Java Yogyakarta
3
Day Itinerary •
Indonesia
Three days in Java and Yogyakarta delivers the most extraordinary concentration of ancient civilisation in Southeast Asia, taking you from Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument on earth, to the extraordinary Hindu temple complex of Prambanan at sunrise, the royal kraton of Yogyakarta and the extraordinary silver workshops and batik studios of Java's greatest cultural city. This compact route captures the essential Java. The 9th-century Buddhist mandala of Borobudur rising from the Kedu Plain with two volcanoes as backdrop, the extraordinary Trimurti towers of Prambanan, the gamelan music and wayang puppet theatre of the Yogyakarta court, and the finest Javanese cooking in the sultanate's shadow.
Best Time To Visit
April to October, dry season
Getting There
Fly into Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) or Adisucipto (JOG)
Getting Around
Hired driver or private car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 120 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some temple climbing
DAY 1
BOROBUDUR
MORNING
BOROBUDUR, THE WORLD'S GREATEST BUDDHIST MONUMENT
The largest Buddhist monument on earth, a 9th-century Mahayana mandala of nine stacked platforms rising from the Kedu Plain with Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu on the horizon. The 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues are extraordinary in their detail and spiritual power. The sunrise from the upper circular terraces, when mist fills the valley and the volcanic peaks emerge above the clouds, is one of the most extraordinary experiences in all of Asia. Sunrise ticket approx 450,000 IDR, standard entry approx 350,000 IDR. Drive: 1 hour drive east
MIDDAY
PAWON AND MENDUT TEMPLES
The two smaller Buddhist temples that formed the ceremonial approach to Borobudur along the ancient sacred axis. Mendut Temple contains three extraordinary large Buddha statues, including a seated Vairochana of remarkable presence, considered the finest Buddha sculpture in Java. Almost entirely unvisited. Entry approx 50,000 IDR each. Drive: 1 hour drive to Yogyakarta
AFTERNOON
YOGYAKARTA OLD CITY AND MALIOBORO
The extraordinary main street of Yogyakarta, a kilometre of batik sellers, silver workshops, wayang puppet stalls and street food vendors running south from the railway station to the Kraton walls. The finest place in Indonesia to buy hand-stamped batik and handmade silver jewellery. The old Dutch fort of Vredeburg at the southern end is an extraordinary colonial relic. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Setumbu Hill viewpoint, 3km north of Borobudur, offers the finest panoramic view of the monument rising from the Kedu Plain with both Merapi and Merbabu visible behind it at dawn. Far less crowded than the monument itself and the most extraordinary photography location in Java. Entry approx 30,000 IDR. Reach the top before 5am for the finest light.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Amanjiwo or hotel breakfast Eat before the 4am departure for Borobudur sunrise. The hotel breakfast at Amanjiwo is extraordinary. | Lunch: Warung near Borobudur Local nasi pecel and tempe dishes at a simple warung by the temple car park. | Dinner: Bale Raos, Yogyakarta The finest restaurant in Yogya, serving extraordinary royal Javanese court cuisine in the kraton grounds.
DAY 2
PRAMBANAN
MORNING
PRAMBANAN TEMPLE COMPOUND AT DAWN
The most extraordinary Hindu temple complex in the southern hemisphere, a 9th-century Trimurti dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, with the central Shiva temple rising 47 metres in a vertical surge of carved stone that rivals Angkor Wat in ambition and artistry. The 240 temples of the compound are extraordinary at dawn before the tour groups arrive. The Shiva temple's inner chamber contains a remarkable 3-metre statue of Shiva Mahadeva. Entry approx 350,000 IDR. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
KRATON RATU BOKO, THE CLIFFTOP PALACE RUINS
The extraordinary hilltop ruins of an 8th-century Javanese palace complex on a plateau above Prambanan with views across the entire Prambanan Plain to Mount Merapi. The gatehouse ruins, meditation pavilions and stone bathing pools are extraordinary. Almost entirely unvisited despite being one of the finest archaeological sites in Java. Entry approx 40,000 IDR. Drive: 30 min drive back to Yogyakarta
AFTERNOON
RAMAYANA BALLET AT PRAMBANAN OPEN AIR THEATRE
The most extraordinary cultural performance in Java, enacted on an open-air stage with the floodlit Prambanan towers as backdrop on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings from May to October. The full Ramayana epic danced by up to 200 performers in extraordinary golden costumes against the silhouette of the temples at dusk is an unforgettable spectacle. Tickets from approx 150,000 IDR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Candi Sambisari, a 9th-century Hindu temple buried under 6.5 metres of volcanic ash from Merapi and only rediscovered in 1966, sits in a remarkable sunken pit near Prambanan. The temple is perfectly preserved and almost entirely unvisited. The extraordinary sight of the carved temple walls below ground level is unlike anything else in Java. Entry approx 10,000 IDR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Yogyakarta Early departure needed for Prambanan at opening. Eat at the hotel before 6am. | Lunch: Abhayagiri Restaurant Outstanding hilltop restaurant above Prambanan with extraordinary views of the plain and temples. | Dinner: Prambanan open air theatre Light dinner before the Ramayana Ballet. Warungs near the theatre serve local nasi gudeg.
