INDONESIA - JAWA ISLAND OVERLAND 13DAY/12NIGHTS

Day 01: JAKARTA
Arrival at Jakarta International Airport. Meet and greet at the airport, transfer to hotel. Overnight at Jakarta.

About Jakarta and the highlight
Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta) is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. It also has a greater population than any other city in Southeast Asia. It was formerly known as Sunda Kelapa (397–1527), Jayakarta (1527–1619), Batavia (1619–1942), and Djakarta (1942–1972). Located on the northwest coast of Java, it has an area of 661.52 square kilometres (255.41 sq mi) and a population of 8,489,910. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political center. Jakarta is the twelfth-largest city in the world; the metropolitan area, called Jabodetabek is now the second largest in the world.

First established in the fourth century, the city became an important trading port for the Kingdom of Sunda. As Batavia, it grew greatly as the capital of the colonial Dutch East Indies. Renamed Jakarta in 1942 during Japan's occupation of Java, it was made the capital city of Indonesia when the country became independent after World War II.

Jakarta has a hot and humid equatorial/tropical climate according to the Köppen climate classification system. Located in the western-part of Indonesia, Jakarta's wet season rainfall peak is January with average monthly rainfall of 400 millimeters (16 in), and its dry season low point is August with a monthly average of 70 millimeter (2.8 in). The city is humid throughout the year with daily temperature range of 25° to 36°C (77°-97°F).
List of cities of Jakarta:
•Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat: Pop. 889,448) is the most densely populated district and home to most of the city's skyscrapers. The district is the central government office, Bank Indonesia, the big mosque of Istiqlal, the big shopping center of Grand Indonesia and numerous museums.
•East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur: Pop. 2,391,166)
•North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara: Pop. 1,445,623 )
•South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan: Pop. 2,001,353 )
•West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat: Pop. 2,093,013)

NATIONAL MONUMENT(MONAS) : The National Monument (Indonesian: Monumen Nasional (Monas) is a 422 ft (128.7 m) tower in Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia's independence. Construction began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno and the monument was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a 14.5 ton bronze Flame of Independence containing the lift engine, which is covered with 35kg or 50kg of gold foil

BOGOR BOTANICAL GARDEN: The Bogor Botanical Gardens (Indonesian: Kebun Raya) are located 60 km south of the capital of Jakarta in Bogor, Indonesia. The botanical gardens are situated in the city center of Bogor and adjoin the Istana Bogor (Presidential Palace). The gardens cover more than 80 hectares and was build by Java's Dutch Governor-General Gustaaf Willem, Baron van Imhoff who was governor of Java at the time.
The extensive grounds of the presidential palace were converted into the gardens by the German-born Dutch botanist, Professor Casper George Carl Reinwardt. The gardens officially opened in 1817 as 's Lands Plantentuin ('National Botanical Garden') and were used to research and develop plants and seeds from other parts of the Indonesian archipelago for cultivation during the 19th century. This is a tradition that continues today and contributes to the garden's reputation as a major center for botanical research.
Today the garden contains more than 15,000 species of trees and plants located among streams and lotus ponds. There are 400 types of exceptional palms to be found along the extensive lawns and avenues, helping the gardens create a refuge for more than 50 different varieties of birds and for groups of bats roosting high in the trees.

Day 02: JAKARTA – BANDUNG (Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Moving towards Bandung, on the way visit MONAS (Monument National) is a 422 ft (128.7 m) tower in Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia's independence then continue to Bogor with its famous Botanical Garden, and thousands of species of plant life from all over the world. Leaving Bogor, continue to Bandung passing along the beautiful scenery of tea plantation and scenic tropical beauty at Puncak mountainous region. Overnight at Bandung.

About Bandung and the highlight
Kota Bandung) is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's fourth largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area, with 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 m (2,520 ft) above sea level, Bandung has relatively year-around cooler temperature than most other Indonesian cities. The city lies on a river basin and surrounded by volcanic mountains. This topography provides the city with a good natural defense system, which was the primary reason of Dutch East Indies government's plan to move the colony capital from Batavia to Bandung.
It has an area of 167.27 km² and 2,290,464 people in 2005, with a density of 13,693 people/km². For the Survei Sosial Ekonomi Daerah 2007, 2,364,312 was the population, making it the fourth most populous city in Indonesia, after Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan.
The Dutch colonials first opened tea plantations around the mountains in the eighteenth century, followed by a road construction connecting the plantation area to the capital (180 km or 112 miles to the northwest). The European inhabitants of the city demanded the establishment of a municipality (gemeente), which was granted in 1906 and Bandung gradually developed itself into a resort city for the plantation owners. Luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes and European boutiques were opened of which the city was dubbed as Parijs van Java (Dutch: "The Paris of Java").
After Indonesian independence on 1945 onwards, the city experienced a rapid development and urbanization that has transformed Bandung from idyllic town into a dense 15,000 people/km² metropolitan area, a living space for over 2 million people. Natural resources have been exploited excessively, particularly in the conversions of protected upland area into highland villa and real estates. Although the city has encountered many problems (ranging from waste disposal, floods to chaotic traffic system, etc), Bandung however still has its charm to attract people flocking into the city, either as weekend travelers or living in.

