16 Days Amazing Indonesia

JAKARTA – PANGKALANBUN

Breakfast at hotel. This morning you will be met and transferred to the terminal and assisted to check in for your flight to Pangkalanbun in Kalimantan, Borneo. Upon arrival in Pangkalanbun, meet your guide and transfer to Kumai Harbor, a thriving river harbor located on the edge of the vast Borneo interior. Then, cruise by klotok (traditional Borneo river craft) for approximately three hours up the Sekonyer River to the Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge. As you leave Kumai Harbor, you will have an opportunity to witness riverfront life in this busy port-town, including the incredible shipyards, where traditional methods are still employed to build giant, wooden schooners. Watch along the river bands for prolific bird life and many of several species of monkeys, including the large proboscis. Late in the day you will arrive at your rustic but comfortable eco-lodge. Settle in and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.

CAMP LEAKY

After a sunrise breakfast, depart the lodge with your guide and cruise for two hours upriver to Camp Leakey. Along the way, the river narrows to the point where, in places, you are passing underneath thick forest canopy. Keen observation will be rewarded by occasional glimpses of colorful birds including rhinoceros hornbills, kingfishers, flycatchers and many species of primates. Camp Leakey was established over 30 years ago by Dr. Birute Galdikas. Like her peers Diane Fossey and Jane Goodall, she was supported by the late Louis Leakey to study large primates. On arrival at Camp Leakey's river pier, you're likely to be greeted by some of the resident orangutans. Spend the rest of day hiking through the Borneo rainforest, searching for wildlife and exploring the swamp and lowland dipthocarp forests displaying numerous varieties of epiphytes, liana, mosses, and ferns. Return to Camp Leakey to view the 15:00 (3:00 pm) feeding of the resident orangutans followed by a dusk cruise back to the jungle lodge.

CAMP LEAKY

This morning after breakfast, meet your guide and enjoy a hike to explore the dense jungles and swamps of lowland Borneo, where you will encounter firsthand some of the varied and thriving flora and fauna that have made this one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. If you are lucky you will spot orangutans high in the forest canopy or more likely, innumerable macaque monkeys and the rare proboscis monkey (found only on the island of Borneo).

This afternoon, continue to Pondok Tanggui—another jungle feeding station, sort of a halfway house for rehabilitated orangutans. Return to your lodge late this afternoon with the evening free for dinner and the symphony of the jungle that surrounds you.

CAMP LEAKY – PANGKALANBUN – SEMARANG

Early this morning you will return by boat down river to Kumai and then by car to Pangkalanbun Airport.  Here you will check in for a short flight to Semarang on the north coast of Java. Arrive in Semarang a , you will be met and then immediately depart the city on a three hour drive south to Central Java toward the ancient Buddhist city of Borobudur. It is the world's largest Buddhist monument and the largest human constructed structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Once here check in at your beautiful villa-style resort, overlooking lush paddy fields and in the distance, jungle shrouded Mt. Merapi and the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Borobudur. Settle in and enjoy a relaxing evening

BOROBUDUR

This morning in the pre-dawn hours, you'll head out to be at famed Borobudur at sunrise. Not only is the mist and lighting at dawn serene, it is also a special time to explore this ancient site before masses of tourists arrive later in the day. Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist monument and the largest man-made structure in the southern hemisphere. It predates Angkor Wat by 300 years and Notre Dame by 200 years. "Discovered" in 1815, it has been excavated and returned to its original glory. The stone relief panels offer a clear glimpse into Buddhist doctrine and Javanese life 1,000 years ago. You'll have plenty of time to amble around and through this fabulous monument. Return to your hotel.

CITY TOUR – PRAMBANAN

This morning spend the day visiting Yogyakarta. Enjoy a highlights tour of the city. Start with a visit to the Kraton. This walled compound is the heart of the old part of the city and once the palace of Yogyakarta’s sultans. Also visit the ruins of Taman Sari, the Water Palace, which was a pleasure park for the sultans. Yogyakarta is also a center for craft markets, batik textiles and artist studios, which you can visit depending on your interests. Afterwards, visit the Prambanan Temple complex. This Hindu temple city was built between the 8th and 10th centuries to honor Shiva, and it complements the Buddhist temple city of Borobudur 25 miles away. Start by viewing Candi Shiva Mahadeva, the largest and finest of the temples of Prambanan. Flanking it are Candi Brahma and Candi Vishnu, and just to the north is Candi Sewu, which you will also have the opportunity to view. Continue to the northern Plaosan group of temples. The site is made up of two larger, identical temples that have been restored, as well as ruins of some 130 smaller stupas and shrines. Finish your exploration of Prambanan with the southern group of temples including Candi Sajiwan and the hilltop Kraton Ratu Boko. Return your hotel.

