Yogyakarta Borobudur Temple and Candirejo Cycling Tour – A Real Review

Okay, so picture this: I’m in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and I’m all set to see Borobudur, which is a pretty gigantic Buddhist temple, but I also want to do something different than just snap photos like any other tourist. That’s how I ended up on this cycling tour that was meant to swing by Borobudur and then cruise on over to Candirejo village. Let me tell you how it actually was, which is quite important.

First Impressions: Gearing Up

Alright, so first things first, the tour starts really early. You’ve gotta be okay with getting up way before sunrise, because that’s when you want to see Borobudur. The tour people picked me up right from my hotel, which, I suppose, was good because Yogyakarta traffic? Intense. We went over to the starting point, and I took a look at the bike. Now, it isn’t like, some fancy mountain bike; it’s more your basic, gets-the-job-done type bicycle. Still, I did a quick check — brakes, seat height, the usual. It seemed alright.

Borobudur at Sunrise: Was It Worth It?

Okay, I’m just going to say it: Borobudur at sunrise? Pretty breathtaking, really. We rolled up there as the sky began to show a little light, and seeing the temple slowly come into view like it was kind of magical. The tour guide — a chap who knew loads about the history and the carvings all over the temple, shared some insights while we walked around. Thing is, there were loads of people too, all doing exactly the same thing. But, you know, seeing the sunrise paint the temple in all sorts of shades was fairly memorable and, arguably, the highlight. Worth getting up early? Probably.

Candirejo Village: More Than Just a Stopover

We pushed off on the bikes towards Candirejo after soaking up Borobudur, which, actually, I thought would be a quick ride. Nope. It wound up being a solid couple of hours of cycling. The route? It wasn’t through postcard scenery all the time; at some points it ran on busy roads. Anyway, once we got to Candirejo, things did take a calmer turn. This is, like, a proper village, and you get to peep at local life in real time. The guide took us around, showing us traditional houses and explaining how folks made things like jamu (that’s a traditional herbal drink). I even tried my hand at weaving, but I can confirm, that I am terrible at it. All in all, I’d say the village showed a side to Yogyakarta that most folks whizzing from temple to temple might miss.

The Guide: The Tour’s Secret Sauce?

Actually, the guide can either make or break any tour, and this one was pretty informative. He seemed super clued-up on all things Borobudur and Candirejo. He would point stuff out that I definitely wouldn’t have noticed and patiently explained all sorts of details, like about the different Buddhas or village customs. He chatted easily, too. I guess that helps you learn a thing or two without even realizing. So, that was a nice bonus to the day.

What Could Be Better?

You know, as decent as the tour actually was, there is space for stuff to improve. First up: those bikes could be better, seriously. A comfier seat alone would’ve been heaven. Also, the route could do with some tweaking to skip the really busy roads if that’s at all doable. That bit made me rather anxious with all the cars whizzing. Perhaps a heads up on how challenging the cycling could get also, as some gentle climbs do come into play and my fitness isn’t the best these days!