We will take you on a wonderful journey through the diverse Indonesian archipelago! For three weeks you will experience the enormous diversity of landscapes and colorful cultures. You will devour the most delicious foods, see traditional dance performances and go searching for orangutans. You will also enjoy beautiful coastlines, jungles, active volcanoes and rice terraces and with some luck you can see the largest flower in the world, the Rafflessia, in full bloom. This most comprehensive journey through Indonesia will remain in your thoughts for a long time after its completion.

TOUR SUMMARY

Day 1: Medan

Day 2: Medan - Bohorok (Sumatra)

Day 3: Bohorok - Brastagi

Day 4: Brastagi - Samosir (Lake Toba)

Day 5: Samosir (Lake Toba)

Day 6: Samosir (Lake Toba) - Sipirok

Day 7: Sipirok - Bukittinggi

Day 8: Bukittinggi

Day 9: Bukittinggi - Padang - Jakarta (Java)

Day 10: Jakarta

Day 11: Jakarta - Yogyakarta

Day 12: Yogyakarta

Day 13: Yogyakarta - Prambanan - Solo - Tawangmanggu

Day 14: Tawangmanggu - Malang

Day 15: Malang - Cemoro Lawang

Day 16: Cemoro Lawang - Kalibaru

Day 17: Kalibaru - Ubud

Day 18: Ubud

Day 19: Ubud - Sanur

Day 20: Sanur

Day 21: Sanur

DAY 1: MEDAN

Welcome to Indonesia! Your tour will begin in Medan, where your hotel room will be available from 12 pm. The rest of the group will normally arrive early tomorrow morning at the hotel, with your tour leader for your onward travel. The pickup time will be confirmed upon arrival. Medan is a busy city and one of the largest in Indonesia. You can visit art-deco buildings from the Dutch colonial era, such as the Old city hall. There are also examples of Chinese and Buddhist temples to be seen. The Grand Maimoon palace, built by the sultan of Deli is well worth a visit.

Overnight in MEDAN. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 2: MEDAN - BOHOROK (SUMATRA)

This morning you will meet your tour leader and the rest of the group and drive to Bohorok, the home of the orangutan rehabilitation center, Bukit Lawang and the Gunung Leuser National Park. Your tour leader will brief you at 2 pm in the lobby of the hotel. This is one of the largest national parks in the world, containing over 800,000 ha of virgin rainforest. The park is home to orangutans, gibbons, tigers, elephants and among the last of the Sumatran rhino. You will be in an environment of rubber plantations, small villages and immaculate forest. Today we travel for approximately 4 hours.

Overnight in BOHOROK. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 3: BOHOROK - BRASTAGI

This morning you are free to join the optional excursion to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. The center is managed by the World Wildlife Fund, where captive-raised orangutans adapt once more to the jungle life before they are released into the wild. In rehabilitation you can see how the orangutans are fed. If you feel even more active then you can opt for a tough hike of about three hours through the jungle accompanied by a local guide, where you increase the odds of getting closer still to these magnificent creatures.This trip then continues to the picturesque hill town of Brastagi which has a pleasantly cool climate. The backdrop to Brastagi is dominated by the two volcanoes: Sinabung and Sibayak. You can visit the local market with its deliciously exotic fruit and vegetables. Today we travel for about 6 hours.

Overnight in BRASTAGI. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 4: BRASTAGI - SAMOSIR (LAKE TOBA)

Travelling via the plantation route you follow your way to the island Samosir situated in the center of Lake Toba, one of the largest and deepest lakes in Southeast Asia. The lake lies at an altitude of 900 meters, has an area of 1,700 km ², is about 450 m deep and sits in a crater. On the way to Samosir you stop at a traditional Karo Batak village, Simalungun King’s Palace and the Si Piso Piso waterfall. In the afternoon you will cross Lake Toba with the local ferry to Samosir. Your hotel is pleasantly situated along the lake. Today you travel for approximately 6-8 hours.

Overnight in SAMOSIR. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 5: SAMOSIR (LAKE TOBA)

You have a day on the island of Samosir. You may choose an optional boat excursion to the Christian villages of Toba-Batak, the colourful and musical inhabitants of this area. The clear waters of the lake are ideal for swimming and the island is best explored properly by bicycle or by motorbike. Even walking is a good option. Tomok is the main town on the east coast of Samosir and has several examples of traditional Batak houses, graves and tombs. Tuk Tuk is the place where most tourists congregate, where there are many restaurants, hotels, bars and souvenir shops.In the village Ambarita you can find a group of 300 year old stone seats, where local affairs by the Raja and village chiefs were discussed and where trials were held. The unfortunate prisoners were beaten to death, beheaded and dismembered! The pieces were then used together with buffalo meat to provide a cooked breakfast for the Raja, who drank blood.

In Simanindo you can visit a beautifully restored traditional Batak house, painted with the sacred Batak typical white-red-black motifs, which now serves as a museum. It is the former residence of the king Raja Batak Simalungun and fourteen women. You will recognize it by the buffalo horns in front (one for each generation) and the beautiful images that stand outside the museum.

