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Monkeys, becaks and temple guards
This is a jam-packed three-week Sumatra, Java and Bali trip, covering the highlights and throwing in some outdoor adventure. On Sumatra you’ll spot orangutans and learn about Batak families in a local village. Next, you’ll travel to Eastern Java to visit mystical temples and meet becak drivers (bicycle taxis), explore the Javan countryside and stand atop a rumbling volcano at sunrise. On Bali, you’ll cycle through fresh green rice paddies before ending your Sumatra, Java and Bali trip on a paradise beach. You’ll stay in wooden jungle cottages, on a lake, in charming city hotels and atmospheric bungalows amidst the rice paddies or overlooking a sparkling blue bay. This is the perfect itinerary for adventurous travellers who really want to get the most out of their trip to Indonesia. |
| Duration |
20 days / 19 nights departs daily from Medan Airport or Denpasar Airport |
Accommodation |
Jungle lodge, on a lake, charming cottages in the rice paddies, in a valley, on the beach. Comfort level 3 and 4 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
£1456 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transport as described, accommodation with breakfast, guided excursions |
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Transport |
Private car with driver and shared minibus |
Excludes |
International flight, entrance fees, optional excursion in Pemuteran on Day 15. |
Day 1: Arrival in Medan - Transfer to Bukit LawangToday, you'll arrive in Medan, and one our our local representatives will meet you at the airport. After you’ve had your visa and passport stamped, you'll walk into the arrivals hall to find your driver waiting for you, holding up a name sign. It’s not that far to Bukit Lawang (approx 95km) but because the roads are quite poor the drive will take about 2-3 hours. The landscape of Sumatra is completely different to the other Indonesian islands, which makes for a particularly scenic and interesting drive through this exotic countryside.In the afternoon you'll arrive at your hotel located on the edge of the jungle. Bukit Lawang is situated on a fast-running river which you can cross by bridge from your cottage. The banks of the river are lined with little stilted huts, with women washing clothes and people bathing. There’s lots going on here. Your basic room with private bathroom has cold running water so you can freshen up with a cold but refreshing shower. |
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Day 2: Bukit Lawang - Orangutan trekAround 7am this morning, you’ll leave for the orangutan feeding centre. You’ll need to cross the wild river first in a small narrow boat which will drop you off 75 metres away on the other side.Next, it’s just a short walk to the spot where the orangutans gather to be fed. The orangutans are fed once a day from the centre, and then for the rest of the day they need to find their own food in the jungle. This way, they're gradually taught to fend for themselves in the wild. You’ll see these huge orange animals swinging their way through the jungle towards the tasty bunch of bananas laid out for them, some of them carrying very cute babies on their backs. A word of advice: don’t bring a plastic bag into the jungle, as the orangutans will mistake it for a bag of bananas and it’s pretty scary when a giant orangutan suddenly tries to make off with your belongings. After this unique up-close orangutan tour, you'll head off on a 3-hour trek through the jungle. It’s hilly here, so expect the odd climb as you scramble through trees, clinging on to branches and roots. If you’re lucky you’ll spot a few hairy orangutans swinging through the jungle canopy a few metres above your head. Hiking boots or at least sturdy shoes are advisable for this trek. At the end of the day, you'll return to Bukit Lawang for another night in your hotel. |
Day 3: Bukit Lawang - SamosirEarly this morning, you’ll leave Bukit Lawang and continue your Sumatra, Java and Bali trip south through the hills. The winding and somewhat poor roads make it quite a long drive (approx 7 hours) but the spectacular scenery more than makes up for it. Your driver will take you all the way to Parapat where you’ll board the ferry to Samosir Island. Your driver will buy your one-way ferry ticket for you.Crossing Lake Toba on the ferry is like entering a magical wonderland. The deep, dark lake is surrounded by densely wooded mountains, the traditional Batak houses sticking out above the green treetops. Once you arrive at your accommodation on Samosir Island you can just enjoy the peace and tranquility of the place as you listen to the exotic sounds of the nature reserve. Your comfortable, recently renovated hotel is directly on Lake Toba and your room has a balcony with wonderful views across the lake. |
