Round trip 26 days adventurous and cultural Sumatra, Java en Bali

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Round trip 26 days adventurous and cultural Sumatra, Java en Bali

This round trip takes you to the nature of Sumatra, Java and Bali and brings you regularly in contact with the local population. A comfortable individual tour with plenty of room for special encounters.
Get impressed by the jungle of Sumatra, with the elephants, orangutans and an adventurous hike through the rainforest. Get acquainted with the Batak culture at Lake Toba.
Discover Indonesia, with the highlights of Java, including the big Botanic Garden in Bogor, the Green Canyon in Pangandaran, the famous Borobudur and a train trip to the Bromo volcano. Special is also the excursion (included) to the sea turtle centre in Sukamade, east Java.

Then you cross with the ferry to Bali and enjoy the wonderful beach of southern Bali.

The trip and the accommodations are perfectly suited for both young and old. Almost every hotel has a swimming pool.
On the way, plenty of attention and time for stops where you have time to take pictures, walk through the nature and meet with everyday life and the people on Java.

When you travel with a guide he is very attentive and tells you about the country and its customs.

This is an example of what a trip can look like, we’ll be happy to create a tailor-made trip for you

Target prices

€ 2.950 p.p. based on 2 persons in low season
€ 2.350 p.p. based on 2 persons in low season
Intercontinental flights excluded

Included:
•Intercontinental flights Amsterdam-Medan, Denpasar-Amsterdam
•Domestic flight Medan-Jakarta with Garuda Indonesia
•Accommodation based on bed and breakfast
•Private car with driver, including fuel, toll and parking fees and overnight stays and meals of the driver on Sumatra and Java- Lunch en diner, jeep en lokale gids tijdens Sukamade trip
•Ferry Java-Bali
•Transfers according to travel schedule on Bali

Not included:
•Lunches and dinner
•Tips and personal expenses
•Excursion package Sumatra incl. Dinner with vocal group (approx € 85 p.p.)
•Rafting in Sumatra (approx € 135 for 2 people)
•Excursion package Java (approx € 190 p.p.)
•Guide (price on request)
•Travel and cancellation insurances ( mandatory)
•Booking fees and Calamiteitenfonds contribution € 30 per booking
•SGR contribution € 5 per person
•CO2 compensation € 22 per person

Offerte

flight Amsterdam-Medan

Garuda Indonesia flies non-stop from Amsterdam to Jakarta with its new Boeing 777-300 ER. Experience the hospitality of Indonesian culture on board at Garuda Indonesia, the national airline of Indonesia. With more than 65 domestic destinations Garuda takes you to Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Ambon and many remote destinations. The direct connection will take you from Amsterdam to Jakarta in just 13.5 hours. Departure from Amsterdam around midday, arrival in Jakarta early in the morning. Your connecting flight departs about 2 hours later and takes about 2.5 hours.

Day 2 Arrival Medan, transfer to hotel

Selamat datang, welcome to Medan! Upon arrival in Medan you walk straight to the immigration booth to get your visa free stamp in your passport. It is valid for 30 days maximum, calculated from the first day you arrive in Indonesia regardless of the time of arrival or departure. In Medan your driver is waiting for you with a piece of board with your name on it. He will drive you to Hotel Deli River, a little family hotel just outside the big city Medan. The hotel is surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden and has a swimming-pool. Depending on the time of your arrival you can make a short city tour or acclimatise at your hotel.

Day 3 Medan to Tangkahan.

In the morning we make a short city tour through Medan. The town is one of the biggest cities of Indonesia. Busy, crowded, dusty and warm, but it’s quite an experience to drive through Medan. Many becaks “pedicabs” and mopeds with which the local people move around. We drive along colonial buildings and visit the palace of the Sultan of Deli. Then we continue with our private car and driver. We drive at a nice ‘strolling” pace through the countryside of Sumatra. We go past lots of rubber and palm oil plantations in the direction of the National Leuser Park. The last part of the road is pretty bad and through small villages we finally arrive in Tangkahan. We have to cross the river on a bamboo raft to get to our hotel, which is a very simple jungle lodge. We can wash the elephants in the river in the afternoon. The elephants are not available every day.

Day 4 Tangkahan

The sounds from the jungle will wake you up early in the morning. The program in Tangkahan is never a really fixed program; most of the days we can walk to the elephant camp in the morning or in the late afternoon. The rangers wash the elephants every morning and late afternoon (except on Fridays) in the river at the camp. These elephants patrol in the jungle to prevent illegal logging. They also clear up the jungle from fallen trees. On the days the elephants are in the camp we can help the rangers washing them, a nice way to interact naturally with these animals. What’s sure is that we can swim in the river or ‘tube’ ,floating down the river on a tractor tube. We walk back to our hotel through little villages. The jungle in Tangkahan is also perfectly suited for a half day or a whole day trekking through the jungle. An experienced ranger walks with you at an easy pace through the rainforest and draws your attention to all kinds of animals living in the jungle. You’ll also walk past a waterfall where it is swarming with butterflies.

