Java and Bali Uncovered

Day 1- Fly to Solo via Singapore.

Depart London Heathrow in the morning on your Singapore Airlines flight to Solo via Singapore (14 hours 50 minutes).

Day 2- Arrival at Yogyakarta with time to relax before a welcome dinner.

Today when you arrive at Solo Airport at 11.50 am and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Phoenix Hotel (Deluxe room) in Yogyakarta for a 3 night stay (40min drive). There is time to relax before the welcome dinner.

Day 3- Day tour of Yogyakarta and Prambanan Temple.

Full day tour of Yogyakarta and Prambanan Temple. The first stop today is the Sultan’s palace, also known as the Kraton, located in the centre of the city and founded in 1755. The next visit is to Tamansari (also known as the Water Castle) which is situated just 250m from the Sultan’s palace, and was built in 1758 by the prince. It was used as a ‘place of pleasure’ by the prince and his harem. On to the Sonobudoyo museum built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets from the Wayang theatre as well as masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. There is also a stop at the bird market to see the various species of birds. The tour continues to Opak village to see the shadow puppet workshop and to enjoy a shadow puppet performance. Then head to Prambanan Temple (30 min drive), the largest and one of the most beautiful Hindu temple complexes in Indonesia. Built in the 10th century, today, after extensive restoration projects, only the three main temples and three of the smaller temples are standing. Since being abandoned in the 13th century, the temple has suffered from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and general weather conditions, yet the restoration is truly wonderful. Devotees still worship at this temple. Arriving at the temple in late afternoon is the perfect time to watch the sunset. Dinner will be served at the local restaurant overlooking the magnificent Prambanan Temple

Day 4- Visit to Borobudur Temple and the traditional Javanese Candirejo village.

Leave very early morning (04.15 am) from your hotel for iconic Borobudur (1hr 30mins). A breakfast box is provided by the hotel. In around 850AD, the temple was deserted when the Hindu Majapahit Empire overthrew the Sailendra Dynasty. Today, Borobudur is the largest single Hindu monument in the Southern Hemisphere. This is truly a magical and mystical experience. This 1200-year-old temple was once covered in volcanic dust for hundreds of years before being rediscovered in the late 19th century by Sir Stamford Raffles. To be on top of the temple in silence for an hour whilst the sun rises is an experience few will witness. Drive to Candirejo village (15 mins) which will introduce you to local arts, traditions and other elements of Javanese culture. Enjoy a horse cart ride to explore the village before visiting two other Temples close to Borobudur Temple (Pawon and Mendut Temple). Lunch will be served at the local restaurant before heading back to the hotel. Arrive back at the hotel in mid-afternoon to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. There is plenty of time to browse through the Beringharjo market in search of traditional Batik prints or scarfs.

Day 5- Depart for the dutch influenced Malang.

After an early breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and taken to the train station for your journey to Malang. The train journey takes 4 hours and is in an air-conditioned coach, passing through rural villages en route. . A lunch box will be provided on the train. Upon your arrival in Jombang you will drive for 2 hours through beautiful scenery to the Tugu Park Malang (Deluxe room) for a 2 night stay. Malang remains one of Indonesia’s most beautiful cities surrounded by hilly apple and tea plantations.

Day 6- Optional activities including a cookery lesson or city tour.

Enjoy your free day at leisure to wander through Malang. Alternatively take part in an optional cooking lesson which covers the techniques in the making and decorating of traditional Javanese delicacies such as Kue Nagasari, Kue Bugis and Lemper. The lesson starts with a trip to the traditional market to shop for fresh ingredients. This course takes approximately 90 minutes, and finishes with a traditional Indonesian lunch where you eat what you have cooked. There is also the option of a city tour visiting the bird and tropical flower market, and Ijen Boulevard, which is located in the centre of the city. This building is decorated with Bougainvillea flowers and palm trees against a backdrop of old-fashioned Dutch architecture houses. Brawijaya Army Museum is also located on this boulevard with its old weapons used in the independence war. The last stop is at the Monument Juang ’45 which symbolizes the struggle in Indonesia for independence. Lunch will be provided in the local restaurant before driving back to the hotel.

Day 7- Drive from Malang to Bromo.

