Hello friends! Have you ever felt like getting out of your usual tourist routine at Borobudur? If you only take photos at the temple and then go home, it doesn’t seem complete. Well, some time ago I tried a quite different experience: cycling around the tourist villages around Borobudur. And what makes it exciting, this activity starts right after enjoying the sunrise at the legendary Gereja Ayam!
Why Choose a Bike Around the Village?
Actually, the idea of cycling around the village came about because I wanted to see another side of Borobudur that might often be overlooked. We all know Borobudur is a magnificent temple, but the villages around it have stories and lives that are no less interesting. By bicycle, we can enter small streets, interact with local residents, and experience an authentic rural atmosphere.
What’s interesting, I got this package from Kedai Bukit Rhema. The location is very strategic, close to Gereja Ayam, so it’s perfect for a combination of sunrise viewing and a morning bicycle tour. Prices start from IDR 250,000 per person, and include many things that I will tell you about later.
Preparation Before Departing
I booked this package the day before via WhatsApp at 085725779520. The Kedai Bukit Rhema team was very responsive, gave complete details about the meeting point and what needed to be prepared. They suggest wearing comfortable clothes, sports shoes, and bringing sunscreen because we will be outside for a long time.
Meeting time is 6 am at Kedai Bukit Rhema. Why is it so early? Because we will watch the sunrise at Gereja Ayam first before starting cycling. In my opinion, this timing is absolutely perfect—the air is still cool, the morning sunlight is soft, and the atmosphere of the village has just woken up.
Magical Sunrise Moment in Gereja Ayam
Gereja Ayam or what is usually called Bukit Rhema does have its own charm. The unique building in the shape of a dove (not a chicken, OK!) has become a Magelang icon. But what makes it special is the sunrise view.
From the top of the hill, we can see the sun rising slowly from behind the mountains. Golden light swept across the rural landscape, terraced rice fields, and of course, the silhouette of Candi Borobudur in the distance. I don’t dare say this is the best sunrise in Indonesia, but it’s definitely in the truly memorable category.
After enjoying the sunrise and taking photos, we went back down to Kedai Bukit Rhema for breakfast before starting cycling.
Breakfast with Local Flavors
Well, this is the part I’ve been waiting for! The bicycle package from Kedai Bukit Rhema includes breakfast. The menu served is simple but full of Javanese flavors. There is liwet rice with traditional side dishes, addictive chili sauce, and of course, hot tea or coffee.
What makes this breakfast special is the atmosphere and location. We eat on the terrace of the shop which overlooks the view of the village and hills. The fresh morning air makes breakfast taste more delicious. While having breakfast, our guide, Mas Agus, started telling us about the bicycle route we would take.
Embark on a Cycling Adventure
After the stomach is full and the energy is filled, we start getting ready. The bicycles provided are all in good condition—MTBs with brakes and gears that work well. They also provide helmets for safety. I noticed that the Kedai Bukit Rhema team really pays attention to the safety of the participants.
The route we take is around 15-20 km with a difficulty level of easy to moderate. Very suitable for beginners like me who rarely cycle. The road is mostly flat with a few light ascents and descents. The important thing is, we don’t need to worry about getting lost because there is a guide accompanying us from the front and back.
Exploring the Villages Around Borobudur
This is the essence of the village cycling experience! We pass several villages that have different characters:
Wanurejo Village: This village is famous for its batik crafts and wood carvings. We stopped by one of the small workshops. Seeing firsthand the process of making batik and wood carvings made me appreciate these traditional works of art even more.
Karangrejo Village: Here we see the life of farmers directly. Beautiful terraced rice fields, farmers are working on the fields, and village children are playing happily. Mas Agus, our guide, explained about the traditional agricultural system which is still maintained.
Village Borobudur: Even though it has the same name as the temple, this village has a life of its own. We pass a busy morning traditional market, small stalls, and local houses with typical Javanese architecture.
Interaction with Local Residents
One of the most impressive things about this tour was the opportunity to interact with local residents. They are very friendly! Every time we pass by, someone always says hello or smiles. Some of the little ones even went on a short bike ride with us.
