Written by Junanto Xu
Co-written and edited by Beverley Lennon
We’re sure your bucket list is overflowing with amazing places to check out with kids but why not explore somewhere closer to home? Here’s a chance to introduce your family to the wonders of magnificent Indonesia! Head over to Surabaya and explore its surroundings as you enjoy a road trip Prigen, Batu and further to Bromo!
Thanks to an abundance of kid-friendly activities, and a bevy of grown-up attractions too! Chances are you didn’t even know there was a safari resort hidden just 1.5 hours from Surabaya and Indonesia’s very own Cameron Highlands – Batu, lies a short 2 hours away! Best yet, the region is blessed with exciting theme parks and fiery natural attractions!
Being real kids ourselves, we tried and tested this itinerary that brings you to the most exciting attractions to uncover with your family and get you up to the crater of Mount Bromo without any hiking required!
We hope you have as much fun as we did on our last trip around East Java!
Read more:
21 Awe-inspiring things to do in Malang you never thought possible
5D4N Adventurous road trip itinerary to Surabaya, Mount Bromo, and Kawah Ijen under $250
Our 2D1N adventure itinerary to Mount Bromo: Things to do, where to stay and how to reach this active volcano!
Overview
Planning your next family getaway? This itinerary around East Java is a whole lot of fun for adults and kids alike as you get to explore the wild at a safari in Prigen (1.5 hours from Surabaya) while you make your way to Batu – Indonesia’s very own Cameron Highlands and tick off the majestic active volcano of Mount Bromo without any hiking! What’s more, you get to have unlimited fun at theme parks and experience staying in the clouds!
Here’s a quick overview of this itinerary
Tap sections below to scroll to the relevant section
Getting to Surabaya
Day 1: Stay at a magical animal kingdom in the chilly highlands!
Day 2: Embark on an exciting safari adventure and take lunch with tigers!
Day 3: Go on an all-you-can-eat fruit picking!
Day 4: Step in the real Jurassic Park and stay among the clouds!
Day 5: Catch an epic sunrise at Mount Bromo and take breakfast with fairies!
Best time to travel
Getting around
Cost Breakdown
Getting to Surabaya
This post is made possible by Indonesia Tourism Board
From SingaporeFrom Malaysia (tap here to view)From Jakarta (tap here to view)
Direct Flight (From S$149 per pax for return flights)
Take a flight from Changi Airport Singapore via Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar, Scoot, SilkAir or Singapore Airlines to Juanda International Airport Surabaya. Flight duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Direct Flight (From MYR452 per pax for return flights)
Take a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport via Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia or Citilink, to Juanda International Airport Surabaya. Flight duration: 2 hours and 40 minutes.
1. Flights
Direct Flight (From Rp.1,004,000 per pax for return flights)
Book a flight to Juanda International Airport (Surabaya) via Sriwijaya Air, Citilink Indonesia, Lion Air, AirAsia, Batik Air or Garuda Indonesia
(Flight time: ~1h 30 min)
2. Train
a. Executive: starts at Rp. 405,000
– Depart from Gambir Station (Central Jakarta), and arrive at Surabaya Gubeng Station Surabaya. Train ride duration: ~ 12 hours 30 minutes
b. Economy: starts at Rp. 104,000 – Seats are cramped and not recommended.
– Depart from Pasar Senen Station, and arrive at Surabaya Gubeng Station. Train ride duration: ~ 15 hours)
This story would not have been possible without the support of Indonesia Tourism Board. For more information, check out the official websites of Surabaya, Malang and Bromo.
Itinerary
Day 1
Stay at a magical animal kingdom in the chilly highlands!
From the hustle and bustle of Surabaya, embark on a journey that takes you to the chilly highlands of Prigen. But before that, you’ll get your hands dirty with enormous crabs for lunch! Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay among wild animals! Upon check-in, it will not be long before you spot some long-necked or striped creatures.
Enjoy views of the landscape from your room balcony or get up close to the animals at feeding times!
Indulge in crabs bigger than your hands! – Kepiting Cak Gundul 1992 (1 – 1.5 hours)
We asked locals where to get fresh seafood and the one place that won over the poll was Kepiting Cak Gundul 1992. Sadly, they were close when we dropped by as it was Ramadan season but if you’re luckier than us, don’t miss on dropping by for their delicious crab that is drenched in their special homemade sauce!
We’ve heard a lot about their ‘Telur Besar’ (crab roe) or ‘Super Jumbo Crab’ that are always fresh with huge chunks of meat on the inside! Match these with a plate of rice and a glass of grass jelly milk, and you’re set for the rest of the road trip!
Photo Via Rosariodimassetio, Ashyllicious, Linaahmad.27, Dedy-Erwanto
Check-into a magical animal kingdom! – Baobab Safari Resort
At Baobab Safari Resort, you’re in a prime location to spot African wildlife! The resort lobby itself expands to the outdoor area where you’ll find the pool and the animal park – it is quite a spectacle; our eyes were glistening like real kids as we walked through what would be our ultimate “African Safari Lodge”.
While there are various room categories (all of them with unique safari feels) at the resort, you sure want to opt for their Premium Safari room to wake up overlooking the most exciting members of the animal kingdom!
Get your binoculars ready for an animal experience of a lifetime – from petting elongated beauties at your breakfast table to lounging poolside with striped species, feeding Simba’s best friends and more!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Check Rate on Agoda
Meet and feed Timon and his meerkat friends! (30 minutes)
Now you can meet the real Timon from The Lion King. What is life, my friends?
This has to be the cutest gang we’ve seen out of all members of the animal kingdom! They’ve got their own dedicated “cave” to hang out at and could peek out of their home once in a while to see what’s going on in the neighbourhood; you know, just for the fun of it!
We were comfortably sitting in the lobby when I saw little heads peeking out of a gigantic rock (which I thought was merely a decoration), and it turned out to be a whole extended meerkat family residing in there! These adorable creatures are extremely fast and cheeky and they might well only come at you to find food! They have a chill life and enjoy sunbathing too!
*Note: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting scratched as they love to dig. Digging is an innate instinctive action they use to create burrows, get food or create dust clouds to distract predators.
Photo Via Jejes3008, TripCanvas
More infoDine with a view of the African savanna at Kilimanjaro Restaurant (1 hours)
Although we wished we could have shared a table with the fellow animal tribe at dinnertime, the feast at Kilimanjaro Restaurant did not disappoint either. Since we were here during the Ramadan season, we were lucky to join and celebrate around an extensive buffet.
There was a large selection of local delicacies but I have to say that my favourites were the desserts – they were so tasty and colourful, and turned our table into a stunning rainbow! They also had an array of sambal selections which were as delicious as spicy!
On usual nights, the restaurant operates on an a-la-carte menu with Asian and Western dishes on offer. We’ve also heard that they occasionally have live bands at the restaurant and you can also book a romantic dinner by the pool.
What I like about the restaurant is that it isn’t confined to four walls – it’s a semi-open area overlooking the pool and animal park from afar. Personally, I found it quite kid-friendly too as they are free to run around.
Photo Via Jakulpandaan, TripCanvas
WebsiteGo on an exotic night safari walk (with snakes and spiders)! (30 minutes)
If you’ve been to the Night Safari in Singapore before, you sure must have hated the long queue but rest assured, the night safari walk at Baobab Safari Resort is much more intimate than the ones at popular attractions.
And we know you might be thinking it will be too dark to see anything, but you’re absolutely wrong as the animals will be visible with the help of torchlights (just don’t flash right into their eyes!).
What’s different at nighttime is that you’ll get to see all kinds of nocturnal animals coming out to hunt for their food – snakes, spiders, bats are only a few of them. So no, it won’t be the same old animals that you’ve seen during the day! Plus, I personally think that walking in the dark knowing you’re surrounded by animals is quite an adrenaline-inducing experience! Isn’t it?!
Optional: Listen to exciting animal tales by the bonfire! (45 minutes)
Join other kids and families by the bonfire and get ready for an educational and entertaining animal story telling time! We were quite impressed to see how interactive the activity turned out to be as the staff really sets the ambience and kids were actually having fun and participating along! The staff dress up in animal costumes which makes it even more exciting.
However, the story telling activity is conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. But after all, kids often watch Peppa Pig in Russian on YouTube and still love it, right? 😉
Day 2
Embark on an exciting safari adventure and take lunch with tigers!
Today is the day you get to fulfill one of your wildest childhood dreams – besides going on a very special breakfast date, you’ll also embark on an ultimate thrilling safari adventure in the comfort of your car! I personally really enjoyed the interactive experience as we drove through various parts of the safari park with free-roaming animals coming up to our window for their treats.
The park is enormous, with an aquatic area, a baby zoo and several shows taking place throughout the day. Ready for an unforgettable experience in beautiful natural settings? Hop on board now!
Go on a breakfast date with the giraffes! (30 minutes)
Besides waking up with close views of the surrounding wildlife, this morning, you’re welcome to share your breakfast table with Zahara, Zahari and Kamil – the three celebrity giraffes at Baobab Safari Resort!
It’s an experience like no other as the three long-necked creatures gently make way to your table, scoping out your breakfast and hoping for a snack. You will be provided with leaves and vegetables to feed them.
They got really greedy when we were there and were close enough to pet, I nearly got their whole tongue in my face! I’ve always wanted to head to the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya so this morning with the giraffes was a tad special and in fact a dream come true, as we got up close and personal with these impressive animals.
Photo Via TripCanvas
More infoHop onboard an ultimate Lion King safari adventure at Taman Safari Prigen! (1.5 – 2 hours)
What better way to explore a safari than by driving through the animal kingdom yourself? Giving it a thought – I believe this is what made our trip there quite a remarkable experience. You’re in the comfort of your car with only your friends and family, so it makes it very intimate and enjoyable.
The safari is divided into different zones, where you can find animals from different continents. You’ll have zebras by your window when in the African zone, and you can feed the enormous bison in the American/European zone, and admire the elephants in Asia.
They also have a “carnivore” zone featuring animals that could gobble you up in a few seconds (for this zone, you’ll be required to close all windows and doors).
I thoroughly enjoyed the drive through as we also bought a few carrots to feed the animals along the way. It’s an ultimate throwback to childhood and I truly believe that the experience is fun for any age!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Roar with tigers at lunchtime at the Tiger Cave Restaurant! (1 – 1.5 hours)
Sighting a tiger in a jungle is a dream for many, so when we heard we could have lunch with tigers surrounding us, I have to say that we were pretty excited! Relax, it isn’t much of a frightening experience but rather an impressive one. We were lucky enough to secure the best table that gave us unobstructed views of the tigers roaming around and roaring for food.
I was thrilled to get such up-close views of the carnivores; would we be their lunch? I hoped not. As we ordered some of the chef’s recommendations, the moment we’ve all been waiting for began — it was lunch time for the tigers too!
While none of us were food for the carnivores, we were, however, welcome to feed the tigers. It is an unusual experience to sign up for as we watched the tigers jumping in and out of their pond to catch their whole chickens!
Mind you, I was quite anxious when they got too close to the window, ferociously staring and probably thinking that we looked like an appetizing dessert! Besides, the food at the restaurant was delectable and beautifully plated! There’s plenty of options, ranging from Asian to Western dishes too.
Photo Via TripCanvas
More info
Make friends with the penguins at Aquatic Land! (45 minutes)
Besides having to feed the penguins with bare hands (also means holding fish!), it’s one fun activity to take part in while at the safari. And hear me when I say that the penguins will do anything to get to their food — that also means stepping on you and even sliding into the pool. Let’s just assume that they’re quite impatient in nature, to say the least.
Photo Via TripCanvas
Watch man’s best friends do their show at The Adventures of Jack & Kelsey (45 minutes)
We did not have high expectations when sitting down for the dog show at Taman Safari Prigen but I have to say that I was very much impressed; kudos to their team and furry friends for such a memorable show!
Though the storyline behind the show constantly changes, I was happy to see that it was an educational presentation. Rather than being a mere entertainment show, there was a deeper meaning and it was intended to educate kids about conservation and how it is important to fight for nature (fauna and flora).
We watched happily as orangutans, birds, cats and dogs did their show in all harmony; it was very well coordinated so I cannot imagine the amount of hard work putting this together. You’ll have pure moments of laughter and admiration for what those animals can do!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Settle down for a family reunion around a comforting BBQ! – Campfire Outdoor Cuisine (1.5 – 2 hours)
Now that you might be freezing in Batu – Indonesia’s Cameron Highlands; why not find comfort around a warm DIY BBQ to get your fix of smokey, tender and juicy meat (but also vegetables)! We found it fun an unusual to be reunited and grill our own items at Campfire Outdoor Cuisine. There’s also plenty of space for kids to run around!
TripCanvas’ Tips: Since you’ll be dining in an open space, you might want to apply some mosquito repellent!
Photo Via TripCanvas
WebsiteSpend the night in an orchard – Kusuma Agrowisata Resort
Getting here at night means endless views of the nearby city lights on the horizon. Opt for their ‘Superior Room’ category and you’ll also get to enjoy equally stunning panoramas from your terrace! We absolutely loved our stay at Kusuma Agrowisata Resort which is located some 1000 metres above sea level. It felt fresh and refreshing to breath in the chilly air from the nearby mountains. What’s more; the resort is located in the compounds of an orchard filled with fresh fruits like apples, guavas, strawberries and so much more!
They also have cottages and suites for different occasions and group size!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Day 3
Go on an all-you-can-eat fruit picking!
Ever wondered about the pleasures of fruit picking? While you might be familiar with picking strawberries (ahem, Cameron Highlands), you’ll get to pick apples, guavas, dragon fruits and so much more while in Batu! You’ll also get to share fun moments with superheroes and dine with magical views!
Sign up for an all-you-can-eat fruit picking! – Kusuma Agrowisata (2 hours)
Known as the country’s largest apple producer, one simply shouldn’t miss out on picking fresh apples from the trees at Kusuma Agrowisata while in Malang – they’re one of the pioneers of agrotourism in Indonesia and have opened their orchards to the public since the early 90’s.
In here, the air is fresh and crisp – you get to happily connect with nature and spend some fund good times outdoors and eat as many fruits as you want!
But since it wasn’t the season for apples when we visited, we were welcome to pick enormous juicy guavas instead. Depending on the harvesting season, you’ll also find oranges, dragon fruits, and strawberries. The best part about this place is that a single ticket will grant you access to an all-you-can-eat fruit day and unlimited fun for the kids at the on-site water park!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Dine in a pyramid-shaped glass house! – deKleine (1.5 hours)
Hidden in the forest of Oro Oro Ombo is a unique cafe that has received much attention on social media – thanks to its intense Instagram bragging rights!
Once there, we had the choice to settle down in their garden area, pyramid glass house, or on the rooftop. We first decided to sit down in the pyramid glass house but it was very humid and stuffy so we decided to go on the rooftop area to enjoy a nice breeze and endless views of the garden and beyond.
There’s nothing much to rave about the food offerings and quality, they were rather basic but we also heard they have some Korean BBQ dishes. Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed the views and atmosphere.
But the best part yet has to be their bunny house – they have tons of adorable fluffy balls hopping around and they’re super cuddly! Sitting across the cafe is a horse farm where you can witness majestic horses galloping in a vast field too.
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Become a vehicle connoisseur at Southeast Asia’s largest transportation museum – Museum Angkut (3 hours)
What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘museum’? If just like us you assume that all museums are boring; you’ll be surprised by Museum Angkut! We had so much fun here!
Known to be South East Asia’s largest transportation museum, this is where we had the chance to check out over 300 collections of modes of transport from all over the world!
Yes, that includes coming up close to a real 66 Ford Mustang, stepping into a real size Indonesian presidential plane (the best part, if you ask us!), standing next to a gigantic rocket replica and so much more!
At the end of the day, come and join in their incredible showtime! We thoroughly enjoyed their ‘Special Car and Costume Parade’ where superheroes made an epic entrance aboard a collection of antique cars to surprise us with a flash mob in an 80’s New York setting!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Come for sunset drinks with magical city views! – 15 Celsius The Skylounge (2 hours)
There sure is a reason for this place’s name. Indeed, we did feel the 15°C temperature at the rooftop skylounge as it got quite chilly once the sun dropped, but the views are beyond amazing!
If you make it in time for the golden hour, you’ll also be able to spot on the last sights of the surrounding mountain ranges and vast plantations as the sky slowly gets swallowed by darkness, replacing the scenery with sparkling stars and city lights.