Day 5 Tangkahan to Bukit Lawang. Visit orangutangs and 3hrs jungle trek

At the end of the morning you travel through plantations and forests to Bukit Lawang. Bukit Lawang is situated on the beautiful Bohorok rivier. It is really an impressive natural area with an impenetrable jungle above a noisy wild water river. In this nature reserve you can see the orangutans in their natural environment. To get there you have to make a tough climb through the jungle.

Day 6 Bukit Lawang Brastagi

Brastagi, a mountain village in the Karo highland, has been a popular ‘tourist resort’ since the twenties for its pleasant cool climate and its beautiful setting. In Brastagi you can go to the fruitmarket to buy delicious mangistan, rambutan, marquisa and other tropical fruit. You can also go to the Karo Batak Dokan Traditional Village where the people still live in traditional Karo houses. Overnight in Brastagi.

Day 7 Brastagi Lake Toba

A very nice trip through the Karo Highland along pineapple, clove and ginger plantations. Along the way stops at theRoyal House of the Batak Simalungun tribe in Pematang Purba and the Sipisopiso waterfall. In the afternoon arrival in Prapat on the border of Lake Toba from where you cross the lake with the ferry to the island Samosir, in the centre of Lake Toba. Overnight in Samosir.

Day 8 Lake Toba - Samosir island tour and dinner at Marysca restaurant

We visit several authentic Batak villages with their typical saddle back roof houses. The Batak people were among the first people that settled in Indonesia. They came by boat from Indo China. The houses are still built in the shape of a boat – saddle back roof. The population here is Christian and the Batak people are known for their beautiful voices and music. Today you can visit the characteristic Toba Batak villages Tomok, with the King’s Tomb, Ambarita with its execution tables and Simanindo for traditional Toba dances. Dinner in the cosy restaurant Marysca's with Rony’s vocalgroup.

From Samosir via Medan to Jakarta

This day you drive back to Medan via the plantation route. You travel along endless palm oil, rubber and cocoa plantations and the atmospheric plantation city of Pematang Siantar to the airport of Medan. Here you board your plane to Jakarta. At the exit of the airport, your Javanese driver or guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel.

Flight Medan-Jakarta (Garuda)

Vol avec Garuda Indonesia

Day 10 Jakarta city tour and Taman Mini Indonesia

Today you make a city tour through the former city of Batavia. You will visit the old harbor Sunda Kelapa where the beautiful proud Buginze ships are still loaded by hand. You will also walk through the old part of the city, the historical surroundings of Fatahillah Square and Café Batavia where we can find the fertility cannon and the Historical Museum. You will also visit the Monas with its gold leaf dome and the National Museum. After the city tour, your driver will set course for Taman Mini Indonesia. In this large open-air museum you get a complete picture of Indonesia. The museum shows you the different areas and cultures of Indonesia. Some buildings can be seen in full size, such as temples and traditional houses. There are also miniature views of, for example, the famous Borobudur. The park also has several gardens, such as the bird garden and the orchid garden. Overnight in Jakarta. Please note: on Mondays, museums and Taman Mini Indonesia are closed

Day 11 Jakarta - Bandung via Bogor

After an early breakfast we leave for Bogor, the cool green weekend escape for Jakarta. Bogor is known for its world-famous botanical garden and its beautiful palace Buitenzorg. We walk at our leisure through the garden with its many protected species of trees and plants. After that we head for Bandung, the Paris of Java. In this town many colonial houses are built in Art Deco style or Jugendstil. Overnight in Bandung

Day 12 Malabar and White crater,

A whole day of discovery in the Southern area of Bandung. In the morning we visit the Kawa Putih volcano, the white crater with the lake just next to it. A mysterious place. The Kawa Putih is less known and above all less crowded than the famous Tangkungban Prau. Later in the day we go to the tea plantations of Malabar. We visit the tea factory and the house of the family Bosscha, one of the main characters in the novel ‘The tea merchants’ written by Hella S. Haasse. Overnight in Bandung

Day 13 Bandung Pangandaran

A beautiful route today through the fertile, rural Preanger area with many dessas and rice fields. We visit the traditional Sundanese village of Kampung Naga along the way. Via Tasikmalaya we arrive in the fishing village of Pangandaran in the afternoon. Check-in at your hotel by the end of the afternoon.

