JAVA GRAND TOURA Pre-tour of the 53rd AGA in Bali11-18 October 2020

Yogyakarta - Borobudur- Prambanan - Bromo - Ijen - Kalibaru - Bayuwangi - West Bali National Park

Cultural

Historical

Adventure

Landcapes

Beach and Sun

JavaThe heart of the nation of Indonesia, Java is a complex island of great antiquity: this, after all, is where ancient Java Man stood upright and walked abroad. As such the island, home today to 140 million people and the most popu-lated island on earth, is defined primarily by people.

Human ingenuity has left the island sprinkled with ancient treasures, such as the temples of Borobudur and Pram-banan. It has also shaped a culture that resonates in modern life, as expressed through the artistic traditions of Yogyakarta and Solo, and contributes to the modern dynamism of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Java’s megacities may be crowded and gridlocked but they have a restless energy that is magnetic.

People have shaped the natural landscape too, giving it an urban texture that runs in slithers through the pea-green paddy fields. Add in nature’s splendours – smoking volcanoes, rainforest and polished white beaches – and Java becomes irresistible.

The Grand Java Tour begins in Yogyakarta in Central Java to witness the great temples of Prambanan and Boro-budur; from Yogyarkarta, journey to the iconic landscape of Bromo in East Java, with an astounding view of volca-noes; walk in giant underground caverns and see the “Blue Lava” of Ijen. The trip will be capped off with a stay at the West Bali National Park where there is excellent snorkelling and you will have time to relax before being driven to the Melia Hotel in Nusa Dua in Bali.

“The spectacular temples of Pram-banan, set in the plains of Central Java, are the best surviving examples of Java’s extended period of Hindu culture. With nearby Borobudur, they are one of the top highlights of South-east Asia.”

The Grand Java Tour Programme

11 Oct (Day 1) Arrival in Yogyakarta

Arrive in Yogyakarta at your own leisure and check into the Phoenix Hotel.

12 Oct (Day 2) Yogyakarta Tour (B, L, D)

After breakfast, First, visit Sultan Palace Keraton, a reflection of Javanese Cosmos or the Palace of Yogyakarta. It is a must-see site in Yogyakarta, and it is also an elegant complex of pavilions. After proceed to Taman Sari Palace, the site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. The next stop is one of the world’s largest Hindu temples and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Prambanan Temple. A place where tourists can expe-rience how the Javanese culture lives. Overnight at the Phoenix Hotel.

The spectacular temples of Prambanan, set in the plains of Cen-tral Java, are the best surviving examples of Java’s extended pe-riod of Hindu culture. With nearby Borobudur, they are one of the top highlights of Southeast Asia. All the temples in the Pram-banan area were built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD, when Java was ruled by the Buddhist Sailendras in the south and the Hindu Sanjayas of Old Mataram in the north.

The two dynasties were united by the marriage of Hindu Rakai Pi-katan and the Buddhist Sailendra princess, Pramodhavardhani. This may explain why a number of temples, including those of the Prambanan temple complex and the smaller Plaosan group, reveal both Shivaite and Buddhist elements in architecture and sculpture. But Prambanan is a Hindu site first and foremost, and the wealth of sculptural detail on the great Shiva temple here is the nation’s most outstanding example of Hindu art.

As the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy, Yogyakarta is regarded as an important centre for classical Javanese fine arts and culture such as ballet, batik textiles, drama, literature, music, poetry, silversmithing, visual arts, and wayang puppetry. Yogyakarta is the capital of the Yog-yakarta Sultanate and served as the Indonesian capital from 1946 to 1948 during the Indonesian National Revolution

The Taman Sari Palace

Prambanan Temple

The Phoenix Hotel

13 Oct (Day 3) Yogyakarta - Borobudur & the Dieng Plateau (B,L,D)

Head out early in the morning to watch the sunrise at the famous Borobudur Temple. After our tour at Borobodur, we will visit the beautiful Dieng Plateau. The scenic volcanic landscape, the sulfur springs and the colored lakes make this place a real natural wonder. Then visit of Sikidang Crater where you are surrounded by steaming vents and bubbling mud ponds. With a facemask on, you can walk around the crater. From Sikidang Crater, drive to Arjuna Temple Complex, which con-sists of 5 temples and amongst some of the the oldest temples in Java. Transfer to Hotel for dinner after tour. Overnight at the Phoenix Hotel.

