Highlights of Central Java

📍 Semarang Airport – Lawang Sewu – Pesta Keboen Resto (6 km): 10 mins ; Semarang city center – Salatiga (40 km): 1 hr 30 mins

Arrive at Achmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, meet with the guide and driver and transfer to the hotel in Salatiga.

Recommended flight (Airfares are not included and quoted separately. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice): from Jakarta to Semarang by Garuda Indonesia GA232, departing at 07:50 and arriving at 09:00 daily.

Located on the north coast of the island of Java, Semarang is the capital of Central Java. An Important port on the Java Sea since the Dutch colonial era, Semarang, with its 1.5 million inhabitants, is now the 7th most populous city in the country.

Visit Lawang Sewu, the city’s most famous landmark and a masterpiece of Dutch colonial architecture. The building was built between 1904 and 1907 as former headquarter of the national railway of the Dutch East Indies. Its name in Javanese means ‘Thousands Doors’.

Lunch in a local restaurant in Semarang.

Following lunch, continue to Salatiga.

Upon arrival, check into the hotel and dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Salatiga

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Salatiga – Gedong Songo (30 km): 1 hr ; Gedong Songo – Banaran coffee plantation (20 km): 40 mins ; Banaran coffee plantation – Wonosobo (88 km): 3 hrs

In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Banaran Coffee Plantation at Tuntang for a short tour with a buggy car around the plantation. The guide will explain everything there is to know about the high-quality organic Robusta coffee grown on the property while touring hrough the fields.

Next stop is Bandungan, gateway to the Gedong Songo Temples Complex located 1,200m up on the slopes of the Ungaran Mountain. This group of small, 8th-century Hindu temples are among the oldest in Java. The best way to reach the complex is on horseback slowly going up to reach the mountain top for spectacular views and a chance to roam among these ancient monuments. 

Continue to Banaran Coffee Plantation at Gemawang for a set menu lunch with views over the coffee fields .

In the mid-afternoon, take a 3-hour drive to Wonosobo a small town located 790 meters above sea level and the gateway to the volcanic Dieng Plateau, the “Abode of the Gods”.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Wonosobo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Wonosobo – Dieng (26 km): 1 hr ; Dieng – Tambi tea plantation (16 km): 30 mins ; Tambi Tea Plantation – Wonosobo (15 km): 30 mins ; Wonosobo – Borobudur (54 km): 2 hrs

Wake up and have breakfast early before leaving Wonosobo at 04:00 to the volcanic Dieng Plateau, which is located at an altitude of 2,000m.

Upon arrival at Sembungan Village in Dieng, hike for around 40 minutes (depending fitness levels) up to Mt Sikunir for an unforgettable sunrise experience as light crests over the distant volcanoes.

Then, observe the volcanic activity of the Dieng Crater and Kawah Sikidang and explore the oldest Hindu temples in Java. There are 8 shrines dating from the 7th and 8th centuries which line the crater floor amid sulphurous fumes and rugged natural surroundings.

The mist generally rolls in around 11:00, so it is time to take a 1-hour tour of the Tambi Tea Plantation established in 1885, located at the foot of Mt Sindoro. It spans 830 hectares, with 1,100 workers who gather around 7kg of leaves in a mere 20 minutes. Learn about the process of picking and processing the tea.

Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea on the terrace of the plantation before returning to Wonosobo for a late lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon leave Wonosobo and proceed to Borobudur via Mungkid through a small road on the southern slopes of Mt Sumbing, an active volcano with an altitude of 3,371m (70km – 2 hours 30 minutes).

Check in at the hotel in Borobudur.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Borobudur

Notes:

- Temperatures during the day ranged between 15-20oC and can go as low as 0oC in July and August. Warm clothes are strongly recommended to visit the plateau

- Starting 10 pax drive from Wonosobo to Borobudur via Magelang (85km – 3 hrs 15 mins)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Borobudur Temple – Mendut Temple – Pawon Temple (5 km): 15 mins ; 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 the hotel in Borobudur.

Around 12:00, check out from the hotel and proceed to Candirejo Village to get a taste for local life with a horse cart ride. Known as a dokar, the local horse cart leads quietly through this peaceful, charming village. 

After enjoying a traditional Javanese lunch in the 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 nearby Mendut Temple. Older than Borobudur, this pyramid-shaped temple houses three impressively carved stone statues. Also visit Pawon Temple, a simple yet beautiful monument known for its precise symmetry

Proceed to Yogyakarta for check-in at the hotel there.
 
Despite the official spelling of ‘Yogyakarta’ this town is usually pronounced as and often written ‘Jogjakarta’ or simply ‘Jogja’. It is the most popular tourist destination in Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Jogja is also a center of art and education, though, and is also considered to be the cradle of traditional Javanese culture. Additionally, locals of Jogja are renowned for their friendly nature. 

Dinner this evening is at leisure.
 

Overnight in Yogyakarta

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Yogyakarta city center – Prambanan Temple (18 km): 40 mins

Today, have a chance to learn more about Yogyakarta’s historic and cultural traditions with a full-day city tour.

Start with a visit to the Sultan’s Palace, also known as Kraton. Built between 1756 – 1790, is a fine example of traditional Javanese sultanate architecture. While walking through various rooms and chambers, learn more about Javanese heritage and culture.

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.

Continue this morning’s tour with a visit to Sonobudoyo Museum by becak. Focusing on Javanese culture, the museum features exhibits of artefacts such as hand-crafted weapons, wooden wayang puppets, masks and old Javanese gamelan instruments.

Lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Prambanan Temple.

Following lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta. 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. UNESCO named Prambanan a Heritage Site in 1991. The guide will explain the history and symbolism of the temples while walking around.

Return to Yogyakarta for a chance to relax and freshen up.

In the evening, be treated to a performance of traditional Ramayana Dance while dining at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yogyakarta

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta International Airport (43 km): 1 hr 15 mins

Transfer to Yogyakarta Airport in the morning in time for the onward flight, or choose an optional extension in East Java.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast