JulianoMelao

Dear Fodorities...

I just change my mind and after Phuket i´m going to get a flight to Jakarta to stay some days in Java island, but i need some tips.

For Indonesia i have around 10-12 days in next march 2014, after get a flight to Bangkok and home.

How many days can i Java and Bali?
Is there some kind of land/boat transport between the island? in this way i can get more of the Java island.

I love outdoors activities, mountain, nature, beach, hikes, rivers and so on!

Many tnks.

warmly,
Juliano

Kathie

In 10-12 days, you can see Java and Bali. Yes, there is a ferry between the two islands. Instead of flying into Jakarta, fly into either Yogyakarta or Solo City. That will put you right where you want to be to see Borobudur and Prambanan.

Click on my name and under trip reports, you'll find one from November for Java. Photos at www.marlandc.com

marmot

Agree, I'd skip Jakarta and fly into Yogya/Solo or Surabaya.

There are two major areas of interest in Java, Central Java (Yogyakarta,Solo, Borobudur) and East Java (Surabaya, Malang, Bromo, Ijen). Both offer a lot along the way of adventure, nature-oriented travel.

Getting from Central Java to East Java either entails a flight, a train ride or a long drive.

The ferry to Bali leaves from the far tip of East Java and lands on the northcoast of Bali. If you don't have other reasons to be those areas you'd be better served flying from Java to Bali.

10-12 days is a bit tight for the main destinations, but my top picks would be Yogyakarta/Borobudur, Bromo, Ubud, South Bali.

If I had to eliminate one, I'd choose Bromo over Yogyakarta for outdoorsy activities. You could fly into Surabaya, drive to Bromo, drive to the Ferry (maybe fit in Ijen), spend time stopping along the way from North Bali to Ubud to the beach.

JulianoMelao

Many tnks Marmot and Kathie.

My choice for Jakarta is because direct flight from Phuket is cheaper, i just check about flight from Phuket to Solo City and other places, is a little expensive.

Is there some flight from Phuket to this places with a better price?

In my first plan i was thinking in flight Phuket/Kuala/Bali.

tnks again!

warmly,
Juliano.

Kathie

I know that Air Asia flies into Yogyakarta, but maybe only from Jakarta rather than from KL.

JulianoMelao

Is easy from Jakarta get some day tour to some beauty place or it´s not worth visit just to do it?

tnks again!

Juliano

Kathie

Skip Jakarta. You would need to connect to a flight there to get to central or eastern Java.

marmot

Jakarta is a massive, sprawling city so it's difficult to get out to the countryside and back in a day. West Java (which Jakarta is part of) does have spectacular scenery and trekking opportunities -- volcanic mountains, rainforests, isolated beaches -- but it's not so easy to access. Take a look at Ujung Kulon national park.

Since your time is limited, I'd concentrate on Bali and one part of Java. If you choose East Java, you could fly from Bangkok to Surabaya. This involves some backtracking but you might also consider flying Bangkok-Surabaya-Yogyakarta-Bali(Denpasar).

JulianoMelao

Kathie and Marmot, many tnks.

I think that i will use Bali as base and go to near islands.

And about get a bout from Bali to east Java? is a good idea?

tnks again!!

warmly,
Juliano

Kathie

You can get a ferry from Bali to East Java, or a very inexpensive flight from Bali to Surabaya.

JulianoMelao

Ok, What are the companies that fly this route?

JulianoMelao

Just find in expedia.com round trip from Bali 75u$ , good price.

From Surabaya is there some places to visit in a day or is better to stay 2 or 3 days?

marmot

Surabaya is another big, sprawling city, but it's the launching point for Mt. Bromo and the surrounding volcanic peaks. It's also close to Malang, which is an interesting small town. You can arrange for transport and tours in Surabaya or on-line before you go.

If mountain trekking and photography is of interest to you I'd suggest that you stay in the Bromo area instead of in Surabaya itself. Look at Java Banana.

From Bromo you can either return to Surabaya airport or continue east to Ijen (sulphur mines) and then to the ferry that connects to Bali.

Figure 4-5 hours Surabaya to Bromo base area. Bromo to Bali by ferry takes most of a day.

Bear in mind that the ferry lands in the far northwest corner of Bali so unless you are staying in north Bali, you have to arrange onward transport to Ubud or the southern beaches.

If you fly look at Air Asia. Surabaya/Bali runs around $US30. Air Asia is highly recommended and easy to use online. Note: they charge for luggage.

JulianoMelao

Ok..

In Bali i wanna stay 4 days in beach area and 4 days in Ubud.

Now i have some places to read about and can get flight around Bali to Surabaya or ferry.

tnks again.

warmly,
Juliano

mistadobalina

I visited Java, Bali, and Komodo last summer, and the big highlights were Prambanan and Borobudur (central Java), sunrise above Mt Bromo (east Java), and Komodo National Park. West Java was interesting, we went to Krakatoa and also to Ujung Kulon, plus spent a day at Bogor Botanic Garden. All were good, but not as interesting or as memorable as the sights around Yogyakara and Surabaya. Plus, Prambanan and Borobudur are very convenient to the airport, especially Prambanan, which is very short. In fact, we saw Prambanan the afternoon after landing, saw Borobudur the next day, traveled to the Bromo area the day after that, and saw the sunrise and then went back to Surabaya (and onto Bali) the 4th day, and didn't feel rushed at all. Our trip report is here if you're interested: http://justinandcrystal.com/SEAsia2012/