This trip report recaps a 3 days 2 nights corporate outing for PT Exim Teknologi Niaga (80 participants) in Yogyakarta on 1-3 November 2024. Day 1 focuses on the Merapi highlands, Day 2 is packed with outdoor activities and ends with a night atmosphere, and Day 3 wraps up with a lighter closing before heading home.
Itinerary at a glance (3D2N, 1-3 November 2024)
- Day 1: Breakfast, Lava Tour Merapi (Jeep), free time, gala dinner
- Day 2: Elo River rafting, VW Classic Tour, late afternoon and dinner with a Prambanan backdrop, then free time
- Day 3: Kotagede silver visit as the closing, then departure
Day 1: Breakfast in Kaliurang and Lava Tour Merapi (Jeep)
After the morning transfer, the group started with breakfast before heading into the main agenda: Lava Tour Merapi (Jeep). The day continued with Friday prayer break, lunch, hotel check-in, free time, and a gala dinner in the evening. After a fairly active Jeep session, the afternoon pace was intentionally kept calmer so everyone had time to recharge before the night program.
Lava Tour Merapi is widely known as an adventure experience by Jeep around the Merapi slopes, often associated with traces left by the major 2010 eruption. Historically, Mount Merapi has reportedly erupted more than 80 times since the 1600s, roughly averaging one eruption every four years. One major eruption occurred on 14 June 2006, impacting the Kaliadem area, and the eruption direction shifted to the southeast. A later major eruption took place in 2010, after the volcano’s status was raised to “Awas” (Level IV) on 25 October 2010. Since 5 November 2021, Mount Merapi has been at “Siaga” (Level III), with ongoing lava-dome activity that can lead to lava collapses.
Day 2: Elo River rafting, a Prambanan-backdrop dinner, then Malioboro free time
Day 2 began with travel toward the Borobudur area for the morning’s main activity: rafting. After shower time and lunch at the rafting basecamp, the group continued with the VW Classic Tour, then moved into the Prambanan area for the late afternoon and dinner. After a long outdoor block, the evening was kept lighter as a balance before returning to the hotel.
The rafting section took place on the Elo River. The route is often described as roughly 12 km with a rafting time around 2.5 to 3 hours, and is commonly positioned in the Grade II-III range (light to moderate rapids). For that reason, it is frequently chosen for beginners and group outings with guide support.
Dinner was held at Rama Shinta Garden Resto, a restaurant located between the Trimurti Building and the Open-Air Theatre, with the grandeur of Prambanan as its backdrop. The setting is often described as especially atmospheric in the evening, particularly when dinner time aligns with the Ramayana Ballet or the Roro Jonggrang dance drama. Established in 1989, the restaurant was originally created to complement the Ramayana Ballet program and initially served guests dining before the show. Today it also welcomes visitors for various events with the Prambanan backdrop. The menu highlights Javanese cuisine, especially Yogyakarta favorites such as gudeg and chicken satay.
After that, the schedule opened up free time at Malioboro before returning to the hotel. This segment gave participants space for an easy stroll and souvenir shopping based on personal preferences.
Day 3: Kotagede silver at HS Silver and the trip closing
The final day was kept shorter. After breakfast, the group checked out and headed to Kotagede for a visit to HS Silver, followed by lunch, then the trip concluded.
Kotagede is known as Yogyakarta’s silver craftsmanship hub. The growth of local silversmiths is often linked to the 1930s, producing both functional items and decorative pieces. The period of VOC influence is also associated with accelerating demand and bringing Western influences into local craft styles. Today, visitors can still see silverwork processes in workshops, especially along Jalan Kemasan, and browse finished products such as tea sets and jewelry. HS Silver is located on Jalan Mondorokan, founded by Harto Soehardjo, and the “800-925” mark refers to the silver content level of its products.
Overall, the 1-3 November 2024 program ran smoothly and felt cohesive from the first day through the Kotagede close-out. The mix of Lava Tour Merapi (Jeep), Elo River rafting, and a Prambanan-backdrop dinner created a balanced 3D2N experience that stayed engaging throughout. The organizer regarded the event as a success, with a strong blend of adventure, togetherness, and downtime, leaving a positive atmosphere to the very end.