A world heritage site, Borobudur is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India’s influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian. It is located near Yogyakarta in central Java. The world’s largest Buddhist temple, it was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 meters square. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO’s help in the 1970s.

The Dieng Plateau is a marshy plateau that forms the floor of a volcanic caldera complex and consists of two or more strato volcanoes and more than 20 small craters and cones of Pleistocene-to-Holocene age near Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia. Referred to as “Dieng” by Indonesians, it sits at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, far from major population centres. The name “Dieng” comes from Di Hyang which means “Abode of the Gods”. The Plateau is the location of the Arjuna Hindu temple complex which consists of eight small Hindu temples from the Kalingga Kingdom. The Sikidang crater is an active crater surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Clockwise:

Borobudur Temple

The Dieng Plateau

Arjuna Temple Complex

Sikidang Crater

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/borobudur-temple/

Oct 14 (Day 4) Yogyakarta to Surabaya (B,L,D)

In the morning, relax in the hotel and after an early lunch, we will head over to the airport and take a flight from Yog-yakarta to Surabaya. After landing in Surabaya, we will take a 2 hour journey to the hotel accomodation at Bromo Terrace Hotel (and Jawa Jiwa Hotel in case of overflow from Bromo terrace Hotel). Dinner will be at Prabolinggo before checking into hotel.

15 Oct (Day 5) Bromo Sunrise & Kalibaru (B,L,D)

An early morning again as we start our Bromo Sunrise tour. The magnificent Mt Bromo will not disappoint with its spec-tacular views and dramatic landscapes. After watching the fa-mous sunrise over the iconic view of Indonesia, we will have breakfast at the hotel and check out.

On the way to Bayuwangi, we shall visit a coffee plan-tation in Kalibaru. The picturesque road from Jember to Banyuwangi winds around the foothills of Gunung Raung, through rainforest, and up to the small hill town of Kalibaru (428m). Java coffee beans are world famous and synonymous with coffee. The trip between Bromo and Bayuwangi take approximately 6 hours. After arrival in Bayuwangi, check into the Santika Bayuwangi Hotel to get some needed rest after dinner.

16 Oct (Day 6) Ijen (B,L,D)

In the very early morning, we shall commence our hike up to Mount Ijen. The hike will take approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on physical fitness. The fabled Ijen Plateau is a vast volcanic region dominated by the three cones of Ijen (2368m), Merapi (2800m) and Raung (3332m). Virtually everyone comes purely for Ijen – to hike up to its spectacular sulphur crater lake, featured in many National Geographic photo contests, and to expe-rience the unworldly sight of its ‘blue fire’ phenomenon.

Walk past Indonesian sulphur miners as they walk down the slopes with their heavy quarry. After we descend from Ijen, we shall have breakfast at the hotel and get some much needed rest before departing for Menjagan in the West Bali National Park via ferry from Java and check into the Mimpi Resort Men-jagan.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destina-tions/asia/indonesia/pictures-kawah-ijen-volcano-east-java/

Mount Bromo is the most iconic volcano in Indonesia and is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java, Indonesia. At 2,329 meters (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but is the most well known. The massif area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. The volcano belongs to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The name of Bromo is derived from the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god.

Sulphur miners walking down to Ijen Volcano

The phenomenon of Blue Fire at Ijen

Iconic view of Mount Bromo

17 Oct (Day 7) West Bali National Park (B, L, D)

Visit the West Bali National Park after breakfast and prepare for an amazing private snorkeling tour in the sea around Men-jangan Island. Experience beautiful reefs, coral gardens and exotic fishes in all colours of the rainbow. After lunch, free time to relax in the resort. Dinner in Hotel. Overnight at the Mimpi Resort.

