Highlights of Yogyakarta

📍 Yogyakarta Airport – Yogyakarta city centre (6 km): 20 minutes Yogyakarta – Prambanan (22 km): 40 minutes

Arrive at Yogyakarta International Airport.

Recommended flights (not included in the quotation): Silk Air from Singapore to Yogyakarta  MI152, departing at 08:10 and arriving at 09:30 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday or MI154, departing at 15:40 and arriving at 17:05 on Sunday. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

Meet with the guide and driver after arriving at International Airport in Yogyakarta and transfer to the hotel. 

After checking into the hotel, enjoy a lunch of local specialties and spend a bit of time to relax and freshen up.

Note: Legal check-in time at 14:00.

In the mid-afternoon, leave Yogyakarta by private car and head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan. This collection of ancient Hindu temples, built in the 9th century, are among the world’s most spectacular cultural heritage sites in the world. While following the guide’s lead, learn about the temple’s fascinating history and the symbolism of its decorations.

Afterwards, head to a nearby local restaurant and enjoy an early dinner followed by a traditional performance of the Ramayana Ballet in an open-air theatre surrounded by the illuminated temples of Prambanan.

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 the similar one performed at the Pura Wisata theatre in Yogyakarta.

Return to your hotel  in Yogyakarta.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Yogyakarta – Candirejo – Borobudur (42 km): 1 ½ hours

After breakfast in the morning, head out to explore the charming city of Yogyakarta -the cultural centre of Java.

Start with a visit to The Sultan’s Palace. This building was constructed between 1756 and 1790 and remains a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. Remaining today as the residence of the Sultan, this living museum features a showcase of Javanese cultural relics and, depending on the day, will be a cultural performances ranging from Golek Menak Puppet‘s to classical Javanese Poetry performance known as Macapat.

Afterwards, head on a 30-minute ride by becak (similar to a cyclo or trishaw) to explore the neighboring Kauman Village, built in the vicinity of the Kraton. This village is the central keepers of the Islamic religion as authorized by the Sultanate. The small gangs (laneways) of this village are so designed to ensure minimal disturbance of noise and traffic so as to not interrupt the Santri or Islamic students from their study. It was also said that by ensuring the laneways were only passable on foot - every man was equal. 

End the becak ride at the Taman Sari Water Palace. This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan, in addition to its beautiful collection of pools and strange fusion of Dutch and classic Indonesian architectural styles, it also has a very interesting story to tell.

After visiting a batik factory for a look at how these beautiful works of art are created, watch a short demonstration on how Javanese leather shadow puppets (Wayang Kulit) are made.

Lunch in nearby local restaurant in Yogyakarta.

In the afternoon, proceed to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur. Get a taste of local life there with a horse cart ride through Candirejo Village. While travelling along small lanes lined with traditional houses, stop to partake in some village activities such as the making of cassava crackers, playing the gamelan and harvesting and drying local 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.

Check in at your selected hotel.

Dinner at leisure and overnight near Borobudur.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Borobudur – Yogyakarta (42 km): 1 hours 30 minutes

Wake up dark and early in the morning to reach Borobudur in time for sunrise. This is the most magical time to see the temple. As the sun breaches the horizon, a golden light is cast over the temple and it’s hundreds of stupas to create a picture-perfect setting that is sure make a lasting impression on any visitor.

Explore this massive Buddhist Temple- the largest in the world- while listening to stories behind its construction and of the symbolic meaning of some of its works of art. Comprised of thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, the temple was assembled entirely by human labour and took more than 75 years to complete.

After thoroughly exploring the architectural and historical marvels of Borobudur, return to the hotel for breakfast.

Spend the rest of the morning at leisure before heading to Yogyakarta Airport the onward flight, or continue with the next travel package.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast