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Contact UsEvening departure from JFK with Singapore Airlines which is often the fastest way to reach Indonesia. Various choices are available for a flight which may last 22 hours or more: Japan Airlines, via Tokyo, Emirate via Dubai, Qatar via Doha or Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
In the air and time adjustment with the international date line
Meal: D
Early morning arrival in Singapore and connection for Jakarta with an arrival mid morning. Assistance at the airport and morning sightseeing waiting for check-in time.
Visit the National Museum, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral and Surabaya antique market. Dinner at Padang Restaurant. An extra day to relax could be added, if you wish.
Meals: B, D
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Yogyakarta around 10 AM arriving around 12 noon.
PIck- up at the airport by our host from Domah Yogya Hotel, and transfer to the village of Tembi, only a twenty minute drive from the center of bustling Yogyakarta, the cultural center of Java. D’Omah in the Javanese language means “at home “. This privately owned property offers a unique experience within this small Javanese village untouched by the outside world. Enjoy breakfast overlooking the rice fields and watch as village life passes by, basko carts and wrinkle-faced old rice farmers totally unperturbed by the events of the hotel. Our rooms are situated within three one hundred year old artistically restored Joglos, the traditional indonesia house. Each room is individually furnished to reflect the beauty and history of its particular Joglo. Woven together by koi ponds and naturally spring fed swimming pools it is a hotel filled with charm and character.
Welcome drink and check-in for 4 nights. Lunch at hotel. Rest in the afternoon free to rest or hike around the village. Signature Rijsttafel Dinner with traditional music.
Meals: B, D
Breakfast between 6:00 and 10 AM
Full day guided excursion approximately 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM
Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat , the Palace of Yogyakarta
It is the seat of the reigning Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family. The complex is a center of Javanese culture, and contains a museum displaying royal artifacts
Tamansari Watercastle is close to the Palace. It was also known as the garden for the Sultan of Yogyakarta. Tamansari was originally built for multiple purposes yet now only several buildings remain. Some of its original functions were a place to rest, to meditate, to work, to hide and to defend the Sultan’s family. In this present day, some of its buildings have now become homes for local residents and only the mosque, resting and bathing space, and underground tunnels are accessible by tourists.
Lunch at Sentra Gudeg Wijilan to try Gudeg (lunch is a la carte and not included) Gudeg is food made from young jackfruit and coconut milk, usually eaten together with various kinds of side dishes, crackers, eggs, chicken, tempeh and marinated tofu.
After lunch depart for Malioboro street to explore the famous street full of stalls and shops where you can find all kinds of clothes, textiles, souvenirs and a great variety of local food.
Return for dinner at Domah Yogya
Meals: B, D
Breakfast between 6 :00 AM and 8:00 AM
Morning guided excursion between 8: 00 AM and 12:30 PM
Prambanan Temple, a Unesco World Heritage site composed of some 244 temples, it is the largest Hindu site and one of Southeast Asia’s major attractions. Built in the 10th century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia.
Continue onwards to Candi Rato Boko ruins: Ratu Boko temple is located on a plateau, about three kilometres south of Lara Jonggrang Prambanan temple complex. Grand stone gates, built on two levels, are the largest and most often photographed structures of the site; it is clear that these lead to what was once a settlement, which sets Ratu Boko apart from the other archaeological sites in Central Java which are entirely religious in nature.
Return to Domah Yogya. Lunch outside in the village (not included)
Batik Class in the afternoon: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Rest of the afternoon free and easy. Dinner at Domah Yogya
Meals: B, L, D
Breakfast from 6:00 AM till 8;00 AM
Morning guided excursion to visit Borobudur Temple.
Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. Constructed between about 778 and 850 ce, under the Shailendra dynasty. It was buried under volcanic ash from about 1000 ce, and overgrown with vegetation until discovered by the English lieutenant governor Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1814.
Return to Domah Yogya for lunch at hotel
Afternoon Jamu class: Jamu is a traditional medicine from Indonesia. It is predominantly an herbal medicine made from natural materials, such as roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits. Materials acquired from animals, such as honey, royal jelly, milk and ayam kampung eggs are also often used.
Rest of the afternoon free and easy. Dinner at Domah Yogya.
BALI
Meal: B
Breakfast from 6:00 AM at Domah Yogya
Morning transfer to Yogyakarta airport for a flight to Denpasar, on the island of Bali.
Meet your Bali guide on arrival and transfer to Ubud, on the island of Bali. Check-in at your hotel for 3 nights.
Start your visit of Bali In the afternoon with a visit to some of the highlights of Ubud, such as Ubud Royal Palace, Blanco Renaissance Museum, Saraswati Temple and Ubud Art Market.
Saraswati Temple: is dedicated to honor the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and art. This temple is very beautiful and artistic. Pura Taman Saraswati has a water garden and lotus pond at the center. Decorated with so many fine carvings, it also contained bale barong, giant masks, statues of Goddess Saraswati and the statue of the devil Jero Gede Mecaling which stands 3 meters in front of the temple.
Meal: B, D
Morning sightseeing:
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest and its three temples: The forest is the habitat of the Balinese long tail monkeys. About 750 macaques live there, just 15 minutes :walk from the center of Ubud. The forest has 3 Hindu temples dating from around 1350 ce. The place is of great importance to the spirituality of the local communities.
Padangtegal Great Temple of Death a.k.a. The Main Temple is dedicated to Shiva.
Beji Temple is dedicated to Gangga. It is a holy spring bathing temple visited for purification. Prajapati Temple is dedicated to Prajati. It is located next to a cemetery where bodies are buried temporarily awaiting for a mass cremation ceremony.
Campuhan Ridge Walk: is an easy trekking road outside Ubud. The trail starts at the historical origin of Ubud, the confluence (or Campuhan) of the Wos Rivers. It offers magnificent scenery and is a paradise for photographers.
Afternoon traditional balinese cooking class after which you will have the pleasure to enjoy your own cooking.
Meals: B, D
Full day excursion featuring the following highlights:
Pura Gunung Kawi: is an 11th-century temple and funerary complex in Tampaksiring north east of Ubud. It is spread across either side of the Pakerisan river. It comprises 10 rock-cut candi that are carved into some 7-metre-high sheltered niches of the sheer cliff face.
Pura Kehen: is a Hindu temple located in Cempaga, Bangli Regency.The temple is set on the foot of a wooded hill, about 2 kilometres north of the town center. Established at least in the 13th-century, Pura Kehen was the royal temple of the Bangli Kingdom, now the Regency of Bangli.
Pura Tirta Empul Temples: is a Hindu water temple located near the town of Tampaksiring. The temple compound consists of a petirtaan or bathing structure, famous for its holy spring water, where Balinese Hindus go to for ritual purification.
In the evening, be ready to visit a priest of Indu Sudra caste in his home temple. Experience your personal Hindu ceremony by the priest. Then, at the invitation of the priest and his family enjoy an extensive dinner with authentic Balinese specialties. Finally you will be able to admire a graceful Balinese dance and music performance (Rindik). Transfer back to the hotel.
LOMBOK
Meal: B
Early departure from Ubud and drive to Padang Bai Harbor to take the fast boat leaving at 9:00 AM. The crossing to Lombok takes about 2 hours. Meet your Lombok guide and start your city tour to visit Mayura Water Palace, Mataram Traditional Market, Narmada Garden and Lingsar Temple.
Check-in at a Beach hotel for 2 nights.
Meals: B, L
Today’s tour takes you to the Pottery village of Banyumulek and Sukarara village renowned for its traditional hand weavering of brightly patterned “songket”, “ikat” and “sarong” cloths. Next you continue to Sade village where you will see the traditional houses with its buffalo dung floors, Then come the beautiful beaches of Tanjung A’an at Kuta Beach, one of the most scenic and unspoilt beaches in this part of Lombok.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Kuta Beach area.
Meal: B, L
Leave Senggigi and go to Lombok harbor to take the fast boat back to Padang Bai Harbor in Bali. Boat departs at 11:00 AM, arrives at 1:00 PM.
Meet your new guide and go to the Serangan island’s Turtle Conservation and Education centre. After visiting and maybe adopting a turtle you will continue to the southern end of the island and visit Uluwatu Temple built right on the edge of a rock cliff. From there you can have a 180 degree view of the Bali sea coast, a colorful sun set and a performance of Balinese traditional Kecak dance.
Enjoy fresh grilled seafood on the beach with a beautiful view for dinner.
Meal: B
Relax all day on the beach or at the pool or go for last minute shopping. Departure transfer in the afternoon for your flight back to the U.S. with SINGAPORE AIRLINES:
Evening departure from Denpasar. Arrive Singapore to connect with your New York flight. Arrive at JFK the next day.
Flight arrives at JFK airport in the morning.
This sample tour is just an example of a specific itinerary related to the country we just described to give you an idea of what is available in that country when you travel.
All our trips are tailor-made and we are at your disposal to plan your trip in consideration of how many people will be traveling, how many days you wish to travel, the season, the standard and the location of the hotels, the amount of meals you wish to include, the guided tours or experiences which will show you not only the “must see” landmarks but also the special interest sites and events you will love that are off the beaten track.
Francoise is the president and founder of Celestial Voyagers. She graduated with a tourism degree at Nice University in France and has worked as a tour director and operations manager in France, Australia and Mexico. Settling in New York City, she founded Celestial Voyagers with the aim of creating uniquely curated group travel for adults and Academia.