Watch the sunrise from the top of Borobudur temple.

Feel the peace that permeates Borobudur Temple a few seconds before the sun rises behind the volcanoes of Java.

The light that bathes the bells and stone Buddhas in pink seems capable of bringing them to life at times.

Silence, anticipation, beauty.

Are you going to miss it?

How to watch the sunrise from Borobudur

You can purchase your Borobudur sunrise ticket at Manohara Resort on the day of your visit. No advance booking is required.

• The ticket office opens at 4:00 a.m. (remember to bring your passport with you).
• The ticket costs 475,000 rupees per person (€30) and includes a small breakfast, a flashlight , and a sarong to wear as a sign of respect.
• This ticket allows you to access Borobudur before sunrise, at 4:30 a.m., via an alternative access route exclusive to the hotel.
• One of the Manohara workers guides you to the top of the temple and shows you the best spot to wait for the sun to rise.

In 2012, the Manohara Resort was a very expensive hotel compared to other accommodations in the area because it included the price of a standard ticket to Borobudur.

However, in 2018, they closed their accommodation facilities to convert it into a meditation center linked to the temple.

Despite this, tickets to watch the sunrise from Borobudur are still being sold.

Reasons to enter Borobudur before sunrise

Why is it worth paying extra to see Borobudur at sunrise?

1. For the light that floods the temple

If you have a certain fondness for photography, I don't need to tell you much more. 😉

The temple is impressive on its own, but under these orange tones, who can resist its charms?

2. For the peace that reigns there

When you plan a 2- or 3-week trip on your own, do you pay attention to what day of the week you will be in one place or another?

After this trip to Indonesia, I certainly do. 😉

The day we set aside to visit the temple was... Sunday.

And what happens on Sundays?

Well, people have the day off and local tourism multiplies (as in any other place, really).

So everything was calm and relaxed while we were just a small group of foreigners touring the temple and waiting for dawn to break.

However, when the doors opened at 6:00 a.m., the number of people who entered the venue was incredible.

And the worst part wasn't the overcrowding.

The most overwhelming thing was that most locals stopped us to take pictures with us (because we looked like foreigners).

The first time is funny, the second time too, the third time is okay...

There came a point when they wouldn't let us move forward. There were too many of them.

We don't have any photos of that moment because we lost all desire to take any...

Thanks to the fact that we had bought sunrise tickets at Manohara, we were able to take the private access back, have some pastries for breakfast at the hotel, and leave through "the back door,", so to speak, avoiding the crowds at the main gate.

Alternative: sunrise over Borobudur

Another way to start the day is to climb Mahitan Hill (Punthuk Setumbu) to watch the sunrise, not inside, but above the Borobudur temple.

The guys at Lotus 2 Homestay organized this trip for us for only 125,000 rupees per person (€10).

Although this time the clouds blocked the first rays of sunshine, it was our chance to say goodbye to Borobudur.

Where to stay

Lotus 2 Homestay

We chose this accommodation because of the reviews and its proximity to the temple (500 m).

But little did we know that they would earn a place of honor in our memories of that trip.

How did they achieve this?

Being authentic. They gave us the opportunity to see the real Java, learn about their customs and mingle with their people.

Jack and his guys (Niu was the one who spent the most time with us during those 2 days) made us feel welcome and gave us the opportunity to live real experiences off the beaten tourist track:

• Visit the Mendut Monastery at dusk and attend a Buddhist meditation session as guests.
• Search for a temple hidden among rice paddies.
• Eating the best Nasi Goreng (fried rice with vegetables) of my life in the most unexpected place.
• Attending a traditional ceremony of tantric dances and chants in the middle of the street.
• And, as you just read, watching the sunrise over Borobudur from a nearby hill just before leaving for our next destination.

In addition, Jack arranged our transportation to the airport and gave us the opportunity to see the Prambanan temple (thank goodness, because I would not have forgiven myself for leaving without seeing it).

And more excursions that we didn't have time to do ... 🙁

Tip: Even if you're not staying at Lotus 2 Homestay, stop by if you want to get off the beaten track and discover another side of Indonesia.

You won't regret it 🙂 🙂

Useful Links

• Official website "Borobudur Sunrise."
• Lotus 2 Homestay.
• Other accommodations in the area.
• Flights to Indonesia: Trabber, eDreams and Momondo.
• 5% discount when you purchase your travel insurance at IATI from here.

On the road in Indonesia? Then this is of interest to you:

• 3 weeks tour in Indonesia: Java and Borneo.
• Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.
• Meditate with Buddhist monks at the Mendut temple.
• Selogriyo: a Hindu temple among rice plantations.
• 4 days klotok trip in Borneo: encounter with orangutans in the wild.
• How to organize your visit to Bromo and Ijen: 4 options.
• Route 3 days and 2 nights by Bromo and Ijen.
• Pulau Derawan: how to arrive and stay 7 days on the island.

Map

And you, do you remember where you saw the most beautiful sunrise?

I wouldn't know how to choose, but Borobudur is definitely in my top 10. 😉