We could barely take in the cold so we opted to dine at the indoor area which also offers amazing views as it features floor-to-ceiling windows. While dishes are reasonably priced and tasty, we’d strongly recommend you to try their apple strudel and BBQ chicken wings! On our first visit, we also enjoyed a groovy live-band that set quite a nice ambience to the place!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Optional: Go on a foodie journey at a hipster night market! – Alun-Alun Batu Night Market (1.5 hours)
Packed with nostalgic childhood treats and trendy hipster stalls, Alun-Alun Batu is where you can find Batu’s unique version of Bangkok’s bustling night markets.
This is easily one of the best night markets we found in Indonesia – a place where you can immerse in the lively local nightlife and hunt for unique street food! Our greatest finds here are their delicious Telur Gulung (omelette skewer), crazy spicy Indomie, and jumbo crepes that were actually bigger than my face.
Photo Via TripCanvas
Day 4
Step in the real Jurassic Park and stay among the clouds!
What better way to make the kids happy than checking out an immense theme park? Embark on exciting adventures with dinosaurs, celebrities and more before enjoying your stay up above the clouds in Bromo!
Meet dinosaurs, sign up for Hogwarts, enter a futuristic house and more!! – Jawa Timur Park 3
Take a magical ride through the Dinosaur eras at Jatim Park 3! Though not particularly long, this ride introduced us to different species of dinosaurs in the various eras! We personally think that this activity would entertain young kids, but note that the presentation at the beginning is in Bahasa Indonesia (the local language).
For the next attraction at the Legend Stars Park, you might want to change into something fancy as we are going to meet some superstars! From Hollywood top actors to world-renowned politicians and activists, we were lucky enough to meet some of our celebrity crushes and pose next to them. If you’ve been to a ‘Madame Tussauds” wax museum; you know what we’re talking about!
Their newest addition in the world tour is the ‘Diagon Alley’, where we got to dress like Harry Potter and friends to battle Voldemort!! Being real Harry Potter fans, we found it to be so much fun!
We also recommend you to check out their Fun Tech and Infinity World to play with futuristic technologies! And if like us, you like a good scream, their zombie house is here to freak you out!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Look out for your kids’ favourite meal at Dino Mall (45 minutes)
Lunch at Jatim Park 3 is a relatively easy affair! With so many options to choose from – ranging from Japanese and Korean cuisine, fast food chains to authentic Indonesian restaurants, you will never run out of choice!
We personally tried one of the Indonesia restaurants here – ‘Warung Mbok Sri’ and enjoyed their fresh Gurame dishes – both deep fried and sour soup version were real killers!
Photo Via TripCanvas, Jalanjajan.sby_
Get up close to heaven at this magical stay above the clouds!- Plataran Bromo
Reaching Plataran Bromo is pretty much like discovering what heaven on top of a hill looks like. It is a comfortable option for when you’re around to visit Mount Bromo and if you ask us, we’d choose to stay here a million times!
It’s nothing quite like you’ll imagine here; it is like a sanctuary, a retreat high up in the skies amongst clouds and mist. For our stay, we were set in two gorgeous and welcoming rooms – the Deluxe Family Room and the Deluxe Attic Room. Both rooms accommodate a total of three persons and offered us sublime misty views of the nearby agricultural plantations.
Besides, they also have an ultimate family retreat option – their Private Pool Family Villa that can accommodate up to 10 persons! To add, Plataran Bromo’s location atop the highlands offers beautiful sunset views dotted with a show of clouds, if you are lucky like us (they have a viewpoint by the villa for sunset!).
Photo Via TripCanvas
Website
Indulge in heart-warming afternoon tea treats – Kinandari Lounge (30 minutes)
Tea time is complimentary for all guests at Plataran Bromo. As from 4pm, you get to indulge in hot cups of tea or coffee, along with a selection of delectable treats – most of which were traditional Indonesian snacks!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Dine while being surrounded by nature – Teras Bromo at Plataran Bromo (1 hour)
After an evening nap in your comfortable rooms, why not head down to Teras Bromo and indulge in Indo-Asian comfort food? The restaurant is playful and offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the nearby local plantation.
