Best of Yogyakarta

📍 Yogyakarta Airport – Yogyakarta City Center (6 km): 20 mins ; Yogyakarta – Prambanan (22 km): 40 mins

Arrive at Yogyakarta International Airport and be met by the guide and driver for transfer to the selected hotel in Yogyakarta  

Recommended flights (not included in the quotation): Scoot from Singapore to YogyakartaTR-200, departs at 08:20 and arrives at 09:45 daily.

After enjoying lunch at the hotel restaurant, check in and take some time to relax or freshen up at the hotel.

Then, meet with the guide again and proceed to the UNESCO-recognized Prambanan Temple, a series of iconic and ancient Hindu temples built in the 9th century. This collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Hear all about the history and symbolism of the temples from the guide while walking around this incredible complex.

Afterwards, return to the hotel in Yogyakarta.

Overnight in Yogyakarta

Note: Check in time is 14:00. 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Yogyakarta city center – Kaliurang (22 km): 1 hour Kaliurang – Kaliadem (6 km): 15 mins ; Kaliadem – Plaosan Temple (18 km): 2 hrs (by bike) ; Prambanan Resto and open stage – Yogyakarta (18 km): 40 mins

Start with a visit to the Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton. Built between 1756 – 1790, it’s an excellent example of traditional Javanese Sultanate architecture. While walking through the various rooms and chambers, learn a great deal about Javanese cultural heritage.

Also, visit the adjacent Taman Sari, water palace and garden. This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan, with bathing pools for his harem. Then, visit a home batik factory and attend a short demonstration of Wayang Kulit, a famous Javanese leather puppet performance.

Then drive to Kaliurang - around a one-hour drive from Yogyakarta. Take lunch at Beukenhof Restaurant, located in the complex of Ullen Sentalu Museum. Following lunch, take a tour in Ullen Sentalu Museum which displays ancient batiks, manuscripts and historical photographs of the Sultan’s palace as well as other interesting images of people and events during the colonial era. There are various artefacts, and many oil paintings, including painted portraits of Yogyakarta Sultans and their families.

After visiting the museum, be transferred to the nearby village of Kaliadem (15 minutes) for a two-hour biking trip. Pedal through the village and enjoy its stunning view of Mt Merapi until reaching the finish point in Candi Plaosan.               (cycling level: Easy to Moderate, mostly downhill).

Sit back and relax after cycling in a local restaurant near Prambanan Temple for dinner. Following dinner, enjoy an amazing Ramayana Dance at Prambanan’s open stage with the temples in the background.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight in Yogyakarta

Note: Ramayana dances at Prambanan are seasonal (between May and October) and only performed on certain days of the week. When there’s no show at Prambanan, it will be replaced by a similar performance at Pura Wisata Theatre in Yogyakarta.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Yogyakarta city center – Kotagede (5 km): 15 mins ; Kotagede – Sasanti Restaurant (17 km): 40 mins ; Sasanti Restaurant – Borobudur (33 km): 1 hr

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Kotagede for a leisurely tour by becak -a javanese tricycle. This charming village retains some of Central Java’s best examples of traditional Javanese architecture; and is known as the ‘Silver Village’ due to its high concentration of silver artisans. On arrival to the village, visit a master baker’s house to sample Kembang Waru – a type of cookie only sold in Kotagede. Continue by becak to the central traditional market and take a tour of this bustling location. Resume the tour, arriving at the oldest mosque in Yogyakarta and don a traditional Javanese outfit -a sign of respect for the former kings- and then visit the Royal Cemetery of the First King of the Mataram Kingdom.

Take a tour of the linking laneways to discover the Kalang-style architecture, which is indigenous to Kotagede – a combination of Javanese and Colonial styles.

Leave Kotagede for lunch at the restaurant, which is also popular for its gallery.

Then proceed to Borobudur after lunch. Upon arrival, get a taste for local life with a horse cart ride through Candirejo Village. Travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities such as making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan and harvesting seasonal crops.

Continue with a visit to Mendut and Pawon Temples, near Borobudur. Older than Borobudur, these pyramid-shaped temples house three impressively carved stone statues

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Borobudur

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Borobudur – Yogyakarta (42 km): 1 hr 30 mins

Depart from the hotel in the Borobudur area around 04:30 and arrive at the temple before dawn. This is the most tranquil and awe-inspiring time to witness the temple as the first light of day gradually illuminates the massive structure.

Spend time exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring the thousands of intricate Buddhist carvings and learning about its extraordinary history, all before the main crowds arrive. Even the most experienced travelers will be impressed by Borobudur's scale and detail.

Afterward, enjoy a light breakfast and coffee at a local restaurant, soaking in the beautiful morning views of the temple.

Return to your hotel, time at leisure before your transfer to Yogyakarta airport for your onward flight to your next destination or continue with an extension package.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast