Highlights of Java and Bali

10 Days / 9 Nights

Day 1Arrive Yogyakarta, Drive to Borobudur

Upon arrival at Yogyakarta Airport, proceed on an hour’s drive to your resort in Borobudur, home to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Borobudur and world famous Javanese coffee beans. 

If schedule permits, visit a small family-run coffee plantation to learn more about the history of Javanese coffee and the different varieties grown in this region. Take a short walk around the plantation followed by a tasting session.

Overnight at Borobudur 

Day 2Village Bike Trip, Borobudur Temple

Today explore the local life of people in this historic area. Before the bike trip, visit a local village market to see local produce and mingle with the community. You can cycle or hop on a horst cart along flat trails and quiet village paths for about 6 miles. Along the ride, stop at traditional home cottage industries to learn about local livelihood like noodle making, “tempeh” and a traditional pottery workshop where you will get to make your own pot. 

Transfer back to your resort for some relaxing time after the bike trip. Later in the afternoon, explore the historic Borobudur Temple when it is less warm. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur temple is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex dating back from the 8th century. One of world’s truly great ancient monuments, this single largest Buddhist structure was thought to be constructed over 75 years, completing around the year 825. Borobudur complex consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, decorated with no less than 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues of various types. Before sundown, head up to Dagi Hill for scenic sunset views of the temple.  

Overnight at Borobudur 

Day 3Village Hike, Art Museum

Enjoy a half day hike around a rural Javanese Village. To get to the tail head, you need to take a short motorbike ride. The hike then goes through a rain forest jungle, rice terraces and little streams of crystal-clear water river on the foot of Sumbing Mountain. The 1.5 hour hike has gradual ascents and descents, enjoy stunning view rice terrace fields, plantations of cassava, sweet potato and long beans, all against beautiful mountain views in background. The hike ends at the sacred Selogriyo temple, a small 9 BC Hindu temple on a hilltop. Then continue walking through small country paths in the village leading to the main road where the car will transfer you back to the resort. 

Afternoon, visit a private museum of modern and contemporary Indonesian art, founded and owned by the well-known art collector Dr. Oei Hong Djien (OHD). He started his collection in 1970s and currently owns more than 2000 artworks, ranging from paintings, sculptures, installations and new media art.  

At sundown, enjoy a small picnic and drinks at a scenic viewpoint of sunset views over the sprawling rice fields.

Overnight at Borobudur 

Day 4Fly to Bali, Drive to Ubud

Depart Borobudur this morning to explore the city of Yogyakarta. Visit the Sultan’s Palace located in the heart of old city. The huge palace of the Sultans of Yogyakarta is the center of a small walled city within the city. Over 25,000 people live within the greater Keraton compound with its own market, shops, batik and silver cottage industries, school and mosques. Go to the nearby water castle Taman Sari, a splendid pleasure park of palace, pools and waterways where Sultan and his entourage enjoy. 

Enjoy a special lunch experience with a puppeteer from the Papermoon Theatre, a world famous puppet theatre who has toured over 10 countries, included the United States. Highly rated by the New York Times and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, you will watch a short performance and learn more about their amazing work. 

Late afternoon take a flight to Bali. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your resort in Ubud, the cultural heartland of Bali surrounded by spectacular rice paddies and steep ravines. The drive takes about 2 hours.  

Overnight at Ubud 

Day 5Village Cycling, Cooking with a Balinese Family

Start the morning with an hour’s drive to Penelokan Village located on Batur Volcano rim about 1,717-meter elevation. Enjoy a traditional coffee break at a small food stall with stunning view of Mount Batur before cycling through an orange plantation at Pisang Village. Stop to meet some friendly farmers before continuing pedaling through rice fields, tropical rain forest valley and an irrigation River.  

Pedaling down to Pejeng Aji village, known for its Garuda Wisnu wood carvers to see a local carving artist. Then continue to Bentuyung Village, made famous by the novel, Eat Pray Love. Your bike journey ends at a local restaurant where lunch will be served. 

This bike journey is mostly on descending paved roads except for a few miles through rice fields. It is not technical and suitable for all fitness level. Along the ride, you will be followed by a support van and you can continue by van anytime. 

Afternoon meet your friendly hosts at their traditional multi-generation home for a cultural and culinary experience. At their gardens, gather fresh vegetables and herbs before a short walk of 10 minutes to Dewa’s family compound where you will learn Balinese cooking technics using a traditional wood-fired stove. Expect a very hands-on, communal cooking experience during which you grind spices and chilies in their heirloom mortar and pestle, which dates back 3 or 4 generations! Enjoy a sumptuous meal before returning to your hotel. 

Overnight at Ubud  

Day 6A Day with a Balinese Hindu Priest, Tour of Ubud Town

This morning you will meet a special host who is on the highest Balinese caste of Brahmana and dedicates his life to preserving the Balinese culture. He is also a teacher of Keliki, a traditional style of painting with shades of black and white.  

Enjoy an easy nature walk around his village and rice paddies to see spices, plantations and a tropical forest. Along the way, he will explain the way how Balinese cultivate rice and the Subak irrigation system. Learn about traditional medicinal herbs and plants used commonly by locals. After a picnic lunch, drive about 30min to a hidden holy shrine at Sebatu Village. About 200 steps down to a small natural spring waterfall and a temple shrine, you will participate in a cleansing ritual “Melukat” with a holy bath by the waterfall and a sacred blessing ceremony to release all the bad things while praying for a good future. 

 Afternoon explore the Art Market in Ubud town to shop for traditional crafts and visit the Palace of the Ubud Royal Family. Continue to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a 27 acre range of cool and dense jungle in the Padangtegal area of Ubud.. This exceptional nature reserve and mysterious temple complex is inhabited by a tribe of grey-haired long-tailed macaque monkeys. The village’s residents view the Monkey Forest as an important spiritual and conservation center for the village.   

Overnight in Ubud 

Day 7Batu Karu Temple, Scenic Rice Terraces, Seminyak Beach

Enjoy a relaxing morning before heading to the coast for your beach stay. Along the drive to your beach resort, stop at Batu Karu Temple, a beautiful 11th century Hindu temple by on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. Very little is known about the builder and origins. Continue to Jati Luwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. This is the most famous picturesque rice fields overlapping the foot of Mount Batukaru.  

Rest of the afternoon is free to relax at your beach resort.  We recommend an evening stroll on your own to the lively shops and restaurants dotted throughout the beach areas.   

Overnight at Seminyak 

Day 8Tanah Lot Shrine

Depending on your preference, you can take up a private surfing class with a local instructor, a snorkeling or fishing trip off the coast.  

Later afternoon visit Tanah Lot, a 16th century Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves. This spot is world famous for its unique offshore setting and spectacular sunset views.  The shrine is accessed by a stone causeway that allows visitors to walk to the complex at low tide.  

Overnight at Seminyak 

Day 9Free Day at Seminyak

Today is free to relax by the beach or explore the vibrant shopping area around Seminyak. 

Overnight at Seminyak 

Day 10Depart Bali

Transfer to airport for your onward journey.