Things to do in Java, Indonesia

Begin with a pickup from your hotel in Malang at midnight and travel to Mount Bromo for about 3 hours. Upon your arrival at Mount Bromo, climb aboard a 4WD vehicle to start the adventure. Drive along a bumpy road to the sunrise viewpoint. Witness the magical Bromo sunrise view. Take in the views of the crater, temple, caldera, and surrounding mountains, including Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java. After you have finished exploring Mount Bromo, enjoy a breakfast at a local restaurant. Once your breakfast at Bromo is finished, continue on the adventure to Lumajang Regency, where the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is located. From the entrance gate of Tumpak Sewu, hike down through a path intricately decorated with lush green moss. Enjoy amazing views from the bottom of the towering cliffs. After your trip to Tumpak Sewu, trek back to the starting point and return to your hotel in Malang.

Be picked up from your hotel and head to Setumbu Hill to witness the breathtaking Borobudur sunrise. When the air is fresh and as the mist begins to lift, the sun will surround the volcanoes and terraced fields. After sunrise, explore the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple, the single largest Buddhist structure on earth. Be the first of the day to enter the gates as they open. After visiting Borobudur, you will travel for 1.5 - 2 hours to Prambanan Temple. Spend 2 hours exploring Prambanan. This temple was built in the tenth century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. See the three temples decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. You will also see three temples dedicated to the animals who serve them. After finishing exploring Prambanan, you can opt to choose to head back directly to the hotel, or stop for lunch on the journey back.

After being picked up from your hotel and head to Setumbu Hill to witness the breathtaking Borobudur sunrise. When the air is fresh and as the mist begins to lift, the sun will surround the volcanoes and terraced fields. After sunrise, you have the option to explore the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple, the single largest Buddhist structure on earth. Be the first of the day to enter the gates as they open. This is one of the world's greatest ancient monuments. Continue your tour on board a jeep to the Merapi volcano, one of the most popular volcanoes in the country. Snap your own momentous memories over the picturesque spots of the volcano. Finish the tour with a visit to one of the most beautiful Hindu temples, Prambanan. Built-in the tenth century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. See the three temples decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma) and the animals who serve them. Once your tour is finished, sit back and relax while your driver escorts you back to your accommodation.

Following pick up from your hotel/accommodation in Surabaya at 00.15 AM, travel to Mt Bromo for about 3 hours. Upon your arrival at Cemoro Lawang - the meeting point for the sunrise attraction - climb aboard a 4WD vehicle to start the adventure. Drive along a bumpy road to the sunrise viewpoint called Penanjakan. Walk for about 10 minutes from the parking area to the sunrise viewpoint and witness the magical Bromo sunrise view. After the sunrise is over, return to the parking area and travel to the sea of sand. Hike for 30 minutes to the peak of Mt Bromo. Take in the views of the crater, a temple, caldera and surrounding mountains including Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java. After you have finished exploring Mt Bromo, enjoy a breakfast at a local restaurant. Choose the optional drie to Madakaripura waterfall, before journeying back to Surabaya city.

Day 1 Start your adventure with pickup from your accommodation in Yogyakarta in the morning and travel to Mount Bromo. Enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way while your friendly driver negotiates the notorious Indonesian traffic. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation in Bromo, enjoy some free time to explore the area and prepare for the sunrise tomorrow. Day 2 Rise early to get ready for a truly unforgettable experience as you witness the magical sunrise views of Mount Bromo, the most popular volcano in Indonesia. After exploring Mount Bromo, head back to the hotel to enjoy the breakfast before traveling to Bondowoso City, where your accommodation for the Ijen Crater tour is located. Day 3 Today, your tour starts in the middle of the night as you head to the Ijen Crater. Hike up to the top of the Ijen Crater on a 90 to 120-minute hike, where you can witness the fascinating blue flames rise up from inside the crater. After exploring the crater, you will be dropped off at Ketapang Harbor and you are pleased to continue your journey to Bali.

Start your tour with pickup from either Bali or Banyuwangi and take in the beautiful sunrise over Ijen Crater. For those traveling from Bali, start your tour in the evening by making your way to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi. Once you have arrived at Ketapang Port, relax at the lounge before getting picked up by your team and continue to Ijen Volcano. For those traveling from Banyuwangi, enjoy pickup from your accommodations at 12:30 AM and travel to Ijen Volcano to start your hike. Take in the scenery during your 1.5-2-hour hike to the Ijen Crater viewpoint and admire the views from the top. On a clear day, you can see the volcano's mystical blue fire, which is a truly unique experience. Catch the sunrise over the largest acid lake on Java Island and appreciate the local miners carrying sulfur rock as part of their daily life to provide for their families. After exploring the volcano, trek down and back to the parking lot. For those staying in Banyuwangi, you will return to your hotel around 9:00 AM. Those traveling back to Bali will return to their accommodations in the afternoon.

Benefit from pick-up from your hotel in Bali, and then travel to the westernmost tip to catch the ferry to Java from Gilimanuk. Upon arrival at Ketapang port in Banyuwangi, travel by 4WD vehicle to the village of Licin and drive through a rainforest of giant ferns and trees on the slopes of Mount Ijen.  Ascend to the summit to look into the crater and marvel at the blue fires of the volcano under a canopy of stars. Get a panoramic view of the sulfur lake and surrounding landscape in the first light of day. Then, return to the base of the mountain to enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before the drive back to the Bali.

Embark on an exciting and unforgettable midnight hike up Ijen Volcano leaving from Bali and trust that this 24-hour adventure is worth the time. Begin your trek in pitch-black darkness and reach the crater in time to see the world's largest blue flame area, rising up to 16 ft. Hike back down as the sun rises and take in panoramic views of the magnificent natural surroundings.  The trip begins with pickup from your hotel and then a 4-hour drive to Gilimanuk Port, where the ferry for Java departs. Arrive at Ketapang, and go out for dinner to get energy for the hike. After your meal, set off for Mount Ijen’s blue fire, and arrive an hour and a half later at the base of the mountain. By midnight, the trek to the summit will start. The trek up will take around two hours. At the first stop, enjoy a spectacular view of the night sky and a photographer will teach you how to take photos of the stars. Head down to the Ijen Crater, which will take another 40 minutes. After a rocky path down to the bottom of the crater, see from a distance the mesmerizing electric blue fire from the volcano’s lava. Going back to the crater’s rim, be greeted by the breathtaking view of the sunrise overlooking the surrounding scenery. The trek will end at a local warung to eat breakfast before returning to Bali and your hotel.

There is much to see in Yogyakarta, a large city with limited public transportation options for visitors. Hire a private vehicle and experience all the city has to offer. The driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you wherever you would like to go on this 10-hour program. Check out the ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan that look like hand-drizzled sand castles or explore the Sultan's palace which is reminiscent of a gilded music box filled with jewels. The city is also well known for its arts and handicrafts, a nerve center for traditional and modern puppetry. Your knowledgeable driver will take you to your favorite spots, explain everything you need to know about the attractions, and will wait for you. If you love having freedom of choice and having fun at your own pace, this is the best way to discover Yogyakarta.

Admire the glow of the rising sun from the Penanjakan viewpoint and take a short hike to the peak of the Mount Bromo volcano on this day trip from Malang. Fill up with a breakfast at a local restaurant.  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up early in the morning from your accommodation in Malang. Relax in an air-conditioned car on the drive to Cemoro Lawang. Transfer to a 4WD vehicle and begin your adventure along a bumpy road.  Stop at the Penanjakan viewpoint and watch the sun come up over the mountains from this elevated position. Return to the parking area and hike for 15 minutes to the peak of Mt Bromo.  Take in the views of the crater, a temple, the caldera, and the surrounding mountains including Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java. After you have finished exploring Mt Bromo, sit down to have a breakfast at a local restaurant. Have the option purchase a trip to the Madakaripura waterfall, before journeying back to your hotel in Malang.