5 days in Yogyakarta, on a budget.
When we talk about Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the first thing that comes to mind is the Borobudur Temple. But there is a lot more than that. Jogja - the local name for Yogyakarta has a lot to offer from its cuisine, culture, nature and the people itself. Here are the best thing to do, eat and have fun in Jogja in 5 days.
Day 1.
Hiking Mount Merapi. The price for the tour is IDR 300,000 for 3 persons and it takes around 10-15 hours both ways. You can book your trip from Local Merapi Guide: +62 815 48615234 (suramindhol507@gmail.com)
But if you still want to watch sunrise and hiking is not your forte, then you can go for a jeep tour that cost IDR 400,000 per jeep that can fit 4 persons. For the jeep tour, I suggest you to bring extra outfit or a raincoat because things might get a little wild ;)
*Take Pak Wanto as your jeep tour guide. He is the first person who came up with the idea of making a jeep tour in Mount Merapi and you will be surprise of how kind and fun he is. Pak Wanto contact number: +6081392199771. Don't forget to taste the best Nasi Rames up there.
Nasi rames(white rice, bamboo shoots, fried chicken, fried egg, deep fried tempe, and sambal)
Ullen Sentalu museum. Located not far from Mount Merapi, this is the museum of Javanese culture and art. Entrance fee: IDR 50,000.
Candi Plaosan. Built in the same date as Candi Prambanan but the complexes are not related. You can also rent a bicycle and cycling at the paddy fields around the temple. The view is nice during sunrise. Entrance fee: IDR 5000.
Candi Prambanan. Entrance fee: IDR 230,000 per person or IDR 130,000 if you have a student card.
Ratu Boko. This is a great place to watch the sunset. Entrance fee: IDR 110,000.
Day 2.
Candi Borobudur. The best time to visit Borobudur is during sunrise as there are not many people around and the view is superb. The gate opens at 4:30AM until 6:15AM and the entrance fee is a whopping IDR 450,000 per person. Note that there are no discount for student for the sunrise admission. After 6:15AM the fees will be IDR 280,000 and IDR 110,000 for student.
*They will give you a bottle of cold mineral water at the entrance so no worries about not bringing one.
Kalibiru. Take a chance to have a photo up in the tree, high on the mountains with Kalibiru National park as a view. Entrance fee: IDR 5000, photos: IDR 10,000. There are a lot of photo points up there and the price is different for each point.
There are so many beaches and things to do on the coastal area. I suggest you to google it first before going there. But my suggestion is:
Pantai Glagah. There's a lot of tetrapods here which is a giant four-pointed concrete structure to prevent coastal erosion and a black sand beach as far as the eye can see and it is VERY windy. If you haven't seen one, this is the place to go.
Pantai Parangtritis. Wide black sand beach. Great place to watch the sunset and just chilling around. Entrance fee: IDR 5,000.
Bukit Paralayang. You can also parachuting in Jogja. Surprise! Located not far from Pantai Parangtritis and it cost IDR 350,000 to fly on the hill with a coastal line as a view.
Day 3.
Jomblang Cave. You need to be there before 10AM because that is when the tour starts. They will divide the participants by group so that it is not very crowded and the person who come early will be in the first group. Boots, safety gear and food are provided. Bring along torchlight because it is pretty dark and bumpy in there. Entrance fee: IDR 450,000.
Kalisuci Cave Tubing. Experience tubing in the Kalisuci water from a tunnel into the cave. Entrance fee: IDR 70,000.
Candi Ijo. Apart from a temple, Candi Ijo is also one of the best place to watch the sunset. Sit back, relax and chill after a tiring day in the caves. Entrance fee: IDR 5,000.
Day 4.
Kebun Buah Mangunan. Be there before dawn to watch the beautiful sunrise with the fog covering the entire river like a magical highway(sorry for the dramatic words). Entrance fee: IDR 6,000.
Hutan Pinus. A forest filled with pine trees. The best time to come here is in the morning when the fog is still there. Entrance fee: IDR 2,000.
*Don't forget to stop by a hut-like restaurant by the road with a paddy field as a view from Kebun Buah Mangunan on the way to the Hutan Pinus. Their rice porridge is the best.
The view from the hut-like restaurant.
Sri Gethuk Waterfall. Feeling a little hot? Then you should come and visit this staircase waterfall. 10 minutes trekking from the main entrance to the waterfall. Make sure to wear proper shoes. Things might get a little slippery there. Fee: IDR 10,000.
Timang Beach. This is the place for you to sink your teeth into a freshly catch lobster. You can select your own lobster to be cook by the chef. The price depends on how many lobster and dishes that you choose. But 3 medium size lobsters can easily feed 3 persons and the price is only IDR 300,000 for a set that comes with white rice, tempe fried with green beans, raw veges(ulam), sambal and also a glass of drinks.
It is not just that, Timang Beach is also known for its bamboo gondola that are linked from the mainland to the tiny island where they collect their lobsters. But this is not for those who have jelly legs especially when the gondola is hanging in the middle of the sea with waves crashing on both edges. To get there you need to book a ride from Gojek(Indonesian uber for motorcycle) that cost IDR 50,000 both ways or you can simply walk there for about 500 meters in distance. Gondola fee: IDR 250,000.
Day 5.
Keraton. A palace complex that serves as a cultural center for the locals(Javanese).
*Make the most of your trip by doing some research about the performances that are going to be held there. Entrance fee: IDR 15,000.
Taman Sari Water Castle. A former garden of the Sultans. Entrance fee: IDR 15,000.
Malioboro. Souvenir shops. Although it is very happening during night time but if you want to buy souvenirs with a lower price you should come in the morning after 9AM.
Pasar Beringharjo. Some more shopping destinations. Just a walking distance from Malioboro. Open early in the morning and close at 4PM. If you are looking for Batik products, this is the place to go.
Bakpia Pathok 25. Bakpia is a local desert with a variety of fillings that can be chosen from five different fillings - chocolate, red beans, green beans, cheese and milk. There are a lot of bakpia shops in Jogja but Bakpia Pathok 25 is my favorite. The dough have a crunchy texture and the filling is just phenomenal. A box of bakpia cost IDR 45,000 per box of 20.
This is Bakpia Kurnia. Not much different from Bakpia Pathok 25.
Masjid Kotagede. This mosque were built during 1640 by the Sultan Agung during the Mataram Sultanate. There are two different side of the mosque which is the mosque itself and also a tomb.
If you want to watch the worshiping ceremony here you need to come on the night of kliwon which happens every Monday and Thursday night depends on the kliwon calendar/Javanese calendar. For the muslim women, they will ask you to take off your scarf before entering the tomb to see the ceremony but there is also another place where they do the worshiping ceremony which is at the Pantai Parangtritis. Only different is the one on the beach is done by the Chinese and on the tomb is the Javanese.
Don't forget to try the local dish - Bebek Goreng Haji Slemet, Spesial Sambal SS, Pempek, Nasi Rames and the famous Nasi Uduk while you are in Jogja. If you like ice cream, you can get one at Tempo Gelato. They serve the best ice cream in town and if you're lucky, you might find local fruit flavored ice cream over there.
Bebek Goreng Hj. Slamet. Bebek = duck.
Transportation.
The main transportation in Jogja is the motorcycle. And the best way to get around is by renting one which is only IDR 70,000 per day and can easily book from your host/receptionist. But for the more distance place, I suggest you to hire a driver(supir) that cost IDR 450,000 per day(exclude the parking fee) that can fit 7 persons in the MPV(Toyota Avanza) or you can simply rent a car.
To hire a driver, contact Donny Santoso on Facebook: Donny Santoso or Whatsapp: +6287839259234.
*If you want to go to the town area from your place, just book a Grabcar. Cheap and convenient.
Accommodation.
If you go with a group of many then hostels might be the best choice for you. But if you go with a group of two or solo, and you want a bit of privacy, my suggestion is the Pondokan D'Java that is located in front of the famous Good Karma. It is a very strategic location located not far from the city center and the price is very affordable as well.
You can find them on Airbnb here https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15513400 or directly contact Heru on Whatsapp: +6287762638078 or +6285247294223 for a special price.
I got IDR 143,000 per night for a perfect air conditioning room with a private bathroom inside. Breakfast and wifi included as well.
Pondokan d'Java(will be on the left side of the road if you come from the main road, google Good Karma for direction)
Last but not least, if you are planning to come to Yogyakarta, April until October is the best time to visit. November until March is the rainy seasons and you might want to avoid that time. There weren't much that I can do and see during my trip to Jogja because I picked the wrong time to visit. But one thing for sure I will come back again to this beautiful place for its food, culture and their wonderful people.
If you have anything to ask feel free to contact me on the 'ABOUT' section from the main page.