Java Heritage
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Sugeng Sugiantoro
is Javanese and has been manager of Losari Coffee Plantation, now Mesastila, from the very first day. He knows Central Java Culture and traditions and their integration to the daily life of the resort, surrounded by small villages, forest and 8 volcanoes. He is sharing his home province with us here.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
An itinerary through the rich heritage of Javanese Culture,
- Borobudur Temple Tour
- Yogyakarta and Solo
- Mount Bromo
This Java Heritage Tour has been prepared to make you discover in depth the Cultural Heritage of Central and East Java in 9 days from Borobudur Temple (the World’s largest Buddhist Temple built in the 9th century) to Mount Bromo, via Yogyakarta, Solo, Malang, and Surabaya. The characteristics of the Javanese culture are complex, as the island of Java has a wide range of cultures: primitive, traditional, and modern, and each area has its own culture and traditional art. This is this rich and diverse culture that we propose to explore in 9 days.

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Your Journey Day by Day
from 2,400 USD /person for 9 days / 8 nights
based on 2 people sharing the same room
This heritage tour can be combined with an arrival from Jakarta, Singapore, or from one of our programs in Sumatra, Toraja or a Jungle Cruise in Borneo, before connecting to Yogyakarta or Semarang.
Day 1 : Airport (Yogyakarta or Semarang) to Losari ( - / - /-)
After welcoming you on arrival at Yogyakarta or Semarang Airport, drive from the airport to Mesastila Losari Plantation (2 hrs) and check in for 2 nights. Follow your host through a visit of the Plantation and organic gardens to be more familiar with the surroundings. The plantation covers 22HA and is surrounded by hills, forest, and volcanoes.
Dinner, at leisure.
HOTEL: Mesastila (Arum Villa)
Day 2 : Losari – Gedongsongo – Losari (B / - / -)
After breakfast, we will drive you to discover the Hindu Gedongsongo complex located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran and surrounded by stunning views. Take a short walk in the mountains; you can also go for a horse ride if you like. We will come back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax, enjoy the spa, the pool, or the afternoon tea.
Dinner at leisure.
HOTEL: Mesastila (Arum Villa)
Day 3 : Losari – Ambarawa – Borobudur - Yogyakarta (B / - /-)
After breakfast, we will check out and drive in the direction of Yogyakarta, the former Javanese Sultanate of Central Java. On the way, we stop to visit an interesting museum dedicated to old locomotives and trains in Ambarawa. Then we stop at the World’s largest Buddhist complex – Borobudur Temple, a key highlight of many Yogyakarta tours. The temple is composed of seven terraces and presents itself as a stepped pyramid whose architectural structure was conceived as a representation of the universe. Your guide will explain the intricate reliefs and comment on Buddhist philosophy.
We then visit the small surrounding temples: Candi Pawon and Candi Mendut, whose bas-reliefs are among the most brilliant masterpieces of Indo-Javanese art. We reach Yogyakarta in the late afternoon, and you will check in for 2 nights at the D’Omah Hotel, a classic heritage hotel ideally located near the old town.
HOTEL: D’OMAH HOTEL (DELUXE HERITAGE)
Day 4 : Yogyakarta (B / - / D)
After breakfast, depart for a city tour: visit the Kraton (palace of the Sultan), two centuries old, which jealously keeps the memory of the traditional life of the courts of yesteryear. Located in the heart of the old town, it is often included in a Yogyakarta tour package. We then explore the old town and its labyrinth of alleys, including the Sultan’s pools and a traditional Batik and puppet workshop.
In the afternoon, an excursion to Prambanan Temple Tour, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, featuring 224 shrines. You will take a bike around the temples and through the villages to immerse yourself in Javanese daily life. On the way, you will stop at the small temples of Sewu, Plaosan, and Kalasan.
At sunset, the light covers the stones of the temples with a beautiful pink color.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant facing the illuminated temple. Then you will attend the Ramayana Ballet sound and light show, involving hundreds of dancers and musicians, with views from the top of the temple structure in the backdrop.