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Day 4: SamosirSamosir Island is a peninsula the size of Singapore in the middle of Lake Toba and at 1707m² the largest lake in South-East Asia. There's lots to do on the island and cycling is one of the best ways to get around. You can rent a bike close to the hotel for around £2 per person. It’s best to reserve a bike the evening before, just to be sure that it's ready for you the next day. Watch your speed though - the goats and the odd buffalo on the road don't observe traffic rules and you wouldn’t want one of those crashing into your handle bars…The traditional villages here are full of the typical Batak houses which you can visit to get an idea of how the local people live. The villages are quite spread out so cycling is the best way to get around. Samosir Island is quite hilly, which means it's tough pedalling at times but what goes up must come down, so at the end of each climb you’ll be rewarded with a lovely easy downhill stretch to your next stop. Tomok is the most important village on the island and a good place to visit the wooden Batak houses, the old graves and tombs. If you like to dance then pay a visit to the Simanindo village, where you can watch the daily Batak dance performances accompanied by local musicians using self-made instruments. In the evening, you can indulge in some of the local Indonesian specialties at one of the little restaurants in the village tuk-tuk. You’ll stay another night in your hotel on Lake Toba. |
Day 5: Samosir - BerastagiToday, you'll continue your Sumatra, Java and Bali trip to Berastagi, or Brastagi as it's also known. Most travellers to Sumatra travel via Bukit Lawang, Samosir and Berastagi back to Medan, as this route covers all the major highlights of the island. After our Fairytale in Samosir tour, you’ll take the ferry back to Parapat where your driver will be waiting to take you to your next destination: Berastagi. The first part of the trip follows the banks of Lake Toba so you can enjoy some final views across this immense lake before heading inland into the hills, arriving in Berastagi in the afternoon.In the afternoon you can visit the local market in the town centre. Berastagi has a famous fruit market but besides fruit you’ll also find fish, vegetables and other odds and ends, all filling the market with exotic and often very strong smells. This market is popular with tourists, but the market further down the main street is more authentic. This is where the locals buy their groceries, so the prices are a lot better than at the larger fruit market. Your comfortable hotel has lovely views across green farmland and 100 yards away there’s a viewpoint from which you can see the mountains Sibayak and Sinabung. After dinner, you can take a dip in the pool, just what you need after a long day of travelling. |
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Day 6: Berastagi - Medan - YogyakartaYou've got a long journey ahead of you today, so you'll be setting off early in the morning for the drive to Medan to catch your flight to Yogyakarta on Java (with a stopover in Jakarta). You'll arrive in Java's second largest city - Yogyakarta - in the late afternoon where you can recover from your trip in the exotic hotel garden, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. |
Day 7: YogyakartaToday you’ll have time to explore the streets of Yogyakarta. You’ll find plenty of becak-riders waiting outside the hotel who will happy to show you around the city. If you take a becak-tour, you’ll ride through tiny backstreets to all the attractions around the city and you'll get a great view from your seat. Your driver will probably show you a couple of batik workshops where you can watch the production process (by hand) and admire the beautiful paintings. Just keep in mind that the driver usually has a deal with the shop owner which means you’ll be charged a slightly higher price. Happy haggling…You can also visit the Jalan Malioboro, the main street of Yogyakarta where you'll find lots of little shops and busy crowds. |
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Day 8: Yogyakarta - Borobudur and PrambananAfter breakfast this morning, you’ll visit two fascinating temples on a tour that will probably be one of the highlights of your Sumatra Java and Bali trip. From April to October you’ll do this day trip in a group (maximum 6 travellers), but the rest of the year the day trip is based on private transport. Your first stop is the famous Buddhist temple complex Borobudur. It’s best to go early in the morning before the crowds arrive.The Borobudur has 10 levels, and the higher you go the more beautiful the view becomes. You can choose whether or not you want a guide when you get there. If you choose to take a guide you’ll climb the Borobudur along the traditional pilgrim’s route from the east, walking clockwise on each level. The guide will be able to tell you the stories illustrated in the stone walls, including the life of Siddhartha on his journey to becoming Gautama Buddha. At the top of the temple are 72 small open stupas, most of them with a meditating Buddha in the centre. If you want to make a wish, then try to touch the lucky Buddha (in one of the stupas). Men should touch the hand, women should touch the heel. Next, you'll visit the Prambanan temple with eight buildings spread around a central courtyard. The walls are decorated with intricate carvings, including the story of Ramanyana on the inner walls of the largest temple. At Full Moon the story is performed in the open air, with a magnificent view on the Prambanan temple. Don't worry if you’re not here at Full Moon though - you can also see an open-air performance in Yogyakarta. |
