Indonesia Overland Adventure
Jakarta to Bali by Train (13D/12N)
Tour Essentials:
Accommodation: Comfortable 4 and 5 star hotels, with a focus on colonial style properties
Included Meals: Daily breakfast (B), plus lunches (L) and dinners (D) as shown in the itinerary
Group Size: Maximum 12
Start Point: Jakarta – You can arrive any time on day 1
End Point: Denpasar, Bali – You can depart any time on day 13
Transport: Trains, Minibus, Ferry
Countries: Indonesia
Highlights:
- Discover Java travelling mostly by comfortable trains and staying in carefully chosen 4 and 5 star hotels, some dating from the Dutch colonial period
- Explore Yogyakarta, the country’s cultural capital, before visiting the nearby Hindu temples of Prambanan, a World Heritage Site
- Hike to the top of Mount Bromo for the spectacular sunrise and superb views of surrounding volcanoes
- Finish your adventure with some downtime away from the crowds at the beachside paradise of Pemuteran on Bali’s less-visited north coast
Includes:
- All transfers and transport as per program
- All accommodation as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)
- Service of English speaking station guides
- All meals as mentioned (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All entrance fees on tour
Exclude:
- Air tickets both domestic and international
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
- Visa fees and/or visa authorization
- Tips – Other expenses not mentioned on the itinerary
- Any compulsory and peak season surcharge (normally New Year periods)
Price:
Price land arrangement (not including airfare) in USD per person based on double / twin sharing. And the odd pax is based on extra bed / mattress:
Price Per Person in USD
1 Pax: $ 7200
2 Pax: $ 3650
3 Pax: $ 3250
4 Pax: $ 3150
5 Pax: $ 3050
If there will be more people, please feel free to contact us for further assistance
Day 1
Arrival Jakarta
Meals: None
On arrival in the Indonesian capital, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
**Transfer duration Jakarta Airport – Hotel: Around 1,5 hours
Overnight at The Hermitage Jakarta Hotel, Guest Room
Day 2
Jakarta City Tour
Meals: B, L
Meet your
knowledgeable guide for an in-depth journey into Jakarta’s history and
evolution. Enjoy a private transfer into the heart of the city to learn of its
fascinating seafaring roots, discovering the old town of Batavia along the way.
Boasting many historical buildings of the old Dutch trading company known as
VOC, today’s Batavia is still home to the remnants of the once rich and
powerful trading organization. Colonial Dutch structures have been transformed
into museums, cafes, and galleries. Your first visit will be the lively old
harbour of Sunda Kelapa, which once housed a range of Buganese Phinisi
Schooners responsible for transporting goods from across the archipelago.
Thought to be operational since before the 13th-century, the harbour is a fascinating
location that preserves the history of Jakarta. Continue on to Taman Fatahilla,
the historical centre of old Batavia and now cultural hub and home to three
significant museums. Impromptu art performances populate the town square,
adding to the excitement and creative ambiance. The tour continues with visits
to the Wayang Museum, dedicated to the art of shadow puppetry, and the Museum
of Fine Art and Ceramics, boasting an eclectic assortment of over 400 artworks.
Today’s lunch is at the beautiful Cafe Batavia, offering colonial splendour,
live music, and international cuisine.
**Total
duration of the trip : Around 7 hours in total
Overnight
at The Hermitage Jakarta Hotel, Guest Room
Day 3
Jakarta – Yogyakarta (by train)
Meals: B
After breakfast meet your guide for a transfer to Jakarta’s modern Gambir station.
Board an express train for Yogyakarta.
Travelling first class, enjoy the 6.5 hours journey in air-conditioned comfort as the train crosses sweeping viaducts, snakes through gentle hills and past rice paddies nestling in narrow valleys amongst the jungle. On your arrival at Yogyakarta, transfer to your hotel, a colonial gem. Overnight at the Phoenix Hotel, Deluxe Legacy.
Yogyakarta is situated almost exactly halfway along the length of Java, in an area considered to be the heartland of the Javanese. It is home to some of the island’s oldest traditions and blessed with a rich, fertile soil – a result of volcanic ash. It is also the cultural capital of Java, with many cultural influences, including Hindu and Buddhist temples, Mosques, and Dutch colonial architecture that harks back to the days when the Netherlands held much of Java in its imperialist grip. In addition to its rich history, Yogyakarta is also known for its art scene and is home to one of the most famous universities of the country, Gajah Mada.
**Train Jakarta – Yogyakarta duration : Around 6,5 hours
**Transfer duration Train station – Yogyakarta Hotel: Around 30 minutes
Overnight at The Phoenix Yogyakarta, Deluxe Legacy
Day 4
Yogyakarta City Tour & Prambanan
Meals: B L
Today we will learn more about Indonesian history with a full-day city tour. Start with a visit to Sultan’s Palace, also known as the “Kraton of Yogyakarta”. A model of traditional Javanese palatial architecture, the palace was built in 1970 by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono, and is the reigning seat of the Sultan of Yogyakarta. Over 25,000 people live within the greater Kraton compound named Tamansari, which features its own market, shops, batik, and silver cottage industries, schools, and mosques. Here we will tour the Taman Sari Water Palace, an 18th-century royal garden. Legend has it the Sultan would throw a rose from a tower above the pool, and the Princess who caught it would be his wife. Next, we visit the historic neighbourhood of Kotagede, famed as the hub of Yogyakarta’s silver industry since the 1930’s. Observe a busy silver workshop to further appreciate this suburb, formerly the first capital of the Mataram Kingdom established in the 16th century. Lunch will be served at local restaurants.
