Best of Java & Sumatra: Self-Launched

Fly into Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) and make your way into the city by Damri airport bus (~£1.50) or grab a Grab/Gojek taxi (~£4). Check into a budget guesthouse in the city centre and get your bearings. Grab a bowl of mie goreng or nasi goreng at a local warung to start your Indonesia food journey right.

🚌Damri airport bus or Grab taxi from Kualanamu Airport (~£1.50–4)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in central Medan — e.g. Medan Backpackers or similar (~£10–14/night)

• →Arrive and settle in
• →Explore the local street food scene around Jalan Semarang
• →Pick up a local SIM card for data

Spend the morning exploring Medan's highlights independently. Visit the Al-Mashun Great Mosque (free entry), stroll to the grand Maimun Palace (entry ~£0.60), then head to Vihara Gunung Timur Temple and the atmospheric Pajak Ikan Lama historic market. Grab a Padang lunch at a local restaurant — rice, rendang, and sides for under £2. In the afternoon, take a shared minibus (bemo) or tourist shuttle from Medan to Bukit Lawang (~3 hours, ~£3–5). Check into a riverside guesthouse.

🚌Shared minibus or tourist shuttle Medan → Bukit Lawang (~£3–5, ~3 hours)

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Bukit Lawang — e.g. Ecolodge or Green Hill (~£8–12/night)

• →Al-Mashun Great Mosque visit (free)
• →Maimun Palace (~£0.60)
• →Vihara Gunung Timur Temple
• →Pajak Ikan Lama market browse
• →Travel to Bukit Lawang by shared minibus

Book a guided jungle trek into Gunung Leuser National Park directly at the park entrance — local guides are mandatory and bookable on arrival or via your guesthouse (~£15–25 for a half-day guided trek including park fee). Trek through dense rainforest in search of wild Sumatran orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, and hornbills. After the hike, cool off with a tube float back down the Bohorok River (included with most guides). This evening, join a local Batak cooking class arranged through your guesthouse or a local operator (~£10–15) — learn to make fish stew, rendang chicken, and acar campur.

🚌Walking to trailhead from guesthouse (free)

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Bukit Lawang (~£8–12/night)

• →Guided orangutan trek in Gunung Leuser National Park (~£15–25 incl. park fee)
• →River tubing back to the village (~£2–3 if separate)
• →Batak cooking class — fish stew, rendang chicken, acar campur (~£10–15)

Take a morning shared minibus back to Medan, then connect onward to Parapat on the shore of Lake Toba (~4–5 hours total, ~£6–8). From Parapat, take a public ferry across to Samosir Island (~£1). Check into a guesthouse in Tuk Tuk village — the backpacker hub on the island. Spend the evening watching the sunset over the world's largest volcanic lake, a vast and staggeringly beautiful caldera.

🚌Shared minibus Bukit Lawang → Medan → Parapat (~£6–8), public ferry to Samosir (~£1)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Tuk Tuk, Samosir Island — e.g. Bagus Bay or Carolina (~£8–12/night)

• →Ferry crossing to Samosir Island (~£1)
• →Sunset views over Lake Toba
• →Explore Tuk Tuk village

Spend a full day exploring Samosir Island and the fascinating Batak culture. Rent a motorbike (~£5/day) to tour the island at your own pace. Visit the ancient Batak stone chairs and tombs at Ambarita, the traditional village of Simanindo and its cultural museum, and the market town of Pangururan. The island scenery — rolling hills, terraced rice paddies, and the vast lake — is simply stunning.

🚌Motorbike rental (~£5/day)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Tuk Tuk, Samosir Island (~£8–12/night)

• →Rent a motorbike to explore Samosir (~£5/day)
• →Batak stone chairs and royal tombs at Ambarita (small entry fee)
• →Simanindo traditional village and museum (~£1)
• →Pangururan hot springs (optional, ~£1)

Take the morning ferry back to Parapat, then catch a shared minibus to Berastagi (~3–4 hours, ~£4–6), a cool highland market town surrounded by active volcanoes. Check into a guesthouse and explore the colourful local fruit and flower market. On a clear day you'll have dramatic views of the twin volcanoes Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak right from town.