Day 9: Yogyakarta - MalangEarly in the morning you’ll continue your Sumatra Java and Bali trip to Surakarta, also known as Solo. Driving through the Javan countryside you'll see the Prambanan towering high above the road. In Surakarta, you’ll notice that the town is famous for antiques and batik and you can find both at two enormous markets in the city - the Pasar Triwindu (antiques) and the Pasar Klewer (batik). Like Yogyakarta, the kraton (palace) of Surakarta forms the centre of the city and within the palace walls you'll find a maze of narrow streets, two large squares, a mosque and the royal quarters.After visiting the town you’ll continue your Java and Bali adventure trip for 6 hours, until you reach the city of Malang. The city has a distinct colonial atmosphere, particularly in the streets of the Tugu district. This is the historic part of the city with buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era. The city is split in two by the river Sungai Brantas. On the south side, you’ll find several restaurants and shops around the Alun Alun. Malang also has several interesting markets, like the flower market Pasar Bunga which is great to visit early in the morning. You’ll stay in a friendly hotel just outside the city centre. |
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Day 10: Malang - Mount BromoToday, you’ll head up to the highlight of Eastern Java - the Tengger mountains and Mount Bromo. You won’t leave Malang until late morning so you can rest and take it easy for a while. You’ll need your energy because tomorrow is going to be a tiring day.After a 3 hour drive you’ll arrive at your comfortable hotel near Mount Bromo. You can take a walk across the crater rim later that afternoon if you like. The slopes of the volcano are scattered with little houses where the locals live. They're very green but up ahead you'll be able glimpse the bare, barren rocks of the volcano which you’ll visit tomorrow. |
Day 11: Mount Bromo - KalibaruYou’ll head into the mountains by jeep early this morning to the viewpoint on the crater rim, accompanied by a local guide. There are some magnificent views across the mountain range and crater from here and you’ll see the sun slowly rising, colouring the mountains deep red. In the afternoon Mount Bromo is often covered in thick clouds, so getting here early in the day is worth the effort. From the viewpoint you’ll drive down narrow tracks to the foot of the volcano from where you can climb the volcano. It’s a tough climb to the top but well worth the struggle. Once you're back at the bottom, you can choose to travel by horse back to the foot of the volcano. Riding through the barren landscape and the vast plains of the crater is an amazing experience and for many travellers one of the highlights of their Java and Bali adventure trip. You don’t need to be an experienced rider by the way as the horses are very well trained.Back at your hotel you can freshen up and pack your things, but then it's time to leave. It's a pretty long drive to Kalibaru, most of it along winding roads through the mountains. You'll arrive at your comfortable hotel in Kalibaru in late afternoon. |
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Day 12: KalibaruThis afternoon, you'll on a guided walk through the plantations around Kalibaru. Your english-speaking guide will tell you all about the crops that are grown here, and it’s amazing how effectively the locals use the natural resources for shampoo, medicine and all kinds fo other things. During the walk, you’ll visit a coffee plantation and also see how cocoa, rubber and cloves (for cigarettes) are grown. Later on you can watch the rubber production process in a small rubber factory.Your comfortable hotel in the small mountain village has a swimming pool and the rooms are located in an interesting garden with several plants and trees all displaying their Latin and Indonesian names. Just enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the peaceful little village. There's not much to do here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. |
Day 13: Kalibaru - PemuteranToday you'll leave Java, but your Sumatra Java and Bali trip is far from over. You'll travel by car to Ketapang where you can board the ferry for the 30-minute crossing to Bali. From Gilimanuk, you'll continue by car to Pemuteran.Bali is completely different to Java so it's a bit like entering a new country. Once you've arrived in Pemuteran and settled in to your cottage, you can enjoy a tasty lunch in the restaurant. The resort has a lovely pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. |