Later we visit one of the country’s must-see destinations, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan, where we explore the ancient Hindu temples in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prambanan. Built in the 9th century, this collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Our guide will explain the history and symbolism of the temples while walking around. Transfer back to our hotel in Yogyakarta.
**Total duration of the trip : Around 7 hours in total
Overnight at The Phoenix Yogyakarta, Deluxe Legacy
Day 5
Candirejo village tour & Borobudur
Meals: B L
Meet your guide and driver to set out for the traditional Javanese village of Candirejo. Here, residents are supported by a local organisation and have implemented a sustainable tourism project to share the Javanese way of life. Travelling in a traditional horse cart known as an “andong/dokar”, we explore this peaceful village and countryside, journeying through small rural lanes and plantations. Your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to Javanese daily life, allowing you to take a closer look at the different village activities such as harvesting and drying chili, making cassava crackers and crafting products from bamboo. Next, we visit a local house where the community performs traditional percussive gamelan music, having a chance to master this amazing art form yourself. During the tour we will enjoy a delicious Javanese meal at a pavilion known as a Pendopo Rumah. Our journey continues to the awe-inspiring Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 8th-century artistic and architectural marvel takes the shape of a sacred mandala when seen from above. A member of the Borobudur Conservation Association will give us an exclusive introduction to the intricate details of the incredible structure’s 2,600 relief panels and more than 500 Buddha statues. Continue our tour with a visit to the Pawon Temple built with volcanic stones in a blend of Javanese, Hindu and Indian art, and the exquisite 9th-century Mendut Buddhist Temple and Monastery. All of the temples which we visit today were built in one straight line in order for the devout to ease their pilgrimage during the full moon.
**Total duration of the trip : Around 8 hours in total
Overnight at The Phoenix Yogyakarta, Deluxe Legacy
Day 6
Train ride Yogyakarta – Mojokerto – Malang
Meals: B
As our train leaves at just before 7am, we will have an early breakfast or breakfast box, followed by a transfer to Yogyakarta Railway Station.
Yogyakarta – Mojokerto by Sancaka ETD 06.45 ETA 10.06 (Executive Class) Note: Train names and schedule is subject to change!
Board the train for a scenic 3,5 hours ride to Mojokerto in East Java from where will continue by road, with a stop along the way for lunch (not included and payable locally), to the colonial city of Malang.
Malang is another example of a colonial city built by the Dutch to escape the heat of the coastal plains. It lies on a plateau surrounded by a range of volcanoes. As is the case with other Indonesian cities, Malang has its share of congestion and pollution, but the colonial ambiance has not completely disappeared, especially along Ijen Street and in Tugu Square. Toko Oen, a café where plantation owners used to socialize in colonial times, has barely changed and is the place to sip tea or coffee and partake in traditional Dutch snacks such as kroketten (croquettes) or bitterballen (round deep fried pastries).
Check-in at the hotel and freshen up.
**Train Yogyakarta – Mojokerto duration : Around 3,5 hours
**Transfer duration Mojokerto Train station – Malang: Around 2 hours
Overnight at Tugu Malang, Superior Deluxe
Day 7
Malang – Bromo
Meals: B
Today we continue the trip to Bromo with some visits.
We begin our day with a tour of Malang with its interesting mix of traditional Javanese temples and Dutch Colonial architecture. We visit take in all the major sights such as Jalan Ijen and Tugu Square with its handsome colonial City Hall. Time permitting, we will Rainbow Village, a slum area in the Jodipan neighbourhood that has been transformed. A few years ago, living conditions in the village were so bad that the government planned to relocate all its residents. However, a group of students from the University of Malang came up with the idea to give the whole area a fresh, multi-colored coat of paint in the hope that it would attract the attention of tourists. In June 2016, air force troops painted the entire village and directly after, tourists started to visit the colorful rainbow village, providing residents with much-needed attention and income. Later continue to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. The waterfall is overshadowed by Semeru, an active volcano and the highest mountain in Java. Continue to Bromo arriving mid to late afternoon
And then drive to your hotel in Bromo.
**Transfer duration Malang – Bromo (Include visits) : Around 7 hours
Overnight at Jiwa Jawa Bromo, Deluxe Room
Day 8
Bromo Sunrise Hike – Kalibaru
Meals: B
In order to see the spectacular sunrise from the crater rim of Mount Bromo, we will have an early hours (around 3am) start to our day. Travelling by jeep we reach the starting point of the walk to the crater. From here you have two options; to trek which will take around 4 hours (depending on physical condition) or for an additional cost to be paid locally, you can ride a pony. After our visit to the mountain, we will continue by road for about 2 hours to Probolinggo where we will join a local train (one class only) to Kalibaru, a good base from which to visit the local plantations. Enjoy a scenic 3 hour journey and an opportunity to meet the friendly local people.
