Java Itinerary and 2-week Java Travel Guide

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My Java Itinerary & 2-week Travel Guide wraps up my entire Java travel guide series. I hope to give you a single, complete itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Throughout this Java itinerary guide, I have linked to personal comprehensive blog posts which focus on each place you will visit on the route. This is to avoid ending up with a very, very long blog post that is hard to navigate. Instead, I’ve provided thorough information in separate posts – so you can click through if you personally want more info!

To find the cheapest flight options from your city, you can use this search form below:

The Java itinerary focuses on spending one week in Central Java and one week in East Java. It mixes both must-see attractions and off-the-beaten-track, upcoming areas I’d never heard of until I started researching my trip. This Java solo backpacking route took me 16 days and is my favourite overall journey in six months of travelling Asia!

INTRODUCTION TO JAVA

Java has an immense history which led to its multicultural influences today. From Hinduism and Buddhism co-existing in the early centuries to the growth of Islam and then eventual Dutch colonisation, from whom Java claimed independence after WW2. Many ancient sights in Java are scarred yet still standing after being bruised by wars and earthquakes, yet remain unparalleled by attractions elsewhere in Indonesia.

JAVA TODAY

Java is an economic hub and the most developed of Indonesia’s islands, making it easier to travel across than nearby Bali for non-scooter drivers. Surprisingly, I rarely saw another Westerner throughout my trip except at understandably crowded key sites.

JAVA IS PERFECT FOR BACKPACKERS

Solo travellers can rejoice in its public transport while adventurous backpackers will enjoy the scale of nature here. Spoiler alert: Java is EPIC.

Like Vietnam, Java is thin and long, making it easy to travel from East to West (or vice versa). I felt incredibly safe here as a solo traveller. Plus, I found incredibly clean, cheap hostels with the most helpful hostel hosts I’ve met. I would definitely recommend this as an Indonesian backpacker route.

There’s plenty to do for families, too, with highlights Bromo and Borobudur being easily accessible. In East Java, Tumpak Sewu is best skipped for an easier waterfall trek – but don’t worry, there’s plenty to choose from!

WHAT TO WEAR IN JAVA

Whilst Indonesia is a beautifully multicultural set of islands, Java is predominantly Muslim. The folk here are super friendly and not overly conservative, so you wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable wearing regular travel clothes. Note that the famous temples (such as Borobudur and Prambanan) are NOT Muslim, and thus there are usually no clothing rules, but dress respectfully. Oh, and it gets very hot! So loose, long clothing is best. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes for hiking too!

WHEN TO VISIT JAVA, INDONESIA

The dry season in Java is April to October, and temperatures can get very sticky after around 10am in the cities particularly. I highly recommend organising rest/travel days in Java on weekends, as it is highly populated, so attractions can get densely crowded with local tourists on weekends. Check for Indonesian holiday dates, too – most tourists in Java are local, so visiting big attractions on weekdays while the locals are at work is the best plan.

CURRENCY AND LANGUAGE

Indonesia Rupiah – prepare to be a millionaire.
You will usually find locals who speak English in tourist hubs and accommodations. There are over 300 native languages in Indonesia, but you are most likely to hear Javanese here.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

169 countries can get a FREE 30-DAY Visa when getting into the airport – right? This can NOT be extended in the country.

An extendable visa (up to 60 days) costs 35 USD – you must get this at the airport BEFORE going through immigration when first arriving in Indonesia. It’s sign-posted and not too much hassle, aside from the queues. This is possible for visitors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, much of the EU and UK, plus the USA.

You can usually arrange this visa in advance for a higher fee from an agency in your own country (such as STA Travel), but many people opt to use a visa agency in Indonesia to help them with the hassle of then confirming the extended visa.

Make sure your passport has at least six months left on it on any visa.

JAVA ITINERARY & 2-WEEK JAVA TRAVEL GUIDE

Below is my suggested holiday itinerary for 2 weeks in Java, combining its cultural heart, an unexpected paradise island, rainbow villages, epic volcanoes, and the most insane waterfall trek I’ve ever done!

CENTRAL JAVA ITINERARY

ARRIVE IN YOGYAKARTA

You can fly into Yogyakarta from various transport hubs in Indonesia (including Jakarta and Bali), and there are cheap direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto International Airport is around a 35-minute taxi ride from the city. You can also take a local train or bus from elsewhere in Java. You can book tickets in advance easily from 12Go Asia (or ask your accommodation to help if unsure).

TIP: Download the ‘Go-Jek‘ app for car and scooter taxis – it’s like Uber but much cheaper!

YOGYAKARTA 3 DAYS)

Also commonly known and pronounced as ‘Jogjakarta’, this city is often considered the cultural heart of Java. It is a great place to begin your itinerary in Java and get your bearings. There are many traditional activities to discover here, and the palace is still home to the royal family – yep, there’s still a monarchy in Indonesia. Is anyone else utterly oblivious to this?

EXPLORE THE KRATON

The main area to explore in Yogyakarta city is called the ‘Kraton’, a group of palaces built for the sultans of Yogya. You could spend an entire day exploring here.

Entry cost to the grand palace: 12K IDR (around 1.2 AUD, 65p or 0.85 USD).

Although it won’t blow you away like other palaces in Asia, an excellent reason to visit is that the cost includes traditional daily performances such as gamelan or puppetry.

‘Tamansari‘ was my favourite part of the Kraton to explore. Whilst this 18th-century ‘water palace’ looks worse for wear, the ticket also included entry to ‘Sumur Gumuling’, an underground mosque. It was fun walking around this area and exploring the tunnels. The unique location reminded me of Escher’s artworks – anyone else?

Cost: 12K IDR (1.2 AUD, 0.65 GBP, 0.84 USD)

There are also many museums in Yogyakarta. I would recommend Museum Sonobudoyo. It has English translations and many artefacts on display.

Cost: 10k IDR, 1 AUD, £0.54, 0.71 USD

TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES AND LOCAL WORKSHOPS

Batik courses can be found around the Kraton area, a great way to meet locals and get stuck in with an immersive activity. Or head to Kota Gede, a district famous for silver, and see the silver artisans hard at work.

To see a traditional performance, there are many options around Yogyakarta to choose from. Museum Sonobudoyo is one option close to the city centre, which shows puppet shows (wayang kulit) at 8pm every day. It lasts 2 hours, and tickets can be purchased at the museum. Want to do something special? Watch a traditional Javanese ballet in the unforgettable setting of Prambanan, a vast Hindu temple just outside the temple. Read more information here: Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Tickets

FULL YOGYAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE: This includes alternative activities and day trips, potential scams, my favourite places to eat and how to get around the city: https://cassiethehag.com/yogyakarta-guide/

BOROBUDUR & PRAMBANAN

The key reason to visit Yogyakarta is undoubtedly to see Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It’s easy to combine this with Prambanan, a huge Hindu temple, in one day.

BOROBUDUR SUNRISE

The most common way to visit Borobudur from Yogyakarta is to do the sunrise tour. I highly recommend waiting to book this in Yogyakarta through your accommodation or local vendor as it will be much cheaper. Klook also offers an affordable combo tour online or through their app.

After being picked up from your accommodation, you will begin the day at Manohara around 04:40 to pick up the ticket, which is just a few minutes’ walk to the temple.

The sunrise ticket is ONLY available from Manohara. If you are on a tour, they will organise the ticket for you. https://manoharaborobudur.com/en-gb/

If you are going at the regular entrance time of 6am or after, you can just buy a standard ticket when you arrive.

COST OF BOROBUDUR SUNRISE TICKET: 475K IDR
It is alternatively 350K IDR for Indonesian visitors.
COST OF REGULAR TICKET (after 6am): 325K IDR
COST OF A BOROBUDUR AND PRAMBANAN COMBINED TICKET: 520K IDR
PRAMBANAN ONLY TICKET: 325K

PRAMBANAN

Prambanan is a huge Hindu temple built around the 9th century, and unfortunately, several earthquakes damaged the structures.

Despite the piles of cordoned-off rubble, the main structures are still intact and impressive. I didn’t realise you could climb up the stairs and see into each structure. Each temple hides a different statue, usually a deity, so exploring these hidden treasures is fun.

BOROBUDUR FULL GUIDE: For four alternative ways to get to Borobudur and Prambanan depending on your budget, my personal experience and more detailed background information on these amazing sights, see here: https://cassiethehag.com/borobudur-sunrise-guide/

Where to stay in Yogyakarta?

Hostels: I stayed at Yogyakarta BnB Malioboro, walking distance from the palace, Museum Sonobudoyo, and plenty of cafes. I could also book tours and onward travel directly from my hostel – they were really helpful. From $5pn including breakfast for a dorm or from $7 for private rooms.

Budget: There are tons of cheap guest houses, but Hotel Graha Kinasih Kotabaru is among the best-reviewed, with air-conditioned rooms with terraces, laundry services, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. From $32pn.

Hotel: For air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor swimming pool to cool off, Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle. Facilities include a garden, restaurant, fitness centre, breakfast, and more. Lovely, air-conditioned rooms have a private balcony. From $105pn.

Eco: Yabbiekayu Eco-bungalows is a family-friendly holiday park. Stunning bungalows in a natural setting have open-air baths. Yoga and cooking classes are offered onsite and you can eat at the onsite restaurant. It’s a bit far from town, but they can arrange a driver for tours into the city and Borobudur.

TRAVEL DAY – YOGYAKARTA TO KARIMUNJAWA

I spent the afternoon resting after Borobudur as I had a crazy travel night ahead. I got picked up at 1130pm from my accommodation in Yogyakarta in a shared car that took me to Jepara Harbour. The following morning, I took a ferry to what is assuredly my favourite island I’ve visited so far on my travels…

It’s a bit complicated, and there are various options for getting to Karimunjawa. I’ve made a specific guide to help you figure out how to get there and book your ferry tickets: https://cassiethehag.com/how-to-get-to-and-from-karimunjawa-javas-paradise-island/

KARIMUNJAWA ISLANDS (3 DAYS)

The main reason to visit Karimunjawa is, essentially, the same reason most people HAVEN’T visited yet – it’s pretty hard to get to. When I first saw photos of Karimunjawa, I had my heart set on going there on my Java itinerary but was nervous about visiting as a solo traveller. Thankfully it was well worth the effort. I recommend spending at least three days in Karimunjawa to make the trip worthwhile. You’ll be glad you did. The island is a true Indonesian hidden gem!

GO SNORKELLING AND ISLAND HOPPING

I paid 200K IDR (20 AUD, 11.25 GBP, 4.16 USD) for my snorkelling trip – that cost is for 3 snorkel locations, lunch and island hopping. You will stop at at least 2 tiny uninhabited tropical islands – one on which they will make a fire and cook lunch for you (including veggie options). Totally magical, right? I booked through Bodhi Tree Hostel, my favourite hostel I’ve ever stayed in, and anyone is welcome to join.

TIP: make sure you avoid Javanese holidays (most of the tourists on Karimunjawa are locals), and you might be the only boat you see out on the ocean all day!

EXPLORE THE ISLAND BY SCOOTER

The cost to rent a scooter was 50K IDR (5 AUD, 2 GBP, 3.58 USD) for 6 hours – so cheap between two people! It will cost 75K IDR for a full day.

Head to Bukit Love Hill viewpoint – pictured below at sunset and only 10K for 3 entries. Then go to the Northern beaches for a tranquil, empty, sandy paradise beach – such as Batu Lawang Beach. Your accommodation can give you a map, but there’s like… one road on the island, haha. The palm trees and gorgeous mountains you’ll see on the way were my personal highlight!

