Sumatra & Java: Wilderness Meets Heritage

Day 1: Welcome to Sumatra

Selamat Siang and Welcome to Medan! One of our team will be waiting to welcome you at the airport and whisk you straight to your hotel. You’ll be glad someone else is handling the logistics – this chaotic and sprawling city is far from the familiarity of Bali and a sharp contrast to the greenness you expect of Sumatra.

Tonight, you’ll kick things off properly with a welcome dinner with your guide and your MagRail crew!

ACCOMMODATION: Santika Dyandra (or similar), Medan
INCLUDED: Dinner

Day 2: Medan City Adventures & on to Toba

This morning you’ll head out to explore Medan with your guide. By now the big-city buzz has likely settled and you’ll start to notice its multicultural charm – Malay, Chinese and the local Batak people have all had a hand in shaping this city. You’ll see it in the architecture, taste it in the food, hear it in the mix of languages and spot it in the faces around you. 

By the afternoon, those big city vibes will be put to rest  during the fourish-hour road trip to Parapat and the volcanic lake shore of Toba – then it’s a public boat ride across the lake to Samosir Island. If you share a smile or two with locals, chances are they’ll be up for a chat – so the 45-minute crossing tends to pass quickly.

Settle into your cottage and freshen up. Then join your Mag Rail crew for a casual in-house dinner as you ease further into island time.

ACCOMMODATION: Tabo Cottages (or similar), Samosir Island
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Lake Toba by Private Boat

Pack the sunscreen and swimsuit in your day-bag because your group is heading out on your very own boat, to spend the day meandering between village communities and wide open lake views.

Binangalom Waterfall is one of those places that feels a bit hidden, until it comes into view cascading down the rockface as your boat tracks along the mainland shore. Depending on who you ask, the name loosely translates to “water that calms your soul,” which feels about right when you’re there. If you’re up for it, you can swim here. Back onboard, lunch is served as you drift between stops.

Back at the cottages, the rest of the day is your own story to tell. What will it be? A dip and a drink by the pool, a stroll to a nearby community, or just some restful time back in your room? 

ACCOMMODATION: Tabo Cottages (or similar), Samosir Island

INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Village Life on Samosir

Day-four already – and by now, you’ve likely settled into the slower pace of life. That’s why today you choose how you’d like to explore Samosir Island.

If you’re feeling fit and fancy a bike ride along quiet roads that wind between villages and farmland, we’ve got you covered. It’s around 20 kilometres to Simanindo, passing school kids, small farms and everyday life along the way. Here, you’ll stop to watch a traditional Batak-torta dance performance – a centuries-old ceremony made up of slow movements set to the steady beat of drums. On the way back, you’ll be reaching for your camera as you pass through the picture-perfect village of Ambarita, known for its stone courtyard once used as a place of judgement.

If you’d rather be on foot, you’ll drive up into the hills to begin a four-hour walk from the village of Sigarantung. It’s mostly downhill, following paths through farmland, rice paddies and coffee plantations. There’s plenty of chances to stop and take in those Lake Toba views and a well-deserved coffee break with a local family. Eventually you’ll wind up at Tomok village. We’ll be honest, it’s a bit touristy here, but there is a market to browse for gifts and a vehicle to carry you back to your accommodation after you’re done.

Whichever activity you choose, there’s time this afternoon to catch up together and share your experiences.

ACCOMMODATION: Tabo Cottages (or similar), Samosir Island
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: On to Berastagi

Repack that bag and fill up on breakfast this morning, because you’re checking-out and there’s a five-hour drive between you and Berastagi – your overnight stepping-stone to the wilds of the Sumatran Jungle; Bukit Lawang. Don’t worry; there are several stops along the way to keep it comfortable – including a photo-op no one will want to miss – the highest waterfall in Indonesia! 

Enjoy the night as you please. Rest up, take a dip in the pool, or catch up with your MagRailer mates for a cheeky bevy or two.

ACCOMMODATION: Kalang Ulu (or similar), Berastagi
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang, is in the heart of the wilds of Northern Sumatra.  The five-hour journey will have you glued to your window as you wind through the ever-changing landscapes and finally come to rest in the fresh greenness of rainforest.

Settle into your jungle lodge – your home for the next two nights. No airs and graces, and possibly no Wi-Fi… but plenty of warm local welcomes. Dinner is in-house and contributes to protecting orangutans and their rainforest home.  

ACCOMMODATION: Bukit Lawang Ecolodge (or similar), Bukit Lawang
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Jungle Walk and Orangutan Spotting

This morning you’ll wake to the soundtrack of the river and forest around you. There’s a simple breakfast of fresh fruit and something warm to set you up for the morning, then it’s straight out the gate and into Gunung Leuser National Park.

No point sugar coating it: this morning is the most challenging walk of the whole trip. There will be some up-hills and down-hills as the trail winds through dense canopy and tangled roots, but the pace is manageable. You’ll follow your guide as they read the forest spotting movement you’d miss and point out sounds and small details that bring it all to life. You might even see an orangutan moving through the trees! This is one of the few places left where they still live in the wild. There’s also monkeys, birds and the constant hum of insects all around. It’s humid and a little muddy, so you can sit it out if you prefer, but for most people it ends up being a real highlight. 

Tonight, you’ll gather in the nearby home for a home-cooked dinner. Rice, vegetables, maybe some grilled fish or tempeh – whatever’s being prepared that evening, all shared around the table. Sambal (chilli paste) is usually served to the side, so it’s easily avoided if you’re spicy-food-challenged: Phew!

ACCOMMODATION: Bukit Lawang Ecolodge (or similar), Bukit Lawang
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Planes, Rickshaws and Automobiles

You’ll give your legs a rest this morning and explore Bukit Lawang Village by motorised Becak (rickshaw), known locally as a Bentor. It’s a fun and slightly chaotic ride: wind in your face, weaving through village lanes and out into the countryside.

Over a couple of hours, you’ll meet people from the village, see how brown sugar is made, and head out into the surrounding rice paddies and small farms for some picture-perfect photos. Bukit Lawang itself is a bit more set up for visitors than what you experienced yesterday, but it’s still a relaxed way to get a feel for daily life here. 

Then it’s back to Medan to catch your flight. By tonight you’ll be settling into a new island with a different culture, new flavours and a whole new feel to things. 

You’ll be late to bed tonight, but the step up in accommodation may have you wide awake again, even if only briefly.

ACCOMMODATION: Gallery Prawirotaman (or similar), Yogyakarta
INCLUDED: Breakfast

Day 9: Kotagede Heritage Walk

You’ll spend some time exploring your new city with your guide this morning. Not too early though – you’ve earned a bit of a lie-in!

Kotagede is an older part of Yogyakarta known for its long history of silverwork. Have your camera at the ready, because the maze of narrow lanes will have you looking this way and that. As you walk, you’ll pass through neighbourhoods that still feel lived-in rather than on display – traditional houses, small workshops and people going about their day. There’s also time to stop by the local market and visit the mosque complex, including its royal graveyard and bathing area.

Round off the morning with lunch, where the flavours are milder and more fragrant – a change from the boldness of Sumatra.

ACCOMMODATION: Gallery Prawirotaman (or similar), Yogyakarta
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Yogyakarta – Culture & Context

This morning, you’ll head out on foot to explore more of Yogyakarta with your guide, a city known as the cultural heart of Java. You’ll visit a mix of places that bring that to life – from museum collections to the Sultan’s Palace, where history isn’t just preserved but still lived in. It’s a chance to get a real feel for Javanese culture.

Then, with the wind in your hair, you’ll take to the dusty streets the local way – by becak. Also known as a cycle rickshaw, this is one of the most traditional ways to get around town. Taman Sari is one of your stops, which began as a royal water palace, designed for the Sultan’s rest and retreat. These days, its pools and passageways are part of the neighbourhood where locals live among the remnants.

In the evening, your group will head to a local home where your hosts cook a range of traditional dishes using recipes passed down over time. It’s relaxed and personal – less about the menu, more about the stories behind the food and the people sharing it with you.

ACCOMMODATION: Gallery Prawirotaman (or similar), Yogyakarta
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: Borobudur Temple Complex

Borobudur awaits in the misty shadow of volcanoes, an archaeological site littered with thousands of stone stupas, each hiding a statue of Buddha inside. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world – deserted for centuries – and a true testament to its construction with earthquakes threatening to topple it any day. 

The afternoon reveals the region’s traditional way of life at a mask painting workshop. Learn about this ancient tradition as you paint your very own to take home. 

By late afternoon you’ll arrive in Salatiga, your base for the next two nights. Settle in and enjoy your new tropical home at your own pace. It’s day-eleven and your fellow MagRailers are probably feeling like old friends – perhaps dinner together tonight?

ACCOMMODATION: Kaya Arum Resort (or similar), Salatiga 
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

A Cup of Java

Have you ever wondered where the phrase, ‘cup of Java’ came from? Enter a tango between Indonesia’s fertile fields and the Dutch penchant for plantations. Proximity to the equator, mixed with cool mountain air and volcanic soil provided the perfect growing conditions for coffee beans as the Dutch soon found out after planting their first trees in the 1600s. That’s right, coffee isn’t actually native to Indonesia! But boy, does it thrive here. As one of the largest producers of coffee in the world – fourth largest in fact – you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sip locally-grown – at roadside stands, in modern cafes and while gazing out the train window.

