Published on Mar, 2024
Yes, its a two hour ride from the port to Borobodur Temple in Yogyakarta Indonesia and the drive is not for the faint of heart... but is/was so worth it. Our driver Atok, who lives out near Yogyakarta drove out early in the morning to meet the ship and drove us out to visit this temple and the Medut Temple. You are provided with temple sandals with the price of the ticket, as you are not permitted to climb the temple with your own shoes. But once you are provided with temple sandals (they will have your size), they give you a bag for your shoes, and then the bag and the sandals are yours to keep.
It was very hot and this was at the beginning of dry season. For your comfort you may want to walk with an umbrella or a wide brimmed hat ( yes I hate mine too) as well as water. Our guide provided 2 bottles of water per person at the outset.
The pace of the walk up the temple may be moderate but the steps are narrow and there will be a lot of "traffic" going up and down.
Note that the access to the temple is limited to a certain number of people per day. So booking a tour or getting tickets in advance is important to avoid disappointment.
At the temple you will get a local tour guide and they will lead you up the temple steps and give the history of same. The view is amazing and the carvings in the temple walls tell the story of the times. Your entry ticket to the temple access is timed at entry and you will receive a wristband when you enter. This is a one way access so if you leave, there is no "free return". Get all your pictures and experience before you take the walk down.
Medut Temple and the modest grounds was very interesting as the Buddhist temple area includes what I would say is a replica of Bayon Temple South gate (Angkor Wat Cambodia) including the faces of Jayavarman VII, which was a surprise.
Our driver (Atok) was very accommodating and offered and took all the pictures of us that we wanted, and then some. Also, as advertised in the tour description, we got a souvenir to take home at the end of the tour, a very nice and appreciated touch, especially because we did not have to haggle with any of the shopkeepers to get it.
Getting out of the grounds of the Borobudur temple, will be a maze of shops... it may take as long as 20 minutes, even if you don't stop to buy anything. I think there has to be a shortcut out of that haggle fest ... ask your driver/guide so you don't "waste time if you are not interested" in that process.
Thanks to Atok for a fantastic day in Yogyakarta and for getting us back to the ship ON TIME!!