Java-Bali Cultural Odyssey

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Indonesia’s culture, from the bustling streets of Jakarta to the serene temples of Bali. Explore ancient sites, witness traditional dances, and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Java and Bali. From the vibrant city of Jakarta to the tranquil landscapes of Ubud, experience the best of Java and Bali’s cultural treasures on this unforgettable tour.

Duration: 11 days 10 nights

City: Jakarta, Yogyakarta, South of Bali, Lovina, Candidasa, Ubud

Price: Upon Request

 

Day 1: Jakarta – Arrival

Day 2: Jakarta – Yogyakarta

Day 3: Yogyakarta – Excursion to visit Borobudur

Day 4: Yogyakarta – South of Bali

Day 5: South of Bali – Full day exploration

Day 6: South of Bali – Afternoon visit

Day 7: South of Bali – Lovina

Day 8: Lovina – Candidasa

Day 9: Candidasa – Ubud

Day 10: Ubud – Day at leisure

Day 11: Ubud – Departure

Indonesia: 11 days 10 nights 

  • Explore Indonesia culture and history with visits to Temples of Ancient Batavia, Borobudur, Mendut, Pawon, Prambanan Temple, Gunung Kawi Temple, Uluwatu Temple, Pura Taman Ayun, Tanah Lot Temple, Goa Lawah Temple, Taman Gili Complex, and Besakih Temple.
  • Enjoy a visit to the tranquil Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
  • Visit to a local village of Tenganan Village.
  • Enjoy visits to the famous Sacred Monkey Forest of Alas Kedaton.
  • Fascinating with the traditional Barong and Kris dance show and Kecak Dance.
  • Accommodation in selected hotels (or similar) with daily breakfast
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary with English-speaking local guides
  • Private car/van/bus with air conditioning
  • All entrance fees as indicated in the tour
  • Meals as mentioned in the program
  • Drinking water and refreshing towels during day tours
  • International and domestic airfares (unless otherwise noted);
  • Additional charges for excess baggage (unless otherwise noted);
  • Costs to obtain passports, visas, e-VOAs, visa fees, and airport departure taxes (unless otherwise noted);
  • Sightseeing, meals, and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary;
  • Gratuities for local tour guides, drivers, porters, restaurant staff, and room service;
  • Other personal expenses, such as shopping, laundry, and internet access (except at booked hotels and on cruises).

Hotel in Jakarta

Hotel in Yogyakarta

Hotel in South Bali

Hotel in Lovina

Hotel in Ubud

Upon arriving at Jakarta airport, meet with our representative who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Jakarta

Meals: No

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before embarking on an exciting day of exploration. Begin your adventure with a vibrant city tour that immerses you in the rich history and culture of Jakarta:

Temples of Ancient Batavia: Marvel at the intricate architecture and serene ambiance of these historic temples.

Chinatown: Dive into the bustling streets, soak in the lively atmosphere, and perhaps find unique souvenirs.

Kota Intan Bridge: Cross this iconic bridge, a charming relic from the Dutch colonial era, offering stunning views and great photo opportunities.

Sunda Kelapa Port: Witness the colorful and bustling activities at this historic port, where traditional Bugis phinisi schooners dock and trade goods, providing a glimpse into Jakarta’s maritime heritage.

Fatahillah Museum: Step back in time and explore Jakarta’s long and fascinating history through engaging exhibits.

Puppet Museum: Discover the enchanting world of traditional Javanese puppetry, featuring an impressive collection of wayang puppets and performances.

After a morning packed with sights and experiences, head to the airport for your flight to Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java. Upon arrival, meet with our friendly local representative who will assist with your transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Yogyakarta
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable morning visit to Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a marvel considered one of the world’s seven wonders. Perched majestically on a hilltop, the temple overlooks lush green fields and distant hills. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, Borobudur’s design reflects Gupta architecture, showing India’s influence while incorporating unique Indonesian elements.

