Indonesia
BEST OF INDONESIA
Number of days
14 days
Cities Involved
Bali, Ujung Padang, Torajaland, Yogyakarta, Medan & Lake Toba
ACTC Tours SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Choice of superior, deluxe and first class hotels with private bath/shower
- American breakfast daily and 5 lunches.
- Balinese dance presentation and welcome dinner.
- Ramayana ballet and farewell dinner.
- Local English speaking guide for sightseeing tours.
- Transfers and sightseeing tour by AC bus.
- Entrance fees, guide fees, driver allowance, parking fees, etc.
- Baggage handling and porterage
The beauty of Indonesia’s scenic natural landscapes blend with various unique culture of its people, which makes it a wonderful place to visit. Bali, also known as the Land of the Gods, appeals through its sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude peace and serenity. Bali enchants with its dramatic dances and colorful ceremonies, its arts and crafts, to its luxurious beach resorts and exciting nightlife. Yogyakarta, together with its twin city Surakarta (Solo), is the cradle of civilization on Java. Seat of power that produced the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th century and the new powerful Mataram kingdom of the 16th and 17th century. Discover the Toraja ethnic group, who still adhere to their age-old beliefs, rituals and traditions. Uniquely, to the Torajans, death has always been a central theme, where in addition to the well-known elaborate funeral ceremonies, Torajans also honor the deceased by carving out the likeness of the dead, known as Tau-tau. Lake Toba,the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world. Relax and sit back to absorb some beautiful pristine scenery before returning home.
Day to Day Program:
DAY 1
DENPASAR – BALI
Arrive in the storied island paradise of Bali, the most popular stop in Indonesia. Its friendly people, Hindu culture, rhythmic and flowing dances, volcanoes, sculptured rice paddies, beautiful jungle and mountain scenery and spectacular beaches make it one of the most fascinating islands you’ll find anywhere in the world. This evening enjoy a special Balinese welcome dinner. HOTEL
DAY 2
DENPASAR TOUR
Tour the fabled Bali, the “Land of the Gods.” The culture, art and religion with its many temple ceremonies, festivals & dances, will transfix you. The Bali Museum has paintings, carvings and a diorama of a Balinese wedding. The Puputan Square is where the Denpasar aristocracy came to a horrific end in 1906. Community temples called Pura abound in this city. Visit Pura Jagatnatha dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy lovely Bali.
DAYS 3
UBUD, BARONG DANCE, CRAFT VILLAGE & BESAKIH TEMPLE
Religion governs every aspect of Balinese life and each village has at least three temples where rituals and festivals take place. Music, dance and drama are part of those rituals and each village has its own dance troupe that performs for the spiritual well being of the village. Explore the quaint village of Ubud, where centuries-old traditions are preserved. World famous treasures made here include intricate paintings, sculpture and woodcarvings. See the famous Barong and Kris dance performed by a multitude of dancers in an ancient temple courtyard. Later, visit the mother temple of all Bali, Besakih Temple, a sacred temple on the slopes of Mount Agung.
DAY 4
DENPASAR / UJUNG PANDANG
Travel to Ujung Padang, formerly Makassar, a flourishing port of the old spice trade. The city excursion includes Benteng Ujung one of the best-preserved forts, built in 1545 during the reign of Tuni Pallanga, the 10th sultan of Gowa. The fort was renamed Rotterdam by Admiral Speelman who constructed bastions and buildings of typical Dutch architecture making it the center of the civilian government, including a church on its premises. Continue to the State Museum, exhibiting archaeological and historical objects, manuscripts, numismatics, ceramics and ethnic costumes and ornaments.
DAY 5
UJUNG PANDANG / TORAJALAND
Drive north to Rantepao in the Tana Toraja region takes you through rice fields and past the Makassar Strait. Tongkonan, family houses, are built on stilts with the roof rearing up at either end. The houses all face north either because it was from the north that the ancestors of the Toraja came from or that the north (and east) are regarded as the realm of the gods, the compass of life.
DAY 6
TORAJA LAND EXCURSION
The so-called Land of the Kings was put in the international limelight in the early 1900s, when word of its animist cultures and their traditions first reached the West. Locals practice an ancestor cult where death and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts. Life-size tau tau (wooden effigies) that mark graves are buried in limestone cliffs. The mouth of the cave is guarded by lifelike statues, who diligently look out from a balcony at the families and friends left behind. Other ceremonies are as elaborate including weddings in costumes of gold and silk brocade. HOTEL
DAY 7
TORAJA LAND / UJUNG PADANG
On our return to Ujung Pandang, stop at Pare-Pare for lunch and to photograph paddy fields and typical Bugis houses made of wood and bamboo, built on stilts & Bugis natives. Also stop at the Kotu village to taste the Bugis specialties and an afternoon tea.
DAY 8
UJUNG PADANG / YOGYAKARTA
Fly to Yogyakarta. “Yogya” as it is popularly known is the most popular city in Indonesia. It’s a cultural and intellectual center, crammed with prestigious universities and academies as well a batik-producing center of Indonesia. This evening enjoy a presentation of the legendary Ramayana Ballet followed by Dinner.
DAY 9
BOROBUDUR & PRAMBANAN TOUR
Borobudur is one of the greatest Buddhist relics in Southeast Asia and is Indonesia’s most famous attraction. Rulers of the Sailendra dynasty built the colossal pyramid of Borobudur between 750 and 850 AD. The ancient site covers acres of land with thousands of sculptures rising on seven levels and represents the culmination of South Asian Buddhist art. Later explore Prambanan, an ancient complex in the style of Javanese-Hindu art standing on the ethereal heights of the Dieng Plateau. The most dramatic and important is the Loro Jonggrang complex, dedicated to the Hindu God Siva. The Siva and Brahma temples are carved with narrative relief panels showing tales from the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic.
DAY 10
YOGYAKARTA CITY TOUR
Visit the elegant Keraton Royal Center, at the center of the city. Its myriad museums, temples, crafts workshops and markets display the finest court architecture in Java. Dioramas with life-size puppets show the grandeur of earlier times, including a royal wedding. Your afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 11
YOGYAKARTA / MEDAN
Lush valley, cascading waterfalls and active volcanoes, tribes with customs of Sumatra are seen nowhere else in the world. The stuff of Hollywood adventure movies is all-too-real in North Sumatra, the least visited region of the island. Arrive in Medan, once the site of a battlefield between the Aceh people and the neighboring Deli Kingdom. Visit the Deli Sultan Palace, now known as “Maimoon Palace”, finished on 26 August 1888 by Sultan Makmum Al Rasyid; The Grand Mosque built in 1906 in the Moorish style is the biggest and most beautiful mosque in North Sumatra.
DAY 12
MEDAN / LAKE TOBA
Travel today to Parapat on the shore of Lake Toba. The lake is about 50 miles long and 16 miles across, with a depth of about 1,400 feet. Visit the villages of Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun tribes, a happy and easy going people well known for their lively and sentimental love songs. Take a boat ride to Samosir right in the middle of Lake Toba. This island is the original home of the fiercest but kind hearted Toba Bataks. Visit the villages of Tomok, Tuk-tuk, Siallagan, Ambarita to see traditional Batak Toba houses, and local dances.
DAY 13
LAKE TOBA / MEDAN
Return to Medan via endless views of rubber plantations at Pematang Siantar. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner this evening.
DAY 12
MEDAN / FLIGHT BACK HOME
This morning board your flight for home taking with you a new understanding of the many cultures of fabulous Indonesia …
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Number of days
14 days
Cities Involved
Bali, Ujung Padang, Torajaland, Yogyakarta, Medan & Lake Toba
