21
DAYS

Our journey will be spectacular visiting  three beautiful Indonesia Islands: Java, Bali and Sulawesi.  Java is the most populated and fertile island in Indonesia, and at the same time, a land dominated by volcanoes providing some spectacular scenery. Java is with stunning natural beauty and extraordinary sights. The island is home to nature reserves, isolated mountain tribes, ethereal temples floating in the mists of time, powerful monuments to the supernatural, lush blankets of rice paddies, and seas of sand.

Balinese culture is rich beyond measure and nowhere better exemplified than in the dizzying array of exotic dance forms developed by villagers over generations. Performed during religious ceremonies or to ward off danger and enthrall tourists, dances take place somewhere in Bali every day. Enjoy the best of Bali with white-water rafting adventures on the spectacular Ayung River, an unforgettable journey through lush jungle scenery and deep gorges.

Sulawesi, or Celebes as it used to be known, is one of the most fascinating islands in Indonesia.  It consists of four long, narrow peninsulas, that are separated by three enormous gulfs.  It is shaped like a tropical orchid, ridged with lofty mountains and surrounded by coral reefs. It harbors flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth.  It has a history that goes back to the dawn of man.  In the , mysterious megaliths and other prehistoric artifacts have been discovered.  For centuries it was a refuge for pirates hiding in coastal mangrove swamps.  And even today big wooden schooners are being built on its beaches…

for more adventures see our itinerary in detail.

ITINERARY

DAY 01: Flight from San Juan to Miami/Los Angeles (USA) and from Los Angeles to Jakarta.

DAY 02  JAKARTA –   THE ARRIVAL: Arrive at Soekarno Hatta International airport in Jakarta, welcome and transfer to hotel for dinner and accommodation at the hotel in JAKARTA.

DAY 03  JAKARTA - BANDUNG: A morning tour visiting the National Museum (open daily except Monday), watch the traditional wooden schooners at Sunda Kelapa harbor and see the National Monument, passing Fatahillah Square with its colonial City Hall in the old part of town. Continue the trip to Bogor, the mountain resort, to visit the famous Botanical Garden. Lunch served en-route. Overnight at the hotel in Bandung.

DAY 04  BANDUNG: Depart to the north of Bandung where lies the Tangkuban Prahu volcano, 1830 m above sea level.  The volcano is active at times and walking around its crater makes for a spectacular experience.  Continue to the hot water springs in the crater for a dip in the healing, sulfurous pools.    Lunch will served at local restaurant.   In the evening an excursion to the serene Sundanese village of Padasuka.  For centuries this village has been the home of angklung-making families.  The Angklung is a musical instrument, crafted from Bamboo.  Its melodic sound can be heard all over Indonesia. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 05  BANDUNG - BATURADEN: Morning departure to Baturaden via the Naga Village and Tasikmalaya, the center of handicrafts.  Lunch will be served en-route. Dinner and overnight at Queen Garden Hotel.

DAY 06  BATURADEN - YOGYAKARTA: A day for exploring the Dieng Plateau known for its small Hindu temples set in an eerie atmosphere of sulfurous fumes and springs.  Lunch in the village of Wonosobo.   Proceed to Yogyakarta and stay at the hotel in Yogyakarta. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 07  YOGYAKARTA: Today after breakfast at the hotel, we trade the bus for a Becak or Andong, the local means of transportation, to see the many sights of Yogya.  Enjoy the scents and colors of Beringharjo market, the largest market in Central Java.  Then visit the Sultan’s Royal Palace (Kraton) and Sonobudoyo Museum (open daily except Monday).  See a traditional Batik workshop and visit Kota Gede, the handicraft’s village.  Then depart to Borobudur temple.  Built in 8th century Borobudur is the largest Buddhist stupa in the world.   Then proceed to the smaller Mendut temple nearby, then stroll along the many colorful stalls at the local market of Muntilan.  Also a visit to Pawon temple. Dinner outside of the hotel at Purawisata with Javanese dance performance.

DAY 08  YOGYAKARTA – SURABAYA - BROMO: Breakfast at hotel. In the morning depart to the magnificent 9th century Hindu temple complex of Prambanan village with its main temple, Roro Jonggrang. Visit Kalasan, Sewu and Plaosan temples nearby. Lunch at the local restaurant.  Afterwards transfer to airport to catch flight for your departure to Surabaya. Welcome at Surabaya and airport transfer direct to Bromo. En-route passing rice and sugar cane fields. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 09  BROMO  TOUR – BALURAN: Very early morning departure for Bromo tour. The tour is conducted through Cemara Lawang village to mount the ponies for the ride descending the steep slope of Mt. Tengger. Crossing the sea of sand and climbing up 245 steps to reach the awesome rim crater where you  wait for the sunrise breaking the day through its rays from the eastern range of Mt. Tengger. The panorama of Mt. Bromo and its vicinity is marvelous (subject to the weather). After enjoying the sunrise back to the village for breakfast. Then transfer to  Baluran  to explore the game reserve with its protected animals such as deer, Banteng (wild ox), peacock, etc. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Simple dinner will be served at Ranger House.

DAY 10  BALURAN – SURABAYA – BALI: After a simple breakfast at the Ranger House, a short observation in the morning at the game reserve.  Transfer to the airport with a stop for lunch at local restaurant. Catch the flight to Denpasar – Bali. Welcome at Ngurah Rai Airport of Denpasar, transfer to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

DAY 11  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, free day at leisure, lunch and dinner served at the hotel.