Day 14 Pangandaran - Becak tour and boat ride to the Green Canyon

Pangandaran is located on a small peninsula on the south coast of Java. After breakfast you step into the becak (a bicycle taxi) and make a very nice trip through the dessas of Pangandaran. We see everyday life here, including how Javanese sugar is made and other cottage industry. Depending on the river, you can then go into the jungle or take a boat trip through the Green Canyon. If no large amounts of rain have fallen, you sail up the green river to the rock with waterfalls where you can swim. If the river flows too fast, take a walk through the Pangandaran National Park where you can encounter many wild animals. Overnight in Pangandaran

Day 15 Pangandaran Yogyakarta

If the wind isn’t blowing to hard you will make a 4-hour boat trip from Pangandaran to Cilacap. The first leg of the trip on the Citanduy river and then on an inland sea. In Cilacap your driver is waiting for you and will drive you in about 3 hours to Yogyakarta. The boat trip has to be booked and paid on the spot. When the weather is too bad for a boat trip you’ll drive in around 8 hours, with intermediate stops of course, to Yogyakarta. On the spot, you can discuss with your driver if you want to travel by boat or by car. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Day 16 Borobudur and Yogyakarta

From Yogyakarta it’s a one and a half hour drive to the Borobudur, the world-famous and biggest Buddhist temple complex in the world. The early morning is the best moment to visit this Unesco project because then it’s not too warm yet. Via a walk along the more than 1400 reliëfs you’ll reach the highest terrace of the temple where you’ll find the Buddas under the stupas. Don’t forget to make a wish when you are in front of the wish Budda . After our visit of the Borobudur we go back to Yogyakarta. We’ll visit among others the old palace of the sultan, the Kraton, the water palace and the bird market Pasar Burung. Yogyakarta is known for its beautiful batik industry and fine silverware. You can also go walking and/or shopping in the shopping mall on the Jalan Malioboro. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Day 17 Free program Yogyakarta

One more day to enjoy Yogyakarta There are lots of things to do in this nice and busy former homestead. Have a bicycle taxi ride (becak) or a ride with the Andong, a horse-drawn carriage. Haggle over the price before getting in. Be sure to determine whether the price is for a one-way or return trip. You can also assist to one of the dance performances of the Ramayana ballet in Yogya in the evening. Also very special: make a cycling excursion in de surroundings of Yogyakarta. You cycle along rice fields, villages, temples and see the local people busy with their daily occupations like weaving and making sandals. Overnight in Yogyakarta. NB: all these are optional excursions

Yogyakarta Bromo Train

After an early breakfast you leave at 07:15 with the Sancaka train to Mojokerto, near Surabaya. You arrive at 11:00. Your driver has already arrived and is waiting for you at the railway station. From Mojokerto it is another 3 hour drive to the hotel at the Bromo. Overnight in hotel close to the Bromo vulcano.

Day 19 Sunrise at the Bromo vulcano and tour to Kalibaru village

Around three o'clock you will be awakened to make a trip to the Bromo. With a jeep you will be taken to the viewing area on the edge of the Tengger kaldera. Although you are certainly not alone, in the high season there can be more than 500 visitors, there is a serene tranquility at the viewpoint. Everyone comes for the beautiful and mystical sunrise. From the platform you have a view of the sand sea and its four craters and in the background you can regularly see the Semeru volcano blowing a thrust into the air. Bring your sweater and windbreaker, it is very cold in the early morning! After the sunrise, return by jeep to the sandy sea. Here you can walk or on a horse (about 100,000 rupia) to the foot of the Bromo. Via about 300 steps you climb the Bromo crater to look from the crater rim into the crater of the volcano. After the Bromo, return to the hotel for breakfast. Then continue the journey to our next destination, the rural village of Kalibaru. A drive of about six hours. Overnight in Kalibaru.

Day 20 Sukamade plantation tour and the sea turtles in the Meru Betiri Park organized by Kalibaru cottages

After breakfast, depart by jeep to the Meru Betiri National Park. Along the way you will witness life on the rubber, cocoa and palm plantations and see how in the last century the irrigation works still prove their service. Lunch is taken in a fishing village on Rajekwesi Bay. In the afternoon you arrive in Sukamade, where you will stay in the very simple pondok Wisata Baru or the Sukamade Mess (no hot water, sometimes no shower but a mandibak, sometimes yes and sometimes no electricity. Take toilet paper from your hotel). You visit the turtle nursery here and you can usually release young turtles on the beach. Around six o'clock you will have a simple dinner in the Pondok. Then you travel by jeep for half an hour towards the beach. The last kilometer has to be covered by foot through the forest. The local guide goes looking for nests on the beach. Once he has found a nest he will pick you up. The turtles that come to lay eggs here range from 150 - 350 kilos and lay about 100 - 150 eggs in about two hours, which hatch after 8 weeks. To prevent poachers and increase the chances of survival of the young turtles, the eggs are dug up and transferred to a shed near the Pondok. After hatching, the young turtles keep strengthening for a few days before they are released into the sea. Very simple overnight stay in Sukamade!

