Smoking Gunungs, Bali - Indonesia - Tailor-Made Tours, Luxury Holidays & Tours | My Way Travel USA

On arrival in Java, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel in the Losari region.

Set off early for Gedong Songo, an ancient complex of temples scattered across Mt Ungaran’s slopes. Wander up the winding the pathway to the top, stopping at each temples en-route. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views towards Mt Merbabu in the distance. Head on to the MesaStila Resort, built on a 200 year old coffee estate, to learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of coffee at the resort plantation. The island has been producing coffee since the 17th century and the end product has legendary status - there’s a reason behind the slang expression, ‘a cup of Java’. If your visit coincides with harvest time (July - September) you’ll have the chance to get involved in picking of the coffee cherries, and observe the drying process first-hand before, of course, finishing with a tasting session.

Another day, another mountain! Begin your day with a gentle two hour uphill trek on the slopes of Mt Sumbing to the 9th century Selogriyo temple and soak up the panoramic views. Return to your car and drive towards Borobudur, stopping en-route to visit the Oei Hong Djien Museum which showcases contemporary Indonesian artwork. On arrival at your hotel in the Borobudur region the remainder of your day will be at leisure.

Make an early start to the Borobudur temple complex, passing busy local farmers making the most of the cooler early hours, and market sellers laying out their stalls. After watching the sun rise above the stupas, spend time wandering around this UNESCO listed complex, constructed during the 9th century from thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks, taking over 75 years to complete. After exploring, depart with your driver and guide to Yogyakarta. Stop at a traditional batik factory to try your hand at this traditional art which Indonesian women have been producing for centuries, learn about the philosophy behind some of the patterns, and get a hands-on lesson, culminating in your own batik souvenir to take home.

Take a tour some of Yogyakarta’s highlights, beginning with the Sonobudoyo Museum to see Javanese art, including wooden wayang kulit puppets, old gamelan instruments, masks, and over 1,200 keris (Javanese heirloom daggers). Your next port of call is the nearby Sultan’s Palace, the traditional seat of Jogja’s sultan and royal court, which functions as a living museum. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there to observe a performance of classic dance or poetry. Next, visit the adjacent Taman Sari Water Palace, added over 200 years ago by the first Sultan, and continue to Beringharjo, Jogja’s main market. Crammed with stalls selling fruit and veg, a wide range of batik, a variety of spices, sandals, snacks and more, it’s a lively place to people watch. The remainder of your day is at leisure to investigate Yogyakarta’s intriguing cityscape.

Start the day’s cycling tour at Kaliadem village, close to Gunung Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. This leisurely, predominantly downhill cycle, takes you through local villages and rural countryside, stopping for photo opportunities and to soak in the views, with Mt Merapi an ever-present backdrop. Eat lunch a local restaurant, accompanied by unbeatable views, then carry on to visit Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. The UNESCO heritage status complex originally housed over 240 temples, centred on three shrines dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Hindu holy trinity - but some have been damaged over time. Your guide will explain the history and symbolism of the site as you wander.

Board the Sancaka Pagi Train at Yogyakarta Tugu Railway station to for a scenic train ride to Jombang in eastern Java. Pass through the spectacular volcanic landscapes, taking the opportunity to chat with local travellers with the assistance and translation of your accompanying guide. Disembark in Jombang and drive to Trowulan, the former site of the Majapahit Kingdom capital city, to visit the temples of Candi Bajang Ratu and Candi Tikus, before travelling along a scenic mountain route to the Bromo-Tengger National Park. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to sit back and enjoy the views of this magnificent peak.

Wrap up warm against the chilly early morning air, and depart at 3.30am for a sunrise jeep tour of Mount Bromo. Take a short walk up to a viewing point on the slopes of Mount Penanjakan, to see one of the best views of Mount Bromo and its neighbouring gunungs. As the sun rises and the mist begins to clear, you’re greeted with a breath-taking panorama: Mount Batok and Mount Bromo in the foreground and Mount Semeru, Java’s tallest peak smouldering in the distance. Once the sun has risen, travel by jeep into the caldera below and take a 40-minute walk across the otherworldly landscape of grey volcanic ash, commonly referred to as the ‘sea of sand’, to the base of Bromo. Walk up to the crater rim where you can gaze down into the smoking interior: a reminder that you are standing on the edge of a still active volcano! After breakfast back at the hotel, the rest of your day will be at leisure.

After breakfast, depart for Ijen. It's a full day in the car, however there will be some spectacular views, with plenty of time to make stops along the way.

Another early start at 3.30am for a jeep excursion to Mount Ijen. Drive to Paltuding base camp at 6,070 ft, then set off on foot for a 1.8 mile trek along a dirt pathway to the top (7, 824 ft), perhaps encountering local miners carrying up to 200 lb of rock sulphur down the mountainside from the mines at the crater. At the summit, explore the 650 ft-deep mineral lake, full of steaming acidic water. Take in the views and witness the agility and strength of the miners as they collect and carry the sulphur blocks. Return to base camp and continue by road to Banyuwangi for lunch, then on to Ketapang to catch a local ferry across the Bali Straits to Gilimanuk, on Bali’s western shore. Upon reaching Bali, continue on Pemuteran where the remainder of your day will be at leisure.

After a number of early morning starts, enjoy some R&R; time on the sands of Pemuteran.

Hop aboard a boat for a short ride to Menjangan Island. This small, uninhabited islet off Bali's north west coast is home to one of the most spectacular coral reefs in Bali. Seven world-class dive sites lie off the coast, and the snorkelling here is amongst the best in Indonesia. Enjoy a morning snorkelling over coral gardens and dramatic reef walls which are home to a vast range of marine life: everything from sea fans, pygmy seahorses and vivid gorgonians to schools of snapper and reef sharks. Visibility is normally excellent, ranging from 50 to 160 feet. Head back to your resort in the early afternoon, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Your day will be at leisure to relax on the beach and make the most of the hotel's facilities.

Transfer to Denpasar airport for your onward flight.