MT.TANGKUBAN PRAHU: Tangkuban Perahu, or Tangkuban Parahu in local Sundanese dialect, is an active volcano 30 km north of the city of Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. It is a popular tourist attraction where tourists can hike or ride to the edge of the crater to view the hot water springs upclose, and buy eggs cooked on its hot surface. This stratovolcano is on the island of Java and last erupted in 1983.

MANG UDJO – BAMBOO MUSIC: In the 50’, there is a family a married couple with 10 children who started a story of establishing a unique art performance venue; the idea was to make bamboo as theme, so, the chairs, the musical instruments and even the stage, all are made of bamboo. Unexpectedly, the performance impressed the audience with a memorable experience. Everywhere is laughter; everywhere is smile; everywhere is cheerful. Ever since the beginning, smiles and activities of the performing children become the spirit of this place.

Daeng Soetigna inspired Udjo Ngalagena through a philosophy named 5Ms : Mudah (easy), Murah (cheap), Mendidik (educative), Menarik (attractive), Massal (mass). Later on, Udjo put one additional value to perfect this philosophy, which is Meriah (cheerful) – that would change the face of Angklung afterwards.
Udjo developed those principals into a wonderful–ideal concept called Kaulinan Urang Lembur – a perfect combination of an attractive performance and a sense of educative. And that would be the reason why people visit SAU.

JEAN’S STREET: In the 1990s, local designers opened denim clothing stores along Cihampelas Street which gave Bandung another nickname, the "Tourist Shopping City" (Kota Wisata Belanja). It was a success as the-then residential street had been fully transformed into a "jeans street". The city attracts people from other big cities to buy local fashion wears, as they are cheaper than branded items.
The city gained more shoppers to come when textile factories in the outskirt of Bandung opened a fashion store that sells their products directly from the factory. The products are tagged as sisa export (rejected or over-produced export quality items) and these shops are called factory outlets. The trend was followed by another factory outlet

Day 03: BANDUNG
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Begin this day with a morning visit to Tangkuban Prahu, a volcano crater. In the afternoon spend the time to see the performance of 'Wayang Golek' wooden puppet show and the 'Angklung' bamboo orchestra, as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances.

Day 04: BANDUNG – PANGANDARAN
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Drive with the destination to Pangandaran. On your way, stop for a sightseeing tour at Cangkuang temple situated in the middle of the lake, Kampung Naga an ancient Sundanese village which still retains their traditional customs over centuries. Enjoy a walk and discover the traditional way of life of this village, rice paddies, wooden bridges and river. This area, which still remains unspoiled, offers magnificent scenery. In the afternoon proceed to Pangandaran beach; explore the beachfront for a sunset viewing. Overnight at Pangandaran. Distance from Bandung to Pangandaran 223 Kms , its about

PANGANDARAN : Pangandaran is a small town and a sub district in southern Ciamis regency, West Java, Indonesia. It is located on the southern coast of Java. Pangandaran is a popular tourist destination, having a beach which is considered to be one of the finest in Java and which offers excellent surfing.

A kite-flying festival is held on the beach in July each year. Locals regularly use kites in the evenings to catch bats, which are either eaten or used in Chinese remedies. There is a local belief that wearing any green garment in this area will anger Loro Kidul, the Javanese guardian spirit or goddess of the southern sea, and will bring misfortune.

KAMPUN NAGA: administratively located in the area of Neglasari village, Salawu district, Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. Kampung Naga is a village which is inhabited by a community in a very strong tradition of holding the remainder ancestors. The differences are visible when compared with other communities outside Kampung Naga. The communities are living in the framework of an atmosphere in a traditional simplicity and environmental wisdom.

Kampung Naga is located in a fertile valley, with the boundaries, in the West Village by Naga forest. The forest is sacred because it is located in the ancestral cemetery. In the south is the rice field, and in the north and east are surrounded by river Ciwulan, which the source of water comes from Mount Cikuray in Garut.

