FROM KRAKATAU TO KOMODO ISLAND
This exciting tour crosses Java from West to East and ends on Bali. Its itinerary and focus are optimized in order to provide excellent conditions and locations for photography. Your guide is one of the best available in Indonesia with excellent knowledge of locations, people and photographer’s needs. If you are new to photography of volcanoes and landscapes, this is the chance to learn and improve your own photography!
The program allows generously for sufficient time to explore the most interesting landscapes of Java and its volcanoes in depth: Krakatoa and Papandayan in West Java, Merapi in Central Java, and the Tengger caldera, Bromo, Semeru and Ijen volcanoes in East Java.
Even if you are not a photographer, you will get an unforgettable and competent introduction to Java’s multicolored landscapes, people and their culture.
This tour combines easy to moderate excursions with a portion of luxury. You travel to some of Java’s most fascinating landscapes and meet its friendly people and their colorful culture.
Last but not least, an adventurous camp on Krakatau’s tropical beach, as well as Indonesia’s delicious cuisine will round out the trip.
- The best photo locations on Java
- Expert guide with excellent knowledge of Java & Bali and photography
- Exclusive small group sizes = optimal flexibility
- All major volcanoes of Java in one tour including 2 nights on Krakatau
- Sufficient time to explore interesting locations
- Option to add Bali as flexible program
- Rain forests, waterfalls, tropical beaches, colorful lakes, deep craters, fumaroles
- Cultural highlights (Borobodur, Prambanan etc.)
- Contact to friendly local people
- Delicious food and great hotels
Krakatau to Bali
Note:
Depending on weather, volcanic activity, preferences of the group etc. small variations on the actual itinerary could be necessary.
Day 1 : Arrival and meeting point in Jakarta
Pick up service, meet with guide at the Jakarta International Airport, transfer to the hotel near the airport, then group dinner and briefing in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel FM7 or similar (D)
Day 2 : Jakarta – Pangkalanbun – River Cruise – House boat
Fly to Pangkalabun (South Borneo), upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun airport, transfer to Kumai port and board on boat. The boat is a traditional wooden boat called “Klotok “, which is about 17 m by 3,5 m and has a roof that forms the upper deck. Where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The guide team includes the boatman, a cook, and an experienced guide. In the afternoon, visit Tanjung Harapan, if your flight arrives at 11.00 am, lunch is provided on boat, and overnight on boat. (B,L,D)
Day 3 : House Boat – Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leaeky
After breakfast, board on boat and visit Pondok Tanggui for feeding time of the Orangutan at 09 am, then continue visiting Camp Leakey the oldest rehabilitation centre. You have chance to trek into the forest and spotting flora and fauna. In the evening, you will see fireflies around the nipa palm and enjoy your dinner with candlelight on boat. Overnight on boat (B,L,D )
Day 4 : House Boat – Airport – Semarang – Yogyakarta
After breakfast, transfer to Kumai, drive to the airport for a flight to Semarang airport, then drive to Yogyakarta Special Region. Hotel located near the magnificent Borobudur temple. Accommodation: Hotel Hyatt or similar (B,L,D )
Day 5 : Mt Merapi – Borobudur Temple
Early morning, depart to Merapi where we can observe and study the geology of Merapi and its destructive eruption in 2010, visit also to the destroyed house of the Guardian of Merapi and the villages surrounding. Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has been eruptive since 2020 – 2025, forming two lava domes and its incandescent rock falls and pyroclastic flow. In the afternoon, we proceed to the Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Asia. Erected between 750 and 850 AD, then partly buried under volcanic mudflows from Merapi volcano around 1000 AD and again excavated starting in 1815, Borobudur counts as one of Asia’s major archaeological sites. The visit to Borobudur will include a guided tour with extra time to spend in or near the complex.
Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 6 : Merapi – Free day
We return to Merapi to observe the incandescent rockfalls from the lava dome, which has been growing since 2020, the rest of the time is free at leisure.
Accommodation: as before (B, L )
Day 7 : Yogyakarta – Surabaya – Bromo
Morning exe train to Surabaya, then transfer to Bromo, climb Bromo and sunset photography at the Tengger caldera.
