Hills To The Sea

Today you will have the great opportunity to meet and interact with Balinese people and experience how families live and work together in their natural daily environment.

There will be plenty of photo opportunities as you pass scenic vistas and interesting villages En route to Subak Guliang, a traditional farming village and compound in the center of the island. The local houses in the village compounds are architecturally unique when compared with other regions of Indonesia. Based on the Asta Kosala Kosali tradition of house building, the method is not dissimilar to the ancient art of Feng Shui.

Begin your local encounter by preparing breakfast in the Balinese compound. Seasonal tropical fruits will be served as well as soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea and Balinese cookies. Invigorated by your fresh breakfast, the rest of your time here will be dedicated to exploring the local vicinity – take a stroll through local farms, witness the rural life of the Balinese people or learn more about the complexities of rice growing – from planting and harvesting through to the best methods of cooking it. Acquire knowledge of the simple but effective irrigation system known locally as Subak or just sit back and take it all in whilst enjoying fresh coconut water, one of nature’s most delicious drinks.

Continue to the Hindu Besakih temple, 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 most important 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. Please note that although visitors are permitted to enter the temple complex, access to some areas is restricted to Hindu worshippers only.

Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant with commanding views of Mount Agung and the surrounding countryside before heading to 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.

Today’s tour finishes with a visit to Klungkung Palace, 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 and among the artefacts on display can be found the Kamasan Paintings depicting famous Hindu legends throughout the ages.

Overnight: Bisma Eight (Garden Suite)   

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Drive a short distance to the White Water Rafting venue. Grab your oars and get ready to for this exhilarating rafting adventure on the spectacular Ayung River. Enjoy a two-hour rafting journey over 11kms. After taking a moment to refresh then continue to meet your local food specialist guide and drive to a traditional Balinese house at the outskirts of Ubud.

You will be welcomed by a local Brahman and see how coconut oil is produced and used to make ‘Pepes Clengis’, a traditional steamed grated coconut dish with Balinese spices wrapped in Banana leaves. Continuing your culinary discovery, you will stop at a small local Warung for a popular refreshment called ‘Cendol’, a jelly-like drink consisting of green pieces of Tapioka, mixed with water and coconut milk and sweetened with brown sugar.

Next, take a walk around the famous Gianyar Night Market, which any local will tell you has some of the best food in Bali. The scene is brilliant, a local food haven on its own with the sound of hundreds of cooking pots, where families gather to eat delicacies such as roast pig, sweet cakes, chicken and coconut balls, fried bananas and tempeh and tofu. Try another Balinese specialty named ‘Bubur Injin’, a fermented black sticky rice cake.

End the evening at a hidden local bamboo restaurant near Ubud to experience a traditional ‘Megibung’ dining experience, in which people share several meals on a plate or Banana leaf. This is an authentic and special style of dining that was historically enjoyed during ceremonies and special occasions. The family-style served dishes consist of many rich and exotic Indonesian specialties and – the ideal way to try out the local cuisine.

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.

Next head to Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest. This small forest is populated with giant nutmeg trees and home to hundreds of macaque monkeys. Spend a while observing their characteristics and mannerisms before heading south to the island’s most famous temple complex at Tanah Lot.

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.

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: Nusa Dua Beach (Deluxe Room)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

The day will be at leisure. Optional excursions are available or take the opportunity to enjoy the beach or relax in the environs of your hotel.

Overnight: Nusa Dua Beach (Deluxe Room)

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

After a morning at leisure, you will check out of your hotel and travel to the southern-most tip of Bali to visit the famous Uluwatu temple. One of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island, it is undoubtedly one of the region’s most venerable places of worship. Perched approximately 70 meters above sea level atop a steep cliff, the temple also has one of the most dramatic locations on the island and is the perfect vantage point from which to observe the huge waves as they roll in from the Indian Ocean and crash against the rock face below.

One of the highlights of this excursion is the opportunity to witness a traditional display of Kecak dance, which is regularly performed at Uluwatu. The Kecak dance features up to a hundred male performers who form a circle and sway and chant to hypnotic music. This ritual dance is based on an ancient story from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. King Rahwana captures Sita, the wife of Rama and the drama depicts the battle between King Rahwana and the monkey god, Hanuman.

A seductive crescent of white sand and blue sea, Jimbaran Bay has a reputation for having some of the best seafood on the island and after your visit to Uluwatu you will have the chance to dine in a cozy and comfortable beach shack-style restaurant overlooking the Jimbaran bay. The fresh seafood rijstaffel (selection of dishes) and ambient beachside location provide the perfect end to a perfect day.

NOTE: 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: Nusa Dua Beach (Deluxe Room)

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: Breakfast

End of Safari