Day 1 · Bali
Introductions and shenanigans
- Walking
- Party
- Greeting
Meet the group, enjoy a small evening adventure and share dinner.
EAST JAVA
PremiumFromBali
ToSurabaya
- Departure
- 23 June–2 July 2027
- Seats
- Up to 13 travellers
- Previous trips
- 3 run
- Duration
- 10 days · 9 nights
See Java with a group of curious travellers
Spend ten days exploring volcanoes, waterfalls, villages and local culture. I’ll handle the route and trip logistics so you can focus on the experience: hiking, swimming, meeting local people and getting to know the group along the way.
The route · Bali → Surabaya
Welcome to the adventure
“If you’re on the fence just do it - have no expectations and you are gonna have the time of your life and meet the most amazing people who become family! Seriously once in a lifetime!!”
The itinerary
Day 2 · Bali
The adventure begins
- Hiking
- Waterfall
- Jungle
Explore waterfalls, try a natural waterslide and travel towards West Bali.
Day 3 · Bali → Java
Island hop
- Beach
- Ferry
- Bus
Swim at a black-sand beach, take the ferry to Java and travel to Mt Ijen.
“It was great! Full of amazing beautiful people and breathtaking places, it was hectic and exhausting at times but that just adds to the travel experience and makes for great stories afterwards”
Day 4 · Ijen
Mt Ijen and the blue flame
- Volcano
- Hiking
- Coffee
Hike Mt Ijen early. You may see the blue flame if conditions allow. See the crater lake and learn about sulphur mining; visit local coffee roasters.
Day 5 · Papuma / towards Tumpak Sewu
Journey to Tumpak Sewu
- Beach
- Party bus
- Sunset
Break up the longest bus journey with a beach stop, then stay in a jungle bungalow near the waterfall.
Day 6 · Tumpak Sewu / Goa Tetes
Java waterfall exploration
- Waterfall
- Guitar
- Hiking
Trek through waterfalls, then share dinner and music with locals.
Day 7 · Java
Teras Semeru
- Rice terrace
- Waterfall
- Volcano
Watch sunrise over rice terraces with an active volcano behind them, then visit another waterfall.
Day 8 · Madakaripura / towards Bromo
Journey to Mt Bromo
- Waterfall
- Bus
- Motorbike
Travel to Mt Bromo National Park and stop for a canyon trek to a major waterfall.
“The time of my life giving me so much happiness and a great look on life. The places were peak, but the people were what made it the experience of a lifetime.”
Day 9 · Bromo
Mt Bromo sunrise
- Sunrise
- Volcano
- Party
Watch sunrise over five active volcanoes, explore the mountain village and spend the evening together.
Day 10 · Finish in Surabaya
Final adventure and goodbyes
- Sand dunes
- Volcano
- Farewell dinner
Trek across the black sands, travel to Surabaya, share a final meal and say goodbye. Drop-off is at the airport or the traveller’s accommodation.
Guest stories
Different people came for different reasons.
April joined last adventure
Sophia joined last adventure
Bronte joined last adventure
“If you’re on the fence just do it - have no expectations and you are gonna have the time of your life and meet the most amazing people who become family! Seriously once in a lifetime!!”
Bronte joined last adventure Filip joined last adventure
“The time of my life giving me so much happiness and a great look on life. The places were peak, but the people were what made it the experience of a lifetime.”
Filip joined last adventure 
Ethan joined last adventure
“Its a fucking insane personal development trip, ive met the most open, welcoming and accepting like minded people that i got to see little corners of some random ass places with”
Ethan joined last adventure 
Callum joined last adventure
“It was great! Full of amazing beautiful people and breathtaking places, it was hectic and exhausting at times but that just adds to the travel experience and makes for great stories afterwards”
Callum joined last adventure
What's included · What you handle · Price
We Handle the Adventure You Live It
What's included
- Nine nights of accommodation
- Meals and drinks
- Route transport
- Activities and permits
- Airport transfer on arrival
- Ijen health checks and gas masks
- Local guides and crew
- Jeeps and motorbikes where used
- Professional group photos
- Trip preparation and flight guidance
Not included
- Flights in and out
- Visa or entry permission
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Personal spending
Dates, price & joining
Departure
23 June–2 July 2027
US$1,990 total
- US$990 deposit
- US$1,000 remaining across two one-time payments, due one month before departure
Applying is free and does not reserve a place.
