Java, Bali & Lombok: The giants of the Sunda Islands

You begin your day exploring Yogyakarta , the cultural capital of Java. On the agenda: the Sultan's Palace , built in 1756, and Taman Sari , a former pleasure garden. Next, you gain a bird's-eye view with a visit to the Merapi Observatory , a strategic vantage point for monitoring one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Prambanan Temple , a major Hindu complex in Indonesia, remarkably restored after the 2006 earthquake. At the end of the day, you stroll along Malioboro Avenue , the city's iconic and vibrant thoroughfare. Overnight at the same hotel.

An early departure for a visit to Borobudur , the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Accompanied by a specialist French-speaking guide , you'll explore the sculpted terraces of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, you'll head towards the slopes of Mount Sumbing for a roughly 3-hour hike , ideal for warming up. The trail winds through lush vegetation to the isolated temple of Selogryio . In the late afternoon, you'll reach the Babadan Observatory , located on the western slopes of Mount Merapi , where you'll spend the evening (overnight in dormitories or tents). Around 11:00 PM , a short transfer will take you to New Selo to begin the nighttime ascent of Mount Merbabu , headlamps on and the starry sky your only companion.

The nighttime ascent of Mount Merbabu (3,145 m) continues by headlamp under a starry sky. After several hours of effort, you reach the summit in the early morning to witness the sunrise over a spectacular landscape, with Mount Merapi as a backdrop. A boxed breakfast at the summit allows you to regain your strength before beginning the descent to New Selo . In the late morning, you head east to reach the Malang region via the highway (approximately a 4-hour drive ). Check-in and overnight stay in lodges in a more peaceful environment, conducive to rest and relaxation.

Departure towards Sumber Brantas base camp , nestled at nearly 1,700 meters altitude . There, your English-speaking guide will brief you on the upcoming climb. You will then begin the ascent of Welirang volcano via a farm track that winds between fields of carrots and potatoes . The climb, gradual but steady, takes approximately 5 hours . You will reach the campsite at 2,570 meters , where you will spend the night in the heart of a calm and isolated mountain environment.

Before dawn, you'll embark on a short, approximately 45-minute climb to Kembar 2 Peak . At the summit, a sweeping panorama of the Malang and Surabaya regions unfolds before you, bathed in the morning light. Returning to camp around 7:00 AM , you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off again to ascend Welirang Volcano via Kembar 1 Peak . This more challenging climb takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours . You'll then return to camp in the early afternoon, around 1:00 PM , for a well-deserved lunch and some free time to relax in the afternoon.

In the middle of the night, you begin the ascent of Mount Arjuno , a climb of approximately four hours by headlamp. Upon reaching the summit, you witness the sunrise from one of Java's major peaks. The panorama reveals shallow , grassy craters and numerous sulfur vents , requiring some caution to avoid inhaling the gases. By mid-morning, you descend back to base camp before continuing your descent to Sumber Brantas . In the afternoon, a transfer takes you to the village of Tumpang , located at the foot of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru massif , the next stop on your volcanic trek.

In the morning, you'll depart by 4x4 through the forest of Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park . The journey will take you to Cemorolawang , perched on the rim of the Bromo caldera , after crossing the impressive Sea of ​​Sand . This volcano, highly revered by the local Hindu community , is one of the most active in Indonesia. In the afternoon, you'll begin the ascent and, conditions permitting, a hike along the crater rim . You'll discover a striking mineral landscape, marked by intense fumarolic activity . Depending on the density of the fumes , and equipped with gas masks , it is sometimes possible to traverse the entire rim. The Bromo crater , regularly agitated by plumes of ash and gas , can also produce weak to moderate explosions .

In the morning, you'll leave Bromo by 4x4 to reach Lumajang and the Semeru Observatory , an ideal viewpoint for observing the active flanks of Java's highest volcano . You'll then continue your journey east, with a long transfer to Ketapang (approximately 6 hours by road ), at the gateway to Kawah Ijen . Check into your hotel and enjoy a peaceful night before another volcanic ascent.

In the early hours of the morning, you'll depart for Paltuding (approximately a 1.5-hour drive ) to begin your ascent of Kawah Ijen before dawn. The well-marked but steep trail is also used by sulfur porters descending from the acidic lake nestled at the bottom of the crater. Upon arrival, the atmosphere is striking: in the blue morning light, a line of men descends to extract solidified sulfur by hand, which they then carry back up on their backs, sometimes carrying loads of nearly 100 kg . If conditions permit, a short descent to the lake's edge is possible, offering a deeper appreciation of the intensity of this extreme place. You'll then continue with a hike along the volcano's ridges (approximately 1.5 hours ) before descending. In the late morning, you'll be transferred to the port of Ketapang for the ferry to Bali , followed by a drive to Pemuteran (approximately 2 hours ), a peaceful coastal village. Overnight stay in a hotel by the sea.

Enjoy a free morning in Pemuteran , a chance to relax by the sea or soak up the village's tranquility. In the early afternoon, you'll travel inland to Kintamani (approximately a 3-hour drive ), perched high above the Batur caldera . Check in and overnight stay at a hotel in the higher altitude, enjoying a cooler, volcanic atmosphere.

