Indonesia - Java & Bali Photography Tour.

Take gorgeous portraits on the Island of the Gods.

The Tour.

Join us on an extraordinary photographic journey through Indonesia, a land of diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife. Our tour begins in the ancient city of Borobudur, home to Asia's largest Buddhist temple, where we'll capture the first rays of dawn illuminating its 72 bell-shaped stupas, each housing a serene Buddha statue. The temple complex, surrounded by tranquil rice paddies, jungle, and the ever-present Mount Merapi, offers endless compositional possibilities. From there, we travel to Yogyakarta, where we'll explore and photograph the sprawling Hindu temple complexes of Prambanan and Candi Sewu during the golden hour.

Next, we swap ancient history and culture for nature at its rawest, embarking on pre-dawn adventures to photograph two very different volcanoes. At Mount Bromo, we'll capture the dramatic sunrise over its caldera from Penanjakan viewpoint, before descending to the 'Sea of Sand' where local horsemen provide stunning photo opportunities against the volcanic landscape. At Kawa Ijen, we'll trek to photograph its extraordinary turquoise crater lake and the traditional sulphur miners who work in this otherworldly setting.

Crossing to Bali, known as the Land of the Gods, we begin our exploration in Lovina with its black sand beaches and morning dolphin-watching excursions. In the cultural heart of Ubud, we'll photograph the iconic terraced rice fields of Tegalalang, visit traditional craft workshops, and capture the dramatic Kecak fire dance performance. The journey continues to Kintamani, offering spectacular views of Mount Batur and Mount Agung, before heading to the mother temple of Besakih, nestled on the slopes of Bali's highest volcano.

We'll witness the island's spiritual connection to water at Tanah Lot, one of the world's most picturesque coastal temples, especially captivating during sunset when waves crash against its rocky base. Our journey includes stops at local markets, traditional villages, and the serene Lawak coffee plantations, providing intimate glimpses into daily Balinese life.

Indonesia is truly a photographer's dream, offering endless opportunities to capture its diverse elements: from ancient temples to active volcanoes, from rich cultural traditions to unique flora and fauna, from dramatic landscapes to pristine beaches, and from traditional craftspeople to its world-renowned cuisine. Known as the emerald of the equator, it's easy to see why Indonesia ranks among the world's most alluring destinations. The combination of stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality will leave an indelible impression on both your heart and photographic portfolio.

The June 2025 tour has sold out but we have places available on the August tour, which will be lead by Maciej Radomski, a seasoned photographer with 30 years of experience who has spent more than 15 years organising and leading photography expeditions in East Africa and Asia. The tour is suited to photographers of all skill levels, with an optional pre-tour technical and aesthetic workshop for those who may be new to travel photography or want to brush up on their camera skills.

Photo Highlights.

  • Buddha statue at sunrise Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia

    Borobudur

    Sunrise at 7th century Mahayana Buddhist temple

  • Sunset over Prambanan temple, Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia.

    Prambanan

    Sunset at 9th century Hindu temple

  • Smouldering Mount Bromo volcano, Java, Indonesia.

    Mount Bromo

    Sunrise at active volcano

  • Sulphur miner in lower crater of Mount Ijen, Java, Indonesia.

    Mount Ijen

    Sunrise at volcanic sulphur mine

  • Fishing boat at sunset on Lovina beach, Bali, Indonesia.

    Lovina beach

    Black sand sunset

  • Children-fight-in-water-Tukad-Unda-waterfall-Bali

    Waterfalls

    Organised shoot

  • Besakih, the Mother temple at sunrise, Bali, Indonesia

    Besakih

    Sunrise at Bali’s mother temple

  • Traditional Balinese fire dance performance with dancers in ceremonial costumes and a blazing fire, Bali, Indonesia.

    Fire dancing

    Privileged access

  • Devotees-making-offering-at-Tanaha-Lot-temple-Bali-Indonesia

    Tanah Lot temple

    Sunset at temple in the sea

  • Farmer carrying baskets through Tegallalang rice terraces in morning light

    Tegallalang

    Sunrise at rice terraces

  • Local fisher women Jimbaran beach, Bali, Indonesia.

    Jimbaran beach

    Sunset at fish market

  • Sunrise over small pier at Sanur beach, Bali, Indonesia.

    Sanur beach

    Sunrise with volcano

Check out our photo book below:

Here’s a photo book we made from the tours in 2022/3. We’ll provide you with templates (including suggested text) and help you to upload your own images, so that you can make your own on the tour and print it when you get home.

Tour Details.

Est. 2012

Duration: 13 days, 12 nights, 11 days of shooting

Dates and Prices

2025

June 2 -14

SOLD OUT

August 14 - 26

US$6450

2026

June 2 -14

August 11 - 23

US$6650

Past participants will get a special discount.

Our fee includes hotels, breakfast, bottled water throughout the tour, as well as all transport including airport transfers. We base our fee on accommodation in a single room, (always A/C with private bathroom) though we offer discounts for couples sharing rooms, as well as for non-photographers. If you need help with insurance for this tour, please let us know and we can put you in touch with a broker that should be able to help you.

Our Itinerary.

  • Sun over Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia.

    Day 1

    Arrive Yogyakarta: Enjoy free transfer to the hotel

    PM: Optional technical and aesthetic travel photography workshop for those who need it

    Sunset: Meet Nathan and the group for dinner

    Sleep: Borobudur luxury heritage hotel

  • Buddha at Borobudur temple over looking volcano

    Day 2

    Sunrise: Borobudur temple from hotel

    AM: Market / Borobudur temple

    PM: Drive to Yogyakarta

    Sunset: Candi Sewu and Prambanan temples

    Sleep: Yogyakarta luxury hotel

  • Mount bromo at sunset Java, Indonesia.

