Java Borneo Bali Tour

After breakfast, begin your first proper day of exploration in Jakarta.

We start in the old part of the city, around Kota Tua, where the remaining Dutch colonial buildings give an idea of Jakarta's earlier history as Batavia.

Continue to Glodok, Jakarta's historic Chinatown. This is a completely different atmosphere, with small shops, food stalls, temples and busy streets.

Depending on your interests and available time, you can also visit the National Museum or Jakarta History Museum.

Later, leave Jakarta and travel east along Java's northern coast.

A stop in Semarang gives you the opportunity to walk around Kota Lama, the city's old colonial quarter. If you are interested in architecture and history, Lawang Sewu can also be included.

Continue to Jepara in the afternoon.

Highlights: Jakarta - Kota Tua – Glodok, Semarang - Colonial Java - Jepara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sekuro Village, Jepara

After breakfast, head to Jepara harbour for the boat crossing to Karimunjawa.

The journey takes you away from mainland Java and into a group of smaller tropical islands. As you approach Karimunjawa, the scenery becomes more open, with turquoise water, small islands and green hills.

After arriving, transfer to your accommodation and settle in.

The rest of the day is deliberately free.

You can walk along the beach, swim, read a book, enjoy the resort or simply do nothing for a while. After the busy mainland of Java, Karimunjawa is a good place to slow down.

Highlights: Speedboat journey - Karimunjawa Islands - Tropical beach - Island life

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco Casa Resort Karimunjawa

Today is yours to enjoy Karimunjawa.

You can spend the day at the beach or arrange a private island and snorkeling trip to explore some of the surrounding islands and reefs.

The water around Karimunjawa is generally clear, with coral gardens and tropical fish. Depending on the location and conditions, you may also have the chance to see sea turtles.

If you prefer a slower day, stay near the resort and enjoy the island atmosphere.

There is no fixed sightseeing schedule today. The idea is simply to enjoy Karimunjawa at your own pace.

Highlights: Snorkeling - Coral reefs - Island hopping - Swimming - Tropical beaches

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco Casa Resort Karimunjawa

A second free day gives you more time to enjoy the islands.

Take a morning swim, walk along the beach, arrange another snorkeling trip or explore a little more of the local area.

Karimunjawa is still relatively quiet compared with some of Indonesia's better-known island destinations. That makes it a useful part of this itinerary: you have time to slow down before the next stage of the adventure.

In the late afternoon, find a good place by the beach to watch the sunset.

Highlights: Beach time - Snorkeling - Island exploration - Sunset - Relaxed island life

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco Casa Resort Karimunjawa

After breakfast, take the speedboat back to Jepara.

From the harbour, continue by road to Semarang.

The journey takes you through the countryside of Central Java, with rice fields, villages and plantations along the way.

After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is free.

Tomorrow the scenery changes completely as you leave Java for Central Borneo and Tanjung Puting National Park.

Highlights: Boat crossing - Rural Central Java - Semarang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Resort in Semarang

Today begins an entirely different part of your Indonesia adventure.

After an early flight to Pangkalan Bun in Central Borneo, your local guide will meet you and take you to Kumai.

Here you board your private or chartered river boat, which becomes your accommodation as you travel into Tanjung Puting National Park.

The river is the main road into the rainforest.

As the boat moves slowly along the Sekonyer River, keep an eye on the riverbanks. Proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, kingfishers, hornbills and other tropical birds are often seen along the way. You may also see monitor lizards, crocodiles and butterflies.

There is no need to rush. Spend some time on deck, listen to the forest and watch the scenery change as you travel deeper into Borneo.

Dinner is prepared on board.

Tonight you sleep on the river, surrounded by rainforest.

Highlights: Borneo - Tanjung Puting National Park - River safari - Rainforest - Wildlife

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Floating Houseboat in Tanjung Puting National Park

After breakfast, continue deeper into the national park.

