5D4N INDONESIA YOGYAKARTA

5D4N Indonesia Yogyakarta

On arrival at Yogyakarta Airport, your driver will meet you at the arrival hall and drive you to your hotel in Yogyakarta – a city in central Java renowned for its rich cultural heritage and traditional arts and the only region in Indonesia that is still governed by a pre-colonial monarchy, the Sultan of Yogyakarta.  (Yogyakarta is pronounced “Jog-jakarta” and commonly referred to as “Jog-ja” in short). 

For the rest of the day and into the evening, your driver will bring you to Jalan Malioboro and the Alun-Alun Selatan night market.  Jalan Malioboro is Jogja’s main shopping boulevard in the heart of the city, stretching about 1km and with numerous hotels and eateries in its immediate vicinity.  Whilst alive 24/7, it is particularly bustling in the evenings when open-air food-stalls pop up along the street.  The Alun-Alun Selatan night market is popular with both locals and tourists for its street food but more so for the well-illuminated “bling-bling” vehicles – typically old VW beetles and vans – dispensing loud music and waiting to be pedalled – oh yes, they are lacking in engines!

Day 02 – YOGYAKARTA: BOROBUDUR / MENDUT TEMPLE / PRAMBANAN TEMPLE  [B]

Today, you will be visiting some of Central Java’s most highly regarded heritage sites.  You will start with Borobudur Temple – the world’s largest Buddhist temple complex and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Widely considered to be one of the world’s seven ancient wonders, it is a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist Temple complex ornamented with 504 Buddha statues and a pyramid-like structure with steep stairs ascending to the top. 

The next highlight of your tour is Mendut Temple, another 9th century Buddhist temple and also an UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring an imposing – and iconic – 3m tall figure of Buddha. 

Next, you will proceed to the Prambanan Temple – the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 9th century.  It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu architecture, and by the towering 47m high central building inside a massive complex of what used to be 240 individual temples.

Day 03 – YOGYAKARTA: JOMBLANG CAVE / CAVE TUBING / WATU GIRING  [B]

Today promises to be a fun-filled physically active day.  First stop is the Jomblang Cave – a vertical cave to be descended about 60m down using rappelling equipment.  After the descent and about 270m away is the Grubug Cave where you can likely witness (between 10am and 1pm) a beam of sunlight – commonly described as “magical” or “heavenly” – filtering through lush foliage at the mouth of the cave (above) and regarded by many to be as compelling a reason as any to descend the cave.  Next, have a go at cave-tubing at Kalisuci Cave.  (If neither of the abovementioned activities suits you, sightseeing arrangements will be made in lieu thereof.) 

Thereafter, proceed on to sightsee Watu Giring, an ancient mining site where the remaining rock structures resemble ancient ruins – or, to some visitors, Mayan temples.  Time-permitting, visit the Timang Beach and try a thrilling gondola ride to a large rock in the sea or walk across – thrilling, no less – by way of a suspension bridge.

Day 04 – YOGYAKARTA: KRATON PALACE / TAMAN SARI WATER CASTLE  [B]

In the morning, you will visit The Kraton, also known as the Sultan’s Palace, which has been the cultural heart and soul of Yogyakarta since the mid-1700s.  It is a grand complex that was meticulously planned and constructed to reflect the Javanese cosmos.  This elegant complex of pavilions was constructed entirely on ancient beliefs and each feature of the complex, from the courtyards to the trees, has a special symbolic meaning related to sophisticated Javanese world-views. 

Located 2km south of Kraton Palace is the beautiful mid-18th century Taman Sari Water Castle.  Known as the garden for the Sultan of Yogyakarta, the grounds spread over 12,600 acres and include a series of water gardens, pools, artificial lakes with islands and pavilions to the west, a bathing complex in the centre, a complex of pavilions and pools in the south, and a smaller lake to the east as well as a collection of 59 buildings. 

In the afternoon, try out batik making (regarded as one of Indonesia’s national heritage) and experience the traditional dyeing process along with the basic principles of the craft.  It promises to be fun and you will also get to take home your own batik creation!

Day 05 – DEPART YOGYAKARTA  [B]

Free time until your transfer to Yogyakarta Airport for your return flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.