Volcanic trek from Java to Bali

Early in the morning, return to the airport for your flight to Yogyakarta , the capital of the sultans. Once there, explore the Sultan's Palace and its twin palace, Taman Sari . Stroll through the local markets and discover the traditional crafts of this city rich in artisanal traditions.

You'll set off towards Suroloyo Peak for a beautiful hike downhill, with a distant view of Borobudur Temple as your backdrop. Upon arriving in a traditional village , enjoy a tasting of artisanal honey . Lunch will then be served at a local restaurant , followed by an introduction to the Gamelan , the traditional Indonesian instrument. In the afternoon, a short transfer will take you to the Borobudur site. Explore this majestic Buddhist temple, renowned for its stupas and intricately carved bas-reliefs .

The day begins with exploring Yogyakarta 's iconic landmarks, including the Sultan's Palace and Taman Sari . Next, you'll travel to the renowned Hindu temple of Prambanan , famous for its impressive shrines. After this visit, you'll head to the pristine region of the extinct volcano Purba . A walk will take you through rice paddies and coconut groves . For the more adventurous, a climb to the summit of Purba offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding area. Return to Yogyakarta is scheduled for late afternoon.

Departure in the night towards Selo (1,868 m), the starting point for the ascent of Mount Merbabu (3,145 m). The hike begins in the forest before traversing verdant landscapes dotted with groves. At the end of the day, you arrive at the Sabana 1 base camp (2,770 m). Settle in for the night and enjoy a magnificent sunset with an unobstructed view of Mount Merapi , still active.

Set off in the dark, headlamps on, to reach the summit of Kenteng Songo (3,145 m) in time for sunrise . Once at the top, enjoy panoramic views of the cities of Yogyakarta and Solo , with Mount Merapi and the six volcanoes of Central Java as a backdrop. The descent follows the same route. Back at base, your driver will take you to Solo , where you'll check into your hotel and can enjoy a well-deserved shower. In the afternoon, explore the lesser-known temples of Sukuh and Ceto , nestled in an area still home to a small Hindu community—a taste of what's to come in Bali .

You take the local train to Mojokerto , then a minibus takes you north to Cemorolawang , a village perched on the edge of the Tengger caldera . From the village, admire the spectacular view of the crater's sea of ​​sand and Mount Bromo (2,329 m), a sacred site for the Tengger Hindu people. Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll around the hotel to soak in the stunning landscapes of the caldera.

Depart at dawn by jeep to reach the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2,775 m). Witness the sunrise offering an exceptional panorama of the Tengger caldera , with the Bromo and Batok volcanoes in the foreground, and Mount Semeru (3,600 m) in the background, its plumes of smoke rising in the distance. The jeep descent through the sea of ​​sand takes you close to the Bromo crater. After this unforgettable experience, return to the hotel for breakfast . Then, travel to Ketapang , at the easternmost tip of Java, with lunch en route.

This more relaxed day allows you to recover from the previous climbs and journeys. In the morning, you'll depart for Desa Gombeng Sari National Park. Accompanied by a local guide , you'll explore the region's typical plantations . You'll likely encounter workers from the agricultural cooperative busy among the rubber trees , coffee plants , cacao trees , and a wide variety of spices . Take advantage of this immersion to discover local farming methods and the rhythm of life in this agricultural region.

An early departure around 4:00 AM for a 1.5-hour transfer to the starting point of the Kawah Ijen climb. The 2-hour ascent takes you to the crater rim, where you'll discover the spectacular acid lake with its green and blue reflections. Along the way, you'll encounter sulfur porters carrying their heavy loads. After the descent, a refreshing break awaits you near a waterfall before returning to the hotel in the late morning.

After lunch, you leave Java and board a ferry to Bali and the port of Gilimanuk . A one-hour drive then takes you to the village of Pemuteran . You say goodbye to your Javanese driver, while your Balinese driver will join you the following day.

Departure for Labuan Lalang port, where you'll board small fishing boats bound for Menjangan Island. Renowned for its magnificent coral reefs , this island is ideal for a snorkeling session rich in underwater discoveries. After your aquatic exploration, enjoy a picnic on the island and, with a bit of luck, spot the wild deer that roam freely.

In the late afternoon, return to Pemuteran . End the day with a short climb up Bukit Kursi hill, from where you can enjoy a superb view of Menjangan and, in the distance, the island of Java .

This morning, head to the village of Sambangan , near Lovina . With a local guide , hike through fields of flowers and rice paddies . A stop at a Balinese family's home will give you a glimpse into their daily life. Continue your walk to the Aling Aling waterfall for a refreshing swim. Enjoy the natural slides and jumps offered by other waterfalls in the area for a more playful break.

In the afternoon, take the mountain road towards Kintamani and the Batur volcano caldera . A walk on the ancient lava flows awaits you before reaching your simple guesthouse on the shores of Lake Batur for the night.

We set off before dawn, around 3 a.m. , to reach the foot of Mount Batur via the north face of the caldera. The ascent by headlamp leads us to the summit to admire a spectacular sunrise over Lake Batur , Mount Agung , and the entire surrounding caldera.

After the descent, relax in the hot springs by the lake. Then, continue your journey towards Mount Agung , Bali's most sacred volcano. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Besakih Temple , perched on its slopes, and discover this important spiritual site on the island. Finally, descend to the Sidemen region, nestled amidst plains and plantations , where you will stay for two nights.

Departure around 2:00 AM to reach the Pasar Agung temple (1,490 m), one of the oldest and most sacred in Bali. From this starting point, you will begin the ascent of Mount Agung (3,030 m), considered the home of the Balinese gods and the highest point on the island. Once at the summit, enjoy breakfast while admiring the sunrise over an exceptional panorama, with views of the neighboring islands of Nusa Lembongan .

After the descent, return to your accommodation in Sidemen for some free time to rest. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to a secluded temple for a purification ritual in natural springs, an authentic way to celebrate this final ascent. Enjoy your free evening to relax in Sidemen and gently conclude your Balinese adventure.

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Denpasar Airport. It's time to say goodbye to your driver and leave with unforgettable memories of your trip through Java and Bali . We hope you enjoyed this sporting adventure and wish you a safe journey home!