Temples, Volcanoes And Beaches; Private Tour

Arrive at the Yogyakarta International Airport and meet your guide to transfer to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Yogyakarta . Dinner included.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to Borobudur Temple before the crowds arrive, located around 40 kilometres west of Yogyakarta. Discover the incredible history behind the construction of this massive temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The thousands of volcanic and river stone blocks were assembled entirely by human labour, taking nearly 100 years to complete. At the entrance gate, your classic bicycle awaits you to explore the temple and surroundings together with your local guide. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful temple is still visible in its full glory boasting magnificent and unusual carvings. Next, get a taste of local life with a horse-drawn cart ride through Candirejo Village. Known as a dokar, the local horse-drawn cart takes you through this peaceful, charming village. Travel along small lanes lined with traditional houses and stop to see village activities, such as making cassava crackers, playing gamelan – traditional music – and harvesting and drying of vanilla and chili. Drive back to Yogyakarta, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, then return to the hotel. Shamanism is still practiced to this day in Indonesia, especially in Java and Bali, and this afternoon it is your turn to get to know this old cultural tradition. Make your way to the busy town of Yogyakarta to meet with a Javanese shaman, or Shinse. The shaman will read your profile, character and habit through a Javanese calendar method. In the evening, discover Indonesian cuisine over dinner at Dalem Joyokusumo. This dalem, or royal family house, was inhabited by Raden Wedono Condrokusumo, a cousin of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII, the king of Yogyakarta. Here they offer you a royal family ‘secret’, or special menu that is usually served only for the royal family. Overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, visit Keraton Yogyakarta, the Sultan Palace, a grand complex and a fine example of Javanese architecture. Walk through this living museum and learn more about Javanese heritage and culture. At the exit, a pedicab, known locally as a becak, awaits you for your short transfer to Taman Sari, the Water Palace. This palace was built by the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, especially dedicated for his harem as a bathing pool. Next, go on a bike ride and explore the neighbourhood of Kotagede with its signature silver craftsmanship. Exploring Kotagede is an interesting experience as you see the artists at work. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer from the city centre of Yogyakarta, heading east to discover the lesser-known temples in the area. Plaosan is a twin Buddhist temple in the middle of a rice field and plantation. The temple features many unique reliefs and has 116 ancillary domes and 50 ancillary temples. After, a traditional horse-drawn cart awaits you for a short transfer through a traditional Javanese village to Prambanan. Explore the ancient Hindu temples at Prambanan, located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta. Built in the ninth century, this collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. UNESCO named Prambanan a World Heritage Site in 1991. Learn the history and symbolism of the temples as you walk around the complex. Afterward, drive through a winding and hilly road to reach Ratu Boko, proudly standing 200m above sea level, overlooking the magnificent Prambanan temples, with the mystical Mount Merapi as its distant backdrop. Ratu Boko Palace is a remnant of the glorious golden age of the ancient Javanese kingdoms. From this mystic temple, witness beautiful scenic views as the sun sets over the horizon. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Yogyakarta. Breakfast and lunch included.