East Indies Explorer - 15 days

Drifters Price: £304.00

RRP: £320.00

Trip Code: INTEIE

Local Payment: USD$200.00

Day 1 Jakarta

Group members will be arriving at all hours today, so there are no group activities planned. We will have a group meeting this evening, please check the noticeboard for the time and place.

If arriving early, Jakarta has some entertaining museums, such as the Wayang (puppetry), the Balai Seni Rupa (fine arts) and the Maritime Museum. The Jakarta History Museum has material mainly written in Indonesian, though it does have some good displays upstairs. The National Museum is probably a better introduction for first-time visitors. If you'd like to learn more about Indonesia's more recent history, head to the Purna Bhakti Pertiwi, where the life and times of Suharto is on display, along with many of the gifts that were given to him during his tenure in office.

Monuments abound in the city and don't miss the Cannon Si Jagur, ornately decorated with sexual imagery. Along these same lines is the Monas, dedicated to the spirit of the Indonesian people. For architecture, head to Kota, the old Dutch area of Batavia, and go 1km north to visit Sunda Kelap, the old port, and try to catch a glimpse of a wooden schooner still plying the waters. Please note that your leader will collect your local payment (USD200) today.

Days 2-4 Pangandaran

After breakfast, it's straight into a full day's journey by train and bus (10-13 hours), but with deep gorges and lush green rice-terraced hills, the scenery makes it all worthwhile.

We have 2 full days in Pangandaran and for half a day we walk through the superb coastal reserve where our experienced local guide seeks out porcupines, deer and monkeys for us to see. The walk is steep in parts but not difficult overall. In free time, some travellers take bikes into the countryside to experience rural Indonesian life, while others head off by car to the Green Canyon. Don't miss sunset on the west beach with hundreds of flying foxes heading out for an evening of gorging on the nearby fruit trees.

Please note that the extra activities are optional and are not part of the trip. If taking motorbikes, be aware of your skills, your travel insurance cover and local insurance - if any.

Days 5-7 Yogyakarta

Please note for departure between 1.6.2006 and 1.7.2006 our trip will not be visiting Yogyakarta. Please see the amendments section for the revised itinerary.

Leaving the sea behind for a while we head inland to Yogyakarta - one of our favourite towns in Asia. The trip takes about 9 hours in total. Yogyakarta or Yogya ('Jogja') is the cultural centre of Java and a great place to base ourselves for a few days. It's a colourful city with loads of atmosphere.

On our first morning (Day 6) you have the option to venture out on bicycle rickshaws (becak) to explore the Sultan's Palace, markets and the batik workshops of Yogya. There is also time to visit the impressive Hindu temple complex, Prambanan, which encompasses 224 ruined temples which are currently undergoing painstaking restoration. Yogya is also the place to see beautiful traditional Javanese dancing in the evening or to discover the art of puppet-making.

On the morning of day 7 perhaps head out of town for a day trip to the 8th-Century Borobudur - the largest Buddhist temple in the world (approximately 1 hour from Yogya), leaving the afternoon free for meandering through the markets in Malioboro Street.

On day 7 perhaps head out of town for a day trip to the 8th-Century Borobudur - one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world (approximately 1 hour from Yogya). There is also time to visit the equally impressive Hindu temple complex, Prambanan, which encompasses 224 ruined temples which are currently undergoing painstaking restoration. Yogya is also the place to see beautiful traditional Javanese dancing in the evening or to discover the art of puppet-making.

Day 8 Seloliman Nature Reserve

The peaceful Seloliman Nature Reserve is situated on the slopes of the sacred Penanggungan volcano - a welcome treat after another long stint of travelling (7-8 hours by train). We meet volunteers who are working at the PPLH Seloliman Environmental Education Centre and eat the delicious food cooked by their staff. The Centre's accommodation is atmospheric, with open-air bathrooms built in harmony with the surrounding forest. This is a beautiful spot to appreciate nature - sit outside at night under the stars, taking in the peacefulness of the surrounding mountain scenery - it's wonderful!

Day 9 Mt Bromo

PPLH staff take us on a morning walk around the Seloliman Nature Reserve, telling us about the local environment and the Javanese tradition of herbal medicine. The walk is not difficult (approximately 2.5 hours), but can be muddy and slippery so good shoes are necessary - trekking sandals are best because of the wet.

We journey on (approximately 3 hours) to the timeless homeland of the Tenggerese where we stay in simple lodgings for the night. Here we get a glimpse of what we will explore in the morning when the steeply cultivated hills give rise to one of the world's greatest sights - the Tengger Valley. There may be time for a walk around the village in the afternoon but by night-time there's not much to do here. It's early to bed to prepare ourselves for a very early start tomorrow.

Days 10-11 Lovina

An early rise is necessary (3.3oam!) to ensure enough time to cross the 'sea of sand' and climb the cone of Mt Bromo. The climb is not too difficult (45 minutes), but can be very cold so don't forget the extra layers of clothing. The sunrise over this eerie sea of volcanoes is an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast we continue our journey by bus, train and ferry to the tranquil north coast of Bali. This is a long and tiring day (8-10 hours by train and ferry), but the change of scene from Java to Bali is remarkable. Crossing the Java Strait by ferry takes about 1 hour.

Two nights and a full day of free time in Lovina provides plenty of opportunity to experience the exotic marine life. A dawn trip by outrigger boat to watch the dolphins come into the bay is wonderful and is followed by snorkelling on the reef. For experienced divers there is a further option of taking a dive (allow USD50). For those who have never dived before, there is a beginner's dive available to introduce you to the wonders of scuba (approximately USD65). There is also opportunity to visit the hot springs and Buddhist monastery or drive into the nearby hills. Take a walk at dusk along the beach or perhaps sip a cocktail as we settle down to watch the magnificent sunset. In the evening we may be lucky enough to partake in a Balinese banquet at the home of our local friend Ibu Wayan, who lives on the beach in a small village. There is also good nightlife in Lovina for those who like a bit of live music and a dance!

Day 12 Tirtagangga

We travel eastwards along the coast, skirting Mt Agung, to Tirtagangga (approximately 2 hours). We pass through an incredible landscape that is almost lunar in its appearance and a stark contrast to the lush green rice-terraced fields of Tirta Gangga. In this small rural village we have free time to relax and enjoy the view from our guesthouse balcony or swim in the Rajah's Water Palace, where the pools are fed by natural underground springs.

Days 13-15 Ubud

With a local guide we have an early morning walk through some of the most spectacular rice terraces in Bali (approximately 3 hours), visiting local temples, a silver-smithing centre and other local cottage industries. We walk along village roads and rice field tracks. Then it's off again for another scenic ride, approximately 2 hours drive to Ubud. Ubud is a wonderful place for experiencing the magic that has made Bali such a popular travel destination. You have free time for visiting the numerous art galleries, museums, the monkey forest and some last minute shopping. The main street is lively and colourful with handicrafts from all over Bali. We go on an afternoon walk or bike ride, depending on group preference, to some surrounding villages. Before dinner, we view a traditional kecak dance where performers are whipped up into a trance-like frenzy and conclude with a firewalking demonstration. This is a highlight for many of our travellers. Ubud has an abundance of fantastic restaurants serving traditional Balinese food and an array of other delicacies - perfect for a final dinner together.

You are free to depart any time on day 15 as no activities are planned.

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