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Day 1 Ubud

Om Swastiastu! Welcome to Ubud, Bali's largest Hindu town, and artistic and cultural heart. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your group leader and travel companions. If you arrive early, you might like to wander the traditional market stalls near the centre of town, pop into a local café or stretch out your muscles after your flight with a spot of yoga at one of the zen studios in town. After your Welcome Meeting this evening, perhaps head out to for a group meal at one of the delicious local restaurants.

Day 2 Ubud

Start the day with a guided walking tour around Ubud with your local leader (about 2.5 hours). Gain an insight into daily village life as you pass lush rice fields, an alang alang valley (type of wild grass used to make the roof of traditional buildings) and stop by a Balinese home for coffee and experience the traditional Balinese offering. The tour ends in central Ubud, where you'll have time to explore the many cafes, galleries and shops on your own. In the evening, sit down and enjoy a traditional Kecak dance performance. Driven not by musical instruments, but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical performance is considered a highlight by many of our travellers.

Day 3 Ubud - Undisan

Today you’ll explore the area from a different angle – from the saddle of a bike. Enjoy a 2.5-hour tour through backstreets, villages and rice fields. It’s a relatively easy ride – much of the route is downhill – and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or a brief rest. You’ll also stop to check out some small, intricately carved temples, before concluding your bike tour back in Ubud. After refuelling with lunch, head for the hills to the village of Undisan, via private minivan. Set against a backdrop of Bali's highest peak, Mt Agung, the peaceful village of Sidemen is proof that Bali still has some pockets that are untouched by tourism.

Day 4 Undisan – Sibetan Village

Take a morning walk (approximately 2 hours) around Undisan's rice terrraces, visiting the craftspeople of the traditional trade, village temples and enjoy a traditional 'bungkus' lunch with refreshing coconut. The walk is a great chance to take in the beautiful scenery before we bid a farewell to Undisan and make tracks to Sibetan Village . You’ll be given a special welcome by the chief of the village, then check into your homestay accommodation before enjoying some free time in the afternoon. You might like to explore the traditional village a little or simply just relax and take in the atmosphere here. Alternatively, you could take on an optional cooking class and learn the secret ingredients and spices of the traditional cuisine here. This evening, you’ll enjoy some time spent with the locals and be treated to a typical dinner of salak (snake fruit), prepared for you by the villagers.

Day 5 Sibetan Village – Mt Batur

This morning, you’ll enjoy a guided walk through an ancient Salak Plantation with the opportunity to interact with the local community. Here, you’ll see cultural heritage plants – the remains of a white mango tree which was first planted in Sibetan in the 16th century as well as a Jaka Moding Plant (a type of palm tree) which is a relic plant. You’ll tuck into Tipat Blayag (Rhombus) for lunch; rice wrapped in young coconut leaves, combined with side dishes of chicken and vegetables. After some time exploring the village and surrounds on foot, you’ll take to four wheels for a journey higher into the mountains, driving along the crater rim road to a fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur. Volcanic Mt Batur (1717 metres/5633 feet) sits inside a stark and spectacular caldera and with Lake Batur below, it's a stunning sight. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. Your accommodation for the evening is in a great location to start tomorrow's early morning trek without extra travelling time.

Day 6 Mt Batur - Lovina

It’s a very early start today – you’ll wake bright and early at around 3 am to begin the 1.5 to 2-hour walk to the summit of Mt Batur in order to reach the top before sunrise. Trust us, it’s worth the effort. On a clear morning, it's possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Lombok's Mt Rinjani. The view of the gorgeous sunrise over the valleys of Bali may well be the most memorable part of your trip. Do keep in mind, however, that the weather can be unpredictable and sometimes the view is obscured by clouds. After descending the volcano, there's an option to soak in hot springs with fantastic views over the lake and caldera. Then make the journey from the mountains to the small coastal town of Lovina, made famous by its dolphins that patrol the coast. It's also a great spot for fine food, traditional massages and yoga – just what the doctor ordered after today’s epic mountain climb.

Day 7 Lovina

Explore a traditional market in the morning first and then enjoy a day of snorkelling amongst Menjangan Island’s coral reef, part of the Bali Barat National Park. On the way back from your undersea adventures, you’ll stop for a soak at Banjar Hot Springs, a small spring popular with locals. In the afternoon, stop in to enjoy a tasty cup of coffee with a difference at Global Kafe, a diner whose profits support the Global Village Foundation, providing wheelchairs and mobility aids for people with disabilities and assisting those with illnesses with their medical costs. Tonight, head to Ibu Wayan's to learn about Balinese cuisine before sitting down to a home-cooked meal.

Day 8 Lovina – Sanur

This morning we’ll wave goodbye to Lovina and make our way to Sanur. Along the way, we’ll visit Gitgit waterfall and Lake Bratan before continuing to Sanur to enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Perhaps, enjoy a stroll along Bali's first beachfront walk, watch the fishermen in the shallows or kick back and relax at one of the beachside restaurants. Get a feel for the traditions and local customs which are well maintained here. Ancient temples are also easily accessible – just a short distance away from the beach.

Day 9 Sanur - Tetebatu

Travel by minivan from Sanur to the port of Padang Bai (approximately 1.5 hours). Then you'll take a fast boat that takes you from Bali to Lombok (approximately 1.5-2 hours). Stop for lunch in a basic warung – a traditional Indonesian-style cafe, before taking a minibus to Tetebatu (approximately 2 hours). On the way, stop at Masbagik Village which is well known for its pottery products and where you will get to see it being made on a short walk around the village. The hill retreat of Tetebatu is situated in the centre of Lombok, at the southern base of Mt Rinjani, and boasts spectacular views. Tonight, you will enjoy an included dinner at a family-run restaurant that provides traditional Lombok-style cuisine.

Day 10 Labuhan Pandan

Enjoy a guided walk through lush rice fields and see how the region's farmers have tended the land for centuries, still using traditional water buffalo ploughs. Climb a little higher and pass through clove and coffee plantations and stop at a local warung to try some local coffee (approximately 2.5 hours total). Visit the local village of Pringgasela to learn traditional weaving and enjoy a delicious Sasak feast. In the afternoon, return to the hotel then travel to Labuhan Pandan on the east coast of Lombok. This remote beachside location is lesser visited by tourists but is a beautiful stretch of coastline. Tonight you’ll stay in bungalow accommodation amid the peace and quiet of the secluded east coast.

Day 11 Labuhan Pandan

Take a trip out to the nearby coral reef and enjoy some fantastic snorkelling off the boat. Stop in at a secluded island for lunch with Mt Rinjani towering over Lombok. Tonight, eat a fresh seafood barbecue on the beach. This is island living and relaxation at its best, so soak it all up!

Day 12 Senaru

Travel by minibus around the spiritual centre and sleeping giant of the island – Mt Rinjani (approximately 2 hours). Arrive around midday (12 pm) at Senaru – a small, rustic village nestled between the base of Mt Rinjani and the edge of the jungle. Take a guided tour of the local Sasak village to learn about the history and culture of these people who have long lived on the slopes of the mountain. Here, your local guide is part of a female guiding association that trains and develops women in tourism. You will also take a walk to the spectacular Sendang Gile waterfall, and perhaps take a refreshing shower underneath it!

Day 13 Gili Air

Continue to the west coast today by minibus (approximately 2.5 hours). The Gili Islands (Tiga Gili) are a cluster of three small islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Transfer by small boat to Gili Air (approximately 30 minutes), where you can take in the breezy atmosphere and stroll down stunning white beaches that rival those of the neighbouring islands. Your hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the port. Your bags can be transported by cidemo (horse cart) from the port to the hotel.

Day 14 Gili Air

The island is your oyster, so today you are completely free to relax or explore. Perhaps take in another snorkelling trip or catch a ferry across to the other islands of Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno and work out for yourself which one has the better beaches. This evening, enjoy an optional group dinner on the beachfront as you reminisce on memories of your Lombok adventure.

Day 15 Gili Air

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times, usually at 11.30 am. This doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to extend your stay on the blissful Gili Air, we’ll be able to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

On Day 1 upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, you will be greeted by your local travel guide. A private transfer takes you to Candidasa in Karangasem, Bali’s eastern province. Check in at your hotel in Candidasa where the remainder of today is at leisure. Overnight in Candidasa.



On Day 2, after breakfast you will be picked up by your driver and tour guide to explore the less visited province of Karangasem. You start with a visit of Tirta Gangga. Meaning 'water of the Ganges' this sacred water palace was built in the early twentieth century by the last king of Karangasem. It boasts many decorative ponds and fountains, lush plant life and natural bathing pools. Stop for lunch at the famed Bali Asli restaurant for authentic Balinese food. Proceed to Tenganan and stop en route in the village of Sibetan to observe traditional weaving and visit a salak plantation where you can taste Bali’s famed ‘snakeskin’ fruit. Then, set off on a 2 hour trek through the rice fields down to Tenganan, one of several ancient villages in Bali. At the end of the trek, you’ll explore Tenganan. The village is home to the Bali Aga people, Bali’s first inhabitants, here before the arrival of the Majapahit dynasty people who came from Java. You’ll see the village’s unique architecture as well as observe the weaving of the ikat pattern and traditional basket weaving. Return to your hotel in Candidasa where the remainder of today is at leisure. Overnight in Candidasa.



On Day 3, bBreakfast is served in the hotel and after check out the driver and tour guide will be waiting for you for the start of today’s program. First you go to visit Besakih, known as the ‘Mother Temple’ of Bali. Located on the western slopes of Mt Agung, Bali highest volcano (2 567 m), Besakih is the largest and most important temple on the island. We continue the drive inland and upon arrival at Kintamani, stop for lunch at a local restaurant where you will enjoy spectacular views over Lake Batur and its volcano, Mt Batur. Although Mt Batur (1412m) is not the highest volcano in Bali, it is the most active and is surrounded by an impressive caldera which overlooks the lake. After lunch we drive over the mountains and make a stop at the Beji temple after which we continue to Lovina where you check in to your next hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Lovina.



On Day 4, the morning is for your leisure on the beach in Lovina to relax. This afternoon drive to Vihara Dharma Giri, a rare Buddhist temple in Bali for a visit and from here we go to the hot springs where you can take a bath in these sacred waters (changing facilities are basic). We drive further up the hills over scenic roads before descending to the beautiful remote area of Munduk in Northern Bali. Arrival in Munduk towards the end of today, check in to your hotel and after freshening up, enjoy dinner at hotel. Overnight in Munduk.



On Day 5, you will discover that Munduk is the ideal location for outdoor activities and this morning you’ll have the chance to explore with a light trek. Munduk is surrounded by tropical rainforest with beautiful waterfalls and because of its cool temperature (20-25°C) many fruits, vegetables and spices are grown in the area. This 2-hour trek begins this morning from your hotel. The trek takes you through many plantations growing coffee, cloves, vanilla, avocado and more- you’ll see how they are grown and harvested. Return to the hotel for refreshing and check out after which we drive to a nearby local restaurant for lunch. This afternoon, drive over a small mountain road overlooking two superb lakes: Buyan and Tamblingan. We continue to Lake Bratan where you will stop for a visit to the very scenic Ulun Danu Temple. The temple is set in the middle of the lake’s calm waters on a small bit of land giving the impression that it is ‘floating’. From here, we go to the nearby traditional local market of Bedugul where a myriad of fruits, vegetables and orchids are for sale from the area’s gardens. There are also stalls selling exotic spices and souvenirs. After your visit, return to the south via the UNESCO heritage listed rice fields of Jatiluwih where you will take a leisurely 1-hour walk through the terracing rice fields learning about the subak style of rice production in Bali. Continue to Umabian and check in to your hotel. Designed to resemble a traditional house, the numerous pavilions and guestrooms are laid out in the style of a village compound. Surrounded by rice fields and a swimming pool in the garden, this is an ideal place to unwind. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Umabian.



On Day 6, after breakfast, start the day with an amazing sustainable tourism excursion at Taman Sari Buwana farm. During this half-day excursion, you will experience local Balinese life while supporting a community-based tourism project in the village of Tunjuk. Upon reaching Tunjuk village, prepare for farming activities by donning a farmer’s hat, covering up with mosquito repellent and picking up a local mattock (small farm tool) all provided by the farm. We recommend wearing flip-flops or similar as well as bringing sunscreen. You’ll then walk with the local farmers to their rice fields, locally referred to as sawah. Alongside the farmers, you will learn how to plant, transplant or harvest rice (depending of the season). After farming, take a walk around the beautiful rice fields to observe the daily activities of the village. You’ll visit other plantations including a coconut plantation where locals will demonstrate their ability to climb up the trees and gather young coconuts for some refreshment. Next, return to the home base where you will observe the boiling of cassava in the traditional kitchen before enjoying a delicious lunch at the farm. This afternoon, transfer to Ubud stopping en route at the serene Taman Ayun temple near Mengwi. We also make a stop at the famous Tanah Lot temple, set on a rock in the sea and can only be reached by the local Hindu population while low tide. Continue to Ubud and check in to your hotel and have time for refreshing. No visit to Bali would be complete without witnessing traditional dance and this evening, in Ubud, you will be treated to a performance in a nearby village. Return to Ubud for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Ubud.



On Day 7, after breakfast your driver and tour guide will pick you up for the start of your visits today. We first stop to visit Tampaksiring village where we explore Tirta Empul, a temple famous for its sacred spring water. All Balinese will bathe there at least once a year for a ritual cleaning in these holy waters dedicated to Vishnu. Continue to the nearby village where we visit the unique temple of Gunung Kawi. Set amidst lush rice terraces, these 11th century temples feature 10 rock-cut Candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face. They stand at 7-metre-high and combine ancient Hindu and Buddhist temple attributes. There are numerous stairs leading down to the Temple. (Good walking shoes are required). We drive a bit further South towards Ubud where we have lunch overlooking the beautiful rice terraces of Tegalalang. From here we drive to Ubud centre where you can enjoy the afternoon with a one-hour Balinese massage treatment at a local spa. Return to your hotel and remainder of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Ubud.



On Day 8, you will spend this morning discovering the many charms of Ubud as you visit museums, palaces and local markets. Start with a visit to ARMA Museum (Agung Rai Museum of Art) and enjoy one of the best permanent collections of Balinese and Indonesian paintings. A visit to ARMA provides a great overview of the island’s rich artistic traditions. Continue to Ubud Royal Palace in the heart of the small town. Built in the 16th century, the Palace is still home to Ubud’s King and its Royal family. Finish this morning’s excursion with a walk in Ubud Market where local vendors come to buy and sell food as well as handicrafts and textiles. Lunch will be served at Indus Restaurant, one of Ubud’s top tables, with breathtaking views over the Tjampuhan river valley. At the end of the day, you will be transferred to your South Bali beach hotel (not included) or to the airport in Denpasar for your onward flight.