Yogyakarta: Prambanan Bike Tour, Emping Making & Tofu Tasting

Summary

Cycle rice fields near Prambanan, make emping chips, taste honey

You’ll pedal through Yogyakarta’s rice fields with a local guide, visit a lesser-known temple near Prambanan, try your hand at making emping chips with village families, sample fresh tofu and pure honey, and share laughs along the way. It’s not just about cycling — you’ll feel part of daily life here for a few hours.

What’s the experience like?

Leaning my bike against a tree just outside Prambanan, I wiped sweat from my forehead and tried to catch my breath — the air was thick with that earthy smell after rain. Our guide, Pak Arif, grinned at us and pointed out the way the morning light hit the temple stones. We’d only been cycling for maybe twenty minutes but already I felt like we’d slipped into another rhythm; the sound of birds and distant motorbikes mixed together as we pedaled past rows of green rice paddies. One old woman waved at us from her porch and I waved back — she laughed when I almost lost balance trying to wave with both hands.

The route was mostly flat (thank goodness), winding through little villages north of Yogyakarta. We stopped at this small temple — honestly, I didn’t even know it existed before. Pak Arif explained how it’s both Hindu and Buddhist in design, which kind of blew my mind because you could see carvings from both traditions right there on the same stone. We didn’t go inside but just standing outside felt special somehow; there was incense in the air and a quietness that made me want to linger longer than we did.

After that we cycled on to a family house where they were making emping chips. The smell was nutty and warm. They handed me a pestle and showed me how to crush the melinjo seeds — not as easy as it looks! My chips came out sort of lopsided but everyone cheered anyway. There was this moment when one of the women offered us sweet tea and started chatting about her kids’ school — I couldn’t follow everything but it felt honest, like being let in on something real for a second.

We also stopped by a tofu workshop (the fresh tofu is so soft it almost melts) and tasted honey straight from these tiny stingless bees — honestly, it’s sweeter than any store-bought stuff back home. By the time we cycled back toward Prambanan my legs were tired but my head was full; I keep thinking about that mix of old temples and new friends, all tangled up with the sound of bicycle wheels on wet road.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bicycle tour around Prambanan and local sites

• Start cycling north of Prambanan Temple
• Cycle through rice fields and villages
• Visit hidden gem temple outside
• Learn making traditional emping chips
• Visit tofu home industry
• Taste fresh tofu and soya milk
• Visit stingless beekeeping site
• Taste pure honey
• Cycle back to starting point

Top questions

How long is the Yogyakarta bicycle tour?

The tour covers several stops around Prambanan and nearby villages; expect a half-day experience including cycling and activities.

Is hotel pickup included for this bike tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you start near Prambanan Temple complex north of Yogyakarta city.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

No, most routes are flat and suitable for anyone with moderate fitness.

What food do you try during this tour?

You’ll taste freshly made emping chips, sample fresh tofu or soya milk if available, plus pure honey from stingless bees.

Can children join this bicycle tour?

Specialized infant seats are available; check fitness recommendations before booking for young kids.

Is entrance to the hidden temple included?

You can view the temple from outside or pay extra if you want to enter inside.

What happens if it rains during the tour?

A rain coat is included so you can continue cycling even if there’s rain.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water to keep you going under Yogyakarta’s sun (or rain), all entry fees where needed, coffee or tea at local homes along the way, use of rain coats if weather turns wet, plus guidance from someone who knows these villages by heart before returning to your starting point near Prambanan Temple.