Day 12: It’s Train Day!

Now, we know that at day twelve, it’s been a long time coming, but we promise today will be worth the wait! An old locomotive in the middle of Java? Did you ever think a figment of the Western world like this would appear out of the jungle? The Ambarawa Railway Museum is your focus today, so you can ride a train along the remaining line. Enjoy the rural life unfold outside as you chug through Javanese villages and plantations. If it weren’t for the cameras, you could easily pretend you had stepped back in time.

Lunch is at a local restaurant. Afterwards, you’ll head into a nearby plantation to learn about organic coffee – how it’s grown, harvested and processed – alongside a variety of fruits and vegetables cultivated on the land.

ACCOMMODATION: Kaya Arum Resort (or similar), Salatiga
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: Salatiga Walk and onward to Solo

Spend your morning on foot in Salatiga, guided by a local storyteller bringing the rails of their city to life as you go. You’ll walk through its historic core and surrounding neighbourhoods shaped by its colonial and trading history and a mix of Javanese and Chinese-Indonesian influences. It’s less about ticking off sights and more about getting a feel for the place.

Another local restaurant for another yummy lunch, and afterwards, you’ll drive on to Solo for your next stay (around an hour). What you’ll be witnessing along the way as you drive deeper into Java – this is the Indonesia you just can’t see if you fly! 

Arriving in town, you’ll spy the tallest and newest building in town. OOH-LA-LA! It’s not often we get to treat our MagRailers with a 5-star delight, but that’s exactly what you have for the next two nights.

ACCOMMODATION: Alila Solo (or similar), Solo
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: Solo by Steam

Welcome to Surakarta, affectionately referred to by locals as Solo. This small-ish city is often overshadowed by big sister, Yogyakarta, but you’ll dive right into the heart of this lesser-known gem, starting with the Mangkunegaran Palace. Built in the 18th century, it offers a glimpse into Javanese court life, with collections of jewellery, traditional Javanese weapons and ceremonial ornaments on display.

After lunch, can you hear the distinct sound of a steam engine in the distance? Its iconic whoosh of hot air and squealing whistle are calling you. Spend the afternoon aboard the Jaladara Steam Locomotive as it winds its way through Solo’s city streets, and because you’ll only be 14 MagRailers, we’ve opened up the ride to a local community group. Welcome them aboard – you’ll be experiencing a new joy of trains through their own exuberance before you know it!

ACCOMMODATION: Alila Solo (or similar), Solo
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Sancaka Train and to Mount Bromo

Today’s journey is to the edge of an active volcano. But first, enjoy the views from your executive-class seat on the Sancaka train as you travel to Mojokerto. Then it’s a road transfer to Bromo. An almost ominous feeling may well up inside you with your first glimpses of this mysterious volcano, looming closer and closer.

There’s a little time to settle into your new home before an in-house dinner and then it’s early to bed. As visions of the mysterious Mount Bromo dance in your head it might be hard to sleep, but you’ll certainly want to get some shut-eye – alarms will be ringing at 3:00 am! Trust us, we wouldn’t wake you at this heinous hour if it wasn’t for something truly incredible.

ACCOMMODATION: Jiwa Jawa Bromo (or similar), Bromo 
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16: Sunrise on Mount Bromo

An optional experience for the true earlybirds today. At 3am, you’re going to hop into a 4WD Jeep to reach a panoramic vantage point just in time for sunrise behind Mount Bromo. Then, it’s time to see the caldera – up close and personal! Your jeep can only go so far so then you’ll transfer to horseback and be led by a local (no riding experience necessary!) Finally, if you’re game for a view into the crater, there’s 253 steps to the rim.

Your early morning efforts are soon to be rewarded with a yummy breakfast and some downtime back at Jiwa Jawa, before your final road trip (and maybe an afternoon nap) – to Surabaya.

It’s check in time at the Hotel Majapahit Surabaya. Originally built by the Sarkies brothers – the same family behind Raffles Singapore – it’s worth taking a moment enjoying the hotel’s old-world charm – its wide verandas, garden views and colonnade walkways.

This evening, gather with your guide and MagRail crew for an o-so-swish farewell dinner at the hotel – a chance to swap stories, share a few laughs and squeeze out some final hugs.

ACCOMMODATION: Majapahit Hotel Surabaya (or similar), Surabaya 
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17: Time to say, See you Later

Enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before it’s time to say your goodbyes. Swap contact details with your fellow MagRailers and prepare for your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Which trip should you all meet up on next?

INCLUDED: Breakfast