Knowing that we have only one day to explore the surrounding area of Yogyakarta we came to the conclusion that it is not worth to visit both temples by ourselves. Earlier we went through plenty of websites with trips to eastern Java in the vicinity of volcanoes, so we were aware of the offers. We choose the same office, which was going to take us the next day in the direction of Bromo. It turned out that despite the fee for a group tour we were alone, so we had a private driver 😉 He didn’t speak and understand a lot of English, but he was very nice and absorbed by his work. Sometimes behaved like a bodyguard 😉

We wanted to get some sleep before terrifying hours of wake up planned for the next days, so we choose trip with Prambanan at noon and Borobudur at sunset. Now I will all the time think about that how Prambanan looks like during sunrise – equally brilliant in the rays of the rising sun as Borobudur during sunset? Actually, the first temple itself I liked more, but the views of the sunset, and the whole surrounding: landscape, mist and beautiful colors appearing around thanks to the setting sun made the Borobudur looked like in a fairy tale. Unfortunately, this time of day attracts a lot of people and sometimes you have to stay in the sun a long time to snap a part of the temple without people. And a big interest of “local” visitors in foreigners does not help 😉

Prambanan

The world’s largest Hindu temple complex built in the ninth century AD, which was registered in 1991 as a World Heritage Site. Soon after building abandoned, probably due to the eruption of the volcano Merapi and caused destruction. For hundreds of years forgotten and hidden in the jungle was discovered by the British. The complex originally consisted of about 240 temples, most of which lies in ruins. Largest temple is 47 meters high. Since the mid-twentieth century Prambanan is rebuilt and restored. In 2006 it again suffered due to the earthquake. More: Wiki

The ticket costs 160,000 rupees, we had it actually in the tour price. The visit takes about an hour. You can also enjoy it at night in the background with Ramayana ballet. While leaving the city in the direction of the temple, you can admire ladyboys at work, they are open to the audience and noisy 😉 We were surprised by their appearance in a Muslim country. Although after a visit to Java, Bali and Lombok and memories from Egypt and Tunisia it is hard for me to compare these countries. Huge difference.

Borobudur

Called temple-hill is one of the largest Buddhist worship in the world. The temple was built approximately in the year 800 AD, it has no internal rooms, designed for pilgrimage, from where you can admire the scenes from the life of Buddha. Borobudur is terraced building, has five lower terraces and three upper. Side of the lowest has 11 meters and the total temple height is 35 meters. In the eleventh century the temple lost its importance, was discovered in 1814 by a British officer. A comprehensive conservation and restoration works were then conducted by the Dutch in the early twentieth century. In 1991 Borobudur was included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. More: Wiki

It is said that Borobudur and Prambanan are probably the biggest non-natural attraction in Indonesia.

IDR 175,000 – ticket price. If you have not managed to buy a sarong before visiting temples in both places you can borrow them for free, so no stress 🙂 If you’re sensitive to the sun shining directly on your head prepare a scarf or hat, because in both places you will be exposed to the sun almost all the time. At the entrance to both temples there is free water, tea or coffee. If you are waiting for the sunset it is better to take larger quantities of beverages.