After an epic 30-day Indonesia trip, Java has now ranked as the best Indonesian island to visit in our opinion.
Get ready to experience breathtaking scenery like you’ve never encountered, filled with incredible natural wonders just waiting for you to discover
You’re in for a treat with some of the most delicious food in the world and encountering some of the friendliest people on earth. Are you sold yet?!
This 7-day itinerary in East Java, Indonesia, is set to be one of the most incredible and unforgettable weeks you’ll ever experience. Let’s get into planning your adventure of a life time.
Check out our Instagram post at the bottom to find out how much our trip in Java cost us!!
East Java Itinerary: Day 1 – Yogyakarta
Flying into Yogyakarta, you will be arriving at the heart of Javanese culture. Yogyakarta is home to the Kraton (Sultan’s Palace), where you can witness traditional Javanese architecture and learn about the royal heritage.
Additionally, Yogyakarta is a hub for traditional Indonesian arts and crafts. Enjoy your first-day exploring local markets like Malioboro Street to shop for batik fabrics, silverware, and other handmade goods.
Yogyakarta’s street food scene is a huge draw to the city in itself, offering endless mouth-watering meals at extremely affordable prices.
Basically, enjoy WANDERING around this new vibrant city and soak up the wonderful culture.
Indonesian food is absolutely delicious and is now our favorite, outranking Thailand, hard to believe eh!
Check out all the information you will need for your Indonesia trip so you are ready and prepared for a holiday of a life time!
East Java Itinerary: Day 2 – Yogyakarta
Take a day trip from Yogyakarta to two ancient temples that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the best attractions in Southeast Asia, Borobudur and Prambanan Temples.
Both attractions display stunning architecture and provide insight into Indonesia’s religious history.
Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple is a 9th-century Buddhist temple located in Java, Indonesia. It is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist monuments in the world. Built as a mandala the monument is home to 504 Buddha statues.
Climbing to the top of Borobudur provides panoramic views of the surrounding lush countryside, especially at sunrise.
Prambanan Temple
Unlike Borobudur, Prambanan is a Hindu temple complex. The monument has many towering structures that create a striking silhouette against the sky. The tallest temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, reaches about 47 meters (154 feet) in height.
Looking for an affordable way to explore the stunning Borobudur and Prambanan Temples? Check out this fantastic deal! For just 25 euros per person, you can enjoy a guided tour that includes pick up and drop off to the hotel, climb to the top of these incredible sites, plus the bonus of skipping the lines.
East Java Itinerary: Day 3 – Malang
Today we travel from Yogyakarta to Malang. Start your day early as the trip takes around 6 hours.
Jodipan
Possibly one of our favorite stories is that of Malang’s colorful village of Jodipan, also known as Kampung Warna Warni.
Until 2016, Jodipan Village was a slum on the verge of eviction. Due to the poor living conditions in the village, the local government decided to relocate all its residents.
It was at that time when a group of students from Malang University suggested giving Jodipan a splash of color in the hope of attracting tourists.
The residents collaborated with the local government and several artists to paint the walls of houses in countless bright and lively colors.
The colorful murals cover not only the walls but also the staircases, alleys, and all public spaces!
As a result, the increased tourism has provided economic opportunities for locals, with residents selling souvenirs, offering guided tours, and participating in cultural performances.
The project has successfully turned a once-neglected area into a lively and creative hub, truly displaying the power of art and community collaboration in urban development.
This was such a cool and special experience. What a story!! We loved our visit to Jodipan, AND with the entry fee only costing 10k IDR/ 60cent this is a must-visit in our opinion.
East Java Itinerary: Day 4 – Malang
Take a day trip from Malang to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls we have ever seen.
The easiest way is to take a Grab to Tumpak Sewu waterfall from Malang. This is a 2-hour drive and will cost around 300k IDR/18 Euro one way.
We would recommend organizing a fixed price with your driver as there will be no Grab available for your return trip.
Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
Tumpak Sewu, which translates to “a thousand waterfalls,” is a majestic waterfall with a distinctive horseshoe shape, contributing to its unique and picturesque appearance.
The water descends from several streams above, creating a curtain-like effect that adds to the beauty of the landscape.
Important to note that visiting Tumpak Sewu will involve a tough hike if you plan to reach the waterfall below.
The journey takes you through dense forests, river crossings, and challenging terrains…
Be prepared to get your shoes wet and bring appropriate protective gear sucha s a dry bag for your camera and phone. Once you reach the base of Tumpak Sewu waterfall, you will get wet from the spray. However, the view is truly rewarding.
For a further detailed article on how to get to Tumpak Sewu and everything else you need to know – Click Here to read our guide.
If that doesn’t appeal to you, not to worry. There’s a popular viewpoint, known as Perum Pun Nirwana, or Nirwana Point, where you can still get a stunning panoramic view of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall from a distance.
From this viewpoint, you can soak in the beauty of Tumpak Sewu and its rugged surroundings in its entirety.
The entrance cost 20k/1.20 Euro for the viewpoint and an extra 50k/3 Euro to go down to the waterfall.
East Java Itinerary: Day 5 – Cemoro Lawang (Mount Bromo)
Today you will travel from Malang to Mount Bromo to visit one of the best views in the world. Many people choose to visit Mount Bromo on a day trip, however, we feel a longer stay is absolutely worthwhile and we would highly encourage you to do so.
Spend your first day of arrival exploring the beautiful and picturesque mountain village of Cemoro Lawang where you’ll be enjoying a two-night stay.
You will find breathtaking views in all directions and the perfect place to witness your first glimpse of Mount Bromo for sunset.
Also, there are plenty of local restaurants and shops to browse through in this charming village.
Bring warm clothes, it gets cold in the mountains.
East Java Itinerary: Day 6 – Cemoro Lawang
Once you’ve reached Cemoro Lawang, you’ve likely had a relaxed day enjoying the views of the village. But now it’s time to see the main attractions!
King Kong Viewpoint at Sunrise and Mount Bromo Hike
Another positive of staying overnight in the village of Cemoro Lawang is that you value every hour of sleep!
Cemoro Lawang is the closest village to Mount Bromo, so this also means that you are in the closest position to begin your early morning hike to view Mount Bromo at sunrise.
Seeing as tours leave Malang at midnight to get to the viewpoint on time. You will be grateful for your decision to stay in Cemoro Lawang when you get to sleep in until 3 am!
It is a straightforward 4km walk to the King Kong viewpoint, easily accessible from Cemoro Lawang with street lights for most of the way.
Alternatively, there will be constant offers to bring you on motorcycles (yes even at 3 am!).
However, be aware these motorcycles can only bring you so far, you will have to climb the last part of the mountain to King Kong viewpoint yourself.
- Click the link to read everything you need to know to get to the King Kong viewpoint.
After sunrise, the majority (if not all) of the groups head straight to Mount Bromo. Given that we were staying in the local village for two nights we opted to let the crowds pass and have a nap instead – win win!
Have a lovely leisurely lunch and head to Mount Bromo in the early afternoon – again easily accessible from the village and a much easier walk.
Enjoy being one of the only tourists there now that all the tour groups have left and be awe-struck at the natural wonder in front of your eyes as you gaze into a ferocious active volcano.
The sounds alone from the volcano will halt you in your steps and truly make you appreciate Mother Nature.
Find all the additional information you need about visiting Mount Bromo for FREE.
East Java Itinerary: Day 7 – Banyuwangi (Mount Ijen)
Lastly, but most certainly not least, is your incredibly unique experience of hiking Mount Ijen to witness the mesmerizing blue flames and capture the largest acid lake in the world.
Now if that isn’t the perfect ending to top off your ultimate Java itinerary we don’t know what is!
The park opens at 2 am and the entrance fee costs 150k/8.90 Euro on weekends and 100k/5.90 Euro on weekdays.
Don’t forget to rent a gas mask from your accommodation if you plan on visiting the famous Mount Ijen blue fire.
The best location to base yourself is the seaside town of Banyuwangi, located about an hour and a half from Mount Ijen’s entrance.
In Banyuwangi you can rent a scooter from your accommodation or join a group tour to Mount Ijen.
To witness the blue flames in all their glory. requires an early start, This is because the flames will not be visible once it starts to get bright.
Be prepared to leave Banyuwangi at midnight to allow yourself plenty of time.
Get all the information for your Mount Ijen hike here.
Bali is only 45 minutes by ferry from Banyuwangi so if you need downtime and to catch up on sleep after that full-on adventure week then this is not a bad option!
Even better, head to the Gili Islands for ultimate paradise relaxation, and add your epic Java trip to the Ultimate 2 week Indonesia Itinerary.
If you’d rather relax without the hassle of organizing transportation and navigating your way around, consider opting for a tour. Check out the options below to see the costs involved.
What Was Our East Java Budget?
Have we convinced you to Visit Java, Indonesia yet?
The following video of our East Java Budget may just be enough to persuade you!
East Java Itinerary: Final Tips
Before reading our final tips of our 7 day East Java itinerary, feel free to explore the FREE links provided to discover the expenses for an unforgettable holiday in the stunning island of Java, Indonesia.
- Warm gear – it gets quite cold at King Kong Hill Viewpoint as you wait for sunrise in the early hours of the morning.
- Headtorch – Hiking to the top of a mountain in darkness will not be fun!
- Appropriate footwear – Ideally wear footwear you don’t mind getting wet at the waterfall.
- Don’t forget to rent a gas mask if you plan to go down to the blue flames.
- Download the Grab App.
Java offers the most amazing Indonesia trip, ticking all the boxes of the most amazing and unique landscapes we have ever seen.
From volcano hikes and stunning waterfalls to jaw-dropping human creations that include ancient temples and rehabilitated slums, it truly is an unbelieve trip and a must-visit destination for any traveler looking for a new adventure.
Couple all of this with delicious food and warm friendly locals then you will have yourself one epic week!
If you can top this we would love to hear about it so just drop us a message below or on our socials.
Slán go fóil
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