GREEN CANYON: Boating to the Green Canyon and 20 Minutes Boat drive over a nice River you will be amazing by the magnificant of the green canyon, swimming at the Green Canyon will a memorable of the trips.
Cukang Taneuh, which is original name for Green Canyon, located in the village of Kertayasa, Cijulang district 31 kms south of Pangandaran. Green canyon located not so far from Batukaras and Green Canyon is apart of Cijulang river that goes through a cave full of stalactite and stalagmite surrounded by two beautiful green hills.

At the entrance of the cave, lies the Palatar waterfall. The waterfall gives the area cool and fully adventurous atmosphere. Rock climbing, swimming, sailing and fishing are some pastime famous activities in this area.
Boat can be rented at the Ciseureuh dock to reach the area. Green canyon facilitated with boat docks, parking areas, food stalls, souvenir shops, rest rooms and other facilities

Day 05: PANGANDARAN – JOGJAKARTA
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Explore the richness of nature by visiting Green Canyon, boating along with a motorized traditional canoe to one of Cijulang river branch, where lies a beautiful stalactite cave. After taking joyful moment to the nature, drive to Jogjakarta. Spend the afternoon enjoying the stunning scenery and rice fields. Overnight at Jogjakarta.

Day 06: JOGJAKARTA
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Our highlights tour in Jogjakarta, the former Indonesia's capital city, include its valuable and special places such as the 17th century Sultan Palace (kraton), Watercastle and Bird market. Take the liberty of admiring for famous traditional handicraft works of Kotagede silver city, 'wayang kulit' puppet leather and traditional batik home industry. In the afternoon discover the extraordinary Borobudur temple, a world heritage built during the 8th century.

About JOGJAKARTA and the Highlight
Jogyakarta (also Jogja, Yogya, Jogjakarta) is a city in the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. It is renowned as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also famous as a center for Indonesian higher education. It was the Indonesian capital during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1945 to 1949. The area of the city is 32.5 km². While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north, site of a few buildings with distinctive Dutch colonial-era architecture, and the contemporary commercial district. At the southern end of Malioboro, on the east side is the large local market of Beringharjo, not far from Fort Vredeburg a restored Dutch fort.

At Yogyakarta's center is the kraton, or Sultan's palace. Surrounding the kraton is a densely-populated residential neighborhood that occupies land that was formerly the Sultan's sole domain; evidence of this former use remains in the form of old walls and the ruined "Water Castle" (Tamansari), built in 1758 as a pleasure garden.

SULTAN PALACE: The Sultan's Palace, or Kraton, with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture, lay in the center of the city. It was founded by Pangeran Mangkubumi in 1775, whose the son, the prince, was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He choose the right place for the site of the building, right between Winongo River and Code Rivera swamp area that dried up then.

The Sultan's Palace stretches from north to south. The front yard of the Palace is called Alun-alun Utara (North Square) and the back yard called Alun-alun Selatan (South Square). The design of this historical building demonstrates that the Palace, the obelisk (the Tugu, the column) and Mount Merapi positioned in one line. It is believed that the axis is blessed. In the old-times, Sri Sultan is used to concentrate his mind along this axis before leading a meeting, making decision or giving order to his people.

Each part of the building has its own name. The Palace meeting hall is called Pagelaran. It is the place where formal meetings of the Kraton's officials are held. Manguntur Tangkil Hall is the place where the Sultan has his seat. This hall is in the Siti Hinggil. Siti means ground/land, while Hinggil means high. So, it is called Siti Hinggil because the place where it was built is higher than any other ground around it. It was once a tiny island on the swamp. The front gate is called Danapratopo. Two giant statues called Gupala guard it. One is called Cingkorobolo and the other is Boloupoto. The two statues are perceived may protect the Palace from any harm or evil.

BIRD MARKET: Ngasem Market that has been operating since 1809 is the oldest bird market in Yogyakarta. In the past, the market that also sells snakes, decorative fish, and traditional snacks was the place where noblemen bought pet birds.

KOTA GEDE: Kota Gede in Yogyakarta is a very important place and is hailed as the remnants of a complex called Kraton housing the King's palace and other important buildings. However it was till the late 1500s that Kota Gede was the site of the palace. Kota Gede is famous for the numerous legends and myths engulfing the place. There are many important stories regarding Kota Gede and all these legends have contributed largely to the popularity of the place. The place is now however a Royal Graveyard and there are a few remnants of the wall of the place preserved for all tourists.

Kota Gede is actually a suburb inside the city of Yogyakarta. The workers were given publicity both at the time of the Indonesian independence in the 1940s and also in the following years. The Kota Gede is actually a Royal Graveyard and the place is noted for the numerous graves dug within the inner depths of the grave.

The Kota Gede grave is regarded as the physical manifestation of 'silsilah' or records of the progeny or generations which followed. The Kota Gede is maintained by the Juru Kunci who is employed by the two palaces in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. The place is the cemetery of the Mataram kings who were very popular during their time. There is the attraction of a town called Penembahan Senopati and the amazing tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. Their bodies were buried inside the graveyard and there is a stone called 'Watu Gilang'.

