14 Day Indonesia Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrive in Medan
  Today we arrive in Medan, the main city in northern Sumatra.
  
  North Sumatra is a land of great mountains, waterfalls, lakes, a mixture of cultural groups, plantations of rubber, tobacco, palm oil, and coffee.
  
  Overnight in Medan.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner, if required
• Day 2: 

  Medan - Samosir Island, Lake Toba
  After breakfast we embark on a brief city tour of Medan. We stop at the Maimoon Palace, built in 1888 by the Sultan of Deli and recently renovated. The palace blends Malay, Islamic, Spanish, Indian, and Italian architectural styles, reflecting Medan's multicultural heritage. We visit the Grand Mosque, built in the Moroccan style with black domes and octagonal minarets. Before leaving Medan, we explore Tjong A Fie Mansion, often called a "historical jewel." The 35-room, two-storey mansion was built in 1895 by a Hakka merchant who became one of Medan's wealthiest residents through plantations and contributed to building the island's railway system.
  
  Afterwards we travel south by road from Medan to Lake Toba, where we take a ferry across the lake to Samosir Island. Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, formed approximately 74,000 years ago in a supervolcanic eruption so massive it may have caused a volcanic winter lasting several years. At 1,145 square kilometres, the lake is larger than Singapore. Samosir Island, at 630 square kilometres, is the world's largest island within an island and the fifth-largest lake island globally. This is a full day of travel with stops for rest and points of interest.
  
  Overnight on Samosir Island or Parapat.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Samosir Island, Lake Toba
  Samosir Island is the centre of Batak culture, with several villages of historical interest. Traditional houses are constructed of wood with high boat-shaped roofs; the main posts, walls, and gable ends carry carved decorations of buffalo horns and other motifs.
  
  We learn about the animist culture of the Batak people through visits to cultural sites and traditional houses. The Batak were formerly headhunters and cannibals, and due to their isolation in the high mountains, they retained many ancient proto-Malay cultural traditions longer than most Indonesian groups. According to tradition, all Bataks descend from Si Raja Batak, a hero-ancestor of supernatural parentage born on a holy mountain adjacent to Lake Toba. Christian missionaries arrived in the mid-19th century, and today most Bataks are Christian, though they maintain strong cultural identity and customs.
  
  Our stops include the King Sidabutar Tomb in Tomok, dating from the early 19th century, and the 300-year-old stone chairs where village elders once gathered for discussions and decisions. We explore the museum at Simanindo, converted from a traditional house that belonged to Rajah Simalungun, a Batak king. We visit one of the island's highest points for panoramic views that reveal the massive volcanic explosion that formed both Samosir Island and Lake Toba.
  
  We return to our hotel on Samosir Island. We usually have free time in the afternoon to enjoy the resort or swim in the lake.
  
  Overnight on Samosir Island or Parapat.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Samosir Island - Berastagi
  This morning we take a long, leisurely drive toward Berastagi, starting across the narrow land bridge that connects the "island" to the mainland. This region of North Sumatra is volcanic in nature, and many sulphurous hot springs dot the landscape. At the northern end of Lake Toba we stop at the impressive Sipiso-Piso Waterfalls, plunging 120 metres (394 feet). From the viewpoint at the top, a 360-degree panorama reveals Lake Toba and the surrounding countryside.
  
  The area north of Lake Toba is known as Karoland or the Karo Highlands, home to the Karo Batak people. The five Karo Batak clans and 83 subclans inhabit a high, lush plateau of mountain slopes and rich volcanic valleys. Several volcanoes dominate the area, some still steaming. Gunung Sibayak at 2,070 metres (6,790 feet) and Gunung Sinabung at 2,417 metres (7,930 feet) are the highest and can be seen from many locations. We stop in Dokan, a Karo Batak village where traditional houses with distinctive curved roofs still stand.
  
  Overnight in Berastagi.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Berastagi - Medan (Sumatra) - Yogyakarta (Java)
  This morning we drive from Berastagi to Medan (2-3 hours with stops) and fly to Yogyakarta, Java's cultural heart. Located at the foot of the volcano Merapi, the fertile plain of Yogyakarta was, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram. The Sultanate of Yogyakarta, established in 1755, retains special autonomous status within Indonesia today, with the Sultan serving as hereditary governor.
  
  NOTE: Our flight from Medan to Yogyakarta will likely transit through Jakarta.
  
  Overnight in Yogyakarta.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Yogyakarta - Prambanan - Yogyakarta: City Tour
  Today we visit Prambanan, the most extensive Hindu temple site in Indonesia.
  
  Prambanan, located approximately 18 kilometres east of Yogyakarta, is the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple design, and by the 47-metre (154-foot) high central building inside a large complex of individual temples. Built around AD 850, likely by King Rakai Pikatan of the second Mataram dynasty, the temple was dedicated to the Trimurti - Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Each deity has a main temple in the central courtyard. Not long after construction, the temple was abandoned, possibly due to volcanic eruptions or political shifts, and began to deteriorate. Major restoration began in 1918 and continues today.
  
  After our guided tour, we return to Yogyakarta. This afternoon's sightseeing includes the Sultan's palace, the Kraton, a vast complex of courtyards, halls, and pavilions in Javanese traditional style. The most important structure is the Golden Pavilion - ornately carved and heavily gilded, its graceful roof supported by finely carved wooden beams. Here the Sultan received royal guests and held balls and banquets.
  
  We also visit the nearby Taman Sari (Water Castle), the ruins, pools, arches, and underground passages of former pleasure gardens built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as a rest house and pleasure park for the royal family.
  
  At some point during our stay in Yogyakarta we hope to attend a performance of the Ramayana ballet, a dance based on ancient Hindu folklore.
  
  Overnight in Yogyakarta.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Yogyakarta - Borobudur - Yogyakarta
  From Yogyakarta we drive north to Borobudur, the largest stupa-style Buddhist monument in the world. This incredible monument, built and decorated before AD 800, ranks among the world's greatest art complexes for its size, quality, sophistication, and excellent state of preservation.
  
  Borobudur was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms, and at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs covering a total surface area of 2,500 square metres. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was constructed using approximately two million blocks of volcanic stone, cut, transported, and fitted without mortar. The reliefs depict Buddhist teachings and the life of Buddha, meant to be viewed by pilgrims walking clockwise around each level - a spiritual journey from the realm of desire through the realm of forms to the realm of formlessness.
  
  The monument was abandoned in the 14th century when Java's population converted to Islam, and volcanic ash and jungle growth buried it for centuries. British administrator Thomas Stamford Raffles rediscovered it in 1814. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.
  
  After our guided site tour, we return to Yogyakarta. Your afternoon is free. Wandering the narrow streets of the markets, you'll see beautiful crafts for sale, including the famous wayang wooden and leather puppets, but especially batik. Yogyakarta is renowned for its batik textiles.
  
  Overnight in Yogyakarta.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  Yogyakarta (Java) - Denpasar (Bali) - Candidasa
  Today we fly from Yogyakarta to Denpasar (possibly via another connecting point) on the island of Bali and transfer to our hotel at Candidasa.
  
  Bali is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's Hindu minority - 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous animist beliefs. While most of Indonesia converted to Islam between the 13th and 16th centuries, Bali remained Hindu, creating a cultural island within the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. The island is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather work, metalworking, and music.
  
  On arrival at Denpasar airport, we travel by road through verdant Balinese countryside to the east coast town of Candidasa, a tranquil coastal area nestled between the Lombok Strait to the east and mountains to the west. En route we stop in Tenganan, a symmetrically laid-out Bali Aga village with walled homes and unique crafts. The Bali Aga were Bali's original inhabitants before the arrival of Hindu Javanese in the 15th century. Tenganan retains its ancient pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of traditional practices, further reinforced by its surrounding walls.
  
  After our sightseeing we transfer to our hotel in Candidasa.
  
  Overnight in Candidasa.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Candidasa: Eastern Bali Touring
  Today we embark on a leisurely exploration of eastern Bali, starting with a visit to Taman Ujung, a former royal retreat set within vibrant tropical gardens. This Water Palace, built in 1921 by the last King of Karangasem, blends Balinese and European architectural styles. The palace served as a place for the king to receive important guests and relax with family. Nearly destroyed by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and an earthquake in 1979, it has been beautifully restored. As we wander through the extensive grounds, we see impressive traditional carvings, elegant pavilions, and views of the surrounding countryside.
  
  Our journey continues to Taman Tirta Gangga, another water palace that once served as a holy bathing area for Balinese royalty. Built in 1946 by the same king who created Taman Ujung, this complex features tiered pools, decorative ponds, and striking statues, creating a calm and picturesque environment. The name means "water of the Ganges," reflecting the Hindu reverence for that sacred river. The spring-fed pools remain filled with clear water and koi, with stepping stones allowing visitors to walk across the main pool.
  
  We break for lunch and then head to Virgin Beach (Bias Tugel). This relatively quiet beach offers clear waters, gentle waves, and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for soaking up the sun, taking a dip, or simply unwinding.
  
  Overnight in Candidasa.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 10: 

  Candidasa - Besakih Temple - Penglipuran - Ubud
  Today we explore Besakih Temple and, weather permitting, catch a glimpse of Mount Agung. At Besakih, we don a sarong - provided at the entrance - before wandering through this important spiritual site. We take a shuttle to reach the temple, where there are stairs to navigate.
  
  Besakih Temple, known as the "Mother Temple of Bali," sits on the slopes of Mount Agung at about 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) elevation. The complex comprises at least 86 temples, including the central Pura Penataran Agung with its towering multi-tiered shrines. The temple has existed in some form for over a thousand years. Besakih is Bali's most important Hindu temple, and each of the island's regencies maintains at least one shrine here. The temple miraculously survived the catastrophic 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, when lava flows stopped just metres from the temple grounds - an event Balinese Hindus interpreted as divine intervention.
  
  After lunch, we drive to Penglipuran village, consistently ranked among Indonesia's cleanest villages and known for its traditional Balinese entrance gates and architecture. The village maintains strict traditional regulations - all houses follow the same style, and specific customary laws govern village life. We wander through the peaceful bamboo forest that provides material for traditional construction and crafts.
  
  Weather permitting, we may stop at Kanto Lampo waterfall, known for its cascading rock formations.
  
  Finally, we drive to our accommodation in Ubud, Bali's cultural heart.
  
  Overnight in Ubud.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 11: 

  Cooking Class & Ubud Surrounding Tour
  Get hands-on and discover the culinary secrets of authentic Balinese cooking! Starting at 7 am, we head to Ubud's Traditional Market to barter with locals for ingredients. We proceed to a fully-equipped community kitchen and use traditional ingredients and preparation methods to create authentic local dishes under instruction from a Balinese chef. Afterwards, sit down with your fellow chefs and enjoy your meal!
  
  After our cooking adventure, it's a short drive to Gunung Kawi at Tampaksiring. This 11th-century temple complex is carved into the cliffside in a river valley. Be prepared for a descent - several hundred steps lead down. The temple itself is stunning and worth the effort, though the return climb is a bit of a workout. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
  
  Next, we visit the holy spring of Tirta Empul. Built around 960 AD, this temple features sacred spring water that Balinese Hindus use for purification rituals. The water flows through spouts where devotees bathe and pray. You can witness locals participating in these rituals and admire the serene atmosphere.
  
  Our final stop is a local coffee plantation. Here, you'll see how coffee, including the rather unique Luwak coffee, is produced. Luwak coffee comes from beans processed through the digestive system of the Asian palm civet. We'll have a tasting session where you can sample a variety of local coffees and teas, with a set of twelve different drinks to try for every two people.
  
  Finally, it's a short drive back to our hotel in Ubud.
  
  Overnight in Ubud.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 12: 

  Barong Dance & Ubud Touring
  Our day begins with an enchanting performance of the traditional Barong dance. This captivating spectacle pits good against evil, with the mythical Barong - a lion-like creature representing benevolent spirits - battling the demonic witch Rangda. The performance, accompanied by gamelan music, depicts a story from Balinese mythology with elaborate costumes and dramatic choreography.
  
  We then venture into the Ubud Monkey Forest, officially the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Home to over 700 long-tailed macaques, this sacred site protects three temples dating from the 14th century. As we wander through the lush forest, we encounter ancient temples and serene ponds. The monkeys, accustomed to visitors, move freely throughout the sanctuary. Keep a close eye on your belongings - these clever creatures are known for snatching glasses, phones, and anything shiny!
  
  Afterward, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Ubud Market. Here, you can browse colourful textiles, intricate wood carvings, and local handicrafts. Remember that bargaining is expected and part of the shopping experience.
  
  The remainder of the day is free to explore Ubud at your own pace. You might wander through charming art galleries, indulge in a spa treatment, or simply relax by the pool. Ubud offers excellent restaurants serving both traditional Balinese cuisine and international fare.
  
  Overnight in Ubud.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 13: 

  Ubud - Turtle Center - Padang Padang Beach - Uluwatu Temple - South Bali
  Today we set off to Serangan Island for a visit to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC). This is a chance to see the important work being done to protect sea turtles. We'll learn about their life cycles, the threats they face from pollution and habitat loss, and the efforts to ensure their survival. You'll have the opportunity to see these fascinating creatures up close and perhaps contribute to their well-being with a donation if you feel inclined.
  
  Our next stop is Padang-Padang Beach, tucked between impressive cliffs. This beach feels like a bit of a hidden gem, with its clear waters and inviting waves. It's an ideal spot for a paddle, sunbathing, or simply soaking in the atmosphere. You might recognize it from the film "Eat Pray Love" - it's quite the picturesque location.
  
  Later in the day, we journey to Uluwatu Temple, situated dramatically on the edge of a cliff about 70 metres (230 feet) above the crashing waves. This ancient Hindu temple, dating from the 11th century, provides sweeping panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, especially stunning as the afternoon light begins to soften. Now, a friendly caution: the temple grounds are also home to some rather cheeky monkeys. They're quite adept at relieving visitors of their belongings, so heed your Tour Leader's advice about keeping a close eye on phones, glasses, earrings, and anything else that might catch their eye!
  
  Finally, we transfer to our hotel in South Bali, where you'll have free time to relax before gathering for dinner.
  
  Overnight in South Bali.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 14: 

  Departure from Denpasar
  Departure from Denpasar.
  
  BON VOYAGE!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.