Middle and East – Java; From Yogyakarta to the port of Ketapang

You'll visit Borobudur this morning. To keep Borobudur accessible to visitors in the future, the number of visitors at a time is limited. Groups of 10 people are limited to a maximum of 15. You can visit the complex at a specific time slot. It's best to arrange tickets through your driver. Let your driver know your preferred time slot for your visit. They will provide you with entrance tickets. We recommend an early start (8:30 AM). Even with these groups, Bodobudur is very crowded, and the complex is in full sun. The cooler parts of the day are most pleasant. You also have the option of not visiting the terraces and viewing Borobudur from the temple grounds. This means you won't enter the complex (or the terraces) but will explore the temple independently. If you prefer this option, please let your driver know; there's a price difference! If you choose to visit the terraces, you will be assigned to a guide group at your designated time slot. You will receive special slippers (and a bag for your shoes). The slippers are a souvenir. The English-speaking guide will lead your group towards the complex. Along the way, they will provide explanations and historical information, and then take you to one terrace where they will explain the reliefs and Buddhist architecture. Finally, you will continue your walk. Nirvana, the 7th and highest level, is now closed to the public. Terraces 5 and 6 are open to the public. On terraces 5 and 6, the guide will provide some further explanation, after which you will have 20 minutes to explore these levels independently. Then, you'll leave Borobudur with your guide. Before you find your driver, you'll wander through a vast market full of souvenirs. Vendors can be pushy, but they'll also accept a "No Thanks!". Try to stay in the spirit of the complex; everyone has to earn their living, and there's a huge crowd for these products every day. You'll find your driver, enjoy a refreshing drink while he gets the car, or walk to the car together. It's time to leave this beautiful, peaceful complex with its Buddhist "OM." Your car will then take you to your hotel in Yogyakarta. The afternoon is at your leisure.

(Departure 9:00 AM) After breakfast, we'll visit the Kraton of Yogyakara; first, the Sultan's Palace and Taman Sari, the water palace. After coffee, we'll continue our journey to explore the city's handicrafts. After lunch, we'll travel via Prambanan (we'll stop to visit this Hindu complex) to Solo. We'll arrive at the hotel in the afternoon.

(departure in consultation) Today a choice of 2 excursions:                                                                                                                             1. Cycling tour through Solo, focusing on its hinterland. You'll cycle through the Kraton of Solo (without stopping at the palace), take a bamboo raft, and then past rice paddies and picturesque farming villages to experience everyday life up close. Along the way, you'll stop at various home industries, the most impressive being the gong forge. A pleasant, leisurely bike ride suitable for all levels.                                                                                                                                                                                              2. (Soft) hike from Candi Cetoh to Candi Sukuh. Early in the morning, we'll drive to the higher elevation of Candi Cetoh. After visiting this temple, your local guide for the day will provide explanations. You'll walk through the beautiful, yet hilly landscape to Candi Sukuh. A lovely (soft) hike through breathtaking nature. A beautiful walk through beautiful scenery suitable for the averagely fit person.

(Departure approximately 7:00 AM) A hotel car will take you to the train station in Solo. From there, you'll take the train (departure approximately 8:20 AM) to Malang. If there's still time, you can take a city tour of Malang, otherwise, you'll head straight to the hotel.

(Departure 12:00 AM) Today you'll explore Bromo. At 1:00 AM, our driver will take you to Sukapura. A jeep will be waiting for you there, and you'll take the jeep to Pananjakan, where you'll watch the sunrise. You'll then find your jeep, which will take you to the foot of Mount Bromo. Here, you can either rent locally-owned horses (not included) or walk to the foot of Mount Bromo, where the stairs to the crater rim begin. At the top of the stairs, you'll be standing directly on the crater rim, which you can walk across. Then, return to the jeep to explore the Bromo-Semeru National Park in all its beauty. The terrain is rugged and rugged, with sometimes breathtaking views. The fertile soil creates a beautiful spectacle between green slopes and black sand plains. Back in Sukapura, your driver will be waiting, and you'll drive to Bondowoso. It's another short night.

(Departure 12:00 AM) Early in the morning, your car will be waiting to take you to Ijen. It's still dark when you reach the parking lot at the foot of the volcano. Here, your driver will help you pay the entrance fees and find a guide (one of the sulfur miners). To see Bluefire at Ijen Crater Lake, you first have to climb Ijen. This is a challenging, gentle hike with steep sections (3.5 km). It takes an averagely fit person about 2-2.5 hours. Ijen Bluefire is visible from afar and is a spectacular sight. You can descend to the sulfur mines. Meanwhile, the light is coming and the landscape changes. The lake's beautiful azure blue is at its most beautiful in the early morning. Back at the car, you'll drive to the port of Ketapang, where you'll independently board the ferry to Bali.