Best Of Bali

Today’s tour begins with a visit to at Pura Goa Lawah, or the “Bat Cave” Temple, which is among the six main temples in Bali. Continue to Kusamba, one of the salt producing areas in Bali with traditional process.

Next stop is Klungkung Palace is also known as Puri Agung Semarapura. The Kertagosa Pavilion is one of the best-preserved parts of the palace and an excellent example of traditional Balinese architecture. The pavilion once functioned as the Hall of Justice & among the artefacts on display can be found the Kamasan Paintings depicting famous Hindu legends throughout the ages.

Later visit the village of Tenganan, home of the Bali Aga, considered to be the original inhabitants of Bali. This village has remained almost unchanged for hundreds of years and you will have the opportunity to learn about this ancient culture.

Overnight: Candi Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Basis: Bed & Breakfastt

Begin your journey by visiting Tirta Gangga, the former royal palace in eastern Bali. Tirta Gangga water palace is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The one-hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangasem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly rebuilt and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence.

Moving on to Bali Asli Restaurant in Karangasem for an authentic Balinese lunch with views over a lush valley onto the majestic Mt. Agung (weather permitting).

Later visit The Hindu Besakih temple that is also known as the ‘mother temple of Bali’. Over one- thousand years old, the temple is situated at around 1,000 meters on the volcanic slopes of Mount Agung, the island’s largest mountain. Besakih is Bali’s largest temple comprising 23 individual but related temples. Every day pilgrims can be seen praying at this house of worship and, on special ceremonial days, there could be thousands of people here paying their respects to their gods.

Overnight: Candi Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Your exercise today begins with visit Penglipuran. It’s a well ordered village surrounded by plantations and bamboo forests. A Bali Aga village, the local community still adhere to the strict rules and regulations (known as the Adat) that were laid down by their ancestors many centuries ago. Tradition and time-honored ways are still very important here and you will have time to explore this enthralling settlement.

Next heading to the village of Kintamani, the best spot, weather permitting, for views of Mount Batur, an active volcano which sits alongside Lake Batur.  Scanning the horizon from left to right, you will observe that Kintamani sits on the caldera rim of a huge volcano, and Mount Batur, directly in front of you, is merely a ‘small’ mountain that has been created by thousands of years of volcanic activity.

The last stop today is Tampaksiring where you visit the temple Pura Tirta Empul. This is one of the temples which have pools of very clean spring water. Until now there are holy rituals of washing and cleaning the body. People from all over Bali come here to take a bath in this holy water (Panjoran).

Overnight: Bisma Eight (Garden Suite)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Today’s journey is Ubud Monkey Forest. A lush nature reserve and temple complex on the outskirts of Ubud. The forest is home to more than one hundred species of trees, a number of interesting temples and hundreds of crab-eating macaque monkeys. Here you can spend a while observing their characteristics and mannerisms.

Next, the local royal family still reside in the palace but you are free to wander around the majority of the compound, discovering the ornate architecture and learning about the Asta Kosala Kosali tradition of house building, a method not dissimilar to the ancient art of Feng Shui. This will be followed by free time to explore the numerous shops and boutiques that are plentiful in the center of town.

Later visit Neka Art Museum, where the collection of art on display is inspired by the natural beauty, life, and culture of Bali. You can also see the museum’s wonderful collection of keris, the often beautifully crafted dagger that is strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia and recognized by UNESCO for its cultural importance.

 Continue north along the Campuhan ridge, arguably one of the best trekking routes around Ubud. This area has been considered a holy place for centuries. Enjoy the peaceful scenery while you walk between the tall green grasses. It’s truly a majestic walk. The trek also visits one of the Balinese compounds situated in the area, where you can learn about traditional house building and interact freely with the inhabitants. Your guide will assist you in this exchange.

The macaque monkeys here can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys.

Overnight: Bisma Eight (Garden Suite)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Your excursion begins with a drive into Central Bali and small town of Mengwi. Long associated with the Balinese Royal Family, Mengwi is home to the superb temple complex at Taman Ayun. Translating as ‘beautiful garden’ Taman Ayun is considered by many to be one of island’s most attractive temples and is still used today by people from all over Bali for special ceremonies and events.

Continue drive to Bedugul Regency (district), part of the island’s central highlands region renowned for its stunning beauty and three caldera lakes (Beratan, Buyan & Tamblingan). The first stop on today’s tour is the market at Candi Kuning. Bali is famous for fresh fruits and exotic spices and there are plenty of seasonal varieties to discover at the market, together with stalls selling beautiful scented flowers used for ceremonies and offerings.

Heading further north, the iconic Ulun Danu Temple is the next destination. This important Hindu Shivaite water temple is located on a small jut of land within the calm waters of Lake Beratan. If the water level is high (normally only during the rainy season) it gives the illusion that this 17th century temple is ‘floating’ on the lake.

Overnight: Saranam Resort (Saranam Room)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

After breakfast, return south stopping to view the rice terraces at Jatiluwih En route. Recognized by UNESCO, these seemingly endless rice paddies offer superb vistas in all directions and are a marvel to behold. There will be an option to walk along some of the terraces before returning to your vehicle and heading back to your hotel.

Next stop is Gunung Batukaru, Bali's second-highest mountain. It is the highest peak in the Bedugul volcanic area, but is dormant. Batukaru is worshipped by the Balinese, and has a temple, Pura Luhur Batukaru, devoted to it. Batukaru is relatively unpopular with climbers as it is covered in a dense forest which restricts views.

Last stop today is the 17th-century Royal Palace Puri Anyar Kerambitan. Its royal family represents Bali in its current progressive form, with roots in Balinese history dating from the 13th century. The current prince, Anak Agung, is enjoying his retirement at this modest old palace and loves sharing stories of old Bali within the vast shambolic antique-filled compound. Feasts have been presented here for the likes of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Supertramp, to Prime Minister Fukuda of Japan, ministers, and ambassadors from all over the world. Please note the rice terraces are often wet & slippery & we recommend footwear with good grip.

Overnight: Waka Gangga (Villa Garden View)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Start the tour early from your hotel and enjoy a comfortable scenic journey along country roads to the Tabanan area in the remote region of Belimbing. Along the way, you will observe many beautiful sculpted-terrace rice paddies. When you arrive at the start point of the tour, you will be served refreshing tea or coffee plus tasty cookies before starting the 7km trek around the coffee and chocolate plantations. The trek is not arduous but will

take you up and down the rice-paddy terraces. As you walk, your guide will identify fruits and vegetables and explain how local people grow and harvest their crops.

The trek terminates at the secluded Benben Waterfall, considered sacred by the Belimbing inhabitants. Bring your bathing costume and take a few minutes to bathe in the waters and thus cleanse away bad spirits and if you are young and in love, ensure good fortune for you and your partner in the future! A Balinese Hindu priest is on hand to assist you.

From Benben Waterfall, you will be transferred by road back to your hotel for lunch followed by some relaxation time to reflect on the morning’s cultural and spiritual experiences.

Later, around 4pm, you will be attired in suitable Balinese national dress and taken to one of Belimbing’s ancient Hindu temples located in the jungle. There you will encounter the sacred monkeys that live in the temple.

A temple priest will enact a Hindu offering-to-the-god’s ceremony involving bantens (ornate creations of meals cooked with meat and vegetables and decorated with flowers) followed by the drinking and spraying of holy water, an essential element of Balinese Hinduism. After the ceremony, you will be transferred back to your hotel in time for dinner and with yet more spiritual experiences to reflect upon.

Please note the rice terraces are often wet & slippery & we recommend footwear with good grip.

Overnight: Waka Gangga (Villa Garden View)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

With its spectacular location, Tanah Lot is an integral part of Balinese mythology and one of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island. The temple is only accessible at low tide but despite its off- shore location in the Indian Ocean, it features a fresh water spring at its base which is said to contain holy water. As a result, the temple is extremely sacred and Balinese visit from all over the island to drink the water and splash it over their bodies in order to cleanse themselves of any bad spirits. The temple’s inner sanctum is located on top of the rocky outcrop and only accessible to Balinese Hindus.  

You will arrive in time for sunset when photographic opportunities abound. Continue drive to Seminyak area where you will stay overnight.

Basis: The Colony (Superior)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

The day is at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport in order to catch your onward flight.

Basis: Bed & Breakfast ;

End of Tour