Days 1 & 2
UK – Singapore – Yogyakarta

Our adventure starts at the airport in London, where we meet as a group for the first time and catch our overnight flight to Singapore. Touching down in Singapore the next morning, you have the rest of the day free to explore the stunning island as you wish.

To allow you maximum flexibility, lunch isn’t included today, so please make the most of this opportunity to try some of the local delicacies! In the evening, we reunite at the airport to board another overnight flight to Yogyakarta in Java.

Day 3
Yogyakarta, Java

This morning, we arrive in Yogyakarta, the capital city of the Special Region of Java and the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy. Our awesome local Challenge Leader greets us at the airport and we transfer approx. 1 hour 15 minutes to our hotel in the city.

After checking in, you’re free to relax at the hotel or explore the vibrant city of Yogyakarta. As a centre for classical Javanese fine arts and culture, the city boasts plenty of things for you to do and see. Take a trip to the must-see Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono's Palace, better known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta, or check out the amazing art at the Museum Affandi.

You will no doubt also want to visit the variety of local temples and other heritage buildings or if that’s not your thing, why not spend the day shopping? If you’re lucky, you may even come across some local taxi drivers playing chess on Malioboro Street near the Kraton complex! Again, we have left lunch for you to arrange yourself, so take this chance to visit one of the local restaurants.

With so many wonders to explore, it’s all too easy to tire yourself out, but please try to take it easy and make time to rest, as our first trek starts at midnight! This evening, we meet back up at the hotel and settle down for a delicious Welcome Dinner and an exciting briefing from our Challenge Leader. Then, it’s an early night to get in some precious sleep before our challenge commences in earnest.

Day 4
Yogyakarta – Mount Merapi (2,930m) – Selo | approx. 7 hours (4 hours ascent, 3 hours descent)

Kicking off our challenge with a literal highlight, we wake very early (or very late) to leave the hotel at 00:00! After an approx. 1hour 50 minutes transfer to the foot of Mount Merapi, we begin a slow and steady climb up one of Java’s highest mountains. Trekking uphill for four hours is no easy feat, especially in the dark, but our expert Challenge Leader knows the volcano like this back of their hand and helps us navigate our climb to the summit.

At last, we reach the peak (approx. 2,930m) and give our legs a well-deserved rest. Here, we watch the sun rise over the island and bring to light just how high we have hiked!

The climb may have been tough, but the sunrise panoramas are more than worth it! From here, we can see the Dieng Plateau and the spectacular surrounding volcanos, the Merbabu, Sumbing, Sindoro and Lawu.

We take time to marvel at the view with a light snack and drink. Then, we’re back on our feet to commence our careful, 3-hour descent. The morning heats up as we trek and we’re soon sweating more than we were on our climb! But finally, we arrive at the volcano’s foot and rest our legs on the transfer to tonight’s guesthouse in the traditional farming village of Selon, nestled between Merapi and Merbabu.

We check into our guesthouse and tuck into a delicious group lunch. The afternoon and evening are then free to spend relaxing in this beautiful part of the world and arranging your own dinner whenever works for you.

Day 5
Selo – Merbabu – Sabana II | approx. +1,200m ascent (5 hours trekking)

Waking at a more reasonable hour this morning, we fuel up with breakfast and then start trekking right from the guesthouse doorstep.

Roaming through lush farmland and vibrant, tropical vegetation, we soon meet the foot of the mighty Merbabu volcano. From here, our climb steepens on a clear trail through pine forests. We enjoy a smooth terrain and shade from the sun, but the steep slope brings a satisfying ache to our legs.

After a challenging approx. 5-hour ascent, broken up by a picnic lunch, we reach the Sabana II camp. This makes the perfect place to rest for the night and watch the sunset through the trees over the world below. We tuck into an early dinner and camp in comfortable tents on a twin-sharing basis.

Day 6
Sabana II – Merbabu Summit – Yogyakarta | approx. +300m ascent and 1,500m descent (6 hours trekking)

We can’t get enough of our sunrise climbs, so we wake at witching hour this morning to start trekking at 3am. We now embark on an approx. 300m ascent to the summit.

Don’t let the seemingly short distance fool you; it’s a steep climb, especially when we’re still half asleep, and will take us a good few hours! Prepare for an unforgettable sense of achievement when we reach the top! 7

The sunrise rewards with breath-taking vistas across Yogyakarta city and the island beyond. Of course, we also have a fantastic view of the twin volcano Merapi, a reminder of the incredible distance we have trekked so far.

After filling our cameras with photos, we descend back to the camp and refuel with a well-deserved breakfast. Then it’s time to rest our legs on an approx. 1 hour 50-minute transfer back to tonight’s hotel in Yogyakarta.

You can now spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish, making sure to arrange your own lunch and dinner – another welcome chance to explore the amazing city and its variety of local eating establishments.

