Two day loop on a motorbike around Central Java in Indonesia becomes a journey through both amazing nature thanks to spectacular volcanoes and grand history thanks to Prambanan and Borobodur temples.

Our second journey in Indonesia takes place in the central part of Java island, undoubtely the most culturally rich place of the archipelago. We arrive to Yogyakarta via a short domestic flight, rent a motorbike and head out to 2 day journey around the region.

See full map

First we head to explore the ancient 9th-century Hindu temple of Prambanan dedicated to the Trimūrti, the expression of God as the Creator, the Preserver and the Transformer. While exploring the main temple grounds and surrounding temples we are interrupted by heavy monsoon rain, that cuts our day plans short. Instead of continuing towards Selo we head back through Yogyakarta towards Borobodur temple, next to which we spent the night.

Very early next day we head out to visit the infamous Chicken Temple Gereja Ayam build on a hill overlooking Borobodur temple in 90s by a local man who decided to build unique prayer house that occurred in his dream. After exploring the church and witnessing sunrise over Borobodur from its rooftop we head into the Borobodur itself, the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

Afterwards we decide to head to the mountains via Ketep Pass and mountain pass between volcanoes Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi towards Surakarta, and then heading back to Yogyakarta, taking last day to explore history of this ancient royal city.

Yogyakarta.

Local kids at our guesthouse.

Prambanan.

Built in the 10th century, the Prambanan temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia.

Prambanan.

Rising above the centre of the last of these concentric squares are three temples decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana.

Prambanan.

The 3 temples aree dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) and three temples dedicated to the animals who serve them.

Prambanan.

Candi Lumbung in the Prambanan temple compounds.

Prambanan.

Sewu Temple, a major Buddhist temple complex with numerous buildings, dating from the 8th century.

Prambanan.

Heavy rain outside the Prambanan temple.

Prambanan.

Heavy rain outside the Prambanan temple.

Prambanan.

Food stalls next to Prambanan temple.

Prambanan.

Food stalls next to Prambanan temple.

Prambanan.

As anywhere else in SE asia, you have to pass through sea of hawkers to exit any major tourist spot.

Magelang.

One of most unique and bizzare religious buildings in the world - the Chicken Temple in Indonesia.

Magelang.

Overview of Central Java from the roof of the Chicken Temple.

Magelang.

Borobudur temple coming out of fog at sunrise.

Magelang.

Kids going to school on bikes in a villiage next to Borobudur temple.

Magelang.

Early morning on the rice fields of Magelang district.

Borobodur.

Borobodur is a famous Buddhist temple 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.

Borobodur.

Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

Borobodur.

The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty.