Java, Bali and New Year on Togean islands

+380673331102

Price

$1989

+ flight to Yogyakarta and back home from Makassar

Duration

17 days

What you get

Indonesia

Volcanoes, cities and beaches

Transportation

During the entire trip

Guiding

Professional tour leader - traveler

Tickets

To all domestic flights

Accommodation

16 nights

Physical grade

Level 2 (easy) out of 5

Java, Bali and New Year on Togean islands

We will explore the main shrines of Indonesia, conquer volcanoes, swim in the clear water, and meet unforgettable New Year on the paradise beaches on islands lost in the ocean.

Explore the world famous complexes of Borobodur and Prambanan on the island of Java
Feel like on another planet among the Martian landscapes of the Bromo and Ijen volcanoes
Watch traditional fire dancing in Bali
Discover the most diverse underwater world on Togean islands
Relax on the beaches with white sand and clear water, where we will be the only visitors!
Visit settlements of Sama-Bajau people, known as the last sea nomads

Trip code

ALVF

Indonesia,Jawa,Bali,Togean islands,Prambanan,Bromo,Borobodur,Ijen

The price of the trip includes:

All domestic flights;
Accommodation during the enture trip;
Transportation during the entire trip;
Food on Togean islands + breakfasts in some hotels;
Professional guiding services.

What is NOT included:

Flight to Yogyakarta and from Makassar back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals);
Insurance (mandatory);
Entrance fees to temples, parks and other attractions (up to $160-200) and additional excursions on the islands ($45);
Diving (from $28 per dive or PADI Open Water diving course including 5 dives, test and certification – $390);
Snorkeling ($7-10 per day for snorkeling gear rent);
Food ($8-15 per person per day).

Departures

2019

Price

Book

21 December, Sat – 06 January, Mon

$ 1989

21 December 2019 Sat

$ 1989

21 December 2019 Saturday

06 January 2020 Monday

USD $ 1989

Day 1 - 2

Cultural capital Yogyakarta Kraton palace Prambanan complex of 9th century

We arrive in Yogyakarta and check into a hotel. We begin our group ttrip to Indonesia in this most vivid city, which is known as the cultural capital of the country. Lovers of Asian food will be delighted with the abundance of local dishes. And those who are not very familiar with the cuisine of Asia will surely become its lovers! Let's begin with the famous gudeg - an unusual dish of jackfruit boiled in coconut milk, with duck eggs and chicken. For dessert, try sweet beans and the famous smoothie made from ripe avocado.

We head to the Kraton Palace, where the Sultans of Yogyakarta have been living for more than two centuries. Even now part of the palace is closed to visitors, and the family of the ruler still lives there. Next, we visit Prambanan - the world famous complex of 9th century Hindu temples. Yes, most people in Indonesia have become Muslims relatively recently, and before that they professed many religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. We will explore the most famous temples, and enter small ones, where tourists rarely go.

In the evening we go to the endless beach to swim and enjoy the unforgettable sunset.

Day 3

9th century Borobudur stupa Muslim quarters of Yogyakarta Javanese houses and market of medicinal plants

After breakfast and go to Borobudur where we will continue our guided tour to Indonesia. This 9th century Buddhist stupa is considered one of the largest in the world. It consists of nine platforms with 504 statues of Buddha, each about a different time of the life of the founder of Buddhism. Birth in the royal family and leaving home, years of wandering and spiritual practices, the achievement of enlightenment and preaching - all this we learn, walking along Borobudur and enjoying the views of two neighboring volcanoes.

Neighborhood with the volcanoes played almost fatal joke with the shrine. In the 14th century, Merapi volcano completely covered this stupa with ashes. The jungle quickly grew on top of it and locals completely forgot this place. Borobudur was rediscovered only in the 19th century. The shrine was literally dug up, and assembled in another place!

In the evening we go for a walk in the Muslim quarters of Yogyakarta. People here still lead a very authentic life and live in traditional wooden houses with courtyards. Interestingly, the roof here is an indicator of the social status of the owners of the house. We will learn more when we will enter one of such houses for dinner of traditional Javanese dishes. We will also discover an unusual market of medicinal plants and spices.

