World's Natural Wonders, Private Tour

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta early in the morning, meet with our local rep and transfer directly to the Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton. This building, constructed during the 18th century, is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. Learn more about Javanese heritage and culture as you walk through the various rooms and chambers. At the exit, a pedicab, known locally as a becak, awaits for your short transfer to Taman Sari, the Water Palace. This palace was built by the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, especially dedicated for his harem as a bathing pool. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the art and handicrafts of Yogyakarta. Visit a traditional Batik fabric workshop and then the village of Kotagede. Located around 10 kilometres from the city centre, this 16th -century village is known for producing some of the best silver products in the country. After, transfer to the outskirts of Yogyakarta to explore the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta. Built in the ninth century, this collection of sharp, jagged temple features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. Lunch included.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, depart to Magelang to visit Borobudor, 42 kilometres west of Yogyakarta. With your guide, explore this massive Buddhist temple - the world’s largest - 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. Nowadays, the UNESCO Heritage site is still visible in its full glory, with magnificent carvings and an unusual, yet surprisingly beautiful structure. At the temple’s exit, your bicycle awaits to start peddling through the rural countryside that leads you to a peaceful and charming village. See local houses and discover the daily village activities. Savour a delicious coconut served as a refreshment in the middle of the plantation. 

Continue with a visit to the nearby temple of Mendut by car. Older than Borobudur, this pyramid-shaped temple houses three impressively carved stone statues. Also visit Pawon temple, a simple yet beautiful monument known for its precise symmetry. Enjoy a late lunch served at a local restaurant facing a rice field. After lunch, return to Yogya. In the late afternoon, make a short visit to Alun Alun Kidul (city square). This place has attracted many visitors to try out a game known as Masangin. The rules of the game are very simple – blindfolded, walk straight about 20 metres from the Sasono Hinggil, passing between the two banyan trees planted in the centre of the square. The local belief is that if you able to pass through, you are one who has a pure heart and clean mind who deserves good fortune. 

In the evening, we host you for a tasty dinner at Dalem Joyokusumo. This dalem, or royal family house, was inhabited by Raden Wedono Condrokusumo, a cousin of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII, the king of Yogyakarta. They will offer you a royal family ‘secret’, or special menu that usually served only for the royal family. Return to the hotel.

Overnight in Yogyakarta . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After breakfast at the hotel, in the morning, transfer to the Yogyakarta train station, board the morning Sancaka executive class train to Mojokerto, enjoying the scenic train ride to East Java arriving at noon - schedule is subject to change without notice). Upon arrival in Mojokerto, your driver awaits for your transfer to Tosari village (approx. four hours). Before reaching Tosari, make a stop in Trowulan, the former capital of the Majapahit Empire centuries ago. Majapahit (1293-1500 AD) was a Hindu empire of 98 tributaries, stretching from Sumatra to New Guinea. Your next stop is at the Pasuruan harbour for lunch. In this charming fishing village, see traditional wooden boats and the daily activities of the local fisherman.  After lunch, continue to Tosari, located on the outskirts of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The climate here is cool all year round as the village is perched at an altitude of about 1,700 metres above sea level. Check in at your hotel and have dinner. 

Overnight in Bromo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Awake early this morning for a sunrise tour of Mount Bromo. We depart the hotel by 4X4 Jeep very early in the morning to reach the first stopping point at Penanjakan, approximately 40 minutes from the hotel. A nice spot will be set up for you with a private tent on the hill near Penanjakan for you to enjoy a hot cup of hot coffee or tea, and from this vantage point, admire the stunning views of the Bromo volcano and surrounds. Watch the incredible scene of the sun rising up from behind the volcano. After, continue by Jeep down to the volcano’s caldera, which is usually still covered by mist early in the morning. Walk to the rim of still active Bromo crater. Next, return to the hotel for breakfast. Departing early ion the morning, check out from the hotel to continue your trip, reaching Kalibaru (6 hours’ drive from Bromo to Kalibaru), located on a quiet hillside with views of Mrawan Mountain and beautiful Gumitir Valley, surrounded by a unique natural setting and plantations. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the way. After lunch, transfer to your hotel, check in and enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Kalibaru . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

In the morning after breakfast, visit a Kalibaru plantation where you may see the cultivation of Indonesian crops, such as coffee, cocoa, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla and pepper, as well as many tropical fruits. Enjoy the sensation of the gentle morning breeze while in the middle of a plantation, smelling the fresh scent of the morning dew. Here you will see the process of making coconut sugar, taken from palm flower to packet. Lunch at the hotel. Continue your journey to the eastern tip of Java Dwipa - Java’s old name - to reach Ketapang. Check in to your hotel with the rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Ijen. Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a morning transfer to Baluran National Park, packed with a rich wildlife covering 25,000 hectares of savannah, including 40 kilometres of attractive coastline full of mangroves, beaches and coral reefs. Relatively small in size, the park has many ecosystems with a wide variety of flora and fauna, such as Javanese wild ox, deer, feral water buffalo and more than 100 bird species.  

After, return to your hotel to rest before lunch at a local restaurant, then head to Bali via Pemuteran. Drop off at your hotel in Bali, located in the heart of the island, Ubud.

Overnight  in Ubud. Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart from your hotel to visit the Gunung Kawi temple, located at Tampak Siring village, situated on the River Pakerisan. This archaeological complex carved out of the living rock dates back to the 11th century. The temple offers beautiful views, follow the footpath down (approx. 315 stone steps) to reach the temple passing through spectacular rice terraces. Continuing to Tirta Empul temple, famous for its holy water, where Balinese worshipers have been drawn to for more than 1,000 years. Here you will find natural spring water bathing pool with ancient Balinese designs. 