DAY 12  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, a full day of scenary – Bali Kintamani. Focus of this excursion is the magnificent view of the Crater Lake with the Batur volcano as a background.  The trip commences at Batubulan to see Barong and Kris dances.  Next, to the artisan villages to observe the local Balinese people working on their handicraft. Visit Celuk, the place of  gold and silversmiths. Village of Mas a the center of woodcarving, and Ubud is the home of the traditional Balinese paintings. Continue drive to Gunung Kawi water temple in Sebatu. Lunch will be served at local restaurant on the rim of  Crater Lake overlooking breathtaking scenery. After lunch, continue drive to the Elephant cave, Goa Gajah in Bedulu. Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

DAY 13  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, depart for  team building Balinese style. Enjoy the best of Bali with a white water rafting adventure on the spectacular Ayung River – an unforgettable journey through lush jungle scenery and deep gorges led by Indonesian’s top rafting professional. The journey takes you through a tropical rain forest, breathtaking waterfalls and wild countryside on the exiting adventure. Starting point is the village of Begawan, where you will be supplied with helmets and life jackets before walking down to the river for a brief introductory talk. Then it’s off down the river in self-bailing rafts designed for the Ayung, heading for the excitement of 25 class II and III rapids as the fast-flowing water carves it’s way through the river valley. The trained guides, world-class experts in rafting techniques and river safety, take you through 2 hours of white-water fun before reaching Kedewatan village where the Chief prepares a delicious buffet meal as you arrive at the river-side garden restaurant. Changing room and refreshment are provided. Return to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. In the evening dinner will be served at the hotel Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, depart for Besakih temple known as “The Mother Temple of Bali”. Located on the slope of the Mount Agung volcano. The trip continues to Klungkung with its painted ceiling. Lunch at Bukit Jambul local restaurant. Then on the way back to the hotel, a visit to Goa Lawah, the Bat cave in Kusamba. Visit the village of Tenganan, the home of the “Ikat Gringsing”, where the local people still using the traditional way of producing it. Late in the afternoon return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 15  BALI: After breakfast at the hotel, in the morning is free at leisure. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, a drive to the former Royal temple Taman Ayun at Mengwi, then on to the monkey forest in Kedaton. Continue to the temple of Bali Tanah Lot, built on a large rock overlooking the Indian Ocean. If the weather permits the spectacular sunset could be watched in this area. In the evening return to the hotel with stop for dinner at the local restaurant.

DAY 16  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, depart for exploration of the hinterland of Bali. Visit the ancient temple of Batukaru, a small heaven for bird and flower lovers. Leisurely drive through the rural road to Bali’s most breathtaking rice terraces at Jatiluwih. Beautiful green, yellow or gray colors of the panorama depending on the season of the rice. Lunch at local restaurant at Bedugul the mountain resort. Visit the crater lake, Bratan and the local orchid and flower market in Candikuning. In the afternoon return to the hotel.  Dinner will be served at the hotel.After breakfast at the hotel, depart in the morning down to the mountain resort of Bedugul. Lunch at Pacung Restaurant. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 17  BALI: Breakfast at the hotel, day free for evaluations of the trip. Enjoy the atmosphere of the holiday.  Lunch at the hotel, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 18  BALI - SULAWESI: After breakfast at the hotel, a morning departure to the airport to catch the flight to Makassar – Sulawesi. Welcome at Hasanudin airport in Ujung Pandang, the former name of Makassar and immediate transfer to Tanah Toraja.  Lunch en route. Coffee break at Puncak Lakawang, overlooking the panoramic mountainous landscapes. Late afternoon arrive in Toraja.  Dinner will be served and overnight at hotel.

DAY 19  TANAH TORAJA: After breakfast at the hotel depart for a full day excursion to Toraja visiting Lemo to see the rows of ‘tau-tau’ and the hanging graves.  Go on to Londa, which has an ancient natural grave where the dead bodies are placed with elaborate ceremonies.  Kete Kesu is another traditional Toraja village where “tongkonan” houses and rice barns can be seen.  It is famous for its woodcarving.  Lunch en route.  Dinner serve at hotel. 

DAY 20  TANAH TORAJA: After breakfast at the hotel, another excursion to visit Palawa, a village on a small hill with more 'tongkonan' houses, rice barns and granaries.  Proceed to Sa'dan, the weaving center.  Explore the villages of Marante and Nanggala with many traditional Torajan dwellings and graves.  Lunch en route.  Dinner serve at hotel.

DAY 21  TORAJA - MAKASSAR - DEPARTURE: Transfer to Ujung Pandang.  Lunch en route. Then direct to the airport for homeward flight

TERRESTRIAL TOUR ONLY: $3,395.00 (DOES NOT INCLUDE AIR TICKET)

Trip Date (Air Fare Included)

Code

Miami

Code

Puerto Rico/Dom. Rep.

May  26 to June 15

ID02

$4,995

ID01

$4,895

June 23  to July 13

ID04$4,995ID03$4,895
July  07 to   July 27ID06$4,995ID05$4,895
July  14  to August 03ID08$4,995ID07$4,895
July 21 to August 10ID10$4,995ID09$4,895

Includes international flight from San Juan/Santo Domingo* or Miami*, domestic flights in Indonesia, private land transportation, bilingual tour guide, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, all the activities described in the program. Double and triple accommodation at all hotels.

*Cost of international flights could change after March 15.