Java Heritage
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Sugeng Sugiantoro
is Javanese and has been manager of Losari Coffee Plantation, now Mesastila, from the very first day. He knows Central Java Culture and traditions and their integration to the daily life of the resort, surrounded by small villages, forest and 8 volcanoes. He is sharing his home province with us here.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
An itinerary through the rich heritage of Javanese Culture,
- Borobudur Temple
- Yogyakarta and Solo
- Mount Bromo
This itinerary has been prepared to make you discover in depth the Cultural Heritage of Central and East Java in 9 days from Borobudur Temple (the World largest Buddhist Temple built in the IX century) to Mount Bromo, via Yogyakarta, Solo, Malang and Surabaya. The characteristics of the Javanese culture are complex, as the island of Java has a wide range of cultures: primitive, traditional and modern, and each area has its own culture and traditional art. This is this rich and diverse culture that we propose to explore in 9 days.
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Your Journey Day by Day
9 days / 8 nights from 2,275 USD /person
based on 2 people sharing the same room
This itinerary can be combined with an arrival from Jakarta, Singapore or from one of our programs in Sumatra, Toraja or a Jungle Cruise in Borneo, before connect to Yogyakarta or Semarang.
Day 1 : Airport (Yogyakarta or Semarang) to Losari ( - / - /-)
After welcoming you on arrival at Yogyakarta or Semarang Airport, drive from airport to Mesastila Losari Plantation (2 hrs) and check in for 2 nights. Follow your host through a visit of the Plantation and organic gardens to be more familiar with the surroundings. The plantation covers 22HA and is surrounded by hills, forest and volcanoes.
Dinner, at leisure.
HOTEL: Mesastila (Arum Villa)
Day 2 : Losari – Gedongsongo – Losari (B / - / -)
After breakfast, we will drive you to discover the Hindu Gedongsongo complex located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran and surrounded by stunning views. Take a short walk in the mountains, you can also go for a horse ride if you like. We will come back to the hotel in the afternoon, to relax, enjoy the spa, the pool or the afternoon tea.
Dinner at leisure.
HOTEL: Mesastila (Arum Villa)
Day 3 : Losari – Ambarawa – Borobudur - Yogyakarta (B / - /-)
After breakfast, we will check out and drive in the direction to Yogyarkata, former Javanese Sultanate of Central Java. On the way, we stop to visit an interesting museum dedicated to old locomotives and trains in Ambarawa. Then we stop at the World largest Buddhist complex – Borobudur. The temple is composed of seven terraces and presents itself as a stepped pyramid whose architectural structure was conceived as a representation of the universe. It is considered the largest Buddhist ensemble in the world. Your guide will comment on most bas-reliefs as well as Buddhist philosophy.
Continuation with the visit of the small surrounding temples: Candi Pawon, and Candi Mendut, whose bas-reliefs constitute one of the most brilliant masterpieces of Indo-Javanese art.
We reach Yogyakarta in the late afternoon, and you will check-in for 2 nights at the Dusun Jogja Villa Inn, probably the most stylish hotel inside the city of Jogja, ideally located near the old town.
HOTEL: Dusun Jogja Village Inn (Junior Suite)
Day 4 : Yogyakarta (B / - / D)
After breakfast, departure for a city tour: visit of the Kraton (palace of the Sultan) two centuries old, which jealously keeps the memory of the traditional life of the courts of yesteryear. It is located in the heart of the old town. We then go visit the old town and its labyrinth of alleys. You will see the sultan's pools, as well as a traditional Batik and puppet workshop.
In the afternoon, excursion to the Hindu temple of PRAMBANAN, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Hindu sanctuary with 224 shrines and eight monuments of greater importance. You will take a bike around the temples and through the villages to immerse yourself in Javanese daily life. On the way, you will stop at the small temples of Sewu, Plaosan and Kalasan.
At sunset, the light covers the stones of the temples with a beautiful pink color.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant facing the illuminated temple.