Day 21 Sukamade to south Bali

After breakfast you visit the old little factory where latex is produced. Then we drive back to the fishing village, where around that time the fishermen come back from sea with their catch. The jeep will drive you out of the Meru Betiri Park and then you get in your own car or minibus again. Today we drive to Ketapang, a small port place on the coast, from where we cross over to Bali, the island of the thousand gods. With the ferry we cross in about half an hour to Gilimanuk, situated on the coast of northwest Bali. The car from Java brings you in about three hours to your hotel on the south coast of Bali. You say goodbye to your Javanese driver and, if you had one, to your guide, once you’ve arrived at your hotel on Bali. Further transport on Bali will be carried out by a Balinese driver.

Day 22 Free day on the south coast

Around the hotel and on the white beach you will certainly enjoy yourself. Outside the hotel you find lots of nice small shopping streets where you can buy souvenirs for next to nothing. On the beach at Kuta you can take surf lessons or just relax and enjoy the sun and the sea.

Day 23 and 24 Free day on the south coast

Another day to relax or make an excursion to, for example, the Uluwatu temple, the Kecak dance and enjoy a delicious dinner with fresh fish on the beach of Jimbaran.

Day 25 Pulang kampung, going back home

Well in advance, about 3 hours before the departure of your flight, your driver picks you up for your transfer to the airport.

Day 26: arrival Schiphol flight Denpasar-Amsterdam via Jakarta

Flight with Garuda Indonesia with transfer in Jakarta. Departure Denpasar early evening, arrival Amsterdam in the early morning.

Arrival Amsterdam

In the morning arrival at Schiphol. The end of a beautiful trip...

Offerte

Deli River

Small and clean hotel, just outside de bustle of Medan. Spacious and beautifully situated on the river Deli. From the swimming pool view on the river. Friendly and helpful staff. Number of rooms: 8 Facilities: swimming pool, good restaurant Deli River is managed by Tri Jaya Tour & Travel, our agent on Sumatra. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Mega Inn, Tangkahan

Simple but very cosy accommodation on the edge of Leuser National Park. The simple cottages are directly situated on the river. There’s no hot water, but there is delicious food and there is Mega, your very caring host . meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Bukit Lawang Cottages

Simple but clean hotel, with cottages on the ground floor. A hanging bridge over the river Bohorok is the entrance to the hotel. In the open restaurant there’s plenty of choice. The spacious rooms are equipped with a fan, no air-conditioning and there is an outdoor shower. In the vicinity you can go on a hike to the orang-utans. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Mikie Holiday Sinabung - Brastagi

The typical Mikie Holiday is located on the flanks of the Sinabung. With 149 rooms it is a medium-sized hotel with a modern look. The hotel has a nice swimming pool. All rooms have their own shower and toilet, TV and WiFi. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Tabo cottages - Samosir

The cozy and small-scale Tabo cottages is located directly on the Toba lake. The hotel has around 40 rooms, ranging from Superior (Basic, private bathroom with hot water), Deluxe (spacious with private veranda and fan), Batak cottages (separate cottages with the same Deluxe amenities) and Junior suites, overlooking the lake and an extra sofa bed and coffee-tea facilities. The hotel has its own bakery, restaurant and swimming pool with views over the lake. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Santika Premiere Jakarta - Jakarta

Hotel Santika Premiere is located in the district of Slipi, West Jakarta. The friendly staff will do everything to make your stay in this hotel as pleasant as possible. All rooms have AC, TV, telephone, bathroom with shower, bath and hairdryer, desk, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar and safe, Number of rooms: 273 Facilities: Swimming pool, fitness room, spa, tennis court, shopping arcade, 24 hour room service and doctor service, multiple restaurants, bar and laundry service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Savoy Homann - Bandung

Selamat datang di tempo doeloe! The beautiful Art Deco-style Savoy Homann is located in one of the colonial neighbourhoods in the centre of Bandung on the old Post Road Jalan Asia Africa. The rooms have now been modernized but the public areas have luckily kept the Art Deco style. In the beautiful domed restaurant surrounded by galleries you can still see the small inside balconies and the glass elevator. All spacious rooms have air conditioning, TV, telephone, minibar, coffee and tea making facilities, marble bathroom and safe. Some rooms have a balcony. Very extensive breakfast buffet. Number of rooms: 185 Facilities: Swimming pool, Garden Restaurant (Asian and Western cuisine), Batavia bar and lounge (cocktails, regular live music), Sidewalk Café (cocktails, snacks), karaoke, game room (video games), fitness room, Spa, hairdresser, shop, laundry- and room service, meeting rooms and wifi. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Arnawa hotel - Pangandaran

The Arnawa hotel (formerly Puri Indah) in the fishing village of Pagandaran is a small hotel within 100m walking distance from the beach of Pangandaran and 500m from the nature reserve Cagar Alam and marine park Taman Laut. The rooms have a view of the garden or swimming pool. A becaktour through the village and the dessa with stops on the local market, fish market and house industry is really very worthwhile. You can also make a trip to the Green Canyon. All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, desk, kettle, minibar, bathroom with shower and terrace with seating. Number of rooms: 70 Facilities: Swimming pool, children's pool, restaurant (local, Chinese and Western cuisine) and bar, badminton court, table tennis, laundry service, room service, wifi in public areas and meeting room. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Nyiur Indah - Pangandaran

The Nyiur Indah is a small and very cosy hotel, less than 100m from the beach of Pangandaran and close to the National Park. Along the beach many market stalls and restaurants. Pangandaran is primarily a seaside resort for local tourists. On weekends it is full of guests from Bandung and Jakarta. During the week it is wonderfully quiet. The rooms on the ground floor have a small terrace with seating and the rooms on the first floor have a balcony. All rooms have AC, bathroom with hot water and a balcony or terrace. Number of rooms: 24 The conviviality spreads along the small but lovely swimming pool via the restaurant to the lounge. The staff is extremely hospitable and helpful. Breakfast is fine and the hotel offers free snacks and coffee / tea in the afternoon. Facilities: Restaurant (Indonesian and Chinese cuisine, fish), swimming pool, room service, laundry service, wifi and extremely good service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Phoenix Mercure - Yogyakarta

The Phoenix is the perfect hotel to catch your breath after a tiring journey. It is in a perfect location in the heart of Yogyakarta within walking distance of the popular Jalan Malioboro. The atmospheric historic Phoenix Hotel, a colonial mansion from 1918, has now been completely renovated and extended while maintaining the original traditional style. A luxurious, refined and nostalgic decor. The pool is surrounded by beautiful galleries and balconies. The good English speaking staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful and the breakfast very worthwhile. At the restaurant is a Jamu (herbal) woman with free advice / drink for your small inconveniences such as headaches and abdominal pain. At certain hours a Gamelan orchestra plays for an Indonesian atmosphere. All comfortable rooms are equipped with air conditioning, telephone, TV, desk, bathroom, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe, wifi and balcony with seating. Number of rooms: 144 Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, terrace bar, wine bar, spa, fitness room, baby sitting service (on request), laundry service, room service, gift shop, business centre. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Dusun Yogya village Inn

Het kleinschalige (24 kamers) Dusun Yogya village Inn boutique hotel ligt op zo'n 15 minuten lopen van de gezellige Jalan Praworitaman. Het hotel is weids opgezet met de Deluxe kamers in een 2 verdiepingen tellend gebouw. Alle kamers beschikken over eigen badkamer/toilet, ruim zitje of balkon, airco, tv, föhn, telefoon, kluisje, gratis WiFi en waterkoker. De suite is nog wat ruimer opgezet en heeft als extra een espressomachine. Er is een ruim zwembad met een kinderbad. Het open restaurant serveert Aziatische en westerse gerechten. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Duta Garden - Yogyakarta

Comfortable family hotel with very good service at a short distance from the centre. All spacious rooms have air conditioning, private bathroom and terrace with garden view. Facilities: Swimming pool, meeting room, laundry service, communication centre and 24 hour reception. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Lava View Cottages - Bromo

Lava View is a very simple hotel, but ideally located directly on the edge of the Caldera, about half an hour's drive from the viewpoint of the sunrise over the Bromo. With good weather you have a magnificent view of the Bromo and other volcanoes from the hotel. The sunset over the volcanic landscape is also very impressive. The hotel has various room types divided into superior, deluxe, family rooms and bungalows. The superior rooms are not recommended and only have twin beds. Number of rooms: 28 The simple rooms are equipped with bathroom, TV, coffee / tea making facilities and have a terrace. Facilities: Restaurant serving Asian and European dishes, breakfast buffet, Café, Wifi. There is often live music in the evening. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Kalibaru Cottages - Kalibaru

Kalibaru Cottages is surrounded by plantations at some distance from the centre of Kalibaru. The simple cottages are built around the beautiful pool and the reception / lobby lounge is a pleasant place to sit down and have something to drink. All rooms have their own shower / toilet (open air), minibar, telephone and TV. In front of your room you have your own veranda with pool or garden view. To reach the restaurant you have to climb steep stairs. Number of rooms: 60 Facilities: Nice pool, children playground, small shop, restaurant and lobby bar. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Wisma Sukamade baru

This simple guesthouse is a three-quarter drive from the beach and turtle center, in the plantation village in the Meru Betiri nature reserve. There are 12 very simple rooms with three beds, bathroom with running cold water (some rooms have a shower, some a mandibak) and a simple western toilet. In the dining room, delicious dishes are served. There is no power between 23:00 and 05:00. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Puri Saron - Seminyak

Very cosy hotel, directly on the beach of Seminyak. Nice swimming-pool, friendly staff and breakfast is fair. The hotel to recommend in Seminyak in terms of price and what they offer. Within walking distance of the shopping streets and busier Legian. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Offerte

Medan

Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra and has more than 2.5 million inhabitants. In the Dutch East Indies period there were many plantations outside the city, especially rubber did well. The 1965 book "Rubber" by M.H. Szekely-Lulofs gives a good picture of what the world looked like at the time and how the Netherlands was firmly in control around the Deli river. Later it was mainly the Chinese who attracted trade and power. Now Medan is a modern city, where many old buildings still remind of the colonial period.

