Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Java tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaJava travel expert at TourRadar
- Days 1-6
Sumatra Exploration
Land in Medan mid-morning to skip the worst airport traffic. Visit Al-Mashun Great Mosque and Maimun Palace on day one. Remember to pack modest clothing that covers your shoulders. Take the 3-hour drive to Bukit Lawang on Day 2. The road isn't great so bring motion sickness medication if you need it. Head into Gunung Leuser National Park the next day for orangutan trekking. You'll want quick-dry clothes and plenty of water since the humidity hits hard. Cool off with river tubing later but keep your valuables safe in dry bags. Visit Berastagi and Lake Toba from Days 4-6. Get to Sibayak Hot Springs before 9 AM to beat the crowds. The ferry to Samosir Island takes about an hour. Grab a spot on the upper deck for the best views of Lake Toba, which holds the title of world's largest volcanic lake.
- Days 7-13
Western Java Circuit
Book a morning flight to Jakarta since afternoon storms often cause delays. Skip the infamous traffic by using the MRT or local GoJek apps. When you reach Bandung, check out the art deco buildings along Braga Street that earned it the nickname "Paris of Java." The mountain drive to Semarang takes 5 hours. Stay close to Kota Lama (Old Town) to easily explore Dutch colonial buildings and find the best lumpia spring rolls. As one visitor put it: "The Lawang Sewu building is hauntingly beautiful at sunset, when the 'thousand doors' cast long shadows across the marble floors."
- Days 14-21
Central and Eastern Java
Spend two nights in Yogyakarta, staying in artsy Prawirotaman near good restaurants. Pack warm clothes for the 3:30 AM Borobudur sunrise trip since mornings get chilly. For Mount Bromo, book a room in Ngadas Village to experience local life. The sunrise jeep ride is rough but the views make up for it. Bring good shoes for the "Sea of Sand" walk and something to cover your face from volcanic dust. Finish in Surabaya. Plan for a 4-hour drive from Bromo with traffic. Book late afternoon flights since morning fog often delays mountain departures.
15 Days in Indonesia, incl. Java and Bali
An 8-day adventure weaves through Java's cultural sites before reaching Bali. The route from Jakarta leads through Yogyakarta to Mount Bromo, with carefully planned overnight stops for immersive cultural and natural encounters.
- Days 1-2
Jakarta
Start your Indonesian adventure in Jakarta. Arrive on day 1 after 2 PM for hotel check-in. Use day 2 to adjust to the time zone and explore the city at your own pace.
- Day 3
Jakarta to Bandung
Leave early to avoid Jakarta's morning traffic. Visit Bogor's KebonRaya botanical garden, an 1817 oasis filled with giant jungle trees and lotus ponds. The drive to Bandung takes 3-4 hours, passing through tea plantations and the scenic Puncak Pass at 1600m elevation.
- Day 4
Bandung
Start with a morning visit to Tangkuban-Perahu volcano when visibility is best. Bring a light jacket for the chilly crater rim. Visit Sariater tea plantation to see traditional processing methods. Spend your afternoon exploring Bandung's art deco architecture.
- Day 5
Train to Yogyakarta
Take the first-class train through Java's volcanic landscapes and rice fields. The 8-hour journey offers beautiful views, especially from the right side. When you arrive, spend your evening on lively Malioboro Street for dinner and shopping.
- Days 6-7
Yogyakarta & Solo
Visit Borobudur early to avoid crowds at this impressive Buddhist temple. See Yogyakarta's 18th-century Kraton Sultan's Palace and Taman Sari Water Palace. The next day, explore Prambanan temple complex with its 47-meter towers before visiting Solo's Mangkunegaran Palace.
- Days 8-9
Malang & Bromo
Travel east to Malang. Take the pre-dawn Mount Bromo excursion for an unforgettable sunrise view. You'll need sturdy shoes for the volcanic terrain. In the afternoon, drive to Kalibaru through mountain landscapes.
- Days 10-14
Bali
Take the 45-minute ferry from Ketapang to Bali. Stay in Sanur or Nusa Dua for four relaxing beach days. You can visit nearby temples or take a day trip to Ubud's cultural sites.
- Day 15
Departure from Denpasar
- Days 1-2
Yogyakarta
Start in Yogyakarta, the cultural center of Java. Visit traditional markets in the early morning before it gets hot. In the late afternoon, rent a bike to explore the rice paddies outside the city. Make sure to try the local gudeg near Malioboro Street - it's a delicious young jackfruit curry sold by street vendors.
- Days 3-4
Magelang & Borobudur
Take a 90-minute drive to Candirejo Village for an authentic taste of Javanese life. Get up at 4:00 AM for the Setumbu Hill sunrise. You'll need a headlamp and good shoes since the path can be slippery with morning dew. The view of Borobudur Temple rising from the mist makes the early wake-up worthwhile.
- Days 5-6
Solo to Mount Bromo
Visit Solo's batik workshops in Laweyan Village. Wear light clothes - the workshops get hot. The 5-hour drive to Ngadas Village winds through mountains, so bring motion sickness pills if needed. Pack warm clothes for your homestay stay - nights get cold at higher elevations.
- Days 7-8
Mount Bromo & Surabaya
Take a 3:30 AM jeep ride to Bromo. Wear sturdy shoes for the crater climb and bring something to cover your face from sulfur fumes. A recent visitor said: "The pre-dawn hike was challenging but seeing the sun rise over the volcanic landscape was incredible. Layer up - it's freezing before sunrise but heats up quickly."
- Days 9-10
Kalibaru
Take the scenic 5.5-hour train ride east. Walk through the plantations to learn about Indonesia's spice trade history. Visit in the morning to see coffee and cocoa processing in action.
- Days 11-12
Banyuwangi & Ijen Crater
Start at 2:00 AM for Ijen. The crater climb is steep, so get a local guide. You'll see the blue flames before dawn and the bright turquoise lake in early morning. Bring extra cash if you want to tip the sulfur miners when taking photos.
- Days 13-14
Pemuteran
After a 45-minute ferry to Bali, you'll reach this peaceful coastal spot. Go snorkeling at Menjangan Island between 8:00-10:00 AM for the best visibility. Book through your hotel for reliable equipment.
- Days 15-17
Ubud
Finish your trip in Bali's cultural hub. Visit the Monkey Forest before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. The rice terraces look best in late afternoon light - skip the hot midday sun. Stay in Penestanan if you want a more local experience away from tourist crowds.
