Family Getaway 14 Days Bali to Prambanan Friends Holiday Package

Duta Garden Hotel 3

Today is a free day and land only passengers can arrive at any time. The group flights should arrive in the afternoon. Yogya, as the city is commonly referred to, is an ancient city which, a thousand years ago, was the center of the Mataram Kingdom. Today it is Java/’s cultural and traditional heart and is renowned for its batik, ballet, drama, poetry and music.

Duta Garden Hotel 3

Today we drive to Magelang 1.5 hrs away where we visit one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, Borobudur. Scholars disagree on exactly when it was constructed but many speculate it dates back to between the 7th and 8th centuries. They do agree, however, that a huge workforce must have labored to move and carve the 55,000 cubic meters of stone and that construction took about one hundred years.

Duta Garden Hotel 3

This morning we explore Yogya by becak (bicycle rickshaw) and visit the Sultan/’s Palace. Also known as Kraton, the palace constructed in the 18th century is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. We continue to the Taman Sari water palace and garden which was initially built with bathing pools for the Sultan/’s harem. This afternoon we visit the 9th century Prambanan temple compound, consisting of 224 temples.

Kampung Lumbung Hotel 3

Today is a long day. We get up very early this morning in order to catch our train for a 4 hour train journey past Central Java/’s volcanic scenery to Mojokerto. From here we visit nearby Trowulan, site of the former capital of the Majapahit Kingdom who ruled Java for centuries. We visit the archaeology museum and the temples of Candi Bajang Ratu and Candi Tikus.

Lava View Hotel 3

As we leave Batu, our first stop is the Cuban Rondo Waterfall where we will take a short, easy walk. Continuing to Malang we visit a local market before heading north towards Bromo via Pasuruan and Probolinggo (please be aware that the market is primarily a flower, bird and live fish market. However, Indonesian attitudes to animals means that some of the animals are not kept in the best conditions which may be distressing to some people).

Margo Utomo Hotel 3

An early rise (3.00 am) will ensure we have enough time for the jeep ride to the sunrise viewpoint. The view of Bromo and the Semeru volcano in the back is fantastic (despite the crowds), made even better when the slowly rising sun reveals an amazing moon like landscape. After sunrise we cross the Sea of Sand and climb 246 steps up to the cone of Mt Bromo where you can see smoke rising from the crater.

Margo Utomo Hotel 3

This morning we visit the area including some of the plantations such as cacao, coffee, pepper and rubber, and learn about their growing and harvesting. The morning tour is concluded with a coffee tasting session, followed by a free afternoon.Those who wish can opt to visit Ijen Volcano (optional extra). Heading off either in the early hours (for sunrise) or after breakfast (if not going for sunrise) the drive by 4 Wheel Drive to the start hike takes about 2.5 hours.

Adi Assri Cottages 3

The drive to the harbor takes about 2 hours and is followed by a crossing of about 45 minutes to Bali (though depending on schedules we may be waiting 30 minutes - 1 hour for the ferry to depart). As Bali is one hour ahead we should arriving at Gilimanuk harbor late morning. Our destination for today is only a short drive away but we first visit the Pulaki Temple. This Hindu shrine is situated in front of a hill overlooking a beautiful beach.

Sahadewa Resort 3

This morning is free with the option of going on a snorkeling trip to Menjangan Island off the north coast of Bali, part of the West National Park. The reefs around the island are reputed to be the best in all of Bali. The excursion includes some time snorkeling around the coral gardens as well as a short walk on the island itself where you may see some deer. After lunch we depart the coast and head into the interior of the island.

Sahadewa Resort 3

Ubud gets its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine); the town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, but these days is known for its artistic community, awash with artists/’ workshops and art galleries. Ubud/’s history can be traced back to the 8th century, when a Buddhist priest came to Bali from Java, he meditated at the confluence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan, just west of the modern day town center.

Hotel Segara 3

Our first stop today is at one of Bali/’s famed rice terraces at Tegalalang before continuing on a tour visiting two ancient and important temples: Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul. The 11th century Gunung Kawi is set amidst lush rice paddies and features ten rock cut candis (shrines) carved into the cliff face. They combine elements of Hindu and Buddhist temple attributes and are accessed via numerous stairs.

Taksu Sanur Hotel 3

For those who wish to do the optional sunrise hike to the top of Mt. Batur (see money section for prices), the day starts at around 4 am for the short transfer to the start of the trail. After meeting the local guides and getting a safety briefing we start the hike to the summit. The 2 km hike takes about 2 hours and goes through jungle before reaching a windswept rocky pathway devoid of almost all vegetation.

Taksu Sanur Hotel 3

We end our two week exploration of Java and Bali with a well-deserved day on the beach in Sanur. This popular resort is more relaxed than some of the other beaches in southern Bali but still offers a number of activities as well as just unwinding and enjoying the restaurants and cafes. As well as relaxing, maybe with a final massage, there are numerous optional activities both on the water and inland, these can change so will be discussed with you in Bali.

For land only passengers the trip ends this morning after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be taken the short distance to Denpasar Airport in time for their flight home and anyone doing the Gili extension will be taken to the harbor in time for the boat across.