The world's largest Buddhist temple at dawn, a volcano that smokes at sunrise, and islands ruled by dragons, the Indonesia beyond Bali.
Into Java's cultural heart, a city of batik, gamelan and a living sultanate. After the flight we keep it gentle, a first gudeg (the sweet jackfruit curry Yogya is famous for) and an early night, the great temples saved for dawn.
Sunrise at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument on earth, rising stupa by stupa out of the mist and palm forest. At the other end of the day, the soaring Hindu spires of Prambanan catch the last light. Two of Asia's greatest temples in one day.
The kraton palace and the ruined Water Castle of the sultans, a batik and silver workshop in Kotagede, and, if you like, a jeep across the lava fields of Mount Merapi, the volcano that watches over the city.
East to the Tengger highlands and Mount Bromo, a flight to Surabaya, then the climb into a cool, otherworldly caldera. An early dinner and an earlier night; the alarm is set for something special.
Before light, the viewpoint over the Tengger caldera as the sun rises behind Bromo's smoking cone and a sea of volcanic sand. A jeep across the crater floor, then a flight east to Labuan Bajo on Flores, the gateway to Komodo.
Out on a traditional phinisi boat into the national park, the Komodo dragons of Rinca or Komodo island, the world's largest lizards, tracked on foot with a ranger; the coral sand of Pink Beach; and the famous Padar Island viewpoint at golden hour.
A day under the surface, snorkelling or diving with manta rays at Manta Point, the reefs off Kanawa and Kelor, water in three shades of blue. Lunch anchored in a quiet bay, the boat to yourself.
Yours to choose, a sunrise island hike, a spa morning, a cave or a waterfall inland, or one last boat. Labuan Bajo's hilltop bars do the best sunset in eastern Indonesia to close it out.
A final island breakfast before your flight home (via Bali or Jakarta). Java's temples and Komodo's dragons make for an unlikely pair, and a trip no one back home will quite believe.
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
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