Secrets of Central Java

📍 Distance and journey time: Yogyakarta Airport – Yogyakarta city center (8 km): 20 minutes Yogyakarta city center – Prambanan Temple (22 km): 45 minutes

Arrive at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta.

Recommended flights

(Airfares are not included and quoted separately. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice)

Silk Air from Singapore to Yogyakarta MI152, departing at 08:00 and arriving at 09:50 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, or MI154, departing at 13:55 and arriving at 15:25 on Sunday.

Garuda Indonesia from Singapore GA9454, departing 08:00 and arriving 09:50 on Friday, or GA9444 departing at 15:40 and arriving at 17:05 on Sunday

Be met with guide and driver upon arrival and be transferred to the hotel in Yogyakarta.

Check-in and spend some free time to refresh and relax.

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

Despite the official spelling of ‘Yogyakarta’ this town is usually pronounced as Jogjakarta and often written in its simpler form, Jogja. It is the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Jogja is a place for art and education and the cradle of traditional Javanese culture.

In the afternoon, leave Yogyakarta for Prambanan: These huge ancient Hindu temples were built in the 9th century and the three main inner shrines are dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Prambanan was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. An archaeologist will guide the tour of the temple grounds and explain details of the inscription readings that lead to the controversy between interpreted and environmental proof.

Dinner this evening is spent free at leisure.

Overnight in Yogyakarta  at Hotel Tentrem                                          5 stars (Deluxe)

In Executive Suite for 2 night stays

Inclusions:

📍 Distance and journey time: Yogyakarta hotel area – Sultan Palace complex (4,7 km): 20 minutes

Start the day in Yogyakarta with a visit to The Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton, the central aspect of the Javanese cosmology situated between Mount Merapi and Parangtritis Beach lines. This building constructed between 1756 and 1790, is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. Spend the remaining day at the Kraton, this living museum features a showcase of Javanese Culture and relics and depending on the day of visiting there will be a cultural performance ranging from Golek Menak Puppet‘s to classical Javanese Poetry performance known as Macapat.

Continue with a 15 minutes walking and explore neighbouring Kraton, passing the small ‘gangs’ (laneways) of this village to the Taman Sari Water Palace. This addition to the royal complex was built over 200 years ago by the first Sultan with bathing pools for his harem.

Continue this Yogyakarta tour with a delightful culinary experience at a historical hotel. Meet the chef and join a short tour of this colonial building. Be amazed at its secret doors and their functions. Continue with a sampling session of six typical Yogyakartan dishes and enjoy the anecdotes of the chef as he explains his individual creations.

Designated as a ‘Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO, batik is the art of selectively dying cloth. Visit the residence and workshop of Ms Chaliet and Mr Bambang. These two are true masters in the art of batik. Get an introduction into their fine art at their workshop and explore traditional printing techniques. Assisted by the experts, create patterns, wax and colour the cloth so that a unique piece develops. Take home a personal piece of batik once it has dried.

Return to the hotel in Yogyakarta.

Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distance and journey time: Yogyakarta – Borobudur (42 km): 1 hours 30 minutes

Be picked up after breakfast for a Yogyakarta art tour.

Affandi was probably one of Indonesia’s most eccentric artists, and this trait is well reflected in his old freeform home which hosts, today, a large part of his collection. Witness not only his expressionist strokes on canvas that remind of Gauguin, Kandinsky or Picasso but also see his favourite car, a classic, yellow Mitsubishi Gallant GT version in which he uses to cruise the streets of the town.

Drive to the southern part of the city to the sculpture workshop.  A short tour in the studio, find the large one or identify the displayed statue of people, see the process of making a statue and try painting a small one.

Have an intimate lunch with the sculptor, Mr. Dunadi whose monument sculptures are found all over the country. Visit the private gallery and see his passion for tradition and humanity displayed in his sculptures and gain insight into his perception of social criticism.

After visiting the town, hit the road for an exploration of a few galleries and art spaces in Yogyakarta (depending on availability and changing expeditions or events). Among them are the Bale Banjar Sangkring. This stylish gallery features contemporary artworks, such as paintings, sculpture and installations. It is run by a Balinese artist and his Malaysian wife working as art curator. Finally visit the Langgeng Art Foundation, which is another gallery with adjacent furniture studio and coffee shop. After touring the exhibition space, enjoy a coffee in the patio surrounded by art.

Driving to Borobudur area for check-in to the hotel.

The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

Overnight in Borobudur  at Amanjiwo                                                    6 stars (Super Deluxe)

In Borobudur Pool Suite Suite for 2 night stays

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Wake up early this morning to reach Borobudur to watch sunrise. Begin the morning exploration with a departure from hotel in the Borobudur area at 04:30, arriving at the temple at dawn. This is the most mystical time to see Borobudur, with the first rays of the daylight illuminating the structure in the tranquil morning air. Once illuminated, spend time exploring this massive Buddhist temple before the tour buses arrive. Admire the thousands of intricate carvings found along Borobudur’s walls and learn about the incredible history behind its construction. This UNESCO Heritage Site is sure to impress even the most seasoned travellers.

Refresh with a cup of coffee and a light breakfast at a local restaurant, enjoying views over the paddy fields and its surroundings. Continue to a monastery for a one-hour meditation with a Buddhist monk / student at the Vihara Mendut. It is followed by a short exploration of the monastery. Older than Borobudur, the pyramid-shaped Mendut temple houses three impressively carved stone statues. Learn about the temple's history and unique architecture. Pawon temple, located right on one axis between Borobudur and Mendut. Because of its simplicity and the contrast to the tall slender style found elsewhere in East Java it was dubbed a “jewel” of Javanese temple architecture.

