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Indonesia Package 5
Jungles, Orangutans, Temples and Beaches
19 days/18 nights
(click on photos to enlarge)
This is a true private luxury tour taking in what are arguably the four most fascinating islands of Indonesia - Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and Bali. You will see the famous temples of Central Java—Borobudur and Prambanan, the jungle habitat of the orangutan in Borneo, the Toraja cliff-side graves and effigies of Sulawesi, and the island jewel of Bali, with its lush tropical scenery and still- traditional ancient Hindu lifestyle.
What's Included
18 nights accommodations in four 5-star hotels,
a jungle eco-lodge, and one 4-star hotel
2 Domestic Flights (Java-Borneo-Java)
All airport transfers by Private vehicle
All tour-related road travel by Private vehicle
All River Travel in Borneo
Private professional English-speaking tour guide
All breakfasts (B)
Lunches Most Days (L)
3 Dinners (D)
In Bali: Choice of Sea Safari Cruise or Thalasso Spa Treatment
All admissions to sites, temples, dances
All taxes
Whats Not Included
Additional Meals
2 Domestic Flights (Java-Sulawesi-Bali)
Tips
Drinks and Beverages
Any Spa Treatments other than Thalasso Session described below
International Airfares
Frequently Asked Questions |  |
|  | Day 1
After your arrival in Jakarta on the island of Java, the capital and largest city of Indonesia, you will be picked up at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and be brought to the nearby Sheraton Bandara Hotel. Time to relax and rest up after your journey. |
| Day 2
After breakfast return to the airport for the flight over the Java Sea to Pangkalan Bun in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. To avoid confusion, we will refer to this area as Borneo, which is the better known name for most people outside Indonesia. Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo, comprising around 2/3 of this huge island. The rest of Borneo is divided between Malaysia and Brunei. You'll be met at the airport and drive for around 20 minutes to the river port of Kumai. Then you'll board a "klotok" or jungle river boat (see photo above) for the 2-hour trip up the Sekonyer River to the Rimba Jungle Lodge.
As you get closer to Rimba Lodge you will be likely to see gibbons and proboscis monkeys, as well as exotic birdlife. You might also spot some crocodiles. We suggest that anyone interested in this tour look up such terms as "Camp Leakey", "Rimba Lodge" and "Tanjung Puting National Park" as well as anything to do with orangutans in Borneo on their favorite search engines. Rimba Lodge, in the heart of the jungle, is the most comfortable place you can possibly stay when you visit this area. You will enjoy an air-conditioned "emerald" room, the best room available. At the same time, you can't expect the level of luxury and comfort that you will enjoy in all the other hotels on this tour. After checking in at the lodge, you can go out and look at some of your neighbors, such as gibbons and proboscis monkeys.
The lodge is built on boardwalks along the river bank and a stroll along the boardwalks may produce some interesting encounters.
Back at the Lodge for dinner you should find the food quite good. (B, L, D) |  |
|  | Day 3
Today we travel further upriver to Camp Leakey.
Located on a branch of the Sekonyer River. Camp Leakey is in the Tanjung Puting National Park in southern Borneo, and was set up in 1971 by Louis Leakey to support research activities in the Wildlife Reserve.
Camp Leakey also functions as an orangutan rehabilitation center. The Camp and surrounding area is designated as a special utility zone. Over the years, the Camp has served the research efforts of scientists and students. Tourists can walk on certain trails of the trail system without disturbing the research activities. On the way to Camp Leakey (on the Sekonyer Simpang Kanan river), you may occasionally see crocodiles and false gavials, a large crocodile-like reptile.
As you travel upriver, you can observe river ecology and see a great variety of wildlife on the river shores. This includes prosboscis monkeys, sun bears, macaques and orangutans. There is also a great deal of exotic birdlife, including several species of hornbill. You'll arrive at Camp Leakey in time to see the afternoon feeding session.
If you wish, you can assist the staff in bringing milk and fruits to the feeding platform for the orangutans. After you enjoy watching the orangutans feed, return to the boat and travel back to Rimba Lodge. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4
After breakfast, travel about 1 hour upstream to Pondok Tanggui, an animal rehabilitation center. A short walk on the ironwood boardwalk will take you to the ranger’s post. We continue from here for about 20 minutes to the feeding platform, located in the heart of the jungle. There you will see baby orangutans and juvenile orangutans being fed. Orang utan means "man of the forest" in the Indonesian language.