Next, we visit Mendut and Pawon Temples. Mendut, built in the early 9th century AD, is the oldest of the three temples. It was constructed during King Indra’s reign of the Sailendra dynasty, as mentioned in the Karangtengah inscription from 824 AD. This inscription refers to a sacred structure called Venuvana, or “bamboo forest,” linked to Mendut by archaeologists like JG de Casparis. Discovered in ruins in 1836, Mendut was restored between 1897 and 1925. Pawon Temple, located between Mendut and Borobudur, is slightly older than Borobudur. Its straight-line alignment with the other two temples suggests symbolic connections. Pawon, meaning “kitchen” or “dust” in Javanese, possibly served as a royal tomb. The temple is renowned for its carvings of bodhisattvas, taras, and the tree of life, earning it the title “the jewel of Javanese temple architecture” due to its simplicity, symmetry, and harmony.

We conclude our morning visit with lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we explore The Kraton, or the Palace of Yogyakarta, a grand complex meticulously designed to reflect the Javanese cosmos. This splendid example of traditional Javanese architecture, completed in the 1970s, is also known as Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat or simply Keraton Jogja. The elegant complex of pavilions is built entirely on ancient beliefs, with each feature—from courtyards to trees—holding special symbolic meaning related to sophisticated Javanese worldviews.

Next, we visit Kota Gede, a charming town with a maze of narrow streets lined with tiny, traditional silversmith shops and mosaic-tiled houses, once the homes of aristocracy and royal merchants. Kota Gede is perfect for a leisurely wander and is renowned as the center of Yogyakarta’s silver industry.

Overnight at the hotel in Yogyakarta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Hindu temple complex of Prambanan, locally known in Javanese as Rara Jonggrang. This grand complex, dating back to the 9th century, is renowned for its shrines and statues of Hindu deities and its intricate Ramayana bas-reliefs. Among the venerated murtis (deity statues) in the Prambanan complex are the main deity Shiva Mahadeva, along with Vishnu, Brahma, and the Nandi bull.

Our temple tour concludes with a visit to Sewu, an 8th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located 800 meters north of Prambanan. Candi Sewu, the second-largest Buddhist temple complex in Indonesia after Borobudur, dates back to the 8th century AD. The name “Sewu,” meaning “thousand temples,” refers to the 249 shrines that constitute this complex. Its impressive scale places it second only to Borobudur in religious and historical significance.

After completing the temple visits, we head to the airport for our flight to Bali. Upon arrival, we will meet our representative and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in South of Bali
Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with the exhilarating Barong and Kris dance show, an iconic performance deeply rooted in Balinese spirituality. This dance drama, Calon Arang, portrays the eternal battle between good (Barong) and evil (Rangda), culminating in Barong’s victory over Rangda’s malevolent magic. Witness the performers enter a dramatic trance state as they wield kris daggers, symbolizing the restoration of balance in nature by Barong.

Next, we visit Goa Gajah, an ancient cave and archaeological site featuring a relic-filled courtyard and stunning rock-wall carvings. Within the courtyard, you’ll find a traditional Balinese meeting hall known as a wantilan, along with unique, sizable old stone carvings. The site also includes a pool, excavated in 1954, showcasing five to seven statues believed to depict Hindu deities.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we proceed to the magnificent Tegallalang Rice Terraces, which offer extraordinary scenic views of the lush green landscape. Our tour concludes with a visit to Gunung Kawi Temple, locally known as “Candi Gunung Kawi.” This site comprises a collection of ancient ‘Candi’ or shrine reliefs carved directly into the face of a rock cliff. It is one of the most stunningly unique archaeological sites and holds significant sacred importance for the Balinese.

After a fulfilling day, we return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight at the hotel in South of Bali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning is free time for you to spend at your own leisure.

In the afternoon, journey to the southwestern tip of Bali to visit the stunning Uluwatu Temple, one of the island’s six key temples. Locally known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu (with “Luhur” meaning ‘something of divine origin’), this temple is a must-visit for those seeking a deep cultural experience. Renowned for its breathtaking location, Uluwatu Temple is perched atop a steep cliff approximately 70 meters above the crashing ocean below, providing a magnificent backdrop at sunset.

Experience the dramatic Kecak Dance, also known as the “monkey dance,” performed against the backdrop of the setting sun. This performance, set in such a spectacular environment, offers a captivating glimpse into Balinese culture. This also include a dinner on the beach of Jimbaran. Afterwards, we return to your hotel for the night.

Overnight at the hotel in South of Bali
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, followed by a free morning to relax or explore south of Bali at your own pace. We begin our journey with a visit to Pura Taman Ayun, one of Bali’s most attractive and visited temples. Built in the 17th century as a family temple for the Mengwi Empire, this temple boasts a sophisticated architectural design and has been declared a UNESCO world cultural tourism site.

