Luxury Tailor Made Journeys depart on the dates that work for you and feature expert local guides throughout your journey. The itinerary below can be customized to your interests.
Arrive Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Arrive in Yogyakarta on the island of Java, where you are expedited through immigration and met by your guide. Begin your cultural discovery with a visit to a small coffee plantation, which is located in Kulon Progo village. Stroll through the plantation to learn about the cultivation and harvest process as well as the traditional way of roasting the aromatic beans. Continue to a local restaurant for lunch. Set in a Joglo-style house, the restaurant offers spectacular views of Borobudur Temple. Visit a local puppet master, known as kidalang tijab. The Javanese puppetry tradition is a dying art, as it requires great passion and dedication. The master shares his experience, telling the story of his craft that has been passed down through generations. You can also learn from the artist how to play gamelan musical instruments. Transfer to your hotel, where you check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Yogyakarta | Palaces and Crafts
Begin your day early with a drive to the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple compound, the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia. Its collection of sharp, jagged temples features three main inner shrines dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Then explore the Kraton, or Sultan’s Palace. A splendid example of traditional Javanese court architecture, the royal residence is also an important center of Javanese culture, containing a museum of artifacts from the nobility. Continue to Taman Sari, also known as the Water Castle, which was once an elaborate pleasure retreat for the sultan and his entourage. Leave the complex through the back exit and stroll through a small village known for its many leather puppet makers. Stop by for a closer look at how these traditional marionettes are hand-carved and decorated. Stop to discover the unique Indonesian dagger-craft. Known as keris, Indonesian daggers are carved from a single piece of iron. Visit the workshop of a master keris-maker, who was the descendant of Empu Supa, a celebrated keris-maker of the Majapahit Empire in the 13th century. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Yogyakarta | Beautiful Borobudur
Rise early to watch the sun rise over the delicate spires of Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple. Learn the history behind the construction of this terraced, three-dimensional mandala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to the rural village of Candirejo, travelling by dokar (horse-drawn cart) as you cross small lanes lined with traditional houses. Observe daily life as locals make cassava crackers, and pause to take photos and get to know the residents. Return to your hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Bali | Setting Sail
This morning, fly to Bali. Upon arrival, stop for lunch at a celebrated local restaurant. This afternoon, visit Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, one of the region’s most revered sites. Perched 250 feet above the water on a sheer cliff, it offers vistas of the beach below, one of the island’s best surf spots. Watch the huge waves roll in and crash against the cliffs, keeping an eye out for the playful monkeys that inhabit the area. Proceed to Benoa Harbor, where you board ‘Aqua Blu,’ your floating home for the next seven nights. Set a course to Moyo Island as the sun sets.
Moyo | Wildlife & Waterfalls
Arrive in Moyo, a remote hilly island with a handful of fishing villages. Discover wildlife en route to the spectacular waterfall at the center of the island and snorkel at shallow, breathtaking Angel Reef.
Sumbawa | Whale Sharks & Fruit Bats
Spend the day in Saleh Bay, surrounded by the island of Sumbawa, where, provided the whale sharks are present, you can experience the magic of these gentle, friendly giants, under the watchful eyes of Conservation International rangers. Weighing up to 20 tons and growing to more than 30 feet in length, the whale shark is the world’s largest fish and your encounter with it is sure to prove a travel memory to last a lifetime. Back on land this evening, witness another impressive animal phenomenon, the dramatic flight of the fruit bats at Sattonda.
Komodo National Park | Kingdom of the Komodo Dragon
Take in a spectacular sunrise and savor breakfast, with Sangeang Api volcano for backdrop. Continue to Gili Banta, a remote haven for beach lovers, snorkelers and divers. Alternately, hike the Eastern Ridge for stunning views. In the afternoon, cruise to nearby Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to encounter mighty Komodo dragons in the wild, observing the behavior of the world’s largest lizard as it goes about its day as the island’s apex predator. Capable of killing prey as large as deer and wild pigs, Komodos employ a combination of a venomous bite and powerful hunting skills to rule their kingdom.
Komodo National Park | Marvelous Marine Life
Discover the beauty of the Linta Strait. Situated in Komodo National Park, the narrow body of water — fabled among drift snorkelers and divers — separates Komodo and Rinca Islands. Keep watch for large pelagic fish, manta rays, giant trevally and schools of barracuda that frequent the area. In the afternoon, arrive at picturesque Padar Island, where you hike to a hilltop for iconic views, followed by a sunset cocktail on the beach.
Komodo National Park | Pink-Sand Beach
This morning, cruise through a spectacular sea passage, arriving at Rinca Island’s dramatic, arching Horseshoe Bay, the remnants of an ancient caldera. Set out by skiff to watch sea eagles and Komodo dragons in their natural habitats or opt to dive or swim. In the late afternoon, cruise to an iconic pink-sand beach. After time for some sunbathing, witness the flight of fruit bats, visit a local village, or simply continue to relax on the beach’s soft, pink sands.
Komodo National Park | Idyllic Islet
Enjoy a final visit to Rinca Island, where the park's largest concentration of Komodo dragons is found. Then, sail to Gili Lawa Laut, an islet known for its expansive beaches, prolific marine life, and shallow reefs, for kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. Meanwhile, diving and snorkeling spots offer you the opportunity to spot turtles.
Bali | Among the Rice Paddies
Cruise to the fishing town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, where you disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Bali. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Ubud.
Bali | Village Visit & Holy Waters
Begin the day with a Balinese blessing at a temple compound in Sala village. Change into a traditional sarong before the ceremony, which consists of a short meditation session in the temple, followed by ritual immersion in a waterfall, a spring water fountain and a holy pool. At the end of the ritual, take a seat on the bale beside the lotus altar and soak up the peace and serenity while listening to the chanting of a female priest. Enjoy a Balinese vegetarian lunch in the temple's pavilion. Pass through the idyllic rice terraces of Tampak Siring and stop by to visit Gunung Kawi, a temple of the 11th-century Udayana Dynasty. The temple complex comprises of 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) carved into the sheer cliff face. These monuments are believed to be dedicated to King Anak Wungsu and his favorite queens. Stop by Tegalalang village, a picturesque place surrounded by rice fields and rainforests where many Balinese artists live. Watch the Kecak dance at Tanah Gajah. The captivating performance involves a troupe of boys and men from the local community who chant the “cak-cak” sound in various rhythms and tones while performing a traditional dance. After the performance, enjoy a royal Balinese dinner at a local restaurant.
Bali | Culinary Adventures
Visit the home of a spiritual healer in the heart of Bali’s rice-paddy-filled villages. Join him for a morning walk through his peaceful village to learn about the agricultural lifestyle as well as the subak irrigation system, which was developed through generations of Indonesian rice farmers. Stop at a local house in the village, where you can join the family in the kitchen and help prepare lunch. Head out into the backyard to see the family’s organic garden and pick some fresh vegetables and spices for your meal. Learn how to cook a range of Balinese dishes over a traditional wood-fired oven while your host shares some local insights about food and Balinese culture. Enjoy your delicious self-made meal in the Balinese home. Continue to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, featuring groups of cheeky, indigenous macaques, three ancient Hindu temples and jungle-covered pathways lined with mysterious statues.
Depart Bali
After breakfast, relax before transferring to the airport for your homebound flight.
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