Orangutans are often curious about human beings and may want to investigate your pockets or your belongings, so be careful not to get too close to them. On the way back to the Rimba Lodge you'll be able to observe more wildlife along the river. (B, L, D) |  |
|  | Day 5
After breakfast, travel back down the river to Kumai and then to the airport at Pangkalan Bun. Your flight will be to Semarang on the north coast of Java. Upon arrival at the airport there you'll be picked up and driven to Jogjakarta (also known as Jogja), in the cultural heartland of Central Java. Arriving in Jogja, you'll check into your 5-star hotel, which may be especially welcome after the more rustic Rimba Lodge in Borneo. (B) |
| Day 6
Your tour of the fabulous temple region of Central Java begins. First visit the Borobudur Temple, the largest monument in the Southern Hemisphere. The Buddhist temple of Borobudur dates back to the 9th Century and was abandoned in the 14th Century. It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, the British ruler of Java.
Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, after which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage, and once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument.
Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction. You can climb to the highest point of Borobudur for a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, and then explore the temple, learning about its history and philosophy.
Then you visit the small and graceful Buddhist shrine of Pawon. Finally, you visit the nearby Mendut Temple, dating from the 7th Century, even older than Borobudur.
Each of these sites is different and well worth seeing, although, of course, Borobudur is the most spectacular and justly famous of the three.
By this time, you’ll be ready to return to your hotel to relax and look forward to a good dinner. The Legian Restaurant on Jalan Malioboro, the main street of Jogja, is one of our favorites. (B,L)
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|  | Day 7
Today we explore the Dieng Plateau, the site of eight small Hindu temples from the 7th and 8th centuries, the oldest Hindu temples in Central Java. The Plateau is located almost 6,000 feet above sea level, and its mists, poisonous effusions and sulphur-colored lakes make it a particularly auspicious place for religious ceremonies.
The temples are small shrines built as monuments to the god-ancestors. You will also see some still-active volcanic craters and strangely- colored volcanic lakes. Along the way, you stop for lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of the day, return to Jogja for relaxation and, we hope, another delicious dinner. (B,L) |
| Day 8
Today you have the option of traveling by “becak,” a bicycle-pulled rickshaw, which is the means of transportation for many local people all over Indonesia. The first part of the day will be devoted to visiting the most important points of interest in Jogja itself. First among these is the Kraton. The Kraton is the name of the palace where the Sultan of the region still lives with his family.
The enclosure around the complex forms a kind of small walled city with 20,000 people living inside. This is a place to learn a great deal about Javanese history and culture as well as to see how many Javanese live today.
After the Kraton, visit another famous attraction of Jogja. Just to the west of the Kraton are the ruins, pools, arches and underground passages of the Tamansari. These elaborate, former pleasure gardens were built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I and served as a rest house and pleasure park for the royal family. Tamansari means “beautiful garden.” (B,L)
After lunch in Jogja, you will be driven a short distance out of town to the famous Hindu temple of Prambanan. Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java and in Indonesia as well. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Prambanan the next stop will be the Buddhist twin-temple complex of Plaosan, protected by the ancient statues of Dwarapala, giant guardians who have stood in front of each temple for centuries. Close to Plaosan is Kalasan, the oldest Buddhist temple in Java, dating back to the 8th Century.
After this event-filled day of touring it will be time to return to your hotel. Tomorrow you will have to get up quite early for your flight to Sulawesi. (B,L) |  |
|  | Day 9
Today will be another full day. The visit to Torajaland starts early and is one of the most fascinating parts of your whole tour. But it will involve some traveling. Your 2-hour flight to the old port city of Ujung Pandang on the island of Sulawesi (known as Celebes when it was part of the Dutch East Indies) leaves around 6 AM. This means early rising and making do with a box breakfast supplied by the hotel. You will be met at the Makassar airport for the approximately 190-mile drive to Torajaland.
