This fascinating and fun trip captures the essence of Indonesia-- synthesizing arts, culture, ancient ruins, exquisite beaches, and adventure. Experience Indonesia by attending mesmerizing dances in magical settings, meeting with artists and craftsmen in their workshops, soft-trekking through terraced rice paddies and visits to local villages.  The islands are beautiful and time is built in for relaxation, enjoyment of the islands, and even river rafting for those who choose! This trip is punctuated by an exploration of the mystical culture of Sulawesi, a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Borobudur, and the beauty and arts of Bali.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Boutique hotels and inns in traditional Indonesian style, or deluxe hotels
• Delicious gourmet cuisine
• Expert tour leadership
• Explore the mystical culture of Sulawesi
• Experience majestic panoramas, captivating villages and dramatic ceremonies
• Trek with our private guide through fascinating villages
• Relax on exquisite white sandy beaches
• Sunrise at the incredible Borobudur Temple
• Spectacular Balinese arts and dance
• Ride through Yogyakarta by horse-cart
• Go white water rafting- a thrilling option
• Experience the “A-B-C’s” of Indonesia:  Arts, Beaches, Beauty, Craft and Culture!

 Preliminary Day by Day Itinerary

July 24 Meet in San Francisco
Friday
Meet your traveling companions at the San Francisco, SFO airport for our Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore SQ11 departing just after midnight. 

July 25 Depart San Francisco
Saturday
Depart San Francisco at 12:05 AM.

July 26            Hong Kong – Singapore – Jakarta – Jogjakarta
Sunday
Arrive Hong Kong at 6:50 AM for a brief stop. Depart Hong Kong at 8:00 AM. Arrive Singapore at 11:50 AM connecting to SQ958 departing at 12:40 PM. Arrive Jakarta at 1:15 PM. At last we arrive Soekarno – Hatta airport of Jakarta at 5:00 PM. Head to the Garuda Airlines desk for check-in. Garuda airlines flight GS210 departs at 4:00 PM. Our short flight arrives in Yogyakarta at 5:00 PM. Upon arrival at the Adi Sucipto Airport of Yogyakarta, meet and direct transfer to Losari Coffee Plantation, a hotel in the complex of the temple. Dinner at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. B & L

Losari Coffee Plantation

July 27 Borobudur Sunrise
Monday
Early morning start to enjoy the Borobudur in a peaceful and silent way, awaiting the sunrise on top of the Buddhist temple built in the 8th century with its 504 Buddha statues. Includes a visit to the smaller temples of Mendut and Pawon. Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. At an appropriate time there will be a sighseeing transfer to Yogyakarta. Time will be taken for leisurely enjoyment of this picturesque area. B & L

Accommodation at Melia Purosani or similar

July 28 Yogyakarta
Tuesday
For the full cultural experience, the local expert will take you to visit Tarumartani, the Cigar Factory, via Becak (traditional transport), You will then proceed to Kraton Palace, where you will continue by bus to witness the old Mataram kingdom. Here you can admire the culture of Java, Kotagede silver works, the Batik home industry, leather handicraft and the Sonobudoyo museum (open “daily,” except Mondays ).

After lunch at the local restaurant the tour proceeds to the magnificent 9th century Hindu temple of Prambanan, also famous as Roro Jonggrang temple (the slender virgin) with its open theatre. This is where the Ramayana Ballet is performed annually during the full moon from May to October. We will also visit the nearby Kalasan, Sewu, and Plaosan temple. Balance of the day is free at leisure.

July 29            Yogyakarta – Bali – Makassar
Wednesday
Morning transfer to the Yogyakarta airport for our flight (Garuda, GA. 250/544), departing at 9:00 AM to Makassar via Bali.

This is the Orchid Island of Celebes.

Makassar is the gateway to Sulawesi, a historic port previously called Ujung Pandang.  Meet upon arrival and go directly to a city tour to visit the fort of Tunipallangga, then known as Fort Rotterdam but known now as Benteng Makassar, and built by the King of Gowa in the 16th century. Paotere, the Phinisi (Buginese schooner) harbor, the famous orchid garden and sea shell collection at Mr. Bundt’s place and the Somba Opu Shopping center of the best quality of silver and wooden handicrafts.

July 30            MAKASSAR – TORAJA LAND
Thursday
We begin our overland today with a fabulous sightseeing tour to Toraja Land. Lunch will be served at a restaurant in Parepare and refreshments at Bambapuang. Accommodation and dinner at Toraja Heritage Hotel in Rantepao or Makale (the capital of Tana Toraja Regency).

July 31  TORAJA LAND
Friday
There’s much to see on your full day exploring Toraja Land, its people, culture and way of life by visiting Lemo (the hanging graves), Londa (the cave graves), Kete Kesu-Siguntu-Pallawa (the typical Torajanese village) and Rantepao the business center of Toraja, to observe local artisans at work.  The Toraja are a mystical people, whose culture embodies worship of the dead, and who, believing that they descended from heaven in ships, built houses to resemble up-turned ships.   Lunch at the hotel or at local restaurant enroute. Accommodation and dinner at hotel.

August  1 SOFT TREKKING
Saturday
This is perhaps the most memorable day’s sightseeing in Toraja Land. We will visit Batutumonga, a mountainous area with fantastic scenery, that passes through a green paddy field, on the way to visit the rock graves. Soft trekking passes the village on the way to meet and see the way of life of the Toraja people. Palawa, the oldest village of Toraja, with old Tongkonan Houses and rice barns surrounding. After having lunch at the local restaurant we will visit Marante, the hanging graves. Accommodation and dinner at hotel.

August 2  TORAJA LAND - AIRPORT – DENPASAR, BALI 
Sunday                               
This morning we will journey south for a stop in Pare-Pare for refreshment and lunch. We then proceed to Hasanuddin airport of Makassar for your flight Garuda, GA. 545 to Denpasar, Bali, departing at 17.55

Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai Airport of Bali meet and board to your coach and drive to Ubud for accommodation.

August 3  AYUNG RIVER RAFTING                          
Monday
Touring this day starts with an exciting rafting trip led by professional and experienced guides on Ayung River. A short drive takes you to the Northern starting point (near by Ubud) then walk down a terraced path to the river. After an orientation we will enjoy this exciting rafting adventure for two-hours until we reach Kedewatan. Here we stop to have a shower and enjoy a buffet lunch at Riverside restaurant. Return to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free at leisure. This is the time to explore this interesting city at your own pace and mingle with the locals.

August 4  UBUD VILLAGE ART CRAFTS TOUR                                      
Tuesday
This morning be sure to take advantage of the Ubud sighseeing.  This tour will show you the daily lives of the people of Balinese villages. Stop at Kemenuh, a village famous for its wood carvers. Then on to visit the homes of artists and have opportunity to see them at work. Other points of interest you may visit are the Painting Museum, where modern Balinese paintings are on display; the Wenara Wana - a small forest nearby inhabited by a group of playful monkeys; Pengosekan, a village well-known for its handicrafts (It has become more popular, since Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Great Britain visited this village a couple of years ago). 

August 5  BESAKIH & BARONG TOUR                                                    
Wednesday
Start the morning with a performace of Barong & Keris Dance.  The highlight of the tour is to enjoy the mother Temple of Bali, high upon on the slope of Mt. Agung with a side trip to visit Goa Lawah (Bat Cave) - a temple built in front of a cave inhabited by thousand of bats and snakes. In the afternoon travel south to reach Sanur for overnight accommodation. Enroute stop at Klungkung to see the ancient Kertha Gosha Court House.

August 6  Bali at Leisure                                                                          
Thursday
Free day to explore or spend at the Spa offering natural relaxation and treatment for your health & beauty. Improve the harmony of body and mind with treatments from toe to head. Indulge your holiday pleasure by reviving, energizing and emersing yourself in these spa treatments for a silky, glowing-looking skin. Featuring Indonesian traditional essential oil, prepare to be pampered. Experience the real taste of relaxation!  

August 7  THE LAST DAY IN BALI.                                                         
Friday
This morning is free time at leisure. Take the opportunity today to enjoy all the amenities of  this lovely island known as one of the most beautiful in Indonesia.

In the late afternoon we depart to the nearby village of Uluwatu to enjoy the unusual dance performance of the  Kechak Dance Tour. This is probably the best known of the many Balinese dances, because it doesn't have a gamelan accompaniment. Instead, the background is provided by a chanting 'choir' of men who provide the local pronunciation, 'chack-a-chack-a-chack' noise which distinguishes the dance. The Kechak tells the tale of the Ramayana and the quest of Prince Rama to rescue his wife Sintha after she has been kidnapped by Rahwana the King of Alengka. Dinner at the Sea Food local restaurant in Jimbaran. 

August 8  Bali-Singapore-Hong Kong-San Francisco           
Saturday
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight, Singapore Airlines, SQ. 943 to Singapore departing at 9:15 AM and arriving at 11:45 AM. Connect with SQ868 departing at 3:25. Arrive Hong Kong at 7:10 PM and connect with SQ2 departing at 10:35 PM. Arrive San Francisco at 6:30 the same day.

Flight Schedules always subject to change.