DISCOVER DESERTED BEACHES

Whilst there are many beaches to choose from, and you can’t go wrong, the Western shores are a great place to spend an afternoon. They have names like Pokemon Beach and Barakuda Beach. Ask your accommodation to recommend a great beach as I reckon it changes a lot depending on the season and how busy it is.

Also worth a stop is Pantai Ulung Gelam (where I took the below sunset photo) or Pantai Batu Topeng – they’re right next to each other. Check with your accommodation the best spot for sunset, depending on the month you visit!

For full information about Karimunjawa, eco-travel advice, and many more activities, view my guide here:

Karimunjawa Guide – Costs, Example Itinerary & Things to Do

Where to stay in Karimunjawa?

Hostel: As mentioned before, I stayed in Bodhi Tree Hostel and absolutely loved it. With a restaurant, cute interior, and super friendly staff who will book island tours for you, it’s the best hostel I ever stayed in. Despite being so popular, it was quiet at night, too! Dorms from $5pn, private rooms from $16pn.

Hotel: Ayu Hotel Karimunjawa has absolutely gorgeous, air-conditioned rooms with garden views and a blend of Javanese and modern designs. Tours can be booked onsite. From $35pn.

Unique: For budget-friendly floating bungalows, Karimunjawa gives you the opportunity to live in luxury without the expense of the Maldives. Stay at the solar-powered Floating Paradise, overlooking the ocean and mountains from your terrace. Kayak from the pier or book tours and transport with your friendly hosts. From $72pn including breakfast and dinner.

TRAVEL – KARIMUNJAWA TO MALANG

There are many ways to get across the country from Karimunjawa to Malang… and they’re all a bit of a headache. Personally, I took a ferry from Karimunjawa to Jepara, a shared taxi from Jepara to Semarang Bus Station, a local bus from Semarang to Surabaya, annnnddd finally (after staying overnight and having a lie-in), a local bus from Surabaya to Malang.

Once again, if you’re concerned about getting from Karimunjawa, there’s plenty of advice and reassurance in my guide here: How to get to and from Karimunjawa, Java’s Paradise Island

EAST JAVA ITINERARY

Yass, finally our Java holiday itinerary really gets going!! Yep, you heard that right. Borobudur and Karimunjawa aren’t even close to being the best of what Java offers!

I highly recommend incorporating rest days into the East Java travel guide. It’s full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences so make sure you’re not too tired to enjoy them all.

MALANG (3 DAYS)

I based myself in MALANG when first arriving in East Java. Malang is a fantastic access point for many attractions in East Java. You can easily reach Malang by share car, train or by arriving at its easily accessible bus station.

Before heading to East Java’s unique natural gems, in the town itself are three beautiful colourful villages you can check out during your stay.

KAMPUNG BIRU aka ‘BLUE VILLAGE’

The whole village was painted blue in support of the Malang football team! It’s worth taking time to walk around and spot all the gorgeous street art that’s on display.

KAMPUNG WARNA WARNI JODIPAN and KAMPUNG TRIDI aka ‘RAINBOW VILLAGE’

The entire village is painted in different colours, even the bridge that crosses the river and each individual step. From what I understand, this was a poor slum area. PR students from the University of Malang proposed this colourful initiative to a local paint company. They hoped tourism would positively affect the people who live here since they could sell snacks and entrance tickets.

Entry is only 3000 IDR to each village – that’s around just 0.30 AUD or 0.15 GBP!

Where to eat in Malang:

• the night market is a great budget option. I got veggie food here for 8K IDR.
• Local warungs will always have similarly budget options, or 20K – 30K IDR for a huge meal
• Java Dancer Coffee – I got pancakes here for 25k. Also, they had good Western coffee, and I could sit with my laptop for hours on end on my recommended rest day.