How it works
- 1.Apply
- 2.Duncan reviews your application
- 3.Have a call with Duncan
- 4.If accepted, confirm your place and make payment
- 5.Prepare for the adventure
Before you apply
- Medium fitness
- Early starts
- Basic accommodation
Full details
What's included
- Ten hosted days and nine nights of accommodation.
- Buffet Family meals
- Drink with every meal (can be alcoholic beverage)
- Unlimited Group alcohol for Each party (3 parties)
- Water and snacks.
- Transport along the hosted itinerary.
- An airport transfer to the Day 1 villa.
- A drop-off at Surabaya airport or your accommodation at the finish.
- Confirmed itinerary activities, park entries and permits.
- Ijen health checks and required volcano gear/gas masks.
- Duncan as host and the core local team.
- Route-specific jeeps and motorbikes where used.
- Professional group photographs and digicam pictures.
- Preparation materials and flight guidance.
Edited images in a shared folder within two weeks after completion.
Before, during and after
- Personal call with Duncan
- Flight guidance
- After joining: group chat, packing list, visa guidance, insurance requirements, fitness preparation and meeting instructions
- Duncan and local crew
- Organised route logistics
- Decisions responsive to weather, volcanic activity and other conditions
- Support vehicle that can assist with transport to medical care where appropriate
- Shared edited-photo folder on the final confirmed delivery schedule
- Friendships and onward travel may continue, but are not guaranteed services
- Visa guidance is not visa procurement.
- Flight guidance is not included airfare.
- Medical transport support is not a guarantee of medical outcomes or an unaffected group itinerary.
Not included
- Flights in and out
- Visa or entry permission
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Personal spending
Meeting point
Fly into Denpasar/Bali (DPS). Meet at the Day 1 villa in Denpasar by 2:30 PM Bali time on the departure date. Finish after the Day 10 farewell dinner in Surabaya; fly out of Surabaya (SUB).
- The villa location is sent before the trip, in the group chat after joining.
- An airport transfer to the Day 1 villa is included.
- Arriving in Bali at least one day early is strongly recommended.
- At the finish in Surabaya, guests choose a drop-off at the airport or at their accommodation.
- Duncan helps guests consider flight options; guests book and pay for their own flights.
The crew
Powered by local legends.
Adri
transport and route operations
- More than ten years in Indonesian tourism
- Organises transport and potential last-minute route changes
Iqbal
local connection and group energy
- One of Duncan's closest friends
- Guitar, local communication and a few years in tourism
Is it for you?
For people who want the story.
You don't need an impressive travel history. You do need to respect the people around you, help make the group a good place to be and stay flexible when plans change. It's not a luxury-first holiday or a trip built around partying. It's an adventure we take together.
What we look for
- openness
- kindness
- curiosity
- respect
- humour
- friendship/cooperation
- courage
- determination
The physical and practical reality
- Reasonable fitness for hiking, stairs and uneven/wet terrain is needed.
- Ijen is the longest sustained physical effort.
- Crater descent is optional and subject to current access, conditions, guide judgement and individual readiness.
- Goa Tetes includes approximately 20 minutes on slippery, wet, rocky creek terrain, with a handrail alongside at least part of the route.
- Approximately half the days involve early starts. The plan aims for roughly 6–8 hours of sleep, but this is not guaranteed every night.
- Accommodation ranges from very nice stays to simple rural homestays.
- Some rooms and bathrooms are shared. One property may have four separate single beds in one shared room.
- Current rooming policy is same-gender shared rooms.
- Private rooms may be possible at particular properties, but are separately quoted and not guaranteed.
- Light packing is recommended: one main backpack and one daypack, ideally no more than two bags. Large wheeled suitcases are discouraged, not banned.