Standard check-out time: 12.00 noon
Probolinggo – Kalibaru by Sri Tanjung ETD 16.01 – 18.54 (Economy Class)
Note: Train names and schedule is subject to change!
**Transfer duration Bromo hotel – Probolinggo Train station: Around 2 hours **Train Probolinggo – Kalibaru duration : Around 3 hours
**Transfer duration Kalibaru Train station – Margo Utomo hotel: Around 20 minutes
Kalibaru is a small nondescript town on the way from Bromo to Bali that lies in the cool foothills of Mount Raung in rural East Java, surrounded by coffee, rubber and cocoa plantations. The village itself is not much to look at, but the extra few hundred meters of altitude give it a more fertile climate than many parts of Java. The town makes a good base from which to visit the plantations in the area.
Overnight at Margo Utomo Hillview, Superior Room
Day 9
Kalibaru – Ijen
Meals: B D
Kalibaru is known locally for producing excellent nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, cocoa, coffee, and coconuts. Visting the plantations we learn how each crop is grown and harvested, along with a demonstration of how palm sugar is processed, a staple ingredient in this part of the world. Later we continue about 2 hours by road to Ijen, where will stay before visiting the active crater of Kawah Ijen volcano the next morning.
Dinner and Overnight at Ijen Resort, Resort’s Deluxe
Day 10
Ijen – Ketapang – Pemuteran
Meals: B
Very early morning (around 3am) we will drive to the meeting point where we will meet our guide for a trekking excursion to the crater of Kawah Ijen volcano. Depending on your physical fitness the trek is likely to take about 2 to 2.5 hours to ascent) and around 1.5 to 2 hours to descent. The volcano is well known for its stunning blue-acid lake with massive amounts of sulfur exuding from the mountain – one of the most acidic bodies of water on the planet. Here you can see the local sulfur miners walking down into the sulfur clouds to collect hardened sulfur and then trek back out – often carrying nearly twice their body weight. The scenes inside this active volcano are breathtaking – something you will be unlikely to experience again. Enjoy what we hope will be a spectacular sunrise before returning to the hotel for refreshment and breakfast. Later drive to Ketapang harbour, on the eastern tip of Java, where will take the short ferry crossing to Gili Manuk harbour, on Bali. At this point we will say goodbye to our guide who return to Java, whilst we continue with a Balinese guide to Pemuteran. Arriving in the late afternoon, we will enjoy a 2 night stay away from the crowds on Bali’s less visited north coast
Check in to your hotel upon arrival with the remainder of the day free of leisure.
**The Ijen trekking is around 4-4,5 hours (Depending on physical condition)
**The transfer duration (Land + sea) is approximately 6 hours in total.
Important Information:
Please note that all international visitors to Bali must pay a tourism levy, a one-off fee of 150,000 Rupiah (around US$10) to enter the island. This has to be done in advance via the Love Bali website.
Overnight at Plataran Menjangan, 1 Bedroom Forest Villa
Day 11
Pemuteran
Meals: B
Enjoy a free day at the resort. Simply relax after your overland adventure from Jakarta or through the hotel you can organise a local excursion or walk
Overnight at Plataran Menjangan, 1 Bedroom Forest Villa
Day 12
Pemuteran – Sanur
Meals: B
After breakfast the final leg of our journey will take us to Sanur on Bali’s southeastern coast, and conveniently located for the international airport. Along the way we will make some interesting stops, the first of which will be at the Buddhist monastery known as Brahma Ashrama Vihara, which was founded by one of Bali’s
few Buddhist monks, in 1969. Then visit the Banjar Hot Spring. This hot spring is set amid the gorgeous jungle in a landscaped tropical garden offering pools and showers – be sure to have a change of clothes and towel at hand. Arrive in Sanur in the afternoon where we stay for our final night of the tour.
Sanur is a charming coastal town located on the southeastern coast of Bali. Known for its tranquil ambiance and beautiful beaches, Sanur offers a more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. The town boasts a long stretch of golden sandy beach with shallow waters, making it a popular destination for families and water sports enthusiasts. Sanur is also famous for its sunrise views over the ocean, and the beachfront pathway is perfect for leisurely strolls or bike rides.
**The transfer duration (including visits) is approximately 7 hours in total.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency Bali, Deluxe Room
Day13
Sanur – Departure
Meals: B
Normal check out time at the hotel is at 12.00 PM.
Meet your guide and driver for transfer to Denpasar Airport to catch the flight to your next destination. Upon arrival at Denpasar Airport, your guide will lead you to the Fast-Track service area, where an airport representative will assist you through Immigration and Customs. After clearing, head to the Airport Lounge to enjoy snacks and light refreshments ahead of your outbound flight as well as newspapers and magazines, among other amenities.
End of services Selamat jalan – Have a good journey!

