JAVA RAIL TOUR 15D14N

We arrive Jakarta and are met by our local agent for transfer to our centrally located hotel for check-in. 

Hotel : SARI PAN PACIFIC HOTEL

This morning our city sights tour will introduce you to the many delights of both the old and new Jakarta. We see the National Monument, Chinatown and the Jalan Surabaya flea market. A special highlight is the Sunda Kelapa harbour where you can see the tall masted Bugis schooners – the largest fleet of commercial sailing ships in the world today. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome cocktail party at our hotel.

Hotel : SARI PAN PACIFIC HOTEL

This morning we visit Taman Mini Indonesia (Indonesia in miniature). This beautiful 170 hectare park features the ethnic culture and traditions of the country with permanent exhibits of traditional architecture native to the 34 provinces. This afternoon is free time for shopping in the nearby department stores close to our hotel. This evening we enjoy a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel : SARI PAN PACIFIC HOTEL ( B/D )

After breakfast we check out from our hotel and transfer to the nearby Gambir Railway Station in readiness to board the “Argo Parahyangan” express to Bandung. Leaving bustling Jakarta behind our train soon reaches the more tranquil highlands. Spectacular breathtaking scenery abounds as the train passes over huge bridges and viaducts constructed more than 100 years ago by the Dutch. On arrival in Bandung we transfer to Saung Angklung Udgo to enjoy a traditional performance of Angklung music. This orchestral performance played on tinkling bamboo instruments by scores of school children is guaranteed to delight you! After the performance we check in to our delightful colonial era hotel. This evening’s dinner is provided at a local Chinese restaurant.

Hotel : SAVOY HOMANN HOTEL

A spectacular day unfolds as we drive up in to the mountains to the resort of Lembang. We pass many fruit and vegetable markets before continuing our climb to the Tangkuban Perahu volcano. After stepping down from the bus you can walk to the actual rim of this still active volcano. On our return we visit the Ciater Hot Springs where there is time for a refreshing swim in the hot mineral baths before our lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, you may wish to join your tour escorts for an optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel : SAVOY HOMANN HOTEL

After breakfast we transfer to the Bandung Railway Station to board our special private carriage attached to the morning express train to Yogyakarta. Today’s journey takes us through fascinating rural countryside passing terraced paddy fields, plantations and villages. Lunch is served on board by our catering crew as you enjoy the superb scenery. Mid afternoon we arrive in Yogyakarta one of the foremost cultural centres and former capital of the ancient Javanese Kingdom, where we are transferred to our central hotel. This evening you may wish to join your tour escort for an optional dinner at a popular local restaurant near our hotel.

Hotel : MELIA PUROSANI HOTEL

Today we visit the city of Surakarta or Solo as it is known. Solo is a city that prides itself in artistic traditions such as dance, wayang puppetry through to hand-crafted batik. Here at the local Purwosari station we board the Jaladara vintage train hauled by a German steam locomotive built in 1896. This timeless train with its two 1920’s wooden coaches chugs along the side of the main thoroughfare through the city for a six kilometre journey to Sangkrah Station. After our steam excursion lunch is provided at a local restaurant and we later continue our sightseeing by road coach. This evening you may wish to join your tour escorts for an optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel : MELIA PUROSANI HOTEL

Our sightseeing tour today takes us to one of the great wonders of the world – the mighty Borobudur Buddhist Temple. There is ample time to explore and photograph this ancient temple built in the 8 th century. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit a silver works and later on returning to Yogyakarta we visit a local batik factory where you will witness the hand processing method of producing this traditional textile. This evening we travel by traditional becak (Trishaw) transport to Purawisata where we will enjoy the open-air Ramayana Ballet performance accompanied by a traditional Javanese gamelan orchestra. An Indonesian buffet dinner is provided before the show commences.

Hotel : MELIA PUROSANI HOTEL

After breakfast we check out from our hotel and transfer to the station to board our waiting private carriage. Our journey to Malang travels the main Yogyakarta-Surabaya line as far as Kertosono where we branch on to the southern scenic line to Malang via the towns of Kediri and Blitar. At Karangkates we pass the huge Sutami/Selorejo Dam and hydroelectric power station. On arrival into Malang we check in to our hotel, the Tugu Park, which is listed as one of the world’s 100 most beautiful hotels. The public rooms are adorned with priceless works of art and antiques. Shortly after our arrival you are invited to experience an authentic traditional High Tea ritual with homemade cakes, on the first-floor balcony. Dinner tonight is served in the hotel’s garden restaurant.

Hotel : TUGU PARK HOTEL

The delightfully cool town of Malang is nestled between a group of mountains, and offers the visitor a more tranquil escape after the bustling coastal cities on Java. Our tour today will take us through the main shopping precinct with many vestiges of the Dutch colonial past still evident, such as the Toko Oen tea shop. We continue our tour in to the highlands and pass many plant and flower shops, fruit markets and produce stalls before reaching the recreational area of Selecta. Here there is time to take a stroll through the hillside gardens or relax over a drink at the poolside cafés before we return to our hotel. Dinner tonight is at a nearby local Museum restaurant.

Hotel : TUGU PARK HOTEL

This morning there is free time before we transfer to the station to board the local Bima Express train for the two-hour journey to Surabaya. Our accommodation is at another delightful colonial time hotel with a rich history and currently celebrating its 105th birthday. The Majapahit Hotel was built by Lucas Martin Sarkies of the famous Armenian family whose collection of grand hotels included the Raffles in Singapore. Tonight’s dinner is at the Hotel’s poolside.

Hotel : HOTEL MAJAPAHIT

Surabaya is Indonesia’s second largest city with a population of around seven million including the surrounding rural areas. It is the main seaport and commercial centre for the eastern region of Indonesia. Our city sights tour will show us some of the city’s historic buildings and the central business area, and the local Arab markets. In 2009 the nearby island of Madura was connected to the mainland of Java by the mighty 5.4 km Suramada Bridge, the longest in Indonesia. The Madurese people are noted for their colourful batik textiles and after crossing the bridge we visit one of the local markets where you will have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs. On returning to the mainland we visit one of the large cigarette factories when you will witness the manufacture of cigarettes by the traditional hand method by hundreds of workers. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant followed by free time to relax at our hotel before tonight’s dinner at a local steak house.

Hotel : HOTEL MAJAPAHIT

After breakfast we transfer to Surabaya’s Pasar Turi Railway Station to board our private carriage for the train journey to Jakarta. Our return journey travels along the north coast passing through two major cities, Semarang and Cirebon. At several locations our train travels within a few metres of the Java Sea. Morning tea and lunch are served on board and later farewell drinks in the lounge car before our late afternoon arrival into Jakarta where we transfer to our hotel.

Hotel : SARI PAN PACIFIC HOTEL  

Today is a free day to explore Jakarta on your own, or you may like to visit the Ambassador Mall which sells everything from DVD’s to clothing, all at unbeatable low prices. Our guide will be happy to accompany you. Other options are the National Museum and the Monas monument which are within walking distance from our hotel. Another option is to join our local guide for a ride on the new MRT rapid transit system. This evening we enjoy a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel : SARI PAN PACIFIC

This morning we transfer to the airport for the flight home and the end of your Great Java Rail Tour.