We dropped by here for lunch but they’re also open for dinner and serve delicious dishes that are really, really, ridiculously packed with flavours!
My all-time favourite is their “Sego Goreng Bukit Cinta” which is fried rice with seafood, pickles, skewer and sunny side up egg. All ingredients come directly from the nearby local farms and fresh juices served are only based on what’s in season.
🍽Other option: If you fancy a Western menu for tonight, you can drop by Langit Bromo within the hotel itself!
Photo Via TripCanvas
More info
Day 5
Catch an epic sunrise at Mount Bromo and take breakfast with fairies!
Your last day in East Java is going to be epic! Set your alarm at 3 am because you will have to get to the viewpoint at the break of dawn. But bear in mind – it’ll all be worth it! Even breakfast will be exceptional for this last day!
Note: No private cars are allowed in the national park area. You will need to park and take a jeep to the various spots. Alternatively, we recommend you to opt for a few organised tours (like the one from Plataran Bromo, which even includes a picnic breakfast). Besides tour operators, your hotel might arrange tours to Mount Bromo too!
As at 2019, the entrance fees for Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park are as follows (this entrance fee also includes access to the viewpoints and savannah):
Domestic visitors
Weekday: Rp. 27,500 (Approximately USD$1.93)
Weekend:Rp. 32,500 (Approximately USD$2.28)
International visitors
Weekday: Rp. 217,500 (Approximately USD$15.30)
Weekend:Rp. 317,500 (Approximately USD$22.30)
Secure the best spot at this iconic viewpoint – Penanjakan Peak (2 hours)
If you don’t mind the crowd or waking up super early to secure the best VIP seat, don’t miss out on this sunrise viewpoint! With Plataran Bromo being conveniently located 40 minutes away from the viewpoint, we reached there early enough so we sat down for an hour to grab a hot coffee at a small stall (it felt so comforting because it was really cold up there!).
In fact, it was so cold that some of us had to rent thick overcoats (you can get one at Rp.20,000). Unfortunately, we were not there when it was snowing! Sunrise at Penanjakan Peak was at 6.30am but we secured the best spots as early as 5am! Yes, that’s what you do for front row seats and for the best views!
Hear me, it will be a painful wait with the cold breeze. I was finding all possible ways to hide away from the cold and time felt like it was going so slow until the sky started to change colour, bursting out gold on lavender melting into saffron.
We were quite lucky as we visited during Ramadan (low season) and it was a weekday so there wasn’t much of a crowd as compared to our first visit in 2018 which was overwhelming due to the weekend horde.
Photo Via TripCanvas
💡Hate the crowd? Here are other viewpoint options:
Option 2: Come and spot the giant movie monster! – King Kong Hill
Address: Area Pegunungan, Wonokitri, Tosari, Pasuruan, East Java 67177 (Coordinates here)
Option 3: Get romantically closer (to Mount Bromo) – Love Hill
Address: Area Pegunungan, Wonokitri, Tosari, Pasuruan, East Java 67177 (Coordinates here)
Organized tours options:
Discover Indonesia’s very own little Africa! – Bromo Savannah (1 hour)
Throw in an elephant or two, a zebra and a giraffe and you would be transported to Africa without having to leave Indonesia!
Surely, we did not spot the Big 5, it does not get that wild here, but the scenery at Savannah Bromo is one we are not ready to forget! An expansive grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees, guarded by endless mountain ranges – this is where we had the pleasure to enjoy a picnic breakfast, lie down and breathe in fresh air!
The savannah is also home to Teletubbies Hills which (depending on time and season) can get crowded with photography enthusiasts.
Hear majestic volcano roars – Bromo Caldera (1- 2 hours)
Last mission of the day: Conquering 200+ steps to reach the Bromo Caldera and stand at the edge of this fiery active volcano! At this point, you will get to see the majestic volcano spew out sulfur smoke – lethal and glorious at the same time (We highly recommend you to wear a mask to protect you from the smoke)! Once on top, you’ll also get to relish on stunning views of the national park and sand dunes lying ahead.
TripCanvas’ Tips: We’d recommend you to look out for your kids and make sure your family members are fit enough to reach the top and handle the sulphur smoke. The set of stairs also gets you tired – it might be more appropriate for kids above 10 years old.
