Indonesia - Java & Bali Tour - full itinerary

Day 1: 
Arrival in Yogyakarta – Magelang / Borobudur
We will arrange for you to be picked up from the airport. Nathan runs the optional pre-tour technical and aesthetic workshop from around 1-5pm for those new to travel photography or who feel they would benefit from a refresher course. There will be a pre-tour meet ‘n’ greet with Nathan at the hotel starting at around 6pm.

Day 2:
Magelang/Borobudur — Yogyakarta
We watch the sun rise over Borobudur directly from our hotel. After breakfast, we visit the relaxed Borobudur market to get a feel of the friendly Javanese people, after which we head to Borobudur temple and enter the temple complex itself. We can visit the top tier of Borobudur and take fabulous images around the central dome which is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues each seated inside perforated bell jar stupas, with the ever-present Mount Merapi in the background.

Around noon we drive to Yogyakarta, check in to our hotel and take a short rest. We then head out for lunch in a local restaurant before visiting Candi Sewu and reaching Prambanan temple in time for sunset.

Day 3:
Yogyakarta — Bromo
Early this morning, we drive to Yogyakarta train station and depart for Mojokerto, 40km southwest of Surabaya, arriving at around 10am. From there we drive to Bromo, stopping en route to visit the magnificent Madakaripura waterfall. In the afternoon, we check into our hotel, take a rest and then head off to the ridge around Mt. Bromo for some sunset shots.

Day 4:
Bromo
A very early start today (around 2.30 am(!) when we leave by 4WD jeeps to reach the Penanjakan sunrise point overlooking Mt. Bromo. After setting up our cameras, we enjoy hot coffee and BBQ corn waiting to catch the first rays of light licking the tops of the volcanoes. Shortly after sunrise, we head down to the "Sea Of Sand" and ride horseback to the volcano. For those daring enough, we can climb up the face of the volcano and look inside, and yes…it is still active!

We have breakfast back at the lodge, followed by a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon, we return to the volcano's caldera and organise a local horse rider, riding his white horse over whispering black ash, and a volcano in the background makes for great photo opportunities under controlled conditions.

Day 5:
Bromo — Probolinggo — Banyuwangi
After a hearty breakfast, we set off via Probolinggo to Banyuwangi on the east coast of Java. This is a long drive but we take the coast road and see the small fishing port of Pentai Bletok along the way, as well as people working in paddy fields. As usual, we allow time to stop along the way as and when interesting opportunities present themselves. If time allows we visit Baluran National Park, a distinct savannah landscape and home to diverse wildlife including water buffaloes, mouse deer and peacocks. The park also provides a great vantage point for Mt Ijen which will be our main destination tomorrow.

Day 6:
Banyuwangi — Ijen — Banyuwangi
We have another ridiculously early start today (2.30 am again) when we travel one and a half hours to the starting point of Ijen Crater, one of the great natural wonders of Indonesia and a photographer's dream come true. From here, we trek for 90 minutes to the top of the sulphur mines (with an option to be transported for most of the way in a cart if you’re concerned about taking fairly strenuous exercise).

When we arrive the colour of the water in the lake is scarcely believable, being an extraordinarily vivid aqua blue, and we see many workers trudging up and down the mountain carrying baskets of sulphur. We return to our hotel for lunch, after which we can take a well-deserved break and rest by the pool.

In the afternoon, Nathan will run a Lightroom post-processing workshop looking at new developments with the software and its latest capabilities. We then head to Bangsring beach for some sunset shots before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7:
Ijen — Lovina (Bali)
We begin our day with some sunrise shots of the Muncar fishing village, where the vibrant maritime culture comes to life. We see the bustling activity of the local fishermen as they prepare to set sail, casting their nets into the cerulean waters of the sea. We can also stroll through the lively market, where fresh seafood and local produce showcase the essence of coastal living.

From the village, we venture into the serene embrace of De Djawatan Forest, where the winding trails shaded by verdant foliage create a tranquil atmosphere., and keep an eye out for the diverse array of flora and fauna that call the forest home. The village and forest combine to leave us with cherished memories of an authentic Banyuwangi experience.

We spend a few hours here before heading back to the hotel for a shower and a bite to eat before heading to the ferry for the crossing to Bali. We should get to the black sandy beaches of Lovina for sunset, then check in to our beachside hotel.

Day 8:
Lovina — Kintamani
This morning, we enjoy a sunrise tour to see the dolphins, and then after breakfast we drive to Singaraja market. We then continue to Kintamani, where we find great vantage points of Mt Batur and we can access a very decorative Balinese (Hindu) temple that is open to the public. After lunch, we find Lawak coffee producer before heading to our hotel which has a great view of Mount Agung from its terraced gardens.

Day 9:
Kintamani — Ubud
Before breakfast, we capture the sun rising over Mount Agung from our private gardens – hopefully a stunning sight if it’s not too misty. Breakfast is served at the restaurant at our hotel with equally good views. Afterwards, we beat the crowds to Besakih (Mother) temple, After lunch we head for Dam Tukad Yeh Unda Klungkung where we will arrange a private shoot with the local villagers having fun in the water. From there we continue to our hotel in Ubud.

Day 10:
Ubud
After many very early morning departures, we enjoy a well-deserved free morning to ourselves. Our centrally located hotel is well placed for you to explore Ubud town, which is known as a centre for traditional crafts and dance. The surrounding rainforest and terraced rice paddies, dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, are among Bali’s most iconic landscapes. In the late afternoon, we make private arrangements for pre-performance portraits, followed by front-row seats from which to enjoy a famous Balinese Kecak dance which will include a dancing over fire.

Day 11:
Ubud — Tabanan
Our day starts with a guided tour through Tegalalang, the most famous rice terrace in Bali. After breakfast, we head to the glass-blowing studios at Sari Tibul before transferring to our hotel in Tabanan. We spend the evening at Tanah Lot Temple - the temple in the water and waves crashing as the sun sets behind make for some stunning photographic opportunities.

Day 12:
Tabanan — Sanur
Early this morning, we explore the fabulous paddy fields that surround our wonderful hotel gardens and if we are lucky we catch the last of the harvesting. At noon, we drive towards Sanur where we hope to try our luck at photographing the kite surfers before heading to Jimbaran Bay where we will photograph the local fishermen bringing their catches to the market. Later, we head back to Sanur and walk along the beach at sunset where they use coconut husks to barbecue fresh fish and seafood, and we enjoy our last dinner together.

Day 13:
Departure from Denpasar
On the last day, there is a sunrise shoot at Sanur Beach where traditional boats are always moored, and if we are lucky Mount Merapi will be silhouetted in the background. Afterwards, we head back to our luxury hotel for breakfast while enjoying the sea views and a moment of calm before preparing for departure to the airport, where you have the option to join our 5D4N extension to the enchanting island of Sumba.

Alternatively, we might suggest that Sanur is also the perfect spot for a few extra days of a beach holiday, which we would happily arrange for you.

We hope you have had an enjoyable and memorable experience!Selamat jalan – have a safe trip!