Best of East Java

After breakfast and checking out of your hotel, meet your guide and driver to begin a morning tour of Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city. The city’s name, derived from the Javanese words for “shark” (Suro) and “crocodile” (Boyo), is a nod to its rich history and strategic importance as the gateway to iconic volcanoes like Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen.

Your tour starts with a walk through the lively streets of Chinatown and past the famous Red Bridge. From there, you’ll explore Kampung Arab (also known as Ampel), an ancient district still inhabited by the descendants of Arab merchants who introduced Islam to Java centuries ago. You will visit the historic Old Sunan Ampel Mosque, founded in the 15th century by one of Java’s nine Muslim saints, before a visit to the vibrant Pasar Pabean Spice Market.

After a local lunch, you’ll begin your scenic drive to Mount Bromo. The journey takes you along a picturesque mountain road, passing through the coastal town of Pasuruan before reaching the edge of the Bromo Tengger National Park. You will check into your hotel in the Tosari or Ngadisari area late in the afternoon.

The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Wake up before dawn for an experience you’ll never forget: watching the sunrise over Mount Bromo’s surreal, lunar landscape. You will be taken by 4WD jeep to a prime viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan to witness the sun cresting over the horizon, casting a golden light across the volcanic caldera.

Next, you will travel down into the caldera itself, where an otherworldly atmosphere awaits, often shrouded in a low-lying mist. From the jeep drop-off point, it’s a 45-minute walk across the Sea of Sand to the base of the volcano. A short, 15-minute climb up a set of stairs leads you to the rim of the active Bromo crater for breathtaking views.

After your hike, your jeep will be waiting to take you back to the hotel. Enjoy a well-deserved breakfast and some time to relax and refresh before continuing your journey to Kalibaru.

The drive to Kalibaru is a scenic one, lasting approximately 6-7 hours. You will pass through stunning landscapes with stops for lunch and photo opportunities along the way. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the evening at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight: Kalibaru

Note: The temperature at the viewpoint can be very cold, so please be sure to bring warm clothing for the sunrise excursion.

Start your day with a relaxed breakfast before embarking on a 90-minute tour of the Margo Utomo Agro Resort’s 90-hectare plantation. Here, you’ll gain an insider’s perspective on the cultivation of various crops. Learn about the lifecycle of coffee beans and discover a range of local spices like nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon, as well as cocoa and coconuts. The tour provides a fascinating look at the planting, harvesting, and processing methods, culminating in a tasting of the final products.

After your tour, you’ll have some time to refresh before checking out and enjoying an early lunch at the hotel.

Following lunch, you’ll depart for the Ijen region near the small town of Banyuwangi. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel, which is either located near the Ijen Volcano in the village of Licin or in the coastal town of Ketapang.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight: Banyuwangi