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Day 14: Pemuteran - Menjangan Island boat tripToday, you'll visit Menjangan Island by boat. It's very quiet here with very few people, a deep blue sea and the most beautiful coral reefs on Bali. Divers come here all the way from Lovina just to swim and dive in this magical underwater world. Local diving schools offer PADI Open Water or PADI advanced courses here, so just let us know if you'd like us to book a course for you. You don't necessarily need to go diving to enjoy the waters around Bali. Snorkelling will get you close enough to the abundance of brightly coloured fish and coral. |
Day 15: PemuteranToday you can opt for something completely different. Instead of paddling in the water, you can choose to go on a thrilling trek through the steamy jungle (optional). It's a strenuous hike but you'll be rewarded with lots of exotic nature, rare birds and monkeys. The trek takes about 3 hours, so you'll be able to recover and relax in the afternoon back at the resort, or take another dip in the clear blue sea. |
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Day 16: Pemuteran - UbudFrom Pemuteran, on the northwestern tip of Bali, it's quite a long drive to Ubud, the next stop on your Sumatra Java and Bali trip. As soon as you arrive you'll see green terraced rice fields everywhere you look, with ducks balancing precariously on the rims of the paddies and locals busy planting or harvesting rice.Ubud is the green, artistic heart of Bali. In the town centre you’ll find lots of small shops with artists selling their works, sculpting Buddha statues or carving wooden masks. In the afternoon you can visit the nearby temples where Balinese women come to bring their daily rice offerings or go monkey spotting in nearby Monkey Forest. You’ll stay in a charming bungalow with views across the rice paddies. The rooms are decorated with all kinds of Balinese artefacts and you can sit back in a comfortable deckchair on your porch or take a cooling dip in the pool. |
Day 17: UbudThere’s nothing planned for today, so your time is completely your own. You can head out of Ubud and visit the many Hindu temples and artists’ workshops in the area, or you can spend a day by the pool with a fresh fruit juice and a good book. For a spot of indulgence, try one of the massage and spa salons. A warm scented flower petal bath followed by a Balinese massage with aromatic oils may be just what you need after your action-packed Sumatra Java and Bali trip. |
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Day 18: UbudAround 8am, you'll be picked up by minibus for the drive into the hills of Kintamani where your Ubud adventure will begin. After a hearty breakfast and the necessary cycling instructions, it's time to put on your helmet and cycling gloves and start pedalling through the remarkably beautiful countryside. For the most part the route on your Ubud adventure tour is downhill through the green valley, cycling along narrow paths through the rice fields. As you cycle through the small villages, the local children will run out onto the road to greet you.On the way, you'll pass a bamboo forest with bamboo shoots so thick you can't even fit your hands around them. You'll whizz pass women carrying fruit offerings on their heads - ask nicely and you might be allowed to take a picture. Your Ubud adventure finishes with a lunch of nasi goreng and other delicious Balinese specialities, and you'll arrive back at the hotel around 3pm. |
Day 19: Ubud - Bukit PeninsulaAfter Ubud you'll travel south for some chill-out time on Bukit Peninsula. Although Bali is often regarded as a popular beach destination, most of the beaches on the island actually have black volcanic sand. This is why most tourists congregate around the southern part of the island at Kuta near Denpasar - one of the few places where you can find golden beaches... along with the crowds of tourists and high-rise hotels.Luckily, after a long search we’ve found the best of both worlds on the Bukit Peninsula at the southernmost tip of Bali. Here, you’ll find beautiful, quiet beaches and picturesque bungalows in a setting that you’d usually only find further inland. At just 30 minutes from the airport, this Bali beach bungalow is the perfect ending to your Sumatra Java and Bali trip and ideal for a short stop in paradise. |
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Day 20: Bukit PeninsulaWe haven't got anything planned for you today, so you can spend the whole day recharging your batteries before your flight back to the UK tomorrow.You can use all the resort facilities until you leave for the airport. After your last couple of laps in the hotel pool you'll be picked up by your driver and transferred to the airport on Bali where it's time to bid farewell to Indonesia and board the plane back home... |
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