Central East Java – Bali Volcano Climbing

^{14 Days / 13 Nights}

Itinerary (Yogyakarta - Mount Merapi's Observatory - Prambanan - Yogyakarta - Menoreh Hills - Borobodur - Babadan - Mount Merapi - Selo - Tawangmanggu - Sukuh - Tumpang - Ranupani - Kalimati - Mount Semeru - Kalimati - Ranupani - Bromo Volcano - Cemorolawang - Mount Pananjakan - Sempol (Kawah Ijen) - Bali - Bali/Jimbaran)

TRAILS OF JAVA - Java remains one of the most fascinating parts of Indonesia and is an absolute must to a first time visitor. It is an island of smoking volcanoes and incredible fertility, an island of exceptional history, culture, and contrasts. It is one the most densely populated parts of the planet and the cities are incredibly crowded, but there are vast stretches of open country in between, of great and ever changing beauty. No one fails to be impressed by this remarkable island.



CENTRAL EAST JAVA – BALI VOLCANO CLIMBING
( daily departures on a private basis min. 2 pax with English and French speaking guide )

Difficulty level: demanding – strenuous. This trip involves almost a full day of walking (6 hours); Ascent and descent follow on from each other with an average difference in height ranging from 700m to 1000m. Tracks are sometimes on wild unmarked tracks
Training: For both experienced trekkers as well as novices, a good physical condition is needed. For 2 months before your departure you should exercise on a weekly basis: jogging and swimming and/or biking over a long distance.
Volcano climbing: Mount Merapi (2911m), Mount Semeru (3676 m), Mount Bromo (2329m), Mount Pananjakan (Kawah Ijen) (2775m)
Best travel period: March/April to October/November

Day 1 : Arrival Yogyakarta (no meals)

Arrive at the airport, meet and greet with our representative and directly transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, check-in and the rest of the day are at your own leisure.
Accommodation at the Santika hotel / Novotel / Melia Purosani

Day 2 : Yogyakarta – Mount Merapi’s Observatory – Prambanan – Yogyakarta (B)
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, we will visit the Kraton Palace, located in the heart of the old city; the huge palace of the sultans of Yogyakarta is effectively the centre of a small walled city within the city. Over 25,000 people live within the greater Kraton compound, which contains its own market, shops, batik and silver cottage industries, schools and mosques. Just at the edge of the Water Castle, visit of the Pasar Ngasem (Bird Market). Then we continue to visit the Observatory of Mount Merapi, where all data about its volcanic activity are collected, another way to better understand this volcanic island.
In the afternoon, drive to visit the Prambanan village to visit the Prambanan Temples. The hindu temple complex was erected in the 9th century while Java was ruled by the Hindu Sanjayas of Old Mataram in the north. The complex consists of 4 major temples/shrines, such as Candi Shiva Mahadeva, Candi Brahma & Candi Vishnu, Candi Nandi as well as the Candi Sewu. The Ramayana story is carved into the walls of the temples. Enough time is given to stroll around and to observe the beautiful carvings. Afterwards, transfer back to the hotel.
Evening is free at leisure in order to prepare for the upcoming volcano climbing journey. Full instructions are given by the trek leader.
*** Lunch and Dinner at own arrangement ***
Accommodation at the Santika hotel / Novotel / Melia Purosani
Transfers = 1 hour

Day 3 : Yogyakarta – Menoreh Hills – Borobodur – Babadan (B/L/D)
Very early breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, transfer to the hills of Menoreh. From there, we will start walking on a wild path to Borobodur Temple, across terraced rice fields, and remote villages rarely visited by foreigners. From the slope of the valley, we will see a spectacular view of Borobodur’s sanctuary lying in the heart of rice fields. In the afternoon, we will visit this huge Buddhist monument, and we then transfer to Babadan (1350m), a base camp located on the west side of the Volcano Merapi.
Dinner and accommodation at the Base Camp (simple accommodation)
Transfers = 1.5 hours, Walks = 4 hours

Day 4 : Babadan – Mount Merapi – Selo – Tawangmanggu (B/L/D)
Very early breakfast at the base camp
Before sunrise, we will start the climb to Volcano Merapi’s summit (2911m). This exlcusive ascent must be accomplished during the day so that we can observe the lava flows dated from 1998. Complete safety equipment will be provided. Once at the summit, we will enjoy an amazing view of java’s other volcanoes, the Indian Ocean and Yogyakarta. After a lunch break on the crater’s slope, we will go from the north part of the volcano down to Solo. Later, we will transfer to Tawangmanggu, on the slopes of Mount Lawu, overlooking Solo (Surakarta).
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel Komajaya Komaratih
Transfers = 3 hours, Walks = 8 hours, Ascent = 1600m, Descent = 1200m

Day 5 : Tawangmanggu – Sukuh – Tumpang (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast, we walk to the Sukuh Temple, the last bastion of Hinduism that remained in Central Java after Islam’s expansion. In the middle of forests and tea plantations, we notice some original iconographies such as phallic shapes and turtle-like tables. These relics reveal the past experience of initiation rites, probably orgiastic. In the afternoon, we move to Tumpang, the sub-district of Malang.
Accommodation at the Village Houses (simple accommodation)
Transfers = 8 hours, Walks = 3 hours
 
Day 6 : Tumpang - Ranupani (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the village houses
4WD’s will take us to Ranupani through the spectacular Tengger Bromo Semeru National park and along Bromo’s caldera. This will be an introduction to the landscapes we will discover later in this trip. As soon as we get to Ranupani, we will have a warm-up walk around the small lake near the village
Accommodation in Domitory Rooms (simple accommodation)
Transfers = 3 hours, Walks = 1 hour

Day 7 : Ranupani – Kalimati (B/L/D)
Breakfast

Day 10 : Cemorolawang – Mount Pananjakan – Sempol (Kawah Ijen)
We will reach the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2775m) by 4 WD and we will see an amazing sunrise over the caldera. This high viewpoint will give a stunning view of the surrounding region of Mount Bromo as well as the slopes of Semeru Volcano, both mountains belching out volcanic ashes. This is unique scenery ! In the middle of the day, we will transfer to an area close to Kawah Ijen.
Accommodation at the Arabica Homestay (simple accommodation)
Transfers = 6 hours