Java Odyssey 17 Day from Jakarta to Bali

Joining Instructions

Please arrive at the designated departure city at least one day before your java overland tour officially begins. Accommodation on this pre-tour night is not included in the main package price and must be arranged independently.

• We highly recommend choosing a hotel located within the city center or near our designated meeting point to ensure a smooth, stress-free start on Day 1.

• Details of the exact meeting location and arrival timing will be provided in your final booking confirmation.

• Kindly make sure to arrive well-rested and prepared for an early departure on the first morning of the cross-island journey.

• If you need assistance in booking your pre-night accommodation or have any questions regarding arrival logistics, feel free to contact our team.

Finishing Point Instructions

At the end of this epic 17-day java overland tour, participants will be dropped off at their chosen accommodation or coastal resort area in Bali.

• Please note that accommodation and transfer costs after the tour finishes are not included in the standard tour price.

• We recommend pre-booking your post-tour accommodation well in advance to ensure peak availability and a smooth transition after the overland journey ends.

• If you need help booking a hotel or arranging your onward international journey, our team is happy to assist. Just let us know your plans in advance.

Packing List for Java Overland Tour

To ensure you enjoy every step of this multi-week cross-island adventure, please prepare and pack the following recommended clothing and gear:

Conservative Dress

• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)

• Shawl or scarf for any sacred temple or cultural site visits along the journey

Required Travel Documents

• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at regional checkpoint gates)

• Insurance info (With photocopies)

• Passport (Required with a minimum of 6 months validity remaining)

• Vouchers and pre-departure information documents provided for this expedition

• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Daily Essentials

• Toiletries (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)

• Binoculars (Optional, but useful for spotting wildlife along the regional national parks)

• Camera (With extra memory cards and spare batteries for extensive landscape shooting)

• Cash, credit and debit cards

• Day pack (Used for daily excursions, walking tours, or short overnights)

• Ear plugs

• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

• Flashlight or torch (Headlamps are ideal for early morning volcanic treks during the tour)

• Fleece top or warm sweater (Essential for cooler mountain stations and early morning crater viewings)

• Sturdy trekking footwear or comfortable hiking shoes with proper deep rubber grip

• Hat

• Locks for travel bags

• Long pants or jeans

• Moneybelt

• Outlet adapter (Indonesia uses standard European Type C and F plugs)

• Personal entertainment (Reading materials, journals, cards, music, etc.)

• Reusable water bottle

• Shirts and casual t-shirts

• Sleepwear

• Small travel towel

• Sunglasses

• Swimwear

• Watch and alarm clock

• Waterproof backpack cover

• Windproof rain jacket or compact travel poncho

Health and Safety

• Hand sanitizer (Required)

• Face masks (Useful filtering out smoke particles during active volcano hikes)

• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out regional arrival or customs documents)

Warm Weather Gear

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Shorts or skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are highly recommended)

• Sturdy water shoes or strap sandals (Useful for nature paths and beach walks)

• Sun hat or protective bandana

• Swimwear

Laundry Services

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our partner hotels along the extensive java overland tour route for a standard fee. There will be times when you may want to do your own quick laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting or biodegradable laundry soap.

Visas and Entry Requirements

All countries require a valid passport with a minimum 6 months validity to enter Indonesia. Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements before finalizing your flights. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change without warning.

Indonesia Immigration Protocols:

Please follow the official government links below for applications and digital registration setup:

• Visa on Arrival

• Customs Declaration

If you require a specific tourist visa to enter Indonesia, please begin the formal application process at least two weeks before your tour departure date.

Bali Island Destination Guidelines:

Effective for all arrivals, Bali implements a mandatory Bali Tourist Levy for foreign tourists traveling to the island. This fee is 150,000 IDR (approximately 10 USD). Travelers can opt to pay this fee online or in person upon arrival at the provincial boundary. We strongly suggest every traveler pay before arrival to ease your entry and avoid queueing.

Payments made before your arrival into Bali take place through the official Love Bali System. After successful payment, the system will provide you with a digital paid notification QR code as proof. Make sure to save that proof as it will be scanned by provincial officials upon arrival to the island. If you do not pay the fee before arrival, a cashless payment must be made at your main entry point, and you must retain the printout receipt for scanning.

Detailed Trip Notes

Indonesia has long been a landmark travel destination and presents a deeply rewarding overland experience. English is widely spoken in main tourist centers along the java overland tour corridor, and transportation infrastructure is good, though it might not be at the identical level you expect in fully developed western nations. If you are able to bring a healthy dose of patience, a great sense of humor, and an open willingness to interact with the local communities, your travel experience will be vastly enhanced.

Spending Money and Expenses

Every traveler is different and therefore daily personal spending money requirements will naturally vary. Some travelers consume more beverages while others prefer to purchase multiple authentic local souvenirs. Please consider your own spending habits when budgeting for extra drinks, shopping, and tipping the local drivers, train porters, and outdoor trek guides.

Money Exchange Protocols

During this tour the local currency you will use is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to official currency websites like www.xe.com for daily updates. The most efficient way to manage your funds is via international debit cards, withdrawing cash in local currency from regional ATM networks. ATMs are found throughout the main stops of this long route and accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. Traveling with both networks is a great backup strategy. Please note, your home bank will charge standard fees for overseas transactions.

USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD cash notes are recommended for times when local ATMs are offline or unavailable in smaller rural towns. You should bring some physical cash with you for emergency situations, but carrying only cash is a security risk. An ATM card paired with emergency cash is the ideal mix. Travelers cheques can be incredibly difficult and expensive to exchange, so we do not recommend them as a primary source of funds. Credit cards can be used at upmarket restaurants and large retail stores. If you are carrying US Dollars, please make sure that the bills are crisp, new, and in perfect condition to ensure acceptance by local money changers.

Emergency Fund Setup

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD 200 as an emergency fund, to be utilized only if rare circumstances outside our control require an immediate modification to our scheduled trans-island route.

Health and Local Safety

Please note inoculations may be recommended for the tropical regions visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your personal travel doctor for up-to-date medical travel details well before your departure date.

There are no specific mandatory health requirements for this trip. However, we recommend that you carry a personal First Aid kit, hand sanitizers, and any personal medical prescriptions. In Indonesian pharmacies, western-style medications are stocked but usually manufactured locally under regional brand names, so please bring the generic chemical name with you if you need a replacement. Please carefully assess your physical fitness level against our style of adventure travel.

Trip Specific Safety Guidelines

We strongly recommend the use of a secure neck wallet or hidden money belt while traveling for the safe storage of your passport, flight tickets, cash, and valuables. Leave your high-value jewelry at home — you will not need it while trekking or touring. Many of our partner hotels feature safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your items. A small padlock is recommended for securing your luggage bags during transit days.

Local Dress and Etiquette

When packing, please be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout regional Indonesia. To respect this and for your own daily comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering your shoulders and avoiding very short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both highly respectful and cool in the predominantly hot climate. Shorts should ideally be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not fully acceptable when entering traditional villages or historical temples. One-piece bathing suits are recommended, and topless sunbathing is strictly unacceptable.