Watch the Sunrise from the Very Top of Borobudur Temple

Siente la paz que se respira en el templo de Borobudur unos segundos antes de que aparezca el sol por detrás de los volcanes de Java.

The light that casts a pink glow on the bells and stone Buddhas seems capable of bringing them to life for a moment.

Silence, anticipation, beauty.

Are you going to miss it?

How to Watch the Sunrise from Borobudur

You can buy your "sunrise" ticket to Borobudur at the Manohara Resort on the same day. No advance reservation 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 light breakfast, a flashlight, and a "sarong" to wear as a sign of respect.
• This ticket allows you to enter Borobudur before sunrise, at 4:30 a.m., via an alternative access route exclusive to the hotel.
• One of the Manohara staff members guides you to the top of the temple and points out the best spot to wait for the sunrise.

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

However, in 2018, they stopped operating as a lodging facility and converted it into a meditation center affiliated with the temple.

Despite that, they're still selling tickets to watch the sunrise from Borobudur.

Reasons to Enter Borobudur Before Sunrise

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

1. By the light that floods the temple

If you're even a little bit into photography, I don't need to say much more. 😉

The temple is impressive on its own, but bathed in these orange hues, who can resist its charms?

2. Because of the sense of peace it exudes

When you plan a 2- or 3-week trip on your own, do you consider which day of the week you'll be in one place or another?

Ever since that trip to Indonesia, I have. 😉

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

And what about Sundays?

Well, people have the day off, and local tourism is booming (just like anywhere else, really).

So everything was calm and peaceful as we—just a small group of foreigners—wandered around the temple, waiting for dawn.

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

And the worst part wasn't the crowds.

The most overwhelming part was that most of the locals would stop us to take pictures with us (because we looked like foreigners).

The first time it's funny, the second time too, the third time, well...

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

We don't have any photos of that moment because we just lost all interest in everything…

Since we had bought sunrise tickets at Manohara, we were able to take the private access road back, have some pastries for breakfast at the hotel, and leave through “the back door”, so to speak, avoiding the crowds at the main entrance.

Alternative: Sunrise at 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 staff at Lotus 2 Homestay organized this excursion for us for just 125,000 rupees per person (€10).

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

Where to sleep

Lotus 2 Homestay

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

But we never imagined they would earn a place of honor in our memories from that trip.

How did they do it?

By being genuine. They gave us the chance to see the real Java, learn about its customs, and mingle with the locals.

Jack and his guys (Niu spent the most time with us during those 2 days) made us feel right at home and gave us the chance to live real experiences off the beaten track:

• Visiting the Mendut monastery at dusk and joining a Buddhist meditation as guests.
• Find a temple hidden among rice paddies.
• Having the best Nasi Goreng (fried rice with vegetables) of my life in the most unexpected place.
• Stumbling upon a traditional ceremony of tantric dances and chants right in the middle of the street.
• And, as you just read, watching the sunrise over Borobudur from a nearby hill right before heading off to our next destination. 😉

On top of that, Jack sorted out our airport transfer and gave us the chance to see Prambanan temple (thank goodness, because I would never have forgiven myself for leaving without seeing it).

And more tours 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 path and discover another side of Indonesia.

You won't regret it. 🙂

Useful links

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

Road tripping through Indonesia? Then you'll love these:

• 3-week road trip through Indonesia: Java and Borneo.
• Prambanan, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple.
• Meditate with Buddhist monks at Mendut temple.
• Selogriyo: a Hindu temple tucked among rice paddies.
• 4-day klotok boat trip through Borneo: encounter wild orangutans.
• How to organize your visit to Bromo and Ijen: 4 options.
• 3-day, 2-night itinerary through Bromo and Ijen.
• Pulau Derawan: how to get there and spend 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. 😉