Borobudur Sunrise & Merapi Volcano Tour: Temple climb

You climb inside Borobudur itself, not just look at it from outside.

A full-day heritage and adventure tour in Yogyakarta that takes you to three major temples (Borobudur, Merapi Volcano and Prambanan) with sunrise views from Setumbu Hill, a jeep ride across active volcano lava, and entry tickets to climb to the top of Borobudur included. Your driver speaks English and picks you up from your hotel. Children from age 7 are welcome. A local guide joins you at Prambanan on some options.

Step-by-step itinerary

Borobudur sunrise and temple tour

• Pick up from accommodation early morning
• Travel to Setumbu Hill for sunrise
• Watch sunrise over volcanoes and fields
• Explore Borobudur temple
• Jeep lava tour at Merapi Volcano
• Visit Prambanan Hindu temple

The experience

The day starts at 4 AM when your driver collects you from your hotel and heads to Setumbu Hill, a vantage point behind Borobudur temple where you watch the sunrise between two volcanoes, Merbabu and Merapi. The light hits the terraced fields and the mist lifts as the sun rises. After sunrise, you move to Borobudur itself. This is the single largest Buddhist structure on earth, built in the ninth century and set in the Kedu Plain with active volcanoes as the backdrop. You have a ticket to climb all the way to the top, which most visitors do not get.

Next comes the Merapi Volcano section. You ride a jeep across the lava fields of one of the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes, seeing the raw landscape where eruptions have shaped the terrain. The jeep rental and the route are arranged for you. After that, you finish at Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia and dedicated to Shiva. Built in the ninth century, it has three main temples decorated with reliefs from the Ramayana epic, plus three smaller temples for the animals that serve the gods. The air-conditioned vehicle, parking fees and all entrance tickets are included.

The tour runs 12 hours total. You can choose whether to catch the sunrise from Setumbu Hill, climb Borobudur from the top (the VIP option), enter at the main gate, or skip the sunrise altogether: each option changes the timing and the experience. Every Monday, Prambanan is visited at ground level only. The driver is your guide throughout, speaking English and familiar with the Yogyakarta area.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• ticket to climb to the top of Borobudur Temple.
• entry to Prambanan Temple.
• jeep rental across Merapi Volcano lava fields.
• all parking fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• English-speaking driver as your guide for the full day.

Options for this experience

5 options

Borobudur, VIP gate access onlyUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 03:00Limited (hot new): we will do only the Borobudur sunrise, passing through the VIP gate at 4 am and climbing Borobudur directly. VIP sunrise on the top of the temple: choose this rate if you prefer to climb the temple at 4:00 am. We will pick you up at 3 am from your hotel. Private trip for your group only. Breakfast at the temple restaurant. Requirement: climb at 4 am; private trip for your group only. Pickup is included.

Borobudur climb on MondayUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 04:00, 07:00 and 08:00Prambanan access: Borobudur full climb, Merapi volcano, and Prambanan temples at ground level. An all-inclusive private day tour. Prambanan temple at ground level means only up to the park or ground area; we cannot climb Prambanan temple on Monday. Pickup is included.

Borobudur Without SunriseUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00 and 08:00Without sunrise: we will climb Borobudur temple, visit Merapi volcano and Prambanan temple. Pickup time is 7 am or 8 am. This package includes the ticket and the climb to the top of the temple. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Sunrise at Borobudur, viewed from the hillUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 04:00Setumbu Hill: enjoy the sunrise from the hill behind Borobudur temple, then continue to Merapi volcano and Prambanan temple. We will pick you up at 4 am for the sunrise trip. This package includes the ticket and the climb to the top of the temple. Pickup is included.

VIP sunrise on the top of the templeUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 03:00Limited (hot new): we will pass through the VIP gate at 4 am and climb Borobudur directly, then visit Merapi volcano and Prambanan temple. VIP sunrise on the top of the temple: choose this rate if you prefer to climb the temple at 4:00 am. We will pick you up at 3 am from your hotel. Private trip for your group only. Breakfast buffet. Requirement: pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:00, 04:00, 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 45 years) · Senior (50 to 65 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 10 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Asmaradhana Borobudur Tours

Is this one for you?Book the VIP Sunrise option if you want to be on top of Borobudur when the sun breaks. The climb takes time and the crowds are smallest at dawn. Choose the Setumbu Hill sunrise if you prefer the view from outside the temple but still want the early light and the volcanoes in the frame. Pick the no-sunrise option if you're arriving late or prefer a later start and a more relaxed morning pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (7 to 10 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually climb inside Borobudur to the top, or do I just walk around the base?

Your ticket includes climbing all the way to the top of Borobudur Temple. This is guaranteed on every option and is not available on every tour operator: most visitors see it from outside only.

What does the Merapi Volcano part of the tour involve?

You ride a jeep across the lava fields of Merapi Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The jeep is rented and included, and the route takes you through the raw landscape shaped by past eruptions.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Children from age 7 are welcome. The climbing at Borobudur is steep but the pace is yours, and the jeep ride at Merapi requires no special fitness.

What time does the day start and how long does it take?

Pickup is at 4 AM if you choose a sunrise option, so you can watch the sun rise from Setumbu Hill. The full tour runs 12 hours. If you skip the sunrise, pickup is later in the morning.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You'll have time to eat during the day, and your driver can recommend local spots, but you arrange and pay for your own meal.

Will there be a guide at Prambanan Temple, or just the driver?

A local guide in English joins you at Prambanan Temple on some options. Check which option you're booking. The guide is included on certain choices but not all.