Java - Bali Overland Tour via South Coast of Java
Jakarta is located on the west part of Java island, while Bali is located east of Java. If you take this overland trip by car from Jakarta to Bali, each day you will explore different activities, cultures, and see different landscapes on the way. Spending 13 days to visit Java until Bali from Jakarta is enough. More days would be better.
We offer a customized trip using a private car or van only for you and your family/group. We have experienced driver-guides to serve you well. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel or airport to do sightseeing. If you want to do sightseeing in Java, contact us via Whatsapp: +6285226126069 or email: suwarnaadi@gmail.com.
Here is our suggested itinerary to do the overland tour via South Coast route.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Jakarta City Tour
- Day 2: Bogor & Puncak Tour
- Day 3: Bandung & Lembang Highland Tour
- Day 4: Garut & Tasik Tour
- Day 5: Pangandaran Tour
- Day 6: Go to Borobudur
- Day 7: Borobudur & Yogyakarta Tour
- Day 8: Prambanan & Surakarta Tour
- Day 9: Malang
- Day 10: Bromo Sunrise Tour
- Day 11: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
- Day 12: Ijen Crater Tour
- Day 13: Go to Bali
Day 1, Jakarta City Tour
Welcome to Jakarta, the gate and the capital of Indonesia.
Our driver will meet and greet you on the first day. He will pick you up at your hotel, apartment, or airport in the morning.
On day 1, you will see the difference between old and modern Jakarta. You will also see the rich cultures of Indonesia in Indonesia Miniature Park.
To do list
- Pick you up from your location
- Visit Monas (Monumen Nasional)
- Visit old town Batavia (Fatahillah Square)
- Visit Sunda Kelapa harbor
- Visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (The Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park)
- Go to Bogor
- Overnight in Bogor city
Monas
Monas or Monumen Nasional is a national statue to commemorate Indonesian strugle for Independence. The statue is situated in Central Jakarta. It is surrounded by importance goverment buildings, like Merdeka Presidential Palace, Governor Office, Supreme Court, etc.
This 132 m monument is the highest monument in Indonesia. Built by Indonesian first President, Mr. Soekarno in 1961, and completed by the second President, Mr. Soeharto in 1975.
The tower monument represents the philosophy of Lingga and Yoni. Lingga and Yoni are associated with harmony and fertility. They also resemble traditional tools: rice pestle and rice mortar. Lingga or the obelisk resembles an alu (rice pestle) and Yoni or the goblet resembles a lesung (rice mortar).
Sunda Kelapa Port
Right after you arrived at this historic port, you’ll see many wooden ships docked alongside the port’s dock. They are loading and unloading their cargos. Seen, few strong men unload the cargo from a truck that is parking in front of the ship to the wide rope that is attached to a crane; while another man is lifting it up and put it down to the ship deck using the simple crane ship.
You will see that activity everyday at Sunda Kelapa port, except on Sunday and public holiday. On Sunday and holiday, the harbor is open for public but there is no activity. Eventhough there is no activity, taking photos in front of the wooden ships line is worth for visitors.
Few boatmans seen sitting at the dock side everyday, waiting for visitors to come and hire them. The hired boatman will take the visitors to sightsee around the edge of the sea using his boat.
Day 2, Bogor & Puncak Tour
On day 2, we will sightsee around Bogor before go to Bandung via Puncak pass. Puncak pass route is the touristic and historic route. On this route, you will see the beautiful tea plantation along the side of Puncak highland road.
In this day, we expect to visit below places before heading to Bandung. Please note that traffic is normally not good every weekend and holiday. It is adviseable to do it on weekday. But it is still possible to be done on weekend.
Plan to do
- Check out of hotel
- Visit Bogor Botanical Gardens
- Visit Golek Puppet Maker
- Go to Puncak
- Visit Gunung Mas tea plantation
- Go to Bandung
- Overnight in Bandung
Bogor Botanical Gardens
Bogor Botanical Gardens is a conservation for thousands plant specimens from Indonesia and other tropical countries. It is the oldest botanical gardens in the South East Asia. Officialy opened by Dutch government in 1817. But before it was opened by Dutch, Sir Stamford Raffles as British rule already relanscaped it with the help of botanist from Kew Botanic Gardens, London.
For more information about Bogor Botanic Gardens, please visit our page: Bogor Botanical Gardens Tour
Day 3, Bandung Lembang Highland Tour
Bandung is the capital city of West Java Province. The city is surrounded by mountainous areas. Two famous beautiful mountains that attract many visitors to come are Tangkuban Parahu volcano in Lembang highland and White Crater in Ciwidey highland. In this day, we will visit Tangkuban Parahu volcano in Lembang highland. The volcano is not the only one attraction on the highland. Other attractions are Floating Market, Farmhouse, Cimahi/Rainbow waterfall, Cikole Luwak coffee farm.
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Visit Tangkuban Parahu volcano (Ratu Crater)
- Go down to Domas Crater
- Visit Floating Market
- Go to Garut
- Overnight in Garut
Tangkuban Parahu Volcano
Tangkuban Perahu volcano is an active volcano located about 30 km north of Bandung city. The last eruption is in July 2019. The volcano was closed for few months during volcanic activities.
The volcano is named Tangkuban Parahu/Perahu, which means reversed boat, because it looks like an upside down boat if it is seen from Bandung city.
To go to the peak, you do not need to hike or walk. Vehicles such us car, van, and motorcycle are allowed to go up until the side of the crater on top. The crater on top where you can reach it by car is the biggest crater, named Ratu Crater (the Queen Crater).
Day 4, Garut & Tasikmalaya Tour
Both, Garut & Tasikmalaya are located on south of Bandung. They are small regencies with beautiful sceneries, worth to explore. Garut is famous for its Kamojang crater and Papandayan volcano. While Tasikmalaya is famous for its native Baduy village called Kampung Naga surrounded by amazing rice terraces.
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Visit Kamojang Crater
- Visit Kampung Naga Village
- Go to Pangandaran
- Stay in Pangandaran
Dodol Garut
Garut is also known for its authentic snack called Dodol. It is made of rice powder mixed with coconut milk, fruit taste, salt, and brown sugar. The snack is sticky, sweet, and wrapped in a plastic paper wrap. Central Java also has similar local snack called jenang. But dodol is drier and stickier than jenang.
Dodol is popular to be served on Islamic big day, Idul Fitri. It is also popular as souvenir after visiting Garut. Because of its popularity, now, dodol has some variants and can be found on many big supermarkets outside of Garut. Some variants are original, nangka (jackfruit), durian, strawberry, pineapple, etc.
Kampung Naga Village, Tasikmalaya
Before reaching Kampung Naga village from Garut, you will see beautiful rice terraces alongside the road. This area is called Neglasari, a village part of Salawu district in Tasikmalaya Regency. Neglasari and Kampung Naga is very close. The territory is only separated by Ciwulan river, a river come which is come down from Mount Cikuray.
Kampung Naga is a cultural village that hold their ancestor rules strictly in daily activities. According to their ancestors rule, the should not build a house using cement or mortar. They should use wood. They also not use electric power. That is why this village is closed for visit before sun down.
Day 5, Pangandaran Tour
Pangandaran is a regency situated on south coast of West Java, near the border of Central Java. It is well-known as a beach tourism destination. International tourists are fascinated by the geographical condition of Pangandaran beach which is blocked by the bay. The bay blocked waves come from Indian ocean. The waves will not be too strong when they sweep towards the beach. This condition is safe for playing surfing. The beach condition is also safe for fishing. You’ll find many fishing boats on the beach when visiting Pangandaran beach.
More than that, there are other adventurous attractions can be enjoyed in Pangandaran. A day may not enough, but you can choose few activities you like the most.
Plan to Do
- Boating and body rafting at Citumang river and Green Canyon
- Village tour using motorcycle
- Snorkeling and diving at Batu Layar beach
- Hiking at Pangandaran National Park
- Stay in Pangandaran
Day 6, Go to borobudur
It takes some hours to drive from Pangandaran to Borobudur. After arrive in Borobudur area, you can check in at your hotel and take a rest. It is better to stay at hotel near Borobudur in case you want to take Borobudur sunrise tour in the next early morning. The recommended hotel is Manohara Hotel, because the hotel has the access to the temple entrance at sunrise time.
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Go to Borobudur
- Overnight in Borobudur
Day 7, Borobudur & Yogyakarta Tour
Sunrise is the best time to see Borobudur temple if you have the chance, because the view is also the best. But don’t forget that it depends on the weather. If it is raining and fogging, the sunrise view is not too nice. So, check the weather forecast first before deciding, because the entrance fee is more expensive than regular time.
Plan to Do
- Visit Borobudur temple
- Check out of hotel
- Go to Yogyakarta
- Visit Keraton Palace & Tamansari
- Visit Malioboro street
- Stay in Yogyakarta
Borobudur Temple
In 1814, when Indonesia was a British colony, a buried temple got attention. In this year, Sir Stamford Raffles, the British Governor of Indonesia went to Semarang, Central Java to follow up Mr. Tan Jin Sing’s report and doing his routine administration task. Mr. Tan Jin Sing (Tumenggung Secodiningrat) was the regent of Yogyakarta. He reported to Sir Raffles that there was a mysterious site buried in Magelang.
Raffles was busy and had no time to check the mysterious location. Luckily, he didn’t drive away all dutch people from Java after British acquired Java from Dutch. He then assigned Hillman Cristian Cornelius to check and open the site with the help of Mr. Tan Jin Sing. HC. Cornelius was a Dutch archaelogist who work for Dutch government in Java and lived in Semarang during the Dutch colonialization.
Cornelius lead the expedition to excavate the buried site. Many people were deployed to cut bushed, cut trees, and clear away tons of volcanic ash.
Few times later, Sir Raffles inspected the excavation. He found a colossal pyramid. No one knows what it was. It is Borobudur Temple.
Day 8, Prambanan & Surakarta Tour
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Visit Prambanan temple
- Visit Keraton Surakarta
- Visit Museum Batik Danar Hadi
- Overnight in Solo
Prambanan Temple
Prambanan temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Indonesia. It is situated on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java province, and on the way to Surakarta.
Totally there were 240 temples in Prambanan complex, but only 18 temples were succesfully restored. The restoration of Shiva temple, the biggest temple was completed in 1953.
In the middle of the temple complex, there are eight main temples including three biggest temples named Trimurti which means the triple deity of supreme divinity in Hinduism. They are Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
Day 9, Malang
It takes several hours driving from Surakarta to Malang. After reached Malang, you can take a rest at your hotel or do short sightseeing if time permits. Recomended places to visits are Jatim Parks, Jodipan rainbow village, and Museum Angkut (Transportation Museum).
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Go to Malang
- Overnight in Malang
In Malang, you have to take a rest earlier because you have to wake up earlier too, to visit Bromo before sunrise. Don’t forget to make appointment first with a local 4WD Jeep/hardtop driver or ask our driver to help you book one. Private car is forbidden to enter Bromo Caldera area. You have to use 4WD Jeep or Hardtop car, motorcycle, or horse. The four-wheel-drive car one is recommended.
Day 10, Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour
Plan to Do
- Picked up by local jeep car by 3 am
- Go to Penanjakan or KingKong Hill to see Bromo sunrise
- Sightseeing around Bromo after sunrise
- Go back to hotel to take a rest and have breakfast
- Check out of hotel
- Go to Banyuwangi
Sunrise at Bromo
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is the most visited attraction in the East Java. In the middle of the the park, there is a vast caldera named Tengger Caldera. The caldera is filled with few mountains: Mount Bromo, Mount Kursi, Mount Widodaren, and Mount Batok. Only Mount Bromo is active amongst them, and it gets the most attention from tourists. That is why people simply call the region: Mount Bromo.
The Tengger caldera attracts many tourists from all over the world because of its beautiful landscape. The landscape is best to be seen from a high hill at the sunrise time in the summer. The best and highest view point to see the sunrise view is Penanjakan Peak. The peak is very popular and has some facilities such as toilets, small shops, souvenir sellers, and mushola (small mosque). If this point is too crowded, you can go to other viewpoints below Penanjakan Peak. They are KingKong Hill and Seruni Hill.
To catch the sunrise at the peak, you must start very early depend on your hotel location. Normally people will start by 3am if they are staying nearby, like in Cemoro Lawang area.
Car is forbidden to enter the park. You have to use a local jeep or 4×4 hardtop car. Make sure you have made appointment with local jeep provider before starting this Bromo tour, or just ask our driver to send you a jeep car to your hotel by 3am. For a tour package using a local jeep, you can expect to see sunrise at a view point, visit Sand Sea, visit Bromo crater, and visit Sabana.
Day 11, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
Plan to Do
- Check out of hotel
- Go to Lumajang to see Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
- Go to Banyuwangi
At the panoramic viewpoint on top. You will be able to see the entirely of the waterfall down below. And on a clear day you should be able to see Mount Semeru out in the distance.
Day 13, Ijen Crater Tour
Before heading to Bali, make a visit to Ijen Crater. It is not a usual crater. It has a natural wonder that can only be seen on two places in the world. One on Ijen Crater and another one in Iceland. It is the Blue Fire.
Plan to Do
- Go to Ijen Crater at midnight
- Hike up to Ijen Crater, see blue fire, sulfur mining, and beautiful crater lake
- Go back to hotel for taking a rest and have breakfast
- Go to Bali
SEE BLUE FIRE & SULFUR MINING
Blue fire is caused by the heat of the crater combined with sulfur. It creates the effect of electric blue colored flame on the surface. People cannot see the fire all the day. It can only be be seen in the middle of the night until before sunrise.
After sunrise, you will see a distinctive local activity, sulfur mining. The mining is done traditionally and daily by local miners. Their job is very risky to their health. At about 2 AM, they walk up to the crater with distance about 2,5 km in the darkness night. They wear slim jacket and bring flashlight on his head. After reach the crater they have to walk down to the steep crater lake to get the sulfur. They breath strong sulfurous gas here.
Day 13, Bali
Visit Tanah Lot temple, Batu Bolong beach, and Kuta beach. Overnight in Kuta. Finish here. You can stay and relax in Kuta beach for few days, or continue to visit other places in Bali with us.