    Day 3

    Sunrise: Train to Mojokerto

    AM: Madakaripura waterfall

    PM: Drive to Bromo

    Sunset: Bromo ridge

    Sleep: Bromo hotel

  • White horse comes home at sunset in Mt Bromo caldera, Java, Indonesia.

    Day 4

    Sunrise: Mount Bromo vantage point

    AM: Jeep and horse ride to Mount Bromo crater

    PM: White horse shoot

    Sunset: Bromo ridge walk

    Sleep: Bromo hotel

  • Distant landscape shot including volcano, Java, Indonesia

    Day 5

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Drive to Probolinggo

    PM: Drive to Banyuwangi

    Sunset: Baluran National Park

    Sleep: Banyuwangi boutique hotel

  • Barren tree on ridge of Mount Ijen over looking blue lake in crater, Java, Indonesia.

    Day 6

    Sunrise: Jeep and trek to Mount Ijen

    AM: Sulphur mines

    PM: Lightroom session

    Sunset: Bangsring beach

    Sleep: Banyuwangi boutique hotel

  • Typical fishing boat at sunset on Lovina beach, Bali, Indonesia.

    Day 7

    Sunrise: Muncar fishing village

    AM: De Djawatan Forest

    PM: Ferry to Bali and drive to Lovina

    Sunset: Lovina black sand beach

    Sleep: Lovina beachside hotel

  • Dolphin surfacing near boat at Lovina Beach, Bali, Indonesia.h

    Day 8

    Sunrise: Dolphin watch on local fishing boat

    AM: Singaraja market

    PM: Ulun Danu Bratan temple / Lawak coffee

    Sunset: Agung volcano

    Sleep: Kintamani volcano view hotel

  • Besakih, the Mother temple at sunrise, Bali, Indonesia..

    Day 9

    Sunrise: Mount Agung from hotel garden

    AM: Besakih (Mother) temple

    PM: Private shoot Tukad Unda Dam

    Sunset: Ubud familiarity walk

    Sleep: Ubud luxury boutique hotel

  • Traditional Balinese Dancers, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

    Day 10

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Free morning (shopping or monkey forest)

    PM: Private shoot with Balinese dancer

    Sunset: Fire dance (front row)

    Sleep: Ubud luxury boutique hotel

  • Tanah Lot temple surrounded by water at sunset, Bali, Indonesia.

    Day 11

    Sunrise: Tegalalang famous rice terraces

    AM: Glass blowers workshop

    PM: Tabanan drive

    Sunset: Tanah Lot temple

    Sleep: Tabanan luxury garden hotel

  • fisherman at Jimbaran fish market

    Day 12

    Sunrise: Hotel garden

    AM: Paddy field walk

    PM: Jimbaran fish market

    Sunset: Jimbaran beach walk

    Sleep: Sanur beachside hotel

  • Boat at sunrise on Sanur beach, Bali, Indonesia.

    Day 13

    Sunrise: Sanur beach

    AM: Farewell breakfast

    PM: Depart anytime - enjoy free airport transfer or arrange with us to stay on at a beachside hotel

    OR: join us on our exciting new back-to-back tour of Sumba & Flores

Make the dream a reality.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, stunning photography is the name of the game, and our objective is for you to leave with a collection of images that you'll be proud to show off. Indeed, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Nathan’s teaching approach is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

If this is your first tour with us, you can also join Nathan’s pre-tour workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills for travel photography. Covering technical competence, creative observation, and ethical responsibility with a focus on people and culture, this workshop is perfect if you’re new to travel photography or need a refresher. The workshop runs on the first day of the tour from around 1-5pm. Enhance your photography skills and capture breathtaking moments to treasure forever. Apply via our tour request form and prepare to take your photography skills to the next level.

Hotels and Transport.

  • Typical hotel on Java Bali tour in Indonesia.

    Luxury hotels

    We have gone to great lengths to secure either luxury hotels, or the best choices in more challenging locations, to enhance your overall sense of being in Indonesia. There is often exceptional character to Indonesian hotels where they utilise their natural building materials and apply age-old skills and style.

  • Typical four wheel drive vehicle for driving around volcanos in Java.

    4 wheel drives

    On some parts of this tour, we encounter steep climbs requiring four-wheel drive transport, but even in these more challenging conditions, we always give you a window seat, with no more than three photographers per car to ensure you have ample space. There is also one train ride included in the price of this tour.

  • Typical swimming pool in Balinese hotel

    Typical Bali hotel pool

    Many hotels have cosy bungalows, most have tropical gardens and some are right on the beach. Some hotels have amazing views and many also have swimming pools. All in all, we are confident that the range and quality of accommodation throughout the tour will keep you pleasantly surprised.

TripAdvisor.

Angela_Travels - August 2024

Human touch and learning in awe-inspiring locations!

The experience of traveling with Nathan surpassed any expectations I had. Not only the tour runs smoothly but also, he has designed an expedition to cover the best of Java and Bali. From golden sand beaches to temples located in unusual and gorgeous locations, rice terraces, rice fields, waterfalls and the privilege to witness the sunrise in one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. Besides, I learned immensely from portrait photography in markets and other settings. Furthermore, beyond the photography technical aspects and being a great teacher, Nathan’s guidance to connect with local people and to give back to the community is one of the highlights of this experience and something I valued a lot. We truly got to know more of Indonesia and its people thanks to his kind and human approach. Most appreciated it! Highly recommended!
Can’t wait to participate again in one of his Asia tours.

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