Accommodation: Hotel near the rim of the caldera (B,L,D )
Day 8 : Sunrise Tengger – Explore Geology of Bromo – Pronojiwo (South Semeru)
Early morning, ride a 4WD jeep to the rim of the Tengger caldera, after lunch, then transfer to Pronojiwo, which is located in the south slope of Semeru , most of the active and erupting volcano since 1800 up today ejecting magmatic materials with regular explosions. Accommodation: Homestay or cottage (B,L,D )
Day 9 : Semeru – Tumpaksewu waterfall
Early morning, ride a jeep to Semeru’s flank for the possibility to see and photograph at the explosion and dramatic landscape after the recent eruption in 2021, afterward we continue to explore the destroyed villages and sand mining. We continue to Tumpaksewu waterfall and hike down to the cave Tetes when the conditions allow.
Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 10 : Pronojiwo – Transfer to Ijen
Transfer day to Ijen , en route visit Geosite Kawah Wurung, a volcanic cone inside of the Ijen caldera, and other volcanic cones located inside of the Ijen caldera. Accommodation: Ijen resort or similar (B,L,D )
Day 11 : Climb Ijen
Early morning transfer to Paltuding, then we ascend to the crater rim of Ijen, go down to the mining of sulphur and the blue fire (if conditions allow). We are allowed to photograph the miners and their activity, afterward we descend back to the hotel, and the rest of the time is free for leisure. Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 12 : Ijen – Jimbaran, Bali
Transfer day to Jimbaran through northern Bali, en route we will see the Tamblingan caldera and the Balinese Temple Pura Ulun Danu Beratan in the lake of Bedugul.
Accommodation: Hotel at Jimbaran beach (B,L,D )
Day 13 : Bali – Labuhan Bajo
Morning flight to Labuhan Bajo, transfer to the harbour, visit Rinca island, then proceed to Padar island, stay on boat. (B,L,D )
Day 14 : Padar island – Komodo – Pink beach – Labuhanbajo
Sail to Komodo island for a hike and photography, proceed to Pink beach for your relaxing time of Snorkelling and beaching, and in the afternoon, proceed to return to Labuhan Bajo. Accommodation: Hotel front beach (B,L,D )
Day 15 : Labuhanbajo – Bali
Fly to Bali, free day at leisure. End of tour
Accommodation: Hotel in Jimbaran beach (B,L,D )
Day 16: Transfer out to airport
Tour guide
The tour will be accompanied / guided on location by one of our professional local guides in Indonesia, typically Andi or Galih. They have extensive knowledge not only about the volcanoes, but also about their country and culture.
Our guides all speak English and Indonesian, some also French.
Andi Rosadi, our famous head expedition leader in Indonesia
Physical requirements
The hikes in the program are fairly easy (maximum hiking efforts between 3 and 5 km distance, climbing of up to 500 m, total duration max. 3 hours) for everybody with good normal fitness. You should, however, be prepared for hot and humid climate typical for any tropical country.
Krakatau to Bali
Note:
Depending on weather, volcanic activity, preferences of the group etc. small variations on the actual itinerary could be necessary.
Day 1 : Arrival and meeting point in Jakarta
Pick up service, meet with guide at the Jakarta International Airport, transfer to the hotel near the airport, then group dinner and briefing in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel FM7 or similar (D)
Day 2 : Jakarta – Pangkalanbun – River Cruise – House boat
Fly to Pangkalabun (South Borneo), upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun airport, transfer to Kumai port and board on boat. The boat is a traditional wooden boat called “Klotok “, which is about 17 m by 3,5 m and has a roof that forms the upper deck. Where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The guide team includes the boatman, a cook, and an experienced guide. In the afternoon, visit Tanjung Harapan, if your flight arrives at 11.00 am, lunch is provided on boat, and overnight on boat. (B,L,D)
Day 3 : House Boat – Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leaeky
After breakfast, board on boat and visit Pondok Tanggui for feeding time of the Orangutan at 09 am, then continue visiting Camp Leakey the oldest rehabilitation centre. You have chance to trek into the forest and spotting flora and fauna. In the evening, you will see fireflies around the nipa palm and enjoy your dinner with candlelight on boat. Overnight on boat (B,L,D )
Day 4 : House Boat – Airport – Semarang – Yogyakarta
After breakfast, transfer to Kumai, drive to the airport for a flight to Semarang airport, then drive to Yogyakarta Special Region. Hotel located near the magnificent Borobudur temple. Accommodation: Hotel Hyatt or similar (B,L,D )
Day 5 : Mt Merapi – Borobudur Temple
Early morning, depart to Merapi where we can observe and study the geology of Merapi and its destructive eruption in 2010, visit also to the destroyed house of the Guardian of Merapi and the villages surrounding. Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has been eruptive since 2020 – 2025, forming two lava domes and its incandescent rock falls and pyroclastic flow. In the afternoon, we proceed to the Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Asia. Erected between 750 and 850 AD, then partly buried under volcanic mudflows from Merapi volcano around 1000 AD and again excavated starting in 1815, Borobudur counts as one of Asia’s major archaeological sites. The visit to Borobudur will include a guided tour with extra time to spend in or near the complex.
Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 6 : Merapi – Free day
We return to Merapi to observe the incandescent rockfalls from the lava dome, which has been growing since 2020, the rest of the time is free at leisure.
Accommodation: as before (B, L )
Day 7 : Yogyakarta – Surabaya – Bromo
Morning exe train to Surabaya, then transfer to Bromo, climb Bromo and sunset photography at the Tengger caldera.
Accommodation: Hotel near the rim of the caldera (B,L,D )
Day 8 : Sunrise Tengger – Explore Geology of Bromo – Pronojiwo (South Semeru)
Early morning, ride a 4WD jeep to the rim of the Tengger caldera, after lunch, then transfer to Pronojiwo, which is located in the south slope of Semeru , most of the active and erupting volcano since 1800 up today ejecting magmatic materials with regular explosions. Accommodation: Homestay or cottage (B,L,D )
Day 9 : Semeru – Tumpaksewu waterfall
Early morning, ride a jeep to Semeru’s flank for the possibility to see and photograph at the explosion and dramatic landscape after the recent eruption in 2021, afterward we continue to explore the destroyed villages and sand mining. We continue to Tumpaksewu waterfall and hike down to the cave Tetes when the conditions allow.
Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 10 : Pronojiwo – Transfer to Ijen
Transfer day to Ijen , en route visit Geosite Kawah Wurung, a volcanic cone inside of the Ijen caldera, and other volcanic cones located inside of the Ijen caldera. Accommodation: Ijen resort or similar (B,L,D )
Day 11 : Climb Ijen
Early morning transfer to Paltuding, then we ascend to the crater rim of Ijen, go down to the mining of sulphur and the blue fire (if conditions allow). We are allowed to photograph the miners and their activity, afterward we descend back to the hotel, and the rest of the time is free for leisure. Accommodation: as before (B,L,D )
Day 12 : Ijen – Jimbaran, Bali
Transfer day to Jimbaran through northern Bali, en route we will see the Tamblingan caldera and the Balinese Temple Pura Ulun Danu Beratan in the lake of Bedugul.
Accommodation: Hotel at Jimbaran beach (B,L,D )
Day 13 : Bali – Labuhan Bajo
Morning flight to Labuhan Bajo, transfer to the harbour, visit Rinca island, then proceed to Padar island, stay on boat. (B,L,D )
Day 14 : Padar island – Komodo – Pink beach – Labuhanbajo
Sail to Komodo island for a hike and photography, proceed to Pink beach for your relaxing time of Snorkelling and beaching, and in the afternoon, proceed to return to Labuhan Bajo. Accommodation: Hotel front beach (B,L,D )
Day 15 : Labuhanbajo – Bali
Fly to Bali, free day at leisure. End of tour
Accommodation: Hotel in Jimbaran beach (B,L,D )
Day 16: Transfer out to airport
WE Got You Covered
Endangered Wildlife
Eco lodges & tours
Epic journeys
Get 30% Off Your First Trip
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.