Ascend to Kintamani to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Batur and its volcano, Mount Batur. Although Mount Batur is not the highest volcano in Bali, it is the most active and is surrounded by an impressive caldera. Buffet lunch is served as you enjoy this beautiful panorama. After, take an exclusive up-close adventure of the volcano. Descending to the black lava at the slope of the active volcano. Hop aboard a classic 4x4 Land Cruiser to start the adventure. A unique trail takes you across the lava eruptions of 1834 and 1964 in the Batur caldera, before returning to the vehicle, visit a cave inside a lava flow. Return to your hotel in Ubud.

Overnight in Ubud. Breakfast and lunch included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a morning drive to western Bali, exploring the Tabanan regency, known for its outstanding natural beauty. Beating the crowds, arrive at Jatiluwih, a spacious rice terrace area in Bali. Due to the unique Subak irrigation system, UNESCO has appointed this area as World Heritage Site in 2012. Here you may join a short walk through the rice field and breathe in the cool, fresh morning air. Then head to Bedugul, with a stop at Candikuning, a colourful local market providing fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and exotic flowers. After, enjoy a set menu lunch at a local private retreat villa by the lake. Next, return to your private air-conditioned vehicle for a visit to Alas Kedaton, a small forest inhabited by hundreds of monkeys. Locals believe that these monkeys are the guardians of the well-preserved small temple inside the forest. Continue on to Bali’s most famous sight, the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Located on a barren volcanic rock in the ocean, the temple is sometimes pounded by huge waves, creating a magical setting. At the end of the day, transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight  in Ubud. Breakfast and lunch included.

Savour an early breakfast at the hotel before your morning flight to Labuan Bajo, a city at the tip of Flores Island (flight not included, recommended Wings Air IW-1888 08:00-09:15). Meet with the local guide and head to the harbour, starting a two-night boat trip. The trip starts with a four-hour cruise to Komodo Island, passing many small islands over the sparkling tropical water. Komodo Island is part of Komodo National Park that covers many small islands around Komodo, such as Rinca and Padar. These volcanic islands are inhabited by more than 5,000 Komodo dragons, the largest giant lizard on earth. Komodo Island was voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, in line with other well-known sites in the world, such as Iguazu Falls and Halong Bay.

Accompanied by park rangers, trek around the island for about 1.5 hrs searching for the prehistoric looking beast. Continue to Pink Beach for lunch, served on board. Pink Beach is one of the seven beaches in the world boasting a light pink colour. The crystal-clear water and the beautiful underwater landscape will entice you to jump in! (Snorkels and fins provided) 

Make your way back to the boat and continue your trip to Gili Lawa, located on the northeast side of Komodo Island, a small barren-like island. Climb up to the crest of the hill to experience one of the best sunsets in the entire national park. Dinner on board the boat.

Overnight on board boat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Breakfast on the boat. In the morning, float to the uninhabited Padar Island, the third largest island of Komodo National Park, located between Rinca and Komodo Island. Enjoy a walk to the top of the hill for the best views of the island. Then, put on a snorkel and a pair of fins and leap from the boat into the salty water, exploring the reefs and its spectacular underwater marine life. Afterwards, enjoy lunch while slowly navigating towards Rinca Island. The trip takes you over calm tropical water, passing through hundreds of small islands. Rinca is well-known for its population of Komodo dragons - walk around the island with a park ranger to see these magnificent giant lizards in their natural environment. On the way, you may also see wild pigs, buffalo and birdlife. At the end of the afternoon, continue your trip to Kalong Island and witness thousands of giant bats fly out of their nest over the mangrove forest hunting for their dinner with a beautiful golden sunset backdrop. Dinner on the boat.

Overnight on board boat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Breakfast on board  the boat. From Kalong Island, head towards Kelor Island, a small island with vast white sandy beaches, a flourishing underwater ‘garden’ housing colourful tropical fish. Swim and relax on the beach followed by lunch on board  the boat. In the afternoon, we return to the harbour at Labuan Bajo, followed by a car transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Labuan Bajo. Breakfast and lunch included

Start today with breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, transfer to Werang village, located about 35km from Labuan Bajo for a refreshing swimming experience at the impressive Cunca Rami Waterfall. Join a 1.5-hour scenic walk through plantations, relatively untouched by the modern world. Observe the various stages of rice cultivation and the traditional drying methods throughout the trail. Keep an eye out for bananas, cacao, vanilla and avocado plantations. Afterwards, drive to the Labuan Bajo airport to catch a flight back to Denpasar, Bali (flight not included, recommended Wings Air IW 1899 16:00-17:20). Check in to your hotel in Nusa Dua with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Nusa Dua. Breakfast included.

Begin the day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure - perhaps enjoy the hotel facilities, relax by the pool reading a good book or enjoy a nice stroll at the beach.  

Overnight  in Nusa Dua. Breakfast included. 

Breakfast at hotel is followed by the morning free at leisure. In the afternoon, head to one of Bali’s most impressive temples, Uluwatu, an exquisite monument perched above the sea and situated on a headland at the westernmost tip of the peninsula. After, enjoy the afternoon at The Sanctus Villa, an impressive venue located on the cliffs offering amazing views of the ocean. Feel free to jump in the infinity pool as you sip on a beer and admire the sunset and the blue horizon morph into a warm golden colour. 

Note: One bottle of beer per person, peanuts/crackers and towel included. (This can be modified to standard Uluwatu temple with Kecak dance performance without surcharge). Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight  in Nusa Dua. Breakfast included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide and then transfer to Denpasar airport for your flight back home. 

Breakfast included.