Best of Bali

Welcome to Bali! You’ll be met on arrival at Denpasar International Airport by a private guide and driver, who’ll then transfer you from the south coast city up into the hill town of Ubud. This will be a drive of around 1hr15m. Once arrived at your hotel you’ll check-in and have the rest of the day at leisure to recuperate after your long flight.

Once a small and very traditional village, then later considered the heart of Bali’s hippy scene, Ubud has now grown into one of Indonesia’s top destinations. The sprawling town has seen a surge in interest in recent years in part to the book and film ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, but its appeal hasn’t yet been spoiled, with tranquil temples, impressive Hindu architecture, and green rice terraces found around every corner. These sit alongside trendy cafes and boutique shops selling the island’s famous craftsmanship and local artists’ works. There are plenty of museums and cultural performances to enjoy, particularly unique traditional Balinese dances.

After breakfast, you will meet your private guide and driver and then set off for a full-day tour in and around Ubud. Begin with a drive north of Ubud and through the beautiful village of Tegalallang, known for its cascading rice terraces, where you will stop for a short walk. Continue to Tirta Empul Palace, known for its holy spring water temple, at which you can join the locals in a purifying dip.

You’ll then drive through more scenery of lush rice terraces in Tampak Siring village and to the Gunung Kawi temple which dates back to the 11th century Udayana dynasty, and comprises 10 rock-cut ‘candi’ (shrines), each of which stands seven meters tall and is carved into the sheer cliff face. Finish at the House of Masks and Puppets, a fascinating museum housing cultural items from all across the Indonesia archipelago. Arrive back at your hotel late afternoon.

Today begins with a scenic drive around an hour north up to the volcanic slopes of Mount Batur. This will be your starting point for a thrilling downhill mountain bike run back to Ubud, passing through gorgeous scenery of rice terraces, forests, and picturesque villages along the way. The route is suitable for all ages, using a mix of quiet back roads and well-established trails; the full run will be approximately four hours, which includes ample opportunities to stop en route for photos and interaction with locals. The ride ends just outside Ubud, and you’ll then be transferred back to your hotel. The afternoon is free to relax or explore independently.

After a leisurely breakfast you will be picked up and transferred by road out to the far north-west of the island, heading for the laidback village of Pemuteran. This will be a journey of approximately 3 hours, passing initially through hills and rice fields, later breaking out to a run along Bali’s rugged northern coast.

Far from the buzzing south coast, the peaceful coastal village of Pemuteran lies on the border of West Bali National Park and serves as the main gateway to Menjangan Island, considered the best destination for snorkeling and diving in all of Bali. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, it’s a sleepy town calling outdoor enthusiasts as well as those seeking relaxation in a series of comfortable hotels dotted along a quiet black sand beach.

After checking in you’ll be taken for lunch in a local restaurant, and then head into nearby West Bali (Bali Barat) National Park for a guided nature walk. The park is a scenically intriguing mix of stark mangrove trees, open savannah, lush tropical forest, and pristine coastline. Using established plank walks, you’ll be keeping a keen eye out for around 160 species of bird including the near-extinct Bali Starling, the repopulation of which this park was created for, and mammals including deer, wild cattle, boar, and a whole host of primates.

Continue your nature adventures today, which this morning will turn to the underwater treasures of Menjangan. This uninhabited island sits wholly within the protected Bali Barat reserve and is surrounded by rich, colorful coral. Sitting within a natural shelter, its waters are warm, calm, and clear year-round, making this one of Bali’s very best, and most accessible, diving and snorkeling spots. The underwater life here includes turtles, reef sharks, rays, nudibranchs, and shrimp. There a 9 different snorkel sites around Menjangan ranging from beginner to experienced; discuss preferences with your guide on the day. A packed lunch will be included before you are transferred back to Pemuteran in the early afternoon, then spending the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today your driver will transfer back along the north coast and down again into interior Bali, making for the rural villages of Munduk. You’ll be staying two nights in a dramatically sited luxury plantation hotel; once checked in you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the estate. Today’s transfer will again be around three hours; you are free to discuss a departure time on the day with your driver, depending on whether you prefer to have more of the morning in Pemuteran or the afternoon at your plantation hotel.

