DAY 01: Arrive in Surabaya 

 

Arrive in Surabaya (East Java) and check into the hotel. Come together in the evening for a Javanese welcome dinner where you'll have the chance to meet everyone, hear about the week's itinerary, and have a crash course in Bahasa Indonesia (the National Language). 

 

- Overnight in Surabaya

- Dinner included

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DAY 02: Batik Making in Malang 

 

We'll hit the road just after breakfast and make the two-hour drive to Malang. After checking into our hotel, there'll be some time to explore the city, learn a bit more about Javanese culture, and meet our awesome translator who'll be joining us for the next couple of days. After grabbing lunch, we'll head to the most prominent Batik-making house in Malang. Here we'll get a brief history of batik, meet one of Malang's Master batik makers, and have the opportunity to design and create our own batik. Once you've crafted your very own waxy wonder, we'll end the day with a Javanese feast and some story-telling.

 

- Overnight in Malang

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

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DAY 03: Rainbow Village & Goa Tetes Waterfalls

 

Fill yourself up at breakfast then join us on a photographic adventure to Indonesia's most Instagrammable village, the Rainbow Village of Jodipan!  After exploring, we'll hit the road and head towards Candipuro, on the slopes of Mount Semeru. This village was once Travis' home, so he has plenty of tales to tell when we stop for lunch at a local roadside joint. Before descending into the village, we'll stop at Goa Tetes Waterfall, tucked away in the jungle. By the time we arrive in Candipuro the sun will have set so we'll head straight to the homestays and get you set up for the next few nights. You'll then meet the host grandmother, Bu Umi, who'll be cooking up a delicious homemade feast. We'll be able to try some Javanese delights and meet some of the extended family, neighbours and friends. 

 

- Overnight in Candipuro

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 04: Exploring Candipuro 

 

Wake-up to the sound of the call-to-prayer and head up to Bu Umi's house (the house of the host grandmother) for a traditional Javanese breakfast. For the next few hours, we'll then explore the never-ending rice fields surrounding Candipuro, whilst learning about Javanese folklore, traditions, and the community. Meet back up for lunch at Bu Umi's before heading to a World War II lookout that faces the ocean. End the day by heading to the Alun-Alun (town square) for a food-stall dinner in the center of town. 

 

- Overnight in Candipuro

- Breakfast & lunch included (you'll need to buy your own dinner!)

 

DAY 05: Traditional Javanese Experiences

 

Breakfast at Bu Umi's house. Kick off the day by heading to a local lookout to catch a glimpse of the mighty Mount Semeru before the clouds come rolling in. Lunch will take place at a local restaurant in the Candipuro area, and then you'll have some free time to explore, nap, or rest up before experiencing a traditional Javanese performance, Reok. Dinner will take place back at Bu Umi's house, and once we're done with that (and if you're up for it!) we'll head out on an evening walk through the rice fields in search of giant fruit bats.

 

- Overnight in Candipuro

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 06: Waterfalls & Volcanos

 

After enjoying our last breakfast at Bu Umi's house, we'll say our farewells and make our way up to Mount Bromo. Lunch will happen at a roadside cafe and we'll also stop along the way at "Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu," a stunning waterfall within Semeru National Park. Arriving at Mount Bromo in the late afternoon, we'll have time to catch the sunrise, before heading to bed for a super early night. The next day will be an early wake-up call to catch the sunrise.

 

- Overnight at Mount Bromo

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 07: Mount Bromo Sunrise

 

Today is a super early rise. The wake-up call is at silly o'clock (aka 2:45 AM!) and you'll then have two choices, hike to the Seruni lookout point or take a jeep to the King Kong viewpoint. Both of which provide equally awesome views! After sunrise, head back to the hotel to enjoy a hearty breakfast and if you're feeling up to it, you can also make your way by foot across the desert sea to walk around Mount Bromo's crater. Once we've had lunch we'll drive back to Surabaya where we'll offload our kit, shower, and enjoy a relaxing evening. Group dinner to discuss the next three days with the orangutans and an early night for our flight to Kalimantan the next morning. 

 

- Overnight in Surabaya

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 08: Flight to Borneo 

 

Breakfast and an early morning flight to Southern Kalimantan. Upon landing, we will be picked up by a taxi and taken to our houseboat on the Kumai River, where our jungle cruise through the Tanjung Puting National Park begins! As we drift down the river towards a well-known orangutan feeding station, the cooks will prepare lunch, which will be eaten on the top deck of the boat. Once we've had our fill, we'll be able to witness orangutans having theirs. End the day with a candlelit dinner in the middle of the jungle.

 

- Overnight on Houseboat

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 09: Orangutans

 

Morning breakfast on the boat as we drift towards the Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station. Here, we'll hop off the boat and watch orangutans tucking into a hearty breakfast of tropical fruits. Back on the boat, we'll drift through more of the National Park until we make it to a camp called Camp Leakey. Lunch will be served on the boat, but we'll be able to explore the camp in the afternoon as this is a great place to see other wild animals. At 2 pm, we'll get to enjoy another orangutan feeding session at Camp Leakey, before we head back to the boat. The day will wrap up with another candlelit dinner on top of the houseboat, surrounded by the jungle, and the brightest stars you've ever seen.

 

- Overnight on Houseboat

- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

 

DAY 10: Farewell!

 

After our final morning breakfast, the boat will take us to the Village of Seikonyer to visit a Kalimantan community. Here you'll have the opportunity to learn about the communities living in and around the Tanjung Puting National Park. Our final stop will be back at Kumai, where we will grab our transfers to the airport and head off to our respective destinations. This is where the trip ends, so we'll say our farewells and Ross will serenade you with one final blast on the bagpipes!

 

- Breakfast included

- Bagpipes included!