GREAT JAVA RAIL JOURNEY
A cultural tour of Indonesia

Of all the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia, Java is considered the “king”. Located right in the heartland of the archipelago, Java has a population of 120 million. Much of Indonesian history took place in Java; it was the center of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, Islamic sultanates, the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies, and was at the center of Indonesia's campaign for independence. The island dominates Indonesian social, political and economic life along with a very interesting culture and scenery. Train travel brings forth the culture and interaction with the local people.

Day 01  Arrival Jakarta                                                      
Our Great Java Rail Journey starts with arrival at Jakarta Airport – officially known as Soekarno Hatta Jakarta International Airport, where we are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight:Hotel Borobudar, Jakarta (2 nights)
www.hotelborobudur.com

Day 02  Jakarta / Bogor (Road)
Depart for Bogor known for the huge, world-class botanical garden, covering an area of around 80 hectares. Founded in 1817, the gardens contain streams and lotus ponds and it has a collection of magnificent palms. The garden’s orchid houses contain more than 3000 orchid varieties. Our tour includes visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). This is a 1100 hectares of beautiful Indonesia in mini featuring traditional houses from all provinces of Indonesia with displays of regional handicraft and clothing, and a large lagoon where you can row around the islands of the archipelago or take a cable car across for a bird's eye view. There also museum, theaters, restaurants, an orchid garden and a bird park with a huge walk-in aviary. There's even a mini coach to Miniature Indonesia, where model traditional houses of all provinces in Indonesia are featured. (B)

Day 03  Jakarta / Bandung (Train)
Morning Jakarta city tour starts with a visit of the National Museum. From here we continue to the Old Harbour Sunda Kelapa passing the National Monument. We then proceed to Gambir Train Station to continue to Bandung by train. This will be a day time 3 hours comfortable train ride. Upon arrival in Bandung we are transferred to our hotel. Evening free at leisure.
Overnight: Grand Preanger Hotel Bandung (2 nights) (B)
www.preanger.aerowisata.com

Day 04  Bandung Tour
A scenic drive through Lembang hills to the crater of Mount Tangkuban Perahu then continue drive to Sari Ater hot spring (1600 meter above sea level) passing through beautiful scenery of Tea. Afternoon we visit Padasuka village to listen to the melodious sounds of Angklung music using bamboo instruments. (B)

Day 05  Bandung / Yogyakarta (Train)
Morning at Bandung from where the whistle blows and we take off along the Preanger district well known for its enchanting panorama and scenery. At noon we arrive in Yogyakarta Train Station from where we are transferred to our hotel.  Afternoon we visit the magnificent 9th C Hindu Temple of Prambanan which is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple about 20 minutes from Yogyakarta city. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives its name from the village where it is located. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang temple, or the temple of the "Slender Virgin" it is reputed to be the biggest and most beautiful Hindu Temple in Indonesia.
Overnight:Grand Preanger Hotel (B)
www.preanger.aerowisata.com

Day 06 Yogyakarta / Melia Purosani
Today we visit the majestic Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) followed a tour of the Javanese and Indonesian arts and crafts. We will see how these crafts are still being done the traditional way. Our visits will include Javanese silversmiths, crafts centres and batik processing factories. Afternoon we visit the Borobudur Temple. This massive stone stupa of Borobudur is one the greatest of all ancient architectural monuments. Built with forced labor from the surrounding countryside between about AD 750 and 850, Borobudur predates Angkor Wat in Cambodia by three centuries. Though a Buddhist creation, it incorporates Persian, Babylonian and Greek influences.
Overnight : Melia Purosani Hotel (1 night) (B)
www.meliajogja.com

Day 07 Yogyakarta / Surabaya
Another interesting day time train ride – this time to Surabaya. Upon arrival in Surabaya we take a city tour visiting Kayoon Flower market, the heroes’ Monument and the impressive Governor’s Residence. The city centre is well klnown for its colonial buildings.
Overnight: Majapahit Hotel Surabaya (B)
www.hotel-majapahit.com

Day 08 Surabaya / departure or optional to Komodo island
Morning is at leisure and we recap the interesting week that has passed. After breakfast, depending on departure timing, you are transferred to Surabaya airport for departure flight. Or take a flight to Labhuhan Bajo in Komodo Island and upon arrival Mutiara airport you are met and driven to the harbour for your boat ride to Komodo Island. Free time for snorkeling and swimming.
Overnight: MV Tarat (2 nights – 6 AC cabins boat) (B, L, D)

Day 09 Komodo
We have a morning safari walk (2Kms) to Banunggulung to see the the world famous Komodo Dragons (Varanus Komodoensis) – the largest lozard in the world and they can grow up to 3 meters. Komod Island houses some 2000 lizards, good place for birdlife – cockatoos and gasong birds. Balance of the morning free. Optional visits to the park, Laboratory Museum. Midday we sail back to Labuhan Bajo – lunch served on board. Enroute we stop at Bidadari Island for swimming and snorkeling. Dinner and overnight on board. (B, L, D) 

Day 10 Labuhan Bajo / departure or optional to Bali
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Ideal connection to the incredible island of Bali (please ask for details) (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Daily (no operations between July 13 through to August 28, 2012)
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Any airfares & airport/departure taxes Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Visa fees / Insurance Services of local English speaking guides Tips & gratuities All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary   Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary   All train fares on Executive Class as per the itinerary
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure - 2012 Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Great Java Rail Journey (08 days) US $ 1330 US $ 300 Komodo Extension (03 days) US $ 480 US $ 190   Add airfares to Labuhan Bajo
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates with a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.