TEMPUK SEWU WATERFALL

(DAY TRIP FROM MALANG)

Before I arrived in Malang, I couldn’t work out how to get to Tumpak Sewu and highly doubted I’d make it. I’d seen photos of an incredible waterfall that was very much on my radar but seemed impossible to get to as a solo traveller. Thankfully, once I arrived in Malang, I realised it would be easy!

The trek down to Tumpak Sewu:

The trek is quite intense, with ladders attached to the mountainside and not a clear pathway. I recommend booking a local guide for the trek down if you’re not an experienced hiker or travelling alone. Tread very carefully and make sure ropes are correctly attached to the rock face before relying on them to hold your balance.

It’s worth the effort, though! Photos don’t do Tumpak Sewu Waterfall justice, particularly as the enormous amount of spray will drench not just yourself but also your phone camera! It was the closest I’ve got to feeling like I’d made it to a fantasy movie set, and it felt exhilarating to be up close to such a vast, roaring waterfall.

It’s also worth visiting Goa Tetes Waterfall while you’re there, as it’s about a 5-minute walk from the bottom of Tumpak Sewu! It’s signposted.

Not done with waterfalls yet? Kipas Biru Waterfall is just a short drive away! This third waterfall is genuinely optional, and you may well find yourself done with trekking after Tumpak Sewu. It was steep to get down to Kipas Biru at times, but it was easier than the first trek as it felt much safer.

If you’re solo, you can get a scooter driver/guide for the full day who will speak English and show you the best spots. He will take you to all three of the locations for 350K IDR. (Potentially negotiable.) Pricey but I think it’s great this option exists! You can book this in person through Malang Mador Hostel (amazingly friendly staff) or most likely elsewhere too 

Tumpak Sewu is a 2.5-hour drive from Malang.

Full information on this three waterfall day trip, more info on how to get there and what the trek down is really like (including more photos) on my complete Tumpak Sewu guide and how to get there.

MOUNT BROMO SUNRISE

(DAY TRIP FROM MALANG)

This is it, guys – my favourite activity in six months of exploring Asia, let alone on my Java itinerary. Have you ever wanted to see something so bad that you believe, when you finally do, it’ll never meet your expectations? Mt Bromo exceeded them.

WHY VISIT BROMO AT SUNRISE?

Bromo is 2300m high, but it is just one peak in an active volcanic complex known as Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The highest peak is Mount Semeru, at an enormous 3676m. Together, they form one of the most otherworldly landscapes you may ever see.

A shared rickety 4×4 jeep picked me up from my hostel at 3:30 am. Our first stop was to see the sunrise from Mount Penanjakan sunrise spot. Finally, I could fully appreciate how alien the volcanic peaks appeared under the morning glow, each jutting out from a flat plateau.

TIP: don’t fancy a tour? You can also DIY it. Check out my complete Bromo guide below. (Though I was happy with my chilled, budget tour as a solo traveller!)

MORE ACTIVITIES AT MOUNT BROMO:

After sunrise, I felt like I was on the moon while playing on the ‘sea of sands’. Finally, we relaxed at Bukit Teletubbies – this expanse of green felt so strange after the barren landscape before it!

Bromo was an UNFORGETTABLE experience. I’ve gone into a lot of detail about my whole personal experience in my dedicated Bromo post (where truly I wanted to keep my unforgettable memories of this place safe!), as well as giving you more information on how to book and what to prepare:

Mount Bromo at Sunrise – An Otherworldly Experience

If you wish to book a tour to visit Mount Bromo, you can see some examples here.

As impressive as Mt Bromo was, Java still had one more trick up its sleeve…

TRAVEL – MALANG TO BANYUWANGI

You can take a direct train for this route. Mine left Malang just before 4pm and arrived in Banyuwangi just before midnight. My hostel host kindly picked me up from the station. When arriving in Banyuwangi, get some rest after checking into your accommodation. Then book a tour to Mt Ijen or arrange transportation.
From Banyuwangi, you will partake in your last Java activity…

IJEN SUNRISE HIKE

Uh, yeah, sorry, it’s another sunrise! Didn’t I mention the East Java itinerary was intense? But there’s more than one reason to hike up Ijen at night… it’s worth the early start to see the natural phenomenon of the blue flame.

Typically, you will leave Banyuwangi around midnight to make sure you have time to hike up the volcano to see both the blue flame and the sunrise over the sulfur crater. The natural phenomenon is caused by the combustion of sulfuric gases in contact with air at temperatures above 360°C, and you’ll be provided with a gas mask.

YOUR LAST SUNRISE IN JAVA:

You’ll then continue your hike up Mt Ijen to see the sunrise over the sulphur lake. The turquoise sulphur lake is 2148m above sea level and is the largest acidic lake in the world.

Tours can cost anything from 500000 IDR – 2500000 IDR (the most expensive often have an extra activity such as a waterfall).

For my personal experience hiking Mt Ijen and all the information you need to visit, you can read my complete guide here: HIKING IJEN AT SUNRISE – Travel advice for seeing a natural phenomenon – East Java

Here are some photos of what you can expect your last moments in Java to look like. Not bad, huh?

Where to say in Malang?

ONWARDS TRAVEL FROM BANYUWANGI

Banyuwangi is the usual access point for Mt Ijen, and the town is accessible by ferry from West Bali or train throughout Java. If you’re starting a Java trip from this Eastern point (making this the first natural stop on your itinerary), the nearest airport is Semarang. You can book buses and trains to Banyuwangi from 12Go Asia.

HOW TO GET AROUND JAVA

SHARED CARS:

You can usually book a seat on a shared car/minivan for travel between major destinations. Ask your accommodation if this is possible for getting to your next destination. I took a convenient shared car on my Yogyakarta – Karimunjawa route. Super handy!

PRIVATE CARS:

Suitable for those on a higher budget, this will give you complete control of your itinerary. You can book private cars for both day trips and multi-day trips. Prices will vary hugely depending on the distance/time required each day… and how comfortable you are with bartering with a local!

LOCAL BUS:

I found booking local bus journeys very easy, and they helpfully run to and from towns/cities throughout the country. I booked tickets directly at the bus stations. Buses tend to leave when full (but will fill up quick on routes between major cities).

It’s quite an experience, especially for journeys that could be many hours long! Prepare for cramped seats, locals jumping on and off the bus selling various items or even singing in the aisles… Don’t expect to get much sleep or see many other Westerners (I was the only backpacker on mine). That said, I recommend doing this at least once. I’m genuinely glad I did! A great budget option too.

TRAIN:

Head to 12 Go to book onwards train journeys. A little more comfortable than the bus and still a great budget option. Perhaps cramped, but you’ll have your own reasonably comfortable seat.

ORGANISED TOURS:

A popular option for people coming from Bali (who often just do Bromo/Ijen at a high cost) I’d recommend day tours but otherwise think they are unnecessary. Java is a beautiful, chaotic, friendly country, and there’s much to be gained by braving the local transport at least once!

Saying that, I DO recommend a day or even multi-day tour (if your budget allows) for part of your trip. With so many extensive travel days, it can help get an easy ride to Borobudur or Bromo! Particularly for solo travellers or families.

INNER CITY TAXIS:

I did small inner-city trips using go-jek when it was too far (or hot) to walk for as little as 3K IDR per journey – aka very cheap. Before you arrive, download the app, which is basically a super-budget Uber.

SCOOTERS:

Day hire is easy for around 50/60K and is excellent for areas such as Karimunjawa or Yogyakarta. I do NOT recommend using scooters for the entire journey if you’re not experienced – you know Java is enormous, right? – or are solo travellers.

TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY IN JAVA

To avoid using plastic bottles in Southeast Asia, I used a Water To Go bottle.

I really hope my 2 week Java itinerary was helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you!