“Our driver Fajar was great! He was punctual, made us feel very safe and was so lovely! He took us to the temple and brought us to our guide, then picked us up for dinner and even explained all the different dishes, brought us to our seats in the ballet, and then brought us home safely! He also was great at sharing the history of the temple and tips for the city!”
— Bruno V, August 1, 2026 on our tripadvisor account.
That review says it all, but let me tell you the full story of our day. We booked the Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Ramayana Ballet tour package through ramayanaballet.com, and it turned out to be the best decision of our entire Yogyakarta trip. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to see the two most iconic temples in Java and experience the legendary Ramayana Ballet—all in one day—this is the package to get. And if you want even more convenience, ramayanaballet.com can arrange complete tour packages including accommodation, meals, transport, tickets, and more. Just ask them.
Morning Pick-Up: Meeting Fajar
Our driver, Fajar, arrived at our hotel in Yogyakarta right at 10:00 AM. The car was a private, air-conditioned vehicle, spotlessly clean, and he greeted us with a warm smile and cold bottles of mineral water. From the very first moment, he made us feel safe and comfortable.
As we drove toward Borobudur, he shared stories about growing up in Yogyakarta, pointed out landmarks, and gave us tips for exploring the city later. The drive took us through bustling streets that gradually gave way to lush green rice fields and quiet villages. Fajar even slowed down so we could take photos of a farmer working in the paddy field with Mount Merapi looming in the distance.
Borobudur Temple: The World’s Largest Buddhist Temple
We arrived at Borobudur around 11:00 AM. Fajar walked us to our guide, a friendly local expert who was incredibly knowledgeable. The guide led us through the massive complex, explaining that Borobudur is not just a temple but a giant mandala—a spiritual symbol of the universe. We learned that the temple has 504 Buddha statues and over 2,600 relief panels, each telling a story.
The climb to the top was steep but worth it. The guide showed us the hidden Buddha statue inside one of the perforated stupas—you can reach in and touch it for good luck. The view from the top was breathtaking: endless green hills and the misty silhouette of Mount Merapi. We spent about two hours there, completely absorbed in the history and serenity. Fajar waited patiently and checked on us to make sure we were enjoying ourselves.
Lunch Stop: A Taste of Local Yogyakarta
After Borobudur, we were hungry. Lunch wasn’t included in the package, but Fajar suggested a local restaurant known for its traditional Javanese food.
He explained all the different dishes—gudeg (young jackfruit stew), ayam goreng (fried chicken), sambal, and fresh coconut water. We tried a bit of everything and loved it. Fajar even helped us order, making sure we didn’t accidentally get something too spicy. It was a delicious and authentic meal, and we appreciated his guidance.
Prambanan Temple: A Hindu Masterpiece at Sunset
We drove to Prambanan Temple, arriving around 3:30 PM. Another expert guide met us and led us through the magnificent Hindu temple complex. Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and its towering spires are simply awe-inspiring.
The guide explained that the central temple, Candi Shiva, stands 47 meters tall and is the most well-preserved. We marveled at the intricate stone carvings and the reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana—the very epic we would see performed that night.
The guide also told us the legend of Roro Jonggrang, the princess who asked a prince to build 1,000 temples in one night. When he almost succeeded, she tricked him by making the villagers light fires and pound rice so the roosters crowed early. Enraged, the prince turned her to stone, and she became the 1,000th statue.
As the sun began to set, the temple stones glowed golden, and we took dozens of photos. Fajar knew all the best angles and even offered to take pictures of us together.
Dinner and Preparation for the Ballet
Around 6:00 PM, Fajar picked us up and took us to dinner near the Prambanan complex. Again, dinner wasn’t included, but he recommended a restaurant with a buffet and explained every dish—satay, rendang, gado-gado, and more. We ate leisurely, savoring the flavors and talking about our day.
Fajar sat with us and shared more stories about Javanese culture and the Ramayana Ballet. He told us that the show is only performed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. On Fridays, it’s the Roro Jonggrang Ballet instead. We were lucky—August 1, 2026 was a Saturday, so the Ramayana Ballet was on.
He also explained that the outdoor show is only during the dry season (May–October); from November to April, it’s held indoors. Since it was August, we would get the outdoor performance with the illuminated Prambanan Temple as the backdrop. We were thrilled.
The Ramayana Ballet: A Magical Performance
At 7:30 PM, Fajar walked us to the venue and helped us find our seats. We had Special Class seats—one level under VIP—and they were fantastic: centrally located with a perfect view of the stage and the temple behind it. The show began promptly, and from the first note of the gamelan orchestra, we were mesmerized. The dancers moved with incredible grace, their ornate costumes glittering under the lights.
The story of Prince Rama, Princess Sita, and Hanuman the monkey king unfolded without a single spoken word, yet we understood every emotion. The golden deer trap, Hanuman’s fiery escape from Lanka, the epic war, and the fiery proof of Sita’s purity—each episode was captivating. English subtitles on a large screen helped us follow along. The outdoor setting made it even more magical: the floodlit spires of Prambanan loomed behind the stage, and the night air was cool and fragrant.
Post-Show and Safe Return
As the final curtain fell at 9:30 PM, we joined the crowd in shouting “Bravo!” The organizers then announced a photo session with the cast. We went up on stage and took pictures with the dancers in their stunning costumes—a perfect souvenir.
Fajar was already waiting for us at the exit. He drove us back to our hotel, and we felt completely safe the entire time. Along the way, he shared more tips for our remaining days in Yogyakarta: where to find the best local coffee, which markets to visit, and how to avoid the crowds at other attractions. We arrived back at our hotel around 10:00 PM, tired but utterly happy.
Why We Recommend This Tour
This tour package from ramayanaballet.com includes everything you need for a seamless day: private A/C transportation, hotel pick-up and drop-off within Yogyakarta, entrance tickets to Borobudur and Prambanan, a ticket to climb Borobudur, Special Class seats for the Ramayana Ballet, expert guides at both temples, all parking fees, and mineral water.
It does not include hotel or dinner, but those can easily be arranged separately—or you can ask ramayanaballet.com for a fully inclusive package with accommodation and meals. They are flexible with payment methods: cash (USD, IDR, EUR), bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal (with a small transaction fee). Pick-up outside Yogyakarta City or at the airport is available as an additional service.
If you’re looking for a complete cultural experience in Yogyakarta, book this tour through ramayanaballet.com. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get Fajar as your driver—he made our day unforgettable. He was punctual, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable, and he went out of his way to ensure we were comfortable and happy. We give this tour a 10 out of 10 and recommend it to anyone visiting Java.
