Java’s volcanoes run like a spine through its centre, telling stories of the island’s ancient past and its living present. They’ve created landscapes, inspired societies and sparked adventures. Forming your Indonesia journey around these primal giants allows you to witness their sobering power and beauty, and see how greatly they still influence the daily rhythms of the archipelago.
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Start exploring Java’s energetic capital, Jakarta, where modern architecture and technology dance between historic buildings evoking the island’s eclectic past, then travel down to the cultural centre of Yogyakarta and the impressive Borobudur temple. Taste a kaleidoscope of Indonesian dishes in the markets and street food stalls of both cities, before heading to Malang to experience another facet of Java’s cultural jewel. Finish by travelling east to see the sun rise over Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen.
This route combines exhilarating hikes and city wanders with some longer and more challenging journeys (and a few eye-wateringly early starts!), all linked with downtime on the train where you can sit back and watch the scenery roll by. Winding your way across the island entirely by rail and road offers an even more immersive perspective on Java’s rugged terrain, and a different perspective on Indonesia away from Bali’s hyped beaches.
Journey through Java’s dramatic volcanic scenery, vibrant cities, spiritual landmarks and lesser-known communities to uncover the many faces of Indonesia.
Contrast the two peaks of Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen at sunrise.
Get a taste of the ancient and modern in Jakarta’s eclectic streets.
Discover Java’s artistic side in Yogyakarta, alongside plenty of hot coffee!
Watch between Borobudur’s iconic stupas as day breaks over the land below.
Pause in Malang to get a different perspective on Java’s culture and daily life.
The exact shape and details of your journey will be personalised to you by our team of Destination Specialists, so get in touch to start planning your perfect trip…
Get in touch to start planning your bespoke Asia trip.
From Java’s smoking volcanoes to Bali’s emerald-green rice terraces, take a closer look at the details of our Smoking Gunungs journey below…
Like many of Asia’s capitals, Jakarta is a city whose reputation goes before it, which definitely works both ways! There’s no denying it’s a busy, hectic hub – as is Delhi or Bangkok, though Jakarta doesn’t benefit from their superstar landmarks as counterbalance – and not every visitor to Java will spend time here, but it’s a fantastic starting point to get an idea of the island’s heritage and to catch sight of modern Indonesia.
Like many of Asia’s capitals, Jakarta is a city whose reputation goes before it, which definitely works both ways! There’s no denying it’s a busy, hectic hub – as is Delhi or Bangkok, though Jakarta doesn’t benefit from their superstar landmarks as counterbalance – and not every visitor to Java will spend time here, but it’s a fantastic starting point to get an idea of the island’s heritage and to catch sight of modern Indonesia.
Explore the rich contrasts of Glodok (Jakarta’s Chinatown) and Fatahillah Square’s cobbled streets and Dutch-colonial era architecture; plunge into the energy of the city’s contemporary arts scene in the uber-creative Block M artist district; and follow your eyes up the glass and metal facades of the financial district’s skyscrapers. As evening falls, discover the city’s wealth of flavours on a street food tour taking in local favourites such as beef rendang curry, stuffed martabak pancakes, goat fried rice, and the distinctive Javanese speciality of soto chicken turmeric soup.
For the truly keen volcanophiles, an extra day in Jakarta offers the opportunity to venture out on an expedition by road and boat to Krakatau – arguably Indonesia’s most famous volcano – and stand in the shadow of this awe-inspiring giant.
Yogyakarta is a perfect counterbalance to Java, and a few days in the city gives you time to sink into the history and rhythms of Indonesia’s revered seat of spirituality.
Yogyakarta is a perfect counterbalance to Java, and a few days in the city gives you time to sink into the history and rhythms of Indonesia’s revered seat of spirituality.
Dive into traditional batik production, learning about the meanings behind the intricate patterns once worn only by royalty. Stop at the Sonobudoyo Museum to see over 1,200 keris (Javanese heirloom daggers) and other wonders, amble through the atmospheric Sultan’s Palace and adjacent Taman Sari Water Palace, and pause to people-watch at the Beringharjo market. Sample plenty of the city’s street-food, and wash it down with a soothing cup of kopi joss coffee- the original ‘cup of Java’ – its smoking shard of red-hot charcoal echoing those lava-formed volcanic landscapes.
Round off your visit back in the countryside, cycling close to smouldering Gunung Merapi (one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes) and visiting Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.
The carved, pyramid-like form of Borobudur is reminiscent of a volcano itself, with its spires made of grey volcanic stone.
The carved, pyramid-like form of Borobudur is reminiscent of a volcano itself, with its spires made of grey volcanic stone.
Spending a couple of nights in the welcoming, family-run Omah Garengpoeng guesthouse near the iconic temple gives you time to really absorb its unique position in Indonesian culture. Listen to stories from your hosts, Mr and Mrs Lily, at your homely base, learn to create handmade batik using centuries-old techniques, and get hands-on cooking up a storm in the guesthouse kitchen creating traditional Javanese dishes.
The start required to see the sun rise between Borobudur’s stupas is an early one! Rest well and make your way to the temple through the darkness to find a prime position before dawn, and watch the first rays of the day illuminate the temple walls through the crisp morning air.
Known for its traditional culture and handicrafts, refreshing climate, excellent shopping and Dutch colonial-era architecture, Malang has been a thriving town for over a thousand years.
Known for its traditional culture and handicrafts, refreshing climate, excellent shopping and Dutch colonial-era architecture, Malang has been a thriving town for over a thousand years.
Its high elevation affords a cooler climate than elsewhere in Java, which explains why it was chosen as the site of headquarters for 17th-century Dutch traders, and it’s still a popular spot with local Javanese holidaymakers for weekends away.
Cruise through the streets by becak, or local cyclo, passing grand, historic architecture, the Eng An Kiong Chinese temple, and the city cathedral, before ambling through the extraordinary streets of Jodipan, lines on all sides by rainbow-hued houses.
There’s something magical about watching the land around you wake up as the sun rises, and watching it rise over a volcano takes that to a whole new level. Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen are both volcanic, but very different in nature. Seeing how the day begins from each in turn brings their contrasts into sharp focus.
There’s something magical about watching the land around you wake up as the sun rises, and watching it rise over a volcano takes that to a whole new level. Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen are both volcanic, but very different in nature. Seeing how the day begins from each in turn brings their contrasts into sharp focus.
Travel out of Malang by train and watch town transition into the raw wilderness of Bromo-Tengger Semeru National Park. Take the scenic route to a viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan (at 3:30am!) to watch the sunrise over Mount Bromo, then walk across the otherworldly, grey volcanic ash, known as the ‘sea of sand’, to climb Bromo’s slopes and peer into its smoking crater. This is always a popular activity, and it’s impossible to avoid other groups, but your guide will help you find the best, and calmest, spot.
A scenic train ride east, Ijen holds wonders of a different kind. Starting 6,000 ft up at Paltuding base camp, follow a dirt pathway to the summit to see the sunrise over the extraordinarily vivid (and abrasively acidic) turquoise crater lake, and glimpse the region’s miners carrying rough yellow mineral rocks out of one of the world’s last sulphur mines.
The guide price above is a per person price (not including international flights) staying 2 nights on a Losari Coffee Planation, 1 night at Borobudur, 3 nights in Jogja, 2 nights at Mount Bromo, 1 night in Ijen and 3 nights on the sands of northern Bali; all in our favourite mid-range hotels.
Every Selective Asia trip is fully customised, and the shape of your tailored route is always finely tuned to your wishes.....
Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…
With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.
Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.
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