The West Bali National Park covers around 190 square kilometres (73 sq mi), of which 58 square kilometres (61 sq mi) is land and the remainder is sea. This is approximately 3% of Bali’s total land area. To the north, it includes a 1,000-metre (3,300 ft) long beach, reef and islets. There are several habitats in the national park, a savanna, mangroves, montane and mixed-mon-soon forests, and coral islands. The center of the park is dominated by remnants of four volcanic mountains from Pleistocene era, with Gunung Patas at 1,412 metres (4,633 ft) its highest elevation. The Island is a bird watcher’s paradise with 160 species and the Rusa (Javanese Deer) and Indian Muntjac barking deer are also plentiful in the Park.

18 Oct (Day 8) End of Tour (B)

After breakfast a 4.5 hours ground transfer to the InterContinental Hotel. End of Tour.

Mount Ijen (aka Ijen volcano) is a quiet but active volcano. It is set amidst a stunning landscape of volcanic cones. The beautiful turquoise coloured sulphur lake that resides at the heart of Ijen volcano is the largest acidic lake in the world and the result of a volcanic crater. Travelers flock to Ijen for what’s known as the “Ijen Blue Fire”. An electric-blue flame that appears from the combustion of sulfuric gases. The gases emerge from cracks in the volcano at high pressure and temperature of up to 1,112°F (600°C). Igniting when they come in contact with air. The Ijen blue flames can reach up to 16 feet (5 meters) high. It is necessary to wear a gas mask to protect against the Sulphurous fumes when visiting the crater.

Rusa Deer - West Bali National Park

Menjagan Island

Mimpi Resort

Registration Details

Package Cost: US$ 1,220.

Capacity: 60 participants on a first come first serve basis.

Dates: 11-18 October 2020

Package includes:

1. 7 nights twin share accommodation at the stated hotels in the programme, or equivalent.

2. Meals as specified in the itinerary.

3. Tours as specified in the itinerary including English speaking guides. Ground transportation during tours in air-conditioned coaches as specified in the itinerary.

4. Entrance fees to sights as specified in the Programme. 5. Ground and sea transfers as indicated in the Programme.

6. Gratuity for guides and drivers.

7. Yogyakarta to Surabaya Flight of US$ 70.

8. WACA fee of US$ 20.

Package does not include:

1. Expenses of a personal nature such as drinks/meals (unless specified as per the program), laundry and telephone calls, internet etc.

2. Travel & Personal Insurance.

3. Visas. Please check with the local or the nearest Indonesian diplomatic mission for the most updated visa requirement details.

4. Travel to the location of the start of the package.

5. Single Supplement of US$ 400 .

6.

Other miscellaneous charges.

7. Note: If the Yogyakarta flight cost exceeds US$ 70 at the time of the ticket purchase, the additional cost will be paid by the participant.

Deposit & Payments:A deposit of US$ 700 per participant is required for confir-mation and a final payment of US$ 520 must be paid by the 11 of July 2020. There shall be forfeiture of deposit should a cancellation occur. Should a replacement participant be found, full amount shall be refunded sans a service charge of 170 USD, which shall be levied. Cancellation after the deadline is non-refundable for the payments. Registration is on a first come first serve basis.

For interested parties, please register with Mr. Keith Miller at WACA headquarters at millerk@iata.org. For additional information about the tour, please contact any member of the WACA Council at waca.travel@gmail.com

All money orders/draft in US Dollars must be payable to the “World Airlines Clubs Association” and along with the filled-in Registration Form, to be mailed to:

Mr. Keith Miller at WACA Headquarters, c/o IATA, 800 Place Victoria, P.O. Box 113, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4Z 1M1.

The Registration forms can also be sent to WACA via email.

You can also transfer the payment via wire transfer to WA-CA’s bank account. Transfer charges are to be borne by par-ticipants and WACA reserves the right to collect from the participant the shortfall due to service charges etc. Please note WACA’s Bank of Montreal account does levy a charge of 14 US dollars for every transaction and this shall be borne by the participant as well. For PayPal payments, this payment option is no longer offered due to the potentially high service charges that might be incurred.

WACA’s bank account info as follows for bank wire trans-fers:

Bank Address: Bank of Montreal, 2005 Peel Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1T7

Account name: World Airlines Clubs AssociationAccount number: 4600-790Transit number: 01581-001Swift code: bofmcam2

Note:Bank processing charges may vary from country to country and WACA will only recover the outstanding amount as in-dicated in the actual transaction records.

Registration Deadline: 11 July 2020.