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Are you planning your first trip to Bali? Congratulations! This island has something to offer for everyone: waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes, rich culture, good food. The
8 Day Tour through Java: explore natural wonders and cultural heritage
Java, the most populous island in Indonesia, is a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant city life. An 8-day tour in Java allows you to explore the island’s diverse offerings, from ancient temples to volcanic landscapes and bustling markets. In this article, we will take you on an immersive journey through Java, highlighting the must-visit destinations and experiences that will make your trip truly unforgettable.
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1. Basic Information about Java
Java is situated in Southeast Asia and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north. Java is home to approximately 150 million people, making it the most populous island not only in Indonesia but also in the world. The capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, is located on the northwest coast of Java. We haven’t been there but we heard that it’s not worth visiting it so many times, so we can’t judge it.
Java has a rich cultural heritage, deeply influenced by indigenous Javanese traditions, as well as Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic influences. The island is known for its vibrant arts, including traditional dances, music, puppetry, and batik fabric. Traditional Javanese court culture, known as „kejawen,“ is still practiced in certain areas. Javanese is the dominant language spoken on the island, but Bahasa Indonesia, the national language of Indonesia, is widely understood and spoken. English is also spoken and understood in urban areas and tourist destinations.
Java has a tropical climate, so it is generally warm and humid throughout the year. The best time to visit Java is during the dry season, which typically falls between May and September. However, do keep in mind that weather patterns can vary, so it’s advisable to check the specific weather conditions for your travel dates. Also, bring some warm clothes when you want to visit the volcanoes as it’s pretty cold during the night and sunrise.
2. Day 1-3: Yogyakarta
The new International Airport of Yogyakarta (Kulon Progo, YIA) is located 45km outside of the city and it will take you around 1,5 hours (depending on the traffic) by taxi or Grab. A cheaper and also faster option is to take the train to the central station in Yogyakarta’s city center. We wanted to hop on the train, but the tickets for the next train were sold out and we didn’t want to wait for one hour. So we decided to take a taxi for 250k (that was cheaper than Grab or Gojek).
We stayed at Prambanan Guest House in Jalan Prawirotaman, located southeast of the city center and a low-budget option. The rooms were alright and a double room cost only 12€ per night. But it was pretty loud as there is live music right next to the hotel every night. There are also a lot of Western restaurants and cafés. Another good option is the Greenhost Boutique which is just behind the Prambanan Guesthouse and is more of a mid-budget option. The CERIA Hotel Alun Alun or the Wonderloft Hostel Jogja are also good options.
When it comes to food, we can recommend Cold N Brew Parangtritis for coffee & croissants (and also for co-working), Pixel for co-working, Lanaria for lunch, Joffi for Ramen, Nanamia for pizza, Tempo Gelato Prawirotaman for ice cream, and Opera Pastry for sweets.
This city is renowned for its Javanese traditions, art, and classical performances. Visit the magnificent Kraton Yogyakarta, the palace of the Sultan, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Explore the vibrant streets of Malioboro, where you can shop for traditional handicrafts, taste local delicacies, and experience the lively atmosphere.
A trip to Java would be incomplete without visiting Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Wake up early to witness the magical sunrise over the temple’s intricate stone carvings and panoramic views of the surrounding lush landscapes. Take your time to explore the different levels of the temple, each depicting stories from Buddhist scriptures.
The entrance is pretty expensive as it costs 362.500 IDR (22€/24$). If you want to climb to the top of the temple, the admission is 455.000 IDR (28€/30$). There’s also a 1-hour tour included in this price. We definitely recommend going on top of the temple as only standing in front of it, is pretty boring. For us, that’s too much as locals only pay 50.000 IDR. If you also want to visit Prambanan Temple, there’s the option to buy a combo ticket which saves you around 4€/5$.
The second must-visit temple is the Prambanan Temple. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its elegant Hindu architecture. You can admire the towering spires and intricately carved reliefs that depict ancient epics and mythological tales. It also costs 362.500 IDR for admission. That’s why we skipped it and only went to Borobodur.
3. Day 4-6: Malang
The easiest way to travel east from Yogyakarta to Malang is by train. Unfortunately, there isn’t any day train right now (in August 2023), so you have to hop on the night train. You can book your tickets directly via the KAI Access app. Book early as seats are limited. You can download your tickets in the app 2 hours before departure. We booked the more comfortable Executive class with more legroom for around 25$ per person.
We arrived in Malang at 3.30 am and walked around 10 minutes to the Snooze Hostel Malang where we paid 15€/17$ for a double room with a shared bathroom. We can totally recommend it as the staff is awesome and the facilities are clean. It also has private double rooms including AC and a bathroom for around 28€/31$ per night. Other good options are the Ibis Styles Malang, the COZY Boutique Guest House, or the Atria Hotel Malang (a bit more expensive north of the center but with a pool).
Regarding food, we recommend Grain Alley for breakfast and bakery (the best cinnamon rolls we had in Asia), CrunchHaus for salads and wraps, and Pane e Pane for pizza!
Malang is a charming city known for its cool climate, apple orchards, and enchanting waterfalls. Explore the colonial architecture of the city center and visit the picturesque Coban Rondo Waterfall and Batu Night Spectacular. It is also famous for its colorful neighborhoods. There are a few of them pretty close to the city center. You can find them in the Jodipan area, the names are Kampung Warna Warni and Kampung Biru Arema.
