Today you fly towards South-East Asia.

Today you arrive in Yogyakarta and, after the entry formalities, are warmly welcomed. You are then taken to your hotel, where you can settle in at your leisure. 3 nights in Yogyakarta. (Distance: approx. 45 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Gallery Prawirotaman Hotel is located in Yogyakarta’s Prawirotaman arts and culture district and combines modern facilities with Dutch colonial architecture. Its 94 rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TV and minibar.

Today you explore Yogyakarta. By cycle rickshaw, one of the region’s most traditional means of transport, you ride right through the colourful bustle of the city – past beautiful architecture and people in traditional dress. Via Alun-Alun Kidul, the southern square behind the Sultan’s Palace, you reach the Taman Sari water castle, where the royal family once spent their leisure time. You then soak up the historic atmosphere of the Sultan’s Palace, the Kraton. At the Sonobudoyo Museum you learn about Javanese culture and history through artworks and sculptures. Your last stop is Prambanan (UNESCO World Heritage), the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, where your tour guide explains its history and significance today. (B) (Distance: approx. 45 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

In the morning you visit Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple complex, dating from the 9th century. The temple was restored with UNESCO support in the 1970s and 1980s and consists of square and circular terraces with countless reliefs and more than 500 Buddha statues. Your tour guide leads you through the complex and tells you about its origins and significance. In the village of Candirejo you are the guest of a family for lunch. You then explore the village by rickshaw or horse cart and watch the villagers harvesting vegetables, baking, drying vanilla or chilli and playing gamelan music. In the evening you stroll through the city’s nightlife with your fellow travellers and the locals and try delicacies at street stalls – your tour guide knows where to find the best. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 100 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

Early in the morning you go to the station and travel east by train (executive class) – time to enjoy the scenery and chat with your fellow travellers. After about three hours you reach Jombang and visit the archaeological museum of Trowulan, which recalls the former Majapahit Empire. You then continue to Malang, arriving in the early evening. 1 night in Malang. (B) (Distance: approx. 400 km; travel time: approx. 6–7 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Hotel Tugu Malang is in the heart of the old town, overlooking the park with its lotus pond and the Tugu monument to Indonesia’s struggle for independence. It is considered one of the finest hotels in Java and is full of art and antiques.

You spend the morning in Malang, which you explore by rickshaw: well-preserved Dutch colonial buildings, colourful markets and Alun-Alun square with its lotus pond. The colourful Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan quarter was created through a social project and warmly welcomes visitors. You then climb into a jeep and drive along partly bumpy roads to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Your first stop is the Pelangi waterfall, reached by a hike of about half an hour. You then cross a green, savannah-like plain, where you settle down on blankets for a picnic of local delicacies. Through the Sea of Sand, whose colours shift from green to deep black, you finally reach your simple lodge. 1 night at Bromo. (B/P) (Distance: approx. 115 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The simple Jiwa Jawa Bromo lies around 3 km from Bromo in natural grounds with a garden and terraces. The restaurant serves Indonesian and international dishes made from local ingredients, and there are two cafés; Wi-Fi is free in public areas. Rooms have a private bathroom, kettle and TV.

Today you get up in the middle of the night: long before sunrise you drive to a high viewpoint and watch the first rays bathe the volcanic landscape in warm orange-red light. You then climb a strenuous path and steep steps to the crater rim of Bromo – with breathtaking views of the moon-like landscape and the surrounding volcanic cones. The hike depends on volcanic activity and religious ceremonies and may be cancelled at short notice; you then enjoy the sunrise from a viewpoint. Afterwards you return to the lodge for breakfast. You then drive to Kalibaru in eastern Java, at the foot of Mount Raung. The cool, green highlands are ideal for coffee and cocoa plantations. The afternoon is yours. 1 night in Kalibaru. (B) (Distance: approx. 210 km; driving time: approx. 5.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The family-run Margo Utomo Agro Resort lies in a tropical garden on the edge of Kalibaru. There is an outdoor pool, a wellness area and a restaurant serving Indonesian and international cuisine.

Coffee lovers can look forward to a tasting today at the Bu Harni cocoa, coffee and pepper plantation in Kalibaru: on a guided tour you learn how coffee is grown and taste it really fresh. You then head to the port and take the public ferry to Bali in around 30–45 minutes. There you drive through West Bali National Park to your accommodation in Pemuteran and end the evening at leisure. 1 night in Pemuteran. (B) (Distance: approx. 110 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The family-run Adi Assri Beach Resort is just a few steps from the beach at Pemuteran, one of Bali’s best diving areas. There is an outdoor pool, a wellness area, a restaurant with Indonesian and Western food and a bar between the pool and the beach. The air-conditioned rooms have a balcony overlooking the sea or garden.

After breakfast you drive into West Bali National Park and take a small boat to Menjangan Island. Snorkelling, you glide along colourful coral reefs teeming with exotic fish; snorkelling gear and a life jacket are provided. Along the way you enjoy a packed lunch. In the afternoon you visit the Ulun Danu temple on Lake Bratan. You stroll through the gardens and temple buildings while your tour guide answers your questions about the priests, the religion and the intricate carvings. In Umabian, a small traditional village among rice fields, you check into your accommodation. 1 night in Umabian. (B/P) (Distance: approx. 120 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Umasari Rice Terrace Villa lies in rural Umabian, surrounded by rice fields and tropical vegetation – here you experience the authentic side of Bali away from the tourist centres.

The morning is devoted to Indonesia’s staple food: with your tour guide and a farmer you walk through the rice fields and learn all about growing and processing rice – depending on the season you can even help plant seedlings or harvest. You then visit Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi, the “temple of the floating garden”, with its ornate architecture and peaceful atmosphere. As the sun sinks towards the horizon, you drive to the famous sea temple of Tanah Lot, surrounded by the sea at high tide, and watch the sunset. Then it’s on to Ubud. 2 nights in Ubud. (B) (Distance: approx. 90 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Kajane Yangloni is quietly located among rice fields and tropical nature, just a few minutes from the centre of Ubud. The spacious Balinese-style villas have private pools and terraces. There is a restaurant with Balinese and international cuisine, a spa, an outdoor pool, a garden and yoga classes.

Today is all about Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali. First you head to the Monkey Forest – monkeys are considered sacred in Bali and it’s fun to watch them; but beware of sunglasses and bananas. At the art museum you see a varied collection of traditional and contemporary Balinese art. You then stroll through the market and perhaps chat with the traders – your tour guide helps with language barriers. To finish, you are the guest of a family in a small village and enjoy a refreshing drink, perhaps a cold beer. (B) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1.25 hrs)

In the morning you explore Gunung Kawi, Bali’s “Valley of the Kings”: ten shrines carved into the rock on the edge of a river valley, surrounded by rice fields and jungle. You then visit the Tirta Empul temple with its holy springs used by the Balinese for ritual purification. From the Kintamani viewpoint you look out over the active Mount Batur volcano and Lake Batur, and in a small village you watch the residents going about their day. In the evening you meet for dinner together in a family home, enjoying Balinese cuisine and chatting with your hosts. Then it’s on to Benoa. 2 nights in Benoa. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 100 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Novotel Bali Benoa lies right on the beach at Tanjung Benoa near Nusa Dua, surrounded by extensive gardens – ideal for relaxing beach days.

No programme is planned today: put your feet up, relax on the beach and look back on the trip. You can hire snorkelling gear (for a fee), take a catamaran to one of the nearby islands or discover street food stalls and warungs on a food tour (each optional, bookable locally). (B)

Depending on your flight time there is still time for a last walk on the beach or a swim in the sea or pool before you head to the airport and bid Indonesia farewell with a “sampai jumpa lagi”. If you like, you can extend your stay on the beach by a few days. (B) (Distance: approx. 20 km; driving time: approx. 40 mins)

After an eventful journey you land back home today.