Central Indonesia in Comfort and Style
Tour Introduction
There is no need to compromise on comfort with this stylish itinerary: you will stay throughout in very comfortable hotels and lodges while still visiting the best wildlife and cultural highlights of central Indonesia. Java’s Borobodur is a highly impressive, world famous temple complex – staying nearby gives you the chance to see it at sunrise. Similarly, your hotel by Mt Bromo provides great views and easy access to that iconic volcano. Mix in Komodo dragons, great beaches and the superlative NIHI Sumba and you have a stimulating and varied luxury programme showcasing the wildlife, scenic and cultural highlights of central Indonesia.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Yogyakarta, Java. Met on arrival and transfer to lodge or explore some of the city with your private guide and driver if desired. Rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Plataran Borobudur. Includes No Meals.
Rise early to visit the famous Borobudur temple at sunrise. Built with forced labour from the surrounding countryside between AD750 and 850, Borobudur pre-dates Angkor Wat in Cambodia by a full three centuries. Though a Buddhist creation, it incorporates Persian, Babylonian and Greek influences. It has recently been fully restored by an international effort under the aegis of UNESCO. If time allows, visit the Pawon and Mendut temples too. In the afternoon, drop in on the 9th Century Hindu temple of Prambanan, plus Roro Jongrang (the Temple of the Slender Virgin).
Staying at Plataran Borobudur. Includes Breakfast.
Early transfer back to Yogyakarta and board train (0725) with your guide to Surabaya arriving 1204. Met on arrival and transfer (4 hours) to Tosari (Mount Bromo). Rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Jiwa Jawa. Includes Breakfast.
Today you will visit Mount Bromo, one of the world’s most beautiful volcanoes, surrounded by a dramatic landscape of smaller volcanoes and plains of volcanic sands: one of Indonesia’s most spectacular natural sites. Start early to visit the viewpoint at sunrise passing the sulphur-rich sand-sea to see the smoking caldera. You can walk down to the rim to look at the fuming crater up close. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later transfer to Ijen, with the rest of the day at leisure to relax on arrival.
Staying at Ijen Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Morning trek up Ijen Volcano (steep and slippery underfoot). The volcano is surrounded by rainforest and home to silvered langurs, long-tailed macaques and many birds. At the summit you can look down onto the green crater lake with its yellow clouds of sulphur. Return to the hotel for lunch before transferring to Ketapang for the ferry crossing to western Bali, relatively unspoilt compared with the rest of the island. This is the gateway to the Bali Barat National Park.
Staying at The Menjangan Beach Villas. Includes Breakfast.
Full day to explore Bali Barat National independently (local guides are available at additional cost). This remote and little-visited park covers most of the western tip of the island and has both terrestrial and marine elements. The fauna within the park’s large area of coastal rainforest and mangroves includes 160 species of bird, including the star attraction; the highly endangered Bali starling. Other species found are banteng (wild ox), rusa deer, barking deer, wild boar, ebony langur and long-tailed macaque. Underwater, the park is home to around 110 species of coral forming large gardens and dramatic reef walls. Here you can see pygmy seahorses, mandarin fish, turtles, schools of snapper and reef sharks.
Staying at The Mejangan Beach Villas. Includes Breakfast.
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to Denpasar. Take flight to Labuan Bajo on Flores. Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Plataran Komodo. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Pick up from the hotel by luxury timber-built sailing boat and sail to Rinca Island. On arrival at Rinca, enjoy a morning trek on the island with your guide and local ranger to spot Komodo dragons and other wildlife. Later head to Kalong Island, drop anchor and watch thousands of fruit bats leave their roost at sunset.
Staying at Plataran Ambasi Yacht. Includes All Meals.
Head to Komodo Island at dawn and trek with ranger and guide to see more Komodo dragons and other wildlife. Komodo is more heavily forested than Rinca and has more wildlife to see: expect deer, wild boar plus a wide range of bird species. In the afternoon, visit the Pink Beach for some snorkelling, then return to Labuan Bajo.
Staying at Plataran Komodo. Includes Breakfast.
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Take flight via Bali to Sumba Island. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at NIHI Sumba. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Full day at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and explore the island independently or arrange OPTIONAL activities at the resort.
Staying at NIHI Sumba. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure on Sumba Island.
Staying at NIHI Sumba. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure on Sumba Island.
Staying at NIHI Sumba. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the airport. Take flight to Denpasar (Bali). Fly home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Overview
Ninety minutes’ drive from Jogjakarta airport in central Java, the luxury Plataran Borobudur Resort is just 5 minutes from the famous Borobudur temple complex.
The six room categories at Plataran Borobudur begin with luxurious wooden villas, well appointed with private bathrooms and set amid lush gardens. Larger suites of varying size with private pools and views over the hills or to Borobudur temple are also available. Two restaurants offer fine dining with the same impressive views.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Two restaurants, large main swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and yoga club, Wi-Fi.
