PAR 13:
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL
People with mobility impairment can explore Yogyakarta and the surrounding areas.
Accessible and inclusive
An expert team has been involved with accessibility to ancient sites as well as in nature. For example, at Mt. Merapi. Don’t worry. Our experts will assist you wherever and whenever necessary, and provide barrier-free access anywhere and as far as possible.
If necessary, an experienced helper accompanies the journey (in large groups if necessary several) to assist disabled guests. Look at the different programs.
Jogjakarta – Access in Short
Below, find short descriptions about the level of access to places of interest in and around Jogjakarta. For more detailed information with photos, please contact us. On our tours, our team is ready to assist you in any way to overcome possible barriers.
Access at the BOROBUDUR
The Conservation Agency for the Borobudur is committed to improve accessibility, which is a difficult task due to the strict building regulations in place at an UNESCO world heritage site. A ramp has been built up onto the basis of the temple, and we are kindly permitted to get close to this ramp by car, thus avoiding long walking distances.
On the first gallery of the Borobudur one finds the best preserved and most beautiful reliefs. In principle, the gallery is relatively easy to reach also for manual wheelchair users who want to use our help (i.e. being lifted). However, we have recently been issued a “wheelchair ban” and we are still working on a solution to bring our guests back to this gallery.
Visitors are allowed to climb to the very peak of the temple; due to numerous steep and uneven staircases, however, people with mobility limitations might find this not the easiest of objectives, even if assisted by our trained team.
Visitors with Visual Impairment are allowed to touch the reliefs and statues when wearing gloves, which we provide. The Conservation Agency owns a 1×1 meter replica of the Borobudur that can be visited on request.
Access at MENDUT
Apart from two steps at the entrance, it is easy to explore the temple from ground-level. Getting up to the chamber requires to overcome rather steep stairs.
Access at PAWON
The small temple complex and its surroundings can be explored easily. The upper level of the temple is again more difficult to reach, and since the chamber is empty, it is actually nicer to enjoy its beauty from the ground level.
Access to BUKIT DAGI
204 steps lead up through the forest to the top of this hill located in the Borobudur park. A small road winds up from the back to bring guests up to the scenic outpost by car. There are some sitting opportunities on the clearing.
Access at the PRAMBANAN
The extensive Prambanan park is easy accessible. The Conservation and Park Agencies is very supportive and permits us to use our vehicles inside the area, thus avoiding long walking distances. The Prambanan Temple can be observed from many angles.
To get up onto Prambanan’s central courtyard, a set of rather steep stairs without need to be overcome. So far, no ramp is available, but we are in good hope this will change in the near future. Very unfortunately, a stair-free back entrance has recently been closed and cannot be used for wheelchair users anymore.
Once on the central courtyard it is easy to stroll around between the impressive temple buildings towering above the visitor. Visitors with visual impairment are allowed to palpate the reliefs with gloves.
Access at SEWU
Located 800 Meter away from the Prambanan, we are allowed to use a car to reach Sewu temple for guests with mobility difficulties. A side-way provides stairless access to the temple complex, to stroll around between the amazing heaps of stones.
Access at PLAOSAN
The court yards can be entered using a back entrance to avoid stairs at the main gates. To get up into the temples is only possible by stairs.
Access at the KEDULAN EXCAVATION
Access to the excavation site is stairless, but the paths are unpaved. A number of benches allow a nice view of the temple and the work going on.
Access at RATU BOKO
Ratu Boko is not an easy target when stairs are a major obstacle for you. Nowadays, however, it is possible to take a side road by car to the wide field in front of the famous Ratu Boko Gate. Alternatively, enjoy the sunset in the Prambanane plain at the restaurant at the foot of Ratu Boko.
Access at the KRATON
The entrance has ramps and the whole compound is on ground-level. Main barriers are thresholds to some buildings, and the sandy centre court.
Access at TAMAN SARI
Taman Sari has many facets, too many to describe them here. The beautiful main buildings can be reached without or only minor steps, by using side-entrances. Other parts are only accessible by stairs.
Access at MALIOBORO STREET
The sideways at Malioboro shopping street are relatively easy to use, however overcrowded in the afternoon and evening. Some nice shops provide easy access.
Access at FORT VREDEBURG
The complex is on ground-level without stairs and easy to explore.
Access at KOTA GEDE
The main destination for most visitors are the silversmith ateliers and shops on ground-level with the one or other step or threshold to overcome.
Access at the MERAPI LAVA TOUR
Main barrier of this tour is the access to the high jeeps, for which we don’t yet have a solution. The tour itself is partly bumpy but not steep or risky.
Access at CANDI UMBUL
Candi Umbul is easy accessible and steps can be avoided by using side-ways.
Access at AMBARAWA RAILWAY MUSEUM
Most parts of the outdoor museum are easy to explore, with few steps only.
Access to RAMAYANA DANCE PERFORMANCE
At the outdoor theatre at Prambanan, a few seats are available that can be reached without steps and stairs.
At the indoor theatre in town, using a side-entrance, this is as well possible.
Jogjakarta – Day Trips
Below you find suggestions for day trips in and around Jogjakarta. We will be always happy to adjust the trips to your individual wishes and requirements.
Day trip 1: Malioboro Street and Borobudur
In the morning, a stroll through Malioboro Street to see daily city life and do some souvenir shopping. Lunch outside town, on the way to the Borobudur. Before entering the park of the world’s largest Buddhist monument, a short stop at Mendut and Pawon temples, forming a geographical-spiritual line with the Borobudur.
Day trip 2: Traditional market and Prambanan
In the morning visit to the traditional market of Kota Gede, where in addition to fruits and vegetables the famous Javanese medicinal herbal juices are offered and can be tasted. After lunch we head east to the Hindu temple Prambanan and its neighbor, the Buddhist temple Sewu. Dinner at sunset in the Rato Boko restaurant with a view of the wide Prambanan plain.
Day trip 3: The City
A day in town. We visit the Sultan’s Palace, Kraton, its water castle, Taman Sari. Lunch in an Javanese restaurant. In the afternoon optionally the Dutch Fort Vredeburg or a workshop for Batik production.
Day trip 4: Temple Tour!
Are you interested in more antique temples? There are hundreds! We show you Sambisari, once buried five metres under the earth, Kedulan, which is still in its excavation phase, and the twin temples of Plaosan. And, if possible, we bring you on to the hill of the Rato Boko palace!
Day trip 5: Volcano and Ramayana Ballet
A ride up to the volcano Merapi, to a jeep tour over the cold lava fields of its last eruption in 2010. Lunch in a resort in the mountains. In the evening, experience the famous Ramayana dance performance!
These day trips can be modified and combined with other destinations.
We hope to accommodate your wishes and suggestions!
Please feel free to contact us to discuss your individual tour!
