Yogyakarta - Prambanan and Borobudur Travel Report
 

My objective of visiting Yogyakarta was seeing two famous architectural wonders in Java: A Hindu temple and a Buddhist temple. I was told that tourists generally go to the Hindu temple for the sunset and the Buddhist temple for the sunrise. So that’s what I did, and I was hoping the weather would go well for the best view.

After we arrived at Yogyakarta airport, we had a limousine pick up from the hotel to the Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort and Spa - We reserved a “lagoon access” suite on the ground floor where the balcony is directly connected to the pool! We took some time enjoying the hotel facilities, made spa treatment appointments, and then we were prepared to head out and book our tours. About booking drivers and tours for Prambanan and Borobudur: http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-12f

We headed to our cooking class the next day at the Viavia (which is located in the dining area of the city), we had afternoon tea at the Paprika Restaurant in Phoenix Hotel, and we had spa treatments in the hotel. So relaxed. The fun of market visiting and taking a cooking class in Viavia: http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-vT

*Prambanan Temple*

The Prambanan World Heritage Compounds is the largest Hindu compounds in the Southeast Asia.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBgDe6wC...ycx.journeying

At about 3pm we were picked up by the driver at the hotel heading to the Prambanan temple for the sunset. Before entering the compound it reminded me very much of Angkor Wat, looking from afar. The puddles may have turned sand into mud they also formed gorgeous reflections of the temples. Rising above the Prambanan Plain in the center of these concentric squares are three Hindu towers decorated with bas-reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana. The refined details in the sculptures and engraving survived the 2006 earthquake, were mystical and outstanding, they are the best representation of Hindu art in the nation.

For two hours, it was raining and we thought it was over. Just when the temple was about to close, everyone has left the site, there we had it – we saw a perfect sunset in between the temples of Vishnu and Shiva. It was the highlight of an ending of yet another simple, uneventful, but blissful day…
Check out knycx.journeying blog about the Sunset!: http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-12f

*Borobudur*

We ordered a breakfast box at 4am and the driver picked us up punctually. The temple is about 50 km away from the city center and we arrived at about 5:30am.

There are two locations for viewing the sunrise at Borobudur:

1. The Manohara Hotel Borobudur Sunrise tour – the Center of Borobudur Study is an agent organizing a sunrise tour that permits visitors to enter the temple before opening hours to view the sunrise.
2. Punthuk Stumbu is a ‘cheaper’ and ‘higher’ alternative to see the sunrise at Borobudur. Viewers could see the sunrise clearly over the misty Central Java jungle, with Borobudur looming out of a patchwork of green rice fields and swaying palms, and the sun rises in between Mount Merapi and Merbabu. It was epic!

Entering the temple park from the east gate, we climbed up to the top of the temple, where the tiny pagodas in different patterns are lined up in concentric circles. Then we are suggested to walk down the temple and walk around every level (pradaksina) clockwise. The original foot of Borobudur and Karmawibhangga reliefs is shown in the Southeast corner of the temple. Check out knycx.journeying blog about the Sunrise and more travel tip for Yogtyakarta~ : http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-12f

One does not need a tour to see sunrise at Borobudur. One can pay extra for early admission ay the gate of Borobudur, no tour required. Harder to arrange is the weather, as you found at Prambanam.

I'm glad you enjoyed these marvelous temples. Did you visit other temples in the area? Did you go to the Ramayana ballet at Prambanam?

OMG, the big chicken has a name: Punthuk Stumbu! I must admit that I'm very glad I saw the sun rise FROM Borobudur, but I also enjoyed viewing the scenery from Punthuk Stumbu's beak. :-)

@kja, what is the big chicken?
Yes, I agree both sites are amazing.

@Kathie, thanks for sharing! So I was thankful that I could see both sunrise and sunset in the end. Yes! We visited the palace, other temples and tasted a lot of local food.

Hmm... when I googled Punthuk Stumbu, what I saw is the building in the shape of a huge roosting chicken that I visited and from which I appreciated a view (from its "beak") over Borobudur and the surrounding area. Is that not the place you meant?

Wonderful...
I have a question.....
Is it easy to fly from Bali to Boro? Need tours?

Kathie sorry just read your response.No tours.
Have u flown from Bali?

Zoso, you can fly from Bali to Yogyakarta very easily, several airlines fly this route. I haven't flown from Bali - have flown from Singapore.

Do read kja's exquisitely detailed report!

(@ Kathie -- thank you! :-) )

@ zoso: for flight (and other) options, you might want to start with rome2rio.com

Punthuk Setumbu is hill in the upland region northwest of Borobudur near Magelang, which is a popular spot from which to view sunrise over the monument and surrounding mountains. This is where the giant chicken structure is located. The chicken is known locally as Gereja Ayam or Chicken Church, though I don't think it has any religious affiliation. In my opinion, another blight on the beautiful Indonesian landscape. After living in Indonesia for 20+ years I've lost my sense of humor for architectural oddities. :)

zoso, I'd recommend flying AirAsia from Bali Denpasar to Yogyakarta. There are several flights daily and it's cheap and efficient. Their website is easy to use, but pay attention to their cancellation and change policies.

Kathie, could you elaborate a little more on getting into Borobudur for sunrise, by paying extra at the gate? Is this something your guide was able to arrange for you? I didn't think they would let you in before 6:00 AM, but then, in Indonesia there's usually a way.

@ marmot -- as always, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Marmot, when we went in 2012, our driver brought us to the little gatehouse where you buy tickets to get into Borobudur. There was a sign, showing admission fees, there was a special admission fee for entering before 6:00 AM, and anyone walking up could buy that admission, no special arrangements needed. Twenty years ago, our guide did make some sort of special arrangements, as I remember.

Thanks, Kathie. I'll look for that next time.

@Kathie, I reckon it's the same package for an "early entrance" at the temple through different agencies. The package is not actually a tour. All foreign visitors would be paying the same price entering the temple before 6am~
For some "tours", the driver would take you to the nearby temples after visiting Borobudur.

zoso, lots of low-cost airlines in Indonesia fly out of Denpasar, look at Webjet or similar sites. Cheap as chips, we rarely pay more than $25 per flight.

knycx, it isn't a package, just a price for entering before 6 am. Anyone can do this - just get to Borobudur before sunrise. And, yes, you should have your driver take you to some nearby temples, especially the remarkable Candi Mendut.

@Kathie, I think you have a different concept of package and tour compared to me because what you said is exactly what I mean. Most people here call it a package or tour. My point is, everyone is doing the same thing, either you go buy the ticket yourself, or through someone else.

We must be talking past each other on this knycx, I don't consider hiring a driver to take me where I want to go to be a package. Nor did I just go to Borobudur (and surrounding temples) that day. Per my request, we also went to the Dieng Plateau. You can do something different from people buying a "package." To me, a package means a standard set of stops.

I don't know if this clarifies my point or if we are just talking semantics.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed central Java - one of my favorite parts of SE Asia.

FWIW, my understanding of "package" is like Kathie's -- a specific (and standard) itinerary at a specific (and standard) cost.

Maybe that is just semantics -- but it would have been important to me. I would have pursued a "package" <b>only</b> as a last resort, as I wanted much more flexibility than I would have thought a package would afford.

But like Kathie, I'm just glad I was fortunate enough to see the sunrise from Borobudur!