🚌Ferry Samosir → Parapat (~£1), shared minibus Parapat → Berastagi (~£4–6, ~3–4 hours)

🛏Guesthouse in Berastagi — e.g. Ginsata Hotel or Wisma Sibayak (~£8–12/night)

• →Ferry back to Parapat (~£1)
• →Market exploration in Berastagi
• →Evening volcano views

Take a shared minibus back to Medan (~2 hours, ~£3–4) and head to Kualanamu Airport for a budget flight to Java. Lion Air, Batik Air, and Citilink all fly Medan to Semarang or Jakarta for around £25–50 depending on availability. Alternatively fly to Jakarta and connect by train. On arrival in Java, check into your accommodation and rest up.

🚌Shared minibus Berastagi → Medan (~£3–4), domestic flight Medan → Java (~£25–50 with Lion Air/Batik Air/Citilink)

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse on arrival in Semarang or Jakarta (~£10–15/night)

• →Morning transfer to Medan airport
• →Budget flight to Semarang or Jakarta (~£25–50)
• →Check in and rest

Spend the day exploring Semarang, the capital of Central Java. The unmissable highlight is Lawang Sewu ('Thousand Doors'), a magnificent colonial-era building originally built by the Dutch East Indies Railway Company — now famous for its grand architecture, eerie underground tunnels, and ghostly reputation. Book a self-guided or local guide visit (~£1–2 entry). Also explore the charming Kota Lama (Old Town) Dutch quarter on foot.

🚌Local angkot minibus or Grab taxi within Semarang (~£1–3)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Semarang central — e.g. Semarang Backpacker (~£10–14/night)

• →Lawang Sewu colonial building — entry ~£1–2
• →Kota Lama (Old Town) walking tour (free)
• →Blenduk Church and Chinatown exploration

Head to the otherworldly Dieng Plateau by local bus via Wonosobo (~3–4 hours, ~£3–5). Dieng sits at 2,000m and is one of Java's most dramatic highland landscapes — a volcanic plateau dotted with ancient Hindu temples, coloured lakes, and steaming craters. Check into a guesthouse and explore Telaga Warna (the coloured lake) and the 8th-century Arjuna temple complex in the late afternoon.

🚌Local bus Semarang → Wonosobo → Dieng (~£3–5, ~3–4 hours)

🛏Basic guesthouse in Dieng village — e.g. Bu Djono or similar (~£6–10/night)

• →Travel to Dieng Plateau via local bus (~£3–5)
• →Telaga Warna (Colour Lake) walk (~£0.50 entry)
• →Arjuna Hindu temple complex (~£1 entry)
• →Explore the volcanic craters and fumaroles

Rise early for sunrise over the Dieng Plateau — the views across the volcanic landscape at dawn are extraordinary. Explore Sikidang Crater and Bima Lukar Gate before catching a late-morning bus back to Wonosobo and onward to Yogyakarta (~3–4 hours total, ~£4–6). Yogyakarta ('Jogja') is the cultural heart of Java — check in and explore the lively Malioboro shopping street in the evening.

🚌Local bus Dieng → Wonosobo → Yogyakarta (~£4–6, ~3–4 hours)

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse near Malioboro, Yogyakarta — e.g. ViaVia Guesthouse or Bladok (~£10–15/night)

• →Sunrise over Dieng Plateau (free)
• →Sikidang active crater walk (~£0.50)
• →Travel to Yogyakarta by local bus (~£4–6)
• →Evening stroll along Malioboro Street

Take an early morning bus or join a cheap shared tour from Yogyakarta to Borobudur (~1.5 hours, ~£2–3 by local bus). Arrive at dawn for the most magical light on the world's largest Buddhist temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest ancient monuments on Earth. Entry is ~£15–18 for foreign visitors. Explore the nine stacked platforms, 2,672 relief panels, and 72 Buddha statues at your own pace. Return to Yogyakarta by early afternoon and explore Prambanan Hindu temple complex nearby (~£12 entry) if time allows.

🚌Local bus or tourist shuttle Yogyakarta → Borobudur (~£2–3 each way, ~1.5 hours)

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse, Yogyakarta (~£10–15/night)

• →Borobudur temple — early morning visit (~£15–18 entry)
• →Self-guided exploration of relief panels and stupas
• →Optional: Prambanan Hindu temple complex (~£12 entry)
• →Evening street food on Malioboro

Spend the day exploring central Yogyakarta by becak (cycle rickshaw) — one of Indonesia's oldest and most charming forms of transport. Hire a becak driver for a few hours (~£3–5) to tour the city's highlights. Visit the magnificent Kraton (Sultan's Palace, entry ~£1.50), then explore the mystical Taman Sari Water Castle (~£0.80 entry), a ruined royal bathing complex with hidden underground passages. In the evening, catch a traditional Wayang shadow puppet performance at a local cultural centre (~£3–5).

🚌Becak (cycle rickshaw) for city touring (~£3–5/hour)

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse, Yogyakarta (~£10–15/night)

• →Becak tour of central Yogyakarta (~£3–5 per hour)
• →Kraton Sultan's Palace (~£1.50 entry)
• →Taman Sari Water Castle (~£0.80 entry)
• →Optional: Wayang shadow puppet performance (~£3–5)

Take a local Prameks commuter train from Yogyakarta to Solo (Surakarta) — one of Java's most culturally rich cities (~1 hour, ~£0.80–1.50). Check into a guesthouse and explore the sprawling Pasar Klewer batik market and the vibrant food stalls at Galabo Night Market. Solo is famous for its refined Javanese culture, traditional batik, and wayang performances.

🚌Prameks commuter train Yogyakarta → Solo (~£0.80–1.50, ~1 hour)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Solo central — e.g. Warung Baru or Riad Solo (~£9–14/night)

• →Commuter train Yogyakarta → Solo (~£0.80–1.50)
• →Pasar Klewer batik market browse
• →Galabo Night Market for dinner (street food ~£2–4)
• →Explore the old Dutch colonial town area

Spend the morning exploring Solo's two magnificent royal palaces. Start at the Kraton Kasunanan (Solo's main royal palace, entry ~£1), then head to the stunning Mangkunegaran Palace — a beautiful blend of Javanese and European architecture where members of the aristocratic family still reside today (entry ~£1.50). The palace museum houses golden jewellery, Javanese masks, and royal heirlooms. In the afternoon, visit a traditional batik workshop for a hands-on dyeing demonstration.

🚌Walking and occasional becak within Solo (~£1–2)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Solo central (~£9–14/night)

• →Kraton Kasunanan royal palace (~£1 entry)
• →Mangkunegaran Palace — Javanese-European architecture (~£1.50 entry)
• →Traditional batik workshop visit/demonstration (free–£3)
• →Street food lunch at Timlo Sastro (~£1.50)

Take an early morning economy train from Solo to Probolinggo — the gateway town to Mount Bromo (~6–7 hours, ~£7–12 on the Logawa or Wijayakusuma service). On arrival, take a shared angkot or local bus up to Cemoro Lawang village on the crater rim (~£3–5). Check into a guesthouse here — the views of the Tengger caldera from the village are jaw-dropping, especially as the sun sets. Get an early night ahead of the pre-dawn Bromo sunrise.

🚌Economy train Solo → Probolinggo (~£7–12), local bus → Cemoro Lawang (~£3–5)

🛏Guesthouse in Cemoro Lawang, Bromo rim — e.g. Café Lava Hostel or Yoshi Guesthouse (~£10–16/night)

• →Economy train Solo → Probolinggo (~£7–12, ~6–7 hours)
• →Shared bus/angkot Probolinggo → Cemoro Lawang (~£3–5)
• →Sunset views of the Tengger caldera (free)
• →Early night for 3am wake-up call

Wake at 3am to join a shared jeep excursion to the Penanjakan 1 viewpoint for the world-famous Mount Bromo sunrise — an extraordinary panorama of the smoking caldera, the Sea of Sand, and Mount Semeru beyond. Book a shared jeep through your guesthouse (usually £10–15/person in a group of 4–6). After sunrise, the jeep takes you down into the Sea of Sand. Walk or ride a horse (~£3) across to the crater rim of Mount Bromo itself and peer into the active smoking vent. An unforgettable morning. Spend the afternoon resting or exploring the surrounding Tengger villages.

🚌Shared jeep excursion (~£10–15/person, bookable through guesthouse)

🛏Guesthouse in Cemoro Lawang (~£10–16/night)

• →3am wake-up for shared jeep to Penanjakan sunrise viewpoint (~£10–15/person)
• →Mount Bromo crater rim walk (park entry ~£4)
• →Sea of Sand walk or horse ride (~£3 optional)
• →Afternoon rest or Tengger village walk

Travel by shared jeep or private transfer from Bromo to Banyuwangi or Bondowoso (~4–5 hours, ~£10–15 in a shared vehicle), from where you can access the Ijen volcano plateau. Check into a guesthouse near the Ijen crater trailhead. Ijen is famous for its electric-blue fire phenomenon (only visible at night/dawn) and the turquoise sulphuric crater lake — one of Java's most spectacular sights. Get an early rest.

🚌Shared jeep or tourist transfer Bromo → Ijen (~£10–15 per person, ~4–5 hours)

🛏Guesthouse near Paltuding/Ijen trailhead — e.g. Arabica Homestay (~£8–12/night)

• →Shared jeep/transfer Bromo → Ijen area (~£10–15)
• →Check in and rest near Ijen trailhead
• →Prepare gear for Ijen pre-dawn hike (headtorch, mask recommended)

Begin the Ijen crater hike at midnight (~2am start recommended) for the spectacular blue fire phenomenon — caused by burning sulphuric gases igniting as they meet oxygen. The 3km hike to the crater takes about 1.5 hours (entry fee ~£3). Watch dawn break over the turquoise acid lake before descending. Take a local bus or taxi to Ketapang ferry port in Banyuwangi (~£2–3), and hop on the short public ferry crossing to Gilimanuk, Bali (~£0.80 — this runs 24 hours). From Gilimanuk, connect to your Bali destination by bus (~£3–5). A memorable travel day.

🚌Local bus/taxi to Ketapang ferry port (~£2–3), public ferry to Gilimanuk (~£0.80), bus across Bali (~£3–5)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Lovina or Ubud, Bali (~£10–15/night)

• →Pre-dawn Ijen blue fire hike (crater entry ~£3)
• →Sunrise over Ijen turquoise acid lake
• →Public ferry Banyuwangi (Ketapang) → Bali (Gilimanuk) (~£0.80)
• →Bus across Bali to accommodation (~£3–5)

Take a well-earned rest and explore Bali at your own pace. Options abound — hire a scooter (~£5/day) and visit the terraced rice paddies of Tegallalang, the sacred monkey forest in Ubud, or the spectacular sea temple of Tanah Lot. Ubud's central market is great for souvenirs and local snacks. In the evening, catch a Kecak fire dance performance at Pura Uluwatu (~£8) for a dramatic sunset spectacle above the ocean cliffs.

🚌Scooter rental (~£5/day) or Grab taxi

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Ubud or Seminyak (~£10–15/night)

• →Rent a scooter for the day (~£5)
• →Tegallalang rice terraces (~£1.50 entry)
• →Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest (~£3 entry)
• →Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu (~£8)
• →Ubud central market browse and street food

Take a budget flight from Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali to Surabaya's Juanda Airport (~1 hour, ~£15–30 with Lion Air or Citilink). Arrive into Surabaya — Java's second city — and explore the historic Arab Quarter (Ampel) and the House of Sampoerna, a beautifully preserved colonial-era tobacco mansion with a fascinating museum (free entry). Enjoy a final evening of Javanese street food at the lively Tunjungan Plaza area or night market.

🚌Grab taxi from Ngurah Rai Airport to departure terminal (~£3), budget flight Bali → Surabaya (~£15–30), Grab taxi from Juanda Airport (~£4)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Surabaya — e.g. Surabaya Backpacker (~£10–15/night)

• →Budget flight Bali → Surabaya (~£15–30)
• →House of Sampoerna colonial museum (free)
• →Arab Quarter (Ampel) walk and mosque visit
• →Surabaya night market for final evening feast (~£3–5)

Your final morning in Indonesia. Grab a last breakfast of bubur ayam (rice porridge) or nasi kuning (yellow rice) at a local warung before heading to Juanda International Airport for your departure flight. Note: ensure your flight departs no earlier than 15:00 to allow comfortable transfer time. It's been three weeks of orangutans, volcanoes, ancient temples, and incredible local culture — you've earned that window seat.

🚌Grab taxi or airport bus to Juanda International Airport (~£4–6)

• →Final Indonesian breakfast at a local warung (~£1.50)
• →Airport transfer and departure