Located in Banten Province, Ujung Kulon is one of the most interesting destinations to visit on the western part of Java. It is located few hours drive from the capital, Jakarta and usually if travelers have several days they can also visit Krakatau volcano as well.

Here are some of the must-visit places in Ujungkulon National Park:

PEUCANG ISLAND has beautiful underwater garden that it is perfect for snorkeling and diving activity. The Island is also home for deer’s and long tailed monkeys. Lodge is available on the island. If you are into hiking, you can definitely hike to the north part of the island Karang Copong where you can see sunset overlooking vast ocean.

CIDAON SAVANNAH can be accessed by boat from Peucang Island, and just walking about 250 meters you can observe banteng grassing there. Best time to see banteng is from 6-7 am and from afternoon at 16.30. Travelers can enjoy the wildlife observation from view point tower using binocular. Sometimes we can see peacocks and Gallus gallus in the savannah. Sunset time nearby the beach is another option to do here.

CIBUNAR SAVANNAH from Cidaon Savannah can be a perfect trail for trekking enthusiast in Ujung Kulon National Park. where you will be passing coastal forest and low land forest. Along the trail you can observe various birds and Badak diet vegetation. Cibunar is also home to banteng.

SANGHYANG SIRAH CAVE is destination for pilgrimage. The cave is related to raden Kiansantang, a prince who lived in the period of Padjajaran Kingdom when King Siliwangi reigned.

HANDEULEUM ISLANDS consists of Handeuleum Besar, Handeuleu Tengah and Handeuleum Kecil. Three islands is rich of wildlife and vegetations : birds, reptile and swam ecosystem. The most interesting thing to do here is cruising along river, ar Cigenter River where you will also visit waterfalls.

PANAITAN ISLAND is popular for its diving spots such as Legon Lentah and Legon Kadam which is situated at the north coast. While at the south coast : Legon Samadang and Karang Ajar spot. This island is also suitable for surfing, especially at Kasuaris Bay. There is one point popular among surfers, calles as One Palm Point, which has big swell to ride on.

CIBIUK HOTSPRING is a place to rejuvenate after enjoying various activities in the national park. Locals visit this hotspring , and they believe that hot bath here help them cure some illness.

CURUG CIKACANG is the home of Javan owa. The area is circled by primary and secondary forest. This forest is where researchers , priate observation, bird watching, and herb research take place.

SOUTHERN COAST (PANTAI SELATAN) stretches from Cegog till Cibunar. It takes 8 hours trekking to enjoy the vegetation, view and wildlife along the trail. Travelers can stay overnight at Cegog, a village on the border of southern coast.

If you want to visit Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon or Ujung Kulon National Park, please do let us know. We can pick up at Jakarta or Banten. The tour to Ujung Kulon National Park can be combined with Krakatau volcano tour.

1. ANDUNG (TREE OF LIFE) is symbol of place to hang human head arrival from war which means glory and victory
2. ANA TAU (HUMAN) depicts as human mix with animal which means that human must keep the environment, side by side with animals that the local wisdom can be conserved for generations. In Marapu belief, this also means sincere. Ana tau with human hand opens means there is nothing to hide before God.
3. BUANDA is symbol of brotherhood ties created by ikat weaving maker artist, Titus K Limu in 2017.
4. FLOWER is symbol of human life and that humans needs one another as symbol of beauty
5. RAU AU (BAMBOO LEAF) is symbol of natural dyes that are used from generation to generation and also means unconditional actions.
6. WALLA WATAR (CORN FLOWER). Corn is the stable food of Sumbanese, ans the corn flower is the symbol of prosperity.
7. PATOLA BUNGA (PATOLA FLOWER) was introduced by Indian traders and it is symbol of beauty
8. PATOLA KAMBA is symbol of appreciation and symbol of eternal life. It also symbolizes that any valuable things kept using cotton or fabric.
9. PATOLA RATU is symbol that can only be worn by royals.
10. MATA HUTAR is created by artist Paulus Balla as symbol of beauty
11. HUNDA RANGGA symbol of palace and appreciation
12. WALLA MANGATA is symbol of beauty
13. KAMBIHA NJARA (TAPAK KUDA) or hoof is symbol of prosperity
14. KARIHU is similar to letter X which means hardworking women
15. KANDUNNU (STAR) is symbol of hope
16. HIAMBA ROTI is flower similar to patola ratu which means beauty and harmony
17. MAMULI is symbol of women. Women give birth symbolizes fertility and respecting women
18. MARA HUTAR, UWARI PAITA(Parea flower), and Hiamba Hay are symbol of beauty and balance. And Kandunnu is star that symbolizes hope. The Four symbols in one symbolizes heaven and earth. Iyang motif (fish) symbolizes beauty and prosperity.
19. SQUID is symbol of spirit travel to eternity
20. KURA MBIU/SHRIMP (BIG SHRIMP) in Marapu Belief is symbol of life after death or reincarnation
21. ANA KURANG (SMALL SHRIMP) has same meaning as Kura Mbiu
22. TANOMA//KARA/TURTLE is symbol of queen (Karawulang queen) as crown in Sumba and made out of turtle shell
23. NJARA (HORSE) is symbol of authority, majesty and unity
24. ELEPHANT is symbol of power
25. DRAGON is adapted from China, and it is symbol of authority, bravery and victory
26. WUYA (CROCODILE) symbol f kingdom, royals which symbolizes bravery
27. RUHA (DEER) symbolizes good status and nature conservation
28. KATARU MBAKUL (SNAKE) is symbol of arrogancy and also means life after death
29. MAHANG HAWURUNG (FLYING LION) is fantasy creature and symbol of power and authority
30. MAHANG KATIKU NJARA (HORSEHEAD LION) is symbol of power
31. MAHANG KATIKU TAU (HUMAN HEAD LION) is symbol of authority
32. TAU RIANJA (DANCERS) is symbol of hapiness
33. UKKI/MATA NDUI (COIN)
34. NDUI WILHELMINA (COIN WILHELMINA) is inspired by coin during Dutch East Indies period
35. PARENJA NJARA NIMBU (PASOLA DANCE) is traditional event to ask forgiveness to God and for god crops ahead
36. TAU KALITI NJARA (HORSE RIDER) symbolizes authority, majesty and high social status
37. PAPANGGANG (KARAWULANG QUEEN), depicts as queen riding bull under umbrella or papanggang which is usually can be found in a women fabric that tells about kings burial procession
38. MANU (CHICKEN), a hen is symbol of unity which cock is symbol of bravery
39. MANGINU (SPARROW) is symbol of peace
40. MANU MARRA (PEACOCK) is symbol to protect nature
41. KAKA (COCKATOO) is symbol of discussion for a solution
42. PIRIIHU (PARROT) has same meaning as Kaka
43. REA 9 (DUCK) symbolizes leader that gives good example
44. KAWUNG (BUTTI (MONKEY) symbolizes agile to manage life
45. KARUNNGU (CRAB) is symbol of beauty and prosperity
46. KARAMBUA (BULL) is symbol of power and social status
47. WELI METI LUNDU TANUNG (DEATH TILL BURIAL RITUAL) is symbol of royal burial ritual

