Villages of Yogyakarta

The day begins with a nourishing breakfast before commencing a captivating exploration of Yogyakarta's heritage and local way of life. Venture to the historic village of Kotagede, famously known as the 'Silver Village' for its exquisite craftsmanship. Climb onto a bicycle and meander through narrow laneways, catching intimate glimpses of daily routines. A pause is made at a local bakery to savor the delicate sweetness of kembang waru cookies—a traditional treat unique to this area. The ride continues to the bustling central market, allowing for browsing of vibrant stalls and soaking in the authentic atmosphere of community commerce.

The journey continues to Yogyakarta's oldest mosque, a serene 16th-century structure reflecting the island's deep spiritual roots. After admiring its architectural details, travel proceeds to the Imogiri Royal Cemetery. In a gesture of traditional respect, Javanese attire is donned before ascending the 454 stone steps to the final resting place of Mataram royalty. The guide will share the fascinating stories and symbolism behind this sacred site, offering a window into the kingdom's storied past.

A stroll through village paths offers appreciation for the unique Kalang architecture—a graceful marriage of Javanese design and colonial influences. Later, a traditional lunch is enjoyed, hosted in a classic Joglo-style home, offering a peaceful moment to savor local flavors in an authentic setting.

In the afternoon, cycling returns to the starting point, followed by travel to Pucung village. Here, a traditional workshop dedicated to Wayang Kulit is visited. Guests watch in awe as skilled artisans transform buffalo hide into intricate shadow puppets using techniques passed down through generations. The trip then continues to Giriloyo, a village famous for its batik textiles. A demonstration of batik making, a 100-year-old craft, is observed to learn more about the typical motifs of the area.

The day concludes in the scenic village of Kasongan, nestled among low rolling hills. Known for its generations of kundis (potters), the village is alive with the rhythmic sounds of clay being worked. The full creative process is observed, from the initial kneading to the final firing, with a chance to find a handcrafted earthenware piece to take home as a lasting memory of the journey.

Following this village visit, return to Yogyakarta late this afternoon. (L)

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

Notes:

• Minimum  2 pax to maximum 10 pax.
• This tour enables traditional handicrafts to be bought to directly benefit the local Javanese artisan community
• Our rates are net and quoted in American dollars (USD), however some services (like transportation, guide fees, entrance fees, some activities, meals, air tickets and train tickets and sometimes accommodations) are based on local prices in Indonesian Rupiah in (IDR). In the case of a major change in the exchange rate (5% or more) between the Indonesian Rupiah and the American dollar (USD), we reserve the right to correct our quotes to align our rates and revise the value of the American dollar(USD).
• All rates are based on the current gasoline price. Should the gasoline price increase by more than 10% we would readjust transfer rates with a 30 days prior notice
• Children aged between 2 and 12 years at the time of travel will receive a 20% discount off the Adult Price.
• All language guides other than English subject to availability during high season July until September.
  - During the important religious festival of Idul Fitri, which falls on 9th-10th March 2027 significant travel activity is expected across the country, especially within Java. Travelling will be extremely challenging due to heavy traffic, expect significant delays and congestion on roads, trains, and flights. You might find limited-service availability, as some tour guides could be returning home and certain restaurants may be closed. The busiest travel periods will be just before and immediately after the holiday. Given the anticipated severe disruptions, we strongly advise against overland travel from 2nd - 17th March 2027.

Pick up and drop off timings from alternate destinations:

• Pick up from Yogyakarta 09:00 - 17:00
• Pick up from Borobudur 08:00 - 18:00