YOGYAKARTA – MALANG – BROMO

This morning, begin the overland journey from Yogyakarta through the Javanese countryside to Mt. Bromo. Your journey begins with a train to Malang using Malioboro Express for about 8 hours. Departing at 07:30 am and arriving at 15:37 pm. Then you will transfer by car up to the base of the caldera of Mt. Bromo about 2 hours 30 minutes. Along the way, pass through small villages and vast rice paddies. At Mt. Bromo, spend the night in a comfortable small hotel that located on the side of the mountain with fantastic views. (B,L)

BROMO SUNRISE – SURABAYA – BALI

Rise before the sun this morning for an easy walk, or optional pony ride, down the inside of the caldera and across the 'sea of sand' to the smoldering cone of Mt. Bromo. Hike to the crater rim in time to witness the beautiful sunrise. This is one of the most surreal vistas in the world—crimson hued mists swirl across a sea of sand in the midst of an immense, 1,200-foot-deep volcanic caldera. You'll have a chance to linger and watch the natural light show unfold. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a bit of time to relax. Midday, check out of your accommodations and begin the short drive to Surabaya. Stopping at points of interest along the way. Arriving in Surabaya tour about the city a bit. Surabaya is Indonesia's second largest city and has been a fabled trading port since the 15th century. Perhaps visit its old quarter with crumbling Dutch buildings and strong Chinese character.

Early this evening, you will be transferred to the Surabaya Airport in time for your flight to Denpasar, Bali.

Arrival at Ngurah Rai airport our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for accommodation.

BALI - GILI TRAWANGAN

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide will meet you then transfer to serangan harbor for cruise to Gili by Blue Water (Speedboat with maximum capacity 30 – 60 Passengers). Departure at 08.00 Am and arrive at Gili Trawangan at 10.30 Am. Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands of Gili Meno and Gili Air. The beaches of the Gilis are still powdery white, the water a beautiful clear blue and they are positioned perfectly for sunsets over Bali’s Mt Agung and sunrise over Lombok’s Mt Rinjani. Unique to the Gilis all forms of motorised transport are still not allowed – meaning the only way to get around is on foot, by bicycle and in pony carts known as Cidomos. Check in to your hotel in Gili Trawangan. You can enjoy snorkeling in Gili Trawangan on your own. (B)

GILI TRAWANGAN

Breakfast at hotel. Free at Leisure. (B)

GILI TRAWANGAN – BALI – UBUD

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide will meet you then transfer to harbour for cruise to Bali by Blue Water. Departure from Gili at  11.00 Am and arrive in Serangan harbour at 13.30 Pm. Our guide will meet you then transfer for about  90-minute to Ubud, Bali's cultural heart. Under the influence of Prince Agung Gede Sukawati, Ubud attracted Western artists and scholars such as Migue and Rose Covarrubias, Margaret Mead and Walter Spies who helped secure Ubud as the cultural and spiritual nucleus of the island. Here you will be taken to check in at your award winning resort in the heart of town yet also backing to rice fields and scenes of traditional Bali. Settle in and enjoy a good night's sleep.  (B)

EXPLORE UBUD

This morning meet your private guide to begin your exploration of the area. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the terraced rice paddies along the Sayan Ridge, overlooking the scenic Ayung River Gorge. End your walk near Campuhan and visit the Neka Museum, considered one of the finest private collections of art in Southeast Asia. Then drive to the handicrafts villages of Celuk, Batuan, Mas and Ubud to witness gold and silver work, hand weaving, woodcarving and painting. Proceed to Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), a Hindu meditation center dating back to the 11th-century, and then onwards to Tampak Siringi to see the water temple of Tirta Empul and its sacred springs. Return to your resort with the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Each evening in central Ubud there are public performances of Bali's traditional dances, including the Legong, Barong and Kecak dances.

UBUD – SANUR or NUSA DUA

Breakfast at hotel. Relaxing time until time to check out. In the afternoon, our guide will meet and transfer you to Sanur or Nusa Dua for check in to your hotel and enjoy your beach time.

SANUR OR NUSA DUA – FREE

Today is free to relax on the beach, by the pool, or perhaps partake in some of the many unique activities the resort has on offer for guests such as cooking classes, dance, floral arrangement classes, surfing classes, traditional spa and more, or explore the local area on your own.

SANUR – OUT

Regrettably the adventure comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport and check-in for your international flight. Thank you for tour with us.