At one point, we stopped at a small stall to drink herbal medicine. Yes, drinking herbal medicine is also included in the package! The traditional herbal medicine served is very fresh, made from local spices. It tastes… well, typical herbal medicine—bitter but healthy! But don’t worry, they also provide mineral water for those who can’t stand the taste of herbal medicine.
Snack Time in the Middle of the Trip
After cycling for about an hour and a half, we stopped at a shady spot to rest and have snack time. The snacks provided are simple but quite filling—fried bananas and warm sweet tea. While enjoying snacks, Mas Agus shared stories about the history of the villages we passed and their relationship with Candi Borobudur.
This break is also a good opportunity to chat with other participants. In my group there was a couple from Jakarta, a family with two teenage children, and a solo traveler from the Netherlands. It’s really fun to be able to share experiences during the trip.
Travel Documentation
So, for those of you who like documentation, this package includes photos and videos! There are photographers who come along on the trip to capture special moments. They not only take candid photos, but also help with good poses with interesting backgrounds.
What I appreciate is that they didn’t force themselves to take photos. Just natural enough. The photos were sent via Google Drive a few days after the trip. The quality is good, and there are quite a lot of them—more than 50 photos for a 3-4 hour trip.
Return to Base Camp
Our journey ends around 10-11 am, returning to Kedai Bukit Rhema. It feels relieved and happy. My feet may be a bit sore (that’s normal, I rarely exercise), but I’m really satisfied with the experience I got.
Arriving at the shop, we were served cold mineral water—after cycling under the morning sun, a cold drink felt like heaven! We have time to relax for a bit, shower (shower facilities are available), or just sit and enjoy the view before heading home.
Value for Money?
So, the important question: is it worth paying IDR 250,000 for this experience? In my opinion, it’s quite worth it considering what you get:
- Bike is in good condition
- Guides who are knowledgeable and friendly
- Good traditional breakfast
- Drink herbal medicine and snacks
- Mineral water during the trip
- Photo and video documentation
- Experience seeing the village from a different perspective
When compared with the entrance ticket price Borobudur which is around IDR 50,000 for domestic tourists, it is indeed more expensive. But the experience gained is completely different. It’s not just about seeing monuments, but experiencing local life firsthand.
Tips for those of you who want to try
Based on my experience, here are some tips that might be useful:
- Book in advance: It’s better to book via WhatsApp the day before to ensure there is a slot
- Wear comfortable clothes: T-shirts and shorts or training pants are most ideal
- Bring sunscreen: Even in the morning, the Central Java sun can be quite hot
- Wear closed shoes: Safer for cycling
- Bring a power bank: For those who like taking photos using cellphones
- Stay hydrated: Drink enough before starting
- Open minded: Ready to interact with residents and enjoy simple experiences
Alternative for those who can’t cycle
For those of you who can’t or don’t want to cycle, Kedai Bukit Rhema also has a sunrise and breakfast package at Gereja Ayam. More relaxed and fun.
Why is this experience memorable?
For me, what makes the experience of cycling around the village memorable is a combination of several things:
First, the right timing. Start after sunrise, when the air is still cool and the village atmosphere is still fresh. Second, well-planned route. Not just cycling, but actually passing through interesting and representative spots. Third, human interaction. It’s not a tour that just looks around from a distance, but really touches the daily lives of residents.
And most importantly, feeling connected to a place. After this tour, Borobudur for me is no longer just a magnificent temple, but a living landscape with people who have their own lives, traditions and stories.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning to go to Borobudur and want a different experience than just taking photos at the temple, cycling around the village is worth trying. Especially when combined with sunrise viewing at Gereja Ayam—a truly memorable double experience.
Please remember, this is not a luxury tour with five-star facilities. This is a simple, authentic and human experience. That’s precisely where the charm is. You won’t get resort-style service, but you will get genuine smiles, interesting stories, and experiences that you will probably remember longer than the photos in the temple.
So, next time you go to Borobudur, maybe give it a try? Who knows, you might also have a memorable experience like me. Happy traveling!