The fascinating province of East Java, extending from Mt. Lawu in the west all the way to the Bali straits, is often treated by travelers as little more than a transit between Yogyakarta and Bali. However, this is Java’s most diverse province, and it contains some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery. From sleepy ports to thundering volcanoes, East Java offers unparalleled opportunities to get off the beaten tourist track.

East Java naturally falls into several distinct regions, each with its own flavor. The fertile Brantas River valley winds almost 360 degrees around the Arjuna/Butak/Kelud complex and actually forms an extension of the Central Javanese or Kejawen heartland. For over 500 years, powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms flourished along the Brantas River. Their remains are now found scattered throughout the river valley and in the surrounding highlands. These culminated in the 14th century Empire of Majapahit, whose capital lay near now Trowulan, about 40 km inland on one of the great river’s tributaries. Little of the Majapahit Empire’s former glory still stands in East Java. Nevertheless, East Java has a variety of attractions, ranging from temple sites to unspoiled beaches, stunning volcanoes, extraordinary highland lakes, resplendent marine parks and fantastic wildlife reserves. Magnificent mountain scenery includes the crater and legendary sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the -sulphur mountain-Welirang and the rugged Ijen Plateu. The island of Madura, famous for its bull races, is also part of the province and it has its own traditions, culture and language.

The provincial capital, Surabaya is second in size, population, and commerce only to Jakarta. It is also the most industrialized province in the nation with the strong economy based on agriculture (coffee, mangoes and apples), fisheries and oil.

The province is efficiently connected to the rest of Java by good roads, regular trains, and air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Denpasar on Bali, which is only half an hour’s flight away.