Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we will meet our guide and driver for a Jakarta City Tour to see the highlights of this bustling city. We will see the 

Istiqlal Mosque in the center of Jakarta and the Jakarta Cathedral which are located next to each other- a great representation of the multiculturalism of Indonesia. We’ll also see the Monas (National Monument) that commemorates the struggle for Indonesian independence. The afternoon will be at leisure.  

This evening we will end our day with a Chef’s table session at Nusa Gastronomy where we meet the chef of the restaurant, Ragil Imam Wibowo, known for his penchant for elaborate Indonesian gastronomy. The nusa in the restaurant’s name alludes to the main idea of this dining destination. Short for nusantara – Indonesian for archipelago, NUSA Indonesian Gastronomy showcases the country’s rich diversity by putting its resources, cultures and cuisine in the spotlight. The restaurant aims to use only the best Indonesian ingredients and produce authentic traditional techniques enhanced with modern knowledge and serves dishes with the genuine flavors and characteristics maintained. At NUSA Indonesian Gastronomy, diners get the complete gastronomic experience. Awed by the contemporary presentations and savoring each bite that deliciously represents a characteristic from each Indonesian region, they learn the stories behind the dish’s cultural origins. After all, at the end of the day, the team wants to build diners’ appreciation of the country’s culture. 

Overnight Jakarta, Mandarin Oriental or similar 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Today we say goodbye to Jakarta/Java (for now) and head to the island of Sulawesi. Nature lovers regard Sulawesi as paradise on earth: its terrestrial fauna is a mosaic of Asian and Australian animals that have produced new species found nowhere else on the planet. The mountainous regions of the central highlands are separated by deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers. In the lush rainforests live an astonishing array of endemic fauna, including babirusa pig deer and eccentric maleo birds. The waters surrounding the island are teeming with marine life, rich coral reefs, and underwater valleys. Plus some of the world's best diving. Additionally, the culture and heritage is also unique, and the cuisine is not for the faint of heart!  

In the early morning, we will check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Manado, North Celebes. Manado is the capital city of Sulawesi and is one of a kind in Indonesia with its stunning underwater landscape and great mountain panorama. The local people are known for their warm hospitality as well as for the mouth-watering cuisine and unique authentic culture. Once we land in Manado, we will meet our guide and driver who will take us to lunch in Manado city before we head to the Tomohon Highlands. North Sulawesi is the only part of a strangely sprawling island that has volcanoes. Nestled between two of them, is Tomohon, meaning ‘people who pray’. The town is a bustling place with a pleasant climate. The large traditional market, uphill from the center, is infamous for its grizzly array of exotic meats – from whole fruit bats to pythons.  

We will settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner and rest up for the adventures ahead!  

Overnight Tomohon Highlands, Gardenia Inn Resort or similar 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Today we set off to explore the Tomohon Highlands. First, we will visit Mount Lokon to see its natural beauty dominating the landscape of the area. 

Later we will visit the Exotic Extreme Food Market for which the area is famous, or some may say infamous. We will have the chance to do a Minahasan Tribe cooking class with a local guide and chef to talk about the cuisine and understand the meaning behind the exotic foods in the area.  

Overnight Tomohon Highlands, Gardenia Inn Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

After breakfast we will check out and drive to the Tangkoko National Park. The fertile, lush forest of Tangkoko is located at the foot of the Dua Saudara Mountain and is home to Sulawesi’s most impressive wildlife and bird species. Tangkoko is one of the oldest nature reserves in Indonesia and it covers almost 9000 hectares of rainforest. The rolling hills and valleys with their dense carpet of tropical trees and exotic fauna are where you’ll find the iconic tarsier monkeys and large troops of the endemic Sulawesi crested black macaque. Observing these primates while they roam freely, play,  groom and nurse their young in their natural environment is a very special experience for any nature enthusiast. 

Primates are not the only inhabitants of the forest. The varied and vibrant tree canopy supports a plethora of bird species including knobbed hornbills, kingfishers, Sulawesi myna, lorikeets and maleo birds. The Sulawesi bear cuscus, a type of tree dwelling marsupial, is another endemic species which can be observed as it moves sloth-like through the greenery. 

Once we arrive, our local guide will take us jungle trekking to view the unique flora and fauna. Later, we will check into our rustic accommodations for the night. 

Overnight Tangkoko, Tangkoko Hills Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and drive back to Manado to enjoy lunch at a local Manadonese restaurant. After lunch we will board a speed boat for our trip to Bunaken Island. We will check into our accommodation and enjoy dinner in Bunaken.  

Overnight Bunaken, The Village Bunaken Resort  or similar 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Today, we have the chance to relax and unwind on Bunaken Island. We can snorkel around the island or relax at the beach. Alternatively, for those interested we can take an optional adventure to enjoy sunrise at the Manadotua volcano.  

Overnight Bunaken, The Village Bunaken Resort  or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Today we say goodbye to Sulawesi and head back to the island of Java. We will check out from the hotel and transfer to the Manada airport for our flight to Yogyakarta via Jakarta airport.  

Central Java is the island’s cultural, geographic, and historic heartland. Universities, dance schools, pottery, handicrafts, textiles and carving, give the region a rich culture (and interesting shopping!). As home to the great world-class monument of Borobudur, this is a must-see region of Java. Jakarta may be the nation’s capital, but the Javan identity is at its strongest here, in the island’s historic heartland. This is where Java’s first major Indian-inspired civilisation originated and it served as the stronghold of the great Islamic sultanates centered on the kraton (walled city palaces) of Yogyakarta and Solo. Today, Central Java (Jawa Tengah) remains the province where the island’s cultural traditions are most readily observable. 

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta we will be met by our driver and guide and transfer to our hotel in Magelang, Central Java. Later, we will have a special dinner under the stars with the views of Borobudur.  

Overnight Borobudur, Plantaran Borobudur Heritage 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

We will have breakfast at the hotel, and then head out to the magical temple of Borobudur. This UNESCO world heritage site was part of the 7 wonders of the world and one of the holy sites of Buddhism. We will have a local guide with us to  

narrate our visit and understand more about the history of the temple.  

Note: Borobudur temple is limited to 1,200 people per day with a maximum of 150 people allowed at the temple at the same time. Visitors are allowed to go up the temple for a maximum of one hour. All temple visitors must wear special footwear to help preserve this majestic site.  

Later, we will visit the Selogriyo Temple, a small Hindu structure located an hour drive north from Borobudur. Although it is not rich with epic stories like Borobudur and Prambanan, it is nestled in a graceful natural environment. 

In the afternoon, you can bicycle or hop into a traditional horse cart and wander around the charming Candirejo Village to experience the rural lifestyle. This traditional village still practices the old customs of the Javanese Community and is a great place to find batik, pottery, and gamelan instruments while taking in the easy-going way of life. We will enjoy a Javanese lunch in the village before heading back to our hotel.  

Overnight Borobudur, Plantaran Borobudur Heritage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Today we will check out early for a morning visit to the, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The compound consists of 240 temples, including the three most impressive structures; Brahma in the north, Vishnu in the south, and Shiva in the complex’s center. Afterwards, you can take a private buggy car around the complex to see other temples, especially the beautiful half-ruined Sewu Temple which feels straight out of the movie Tomb Raider! 

We will also visit the Taman Sari Water Castle, once an enchanting water castle of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta before heading to Yogyakarta.  

If Jakarta is Java’s financial and industrial powerhouse, Yogyakarta is its soul. Central to the island’s artistic and intellectual heritage, Yogyakarta (pronounced ‘Jogjakarta’ and called Yogya, 'Jogja', for short) is where the Javanese language is at its purest, the arts at their brightest and its traditions at their most visible. We will have a chance to sample some local dishes of the area before settling into our hotel. 

Overnight Yogyakarta, The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta or similar 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Today we will explore the City of Yogyakarta including a visit to the Yogyakarta Royal Palace where the Sultan of Yogyakarta still resides. 

Afterwards, we will enjoy the local cuisine of Gudeg Yogya where the locals will introduce and explain the local dish that combines local vegetables with a unique sweetness for which Yogyakarta is famous.  

We will enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the Sultan’s Family favorite restaurant- Bale Raos. We will be introduced to the unique cuisine that has made them famous with the local royals and even foreign dignitaries. 

Overnight Yogyakarta, The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta or similar

Transfer to the airport for your departing flights.