Services
Custom Tours of Jogja
Perfect for those who know exactly what they want to see and do on their vacation, Bvdi’s private tours are completely customized to fit your needs and desires. Whether it’s a whirlwind walking tour of the city’s best specialty markets or a leisurely minivan excursion to family-owned Castle, you get your tour exactly the way you want it.
Bvdi shows his guests the Jogja that he knows and loves -- where real Javanese live, shop, drink and dine far from the over-priced tourist traps. Get off the beaten path and discover the hidden Jogja rarely mentioned in guidebooks: scenic village streets, lively ethnic markets, authentic neighborhood bistros, forgotten monuments and charming boutiques.
Why choose a Custom Tour?
Custom tours are always private, so you and your group (up to 4 people) get my complete attention from start to finish. I ask plenty of questions in the pre-trip planning stages, going over all of the options and making sure you get the most out of your time in Jogja.
One of the benefits of custom tours is the flexibility: you and your group can change your plans at any moment, even mid-tour! You (or your tired feet) may decide you'd like to spend the afternoon people-watching from a sidewalk terrace café instead of visiting another museum. If we're driving through the Jogja countryside on the way to a Joglo house, you can ask to stop at the charming farm along the way with the hand-painted sign advertising homemade foie gras . As your guide, I'm there to help you get what you want, not impose my own rigid agenda.
During the tour you can ask as many questions as you want. The city's rich history is always fascinating, but many of my guests also appreciate learning about traditional Javanese culture, the latest nightspots, what it's like to study or live in Jogja, or even how to use those traditional bowl-showers often found Javanese daily life! My guests come away with a better understanding of the real Jogja, not just the postcard-perfect city seen on glossy tourism office brochures, nor the politically-skewed impression of Indonesie often portrayed in the press.
What kinds of things can we experience on your tours?
I can arrange everything from an introductory walking tour of the city's oldest neighborhoods to a specialized shopping tour with a chauffeured car. You can see the best of the city as a spectator, or interact with the locals. I can organize day trips to traditional batik process, authentic villages, or scenic paddy-farmfield. At night I can accompany you to the bars, clubs or concert venues that suit your mood and tastes.
I meet all of my custom tour clients at their hotel (or rental apartment) and drop them off at the location of their choosing within Jogja.
What do custom tours cost?
Prices for custom tours begin at €300 per day (2 persons) and €600 per day (4 persons). Prices include local transportation costs (small car or microbus during the tour), guest entrance fees to museums or monuments, but do not include any food or drinks purchased during the tour. Please e-mail me about fees for larger groups (eight guests maximum) and excursions outside Jogja.