Then you will attend a sound and light show on the theme of the Hindu epic Ramayana, involving hundreds of dancers and musicians, with Prambanan Temple in backdrop.
(Note: the program may be modified according to the schedule of the show).
Back to your hotel for the night.
HOTEL: Dusun Jogja Village Inn (Junior Suite)
Day 5 : Yogyakarta - Solo (B / - / -)
After breakfast, departure for the former sultanate of Solo, located 65 km from Yogyakarta. Visit of the Mangkunegaran Palace and its museum of traditional masks, costumes, jewels, etc. We stop at Triwindhu Flea Market, Radya Pustaka Museum of Art and Crafts (one of the oldest museums in Indonesia) and the local market.
Continuing with the visit of the temples of Cetoh and Sukuh dating from the 13th and 14th century and located on the slopes of Mount Lawu, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Back to SOLO at the end of the day.
HOTEL: Royal Surakarta Heritage (Junior Suite)
Day 6 : Solo - Malang (B / - / -)
Check out after breakfast and drive to Malang: quite a long journey that will make you discover the mountains of Pujon and the superb panoramas and scenic stops along the road. We shall reach Malang at the end of the afternoon. Located 800 m above sea level, and former holiday resort of European planters during the colonial era, Malang has retained its charm of yesteryear. Check-in at the legendary Hotel Tugu Malang, known for its huge collection of art and antiques.
Dinner at leisure.
HOTEL: Hotel Tugu Malang (Executive Suite)
Day 7 : Malang - Bromo (B / - / -)
In the morning we will take a city tour and discover the small Hindu temples of Jago and Kidal, then we drive to the region of Mount Bromo. We should reach in the afternoon and check in at the small charming hotel Jiwa Java. Rest early, as we will wake up very early.
HOTEL: Hotel Jiwa Java (Executive Room)
Day 8 : Bromo - Surabaya (B / - / -)
Before the sun rises, we take a jeep to Mount Pananjakan to admire the sunrise over Mount Bromo and the entire East Java volcano chain, we then cross the sea of sand with the jeep and climb the steps to the crater of the volcano. We come back to the hotel for a solid breakfast. Free time for rest, then departure for Surabaya.
Once we reach the city, we propose a very interesting tour of Surabaya with its markets and lively places. Located on the coast, Surabaya is not a tourist spot but a pleasant city to live. Strolling in its streets, you can observe the traditional life of Indonesians, walk around Chinatown and its temples, or the huge Sampoerna factory, an amazing clove cigarette factory, the "kretek", the best-selling cigarettes in Indonesia.
Check in at the hotel Majapahit, a former colonial palace restored to the identical, with large gardens and a swimming pool to rest after a long day.
HOTEL: Hotel Majapahit (Heritage Room)
Day 9 : Surabaya - Airport (B / - / -)
Free morning for shopping and to discover the city on your own. Depending on your flight time, we drive to the airport (domestic or international) to continue your journey.
Extension:
To end this trip smoothly, we suggest you to relax on a quiet beach at one of our seaside hotels on
Bali,
Lombok or even
Diving in Manado.
Ask Secret Retreats concierge for advice.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Dusun Jogja Village
Royal Surakarta Heritage
Jiwa Java
Majapahit
Java Heritage
9 days / 8 nights
from 2,275 USD /person
based on 2 people sharing the same room
The total price includes:
Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis
All transfers from/to airport and between destination and during excursions (private car)
A jeep for Mount Bromo
Bike trip in Prambanan Temple
Ramayana show and dinner at Prambanan
All excursions and visits listed in the program
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program
Local English/French-speaking guide (other languages possible when required) for all tours mentioned in the program.
The total price does not include:
VISA – Most country do not need visa for Indonesia, but we recommend you to check when you issue airtickets. Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date.
Other meals that are not included in the program.
Drinks, personal expenses, tips and gratuities.
Options and other activities not included in the program.
This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Sugeng and Rabina Tours (license 06/D.2/BPU/90)
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