For the western tourist, Medan doesn't have much to offer: the Sultan's palace is nice to visit, as is the Chinese temple. Take a look at the great mosque Masjid Raya Al-Mashun, you will be welcomed (outside the services) and shown around.

Our favorite Deli River hotel is located just outside the city, on the Deli River. The accompanying restaurant Omlandia serves delicious Indonesian, Indian and Western dishes. The pecel (kind of gado-gado with delicious sauce) is a must!
In the center there is also a wide choice of hotels, but they still lack the atmosphere. Perhaps the former hotel de Boer, now Grand Inna, will come close.

Tangakahan

From Medan to Tangkahan it is about a 2 hour drive and 2 hours bump through endless and desolate palm oil plantations. When you arrive at the river you can see that the rainforest hood has also stopped here. The forest of the Leuser National Park starts at Tangkahan. You cross the river via a suspension bridge or with the bamboo ferry. And then you are really in the jungle.

The elephant shelter is located near the hotels, upstream on the Kualsa Buluh River. The elephants are mainly used to patrol the jungle. In the morning and late afternoon they are washed in the river and tourists are welcome to help. From the center you can tube downstream to the hotels with large tires.

Must do's in Tangkahan:
At least a jungle trek. Under the guidance of a local ranger you take a brisk walk through the jungle and see, hear, smell and experience the jungle.
A walk by or along the river to the waterfall is also recommended. At the waterfall you see a lot of butterflies and you can of course also take a refreshing bath.

Tangkahan has some very basic accommodations, of which Mega Inn is our favorite. Do not expect hot running water, air conditioning or any luxury. Do expect to wake up to jungle sounds, helpful staff and reasonable and inexpensive food.

Bukit Lawang

Bohorok

Bukit Lawang is the place that is often called Bohorok, the river of the same name. Bukit Lawang is located in the Gunung Leuser National park and is mainly visited to spot the orangutans. The former orangutan rehabilitation center is located directly on the river. Until a few years ago, the great apes were trained here to be able to live from nature after a life as a pet. That is now a thing of the past. No orangutans have been kept in captivity for years and the work of the rehabilitation center is about to end.

Until recently, the monkeys were fed on the "piets time", a name that you have to understand. For many Indonesians, the "F" is a difficult to pronounce consonant that is corrupted into a "P". Feeding time is already more understandable then, but for us Europeans still strange. A time to go. But it is still customary for the premises to go to the feeding time, because then you can be sure that you can see the monkeys up close.

However, the pied time is also a thing of the past. If you want to spot orangutans, make a jungle trek of 3 or 4 hours, together with a local ranger, who will bring some fruit or vegetables in his backpack to lure the famous orangutans.

Bukit Lawang is approximately 3 hours drive from Medan and 2 hours (via bumpy roads) from Tangkahan. It has some nice accommodations, of which the Eco Lodge and Sam's bungalows are our favorites. For those traveling with growing youth, the Bukit Lawang children's home, with 2 bedrooms, is a nice alternative.
Keep in mind that on weekends Bukit Lawang is overrun by local tourists and the Saturday nights are noisy!
You don't have to travel to Bukit Lawang for special food.

Video Gunung Leuser park

Brastagi

The mountain village of Brastagi is often visited as a stopover on the long route between the jungle and Lake Toba. The village is wonderfully cool at 1,300 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the volcanoes Sibayak and Sinabung, the soil is very fertile and various vegetables, fruit and flowers are grown here.

Volcano enthusiasts can climb the Sibayak volcano early in the morning and take a warm bath at the hot springs of Lau si Debuk-Debuk on the way down.

Samosir

Lake Toba is the largest lake in Indonesia with a length of about 100 km and a width of 30 km. It originated from a volcanic eruption, roughly 75,000 years ago. The Toba Batakkers live around the lake, a people of predominantly Christian faith, mixed with a kind of animistic ancestor worship.

Samosir is the famous peninsula in the lake. An island tour of Samosir lets you see and experience the culture of the Batakkers. A boat trip on Lake Toba, along the island, is also a lot of fun and shows almost the same sights.

It is special to take a day trip to Tatea Bulan. High in the mountains there is a pilgrimage site of the Batak kings and the ancestors are honored. A very devout visit, with beautiful panoramas. Along the way you will also visit the sacred sources of AEK Sipitu Dai. During our visit, the washing place was quickly emptied in order to show something of the sacred.