(Note: the program may be modified according to the show schedule.)
Back to your hotel for the night.
HOTEL: D’OMAH HOTEL (DELUXE HERITAGE)
Day 5 : Yogyakarta - Solo (B / - / -)
This day will highlight the historical richness of the Java Heritage Tour. After breakfast, departure for the former sultanate of Solo, located 65 km from Yogyakarta. Visit the Mangkunegaran Palace and its museum of traditional masks, costumes, jewels, etc. We stopped at Triwindhu Flea Market, Radya Pustaka Museum of Art and Crafts (one of the oldest museums in Indonesia), and the local market.
Continuing with the visit of the temples of Cetoh and Sukuh, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries and located on the slopes of Mount Lawu, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Back to SOLO at the end of the day.
HOTEL: WARISAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL (DELUXE ROOM)
Day 6 : Solo - Malang (B / - / -)
Check out after breakfast and drive to Malang: quite a long journey that will take you through the mountains of Pujon, with viewing points offering superb panoramas and scenic stops along the road. We shall reach Malang in the late afternoon. Located 800 m above sea level, and a former holiday resort of European planters during the colonial era, Malang has retained its charm of yesteryear. Check in at the legendary Hotel Tugu Malang, known for its huge collection of art and antiques.
Dinner at leisure.
HOTEL: Hotel Tugu Malang (Executive Suite)
Day 7 : Malang - Bromo (B / - / -)
In the morning, we will take a city tour and discover the small Hindu temples of Jago and Kidal. Then we drive to the region of Mount Bromo. This leg of the journey is part of a popular Mount Bromo Tour from Yogyakarta, offering scenic views and cultural insights along the way. We should reach in the afternoon and check in at the small charming hotel Jiwa Java. Rest early, as we will wake up very early.
HOTEL: Hotel Jiwa Java (Executive Room)
Day 8 : Bromo - Surabaya (B / - / -)
Before the sun rises, we take a jeep to Mount Pananjakan to admire the sunrise over Mount Bromo and the entire East Java volcano chain. This experience is a signature highlight of the Java Heritage Tour. We then cross the sea of sand with the jeep and climb the steps to the crater of the volcano. We came back to the hotel for a solid breakfast. Free time for rest, then departure for Surabaya.
Once we reach the city, we propose a very interesting tour of Surabaya with its markets and lively places. Strolling in its streets, you can observe the traditional life of Indonesians, walk around Chinatown and its temples, or visit the huge Sampoerna factory, an amazing clove cigarette factory.
Check in at the Hotel Majapahit, a former colonial palace restored to the identical, with large gardens and a swimming pool to rest after a long day.
HOTEL: Hotel Majapahit (Heritage Room)
Day 9 : Surabaya - Airport (B / - / -)
Free morning for shopping and to discover the city on your own. Depending on your flight time, we drive to the airport (domestic or international) to continue your journey.
Extension:
To end this trip smoothly, we suggest you relax on a quiet beach at one of our seaside hotels on
Bali,
Lombok or even
Diving in Manado.
Ask Secret Retreats concierge for advice.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
D'Omah Hotel
Warisan Boutique Hotel
Jiwa Java
Majapahit
Java Heritage
9 days / 8 nights
from 2,400 USD /person
based on 2 people sharing the same room
The total price includes:
Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis
All transfers from/to airport and between destination and during excursions (private car)
A jeep for Mount Bromo
Bike trip in Prambanan Temple
Ramayana show and dinner at Prambanan
All excursions and visits listed in the program
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program
Local English/French-speaking guide (other languages possible when required) for all tours mentioned in the program.
The total price does not include:
VISA – Most country do not need visa for Indonesia, but we recommend you to check when you issue airtickets. Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date.
Other meals that are not included in the program.
Drinks, personal expenses, tips and gratuities.
Options and other activities not included in the program.
This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Sugeng and Rabina Tours (license 06/D.2/BPU/90)

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