Originally Posted by
jiejie
I disagree with the above on the overall balance of Bali vs Java. If you are flying from the USA on Day 0 and arriving in Bali on Day 1, you shouldn't consider leaving Bali for Java before a full week is up (i.e. on Day 8). There's LOTS to do and see on Bali and I don't mean sitting on the beach....though of course that's available if you want. There's nothing on Java on this list that warrants shortchanging Bali, IMO. That includes Borobudur and I say that as a "temple freak" and professional architect. And Java culture isn't remotely as interesting as that of Bali.
The suggested Java itineraries kick in after spending 6-7 days on Bali. But I can stay on Bali as long as I like-I have no set time I have to leave that island other than by Sept. 1.
I'm planning this vacation in 2 parts, one part Bali, trip A, which will use a different guide/driver and one part Java, trip B, where a second and possibly third guide/driver will take over.
9Benua: I really do not ant to be driven across Bali, on the ferry, and then driven across Java. That was the guide's initial suggestion. I would rather fly from DPS to Java, to Surabaya or Yogyakarta, or Malang to save time. Costs to fly domestically in Indonesia appears to be inexpensive.
Here's 2 itineraries from a tour company, Exotissimo:
Day 1 arrive Yogyakarta overnight Yogya
Day 2 Yogya-Prambanan-Yogya overnight Yogya
Day 3 Yogya-Borobudur-Candirejo overnight Yogya
Day 4 Yogya-Kertosono (train)-Kediri-Mt. Kelud-Malang overnight Malang
Day 5 Malang-Mt. Bromo-Surabaya overnigt Surabaya
Day 6 Surabaya-fly to Jakarta for JL flight
or
Day 1 arrive Yogyakarta afternoon overnight Yogya
Day 2 Yogya-Prambanan-Yogya overnight Yogya
Day 3 Yogya city tour overnight Yogya
Day 4 Yogyakarta-Borobudur-Candi Rejo-Ambarawa overnight Losari
Day 5 Losari Plantation and Gedong Songo overnight Losari
Day 6 Losari- Solo-Sukuh Temple - overnight Blitar
Day 7 Blitar - Penataran Temples - overnight Malang
Day 8 Malang-Surabaya overnight Surabaya
Day 9 Surabaya-airport to fly to Jakarta for JL evening flight
I could do something like this in reverse I imagine if the timing were better Surabaya to Yogyakarta.
This tour company seems to have some interesting itineraries that could be combined to make a 7-8 day trip:
http://www.lintangbuanatours.com/
Could you give me your opinions on the suggested places to go in central and East Java? I may be trying to be too ambitious in doing too much in just one week and should maybe stick to either central or east Java alone this trip.