TripCanvas’ Tips: We visited during Ramadan and thoroughly enjoyed as there was no crowd and no horses as compared to the peak seasons!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Go on a whimsical breakfast date with fairies at Jiva Devi Nursery (1 hour)
I’ve always had a thing for breakfast dates and I could absolutely picture myself with my special one at Jiva Devi Nursery. To say the least, the set-up and atmosphere is magical!
Stepping into the glasshouse, you’re surrounded with beautiful flowers and lush greenery, along with the soothing sounds of a man-made stream filled with eclectic Koi fish, complemented with the morning chirping birds in the background and fluffy rabbits on the outside!
I think that breakfast at Jiva Devi is as close as it gets to stepping into a fairytale – the place is so special and beautiful that it looks like every little girl’s dream. It reminded me of the times I used to set a tea party in my garden when I was a child.
The spread is also quite extensive (pastries, fried rice, fruits, cookies, freshly baked cakes and so much more!), and the experience very intimate, perfect if you’re looking for a unique way to enjoy your first meal of the day.
Photo Via TripCanvas
🍷 In need of a dinner date idea? Jiva Devi Nursery also hosts private garden romantic dinner served by a personal butler.
Sign up for a massage with a side of magical valley views – Padma Spa (1 hour)
Booking yourself a massage at the spa is already a wonderfully indulging experience after conquering Mount Bromo, but spending that time in a room with great views takes it to another level.
That’s exactly what you’re in for when you sign up for a body treatment at Padma Spa. You might possibly doze off while the expert therapists work their magic hands on your sore body but with such panoramic views of the great outdoors, we bet it will be hard to keep your eyes firmly shut.
We had a quick half-body massage which was soothing and relaxing; however the hotel only offers couple treatment rooms so make sure you’re comfortable with whoever you decide to share the room with!
Photo Via TripCanvas
More details here
Hop on your way back to civilization – Surabaya!
Now that you’ve happily conquered Mount Bromo and enjoyed stunning attractions around, it is time to head back to the city before catching your flight back home the next day. We decided to stay over the night and opted for a beautiful apartment with stunning city views! We stayed at Ciputra World and loved it as it was conveniently linked to the mall, with plenty of dining options!
Photo Via TripCanvas
Book your Surabaya stay here
Best time to travel
If you wish to visit the natural attractions around Malang like Mount Bromo or the surrounding waterfalls, we recommend you to come during the dry season which falls between June to October. Throughout the wet season (December – April), it will be gloomy on most days and terrains at natural attractions can get very slippery.
TRIPCANVAS TIP
We were there during the Ramadan season and thoroughly enjoyed visiting around with no crowd!
Getting around
Renting a car without a driver/ with driver
During our trip to East Java, we rented a private car and decided to self-drive as we’re quite familiar with the roads in Indonesia. We were happy with the services received from ‘Yes rent car ‘and the vehicle was in a very good condition too.
If you’re not confident about driving in Indonesia, opt for their car rental services with driver provided and enjoy a worry-free trip in the highlands!
Note: It is important to apply for an international driving license (in the country where your driving license was issued) prior to your road trip in Indonesia. Procedures are usually simple and just require some paperwork and a few processing days (depending on your country).
Travel Budget- Estimated Cost Breakdown
Do note that the breakdown below is based on estimated costs. Actual costs may vary slightly.
Flight cost:
Travelling from Singapore: SGD $149/ USD $110 per pax (USD $440 for 4 pax)
Travelling from Malaysia: MYR 452 / USD $109 per pax (USD $436 for 4 pax)
Activities (4 pax): Approximately USD $329 (calculated based on activities listed, not inclusive of shopping)
Car rental (4 pax): Approximately USD $140 (for private car with driver for 5 days)
Total costs for food (4 pax): Approximately USD $185
Total costs for hotel (4 pax): Approximately USD $379
Estimated Total for 4 pax from Singapore (Flight+Activities+Transport+Food+Hotel): ~ USD $1,473 (~USD $368/ SGD $499 per pax)
Estimated Total for 4 pax from Malaysia (Flight+Activities+Transport+Food+Hotel): USD $1,469 (~USD $367/ RM 1,519 per pax)
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PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you!
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| PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us |
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