Then, we will drive to Alas Kedaton, the sacred forest populated by several tribes of gentle monkeys that protect the temple from evil spirits. It is referred to by locals as Obyek Wisata Alam Alas Kedaton and is one of several monkey forests in Bali, which you can visit as an alternative to the more popular Ubud Monkey Forest, especially on tours to the island’s western region.

Our morning concludes at the iconic Tanah Lot Temple, perched on a small island in the sea. As one of the seven “sea temples” (pura segara) built along the southwest coast of Bali, it offers a stunning location to witness an incredible sunset. According to local legend, the temple was built in the 16th century when a Javanese priest, captivated by the beauty of the place, decided to sleep there. Before leaving, he instructed local fishermen to build a temple dedicated to the gods of the sea.

After lunch, we will continue our route to Lovina. We will be passing through Bedugul, a quiet and beautiful place in the mountain, then visit the fruit and flower market and Ulun Danu Temple, an iconic Temple on Lake Beratan located within the highlands of the mountainous Bedugul, atop a plateau that sits on Lake Beratan. In the mild, mountain weather, approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, the air is crisp and cool. The stunningly clear lake is calm and almost perfectly still, save for the soft breeze that occasionally sweeps across, creating tiny ripples upon its surface. A thin mist rises from the lake and hangs in the air, surrounding the temple, giving it a somewhat surreal appearance.

Arrival in Lovina and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Lovina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Candidasa. Along the way, we will visit Pura Beji Temple in Kintamani, a large and beautiful temple complex located in the village of Sangsit in North Bali. This temple, dating back to the 15th century during the Majapahit kingdom’s expedition from Java to Bali, is revered by village farmers and unique in Bali as it serves as a ‘pura puseh’ or the village’s central temple.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, taking in the panoramic view of Mount Batur.

After a delightful lunch, we will continue to the revered Besakih Temple, known as the “Mother Temple of Besakih.” Facing Mount Agung’s highest peak and situated at an altitude of 900 meters, this grand temple complex has been a sacred site since ancient times. The name Besakih is derived from “Basuki,” meaning salvation in classical Sanskrit. According to Samudramanthana mythology, “Besuki” refers to the Dragon-God Naga Besukian, who is believed to inhabit Mount Agung. The first recorded mention of Besakih Temple dates back to 1007 AD, and since the 15th century, it has been regarded as the central temple of Hinduism in Bali.

We then continue by road to Candidasa, passing through the village of Sidemen, which offers beautiful scenery and stunning panoramic views of rural ingenuity and heritage. Upon arrival in Candidasa, we will check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight at the hotel in Candidasa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Ubud. On the way, we will visit Tenganan Village, one of the oldest traditional Balinese villages located in Karangasem Regency in the eastern part of Bali. This village, known for its unique community life and Bali Aga culture (Hindu Prehistoric), stands out from other villages on the island.

Next, we will visit Goa Lawah Temple, also known as the Bat Cave. This sacred site, one of Bali’s “six sanctuaries of the world,” is constructed around a cave teeming with thousands of bats, offering a unique and spiritual experience.

Our journey continues to Kusamba fishing village, renowned for its traditional methods of salt mining, fishing, and fish processing.

We will then visit the Taman Gili Complex in Semarapura, once a palace of the Klungkung Regency. This historic site features structures from the 17th century when Klungkung was the most revered of Bali’s nine kingdoms. Key attractions within the complex include Kerta Gosa, the old kingdom’s court of justice adorned with beautiful floor-to-ceiling murals depicting karmic punishments, and Bale Kambang, a floating pavilion illustrating scenes from a royal wedding and the story of Sutasoma, a Buddhist saint. The small museum on the premises houses a collection of stone artifacts and works by Emilio Ambron, highlighting the sister-city relationship between Florence and Klungkung. Most of the palace compound was destroyed during the Dutch colonial conquest in 1908.

We will continue our journey to Ubud, where we will check in at the hotel for an overnight stay. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant en route.

Overnight at the hotel in Ubud
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a day of leisure in Ubud. Explore the town at your own pace, or relax and unwind.

Overnight at the hotel in Ubud
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out at the designated time. At the appropriate time, transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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