Tucked into the mountains in north Bali, among rice fields, clove and coffee plantations, the peaceful village of Munduk has an enchanting, misty ambiance. Among the surrounding scenery you’ll find rolling terraces of emerald green rice fields and waterfalls cascading off dramatic cliffs. This is a fantastic area for guided hikes and cultural immersion tours.

This morning you will embark on a three-hour guided hike through the stunning mountain scenery around Munduk, passing through lush forests, scenic valleys, and plantations of cocoa and coffee. The hike finishes at Munduk’s famous twin waterfall, where you’ll be able to relax and take a cooling dip. You’ll then return to the hotel and have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the facilities.

This morning you will set off from Munduk on another highly scenic drive out Bali’s east coast, making for the laidback beach resort of Amed. The drive will take you around the shores of Lake Bratan, in the shadow of the Bedugul mountains, where you’ll stop to visit the famous Ulun Dana Beratan temple, which at high tide appears to float on the surface of the lake. Continue by road out to the east coast; total driving time today will be around 3 hours.

The striking black sand beaches of Amed offer outstanding diving and snorkeling, and immediate access to inland adventures of hiking, rafting, and biking. These areas provide a stark contrast to the over-touristed south, offering a more authentic Balinese slice of life.

Today is free of any arrangements, allowing you the flexibility to arrange diving or snorkeling trips locally, or kick back and relax at the hotel. Amed’s calm and clear waters make for good conditions for divers and snorkelers of all abilities. The most well-known dive site is the sunken wreck of USS Liberty, off nearby Tulamben; snorkelers meanwhile will find much macro life to see on the corals immediately out front of your resort.

Today you’ll be transferred by road to the southeastern beach of Candi Dasa, a journey that will once again include some unforgettable stops en route. Your first visit will be to the mountain-top temple of Penataran Lempuyang, with its striking ‘three dragon’ staircase, and famous ‘Gates of Heaven’, which frame the peak of Mount Agung and offer one of Bali’s very best photo opportunities. You’ll also stop at Tirta Gangga literally ‘water from the Ganges’ a former Balinese royal palace, with its beautiful water pools, gardens, and huge koi carp. You’ll then continue to Candi Dasa, arriving early afternoon with the remainder of the day spent at leisure.

This morning your guide will take you back inland from Candi Dasa to the deeply scenic village of Sidemen. Here you’ll embark on a morning hike through scenery of vegetable fields and rice terraces, gradually ascending to the hilltop Sangkahan Gunung temple, which sits at an elevation of 1200m. The final part of the walk involves a staircase of around 200 steps, rewarded by truly stunning views at the summit.

Descend from the temple and be taken to nearby Pondok Masa Depan, a small hotel and restaurant which specializes in authentic Balinese cooking classes. With the help of your engaging hosts, you’ll use local ingredients and cooking techniques to create a delicious lunch which is then enjoyed from a picturesque terrace overlooking rice fields. Return to Candi Dasa in the mid-afternoon and have the rest of the day to relax.

Today is left totally free to relax at the hotel and reflect on your many adventures over the last two weeks. Should you be keen, Candi Dasa is a great base for more diving and snorkeling adventures, which can be easily arranged locally through your hotel or local guide. The nearby ‘blue lagoon’ in Padang Bai is a sheltered cove, rich in coral, which is especially attractive for snorkelers. Hikes and cycling can also be arranged in the countryside just inland.

Sadly your adventures in Bali have come to an end. At the appropriate time, you’ll be picked up from the hotel and transferred by road back to Bali Denpasar International Airport, a drive of around 90 minutes. Arrive in good time to check in for your onward flight.