01
Borobudur at sunrise
Arriving before sunrise was the perfect way to experience Borobudur. The temple slowly appearing as the light changed made the early start completely worthwhile.
OUR JAVA
A slower side of Indonesia.
We began our Java journey at Borobudur, arriving before sunrise for an early morning tour. It was the ideal way to experience the temple — quiet, atmospheric and gradually appearing as the light came up around it. Borobudur was incredible, but we also loved the way it kept appearing in the distance as we travelled through the countryside.
From there we headed north, moving away from the temple and into a much greener and quieter part of Java. We stayed at Le Temple, which was perfectly fine, although if we returned we would probably choose Plataran instead. We enjoyed a couple of lunches there and loved the setting.
We also had an exceptional lunch at Amanjiwo. It is certainly a splurge, but if your budget stretches that far it is a wonderful experience. From there we drove straight on towards MesaStila, where the pace slowed even further.
MesaStila was one of our highlights. Walking through the coffee plantation, enjoying the hammam spa and trekking up into the surrounding mountains gave us a completely different perspective on Indonesia. The tiered paddy fields and vegetable gardens were stunning, while the volcanoes seemed to be everywhere — beautiful from the ground and just as impressive from the plane windows on the way in and out.
More than anything, we loved the feeling of Java. It is laid back, green and unhurried, and the slower pace made the whole trip feel very different from some of our other travels around Asia.
FROM OUR CAMERA
Java, as we saw it.
BEST TIME
May – October
The drier months are generally the easiest time to explore Java, particularly if you want to combine temples, walking and mountain experiences.
WEATHER
Tropical
Warm conditions at lower elevations with cooler temperatures as you climb into the mountains. The landscape is beautifully green.
GETTING AROUND
Driver & road
Having a driver made the journey between Borobudur, the plantations and mountain areas simple and allowed us to enjoy the scenery along the way.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Places & experiences we loved.
02
Plataran
We stayed at Le Temple, which was fine, but after having lunch at Plataran we decided this is where we would stay if we returned to the area.
03
Amanjiwo
We had a superb lunch at the Aman. It is a special place and certainly a splurge, but if the budget stretches that far, it is one we'd recommend.
04
MesaStila
A great place to slow down. We loved the coffee plantation, the hammam spa and the setting among the mountains and countryside.
05
Walk the coffee plantation
One of our favourite experiences at MesaStila. Walking among the coffee plants gives you a real sense of the landscape and the way the area lives.
06
The volcanoes
Java's volcanoes are extraordinary. We loved seeing them from the ground and then spotting them again through the plane windows as we flew in and out.
OUR EDIT
Slow down and look around.
Java isn't a destination we'd rush through. The best part of our trip was the journey between places — watching Borobudur appear through the countryside, driving towards the mountains and seeing the landscape gradually change.
Leave some space in the itinerary. Walk the plantation, take the long lunch, climb the mountain and look out of the plane window on the way home. Java rewards slowing down.
MORE FROM OUR CAMERA
More from Java.
OUR MAP
Java.
The temples, plantations, mountains and places that shaped our Java journey will eventually live here on our wider travel map.