Drive from Malang to Bromo stopping en route to visit the traditional market at Lawang Village, the Purodadi Botanical garden and for lunch at a local restaurant (6hrs). Arrive at the Bromo Tosari Cottage (superior room) and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day 8- Sunrise at Mount Bromo and flight to Bali.

Early wake up call at 4am; and join a 45 minute jeep ride to the viewpoint at Mt. Penanjakan (2,700m) which provides a bird’s eye view of the whole national park with Mt. Semeru standing high in its grandeur in the background. After sunrise, cross the sea of sand to Tengger temple; a 15 minute walk or ride on horseback to the crater of Mount Bromo*. Return to the hotel between 07.30-08.00 am for breakfast. Drive to Surabaya Airport (2hrs 30mins) to catch your afternoon flight to Bali (Garuda Airlines 342 -13:00-14:55). After clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be met by your representative and transferred to the Kelapa Retreat (2hrs 30mins).

Day 9- Visit the Rambut Siwi Temple and the white Bali starling bird conservation project.

After breakfast, travel to Pemuteran (4hrs) for a 2 night stay at the Matahari Beach Resort & Spa (Garden View room). En-route stop at the Rambut Siwi Temple; one of the biggest Hindu Temples in Bali located in the west part of Bali. This beautiful Hindu shrine, set in the cliff bank, overlooks the wide expanse of the Indian Ocean. Continue with a visit to the white Bali starling bird conservation which protects this endangered species. Witness how the efforts of the local people make sure that the beauty of these birds can be seen by the next generation. Rest of the day at leisure. Located close to the Proyek Penyu in Pemuteran is the turtle hatchery which was established in 1994 to protect the wild turtle population. Early in the morning, turtles are released back into the sea. The hatchery can be visited from 08.00am to 06.00pm for a small charge.

Day 10- Enjoy optional activities of dolphin watching or a visit to the Bali Barat National Park.

Enjoy a wide range of optional activities including an early morning dolphin watching tour. An early rise will see you heading out to sea in traditional Balinese fishing boats, where you can spot the dolphins frolicking in the cool of the day. This is a magical experience, and one that should not be missed for anyone staying in the area. Or enjoy a snorkelling trip to Menjangan Island, part of Bali Barat National Park and home to spectacular coral as well as many different types of fish.

Day 11- Visit Banjar hot springs and the Twin Lakes viewpoint en route to Munduk.

Breakfast at the hotel before departing to Munduk (4-5hrs) for a 2 night stay at the Munduk Muding Coffee Plantation (Villa). On the way to Munduk, we will make a stop at Banjar hot springs, where you can relax and soak your limbs. The hot water is believed to contain healing minerals. On the way, pass the spectacular viewpoint for the Twin Lakes (Lake Bratan and Lake Tamblingan). Munduk village is located in the mountains and has lovely views overlooking rice fields and plantations growing coffee, avocado and cloves. In the afternoon there is the option of a bicycle ride around the village of Wanagiri. Groups of friendly macaque monkeys will be seen during the first mile. The view of two beautiful volcanic lakes surrounded by lush rainforest will accompany you throughout this tour. Afternoon tea and a snack will be served once you arrive back at the resort in the early afternoon.

Day 12- Coffee plantation walk followed by leisure time.

Morning 4 km walk through the coffee plantations which will introduce you to the island’s flora and fauna as well as its indigenous birds. The rest of the day is at leisure with the opportunity to explore the area further by taking a trek to the Empelan waterfalls; one of Bali’s most magnificent waterfalls. Alternatively opt for a trek through lush protected rainforest marvelling at macaque monkeys, black giant squirrel, birds and old temples. Walk along the shore of this lake situated in the caldera of an extinct volcano before exploring the Tamblingan lake by dugout canoe. Arrive in Munduk on special occasions and you will be treated to the locals performing a traditional dance or a gamelan performance.

Day 13- depart for Ubud visiting Lake Bratan and the markets of Candi Kuning.

After breakfast, depart from Munduk to Ubud with some stops en route (4hrs). The first visit is to Lake Bratan. Veiled by mist and filling the stunning crater lake of Mount Bratan, Lake Bratan is home to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a temple built entirely on small islands and dedicated to Dewi Danu, the water goddess. Next are the markets of Candi Kuning, where you can see and try some of the tropical fruits for which Bali is famous. With such delicacies as Snake Fruit, Mango, Dragon Fruit, Mangosteen and Jackfruit, the smells and tastes in this market are astonishing. There are also some beautiful flower shops and exotic spices to tantalize your senses. Arrive at Waka Di Ume Ubud (Lanai Rice Terrace room) for your 3 night stay.

