Java to Bali private overland

Find out more about the Java to Bali private overland

Java to Bali private overland Overview

JAVA…. Travel through an extraordinarily diverse landscape, from the historical wonders of Java to the exotic island of Bali. From towering volcanoes to dense forest, manicured rice paddies and teeming cities, discover the splendour of UNESCO World Heritage sites, enjoy cultural shows and witness sunrise over Mount Bromo.

Java to Bali private overland tour

Best time to visit: From May to Sep.

Day 1: Arrival Jakarta

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Jakarta.

Day 2: Jakarta to Bandung

Depart for Bandung. Make a stop at the famous Bogor Botanical Garden and tea plantations in Puncak. Late afternoon you will arrive for your 2 nights’ accommodation in Bandung.

Distance and journey times:

Jakarta to Bogor: 60 km, 1 hr

Bogor to Cipanas: 46 km, 1.30 hrs

Cipanas to Bandung: 86 km, 2 hrs

Day 3: Bandung to Tangkuban Perahu Crater

Morning, drive through the Lembang Hills to tour Tangkuban Perahu Crater, an active volcano, and the Ciater Hot spring. Return to Bandung to explore the popular market at Cihampelas Street.

Overnight in Bandung.

Distance and journey times:

Bandung to Tangkuban Perahu to Ciater: 38 km, 1.30 hrs each way

Day 4: Bandung - Tasikmalaya – Baturaden

Depart to Baturaden in Central Java via Tasikmalaya. On the way, stop at the Naga Village to see the traditional Sundanese way of life. Drive crossing the border to Central Java passing teakwood and rubber plantations to Baturaden, a resort on the slopes of Mount Slamet.

Overnight in Baturaden.

Distance and journey times:

Bandung to Tasikmalaya: 114km, 3 hrs

Tasikmalaya to Baturaden: 157km, 3 hrs

Day 5: Baturaden - Dieng Plateau – Borobudur

After breakfast, drive to Wonosobo. Excursion to Dieng Plateau to see some of Java's oldest temples standing on an open field. Continue to Magelang.

Overnight.

Distance and journey times:

Baturaden to Dieng Plateau: 115 km, 3.30 hrs

Dieng Plateau to Borobudur: 88 km, 3 hrs

Day 6: Borobudur touring / Yogyakarta

First enjoy a taste of the local life with a horse cart ride through Candirejo, a small traditional Javanese village. Known as a dokar, the local horse cart will take you through this peaceful, charming village. You’ll travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan and harvesting and drying of vanilla and chilli.

After lunch in the village of Candirejo it is time to explore the massive Buddhist Temple of Borobudur, the largest in the world- and discover the incredible history behind its construction. Comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple was assembled entirely by human labour and took more than 75 years to complete. These days, the UNESCO Heritage site is still visible in its full glory- with magnificent carvings and an unusual, yet surprisingly beautiful bulk structure.

After the visit of Borobudur, continue with a visit to nearby Mendut temple. Older than Borobudur, this pyramid-shaped temple houses three impressively carved stone statues; Sakyamuni (Sitting in a cross-legged pose with turning the wheel of dharma hand gesture), Awalokiteswara (A Buddhist as a human helper), and Maitreya (The saviour of humans for the future). The statues are thought to be some of the most impressive in their original location in Java.

You’ll also make a stop at Pawon temple, a simple yet beautiful monument known for its precise symmetry and a former storehouse for King Indra's weaponry.

Proceed to Yogyakarta and check into your hotel late in the afternoon.

Distance and journey time:

Borobudur to Yogyakarta: 42 km, 1.30 hrs

Distance and travelling time:

Borobudur to Yogyakarta: 42 km, 1.30 hours

Day 7: Yogyakarta touring

Start with a visit to The Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton, is the central aspect of the Javanese cosmology being at the centre of the Mt Merapi and Parangtritis Beach lines. This building constructed between 1756 and 1790, is a fine example of traditional Javanese Sultanate architecture. Remaining today as the residence of the Sultan, this living museum features a showcase of Javanese Culture and relics and depending on your day of visiting there will be a cultural performance ranging from Golek Menak Puppets to classical Javanese Poetry performance known as Macapat.

Continue with a 30 minutes ride by becak (similar to a cyclo or trishaw) and explore the neighbouring Kauman village built in the vicinity of the Kraton. : This village is the central keepers of the Islamic religion as authorised by the Sultanate. The small gangs (laneways) of this village are so designed to ensure minimal disturbance of noise and traffic so as to not interrupt the Santri or Islamic students from their study. It was also said that by ensuring the laneways were only passable on foot - every man was equal.

End your becak ride at the Taman Sari Water Palace This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan with bathing pools for his harem.

Then, visiting a home batik factory you will attend a short demonstration of Wayang Kulit, the famous Javanese leather puppet.

Drive to Kotagede a charming suburb of Yogyakarta famous for its traditional Javanese atmosphere and known for its silversmith workshops.

Enjoy a walking tour of Kotagede amongst narrow laneways and discover the unique Kalang style architecture indigenous to Kotagede – a combination of Javanese and Colonial styles. Return to your hotel. This evening, you’ll be treated to a performance of traditional Ramayana Dances after dining at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Day 8: Yogyakarta - Prambanan- Solo – Malang

After breakfast, visit the magnificent 9th Century Hindu Temple of Prambanan. Drive to Solo, the capital of Batik in Java and remains home to some of the most intact Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia. Visit Keraton Mangkunegaran - a repository of classical Javanese art. Visit a batik museum where you will learn about this famous Javanese art and see the craftsmen at work.

Drive to Malang for overnight (or overnight in Solo).

Distance and journey times:

Yogyakarta to Solo: 64km, 1.30 hrs

Solo to Malang: 254km, 7 hrs

Day 9: Malang to Mount Bromo

A short tour of Malang, with its beautiful colonial buildings, green parks, and scenic streets. Afterwards, drive to Sukapura Villages on the slopes of Mount Bromo.

Overnight.

Distance and journey time:

Malang to Mt Bromo: 48 km, 1.45 hrs

Day 10: Mount Bromo to Kalibaru

Early morning Mount Bromo excursion. Drive to the village of Pananjakan and continue your journey from the rim of the crater down into the stunning caldera, crossing the sulphur rich sand sea to the smoking crater of Bromo to watch the spectacular sunrise.

Return to your hotel for breakfast, before departing via Probolinggo and Jember to Kalibaru.

Overnight.

Distance and journey time:

Mt Bromo to Kalibaru: 201 km, 6 hrs

Day 11: Kalibaru to Bali

Take a plantation walking tour with your guide. This plantation is filled with coffee, coconut, snake-fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, rubber trees and cocoa. Afterwards, depart to Ketapang harbour, cross the Straits of Bali by ferry and transfer by car via the beautiful north coast of Bali to your chosen beach resort.

Distance and journey time:

Kalibaru to Ketapang: 92km, 2 hrs

Ferry from Ketapang to Gilimanuk, Bali: 30 mins

Find out more about the Java to Bali private overland