Overnight in SAMOSIR. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 6: SAMOSIR (LAKE TOBA) - SIPIROK

In the early morning you cross the lake to Prapat. It is a beautiful route through Sumatra. There will be some interesting stops on the way at the hot sulphur springs at Sipoholon and at a traditional Adat village where you can see how Ulos have been weaved. You will stay the night in Sipirok. Todays’ travel time is approximately 11 hours.

Overnight in SIPIROK. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 7: SIPIROK - BUKITTINGGI

Today you will drive through a raw landscape, barely touched by human hands. When passing the equator at Bonjol a memorable stop will be made. It will take about 12 hours to reach Bukittinggi.

Bukittinggi (the name means “high mountain”) has a cool and sunny climate and is one of the most beautiful towns on the island. On one side of Bukittinggi stands the 2,891 m high Mount Merapi, on the other side sits the Singgalang (2880 m). The city is inhabited by the matriarchal Minangkabau tribe, partly living in traditional beautifully carved wooden houses. Houses and land are owned by women. Yet there is no dictatorship of the women, there is more of a balance of power between the sexes. Outwardly, the men represent the family. They have leadership positions in religious and social aspects of life. The central landmark of the city is the Clock Tower with its distinctive four-pointed roof, which stands proudly in the town square. Bukittinggi has a historic Dutch fort built in 1825, the old Fort de Kock, the delightful market Pasar Atas and even a zoo. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. At night you can sometimes see Minangkabau dance performances.

Overnight in BUKITTINGGI. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 8: BUKITTINGGI

Today you can take an optional excursion to the beautiful ravine at Ngarai Sianok or Karbouwengat. A walk through this gorge brings you to Kota Gadang, a village of silversmiths, truly a joy to behold. However, you can explore Bukittinggi on your own by walking or by dokar (horse cart). Bukittinggi is located just north of Batang Palapuh and between July and November the giant Rafflesia flower, the largest parasitic flower in the world, in on display. Ngalau Kamanga is a 1500 m long cave with a maze of stalactites and stalagmites. It is difficult to choose from the many opportunities that Bukittinggi offers!

Overnight in BUKITTINGGI. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 9: BUKITTINGGI - PADANG - JAKARTA (JAVA)

Today we journey through a lower-lying part of the mountain range into the Periyar National Park. You leave Sumatra and fly from the airport of Padang to Jakarta located in Java. The planned journey time is around 4 hours. Depending on the flight time to Jakarta, you should have time to explore when you arrive.

Jakarta is the largest city in Southeast Asia, with about 9,000,000 inhabitants. You can still find memories of the former Batavia, as the city was called from 1619 to 1942. You will find an Old Dutch drawbridge, Old Town Hall and the picturesque port of Sunda Kelapa, where beautiful wooden Buginese freighters are still manually-loaded and unloaded. On Independence Square (Medan Merdeka) is the National Monument, popularly known as Monas. It is a monument commissioned by Sukarno, a 137 meter bronze obelisk topped by a flame which is covered with 35 kilograms of gold.

Overnight in JAKARTA. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 10: JAKARTA

Today you are free again to explore Jakarta or perhaps consult with your tour leader about the possibility of an optional excursion to the attractive city of Bogor, 60 km to the South.

Overnight in JAKARTA. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 11: PJAKARTA - YOGYAKARTA

For your long distance trip from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, it is interesting to use the train. The comfortable executive train takes about 8 hours. Sellers and passengers get in and out of the train at the various stations. Out of your window you will see the lush green West Javan countryside passing by. You will arrive in Yogyakarta in the afternoon then transfer to your hotel.

Overnight on YOGYAKARTA. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 12: YOGYAKARTA

Today you are free to discover Yogyakarta and there is so much to explore! The optional excursion will take you to the largest Buddhist monument, the world famous Borobudur. A local guide will brief you in the early morning to tell you many details that can be seen on the walls of the Borbudur. In the afternoon you will be back in Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta is a great place to explore by yourself. You can use the bicycle rickshaws (becak) to drive yourself around and explore the Sultan’s Palace, markets and the batik and puppetry workshops of Yogya. Or wander around, walking through the markets in Malioboro Street. In the evening you can attend a performance of the classic Ramayana concert ballet.

Overnight in YOGYAKARTA. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 13: YOGYAKARTA - PRAMBANAN - SOLO - TAWANGMANGGU

Starting from Yogyakarta, you will visit the famous Prambanan temples first (entrance fee exclusive). This encompasses 224 temple ruins. The Hindu temple complex is of stunning beauty, and devoted to the Gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. In Solo you can visit the Sultan’s palace. Here a local guide will show you around. Passing through tobacco and sugar cane fields you will arrive at the Sukuh temple. From here you can walk an optional 3- hour trail through the beautiful nature of Central Java to a refreshing waterfall. To get to the hotel from here, you will need to walk many steps on a staircase leading to the official entrance to the park the waterfall stands in. If you do not want to walk, the bus will bring you to the hotel in Tawangmangu after visiting the Sukuh temple.