Day 14- Day at leisure.

Day at leisure with a variety of optional tours. Ubud itself is the artistic heart of Bali and the scene of frequent dance performances of kecak and legong which should not be missed.

Day 15- Visit Taman Ayun and witness at the spectacular Tanah Lot Temple.

This half-day tour is almost a must for Bali visitors. First visit the principal temple of Mengwi; Taman Ayun built in the early 17th century for the prince of Tabanan – it is surrounded by a large pool, which signifies the ocean. Later watch the wild monkeys in the holy monkey forest Alas Kedaton. The forest mainly consists of Nutmeg trees, the habitat for fruit bats (flying foxes) and three big monkey families. Save some of your pictures for the magnificent sunset at the spectacular Tanah Lot Temple, built on the top of a rock in the Indian Ocean just a few hundred meters offshore. Watch the rough sea clutching at the coast and have a look around to find the best spot for a romantic sunset around 6 pm. Unforgettable.

Day 16- Fly from Denpasar to Heathrow via Singapore.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your local surroundings before your transfer to the airport (1 ½ hrs) for your onward flight from Denpasar to Heathrow via Singapore (16 hours).

Day 17- Arrive at London Heathrow.

Arrive back at Heathrow the following morning.

Phoenix Hotel

Located in the heart of Yogyakarta near the popular Malioboro district, the historic boutique Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta is a colonial landmark dating back to 1918. With 144 elegant rooms and suites, each boasting a balcony and a fusion of Asian and European decor, The Phoenix Hotel features a restaurant, wine bar and terrace bar overlooking an open courtyard. An inviting swimming pool, indulgent day spa and modern conferencing facilities complete the exclusive experience.

The Tugu Malang

The Tugu Malang is located at the heart of the old town, looking out to the main monument of Indonesia's struggle for independence and a beautiful lotus pond park. Tugu Malang houses a vast, priceless collection of antiques influenced by the Javanese Babah Peranakan and is a colonial treasure. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and Aspara spa.

Bromo Tosari Cottages

Bromo Tosari Cottages enjoy great views of Mt Bromo and boasts 80 superior rooms and 3 suites all with ensuite facilities and a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine. The hotel is the perfect jumping off point for a sunrise visit to the magnificent Mt. Bromo due to its location on the mountain.

Matahari Beach Resort & Spa

<span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: opensanslight, tahoma, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #666666;">Nestled away between the Bali Barat National Park and the Java Sea, the secluded and exclusive Matahari Beach Resort & Spa is a perfect destination for connoisseurs of luxury and relaxation.</span>

Munduk Muding Coffee Plantation Nature Resort and Spa

Munduk Muding Coffee Plantation Nature Resort and Spa is a luxury nature resort on a working coffee plantation located close by Bali’s central lakes and Munduk hill station. All the private villas and public spaces are hidden away between the lush vegetation.. The villas are very spacious (55m²) with king-size poster beds, and huge glass panel doors providing unparalleled views in all directions.

Waka Di Ume Ubud

Waka Di Ume Ubud is an oasis of calm just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud, the cultural and artistic heartland of Bali. Lanai rice terrace rooms each have a private terrace overlooking the rice fields.  Facilities include a spa and a restaurant serving Balinese specialities and international fare. With unrivalled views of the surrounding countryside, it is the perfect spot to watch the setting sun. There is also complimentary daily afternoon tea with Balinese cakes and a two level swimming pool

Bali Beach Extension - 3 nights

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 300

Enjoy three nights at the boutique Alila Manggis Resort (Superior room), located on Bali’s east coast overlooking the ocean. Set amidst a coconut grove, the resort is nestled between the sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred mountain. Outdoors meets indoors throughout the resort, comprised of four two-storey buildings built around a palm-fringed pool with perfect ocean views, simple forms and Balinese touches. The 34 sqm Superior Rooms, located on the lower floor of each block, boast a private terrace. All rooms are designed to maximise the views across the coconut grove, the swimming pool and the sea. Other durations and accommodations are available on request.

Singapore Airlines - Business Class

Cost: from £ 2765

Singapore Airlines - Business Class