Before dawn, you'll set off to climb Mount Batur , traversing impressive fields of solidified lava . The route will lead you to four secondary craters , formed during the most recent eruptions, notably the one in 1999. From the bottom of the caldera , you'll continue to the most recent cone , still marked by the active logs left by the latest volcanic activity. In the afternoon, you'll head to Kehen Temple , one of Bali's most elegant, nestled amidst lush vegetation. You'll then travel to Sidemen , a charming Balinese village overlooking rice paddies and dominated by the majestic Mount Agung . Overnight stay in a peaceful hotel.

Nestled in a verdant valley at the foot of Mount Agung , Sidemen offers a peaceful and unspoiled side of Bali. You'll embark on a 3.5-hour walk through terraced rice paddies , country lanes, and surrounding hamlets. This gentle stroll provides an opportunity to meet the locals and discover a rural way of life steeped in tradition. Overnight stay in the same hotel, in the heart of this tranquil valley.

During the night, depart for the ascent of Mount Agung via its southern slopes , starting from the Pasar Agung temple . The trail begins in a dense tropical forest before climbing more steeply up the exposed, rocky slopes of the sub-summit. After several hours of exertion, you'll witness the sunrise from the summit, in an atmosphere imbued with spirituality. The descent follows the same route , then return to the hotel to rest. In the late morning, you'll travel to Padang Bai , stopping at the Blue Lagoon beach with its translucent waters. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the sea. Overnight at a beachfront hotel.

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Padangbai port to board a speedboat to Lombok (approximately a 2-hour journey ). Upon arrival, a land transfer will take you to Sembalun Lawang , a peaceful village nestled on the northeastern slopes of Mount Rinjani , the starting point for your next climb. Check-in and overnight stay in lodges surrounded by a stunning mountain landscape.

This morning, you begin the first stage of your ascent of Mount Rinjani (3,726 m), starting from Sembalun Lawang . The beginning of the hike crosses rolling hills , farmland , and a small stream. This relatively easy section follows an old road project abandoned in the 1990s, initiated under the Suharto regime. Today, nature has reclaimed the area , and the path, punctuated by bridges spanning ancient lava flows, offers a unique atmosphere. After a short forest crossing at around 1,220 m , the trail opens onto vast, sunny meadows . You reach the rest stops of Pemantuan (1,428 m) and then Tengengean (1,513 m) , a popular choice for lunch. In the afternoon, the climb becomes steeper and more demanding. From Pada Balong (1,772 m) , the trail climbs rapidly , marking the beginning of a real endurance effort to continue the ascent.

During the night, you resume the final ascent of Mount Rinjani . A steep 350-meter climb through high-altitude vegetation leads you to the crater rim (2,969 m), where the moonlit panorama is already breathtaking. Above 3,000 m , the loose volcanic soil slows progress, especially in the final section: 300 meters of steep, sandy slope where every step seems to slip. The lack of oxygen becomes noticeable, and breaks become essential. But upon arrival at sunrise, the spectacle is stunning: the crater lake , neighboring volcanoes , and changing light offer an unforgettable view from the summit of Rinjani (3,726 m), Indonesia's second-highest volcano . The descent back to camp via the same trail is quick but technical. You then continue towards the crater lake , first up a steep slope, then through meadows overgrown with vegetation . Below, the steep cliffs of Rinjani plunge 1,700 m into the turquoise waters of the lake , forming a striking scene.

In the morning, you can still enjoy the Segara Anak lake area (2,020 m), often frequented by groups of pilgrims. Despite some visible litter, the area remains a popular rest stop, especially for its Aik Kalak hot springs , located about a ten-minute walk away. To reach them, you must follow the lake's outflow, cross a stream twice, and then descend a steep hill for 200 m. Several natural pools have been developed for bathing, although some are too hot or covered in algae. The largest pool , further down, offers an ideal temperature and two small waterfalls. In the late morning, you begin the descent towards Torean from the north, via the Goa Susu pass ("milk cave," 1,885 m). After approximately 10 km of walking , a vehicle will be waiting for you in Torean to take you back to Sembalun Lawang , marking the end of your Rinjani adventure.

In the morning, you'll depart Lombok for Gili Air (approximately a 1.5-hour transfer ). Upon arrival, you'll have free time to relax on the white sand beaches or explore the island's renowned underwater world through snorkeling or scuba diving . The peaceful setting of Gili Air invites you to unwind after the exertions of the past few days. Overnight stay at a beachfront hotel.

This day is entirely free , ideal for relaxing , strolling through the peaceful streets of Gili Air , or simply enjoying the beach and turquoise waters. You can also extend your exploration of the underwater world or savor the island's tranquil pace. Overnight stay in the same beachfront hotel .

You'll depart Gili Air by speedboat to reach Bali (approximately a 2-hour crossing ), then continue by land transfer to the airport or another destination depending on your itinerary. Our services conclude here , after an intense volcanic adventure through Java, Bali, and Lombok.