Volcanic trek in Sumatra, Java and Bali, between jungle and craters

In the morning, visit the Sultan's Palace, the Great Mosque, and the Chinese temple. Then head northwest towards Bukit Lawang. You'll pass through numerous rubber tree plantations, taking the opportunity to stretch your legs while learning about the methods used to harvest this precious sap.

Early in the morning, you'll hike to encounter the orangutans, which are abundant in Gunung Leuser National Park. Then you'll continue through the rainforest to explore more of its many secrets. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some rare black gibbons.

You continue your exploration of the Mt Leuser jungle and reach Bukit Lawang in the early afternoon (by tubing on the river).

Bahorok). Free afternoon.

Transfer in the morning to Berastagi, the capital of the Batak Karo region, one of the most prosperous in the area. Visit to the market

traditional Buddhist temples and the Lumbini pagoda. Weather permitting, you will also approach the slopes of Mount Sinabung to discover a ghost village covered in ash.

Early in the morning, you'll be dropped off at the foot of Mount Sibayak, which overlooks the Karo Plateau. You'll begin your ascent along a path lined with lush, rustling jungle. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the summit, where the panoramic views of the entire region are breathtaking. Then, you'll begin your descent via a different route, which leads you to the Debuk-Debuk hot springs. There, you can experience the healing properties of the water in the hot, sulfurous pools. [Note: It's possible to hike up at night to reach the summit shortly before sunrise.] Afterwards, you'll return to Medan.

Fly to Jakarta, on the island of Java, and transfer to the coast at the far west of Java. In the early evening, you'll be welcomed by a fishing family who will invite you to taste grilled crabs, shrimp, and other fish—a true delight! You'll then spend the night in a simple but lively hotel (Indonesians come here for the weekend, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming)! From the hotel, it's sometimes possible to hear the distant rumble of an eruption of Krakatoa .

In the mid-morning, you head to the village port, where you board a speedboat that takes you to the vicinity of the legendary Krakatoa volcano . You circumnavigate the island, maintaining a safe distance depending on the volcanic conditions (since the major eruption in late December 2018, the volcano " Anak Krakatau " – as it is called by Indonesians – has been in an unstable phase with unpredictable eruptions). You camp at the foot of the volcano or on one of the neighboring islands.

The morning is dedicated to exploring the Krakatoa volcano and its surroundings. Depending on its activity, you will undertake its

Ascent via the flanks of the old cone to observe the new one, formed in 2021 and regularly erupting. Opportunity for swimming in the sea. Return to Carita in the afternoon and transfer to Jakarta.

Early morning flight to Yogyakarta and transfer to the slopes of Mount Sumbing, which you will explore in the afternoon. Overnight stay with a French-Indonesian couple amidst the rice paddies.

Morning visit to Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Then transfer to Yogyakarta, which has the distinction of being the capital of a sultanate integrated within the Indonesian Republic. It is the last region in Indonesia to enjoy this special status.

Breakfast at the hotel early enough to take advantage of the best weather conditions on Mount Merapi. Departure by minibus to the southwest face of Mount Merapi, to the Babadan Volcanological Observatory, the highest of the five monitoring sites located on the cone's flanks. Visit to the observatory and the bunker, which provides shelter in case of an eruption. Welcome and discussion with the scientists. Observation of the volcano's activity, both day and night. From here, you will have a view of the entire west and south faces and can observe any pyroclastic flows (pyroclastic avalanches) if the volcano is erupting. Your guide may also take you to the Kaliadem site instead of Babadan, depending on the volcano's activity. Return to Yogyakarta in the afternoon. Stop at batik and filigree silver jewelry workshops, a specialty of Yogyakarta, and at a puppet workshop (Wayang Kulit). Lunch at a restaurant. Free evening to experience the enchanting charm of this city, undoubtedly the most beautiful small town in Java. Explore its charming, winding streets, full of surprises, comfortably seated in a "becak" (a type of cycle rickshaw, the most common and convenient mode of transport, for a very low price). These becaks are often driven by students who speak some French or English and who will be delighted and proud to show you around their city. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Visit to the Prambanan Hindu temple, renovated since the earthquake that severely damaged it in 2006. Transfer afterwards to the Malang region. on the western slopes of the Tengger caldera. This access to the Bromo volcano is much less known and

frequented only by the northern access.

This morning you'll explore the traditional market of Tumpang. In Indonesia, markets often offer an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Then it's back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, aboard your 4x4 vehicles, you'll travel along a stunning, little-used mountain road to the edge of the Bromo caldera. Enter the Tengger caldera through its wild and spectacular southern section. Continue along the track that leads to the Hindu temple at the foot of Mount Bromo. Ascend the active cone, discover the summit ridges, and observe the impressive fumarolic activity. Depending on the smoke density, and equipped with gas masks, it's sometimes possible to walk around the ridges. Very regularly, the Bromo crater is the scene of a powerful plume of ash and gas, accompanied by weak to moderate explosions. Return to the 4x4 vehicles. Continue to the hotel for a hearty dinner. You will go to bed early because the wake-up call tomorrow will be very early!

Early in the morning, depart by 4x4 for Mount Penanjakan (2770 m), the highest point on the rim of the Tengger caldera. Around 3:30 a.m., you'll set off in an off-road vehicle to witness the sunrise at Penanjakan over the Tengger caldera and the Bromo, Batok, and Semeru volcanoes (the best time for photos). After breakfast, you'll leave Bromo and, via a very scenic route, reach the small village of Pasir Putih (meaning "white sand beach"), where you'll have lunch at a pleasant seaside restaurant. Continue on to Licin, where you'll check into a hotel for a short overnight stay.

Very early in the morning, departure for Paltuding, at the foot of the Kawah Ijen volcano. Hike to the summit ridges of the volcano

via a good but fairly steep trail (approx. 1.5 hours). Descent to the bottom of the crater with the sulfur porters to the edge of the acid lake bubbling with fumaroles. Nighttime observation of the numerous blue flames from the burning sulfur in a truly awe-inspiring atmosphere. Return to the ridges with the sulfur porters carrying loads of 80 to 100 kg in baskets balanced on their shoulders. Descent of the volcano, then drive to Banyuwangi and ferry crossing from Ketapang to Gilimanuk, on the island of Bali (1-hour crossing). Drive along the northwest coast to Pemuteran, and free time in the late afternoon to swim in the pool or the sea. Dinner and overnight stay in a very nice hotel.

The route follows Bali's north coast, then ascends through clove groves to Lakes Tambligan and Bratan, nestled in the heart of the forest within ancient, inactive craters. Next, you'll discover Bali's most beautiful rice terraces at Jatiluwih, recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A magnificent, narrow road leads to the highest point of this immense green staircase. From there, with a local guide, you'll hike down through the terraces to the lowest point, where you'll rejoin the minibuses. This superb walk takes approximately one hour. Afterwards, you continue your journey across Bali towards Ubud, in the heart of the island, a town renowned for its arts and crafts. Check-in at your hotel in the center of Ubud.

This morning, you'll take the road that climbs straight up towards Mount Batur. You'll arrive at the edge of Batur's vast caldera, in the center of which stands the active cone (last eruption in 1999-2000) and a beautiful crescent-shaped lake. Next, you'll descend to the foothills of the volcano to reach the Hindu temple in the town of Batuan, which you'll visit, taking care to dress appropriately. This temple is considered the oldest in Bali (built approximately 1000 years ago!). The journey continues to Sanur, where you'll check into your beachfront hotel at the end of the day.

Free time until transfer to Bali airport. End of services.