Your first visit is to Pesalat, an area connected with orangutan conservation and forest restoration. With your ranger and guide, walk through the rainforest and learn about the work being carried out to protect the habitat.

Return to the boat for lunch and continue upriver toward Camp Leakey.

Camp Leakey is closely associated with the long-running study and conservation of orangutans and the work of primatologist Biruté Galdikas.

A forest walk takes you toward the feeding area, where you may have the opportunity to observe orangutans.

There is no guarantee that animals will appear exactly where you expect them. This is a rainforest, not a zoo. That uncertainty is part of the experience.

Back on the boat, enjoy the river and rainforest surroundings as the afternoon becomes quieter.

Highlights: Orangutan tour - Camp Leakey - Rainforest walk - Wildlife observation - Conservation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Floating river boat in Tanjung Puting National Park

Continue your Borneo wildlife adventure after breakfast.

At Pondok Tanggui, you have another opportunity to look for orangutans and learn more about the rehabilitation and conservation work in the park.

The boat then continues along the river and smaller waterways.

The rainforest is constantly changing, and every section of the river can offer something different. Look for proboscis monkeys sitting in the trees, birds along the riverbank and other wildlife moving through the vegetation.

Later, visit Tanjung Harapan village to see another side of life in Central Borneo.

This gives you some contact with the local community rather than spending the entire experience inside the national park.

In the evening, return to the boat for your final night on the river.

Highlights: Orangutans - River safari - Proboscis monkeys - Tropical birds - Local village - Borneo culture

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Floating river boat in Tanjung Puting National Park

After breakfast, return by boat to Kumai.

From there, transfer to Pangkalan Bun Airport for your flight back to Java.

On arrival, continue to Yogyakarta, one of Indonesia's best-known cultural cities.

After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free.

You may simply relax, or if you still have energy, take a short walk through the city and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Highlights: Borneo farewell • Flight to Java • Yogyakarta

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Phoenix Yogyakarta

Today we leave the city and explore the area around Borobudur.

The temple itself is the main attraction. Walk around the monument with your guide and learn about its Buddhist history, architecture and stone reliefs.

After Borobudur, continue into the surrounding countryside.

Instead of moving directly to another major attraction, spend some time on smaller roads through villages and rice fields. Depending on the season, you may see farmers working in the fields, traditional food being prepared or local markets taking place.

This is a good opportunity to see a quieter side of Central Java and understand how much everyday life is still connected with farming and village communities.

Highlights: Borobudur - Rural Java - Rice fields - Villages - Local life

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Imalee Cottage, Yogyakarta

Today is dedicated to Yogyakarta culture and history.

Start at the Kraton, the Sultan's Palace and an important center of Javanese tradition.

Continue to Taman Sari, the former royal garden and water palace, where you can walk through the old pools, courtyards and passageways.

Later, explore some of Yogyakarta's smaller streets, craft workshops and local markets. Depending on the day's schedule, part of the city tour can be done by traditional becak.

In the afternoon, visit Prambanan Temple.

The tall Hindu temples and carved stone panels make Prambanan very different from Borobudur, and visiting both gives you a better understanding of the cultural history of Central Java.

Highlights: Yogyakarta - Kraton - Taman Sari - Becak - Local crafts - Prambanan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Imalee Cottage, Yogyakarta

Today we start heading east.

The journey from Yogyakarta to Malang is a longer road trip, but it gives you another look at Java beyond its major cities.

The road passes rice fields, villages, plantations and volcanic landscapes.

Stop at Coban Rondo Waterfall, surrounded by green forest and cooler mountain air.

After the visit, continue to Malang.

The afternoon is free after arrival, so you can rest and prepare for the more active days ahead.

Highlights: East Java road journey • Rural landscapes • Coban Rondo • Malang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Santika Premiere Malang

Today is one of the most active days of the East Java adventure.

Start with Tumpak Sewu, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region.

From the viewpoint, the waterfall can be seen dropping into a large green valley surrounded by steep cliffs. Guests who want to walk closer can do so with the guide, depending on weather and trail conditions.