- Minimum age 18. Appropriate entry permission and suitable travel insurance are guest responsibilities.
When plans change
- The team monitors conditions, follows current official exclusion zones/local guidance, and adapts the route when necessary.
- Weather, volcanic activity, roads or other operational conditions may change, replace or remove an activity.
- Appropriate alternatives may be arranged; no particular replacement is guaranteed.
- The support vehicle may assist a guest in getting to medical care.
Dietary needs
Best efforts based on clear advance communication. We can't guarantee every diet or an allergen-free environment. Severe allergies or material requirements need discussion before acceptance.
Filming and photos
Filming is part of the trip. If you'd rather not be filmed, let us know and we'll do our best to keep you out of it, but we can't promise you won't appear in any videos.
Questions
You might be nervous.
Coming on your own is fine. You don't need to know anyone already, have travelled everywhere or be the loudest person in the group. Be kind, be curious and be willing to get involved. I'll speak with you before you commit, and we can work through the practical questions together.
You do not need to arrive confident. You just need to arrive willing.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Coming on your own is fine: you don't need to know anyone already. Day 1 starts with introductions and a family dinner, and Duncan speaks with everyone before they join, so you'll know what to expect.
Where do I fly into and out of?
Fly into Denpasar, Bali (DPS). An airport transfer takes you to the Day 1 villa in Denpasar; the villa location comes in the group chat after you join. Meet there by 2:30 PM Bali time on the start date. The trip finishes in Surabaya after the Day 10 farewell dinner, with a drop-off at the airport or your accommodation; you fly out of Surabaya (SUB).
When should I arrive and leave?
Arrive in Bali at least a day before Day 1, and plan to fly on from Surabaya the day after the farewell dinner.
Will Duncan help with flights?
Yes. Duncan helps you look at flight options on your call. You book and pay for your flights yourself.
How fit do I need to be?
A general, medium fitness level: hiking, stairs and uneven or wet ground. Ijen is the longest effort and the crater descent is optional. Goa Tetes has about 20 minutes on slippery, rocky creek terrain, and about half the days start early. If you have an injury or access need, tell Duncan on the call and he'll talk it through with you.
What are the rooms like?
Stays range from very nice to simple rural homestays. Rooms are shared and same-gender, some bathrooms are shared, and one property may have four single beds in one room.
Can I get a private room?
Sometimes, at particular properties. Ask before you're accepted: it's quoted separately and not guaranteed.
What about dietary needs?
Tell Duncan clearly before you're accepted and the team will do its best. We can't guarantee every diet or an allergen-free environment; severe allergies need a conversation first.
What if a volcano or waterfall is closed?
The team follows official guidance and local conditions and adapts the route when needed. Weather, volcanic activity or roads can change or replace an activity, including the Ijen blue flame and crater. Alternatives are arranged where possible, but no particular replacement is guaranteed.
What do I pay for separately?
Flights in and out, visa or entry permission, travel insurance (mandatory), and personal spending.
What insurance/entry arrangements do I need?
Suitable travel insurance is mandatory, and getting the right visa or entry permission is your responsibility. After you join you get visa guidance and the insurance requirements.
What happens if I cancel or the trip is cancelled?
The deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel, you get credit towards a future trip, valid for 12 months, instead of a cash refund; there is no credit if you cancel within one month of departure. If Dunks Ventures cancels the trip, you get a full refund of what you paid. The booking terms you see before paying are what count.
Will I be filmed?
Filming is part of the trip. If you'd rather not be filmed, let us know and we'll do our best to keep you out of it, but we can't promise you won't appear in any videos.
When do I get the photos?
Edited photos in a shared folder within two weeks after the trip.
What happens after I apply?
Duncan reads every application. If it looks like a fit, he contacts you for a call about the trip, your questions and flights. If you're accepted you get the booking terms and a deposit link, and paying the deposit secures your place. Then it's the group chat and getting ready.
Last stop
Apply for the adventure
Applying is free and does not reserve a place.