What you should not miss is a dinner with a vocal group. The Batakkers are known for their polyphonic singing, accompanied by guitar and simple local musical instruments.
The culinary specialties of the Batakkers are not always in the taste of western visitors: dog is not exactly what we are waiting for and the Ikan Mas (kind of goldfish) takes you more time to get rid of bones than it is tasty. Fortunately, Saksang remains, a Batak dish that should not be missing during a wedding. There are two variants, of which we ignore the dog and go for the Saksang Babi of pork.
Of course you are going to eat at my kake-pinjum, my borrowed brother Rony. Together with Rosinthan he runs the Marysca Restaurant. All our Sumatra travelers get a free dinner here with a warm Batak welcome. Rony, his friends and family like to take you musically through the Batak culture with the vocal goup.

Our favorite hotels are Tabo cottages (Junior suite or Villa) and Samosir Villa resort (VIP room. At weekends the resort is overcrowded by local tourists).

Jakarta

Jakarta, The Big Durian, you either love it or you walk away from it. It is the hometown of my mother, then called Batavia. In 1993 I was still in her birth house, a privilege that few Indos can still experience, as Jakarta has grown into a metropolis with about 17 million inhabitants. A lot of low-rise buildings have had to make way for skyscrapers that define the skyline of Jakarta.

Only the old city, Kota Lama, still shows many traces from the Dutch period. Be sure to visit Fatahillah Square with the National Museum and drink a cup of coffee in the nostalgic Café Batavia. Glodok, Jakarta's China town is within walking distance of Kota Lama. The old VOC warehouses and the fish market Pasar Ikan are also worth a visit.

I find it difficult to name a favorite restaurant. What I write today will be obsolete tomorrow. I would say check the internet and selamat makan, enjoy your meal!

Bandung

Bandung was often called "Paris of Java". It was not until 2020 that I found out where that name came from: the many fashion shops, Mediterranean restaurants and other luxury boutiques gave Bandung a Parisian look at the beginning of the 20th century. Bandung no longer has that look, except perhaps in the famous Bragaweg, one of the best-preserved shopping streets in the world in Art Deco style.
It is a busy and modern student city, where many old buildings and houses from the colonial period have been preserved. There are architectural highlights such as the Gedung Sate, Villa Isola, the old Concordia, but also the hotels Savoy Homann and Grand Hotel Preanger take you back to the times when the planters came to enjoy their Sunday drink.

North of Bandung are the volcano Tangkuban Perahu, the mountain village of Lembang and the Dago Tea House are worth seeing. In the south you will find the Malabar tea plantation. Kawah Putih, the white crater, is also located in the south and together with Malabar is good for a full day trip. The golden crater Papandayan is more to the east and is special because of the many geysers and the golden rim at the top. The Papandayan is again good to combine in a day trip with the hot springs of Garut.
If you are on time, make sure to visit Saung Angklung Udjo in the afternoon: a dazzling performance of angklung music with dance and wayang golek performance by children from the neighborhood, accompanied and accompanied by descendants of the late Pak Udjo. He once founded a music school for the street children here, which has now grown into a beautiful stage for the children in the neighborhood. At some point you play along, despite your musical illiteracy.

Favourite restaurant

Just like in other big cities, good food is not hard to find. My favorite is Dapoer Pandan Wangi. Order the fried perch Gurame Goreng, not available in the Netherlands, with Terong Raos as a vegetable: aubergines baked in dough. You will never regret it!

Cimahi

South of Bandung is the town of Cimahi. During the Japanese occupation, the current barracks served as Jappenkamp, where my grandfather and father had been interned for several years. In Cimahi is also the honorary cemetery Leuwigajah.

Pangandaran

Pangandaran has developed from a small fishing village into a popular seaside resort. Although the main income still consists of fishing, tourism now also employs a large part of the population.

The Green Canyon is highly recommended from Pangandaran. with a motorized boat you sail up the river to the rapids. The other attraction is the National Park Penanjung. You can make a 'jungle tour' where, in addition to monkeys, deer and other game, the smaller version of the Rafflesia Padma can also be seen.

A beautiful beach is the Pasir Putih, the white beach, which is mainly frequented by local tourists on weekends. If you are sunbathing here in a bikini or bathing suit, don't be surprised if you have a lot of attention. The Indonesian population is quite squeamish and often goes into the water fully clothed.

In Pangandaran we are happy to support the projects of the Meraih Bintang Foundation . You are cordially invited to take a look here.

Favourite restaurant

When you visit the Meraih Bintang foundation you will be invited for dinner at a local Javanese fish restaurant.

If you are looking for a nice restaurant at another time, Restaurant Relax our recommendation. It is located directly opposite the Nyiur Indah II hotel and serves both European and Indonesian dishes. They also have delicious bread!

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is the cultural center of Java, the soul of the island. It is also one of the nicest and most interesting cities in Indonesia. Partly because of the walled royal palace, Kraton, which is already a town in itself. You will find countless historical works of art and paintings. The gamelan is rehearsed daily in the morning hours, some days with dance and / or singing. The current sultan still lives on the palace complex.
The Water Palace, which can only be visited in the morning, is within walking distance.