Overnight in TAWANGMANGGU. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 14: TAWANGMANGGU - MALANG

You move on today to the cool and former colonial city of Malang (planned travel time: approx. 8 hours). The city lies on a beautiful plateau surrounded by volcanoes, 450 meters above the oppressive heat of the lowlands. You have lovely views of the Lawu volcano in particular. The center of Malang is best seen by foot.

Overnight in MALANG. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 15: MALANG - CEMORO LAWANG

Today you will drive via Probolinggo to the Bromo volcano. Here you will stay overnight in Cemoro Lawang, right on the outside edge of the Tengger crater. Your stay in Bromo and the ascent to the top of the crater will certainly be a highlight of your trip. (Travel today for approximately 5 hours)

Overnight in CEMORO LAWANG. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 16: CEMORO LAWANG - KALIBARU

This morning you can join an optional jeep ride to see the sunrise from a viewpoint from where the Bromo and the Semeru volcano can also be seen. It will be an early start at about 4 am!

After the sunrise you will cross the ‘sea of sand’ by jeep, and continue to Mt. Bromo by horseback. If you want to go to the crater rim you will need to climb 246 steps. It is stunning to see the deep crater and it is made even better when the slowly rising sun reveals an amazing moon-like landscape. After this adventure you head back to your hotel for breakfast and continue to Kalibaru, where you will overnight in beautifully situated bungalows near coffee, cacao and rubber plantations. (From Bromo to Kalibaru it takes approx. 6 hours)

Overnight in KALIBARU. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 17: KALIBARU - UBUD

Today is our last stretch of the trip in Java. We drive to Banyuwangi where the ferry takes us to Bali. Children and bystanders will see you off on your short boat trip to Bali, “Island of Gods and Demons.” In the daily life of the Balinese the struggle of good versus evil is still prevalent. The contrasts are not as black and white as we might sometimes think. The Balinese often realize that evil is necessary in order to present an opportunity for good to be reflected. It is a crowded island, but the majority is much unknown. In Bali, you can visit some of the most beautiful rice fields in the world. During the afternoon we arrive in Ubud, center of the island. Ubud is the cultural center of Bali, famous for its paintings. The traditional Balinese culture is honored here. There are also many religious ceremonies, dances and parties. Almost certainly you will find one of these colorful festivities to be an experience. Today will be a total of nine hours on the road.

Overnight in UBUD. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 18: UBUD

A wide range of optional excursions are possible for exploring Ubud and its surroundings. Interesting temples and palaces such as the Elephant Cave, Tampak Siring or the famous Pura Besakih (the mother temple) and Kintamani are only a few of the interesting sights worth a visit. Trekking around Ubud’s rice fields, white water rafting and spa treatments are also available. Spend some time watching intriguing dance performances in former palaces or observing temple ceremonies. And last but not least, the many galleries in and around Ubud offer all types of handcrafts and arts.

An optional half day bike tour will also be offered whereby you can follow the guide on the bike through small rice field paths, through villages and alongside temples.

Overnight in UBUD. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 19: UBUD - SANUR

South of Ubud, you venture onwards to the seaside resort of Sanur (about 1 ½ hours). In Sanur you experience all the joys of sun, sea and sand. Off the coast lies a large pier, breaking the oceans’ waves. On the gently sloping beach of Sanur you may enjoy swimming in the clear blue sea. Enjoy a balmy tropical night, go buy some souvenirs or feast upon one last portion of a satay.

Overnight in SANUR. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 20: SANUR

It is your last free day, so spend it as you wish. Stay poolside at the hotel or on the white beach by the rippling waves, take a refreshing swim or have a relaxing Balinese massage in the shade of an overhanging palm. The center of Sanur boasts many shops and restaurants. In the immediate vicinity are several water sports like surfing, water skiing, diving, sailing and fishing, all possibilities.

Overnight in SANUR. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 21: SANUR

This is the last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Sanur until check out time (most times at 12 pm noon). Sanur is situated only 20 km (½ hour drive) from Denpasar, the capital of Bali. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Indonesia.

When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (Day 21) is not included.

* Please note that when the group size is between 2 and 7 you will have one guide for Day 2 – 10 (for Sumatra) and another for Java and Bali (Day 10 – 21). For groups of 8 and above, there will be 1 guide staying with you all the time.

* Hotel check-out times are midday. Late check-out is not included.

PRIVATE TOUR

*Accommodation & Transportation is subject to availability at booking moment & Tour price is subject to seasonal fluctuations

Included:

• Domestic flight Padang, Jakarta
• Transportation in (mini) bus; train Jakarta-Yogyakarta
• Boat and ferry transfers Toba and Java-Bali
• Hotel accommodation with breakfast
• Entrance fee Sumatra and Bromo
• English speaking tour leader

Excluded:

• International flights
• other meals if not mentioned as included
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips etc.)
• Gratitude to guide and driver
• Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
• Optional excursions
• All entrance fees
• Booking fee
• Airport transfers
• Travel insurance
• Visa Fees, airport taxes or any other government fees or additional surcharges