Highlights of West Java

Selamat Datang, Welcome to Jakarta, known as the Big Durian, Jakarta is a bustling cosmopolitan city steeped in history.

On arrival to the airport be met by the guide and receive a private transfer to the hotel for check in.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Jakarta.

Inclusions:

📍 Jakarta – Bogor (61 km): 2 hours

Begin today with a city tour of Jakarta. Take photo stops at the Presidential Palace and Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia; continue to the neo-gothic Jakarta Cathedral and the National Monument. Known locally as ‘Monas’, this structure was built to commemorate the country’s Proclamation of independence in 1945. Then, stroll through ‘Kota’, the formerly walled part of Dutch Batavia which still retains many examples of colonial Dutch architecture.

Take lunch in a local restaurant in Old Batavia.

In the afternoon, have the opportunity to step off the tourist trail and discover the ‘real’ Jakarta. Travelling by local transport, walk along hidden laneways and meet friendly locals while getting a taste of what the city is all about. Visit Chinatown, locally known as Glodok, where the first Chinese temple in Indonesia still stands.

In the afternoon, travel to the town of Bogor and check in to the hotel, arriving early evening (2-3 hours).

Dinner is at leisure and overnight in Bogor.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bogor Hotel area – Bogor Botanical Garden (8 km): 20 minutes Bogor Botanical Garden – Gunung Mas via Puncak Pass (40km): 1 hour 20 minutes Gunung Mas – Bandung (85 km): 3 hours Gunung Mas – Bandung (85 km): 3 hours

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and set off for an excursion through Bogor and on to Bandung.

Begin with a visit to Bogor’s outstanding botanical gardens. Home to more than 15,000 species of trees and plants and over 5,000 species of orchids, these botanical gardens are also a haven for birds and bats. Spend time walking around the gardens and enjoying the beautiful landscapes. From the garden, Bogor’s Presidential Palace can be seen, which is noted for its distinctive architecture. It was built in 1744 as a retreat for the Dutch governors and was later used by the British administration. (Note: palace is not open to the public, but will be viewed from the outside)

Drive along the Puncak Pass to Bandung. Puncak is a mountainous road that leads past one of the first colonial tea plantations, several scenic rice fields and typical Javanese villages. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or for a short walk through the tea plantation.

Stop for lunch in a local restaurant and then continue the journey to Bandung. Arrive in Bandung this afternoon and check-in to your hotel. Once known as the ‘Paris of Java’, Bandung is a dynamic, modern city yet retains many grandiose Art Deco buildings and historical houses resulting in an intriguing mix of old and new.

Overnight in Bandung.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bandung Hotel – Tangkuban Perahu (26km): 1 hours 15 min Bandung Hotel – Kawah Putih (48 km): 1 hour 40 min Tangkuban Perahu – Saung Angklung Udjo Workshop (26km): 1 hours 15 min

After breakfast in Bandung proceed to Tangkuban Perahu, a smouldering 2,000 meter wide volcano. Start with a walk around the main crater, Kawah Ratu.

Nearby, stop at the Ciater (also referred to as Sari Ater) Hot Springs. This resort-area has natural hot water spring pools with therapeutic waters ripe for taking a dip for those wishing to do so.

Then continue to a nearby tea factory for a tour. Pass throughÏf expansive tea plantation and learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of the legendary leaves.

ALTERNATE OPTION:

MORNING EXCURSION TO KAWAH PUTIH

This morning depart for a tour to Kawah Ciwidey and its surroundings. Located south of Bandung near the Mountain Tilu Reserve, this area is full of spectacular landscapes. Visit Mount Patuha and see two volcanic craters 600 metres apart. One is dry but the other has a greenish-white crater lake, earning it the name ‘Kawah Putih’ or ‘white crater’. Continue to the nearby strawberry farm and buy fresh fruits raised in the cool highland air on volcanic soils.

On the return to Bandung, stop for lunch.  

Drive back to Bandung and, should time allow, stop for a visit at Saung Angklung Udjo Workshop, a venue aimed at preserving the rich culture of Java. See an energizing performance of Angklung (traditional bamboo instruments) by village students and then playing this instrument.  

Continue to Bandung and return to the hotel. Dinner is at leisure.

Overnight in Bandung.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Awake early for breakfast and to check out from the hotel. Transfer to Bandung’s railway station and board the morning express executive train to Yogyakarta (train ticket not included and no guide will abe along the train ride to Yogyakarta).

Note: Recommended route is aboard Argowilis Train, departing at 08:30 and arriving at 15:56; Schedule subject to change without prior notice. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast