From ethereal Buddhist Borobudur to the temple towers of Hindu Prambanan, uncover the sacred sites, thriving traditions and scenic landscapes of the Indonesian island of Java.

At a Glance

  • Explore bustling Jakarta and get an insight into the Indonesian capital’s multi-layered history
  • Discover Wastra, the traditional textile which Indonesians consider part of their cultural identity
  • Learn from local weavers, batik makers and textile artists how old traditional methods are still being used
  • Wander through the colossal sites of Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, located in the heart of the island

With arts writer Joyce Morgan, explore Indonesia’s bustling capital, Jakarta, and discover its old Dutch colonial port of Batavia, showcasing traces of the ancient maritime Silk Route, where ships laden with magnificent cloth, Indian goods and Chinese ceramics arrived in Java and where foreign merchants and missionaries encountered a sophisticated island culture.

Then, travel east into Java’s thriving cultural heartland and uncover the enduring traditions that live on in the ancient palaces, intricate textiles, dances, shadow puppetry and gamelan music.

 

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

Dates

19 – 30 August 2026 (12 days)

Tour leader

Joyce Morgan

Tour Status

Available

Book now

Itinerary

Arrive in Jakarta on suggested flights and transfer to your hotel (transfer included in tour price). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel) and accommodation before or after the tour.

Following a welcome briefing and talk by Joyce, embark on an orientation tour of Jakarta. Travel to the old port of Sunda Kelapa, where traditional wooden schooners still dock. Continue to the old town, Kota Tua, home to Dutch colonial buildings and Fatahillah Square.

After lunch, visit the Wayang Museum, dedicated to Javan Wayang puppetry and housed in an old Dutch colonial residence.

Return to the hotel in the late-afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, visit the National Museum of Indonesia, regarded as one of the finest museums in Southeast Asia. Its extensive collection includes stone statues of the classical Hindo-Buddhist period of ancient Java and Sumatra in addition to a notable range of Asian ceramics. Afterwards, continue to the Textile Museum to marvel at over 2,000 precious textiles from various Indonesian islands, including Javanese Batik, Balinese Songket and Ikat.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax or to explore Jakarta at your own pace.

Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Depart Jakarta and travel to Bogor, once a chosen retreat for colonials escaping the stifling, crowded capital. Visit the Bogor Presidential Palace and botanical gardens, which were designed by Governor General Stamford Raffles into English-style gardens and later expanded by Dutch botanist Professor Caspar Reinwardt. The Bogor Botanical Garden is the oldest in Southeast Asia and still serves as a research centre for agriculture and horticulture.

Enjoy lunch in the gardens before returning to Jakarta in the mid-afternoon.

The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

This morning transfer to Jakarta Airport for a mid-morning flight to Solo (flight included in tour price).

Upon arrival in Solo, visit the Kraton Surakarata Hadiningrat, home of the Sunan of Surakarta, and the Istana Mangkunegaran Palace, the second royal house of Solo. The centre of the palace compound is the pendopo, a pavilion built in a mix of Javanese and European architectural styles, and one of the country’s largest.

Afterwards, continue to the hotel to check in and enjoy some time at leisure.

Tonight, dinner is at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Begin the day with a visit to the Museum Batik Danar Hadi, to learn about the Indonesian Batik technique through different eras, from before the Dutch colonial period to Indonesian independence. Founded by a local entrepreneur, the museum’s private collection includes around 10,000 pieces, including Royal batik, Dutch batik and Chinese batik.

After lunch, head out of town to the temple of Candi Sukuh. Set at an elevation of 900 metres above the Solo plain, Candi Sukuh is one of Java’s most enigmatic temples due to explicit carvings that have led it to be dubbed the ‘erotic’ temple.

Return to Solo in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to Borobudur. Upon arrival at the hotel, enjoy some time at leisure before an afternoon talk by Joyce.

Afterwards, visit the ninth-century site of the Borobudur temple, the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary and one of the greatest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. This massive monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms and is decorated with more than 2,500 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

This evening, dinner is at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Today, drive to the volcanic Dieng Plateau, located at an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea level and home to the earliest Hindu temples in Indonesia. One of the oldest highland settlements in Java, the platform is home to a group of eighth- and ninth-century Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

After breakfast, depart Borobudur for Yogyakarta. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour and explore the Sultan’s Palace, the Kraton of Yogyakarta, one of the finest examples of Javanese architecture. This unique compound is home to around 25,000 people and has its own market, shops, schools and mosques.

After some time for lunch at leisure, continue to Taman Sari, the site of a former royal garden located within the grounds of the Kraton. Taman Sari served as a resting ground, a meditation area and a hiding place for the Sultan.

This evening, see a traditional dance performance during dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Begin the day with a talk by Joyce before a visit to the Affandi Museum. Located on the banks of the Gajah Wong River, the banana leaf-shaped museum was once the home and studio to one of Indonesia’s most celebrated artists, Affandi. The museum has an extensive collection of his abstract paintings, sketches and archives of his artistic journey.

Visit a local art gallery before some time for lunch at leisure. Then, explore the village of Kasongan, renowned as Yogyakarta’s pottery centre, and learn about the history and techniques of Javanese pottery on a guided tour.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon for some free time before dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, visit the Hindu temple complex of Prambanan. Built in the ninth century, it is the largest temple complex in Indonesia dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. Afterwards, see a traditional shadow puppet performance.

In the afternoon, visit the archaeological site of Ratu Boko, situated on a high plateau and with views overlooking Prambanan and Mount Merapi. Estimated to have been built in the eighth century, it is considered to have been a royal palace complex with both Buddhist and Hindu influences. The architecture of the palace used to change depending on who was in power at the time.

This evening, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Joyce and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude with an included group transfer from the hotel to Yogyakarta Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel). 

(B)

Prices

Per person, twin-share

AUD 6,950

Single supplement

AUD 1,250

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 2,500

Final payment due

19 June 2026

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in centrally located 4-star superior and 5-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinners
  • Lectures and talks with your tour leader, Joyce Morgan
  • Private airport/hotel transfers on arrival
  • Group hotel/airport transfer on departure
  • Economy class flight from Jakarta to Solo (20 kg baggage allowance)
  • Comprehensive sightseeing including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable air-conditioned coaches
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • International airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport porterage
  • Airport transfer on departure if not using included group transfer
  • Items of a personal nature including telephone, laundry, taxis, minibar, room service, etc.
  • Travel insurance (a condition of travel; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Hotel

Your hotels
Jakarta – The Hermitage Hotel****+
Solo – The Royal Surakarta Heritage Hotel****+
Borobudur – Plataran Heritage Borobudur Hotel****+
Yogyakarta – Phoenix Hotel*****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted

More Details

Tour code: AG2612

Fitness level: Above Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

Suggested airlines: Qantas
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa
To visit Indonesia, Australian and New Zealand passport holders require an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) pre-authorisation application to be completed online in advance of travel.

Download booking form here.

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