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE: Borobudur Temple is a ninth century Buddhist Mahayana monument in Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome is located at the center of the top platform, surrounded by seventy-two Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.
The main vertical structure can be divided into three groups: base (or foot), body, and top, which resembles the three major division of a human body.
- The base is a 123x123 m² square in size and 4 metres (13 ft) high of walls
- The body is composed of five square platforms each with diminishing heights.
- The first terrace is set back 7 metres (23 ft) from the edge of the base.
The other terraces are set back by 2 metres (6.5 ft), leaving a narrow corridor at each stage. The top consists of 3 circular platforms, with each stage supporting a row of perforated stupas, arranged in concentric circles. There is one main dome at the center; the top of which is the highest point of the monument (35 metres or 115 ft above ground level). Access to the upper part is through stairways at the centre of each side with a number of gates, watched by a total of 32 lion statues. The main entrance is at the eastern side, the location of the first narrative reliefs. On the slopes of the hill, there are also stairways linking the monument to the low-lying plain.

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE: Prambanan is the ninth century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to Trimurti, the highest three gods in Hinduism. The temple compound located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta city on the boundary between Yogyakarta and Central Java province. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the towering 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple of ancient Java, and the construction of this royal temple was first built at the site around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan or Balitung Maha Sambu the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom. Indeed, some archaeologists propose that the idol of Shiva in the garbhagriha (central chamber) of the main temple is modeled after King Balitung, serving as a depiction of his deified self after death.
Day 07: JOGJAKARTA – SOLO – MALANG
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Start the day with scenic drive to Solo, on the way visit Java's most interesting Hindu shrine Prambanan temple, is regarded as one of the most beautiful Hindu's temple in the world. Later we travel to East Java. Along the way you will discover picturesque landscapes. Overnight at Malang.

About Malang and the highlight.
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia with an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for its cool air and the surrounding country regions of Tumpang, Batu, Singosari, and Turen. People in East Java sometimes call it "Paris van East Java." Malang was spared many of the effects of the Asian financial crisis, and since that time it has been marked by steady economic and population growth.

Hundreds, even thousands of years ago before Malang became the second biggest city in East Java, Malang used to be the centre of government of The Kanjuruhan and Singosari Kingdom. In the following era, Malang regency became an important place when the government of Mataram Kingdom took hold of the area, making it the largest regency in East Java and since then the development of Malang regency has increased well.

Malang has a total area of 124,456 km². It shares its borders with Pasuruan (North), Lumajang (East), and Batu (West). Mount Bromo, one of Java's largest volcanoes and a major tourist attraction, is located just to the east of the city. There are roughly 780,000 people living in Malang. The population density is 5,000 – 12,000/km², with population growth of 3.9% per year.

Day 08: MALANG - Mt.BROMO
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
Free program and enjoy the panoramic of Malang. Optional tours to Tea plantation and old train train tours is available upon request. Afternoon will be set up for transfer to Mt. Bromo. Check in hotel at Pananjakan.

MT.BROMO : Mt. Bromo (Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park)
Mount Bromo also Gunung Bromo, located in the Tengger Caldera, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. It is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, and even though at 2329 meters it is not the highest peak of the massif, it is the most well known.
The sea of sand area was declared as a strict Nature Reserve in 1919 for the purpose of protecting the extraordinary Sea of Sand which forms the floor of caldera with diameter 8-10 km. There are several mountains inside the caldera, namely : Mt. Bromo (2,392 m a.s.l), Mt. Batok (2,470 m a.s.l), Mt. Kursi (2,581 m a.s.l), Mt. Watangan (2,6610 m a.s.l), and Mt. Widodaren (2,650 m a.s.l).
Walking on the Sea of Sand. stepping up on the 249 steps to the rim, enjoying the unique crater in a crater,watching the dawn at Bromo are the main attractionsin the area.

Day 09: Mt.BROMO - BALI
(Breakfast at hotel, Lunch – at local resto)
0400 am - depart to Mt. Bromo, by jeep and horseback riding, crossing the sea of sand and climbing up to view the one of the most spectacular sunrise from the crest of the Bromo volcano. Enjoy the summit of Mt. Bromo! Admire the magnificent panorama over its caldera from the 2,000 m summit. Then back to the hotel. After breakfast, we take the scenic route with breathtaking views over mountains and along the sea. We follow the main road and through the delightful villages until the airport of Surabaya for flight to Bali. Arrive in Bali and than welcome arrival by our team in Bali - directly transfer for your accomodation.