DAY 3
YOGYAKARTA
MORNING
KRATON NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT, THE SULTAN'S PALACE
The living royal palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, still occupied by the royal family, a walled city within the city covering 1.4km square with extraordinary pavilions, courtyards, museums and the finest collection of Javanese royal regalia in existence. The extraordinary Bangsal Kencono golden pavilion where the sultan receives guests is extraordinary. Gamelan music is performed in the main courtyard on certain mornings. Entry approx 15,000 IDR. Drive: 5 min walk
MIDDAY
TAMANSARI WATER CASTLE
The extraordinary 18th-century royal bathing complex of the Yogyakarta sultanate, a labyrinthine complex of pools, tunnels, underground mosques and watchtowers built as a pleasure garden for the sultan and his consorts. The extraordinary main bathing pool with its tiered island pavilion is among the finest Javanese royal architecture surviving. Entry approx 15,000 IDR. Hire a local guide to find the hidden underground passages. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
KOTAGEDE SILVER DISTRICT AND BATIK WORKSHOPS
The extraordinary historic silver district of Yogyakarta, the oldest neighbourhood in the city and the original capital of the Mataram Sultanate in the 16th century. The silver workshops produce extraordinary filigree jewellery and tableware using techniques unchanged for four centuries. The batik studios of the surrounding lanes produce the finest hand-stamped court batik in Java. Free to browse.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Imogiri Royal Cemetery, 17km south of Yogyakarta, is the burial ground of the sultans of Yogyakarta and Surakarta from 1645 to the present day. Visitors must wear traditional Javanese dress, available to hire at the gate. The hilltop complex with its extraordinary carved gateways and the atmospheric royal tombs is one of the most extraordinary sacred sites in Java. Entry free, sarong hire approx 5,000 IDR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bu Tjitro 1925, Yogyakarta The finest gudeg breakfast in Java. The original restaurant serving the royal jackfruit curry since 1925. | Lunch: Via Via Restaurant, Prawirotaman Outstanding international and local menu in the arts district. Extraordinary Javanese rijsttafel. | Dinner: Bale Raos, Yogyakarta Return for the extraordinary royal Javanese menu. The opor ayam and soto kraton are exceptional.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Yogyakarta, All Nights Plataran Heritage or Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta. Central for all excursions. Approx 60 to 150 USD per night. Near Borobudur, Night 1 Amanjiwo or Plataran Borobudur for extraordinary sunrise access. Approx 100 to 500 USD per night. Budget Option Greenhost Boutique Hotel or Jogja Village Inn. Approx 25 to 60 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Borobudur sunrise ticket months ahead. Only 150 people allowed per day. Essential.
2. Prambanan is most extraordinary at dusk. The Ramayana Ballet performs here on full moon nights.
3. Bargain firmly but cheerfully in the Malioboro street market. Starting price is always double.
4. The Kraton palace gamelan rehearsals are open to visitors on Sunday mornings. Free.
5. Gudeg, the Yogyakarta jackfruit curry, is the finest local dish. Eat it at Bu Tjitro for breakfast.
6. Borobudur is cooler and quieter on weekdays. Avoid school holiday periods entirely.
Total Budget
50 to 265 USD/day