Java
Just like the hot cups of coffee to which it lends its name, Java simmers and steams against a backdrop of some of Indonesia’s most famous ancient temples and conical peaks. Jakarta’s high-rise glass and steel brings a cacophony of culture, both ancient and modern, in high definition and energy, while the ‘Sultan's city’ of Yogyakarta counters with a much more gentle, classical approach to life within the Ring of Fire. Away from the cities, you'll find cultural enlightenment and wellness retreats amid the rice terraces and coffee estates, as well as stunning volcanic sunrises and more from east Java’s Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen (if you're prepared for very early starts!). Lunar landscapes rise from desert plateaus giving the island’s scenery a prehistoric rawness.
Three things to do in Java
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
Twin peaks: Mount Bromo & Mount Ijen
Rising from the island’s starkest landscapes are two of Indonesia’s most famous volcanoes: the smoking gunungs of east Java’s Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen. Pulling focus with their otherworldly craters billowing steam and smoke towards the clouds, these active volcanoes are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Watching a sunrise over Mount Bromo and her sister, Mount Semeru - Java’s largest volcano - is high on many wish lists, despite the persistent crowds, while further east, Mount Ijen’s neon-yellow sulphurous deposits and toxic turquoise lakes cast vivid contrasts against the grey ash. Embark upon a volcanic trek to discover how utterly intoxicating it is to be so close to such powerful forces of nature.
Yogyakarta & Jakarta
Java has it’s own spin on a Tale of Two (very different) Cities. Look lost in the university city of Yogyakarta, and you may suddenly find a smiling student wishing to assist. This former capital, full of fine art and Javanese culture, has a very special place in the nation's hearts. It’s close to Indonesia’s well-known ancient temples - Borobudur’s Buddhist temple complex and Prambanan’s Hindi temples - and the buzzing local life on Jalan Solo is worth getting in amongst. Jakarta can be more of an acquired taste, bringing with it a fair amount of noise and grit, but it can also be welcoming and beautiful. Take a tour through the city’s street food delights, and tuk-tuk to the harbour to see its seafaring past, present and future.
Temple treks & coffee culture
When Mt Merapi’s summit glows with seams of lava, it feels like you’ve stepped into a different world... However, during its quieter phases, Merapi’s rich, volcanic soil creates a lush landscape that’s perfect for cultivating coffee, rice and fruit - cycling in the shadow of Java's most active volcano is usually less startling than it sounds! This region of central Java is incredibly beautiful, and staying in style on a working coffee estate gives you great insight into one of the island's oldest industries. Open your mind to the diversity of Java’s spirituality and culture with a visit to the ancient Hindu temples of Gedong Songo, strewn across the slopes of Mt Ungaran; a good excuse to pause during another challenging hike!