Day 4 - 6

Sunrises on top of Bromo and Ijen volcanoes Madakaripura waterfalls Bali beach

In the morning we continue our guided tour to Indonesia and fly to Surabaya (1 hour) and drive to the village of Chemore Lavang (3.5 hours on the way). Here we will stay in a hotel at the foot of the grand volcano Bromo. Very early in the morning we get on jeeps and reach the crater of the volcano 2,329 meters above sea level. Here we will meet the most unforgettable sunrise! We walk along the crater and return to the hotel to have breakfast and rest. Then, we head to Bondovoso (6 hours on the way) and stop at Madakaripura waterfalls on our way. The highest of them is 200 meters tall, and to reach it, we will walk under the streams of falling water.

We reach Bondovoso, check into a hotel and very early in the morning begin our walk to the crater of Ijen volcano (an hour and a half walk). In the predawn haze we notice a bright blue glow. We come closer and see a large acid lake in the crater of a volcano. It glows bright turquoise. Hundreds of men carry large woven baskets with yellow cobblestones. These are workers who extract sulfur from the lake every night. The sun rises and floods the valley under our feet with a tender pink light. What a view!

Together with the workers we walk down, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then take the bus and the ferry to the island of Bali (up to 3 hours on the way). We check into a hotel and spend the rest of the day on a wonderful beach.

More days

Day 7 - 9

Bali Hidden beaches Rafting on Ayung river Temples and palace of Ubud rulers

Three days we will spend on the most famous resort island of Asia. We will enjoy walks through coffee and rice plantations, walk to the waterfalls hidden in the pristine jungle, explore small temples and observe local way of life and culture. We will also enjoy a secret beach, hidden between the mountain slopes in the south of the island, and do an unforgettable rafting on the Ayung river. The fantastic nature of Bali will not leave anyone indifferent!

We will walk in the palace of the rulers of Ubud, discover the famous temple on Bratan lake and visit the water temple Tirta Empul. It is honored for the sacred sources of water, where Hindus come from all over the world. We will also watch the famous Kechak traditional dances, which are also called fire dances.

On the last day on the island in the evening we go to the airport and fly to Makassar. There we spend the night in a hotel.

Day 10 - 11

Togean islands New Year on the beach

We continue our small group trip to Indonesia and in the morning we fly to the city of Luwuk, and then go to Ampana (5 hours on the way). We check into a hotel and explore the city, rarely visited by tourists. In the morning, we take the speedboat to the main port of Togean Islands (1.5 hours on the way). There we transfer to a boat and go to our bungalows on the beach of a small island. Finally we are in paradise!

Kilometers of pristine beach, crystal clear water with flocks of colorful fish, emerald jungles and singing of exotic birds. There are no hotels, tourists, roads and communications. Only us!

In this paradise we will celebrate an unforgettable New Year. We will swim, enjoy food cooked on the open fire, sing songs and enjoy ourselves.

Day 12 - 17

Tiny islands Jellyfish lake Village of Sama-Bajau people Diving and snorkeling

These five days on Togean Islands you will remember for life in the smallest detail! We will explore the tiny uninhabited islands, find pristine beaches and fabulous lagoons. We will visit the jellyfish lake to swim next to these completely harmless creatures. Walk through the wild jungle to see the hornbills and other unusual birds. Hunt for coconut crabs. Lovers of fish and corals will be delighted with the local underwater world. After all, the Togean Islands are home to 96% of the coral species existing in the world!

We will also meet the Sama-Bajau people, known as the last sea nomads. Many of them still live in their boats floating far in the ocean, coming to shores only to bury their dead and exchange fish for rice and vegetables. Other Bajau settled in wooden houses on stilts. We will visit one such village on the water, to see an unusual way of life, and to play ball with curious children.

On the last day after breakfast, we will return to Ampana, take a car to Luwuk (5 hours on the way), and next morning fly to Makassar. From there we fly back home. Our group trip to Indonesia has come to an end. Thank you for exploring this magical country with us!

Tour leader

Oleksandr Levytskyi

tour leader

Oleksandr Levytskyi

tour leader

Is this trip for you?

The trip is of light physical grade. Expect long city walks, three domestic flights, several bus and speed boat rides. We will also take two short walks to the top of two volcanoes, each walk lasting less than 2 hours. We will stay in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels. Each room will have own attached bathroom with hot water, and wi fi internet. Accommodation on Togean islands can be chosen in additional options.