Java by Train: Temples, Sultans & Sunrise

Arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, where a local representative will be waiting for the transfer to St. Regis Jakarta. Indonesia's largest city, Jakarta is a bustling megapolitan of over 10 million people, known for its rich history, vibrant nightlife and culinary scene. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jakarta.

Take in the full contrast of Jakarta, from Old Batavia to the modern financial district. Begin with a walking tour of Old Batavia, once the site of Jayakarta and the spice-trading harbor of Sunda Kelapa. Visit the last remaining Dutch drawbridge in the city, known as the Chicken Market Bridge, then walk along historic Kali Besar Barat, passing Toko Merah, or Red Shop, the former home of a Dutch Governor General and one of the finest red-tiled facades remaining around Fatahillah Square. Enjoy lunch at Cafe Batavia, a historic restaurant established around 1805, its century-old atmosphere intact, with window tables overlooking Fatahillah Square. In the afternoon, step off the tourist trail to explore modern Jakarta, riding the MRT from Hotel Indonesia roundabout station to Blok M and exploring M Bloc Space, a creative hub of public space, live music and shops. Overnight in Jakarta.

After breakfast, transfer to Gambir Railway Station for the scenic train journey to Yogyakarta. On arrival, meet a local guide for the drive to the hotel, checking in with the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a Royal Javanese Rijsttafel dinner at the Kedaton Ambarrukmo Heritage Site, built in 1857 as the residence of King Hamengku Buwono VII. The Royal dinner ceremony begins with the 'Jodhang' procession, a Royal Butler carrying a wooden box laden with the Sultan's favorite delicacies, for an exceptional evening of Javanese royal cuisine. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Spend a full day exploring Yogyakarta, the cradle of Javanese culture. Visit the Sultan's Palace, known as the Kraton, built between 1756 and 1790 and one of the finest examples of traditional Javanese architecture, still home to the Sultan today, with the chance to see a cultural performance such as Golek Menak puppetry or classical Macapat poetry, depending on the day of visit. Continue on foot to Taman Sari Water Palace, an addition to the royal complex built over 200 years ago as bathing pools for the women of the court. After lunch at Abhayagiri Restaurant, explore the ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan, a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage site whose three main shrines are dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Explore historic Kotagede, the cradle of the Mataram Kingdom, on a leisurely 'blusukan style' walk through its beautiful streets. Begin at the historic Legi Market, on the site of the former capital of the Islamic Mataram Empire founded in 1549, then visit Yogyakarta's inaugural mosque, dating to 1587, to learn the story behind its distinctive mixed architecture. Continue through the neighbourhood's twin gates, framed by the welcoming facades of old houses. Conclude the walk with a visit to a passionate silversmith with nearly three decades of experience, taking part in a one-to-two-hour workshop crafting a personal piece of jewelry, a ring, earrings or a pendant, under his expert guidance, from cutting and forging to carving, soldering and polishing, worn upon completion. Enjoy lunch at a heritage merchant's house, a traditional residence that once belonged to a kalang, a community of wealthy Kotagede merchants, blending European and traditional architectural styles. Afterward, continue to the Borobudur area and check in at the hotel. Overnight in Borobudur.

Rise before dawn to witness the sunrise at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, from Dagi Hill. Enjoy a cultural morning with a picnic breakfast, traditional stories, gamelan music and local crafts, before exploring the temple itself, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues, built without cement or mortar in a design likened to massive interlocking blocks. Return to the hotel to freshen up. In the afternoon, drive to a small village on the slopes of Mount Sumbing for a two-hour hike through terraced rice fields and plantations to Selogriyo Temple, a modest structure whose surrounding scenery ranks among the finest landscapes in Java. Overnight in Borobudur.

After breakfast, check out and transfer towards Semarang Railway Station, with a quick walking tour of Kota Lama along the way, a colonial district developed in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company, home to the 260-year-old Gereja Blenduk and its antique shops. Continue to Semarang Railway Station for a scenic train ride to Surabaya, a great opportunity to meet local people and see the volcanic landscapes of Central and East Java. On arrival, meet a local driver for the transfer to Hotel Majapahit Surabaya, with the rest of the day free for leisure. Overnight in Surabaya.

Enjoy breakfast and take some time to explore the hotel and its surroundings before transferring to the Bromo area. Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, with dinner served at the hotel this evening. Overnight in Bromo.

Rise early for a 3:30am pickup and depart by jeep to catch the sunrise, the mist and grey ashen ground creating an otherworldly atmosphere at a secluded viewpoint, one of the most iconic vistas in Indonesia, with views deep into East Java taking in Mount Batok, Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru. Continue by jeep down into the mist-covered caldera for a picnic breakfast before heading up to Bromo's crater. From the jeep's drop-off point, walk 45 minutes across the sea of sand to the crater's edge, then climb a further 15 minutes to the rim of the active Bromo crater for an otherworldly view. Return by jeep to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure and a 60-minute massage in the afternoon to unwind. Overnight in Bromo.

Enjoy breakfast in the morning before transferring to Surabaya Airport for the onward flight home.