Jogja to Bali on Two Wheels

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:03:35 GMT

May 4, 2026

Ten days, one long road, and two islands. This journey took us from Jogja along the southern coast to Pacitan and Blitar, up to the grey sands of Bromo, and down to the waterfalls of Tumpak Sewu. From there we climbed Ijen in the dark, crossed the strait by ferry into Bali, and rode its coast and heartland, from Sidemen and Ubud to the rice terraces of Jatiluwih. Along the way we met rice paddies, forests, beaches, and mountain roads, and we ended with one last shared dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Here is the story, day by day.

Yogyakarta - Pacitan

Our engines roared to life and the journey began. We rode toward Pacitan, stopping at a beach to catch our breath and take in the view. Then we rode on to a nearby restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea, and ended the day arriving in Pacitan.

Pacitan is a small town, but full of wonders. We rode through wide rice paddies with a mountain range as the backdrop, acres upon acres stretching along our path. We passed more beaches, then cruised down a smooth, enjoyable highway. This is what freedom feels like: the throttle open and a cool breeze against your face. Before we knew it, we had arrived at our hotel in Blitar, still buzzing from the ride.

Pacitan - Blitar

Blitar - Bromo

From Blitar we rode on through incredible scenery: forests, hills and rice fields, with fresh air all around us. We took a coffee break beside a forest and a river, a moment to talk and process everything we had experienced so far. Then we continued toward Bromo. With time to spare, our guides suggested a stop at a place every Indonesian knows on the way to Bromo: the Tanjakan Sikut Bromo, or "the steep elbow turn." It is notorious for its sharp, steep bend along the mountain road, the scene of many accidents over the years. It was fascinating to see how locals handle such a difficult road, and how readily people help each other stay safe. We arrived at our hotel near Bromo, ready to rest.

Today we finally rode onto the iconic Bromo, a mountain landscape of pure wonder. The ground is blanketed in grey sand, which can be tricky to cross by bike without experience. We had lunch on the Bromo hillside, a memory we won't forget. From there we rode on to Tumpak Sewu.

Bromo - Tumpak Sewu

Rest day at Tumpak Sewu

We took a rest day at Tumpak Sewu, though that doesn't mean a day without adventure. We went down to see the famous Tumpak Sewu waterfall, an incredible sight. Just make sure you're fit, because the punishing stairs down and back up are a sure way to get your heart pumping.

Lumajang - Ijen

We rode east across Lumajang and stopped in Jember at Pancer Puger beach, where colorful traditional fishing boats known as jukung lined the shore. Lunch was at a restaurant with a beautiful traditional structure and great local cuisine. Then we headed toward Ijen, climbing into the mountains and through dense forest. As night fell, the woods closed in around us, with only our bike lights cutting through the darkness. It was wild, and what a day.

We came down from Ijen to Banyuwangi and loaded our bikes onto the ferry to Bali, the land of the gods. Java is beautiful on its own, but Bali has an entirely different vibe. The moment our bikes touched the island, it felt like a completely new place. You can feel the harmony between nature and people, and a quiet sense that the land here might truly be sacred. We arrived at Wanagiri and took in the view of its twin lakes.

Ijen - Wanagiri, Bali

We explored Bali's coastal roads on our way to Sidemen, enjoying the scenery along the way. We stopped for fresh seafood at a beachside restaurant.

Wanagiri - Sidemen

We crossed the heartland of Bali, passing through the lush jungle of Ubud and catching sight of the majestic Mount Agung. We ate with Kintamani watching over us, then ended the day in Jatiluwih. To call its meticulously tended rice terraces beautiful would be an understatement.

Sidemen - Jatiluwih

Denpasar and Jimbaran

We rode south to the end of our journey in Denpasar. We stopped at another seafood restaurant where the fish was amazing, and everyone was delighted. We also made a quick souvenir stop so the riders could bring gifts home to their families, along with keepsakes of the journey. We ended the night at Jimbaran Beach, sharing one last meal together, swapping stories and laughing about everything we had been through. We shared hugs and said our farewells. We hope to see everyone again soon, and next time, maybe you'll be riding with us.

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