Continue to Kapas Biru, another waterfall hidden among the forests of East Java.

The atmosphere here is different from Tumpak Sewu: quieter, greener and more enclosed by the surrounding cliffs.

After the waterfall visits, return to Malang.

Highlights: Tumpak Sewu - Kapas Biru - Jungle scenery - Hiking - East Java nature

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Santika Premiere Malang

The alarm comes early today.

Before sunrise, a 4x4 jeep takes you into Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.

From one of the viewpoints, watch the light gradually reach the volcanic landscape. Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru become visible as the sky brightens.

After sunrise, drive down into the Sea of Sand.

You can walk toward Mount Bromo and, if conditions allow, climb the steps toward the crater.

For guests who want to see more of the national park, the green savannah and Whispering Sands can be added depending on time and road conditions.

After breakfast, continue toward Ketapang.

Highlights: Mount Bromo - Sunrise - Jeep adventure - Sea of Sand - Volcano crater

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ketapang Indah Resort

Another early morning takes you to Ijen Volcano.

The trail climbs through the volcanic landscape toward the crater rim. The walk normally takes around 90 minutes, depending on your pace and trail conditions.

At the top, you can see the turquoise crater lake and yellow sulfur deposits.

You may also encounter sulfur miners working in the area. Your guide can explain more about this demanding traditional occupation.

For travelers who want to attempt the Ijen Blue Flames, a separate night hike can be arranged. The Blue Flames are only visible under suitable conditions, and the experience is subject to local safety regulations and volcanic conditions.

After Ijen, continue to the ferry terminal and cross from Java to Bali.

From the port, drive to your hotel in northern or western Bali.

Highlights: Ijen Volcano - Crater lake - Sulfur landscape - Blue Flames option - Java–Bali ferry

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in northern or western Bali

Today we explore Northwest Bali.

Take a boat to Menjangan Island, inside West Bali National Park.

The island is particularly well known for its coral reefs and clear water. Spend time snorkeling and looking for tropical fish and other marine life.

After returning to the mainland, continue to Brahma Vihara Arama, Bali's largest Buddhist monastery.

The journey then continues into the mountains toward Munduk.

As you climb higher, the temperature becomes cooler and the scenery changes from coastal Bali to forests, plantations and mountain villages.

Munduk is a good place to slow down after the previous days of volcanoes and long journeys.

Highlights: Menjangan Island - Snorkeling - Coral reef - Buddhist monastery - Coffee and spice plantations - Munduk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Munduk

Today is about Balinese village life.

You will visit a local family and spend time together preparing a traditional meal.

Rather than simply watching a cooking demonstration, you can take part in the preparation, learn about the ingredients and then sit down together for lunch.

After lunch, walk through the surrounding countryside.

The route passes rice terraces, coffee, cocoa and spice plantations before continuing into tropical forest.

The walk ends at a local waterfall where you can take a break and, depending on the conditions, cool down in the water.

This is one of the more personal parts of the Bali experience because there is no large attraction involved. It is simply time spent with local people and walking through the landscape where they live and work.

Highlights: Balinese family - Local cooking - Traditional food - Rice terraces - Coffee - Cocoa - Waterfall - Village experience

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Munduk

Your final day brings together several of Bali's most recognizable landscapes.

Start at Ulun Danu Beratan, the water temple on Lake Beratan.

Continue to Jatiluwih, where you can walk through the UNESCO-listed rice terraces and learn about the traditional Subak irrigation system.

There is time for lunch before continuing toward the coast.

In the afternoon, visit Tanah Lot, built on a rocky formation beside the sea.

If the weather and tide are suitable, the late afternoon is a good time to be here, when the light changes over the coast.

After the visit, continue to your hotel in South Bali.

Your 19-day Java, Borneo & Bali tour comes to an end.

If you would like to stay longer in Bali, we can arrange additional nights at a beach resort, private villa or another location according to your travel plans.