For shopping you can visit the Marlioboro street with numerous stalls during the day and tasty food stalls in the evenings. Also visit the bird market Pasar Burung, one of the many batik galleries or go to the silver town of Kota Gede. In the evening you can attend a performance of the Ramayana ballet in the center.

Yogya surroundings

An hour from Yogyakarta is Borobudur, the world-famous Buddhist temple from the 8th and 9th centuries.
Closer is the Hindu temple Prambanan, where the Ramayana ballet is regularly performed.

Towards the coast is the town of Imogiri. Here is the final resting place of the rulers of Mataram, the Susuhunans of Surakarta, the sultans of Yogyakarta and other high Javanese nobles. The name comes from Sanskrit and means "Snow Mountain". You can decide to visit the sultans graves on the spot.

Especially on Sunday go to the beach of Parangtritis. You will be amazed how the locals enjoy the beach and get through the day taking selfies (preferably with you)!

Favourite restaurant

Yogyakarta has a lot of delicious restaurants, from murah (cheap) to mahal sekali (very expensive). The latter category includes Gadjah Wong , but the choice is huge and I believe I've never eaten such a tasty sambal goreng tempe Nice ambiance too!

If you are staying in the Prawirotaman district you should definitely visit Via Via a > for lunch pr dinner. Very nice atmosphere, not expensive and very tasty and you can find a lot of information about Yogya. They also give cooking classes.

The most authentic is to eat Nasi Gudeg at one of the lesehan (food stalls) at the Jalan Malioboro, a jackfruit stewed in coconut milk.

Borobudur

The Borobudur is a famous temple complex built in the 9th century. It’s situated on a small hill near Yogyakarta and surrounded by other temples and volcanoes. The complex is 47 meters high and consists of nine stacked platforms. The platforms represent the Buddhist cosmos. On the top floors there are 72 small stupas, which are built around one large central stupa, which symbolizes Nirvana.

The Borobudur is best visited during sunrise. The Sarasvati Borobudur hotel is a 1.1 kilometer walk. There are several hotels and resorts within 10 minutes, of which both small scale Rumah Dharma I and II are our favorites. For the traveler with a well-filled wallet, the Plataran Borobudur resort & spa is the ultimate choice (not to be confused with the big brother Plataran Heritage hotel, which is mainly geared towards wealthy local tourists).

Bromo - Tosari

Bromo

The most famous volcano in Java, the Bromo, is located in the Tengger massif. Together with the craters of the Batok and Widodaren, the Brom crater is located in a sand sea of 80 square kilometers, which is surrounded by the caldera rim.
Before sunrise, numerous jeeps with tourists drive to the Pananjakan viewpoint to watch the sun rise over the Bromo from there, watch the clouds sink into the sand sea and regularly see the Semeru volcano blowing off steam.

During the high season it is very busy, but about 500 enthusiasts can shoot photos and videos in peace and quiet.

After sunrise, the jeeps drive into the sand sea, to the foot of the Bromo crater and you walk another fifteen minutes through the sand sea (you can also rent a horse) to climb the 300 high steps to the crater rim. Your reward awaits ..

Your reward...

Kalibaru

Kalibaru is most of the time your last stop on Java before you take the ferry to Bali. It’s a little village in the mountains close to the Raung Volcano near the Kawa Ijen plateau. The village is surrounded by plantations and it’s very pleasant to stay there.
You can make a trip with a Dokar (a small horse drawn carriage) or visit one of the plantations.

Sukamade

Sukamade is a fisher and plantation village at the south coast of East Java. It’s in the middle of the Meru Betiri natural park and only accessible by jeep.
The biggest attraction of Sukamade is the turtle centre. Almost every day giant turtles come ashore in the evening to lay their eggs on the beach. Accompanied by local rangers you can see this happen. During the day you can see the baby turtles in the nursery and release the turtles that are strong enough on the beach.

There are two reasonable accommodations at Sukamade, of which we use Wisma Sukamade Baru the most. It is about a three-quarter drive from the turtle center and is cleaner and better cared for than the Sukamade Mess. This is located in the grounds of the turtle center and is just a 10 minute walk from the beach. Both accommodations have cold running water and a simple western toilet.

Seminyak

Seminyak - Bali

From the seaside resorts Tuban, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak is Seminyak the most northern one.
Beach and hotels are much more spacious overhere and it’s much less crowded. There are many nice hotels and many private bungalows.

Favourite restaurant

In addition to the many trendy restaurants, there are also some good traditional Balinese. Made's Warung is one of the best known. On Thursday there is live acoustic music and on the other days from half past seven traditional Balinese dance.

Denpasar

Denpasar is the busy capital of Bali.
Besides some museums and the market there aren’t many tourist attractions in the capital, though you can do some great shopping for cheap prices.