Optional Activities
Organised activities include horse riding; exploring the local villages and countryside either by jeep, bicycle or local horse-drawn cart (andong); traditional rice field ploughing; elephant rides; pottery classes.
Overview
Formerly the Java Banana Resort, Jiwa Jawa is a comfortable mountain lodge with great views, situated at 2000m on the slopes of Mt Bromo, East Java close to the village of Wonotoro.
All rooms have natural latex mattresses, hot water showers, TV and telephone (junior suites include a complimentary minibar). There is also an art gallery and a café serving delicious food and coffee. All the rooms have good views and the pleasant surroundings of the hotel also offer excellent views towards Mount Tengger.
The lodge’s gallery usually has a collection of stunning landscape photographs and activities can be arranged including mountain biking, horse riding and of course visits to Mount Bromo.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Modern rooms with traditional wooden style décor, all with western bathrooms and cable TV, Wi-Fi is available in the public areas and room and laundry services.
Optional Activities
Sunrise tour to Mt Pananjakan, volcano and savannah tours to Mt Bromo, rainforest tour, horse riding and mountain biking.
Overview
Ijen Resort & Villas is the best quality accommodation with close proximity to the stunning Ijen volcanic crater, with a great setting by a rainforest and among the rural villages of south Java. Sitting at 650m, the hotel is surrounded by four hectares of gardens with great views of the rainforest, rice paddy terraces, ocean and volcanoes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Modern en suite rooms with ceiling fans, TV, minibar and coffee maker and balconies with views across rice fields towards the volcanoes. The resort has a restaurant, bar, laundry service and massage parlour.
Optional Activities
Excursions to Mount Ijen and village exploration.
Overview
Nestled within 382 hectares of Bali Barat National Park on the unspoilt west coast of Bali, The Menjangan is a fabulous resort which includes both the Monsoon Lodge and the Beach Villas, with use of facilities at both. The Monsoon Lodge has luxury rooms and suites secreted amongst the coastal forest surrounding a swimming pool, while the Beach Villas are located right on the beachfront, light and spacious with air-conditioning and outdoor bathroom. There is also a spa, library and choice of restaurants with great settings either on the beach or with elevated views over the national park.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Air-conditioning, library, hot tub, swimming pool, 24-hour concierge, WiFi access, two restaurants, five-star PADI dive operation, self-service laundry, babysitting, children’s activities, minibar, spa, beach.
Local Wildlife
Fish life such as pygmy seahorses, snapper, reef sharks and many species of corals. On land, Manjangan deer, monkeys and monitor lizards. There are 120 species of birds in the vicinity and a breeding programme for the highly endangered Bali starling.
Optional Activities
Activities on offer include diving and snorkelling from the resort’s PADI dive centre, kayaking, horse riding, trekking, guided birdwatching including from a forest tower, giving you options to see the best, both in the water and on land.
Overview
Set on a secluded sandy beach, Plataran Komodo is only 10 minutes from the town of Labuan Bajo on Flores island, giving good access to nearby islands and the awesome Komodo dragons.
The property is just a minute’s walk from the beautiful, private Wae Cicu beach and has an excellent outdoor swimming pool. The eight modern villas are finished to a high standard, ensuring a comfortable stay. They all feature verandahs looking out to the gardens and sea beyond and are equipped with safety deposit boxes, minibar and air-conditioning.
Delicious western and local food is served at the open air beachfront restaurant; you can also opt for private romantic beach dining. If hungry out of meal times, you can avail yourself on snacks and afternoon tea each day.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
8 detached villas, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, air-conditioning, minibar, safe, laundry and daily housekeeping service.
Overview
NIHI Sumba is an intimate, award-winning, luxury boutique resort on the remote island of Sumba, with a long, private, sandy beach and 28 luxury villas set amongst the coastal trees. There is also a spa and choice of restaurants either by the beach or with elevated views over the ocean, with most of the food ingredients grown on site.
All the individual villas belong to one of nine “estates” and have private plunge pools, verandahs and air-conditioning. They are extremely well appointed and hand built using local wood to give a traditional yet modern feel with full length windows to make the most of the views and natural light.
There is plenty of in house entertainment with watersports facilities, an open air spa, equestrian centre, beach cinema and ping-pong and pool tables. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the property.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, beach club, bar, swimming pool, water sports facilities, PADI dive shop, open air spa, equestrian centre, 2.5km-long private beach, cinema, ping-pong and pool tables, free Wi-Fi, minibar, tea and coffee facilities, room and laundry services.
Optional Activities
Hiking, swimming, surfing, diving, other water sports, mountain biking, visits to waterfalls, snorkelling, pilates and village visits. You can also achieve a freediving certification, learning to free dive to 20m for up to 3 minutes.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Indonesia are included.
Best Visited:
March to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Be sure to visit the Blue Waterfall on an excursion to Wanukaka from NIHI Sumba.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We both loved it. We found the Indonesian people very smiley and friendly. The ground agents and drivers were polite and informative. All dealings with Jonathan Morris were helpful and efficient. Thank you.