The trip begins in the Buginese part of Sulawesi, with its exotic and distinctive houses. You travel through lush jungle and mountain scenery, probably unlike anything you have experienced before. The scenery in Sulawesi and Bali is what most people imagine when they think of the South Seas islands.
After taking a break for lunch near the half-way mark of your trip in the small city of Pare Pare, you continue on your scenic route to Rantepao in Torajaland, where you'll check into your hotel. You should still have plenty of time for a swim before dinner. (B,L,D)
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| Day 10
Today you begin your tour of fascinating Tana Toraja (Torajaland). One of the things the Toraja people are famous for is their unique houses, called Tongkonan, built in the shape of the bow and stern of a ship. The construction of tongkonan is laborious and they are usually built with the help of all family members.
You then travel to Lemo to visit the hanging cliff-side graves there. The dead are buried in caves in the cliff-side and life-size effigies, called Tao Tao, stand on balconies looking down at the bright green rice fields.
Similar graves will be visited in Londa and Suaya. Some of these graves date back hundreds of years. It is possible for you to enter some of the caves in the cliff-sides. If you are very fortunate, your visit will coincide with a Toraja funeral. These are actually happy events and visitors are welcome.
After lunch there is time for a visit to the traditional village of Kete Kesu, where you can see more unique Toraja houses and woodcarving.
By this time you'll be ready to return to your hotel to digest all the extraordinary sights you have seen today. (B,L,D) |  |
|  | Day 11
Start with a visit to another traditional Toraja town, Batutumonga, surrounded by beautiful terraced rice fields. Leaving here, you pass by more cliff-side gravesites on your way to Palawa. Palawa is the oldest village in Torajaland and contains more traditional houses.
It is important to bear in mind that the traditions and ceremonies of the people here in Sulawesi and on the island of Bali, which you visit next, are not carried out for tourists, but are part of everyday life. Fortunately for you, the local people do not mind visitors from the outside world observing their ceremonies. If such a ceremony happens to be taking place while you are on Sulawesi or Bali, it may change your sightseeing schedule somewhat. But we feel that it will be worth it.
After lunch, there will be plenty of time for a visit to the village of Nanggala, with especially striking traditional Tongkonan houses.
The last stop of the day will be at Marante, where there are more "hanging" graves. (B,L,D) |
| Day 12
Set out for the Makassar airport for your flight to Bali. You stop again for lunch in Pare Pare. Upon arrival in Bali you'll be met at the airport and driven to Ubud and your luxurious hotel, Kupu Kupu Barong, where you'll spend the next several days. Kupu kupu means "butterfly" in the Indonesian language.
At this hotel, you will be staying in an Ayung River Valley villa, a spacious room designed to embrace the natural attributes of the river valley landscape opposite. An outdoor plunge pool, lounging pavilion and timber sun-terrace are all part of the ambiance. Go on the Kupu Kupu website and, under "villas" have a look at the Ayung River Villa. After checking in, you may not want to leave. (B,L) |  |
|  | Day 13
If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, your tour of Bali starts after breakfast. First up is a traditional Balinese dance performance, the renowned Barong dance, which represents a struggle between good and evil.
Then visit the towns of Celuk and Mas. The former is known for its silver jewelry workshops and the latter for its woodcarving. One of the things you will notice in Bali is that almost every Balinese village has its own specialty in the arts—silver, woodcarving, painting, stonework, etc.
Incidentally, a great deal of the Balinese people's wealth and efforts goes into religious ceremonies and offerings to the Gods. Although we cannot guarantee it, there is a reasonable chance that you can attend a ceremony while you are in Bali. These can be major events, attended by hundreds of people, and are not done for tourists but for the people themselves. Bali is one of the only Hindu islands remaining in Indonesia and one of the things that makes it so fascinating is that the Hindu religion is still being practiced as it was hundreds of years ago.
Next visit the holy spring of Tirta Empul, the "Holy Spring Temple" in the village of Tampaksiring. It is one of the most beautiful temples and also one of the most sacred spots in Bali. Twelve water spouts pour holy water from 12 sacred springs into a long pool.
From Tirta Empul travel to Kintamani, site of one of the earliest Balinese kingdoms. There you enjoy lunch with a wonderful view of Lake Batur, which is a crater lake. The volcanic mountain range of Bali, which more or less cuts the island in half from East to West, goes up to 8,000 feet. Ascending and descending on the roads to and from Lake Batur you pass exquisitely beautiful, hand-carved terraced rice fields. Every inch of land is used and whole dissertations have been written on the system of Balinese rice cultivation and its symbolic significance. As is everything else in Bali, rice cultivation is part of a complex system that most outsiders cannot even begin to understand.
Back at the hotel you'll have time for a swim before dinner. The pool at the Kupu Kupu resort alone makes this trip worthwhile. (B,L) |
| Day 14
Drive to the Eastern side of Bali to visit Besakih Temple, on the slopes of Mount Agung. Besakih is one of the most sacred temples in Bali and is known as the "Mother Temple".
On the route to Besakih we stop at the traditional Balinese village of Penglipuran, dating back to the 16th Century.
Before returning to the hotel, we stop at the town of Klungklung. Klungklung was the base of the ancient Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from which the Balinese royalty of today draws its bloodline. It is the oldest kingdom in Bali, with its most exalted Kings. The famous Kertha Gosa or Royal Court of Justice was built in Klungklung in the 18th century and is one of Bali's highlights. (B,L) |  |
|  | Day 15
We experience another very scenic trip to a different region of Bali, the towns of Antosari and Pupuan. We cross the central mountain range and descend to the north coast. Lunch will be taken at Lovina Beach, a very popular tourist area along the coast.
On this trip we also visit the exquisite floating temple of Ulun Danu on Lake Bratan. This temple is devoted to the goddess of water.
Then back to your hotel for relaxation before dinner. (B,L)
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| Day 16
Transfer to another luxurious hotel, the Laguna Resort and Spa in Nusa Dua on the Indian Ocean.
Moving to this hotel gives you a chance to enjoy the beautiful beach and get in some pure recreation time before the end of your tour. Your baggage will be picked up and brought to the Laguna after breakfast at Kupu Kupu. It will be waiting for you when you check in.
Meanwhile, we continue our tour of Bali, going first to one of the most famous seaside temples of Bali—Ulu Watu. The temple is built at the edge of a cliff, affording dramatic views of the waves breaking on the rocks below.
From Ulu Watu, we drive to the 16th-Century royal temple of Taman Ayun in the village of Mengwi.
From there we go to the Alas Kedaton or "Holy Forest." It is a small forest where you can see hundreds of monkeys in their natural habitat among the nutmeg trees. The monkeys are very used to human visitors and it is safe to buy peanuts from a vendor and feed them. But take good care of your belongings and anything in your pockets, because these monkeys may be a little forward in searching for handouts.
After visiting with the monkeys, we continue on to another famous seaside temple, Tanah Lot, which is built out on rocks around 600 feet offshore. (See last photo below). This is definitely a magical place. We will do our best to arrive there just before sunset, when the red setting sun frames the temple's roof as the waves crash into the rocks. Tonight you will be in your lagoon-access room at the Laguna Hotel. You can step from your room at any time into the inviting pools directly outside. (B)
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|  | Day 17
Today we give you a choice of two quite different activites. One is an all-day cruise to the nearby island of Lembongan, complete with a variety of aquatic experiences.
The other possibility is to stay close to your hotel and enjoy the Thalasso Spa Experience at the nearby Ritz Carlton Hotel.
(By the way, if you can't choose between these 2 options, you can have both of them by doing either the Thalasso Spa option or the cruise on Day 15, which is otherwise free. If you choose to do both, there will be an additional charge of $85 per person).
The Sea Safari luxury cruise boat to Lembongan Island sails after breakfast from nearby Benoa harbor. In about an hour you arrive at a floating beach club aboard a 150-long pontoon boat. Included in this trip are snorkeling (equipment provided), a glass-bottom boat for viewing the tropical reefs beneath you, swimming, a giant water slide and banana boat rides. Make sure to bring your bathing suits. Changing rooms are provided. Even an extensive buffet lunch is included. A 1-hour scuba diving course with a minimum of 2 people per PADI instructor is available at an additional charge of $40 per person.
We suggest that you have a look at the Cruise Operator's website for further details.
We certainly understand that the Sea Safari may be too active for some people or that you might just want to have an extremely relaxing day without straying far from your hotel. For that reason, we offer a second option as today's major activity. You can pamper yourself at the spa of the nearby Ritz Carlton Hotel, enjoying their Thalasso Spa Experience.
This spa was number 1 in rankings from CNN Worldwide (Best Spa in Asia 2004) and Spa Asia Magazine (No. 1 Destination Resort and Spa). Rather than attempt to describe this to you, we will just quote from the Ritz Carlton's own promotional material.
Redefining the spa experience, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Thalasso & Spa opens one of the world's most expansive Thalasso spas. Facilities include seven hydrotherapy treatment rooms, 20 massage rooms, six spa villas, the Taman Asoka suite, and one of the world's largest Aquatonic pools.…
Therapeutic and cosmetic techniques utilizing seawater and seaweed are combined with ancient healing traditions from across Asia. This new, unforgettable, holistic experience is uniquely Ritz- Carlton. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Thalasso & Spa brings patented, state-of-the-art French systems for natural facelift and anti-cellulite therapy—among the first in Indonesia—for facial toning and body reshaping.…
Thalasso therapy uses the curative benefits of filtered, heated Indian Ocean seawater. Containing a complex blend of natural minerals, chemicals and antibacterial properties, submersion in seawater at optimal temperatures promotes relaxation and is proven to rebalance the body's mineral deficiencies. Seaweed and seawater have scientifically-proven healing powers and, combined with other therapies, render holistic healing.…
The focal point of the new spa is the 650-square-meter Aquatonic Pool. Seawater is delivered through therapeutic jet streams, micro bubbles, water massages and aqua beds. The floatation effect of seawater allows effortless exercise, through a circuit of 12 bubbling, hydro massage stations- ideal therapy for rehabilitation, stress relief and relaxation.…
If you choose the Spa Experience, you will have lunch at a local restaurant before being driven to the Spa. (B,L) |
| Day 18
Today is a free day. You can relax on the beautiful grounds of your hotel, swim in the sea or go shopping. We can also suggest some alternate activities, such as a river rafting trip in the nearby mountains. (B) |  |
|  | Day 19
It's finally time to leave Bali and head home. You'll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight. Of course, if you decide to stay longer, that can also be arranged. Bali has world-class golf courses, scuba diving and great fishing. Or you might just decide to spend a few days more at your hotel and do very little. This can all be easily arranged. (B) |
| Trip Price Per Person
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. If you travel with four or more, then the price per person would, of course, go down. Please call or write us to get those prices. Please note that due to fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar, these prices may fluctuate as well. However, prices are guaranteed through March, 2009.
If you would like to travel solo, then, of course, the price would be higher. Please contact us for solo pricing.
Deluxe Category Hotels: $4195 per person
THE HOTELS WE OFFER
These are the hotels that will be utilized for your trip. In the unlikely event that one or more of these hotels is not available at the time of booking, we will notify you and suggest another hotel of similar quality.
Unlike our tours in Turkey and Argentina, where we offer two hotel categories, in Indonesia we offer only one category. This is because the price differential between the Superior and Deluxe hotels is not all that great and we feel it is preferable to offer you only the very best
We suggest that you read about each of these hotels on travel websites such as tripadvisor.com and see what people who have been there have to say about them.
Jakarta:
Sheraton Airport Hotel
Kalimantan-Borneo:
Rimba Lodge
Jogjakarta:
Hyatt Regency Jogjakarta
Rentepao (Torajaland):
Heritage Hotel Toraja - Deluxe Room
Ubud, Bali:
Kupu Kupu Barong - Ayung River Villa
Nusa Dua, Bali:
Sheraton Laguna Spa Resort - Deluxe Lagoon Access Studio
International air tickets to and from Indonesia are not included in the price.
- View details and photos of the hotel options for each destination on websites provided above.
- During the month of August prices for this tour are $100 higher per person. For tours visiting Bali between December 26 to January 10, 2009, total price is $175 higher per person for the whole tour
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