Bali on a Shoestring

📍 Denpasar Ngurah Rai international Airport – Ubud (38 km): 1 hour 15 minutes

On arrival day, meet the local guide and driver at the airport. Transfer to Ubud, the beautiful small town in the heart of Bali. Considered the creative centre of Bali, it is also a hotspot for alternative healing, yoga and meditation.

Check-in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Inclusions:

📍 Hotel – ARMA museum (4 kilometres): 15 minutes ARMA museum – Monkey Forest (1 kilometre): 5 minutes Monkey Forest – Ubud Market/Palace/Babi Guling Bu Oka (2 kilometres): 10 minutes Ubud Market/Palace/Babi Guling Bu Oka – Hotel (500 metres): 5 minutes

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA). Marvel at the best permanent collection of Balinese and Indonesian art on the island and, if possible, catch a unique cultural performance. After admiring the ARMA, meet some local inhabitants at the Sacred Monkey Forest. This heavily forested park features three ancient Hindu temples, beautiful jungle-covered statues and, of course, several groups of indigenous macaques.

Proceed to Ubud Palace or Puri Saren Agung, the official residence of the royal family of Ubud. Well maintained, the palace features delicate stone decorations while the non-residential part of the compound is repurposed for traditional dance performances. Admire the temple-like architecture or go for a stroll around the nearby market, where locals sell textiles and handicrafts.

Enjoy a typical Balinese dish at warung ibu oka, a local restaurant specialising in babi guling, - suckling pig. Be amazed by the delicate mix of spices and and the unique marinade.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Ubud - Jatiluwih 45 kilometres: 1 hour 30 minutes. Jatiluwih - Bedugul 20 kilometres: 40 minutes Bedugul market - Ulun Danu temple 2 kilometres: 5 minutes Ulun Danu Temple - Munduk 15 kilometres: 30 minutes Munduk - Banjar Hot Spring 26 kilometres: 55 minutes Banjar Hot Spring - Pemuteran 40 kilometres: 1 hour 20 minutes

Check out of the hotel and continue towards northern Bali for some stunning coastlines and laid-back fishing villages. Stop at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of Jatiluwih and take in the large rice terrace there which is recognised for its sophisticated irrigation system.

A one-hour walk through the rice terrace offers breathtaking panoramic views, stretching from the Batukaru Mountain Range down to the coast.

Continue hiking Bedugul, 1,400 metres above sea level. The cool mountain village boasts a traditional market where a myriad of local fruits, vegetables and orchids are for sale. Browse the stalls alongside the locals, learn about the different uses of spices and herbs in Balinese cooking.

Carry on to Lake Bratan, one of Bali’s three natural lakes. Admire the view of the peaceful waters and snap photos of Ulun Danu Temple, an ancient terraced roof shrine located on the lake’s edge and one of Bali’s most popular picture motifs.

Drive up across the hills and look out for wild monkeys along the road. Take a break at The View restaurant where lunch is served and take in the magnificent views of the mountains. This afternoon visit a holy spring at Banjar on the north coast. The natural sulphur hot springs with their greenish milky water are said to have healing powers. Take a dip in the soothing waters with a choice of two pools of different temperature. After a good soak, towel off and wrap up today’s exploration of the mountainous regions of Bali with the final leg of the trip to the laid-back fishing village of Pemuteran.

Enjoy the evening at leisure and spend the night in Pemuteran.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Enjoy a full day of leisure on the tranquil north coast of Bali with its black-sand beaches.

Spend the night in Pemuteran.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Pemuteran - Vihara Dharma Giri 58 kilometres: 1 hour 55 minutes Vihara Dharma Giri - Marga 70 kilometres: 2 hours 20 minutes

Enjoy breakfast and get ready for the underwater miracle of Pemuteran. Local NGO Karang Lestari established the ‘Biorock’ coral restoration project just metres off the tranquil beach. Large structures and statues only metres below the surface help new corals to form and low-voltage electricity helps them to grow faster. A guided snorkelling session is a great educational experience to witness the wonderful underwater world and its ongoing restoration process.

After check-out around noon, drive back into the countryside along a scenic road that is less travelled.  Stop at Vihara Dharma Giri in Pupuan Village, and watch the reclining Buddha beautifully set against the backdrop of the mountain range. Witness the pillar with the three-headed lions of Ashoka and the quote urging to respect other religions. Continue driving to Tabanan and be welcomed at a local homestay. Get to know the family and enjoy a nice home-cooked dinner in the evening. Spend the night at Marga Village.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Marga - Sanur 45 kilometres: 1 hour 30 minutes Hotel - Pura Blanjong 300 meters: 3 minutes (on foot) Pura Blanjong - Italian restaurant 750 metres: 10 minutes (on foot) Pura Blanjong - Night Market 3.5 kilometres: 10 minutes Night market - hotel 3.5 km: 7 minutes

Experience the rural Balinese lifestyle, as the host family explains the daily activities of the farmstead. Learn about the local remedies that Balinese families use, their alphabet, songs and the technique of lontar -palm leaf writing. Then, set off for a short trek through the lush surroundings and participate in some of the daily village activities. Upon return to the house compound, enjoy a family-style lunch.

Continue to Sanur in the afternoon, and check in at the hotel for a soothing shower. Discover the seaside town by finding Blanjong Temple, a lesser known temple in the area. Continue on foot to Sanur’s most popular Italian-run ice cream parlour for a delicious cone. Drive along the main road on a bemo, a very small hop-on minibus with an open side-door. Conclude this excursion at Pasar Senggol, -the night market, and mingle with the locals.

Spend the evening at leisure with an overnight stay at Sanur.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Sanur - Ngurah Rai International Airport of Bali (8 kilometres): 20 minutes

Spend the morning at leisure until check-out. Transfer to Denpasar International Airport for the departure flight or onward journey and arrangements.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast