Best of Bali

📍 Denpasar Airport – Sidemen (57 km): 2hr

Arrive this afternoon at Denpasar Airport and be greeted by the local guide and receive a transfer to Sidemen, in the east of Bali.

Escape to the tranquil beauty of Sidemen, a rural East Balinese region famed for its breathtaking rice terraces and verdant landscapes.  Offering a respite from the south's tourist crowds, Sidemen provides an authentic glimpse into Balinese life. Venturing beyond the village reveals stunning waterfalls, sacred temples, and panoramic vistas of majestic Mount Agung.

Check in at your hotel in Sidemen where the remainder of  the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Sidemen.

Inclusions:

📍 Sidemen – Taman Ujung (28km): 50mins Taman Ujung – Tirtagangga (10.5km): 22mins Tirtagangga - Bali Asli (7.3km): 17mins Bali Asli - Sidemen (25km): 55mins

After breakfast, explore the beautiful, little-visited province of Karangasem.
First off to Taman Ujung, a stunning "water palace" creations of the late King of Karangasem.  This complex, nestled against the backdrop of Mount Agung and the eastern coastline, features a series of expansive pools and historic structures. Blending Balinese and European architectural styles, the complex comprises three large ponds connected by graceful bridges and pathways.
Then continue to Tirta Gangga, Built in the 19th century, this historic palace blends Chinese and Balinese influences, in a series of pools, fountains, and statues that synthesize art and spirituality in one tranquil site. A serene retreat nestled in the eastern highlands of Karangasem Regency, East Bali. Owned and maintained by the royal family of Karangasem, the garden spans 1.2 hectares and features an array of pools, ponds, and fountains. 
From here, we go to Bali Asli for an authentic and flavourful Balinese lunch, before returning back to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Sidemen.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Besakih - Ubud (42 km): 1hr 10 mins

In the morning, after breakfast, checkout from the hotel before the start of the “Balinese Daily Life” program.

Upon arrival at the village, meet with the local Balinese villagers and receive a traditional conical hat and bamboo walking stick. These will come in handy on a one-hour walking trip through the area's rice fields. Next, try to walk the walk of a Balinese farmer by trying to plow the rice fields behind a buffalo and planting rice seedlings. Be rewarded for this hard work with a cold fresh coconut. 

After the farming experience, take part in four short workshops, 20 minutes each: a cooking lesson, offering and palm-leaf decoration, arak  (a Balinese rice wine) distillation  and iron working. 

After a hard day’s ‘work’, settle down and enjoy a proper Balinese lunch served in the village.

Then continue to Besakih, known as the ‘Mother Temple’ of Bali. Located on the western slopes of Mt Agung, Bali’s highest volcano (2,567 m), Besakih is the largest and most religiously important temple on the island. As such, it is regularly visited by all Balinese for special ceremonies, making it a great place to see traditional Balinese culture. 

At the end of the day, transfer to Ubud for your overnight stay. 

Overnight in Ubud.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Ubud – ARMA Museum (4km): 16mins ARMA Museum - Ubud Monkey Forest (1.5 km): 12mins Ubud Monkey Forest – Ubud Market (1.8 km): 10mins Ubud Market - Restaurant (2km): 8mins Restaurant – Spa (1km): 2mins Ubud Centre - Sayan (5.8km): 20mins Sayan - Hotel (3.5km): 10mins

Today we’ll discover the many charms of Ubud while visiting 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. 

Then a visit to the Monkey forest to watch its cheeky inhabitants fool around. Continue to Ubud’s Royal Palace in the heart of the town: built in the 16th century, the palace is still home to Ubud’s King and its Royal family.

Conclude this morning's excursions with a walk in Ubud Market where local vendors come to buy and sell exotic produce as well as handicrafts and textiles. Enjoy lunch served at one of Ubud’s top tables, with breathtaking views over the Tjampuhan river valley.

Relax this afternoon with a 1,5 hour Balinese massage treatment at a local spa. 

In the evening, be treated to a special traditional Balinese dance performance in a nearby village. It’s a cultural spectacle that will no doubt be one of the highlights of the trip. 

Continue with a drive to dining experience at The Sayan House, located in the charming Sayan area. Step onto the lawn atop the valley, be mesmerized by the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding lush greenery.

Overnight in Ubud.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Ubud – Mengwi (17 km): 40 mins Mengwi – Jatiluwih (32 km): 1 hr Jatiluwih – Ulun Danu Bratan (24 km): 50 mins Lake Bratan – Lake Buyan – Lake Tamblingan (12 km): 25 mins Lake Buyan & Tamblingan – Lovina (25 km): 55 mins

Morning breakfast and get ready for your next destination to the north coast of Bali, Lovina Beach with some stops will be made on the way. 

Enjoy a scenic drive up the slopes of Mount Batukaru, the second highest volcano in Bali (2,271m).  Here, visit the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. This area is known as the ‘Rice Granary of Bali’ and is one of the best examples of subak, the traditional irrigation system used by rice farmers in Bali. Take a leisurely one-hour walk through the rice fields to experience the area’s blissful verdant scenery before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. 

Then continue to Lake Bratan for a visit to Ulun Danu Temple. The temple is set in the middle of the lake’s calm waters on a small bit of land, giving it the impression of floating’.  Ulun Danu is widely considered to be one of Bali’s most beautiful temples.   

From there, continue along a high mountain road with amazing views and stop at an incredible viewpoint overlooking the ‘Twin Lakes’ of Tamblingan and Buyan. Be sure to take some photos here, as it’s considered to be one of the most iconic viewpoints in Bali. 
 
Finally, descend from the mountains down to the coastal town of Lovina, in northern Bali. 

Check in to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. 
Dinner at leisure at the hotel.

Overnight in Lovina.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Lovina – Belimbing (54 km): 1hr 40mins Belimbing - South Bali (65km): 2hrs 30mins

Morning breakfast and day at leisure to enjoy the resort’s facilities or self-exploration the beautiful surroundings.

At noon, check out and we’ll drive to your final destination, passing Belimbing and other small but beautiful villages along an incredibly scenic route. The landscape alternates between jungle-covered mountain vistas and amazing rice terraces. A stop will be made  for a short break to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Late in the afternoon, arrive at the south part beach area or to the airport in Denpasar for an onward international departure flight. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast