Java & Royal Cities

UNESCO pyramids, royal sultanate palaces, and active volcanic calderas

Immerse yourself in Central Java’s millennium-old cultural heartland. Stand atop the 9th-century Buddhist wonder of Borobudur at sunrise, wander the towering Hindu sanctuaries of Prambanan, and explore the living traditions of batik masters and royal silversmiths in the Sultan’s capital.

Active smoking volcanic cones, sea of sand, and astral sunrises

Ascend to the rim of the ancient Tengger caldera. Watch cosmic dawn break over Mount Bromo, Batok, and steaming Mount Semeru before crossing the vast Sea of Sand by vintage 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser and climbing to the roaring crater lip.

Midnight crater descent, electric cobalt-blue flames, and the world’s largest acid lake

An unforgettable midnight expedition into Mount Ijen to witness ignited sulfuric gases burning with ethereal electric-blue flames. Watch the sunrise illuminate the world’s largest highly acidic crater lake (pH 0.5) and observe resilient sulfur miners at work.

Active smoking calderas, Madakaripura cascades, and midnight cobalt blue fire

The ultimate overland volcanic crossing across East Java. Journey from Surabaya through the sea of sand and smoking caldera of Mount Bromo, hike into the misty jungle amphitheater of Madakaripura Waterfall, and ascend Kawah Ijen under darkness to witness ethereal electric-blue sulfur flames.

Java’s secluded 27-island tropical marine park, barrier reefs, and shark nursery

Java’s best-kept marine secret. 27 islands ringed by untouched barrier reefs, white sand cays, elevated coastal mangrove reserves, and baby blacktip reef shark nurseries at Menjangan Besar Island.

The Abode of the Gods: steaming craters, colored sulfur lakes, and 8th-century stone temples

Perched at 2,000 meters above sea level, the volcanic Dieng Plateau is steeped in Hindu mythology. Hike to the smoking bubbling crater of Kawah Sikidang, marvel at the shifting mineral colors of Telaga Warna (Colored Lake), and view Java’s oldest surviving stone temples.

Historic spice trading hub, towering timber Phinisi schooners, and Glodok Chinatown

Trace 500 years of maritime spice trade history from the wooden sailing schooners of Sunda Kelapa harbor through Dutch colonial Batavia’s cobblestone squares to the vibrant culinary alleys of Glodok Chinatown.