A 7-day journey through Java's early Buddhist-Hindu heritage: Borobudur, Prambanan, the Sultan's Palace of Yogyakarta and sunrise at Mount Bromo.
Trip highlights
- Experience the land of Java, rich with a long and grand history that rivals any in Southeast Asia
- Discover the birthplace of Buddhist-Hindu culture in Southeast Asia, as grand as Angkor Wat
- Marvel at Prambanan, a spectacular Hindu temple complex
- Visit Borobudur, the World Heritage Buddhist monument
- Tour the Sultan's Palace of Yogyakarta, built according to Hindu cosmology
- Climb Mount Bromo, a volcano whose name comes from Brahma
- Meet the Tengger people, the last Hindu descendants of the Majapahit kingdom
Highlight places
Led by historiansEvery trip travels with an expert history lecturer who brings each site to life in plain language.
Off the beaten pathCentral Asia, the Middle East, the Himalayas — places most tour companies never go.
Private groups, no rushingRight-sized groups and unhurried time at the places that matter most.
Beyond ordinary travelEvery tour is designed by writers and professional travellers to create experiences that reflect who you are — for travellers who want more than an ordinary holiday.
About this tour
Indonesia: The Last Roots is a 7-day, 6-night tour of Java that follows the early Buddhist and Hindu civilisation of Southeast Asia. Java was once a trading destination for India, and Indian culture arriving there became a foundation of the region's civilisations. Even in the world's largest Muslim-majority country, traces of that heritage remain, especially around Yogyakarta.
The route covers Borobudur and Prambanan (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), the smaller candis of Mendut, Pawon, Plaosan, Sari, Sojiwan and Ijo, the Sultan's Palace and Malioboro Street in Yogyakarta, then an intercity train to Probolinggo for sunrise at Mount Penanjakan, Mount Bromo, a Tengger village, the Whispering Sand and Madakaripura Waterfall.
The tour is led by Ajarn Chalee (Surachat Suansap), a senior guide and art-history specialist, together with Pongsorn Phoomiwat (Khun Pup), creator of The Wild Chronicles documentary series. Hotels are 4-star (boutique lodging in Probolinggo), and lunch and dinner are included.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur – Yogyakarta
Meet at 07:00 at Don Mueang Airport at the AirAsia counters. Fly to Kuala Lumpur on AK881 (10:00), connect on AK348 (15:25) and land at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) at 17:05, then check in to the hotel. Flight times may change at the airline's discretion.
Day 2Borobudur – Candi Mendut – Candi Pawon
Visit Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around the 8th–9th century by a king of the Sailendra dynasty from volcanic stone. Its carved reliefs narrate Buddhist teachings and its tiers reflect the three-realm cosmology, crowned by 72 perforated stupas.
- Candi Mendut, a Mahayana Buddhist temple with a large stone Buddha image inside
- Candi Pawon, decorated with carvings of the kalpataru wish-granting tree
Day 3Prambanan – Candi Sewu – Candi Plaosan – Malioboro
Visit Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia, over 1,100 years old and dedicated to the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Its main tower rises 47 metres and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Candi Sewu, an ancient temple near Prambanan
- Candi Plaosan, with Bodhisattva and Vairocana Buddha images and reliefs of kings, monks and villagers making merit
- Malioboro Street, a lively pedestrian street for batik, souvenirs, crafts and local food
Day 4Sultan's Palace – Candi Sari – Candi Sojiwan – Candi Ijo
Visit the Sultan's Palace of Yogyakarta, built in 1790 in a blend of Javanese and Western styles. Its nine gates are linked to Hindu belief, and exhibits cover royal artefacts and local history.
- Candi Sari, a rectangular temple with three rooms stacked over two floors
- Candi Sojiwan, with a bell-shaped roof similar to Thailand's Phra Borommathat Chaiya and makara-and-lion carvings
- Candi Ijo, a group of Hindu temples on a 410-metre hill
Day 5Yogyakarta – Probolinggo by train
At 08:34 travel to Lempuyangan Railway Station for the intercity train no. 212 to Probolinggo, a journey of about 8 hours, arriving at 16:31. Check in and go to bed early for the pre-dawn start the next day.
Day 6Penanjakan – Mount Bromo – Tengger Village – Madakaripura Waterfall
At 03:00 take a jeep up Mount Penanjakan (over 2,770 m) for sunrise at about 05:30–06:00, with views of Bromo and Batok. Then visit Mount Bromo (2,392 m), whose name derives from Brahma. Walk or ride a horse to the base, then climb about 200 steps to the crater rim.
- Tengger village, home to the last Hindu descendants of the Majapahit kingdom (about 500,000 people)
- The Whispering Sand, a grey-to-black volcanic ash plain where the wind sounds like whispers
- Madakaripura Waterfall, with streams falling over 200 metres in a deep gorge; bring a raincoat and sandals
Day 7Probolinggo – Surabaya – Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok
Drive about 3 hours to Juanda International Airport (SUB) in Surabaya. Fly QZ324 at 13:20 to Kuala Lumpur, connect to AK896 at 19:35 and arrive at Don Mueang at 20:50.
Included
- Intercity train ticket Lempuyangan – Probolinggo
- Transport and sightseeing vehicle with an experienced driver
- Accommodation as per the program, two guests per room
- Entrance fees as per the program
- Meals as per the program
- Experienced local guide
- Experienced Thai lecturer and tour leader
- Travel accident insurance with coverage of 1,000,000 baht per person (subject to the policy)
Not included
- International economy-class round-trip flights (no business class)
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses such as passport fees, phone, internet, laundry, minibar, special meals outside the program, extra drinks, excess baggage, seat reservations and medical costs for pre-existing conditions
- Tips for tour leader, local guide and driver (recommended 80 USD per person)
- Horse riding at Bromo, 300,000 IDR per person
- 7% VAT, 3% withholding tax and other taxes
- Fuel surcharges and airport taxes if the airlines raise them
About this tour
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Indonesia: Borobudur and Mount Bromo – The Last Roots
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