A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
Learn to surf in Bali, on the idyllic coastline of Jimbaran
19 days, from £2,560 to £4,080
Explore a traditional Javanese village with an expert local guide
12 days, from £2,590 to £4,130
Wander from Java's temples to Bali's rice paddies, and coral reefs to village schools
17 days, from £3,375 to £4,645
Peace and tranquillity in Bali, exploration in Sulawesi and Borobudur for spirituality in Java
18 days, from £3,540 to £4,910
Wander from Java's temples and volcanoes to Bali's rice fields, feast on the beach and go diving on Lombok
19 days, from £3,695 to £5,180
Travel from rice paddies to UNESCO heritage status temples and to the secluded Karimunjawa archipelago, our favourite
14 days, from £4,100 to £5,270
Sip soursop martinis in the ricefields, overlooking an ancient Buddhist Stupa
14 days, from £4,135 to £6,595
Visit the world’s largest Buddhist temple with a private guide.
14 days, from £4,140 to £5,700
The natural landscapes of Indonesia: a kaleidoscope of volcanoes, temples and rice fields in Java, Flores Island from east to west - wildlife, coral and beaches
15 days, from £4,915 to £7,845
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
Indonesia Travel Advice & Information
Blog
On arrival in Jakarta, and after you have adjusted to being surrounded by the capital's sheer volume of humanity, head as soon as possible to the surprisingly sparsely populated countryside. The scenery is wonderfully picturesque, with lush and extremely fertile green terraces and rice paddies, taking advantage of all possible space. It's at this moment you'll notice what else populates Java in huge numbers - volcanoes. There are over 50 on the island, with 20 or so proving in recent years that they are far from dormant. As a backdrop to almost every view on the island, the summits can prove quite a menacing sight on the horizon, but at sunset they are stunning with a wisp of smoke rising from the craters.
At least one volcano visit while holidaying on Java is a must, and touristy thought it may be, Mount Bromo is still worth exploration. Watching the sunrise over the caldera is hugely memorable, with dawn clouds spilling over the crater edge and the light changing across the four different peaks. After watching the sunrise from the crater rim, you can then head into the crater itself and then ride across to Small Bromo, the only active summit.
Away from the sheer natural beauty of the island, there are several cultural highlights including the stunning nine-tiered Buddhist temple of Borobudur Temple, which has miraculously survived some 1,200 years of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Less fortunate but still worth a visit is the Hindu temple at Prambanan, which sustained a great deal of damage in a recent earthquake. The main temple is currently off limits, but the serene gardens surrounding the temple are still lovely.
Holidays in Java are perfect for the romantics, whether it’s a couple's getaway or celebrating recent nuptials with a luxury honeymoon to remember there is something for all to fall in love with here. There’s the Begonia Garden in Maribaya, Lembang, with its tranquil atmosphere and diverse array of fauna and flora - perfect for photographing. Or take a trip to the white sand shores of Tanjung Lesung Beach, perfect for beachside lounging, relaxing and unwinding. Of course, it’s not a destination that’s exclusive to loved up pairs, as there is plenty of adventure to be had as a family. From a temple complex tour, followed by beach games on the shore and swimming in the phosphorescent waters, to the magic of the Javanese shadow puppet shows (in places like Yogyakarta). One thing is for certain, however or wherever you chose to travel on your Java holidays, you won’t be short of memory-making moments. You can explore some our suggested itineraries for some further inspiration on how best to spend your Java holiday.
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