From Malang, you can also have a tour to Java’s most beautiful waterfall, the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, a hidden gem nestled amidst lush greenery. It is located 2,5-3 hours (one-way) away from Malang, so you have to drive quite a bit. Many people say that it’s the most beautiful waterfall in the whole of Indonesia. Unfortunately, there was heavy rainfall when we were in East Java. There was a landslide next to Tumpak Sewu and a bridge connecting Malang and the waterfall collapsed. So we weren’t able to visit this stunning beauty.
4. Day 7: Mount Bromo
Next, embark on a journey to Mount Bromo, an active volcano located in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. It is one of the most famous sights on Java and is visited by many locals as well. Experience the thrill of watching the sunrise from Penanjakan viewpoint as the sky changes colors, revealing the awe-inspiring volcanic landscape.
Take a jeep ride to the crater of Mount Bromo and walk across the vast expanse of the volcanic sand. The entrance fee is 215.000 IDR (around 13€/15$) on weekdays and 315.000 IDR on weekends. We definitely recommend going Monday-Friday as it’s still crowded but not packed like on the weekends or during public holidays. There are around 1.000 jeeps that drive to Mount Bromo every day!
There are different options to explore the Mount Bromo. You can go there from Malang, Probolinggo, or Cemoro Lawang (Bromo town). We suggest staying at Cemoro Lawang as the night will be very short anyway and you will have the shortest way from there. You will jump into a jeep right from your hotel. But anyway, you’ll have to get up between 2 and 3 am in the morning, so make sure to go to bed early. When getting up, don’t forget to dress appropriately, wear a couple of layers as it will be freezing.
It will take around 1 hour from your hotel in Cemoro Lawang to the viewpoint plus a 15-20 minute walk depending on your chosen viewpoint. The most famous viewpoints are King Kong Hill and Seruni. We went to Penanjagan and it was very crowded. But here we have a secret tip for you: walk to the far right of the platform where the fence ends. Walk down a small path for 50 meters and there you’ll find another very small viewpoint. When we arrived there, we were the only ones. And for sunrise, only 5 more people arrived.
After sunrise, you’ll drive down to the Bromo crater for about 30 minutes. It will take around 20-30 minutes from the parking lot to the crater rim. Please don’t ride the horses there as they are not treated well. We suggest walking to the left after climbing the stairs as most people are too lazy to walk further. You’ll be rewarded with a nice view over the steaming crater.
5. Day 8: Ijen Volcano
Prepare yourself for a surreal experience as you journey to the Ijen Crater, an otherworldly volcanic crater lake known for its mesmerizing blue flames. The entrance fee is 100.000k per person (around 6€/7$) on weekdays and 150.000k on weekends. Be awe-struck by the sight of sulfur miners extracting this precious mineral. It’s crazy that those miners only earn around 1.200 IDR (0,07€) per kilo!
Similar to Mount Bromo, you will get up early. Depending on where you stay, the drive is about 30-60 minutes (when staying in Banyuwangi or Licin) or 2 hours (when staying in Bondowoso). When arriving at the entrance, get a hot coffee or tea when it’s still freezing in the middle of the night.
The hike is exhausting as it’s 1 to 1,5 hours of steep walking. So prepare yourself to start your hike early (around 4 am) to reach the summit in time for the sunrise. As the sun rises, the crater reveals its stunning turquoise waters. It’s best to stay near Banyuwangi (especially when arriving from Bali) or Bondowoso. It takes around 1 hour from Banyuwangi and 2 hours from Bondowoso to reach the starting point of the hike.
When reaching the top, you’ll probably need your gas mask (depending on the winds) to protect yourself against the sulfur gases. We had a great view for sunrise but after it was cloudy when we walked around the crater. So be sure to reach the top on time to get the best views!
6. Private 2N/3D Tour
If you’re not traveling on the lowest budget, we can definitely recommend doing a private 2-night / 3-day tour through East Java from Malang to visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Madakaripura Waterfall, Mount Bromo, and the Ijen Volcano. It’s the most convenient way to explore these sights and also the fastest but also intense and you won’t get much sleep.
We paid 3 million IDR per person (around 180€/200$) for a private tour with everything included:
– private driver including fuel and toll roads
– all entrance tickets
– 2 hotel nights: 1 at Cemoro Lawang (close to Bromo), 1 at Licin or Bondowoso (close to Ijen) including breakfast
– snacks and water
– drop-off in Canggu/Seminyak/Ubud
For us, it’s definitely worth the money as it doesn’t require a lot of planning and the price difference isn’t that much in comparison if you do the tour yourself. We also compared 6-7 different tour operators and Dee was the cheapest of them. It’s an intense tour as you have to get up early for 2 following nights (around 3 am) and sit in the car for a long time.
It is also possible to go on a shared tour which is cheaper than the private tour. If you’re interested in this Java tour, we can recommend Dee, our tour guide and she will be happy to have you as her guests. She just started her business and is such a kind person. Her number is +62 813 1222 5515 and you can easily contact her via WhatsApp.
7. Conclusion
An 8-day tour in Java, Indonesia, is a journey that combines the best of natural wonders, cultural heritage, and vibrant city life. From the bustling streets of Yogyakarta to the stunning volcanic landscapes, each destination offers a unique experience that will captivate your senses. Explore ancient temples, witness majestic volcanoes, taste delectable cuisine, and immerse yourself in the warmth of Javanese hospitality.
We didn’t like the cities of Java (Yogyakarta, Malang) that much. You’ll find quite a lot of fancy restaurants and cafés as well but the traffic inside the cities is crazy and it’s not that much to do. Nature is insane, we loved the volcanos and waterfalls and will definitely come back to Java for the Tumpak Sewu and the Blue Fire at Ijen!
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