown Yogya(B, L, D)
Day 9:
Free day in YogyaOpportunity to explore downtown Yogya (Sultan's Palace, water castle, museums, markets etc.). Optional fun city-tour on becak (rickshaws). Option to visit the important Hindu
temples of Prambanan and to attend a Ramayana ballet performance in the evening.
Acc.: : as before (Yogya) (B)
Day 10:
Borobodur temple and Merapi volcanoIn the morning, we take time to visit the monumental temple of
Borobodur, the largest Buddhist temple in Asia. Erected between 750 and 850 AD, then partly buried under volcanic mudflows from Merapi volcano around 1000 AD and again excavated starting in 1815, Borobodur counts as one of Asia’s major archaeological sites. The visit to Borobodur will include a guided tour with extra time to spend in or near the complex. After lunch, we drive to the
slopes of Merapi volcano where we can observe the impressive evidence of its recent eruption (e.g. the fresh deposits and destruction caused by the pyroclastic flows in June 2006).
Acc.: : as before (Yogya) (B, L, D)
Day 11:
Flight to East Java, Tengger volcanoShort and scenic flight to Surabaya, transfer to Malang town, lunch. Enter into the Tengger caldera via an impressive route on open jeeps to enjoy the dramatic landscape of deep valleys and steep cliffs.
Acc.: : hotel or bungalows on the rim of the Tengger caldera overlooking Bromo volcano (B, L, D)
Day 12:
Bromo volcano & Tengger calderaRelaxed day to explore Bromo volcano and the Tengger caldera. Visit of the
local volcano observatory and introduction to monitoring techniques of the volcano.
Acc.: : as before (Bromo) (B, L, D)
Day 13:
Sunrise over the Tengger Kaldera & Transfer to Ijen volcanoEarly start & jeep drive to
one of the world's most spectacular sunrise viewpoints over the huge Tengger caldera. After returning to the hotel and a breakfast, we leave to the beautiful Ijen Plateau where we will stay two nights in an amazing lodge in the middle of lush gardens and rice fields, with views to Raung and Ijen volcano.
Acc.: : Ijen Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 14:
Ijen volcanoEarly start to climb Ijen volcano's crater with its
impressive sulfur deposits and the turquoise crater lake. Observe the medieval-style mining operations inside the crater and learn about the processing of sulfur. Return to relax in the Ijen Lodge in the afternoon.
Acc.: : as before (Ijen Lodge) (B, L, D)
Day 15:
Transfer to Bali - beachAfter a relaxed breakfast in the stunning surroundings of the lodge, we drive to
Bali, where the trip ends in a fantastic hotel on the beach of Jimbaran.
Acc.: : excellent beach hotel on Bali (B, L, D)
Day 16:
End of tour or extension program on BaliThe tour ends on
Bali, for some with an extension on Bali with its paradise beaches, for some already with transport to the airport of Denpasar and connecting flight back to Jakarta airport.
Acc.: : none (B)
The hotels during this trip are beautiful and friendly hotels of good to luxurious Indonesian standards. We have chosen them carefully in priority of cleanliness, overall atmosphere and optimum location. Only on Krakatau we camp, but it is an adventure on one of world's greatest volcanoes - Krakatau - and the setting is superb!
