When frequently asked "which is your favorite country in the world?" I never hesitate to answer "Indonesia." The arts and culture of Indonesia are among the best in the world. Whether you are admiring handmade batik cloth from Yogya, oil paintings and wood carvings from Bali or the incredible architecture that is known as "Balinese style", you know you are admiring something special. Our trip begins in Java with a visit to the ancient temple of Borobudur, older than Angkor Wat, then spend two days touring the countryside with trips to Solo and the Dieng Plateau. In Bali , spend part of your stay in the artists' village of Ubud and part in the beach area of Dusa Dua. Together these two stays provide a thorough overview of the "Island of the Gods." A special post-tour extension to see the rare Komodo Dragon is also offered.

Day 1 -- USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Day 2 -- INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
Cross the international dateline en route to Indonesia.
Day 3 --  YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
Arrive Yogyakarta and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Hotel . Remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Day 4 -- YOGYAKARTA for BOROBODUR & PRAMBANAN
After breakfast, set out early for a trip to Borobodur. This magnificent Buddhist temple complex has one of the world's largest collections of Buddhist relief sculpture. It was "lost" in the jungle to Europeans (the Javanese always knew of its existence) until found by Sir Stamford Raffles, the 19th century explorer. He oversaw its restoration with the aid of local residents. It predates Cambodia's Angkor Wat by 300 years, and Notre Dame and Chartres cathedrals by 200 years. It was built in the 8th century at the height of Buddhist influence in India, Southeast Asia, China and Japan. Lunch is included at Manohara hotel. In the afternoon, visit the main temple complex of the Prambanan Plain, most commonly called just "Prambanan". This main complex is located near Loro Jonggrang and was started in the 8th century under the Mataram Hindu kingdom. Originally comprised of over 54 smaller surrounding temples, with three main temples in the center, today only the three main temples and three of the smaller temples are standing. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hotel Yogyakarta.

Day 5 -- YOGYAKARTA for DIENG PLATEAU
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to the site where the oldest temples in Java lie: the Dieng Plateau. Its name comes from "Di Hyang", meaning Abode of the Gods. Located in the mountains at 2,093 meters, this scenic plateau has been held sacred for over a thousand years. This extinct volcano is now an evocatively weathered plateau. Cool mountain air and unusual geothermal activity create a unique environment, with many flowers flourishing here: dahlias, lupines, marigolds, and roses. This lovely area has superb mountain views, and is comparatively cool and fresh. Spend the day exploring the environs before your return journey to Yogyakarta. Dinner at leisure.  Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hotel Yogyakarta

Day 6   YOGYAKARTA for "SOLO"
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart this morning by road to Solo, the ancient capital of Java, and still considered the heart of Javanese culture. Solo is considered as rich in art and culture as her more well-known sister city. Visit the Radyan Pustaka Museum, the Mangkunegaran Palace, and the Royal Museum. Solo is also home to art galleries, markets full of unique Solonese dishes and Indonesia's largest variety of batik and textiles. Return to Yogyakarta this evening. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.  Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hotel Yogyakarta
Day 7 -- YOGYAKARTA - BALI (UBUD)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning take an historical and cultural tour of Yogya, the seat of central Javanese culture. Begin with a trip to the Keraton, the Sultan's palace. The current Sultan of the Regency of Yogyakarta still lives here. Then onto pasar ngasem-the bird market where birds, bats, cats, dogs, and reptiles are on sale. Continue to the adjacent Taman Sari -- the former water palace of the Sultans of the past. Today Taman Sari is a rather crumbling, moss-covered ruin that has been partially converted into homes by modern-day Javanese, many of whom are servants in the Keraton. Continue to a batik workshop to see the batik-making process first-hand. Finally visit the Sonobudoyo Museum, which has an excellent collection of Buddhist & Hindu antiquities. Continue to the airport for a flight to Bali. Upon arrival , transfer to the Alila Ubud Hotel .

Day 8 -- BALI (UBUD)
Following breakfast, begin touring in Mas, a village famous for its woodcarving. The most important gallery here is the Njana Tilem Gallery, founded by the son of Bali's master woodcarver, Ida Bagus Njana. A few doors down is the Ketut Puja Gallery, founded by his apprentices. Depending on your interests, you may wish to visit the stone carving town of Batubulan, or studios of prominent traditional painters in Batuan. Return to Ubud to visit the Komaneka Gallery and its impressive collection of modern paintings on display and for sale. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a traditional shadow puppet show. The Wayang or shadow puppet is the most prominent theatrical expression in Bali . In a wayang kulit performance, flat cut-out figures are silhouetted against a translucent, white screen with a coconut-husk lamp as its source of light. Overnight at Alila Ubud Hotel.
Day 9 -- BALI (UBUD)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. The entire day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities, finish up your souvenir shopping or negotiate for more serious art purchases.
Day 10 -- BALI: UBUD TO NUSA DUA
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive along the eastern coast to visit Besakih Temple, the mother temple of Bali. Over a thousand feet up the volcanic slopes of Gunung Agung, the island’s largest mountain, Besakih is also Bali’s largest temple comprising of 23 separate but related individual temples. The most important of these is Pura Penataran Agung, a six tiered temple terraced up the mountain. The backdrop is impressive and if the mist rolls in you may feel as if you’re in a heaven in the clouds. Otherwise the view extends down to the sea and is not to be missed. Then continue to Goa Lawa, a sacred temple filled with bats and snakes. Finally drive to Tenganan, a remote village whose inhabitants have preserved their ancient pre-Hindu customs. These villagers are the original Balinese. Lunch will be provided at Alila Manggis. After lunch end the tour at our beach hotel in the Nusa Dua area. Check in to the Conrad Hotel Nusa Dua. The evening and dinner are at leisure.
Day 11 -- BALI (NUSA DUA)
Alas Kedaton is Bali’s famed monkey forest. It’s towering nutmeg trees are unique to this area and are sacred to the Balinese people. It is undoubtedly also home to Bali’s cheekiest inhabitants, the monkeys, and no trip is complete without seeing them in the living skyscrapers of Alas Kedaton Continue to Mengwi, former Royal Temple and arguably one of the most beautiful on the island, that of the famous Pura Taman Ayung. This tour also features an evening visit to Tanah Lot, a magnificent temple perched gingerly on a huge rock resting just off the shore

From Tanah Lot travel to see three dances. The Kecak (Monkey) dance features as many as 100 men swaying and chanting to the hypnotic music. This famous Balinese dance depicts an ancient story from the Ramayana when King Rahwana captures Sita, Rama’s wife. The dance shows the battle between Rahwana and Hanoman, leader of apes. This is followed by the Sanghyang Dedari trance dance (a truly captivating dance in more ways that one), and of course the Sanghyang Jaran. The latter performance features a priest on horseback who goes into a deep trance. The culmination of this dance sees the priest walk through fire and come out – unscathed! Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 12 – BALI (NUSA DUA)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at leisure for relaxing on the beach, having a spa treatment or preparing for your journey home. This evening we offer an option to dine at Bali's premier restaurant, "Ku De Ta ".
Day 13 -- BALI - USA
Breakfast at the hotel. The day is at leisure until your departure to the airport for your return flight to the USA.