Day 7
Yogyakarta – Cemoro Lawang | approx. 6-hour transfer

Our early wake-up time today seems almost like a lie-in compared to yesterday’s and we leave our hotel for a day in the coach transferring to our next destination, Cemoro Lawang. Despite Java’s tropical climate, we recommend wrapping up warm today, as the air con in our coach is likely to be on high!

We enjoy brilliant views all the way as we journey eastwards across the island, stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant. Continuing our drive in the afternoon, we arrive in Cemoro Lawang with plenty of time to spend wandering the small hamlet and taking in its handsome natural surroundings and the mountains watching over you.

You’re likely to have the opportunity to chat with some of the locals as you wander around and visit your pick of the local restaurants for dinner.

Day 8
Cermoro Lawang – Mount Penanjakan – Bromo Summit – Ketapang | approx. 2 hours trekking

Waking before the sun again today, we jump in 4WD jeeps to drive to Mount Bromo. We pull up at a viewing spot with excellent views of Bromo volcano and its summit that pierces the sky, before embarking on a short walk around to the even better viewing point at Mount Penanjakan.

From here, we watch the sunrise upon the peaks of Bromo, Semeru and Batok volcanoes rising from the clouds below – a magical scene that you will never forget.

Walking back to the jeeps, we journey down the volcano caldera on an exhilarating drive across the sand sea to the foot of Mount Bromo.

Suitably rested, we now get to trek our third volcano! Following a clear route mostly made up of stairs (approx. 250 steps, 2,329m), the climb is far from easy, but we find it much tamer than the treks we’ve already conquered.

What’s more, our hike gives us spectacular panoramas over the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park as the sun climbs higher into the sky. Of course, we get the best views at the summit. Make sure to load your camera, as you’ll no doubt want some snaps of the amazing crater rim and the island beyond.

Descending to our jeeps, we drive back to the hotel for breakfast. You have a short amount of time to freshen up before we check out for another scenic day’s transfer. Driving to the very east edge of the island, we’re treated to incredible views of tropical countryside and the volcanoes. We break up the day with photo stops and lunch at a local restaurant, reaching our hotel in the late afternoon.

Staying tonight in Ketapang in the Ijen volcano complex, known for its blue fire, the destination rewards us well for the drive. We finish the day with an early dinner at our hotel and retire for a great night’s sleep after a long day of travelling.

Day 9
Ketapang – Ijen Crater – Gilimanuk – Canggu | approx. 4 hours trekking

Rise and shine to our final day of trekking! Waking to an early breakfast at our hotel, we start the day with a jeep ride to Paltuding (1,850m), the base camp of the extraordinary Kawah Ijen (2,386m).

No adventure in Java is complete without a trek to its famous blue-fire crater and today, we get our chance! From the camp at 1,850m, we trek approx. 3km on a wide, dirt pathway up the volcano. Several local people may pass us on their way down the mountain, often barefooted and carrying heavy loads of sulphur blocks.

The vistas on the way up the volcano may be spectacular, but the sight of the huge, turquoise crater lake at the top will take your breath away. Below us lies 36 million cubic metres of steaming, acidic water. Adding to the spectacle, miners around us collect and carry huge blocks of sulphur up to the crater rim.

Having trekked four of Java’s magnificent volcanoes and reached a place like no other on Earth, we toast our achievement with a glass of bubbles. Then it’s one last stretch back down to Paltuding, where our jeep awaits, ready to take us to our hotel.

After time to freshen up and tuck into lunch, we leave the hotel in the late afternoon on a transfer to Ketapang ferry terminal near Banyuwangi. From here, we cross the stunning Bali Straits on a local ferry (approx. 45 minutes) to the paradise island of Bali.

Arriving on Bali’s western shores, we drive to our idyllic beach-side hotel in Canggu. Now on Bali time, an hour ahead of, Java, it’s time to say goodbye to our amazing local Challenge Leader, who now returns to Java. Then, we settle down for a fantastic Celebration Dinner and meet our Balinese guide.

Day 10
Canggu

Today is yours to spend as you wish relaxing and exploring Paradise, aka Canggu. Boasting 10km of white-sand beaches and a seaside village packed with colourful cafés, boutiques and bars, Canggu makes the perfect place to swim and sunbathe, shop for souvenirs or even book a surfing lesson (not included in your challenge costs).

Breakfast at the hotel is included, but lunch and dinner are not, so please take your pick of the many fantastic local restaurants.

Days 11 & 12
Canggu – UK

This morning, we check out of the hotel and bid Indonesia a fond farewell as we transfer to Kuta Airport for our overnight flight back to the UK. Touching down in London the on Day 12, we part ways and you make your own way home, no doubt ready to book your next Dream Challenge.

Alternatively, you can jump on one of the amazing optional extensions we’re organising. You may never travel to this spectacular part of the world again, so why not take advantage of our beach-stay extension? Or if you’re ready for another challenge, join the optional excursion to Lombok we’re arranging and trek the magnificent Mount Rinjani!

We’ll release the full details of both these optional extensions, including prices and how to book, closer to the challenge.