If you are interested to visit Sumba Island for wastra or traditional textile odyssey please let us know. Sumba is rich of traditional textile that you can learn and observe.

We have also tour to learn about traditional textile in Java, Bali, Borneo, Lombok, Sumba, Flores. Feel free to contact us.

Located on the enclave of Bromo Tengger National Park, Sumber Mujur Village has conserved its village with bamboo. It was planted many years ago and now the forest is lush and has been the source of clean water for the village. And now, the village even has received benefit from the conservation through tourism sector.

The entrance fee to Sumber Mujur bamboo forest is included with the swimming pool entrance. I consider it is very cheap. That is why on weekend domestic visitors from adjacent area flock to this forest.

We stayed 2 nights in a homestay here. Everynight we can wait for the lava of Mt Semeru from the homestay. And in the day time, we can see Mt Semeru proudly emits smoke. We drove about 30 minutes from the village to Mount Sawur to see sunrise and see mt Semeru from close distance. And not only sunrise, from Mt Sawur we can see the view of Bambang Beach located at the southern coast. And my favourite was visiting Mt Semeru observatory. It is inspiring to see how the only 3 staff at the observatory watching and monitoring the volcano every night and day.

And this is what i usually look when i visit new place. The souvenirs and the foods. We can find bamboo handicrafts here, and also visit the workshop. I found a beautiful bamboo soup bowl and mug. And there are also batik painting made of natural dyes. They are just so beautiful. In the future i would like to take batik class here. And the special food here is made of young bamboo, which is called rebung. They taste so good.

I enjoyed the quietness, the mild weather, the abundant clean fresh water and also the hospitality of the locals. I would come back for sure.

In Indonesia, you can indulge in a trip of a lifetime everyday. Indonesia is not just a tropical paradise, it is not just another destination to escape. Indonesia is a lesson for a wider horizon, joy, positive energy, a place of letting go, making memories, and make things happen. The islands of Indonesia have their uniqueness. It is a destination for cultural odyssey exploring ancient monuments and temples built by beautiful minds. Volcanoes adventure through the active rumbling crater and its one-of-a-kind panorama. Indonesia has the jungle you can quest to discover the wildlife and the floras. You can feel the cold freezing break of a day on mountain and next day feeling the sultry air with view of the blue Hindian Ocean or even go dive deep to meet the sea life. And Indonesia has so much more.

Below is video by Thomas Fuhrmann ( www.snowmanstudios.de)during his trip to Indonesia with us. Enjoy !!

East Java is rich of waterfall and one of those is Coban Ciblungan. This waterfall is playful, beautiful, swimable, instagramable and it is definitely rejuvenating. It does not take long to reach to waterfall from the parking area, only about 5 minutes walk through stairs. And this waterfall is located about 30 minutes drive from Tumpak Sewu Waterfall.

Once you arrive at the waterfall you will the the multiple waterfalls falling to the calm plunge pool. And it is surrounded by green vegetation, such as bamboo and bushes.

Do not forget to bring spare clothes and swimming suites. It is rejuvenating to spend hours in this waterfall. We recommend visiting this waterfall after doing trekking to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Tetes Cave.

The water is clear spring water and it feels fresh to the skin. The locals use the water for drinking water and irrigation.

Located on slope of Mt Merbabu, both cities are accessible from Semarang. It takes about 1 hour drive from Semarang. There are places of interests can be visited here.

Ijen Crater may have been the well-known destination and must-visit place in Java or Indonesia. But there are so much to see, taste and do and feel in the surrounding of Ijen Crater. The road less traveled awaits you here.

East Penida has also beautiful beaches to enjoy. If you are beach person, maybe stay one night at the island to explore the Eastern and Western Part of the island on different days.

Bangkalan consists of karst areas. It has two popular destinations which is /was limestone mining at Arosbaya and Jaddih Hill. Arosbaya Limestone Hill is located about 2 hours drive from Surabaya. There are food stalls but no restaurants nearby the area. If you love trying local foods, you can try duck menus which is the specialty of this region.