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Best of Java & Sumatra

21 days, Medan to Surabaya

21 days

Medan to Surabaya

From$22959HKD
Valid on Nov 5 2025
Trip Code: AEMS

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

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21 days

Medan to Surabaya

From$22959HKD
Valid on Nov 5 2025
Trip Code: AEMS

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 21

Map of the route for Best of Java & Sumatra

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Medan

Welcome to Sumatra! Arrive at anytime.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Medan/Bukit Lawang

No better way to start your Sumatra adventure then a day tour of the biggest city on the island, Medan. Visit the important landmarks, starting at the biggest mosque on the entire island, Al-Mashun Great Mosque. From there, walk to the grand 30-room Maimun Palace. Drive to Vihara Gunung Timur Temple and admire the classic Chinese architecture. Then continue walking through Pajak Ikan Lama historic market before heading to lunch. Together we'll eat like the locals at a Padang restaurant. After lunch and a day of exploring, drive to Bukit Lawang and check into your hotel.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Padang Lunch

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Bukit Lawang

Today, head off to trek through Gunung Leuser National Park. Sumatra is one of only two islands in the entire world where you can find orangutans in the wild. Enjoy a moderate hike through the largest national park in Indonesia in search of these and other amazing animals. After working up a sweat, cool off while tubing down the river back to the starting point. This evening, join a local cooking class to make traditional cuisine from the Batak Ethnic group.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 4Bukit Lawang/Berastagi

Drive from Bukit Lawang to Berastagi and enjoy the scenic ride with stops at Gundaling Hill and a local fruit market. After checking into the hotel, drive to Sibayak Hot Spring for some much deserved time to relax in the volcanic hot spring.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Wellness Moment Sibayak Hot Spring

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Berastagi/Lake Toba

After breakfast, drive to Dokan Village to visit the Batak ethnic group. The Batak people are from North Sumatra, especially around Lake Toba and have been here for hundreds of year. Take a tour of the beautiful and unique village. Then continue to the breathtaking Sipiso Piso Waterfall on the way to Parapat Harbor. Load into the ferry and cross Toba Lake to arrive to the large volcanic island in the middle of the lake, Samosir Island, for the night. Settle into your hotel, then join your group for dinner together.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Lake Toba/Medan

Explore the cultural side of Samosir Island with visits to two of the more prominent Batak villages, Tomok and Ambarita. Visit the Tombs of Tomok and learn about the legend of the king. Explore the breathtaking architecture and unique way of life during a tour and dance performance in Amberita Village. In the afternoon, we'll take a ferry back to Parapat Harbor and then drive back to Medan for a free evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Medan/Jakarta

Depart Medan and fly southbound to Jakarta. Get settled in and explore the city with your CEO.

Day 8Jakarta

Explore the capital city of Indonesia's 17,000+ islands. Today in this bustling metropolis, we'll visit Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in all of Southeast Asia, the neo-Gothic Jakarta Cathedral, and the cobble stoned colonial Kota Tua Old Town. Explore Sunda Kelapa Harbor and the historic pinisi ships. After a full day of adventure, head out for dinner along Sabang street at a local warung (local Indonesian restaurant).

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Sabang Street Dinner

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 9Jakarta/Bandung

Travel southeast towards Bandung, another major city in West Java. After arriving, sit down for a traditional Sundanese lunch, eaten family-style. Explore this historic city & Indonesia's natural heritage with time to visit the Geological Museum of Bandung. We'll drive to Gedung Sate for a photo stop on our way to visit Jalan Asia Afrika for some free time to explore.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Sundanese Lunch

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Bandung

Today is a free day to explore Bandung however you'd like. Choose to explore the vibrant city or stay active with a visit to Tangkuban Prahu volcano or Kawah Putih crater for some easy hiking. Combo that with a visit to a local tea plantation for lunch and a tea tasting.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Bandung/Semarang

Depart Bandung this morning and drive to Semarang to arrive in the early afternoon. Explore the sights of the city like Greja Blenduk and Lawang Sewu for the charming Dutch architecture. Visit Sam Poo Kong Temple, a historic Chinese temple, and Kota Lama, the historic downtown of Semarang. Save room after lunch as you will try the local favorite, Lumpia, a delicious Javanese spring roll.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Semarang/Dieng Plateau

Leave the city behind and head into the central Java mountains today. The first stop today will be to Gedong Songo Temple, on the slopes of Mount Ungaran. This beautiful Hindu temple is perched on the mountain in solitude surrounded by nothing but forests. After some time to explore and take photos, we'll visit the Ambarawa Train Museum, where 21 historic locomotives still reside in Java today. Make your way to Wonosobo in the Dieng Plateau region and enjoy a free evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Dieng Plateau

Visit the breathtaking Dieng Plateau and enjoy the day to explore with your CEO as your guide! We'll see the sights like the colorful Telaga Warna Lake, misty Arjuna Temple and sulphurous Si Kidang Crater. After an adventurous day in nature, spend the evening in Wonosobo town square, where the locals gather to see what the evening food vendors are selling.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Dieng Plateau/Yogyakarta

On the way to Yogyakarta, make a pit stop at the spectacular Selogriyo Temple, a gorgeous Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility in central Java. Enjoy the uphill scenic walk through the complex. Then head to Yogyakarta.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 15Yogyakarta

There's so much to discover in Yogyakarta today! Explore some Javanese temples, bike to rice paddies on the outskirts of the city, or go for a foodie tour and try street food like gudeg (curry made from unripe jackfruit).

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 16Yogyakarta/Magelang

Visit Candirejo Village on the way to Magelang today. Accompanied by a local guide, learn more about this village and why its known as a symbol of Javanese culture. Here you will gain more insight into daily activities, the multiple-crop farming system, and their traditions. After a delicious local lunch, drive to Magelang for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 17Magelang/Solo

We'll rise before the sun today in order to catch a beautiful sunrise atop Setumbu Hill. This easy hike will bring you above the early morning fog for a gorgeous view of the jungly temple topped mountains. After descending, return to the village for an easy biking tour to see its beautiful sites like Borobudur Temple and the traditional market. This evening, drive to Solo.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 18Solo

Spend the day getting to know the history and traditions of Central Java in Solo, known as the center of Javanese culture. With visits to Mangkunegaran Palace, Triwindhu Market and Laweyan Village, you'll have the chance to see how traditional heritage is still alive today.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Hands-On Moment Traditional Batik Making

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 19Solo/Bromo

After breakfast, continue east to Ngadas Village. On the way, make stops to explore Alun Alun Malang City Square and colorful Jodipan Village. Arrive to Ngadas in the late afternoon. This picturesque village in the foothills of Mt Bromo is known for its Javanese traditions and beautiful nature.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Ngadas Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 20Bromo

An early morning jeep ride is the best way to see the Bromo Crater this morning. Followed by a 45 minute hike to reach Penanjakan Hill view point just in time for sunrise! Admire the oranges and pinks before continuing the hike through the Sea of Sands to the top of Bromo Crater. Enjoy a picnic breakfast at Teletubbies Hill. Return to Ngadas Village for a walking tour (and maybe a coffee?) to see the temples, the tomb of mbah Sedek and the holy forest. Enjoy a local lunch and dinner at the homestay with free time to explore how you wish in between.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Village Walk| Your G for Good Moment Lunch at Ngadas Village

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 21Bromo/Surabaya

Fill up on breakfast, then load into the bus to drive to Surabaya. Your tours ends on arrival at the Surabaya Airport.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Ngadas Homestay, Desa Ngadas
  • Your G for Good Moment: Village Walk, Desa Ngadas
  • Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Ngadas Village, Desa Ngadas
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Padang Lunch, Medan
  • Your Wellness Moment: Sibayak Hot Spring, Berastagi
  • Your Foodie Moment: Sabang Street Dinner, Jakarta
  • Your Foodie Moment: Sundanese Lunch, Bandung
  • Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Batik Making, Solo
  • Visit to Grand mosque of Medan
  • Visit Vihara Gunung Timur
  • Trekking and wildlife spotting in Gunung Leuser National Park
  • Batak Cooking Class
  • Guided Batak Village exploration
  • View Sipiso Piso waterfall
  • Samosir Island Exploration
  • Visit to Istiqlal Mosque
  • See Jakarta Cathedral
  • Explore Kota Tua Old Town Jakarta
  • Visit Sunda Kelapa Harbor
  • Traditional Sundanese family-style lunch
  • Explore Badung Geologial Museum
  • Walking tour of Semarang Kota Lama
  • Tour Sam Poo Kong Temple and Gedong Songo Temple
  • Full day exploration of the volcanic Dieng Plateau area
  • Candirejo Village Visit
  • Setumbu Hill Sunrise Hike
  • Wanurejo & Borobudur Village Biking Tour
  • Mangkunegaran Palace Visit
  • Triwindhu Market
  • Jodipan Colorful Village Visit
  • Mount Bromo Jeep Excursion
  • Ngadas Village Walk
  • Lunch at Ngadas Village
  • Free time in Yogyakarta & Ngadas
  • Transport to/from included activities
  • Internal airfare

Accommodations

Hotels (18nts), Local homestay with shared bathroom (2 nights)

Meals

19 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Allow USD190-250 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, flight, walking, biking, jeep.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

My Own Room - From $8859.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Best of Java & Sumatra

| 21 days - Medan to Surabaya - from $22959 HKD