Return to hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure at the hotel.

Overnight in Borobudur

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Distance and journey time Borobudur – Magelang (18km): 40 minute Magelang – Selogriyo (13Km): 35 minutes Selogriyo – Losari (31Km): 1hour

Go on a short drive to Magelang and stop at the private OHD Museum of contemporary art, one of the best collections in the country. Currently, Dr. Oei’s collection consists of more than 2000 artworks, ranging from paintings, sculptures, installations and new media art. A number of these, as well as changing exhibitions, are on display at the art museum.

Note: OHD Museum closes on Tuesdays

Next trip is a visit to a small village on the slopes of Mount Sumbing to start this soft trekking. Walk through rice fields and plantations, see the local villagers at work on the fields or processing charcoal. The Selogriyo Temple in itself is a rather modest temple but the walk (about 2 hours) there is beautiful and easy to do for everybody.

Continue to the Mesa Stila Plantation for a slightly late lunch and check in the hotel. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing Javanese massage and herbal bath to relax the muscles after all day activity inside the dome of Mes Stila Spa, which its oriental hammam is a selling point of the resort. 

Overnight in Losari  at MesaStila Resort and Spa                                                5 stars (Deluxe)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distance and journey time: Losari – Ambarawa and v.v. (15 km): 25 minutes

Head out on an excursion in the morning to Ambarawa railway museum. During the Dutch colonial government, King Willem I ordered the construction of the new railway station in 1873. Originally planned as transshipment point between the 4 ft. 8 1⁄2 in. (1,435 mm) gauge locomotives from Kedungjati to the northeast and the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge line onward towards Yogyakarta via Magelang to the south, it is still visible that the two sides of the station were built to accommodate different size trains. The museum features 21 steam locomotives, or which four are operational. Other collections include old telephones, Morse telegraphs, bells and signals equipment, and some antique furniture.

After an excursion into the colonial history, return back to the Mesa Stila Plantation for lunch.

This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the local plantation. The guide will explain all that’s needed to be known about the organic robusta and arabica coffee grown on the property while walking through the fields. At the coffee shed, witness traditional techniques of roasting and grinding beans.  Then stop to enjoy a coffee tasting session.

Overnight in Losari

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distance and journey time: Losari – Semarang (62 km): 1h 30min Semarang – Karimunjawa Island (127Km): 40 minutes by plane Karimunjawa Island – Menyawakan Island (11 Km): 35 minuutes by boat

Spend the morning at leisure and have breakfast in the resort before heading to Semarang.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Semarang.

Continue to the airport to catch a 40-minute charter flight in a small 14-seater plane to Karimunjawa atoll.

*Flights are operated 4 times weekly (see schedule below). Airfares between Semarang and Karimunjawa are quoted separately. The baggage weight allowance is 10 kg; there is free a luggage-deposit in the airport at customers’ disposal.

Upon arrival in Karimunjawa atoll, continue for another 35 minutes by speed boat to the Kura-Kura Resort in Menyawakan Island, Karimunjawa.

Check in the resort and relax on the island and spend overnight in Menyawakan Island.

Accommodation at Kura Kura Resort is is half-board, with breakfast and dinner inclusion. Lunch is at leisure and can be purchased locally. 

Dinner is served at the hotel.

Overnight in Menyawakan Island  at KuraKura Resort                                     5 stars (Deluxe)

In Pool Villa for 3 night stays

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time: Kura-Kura Island - Krakal Island (9Km): 30 minutes by boat

Spend a leisurely day at the resort.

Sea kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling equipment is available at disposal.

Lunch is at leisure (not included).

Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight in Menyawakan Island.

Optional trip to the Island of Krakal and have a night stay in a cottage on a secluded private island with extra charge:

Today

After lunch, be ready for discovering a secret island nearby the resort, Krakal island. Krakal Island is an uninhabited island, located 30 minutes by boat from Kura-Kura Resort. The resort provides private accommodation there. Check in the cottage and experience a sensational feeling of being isolated on the island in the middle of nowhere. Explore the island, walking along the beach and enjoying sunset. Dinner is served at cottage. Overnight in Krakal Island.

*there is no internet and phone connection, only walkie-talkie for emergency situation connected to Kura-Kura Resort

Following Day

Breakfast arrives by boat from Kura Kura Resort in the morning and is served at the cottage on the private island. Enjoy the morning at the secluded escape. Lunch is served late in the day before the return to the main island with full facilities.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Have breakfast and enjoy the beach and reefs at leisure.

Lunch is at leisure (not included)

Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight in Menyawakan Island.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

After a lazy morning and breakfast check out and be transferred to Karimunjawa Island by boat and take the flight back to Semarang for the next destination.

*Flights are operated 4 times weekly (see schedule below). Airfares between Semarang and Karimunjawa are quoted separately. The baggage weight allowance is 10 kg.

Recommended flights:*

(Airfares are not included and quoted separately. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice):

Silk Air:

to Singapore: Friday: MI103 SRG 11:00 – SIN 13:55, Sunday& Wednesday: MI109 SRG 16:05-19:05, Monday: MI101 SRG 11:00-14:05

*requires an interim nights in Semarang

Garuda Indonesia:

daily to Jakarta and Denpasar via Jakarta: for example GA243 SRG 16:25 – CGK 17:35 & CGK 18:14 – DPS 21:40

daily to Surabaya: GA364 SRG 09:10 – SUB 10:10 & GA367 SRG 16:05 – SUB 17:20

*with an arrival in Semarang on Tue and Thursday at 15:00, above shown connecting flights are not possible or recommended. An interim night in Semarang may be required.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast