Day 1At around
8:00 AM, a Russian-speaking guide from Java Tours will greet you at
Yogyakarta Airport.
Your first stop is the
Prambanan Temple Complex, where you’ll learn its history as you stroll around the grounds. Visit individual temples, including the main
Shiva Temple, adorned with numerous bas-reliefs depicting deities, animals, and scenes from 9th-century Javanese life.
Next, you’ll visit the
Sultan’s Palace (Kraton). This expansive complex includes squares, small streets, a mosque, shops, a music and dance pavilion, a weapons workshop, stables, and a palace museum. Don’t miss the opportunity to take photos of the decorative ceremonial gates and the historic platform, and explore the palace’s interior spaces and nearby alleys.
After that, you’ll head to
Borobudur Temple. Before exploring this ancient wonder, you can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, an exciting tour of the temple awaits. You’ll walk across all its tiers, admiring the unique architecture. The walls are covered with bas-reliefs illustrating the history of Buddhism.
On the top platform are 72 smaller bell-shaped stupas and one main central stupa. Each has diamond-shaped openings that let you glimpse the Buddha statues hidden inside. According to legend, anyone who touches the statue’s fingertips will be blessed with happiness and luck. Take in the surrounding natural scenery and capture stunning photos of the temple against the backdrop of lush forests and mountains.
In the evening, around
5:00–6:00 PM, once you’ve finished exploring, your driver will take you to
Jambuluwuk Hotel, where you’ll check into a spacious, bright room with European-style decor. The hotel features a large swimming pool and a spa, offering the perfect way to relax after a busy day and recharge for the journey ahead.
Day 2Early in the morning, at
4:00 AM, you’ll set off for
Mount Merapi—an active volcano that constantly emits smoke and periodically erupts. Traveling in a 4WD jeep, you’ll venture to some of the most remote areas on and around the volcano, witnessing the aftermath of numerous destructive eruptions, such as lava fields and ruined buildings.
A visit to a
volcanic bunker, used by locals during eruptions, and to the
“House of Memory” museum will introduce you to the region’s history and daily life under volcanic threat. You’ll also see the famous
Alien Stone, a giant boulder shaped by volcanic activity.
One of the most memorable highlights is watching the sunrise on this active volcano. The peaceful silence and the first rays of the morning sun lend a magical atmosphere to Merapi’s majestic slopes, allowing you to truly sense the power of nature.
By
8:00 AM, after your jeep tour, you’ll return to the hotel, where you can shower and have breakfast before heading to the airport.
Important Information- When booking your tickets, please be sure to arrive at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), not Jakarta. We recommend arriving between 7:00–8:00 AM and departing after 1:00 PM.