SCHOOL TOURS

Let your adventure begin.  On arrival in Indonesia you will process your Visa on Arrival, collect your luggage, clear customs and transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight to Yogyakarta.

Selamat datang ke Jogja. Your guide will meet you at Yogyakarta International Airport and transfer you in an air-conditioned coach to the hotel (1.5-2hr drive). Your hotel will be a centrally located 3+ star hotel with swimming pool  breakfast included and twin share.

Upon arrival check-in and rest.
 

After breakfast at the hotel you visit a local village school for a hands-on rice-cultivation experience. Students plant rice seedlings in a paddy and learn how rice shapes the landscape, Indonesia’s culture and cuisine. 

A jamu workshop is next on the agenda for an introduction to Java’s ancient art of herbal healing - and perhaps a jet lag remedy. Students create their own health elixir from roots, herbs and spices.

Lunch is at a local restaurant followed by a tasting of a Yogyakarta specialty -  bakpia. Bakpia is a flaky pastry with a sweet or savoury filling and one of many local foods influenced by Chinese cuisine.

Indonesian meals on this tour are curated so you see, taste and learn about Indonesian cuisine and what makes the cuisine of Jogja different.

In the afternoon you can  stroll along the popular Jalan Malioboro and  return to the hotel for a swim or to relax.  Dinner is at a local restaurant.
 

After breakfast at the hotel your day will start in traditional style with a becak ride to the Water Castle, where, in ancient times, a tunnel linked it to the Royal Palace, providing Jogja Mataram kings a private escape for leisure. 

From the Water Castle you transfer to a private home where you will  learn a a modern version of a traditional Javanese dance created by an expert from the Indonesia Art Institute (ISI).

Lunch is in a “Joglo” - a traditional Javanese pavilion with high ceilings and wood carvings; and includes local favourites like gudeg (jackfruit cooked with coconut milk and spices), soto ayam (chicken soup), krecek (skin of buffalo! cooked with spices and coconut milk), and others.

Batik is a traditional textile art involving a hot wax-resist dyeing technique and Java is at the heart of batik cultural heritage.   Its intricate patterns tell stories and indicate social status. Students will join a workshop and create their own design to keep as a souvenir. 

An optional afternoon visit to the Sonobudoyo story room to see creative displays of Yogyakarta told through video, art installations and design.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant followed by a visit to Alun-alun Selatan. This open space near the Palace is humming with local trinket sellers, food stalls, open flame cooking and neon lit vintage cars. It is also home of the local  myth of Masangin - a tradition to walk blindfolded between two sacred banyan trees and if successful make a wish. Return to the hotel and rest.

After an early breakfast join Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 Bantul Yogyakarta (or similar) for a flag raising ceremony and singing Indonesia’s national anthem (optional).  Alternatively  come later for a gamelan lesson and to meet high school students. You’ll ease into it with an icebreaker “clog” game followed by a language jam with you starting in Bahasa Indonesia followed by the local student speaking in English. The topic? Describe a typical Saturday.

Lunch at a popular local restaurant.

Heading towards Mount Merapi you’ll transfer into jeeps and continue to a local museum. From here you will visit hidden bunkers and the mysterious "Alien" stone followed by the  historic grave of Merapi keeper mbah Marijan who passed away in the last eruption. 

Return to Yogyakarta, refresh at the hotel and  continue to dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner the group will be treated to a private gelato tasting of Indonesian flavours  at Tempo Gelato. The venue is designed with a European industrial meets Jogja village vibe. Return to the hotel to rest.

After breakfast you will embark on a day of discovery around the Borobudur Temple. Arrive early to beat the heat and cycle past picturesque paddy fields and local villages where traditional tempeh and tofu production can be seen. 

Visit local resort for lunch. 

Staying out of the midday heat you can visit “Chicken Church” - a non-denominational church designed like a bird with spectacular views at the crown.

Spend the afternoon on a guided tour of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist Temple. Built over the 8th and 9th century it illustrates Indonesia’s place in the trails of civilisation.

Return to the hotel to refresh. Dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast immerse yourself in the local culture at a bustling market. Practice Bahasa Indonesia as you select fresh ingredients for a hands-on cooking class. You will prepare iconic dishes like chicken satay, nasi goreng, and onde onde and then enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch.

After lunch explore the magnificent Prambanan Temple complex, with its blend of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Cool off with an ice cream then add some magic to the afternoon with a sunset walk through the architectural remnants of the  instagrammable Ratu Boko Palace.

Return to Jogja for dinner at a local restaurant and back to the hotel.

Free evening for swimming, a movie or relaxing.

Today after breakfast at the hotel you will be exploring Kotagede’s rich heritage and artistry. You begin the day with a walk through the local market selling homewares including traditional chinaware and kitchen utensils handmade from coconut shell and coconut fiber such as brooms, ladles, etc. There are produce stalls selling vegetables,  colorful snacks and spices. 

Continuing on through the village you will see traditional houses, silversmiths and an old mosque with a pagoda-style roof. This is significant because it is inspired by Hindu architecture. 

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a silver workshop where you will learn silver making techniques and make your own handcrafted souvenir. 

Return to the hotel and get ready for dinner and Malam Ngobrol or Language Exchange. This initiative of Indo Insider Tours and the Australia Indonesia Youth Association Jogja chapter brings together students and young professionals from Australian Government supported programs. 

Enjoy an optional early swim and breakfast before returning to your room and preparing for check out.

Check in at Yogyakarta International Airport for your return flight. 

This ends your  School Tour  with Indo Insider Tours. We hope this Indonesia visit has inspired you and provided fresh insights on the country and culture We look forward to seeing you again.

Terima kasih and sampai jumpa lagi.