Tour Bali by VW Convertible

📍 South beach hotels – Mount Batur, Kintamani (64 km): 2 hours Ubud – Mount Batur, Kintamani (36 km): 1 hour 20 min

Be picked up in the morning by the driver for the start of an unforgettable three-day adventure while travelling in a VW 181 convertible jeep -the perfect way to cruise around and see the idyllic secondary roads of Bali.

The first stop will be Yeh Pulu for a short walk through rice paddies to visit a thousand-year-old rock carving. This unusual stone relief is covered in interesting motifs of religious significance as well as scenes of everyday life.

Return to the ‘vee-dub’ for a 30-minute drive to Gunung Kawi. Also known as ‘the Mountain of Poetry’, Gunung Kawi is a complex of pavilions and shrines carved into a hillside during the 11th century in honour of the raja Anak Wungsu and his wives.

The journey continues on with a drive to the slopes of Gunung Batur, reaching the edge of a 12km wide caldera. Here there will be incredible views of Bali’s most active volcano, Mount Batur, which soars over 1,800 metres high and has a bewitching turquoise green lake at its centre -the largest lake in Bali. The highlight of the tour is descending along an incredible road to the bottom of the crater and to the lava fields. Take a short walk along the black lava as the guide explains more about volcanoes and tectonic activity.

A steep road leads out of the caldera back up to the rim where lunch will be enjoyed at Madu Sari Restaurant which overlooks the Batur area.

In the afternoon, drive through small villages, stopping as often as desired for photos, to visit Besakih. Also known as the ‘Mother Temple’ of Bali, it is the most religiously and culturally important temple in Bali. Built in the village of Besakih on the western slopes of Mt Agung (2,567 m), Bali’s highest volcano, Besakih is considered one of the must-see destinations in Bali. It covers a vast area with stunning mountain scenery that surrounds this majestic temple complex.

Afterwards, continue to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Candidasa.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Candidasa – Tenganan (18 km): 40 minutes Tenganan – Tirta Gangga, Karangasem (16 km) 30 minutes Tirta Gangga, Karangasem – Amed (21 km): 40 minutes

After breakfast at the hotel, set off in the VW, starting with a visit to one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches, Pantai Pasir Putih or ‘White Beach’. Take an early swim or enjoy fresh coconut juice from one of the local beach stalls before continuing to the Aga Village of Tenganan.

The village is home to the Bali Aga, Bali’s original inhabitants before the arrival immigrants from the Majapahit Kingdom of Java. This is an interesting north – south aligned village compound which is very different from Balinese architecture. The Bali Aga people are known for their weaving of traditional ikat and basket weaving.

At the end of the village, continue through the large stone gates to meet one of the original family elders who can trace his family history for hundreds of years in the village. He will be more than happy to show the logs of wild bees and allow a taste of the many varieties of honey produced from these natural hives.

Then take a winding two-hour light trek through rice fields, villages and plantations while heading towards Tirta Gangga. The local guide is an original inhabitant of the Aga village, and has a wealth of knowledge of this local area.

Upon arrival at Tirta Gangga, take lunch in the restaurant grounds before enjoying a tour of this unique water temple. 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.

Note: there is an additional fee for batheing in the pools. Please bring a change of clothes and a towel. Swimsuits are not permitted; please wear shorts and a T shirt instead.

Continue through lush landscapes of terraced rice fields before arriving at the sleepy seaside village of Amed for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Amed.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Amed – Ujung Palace, Karangasem (26 km): 1 hour Ujung Palace, Karangasem – Kertagosa (31 km) 1 hour 20 minutes Kertagosa – Ubud (20 km): 40 minutes Kertagosa – South beach hotels (49 km): 1 hour 30 minutes

Arise early in the morning for a two-hour boat trip in a traditional fishing boat along the stunning Amed coastline with unparalleled views of Mt Agung in the sunrise light. The area is famous for the abundance of dolphins that inhabit it. As the boat churns through the glittering water, keep an eye out for these acrobatic sea creatures.

Afterwards, take breakfast at the hotel before travelling along the stunning coastal road from Amed to Ujung. This is definitely the road-less-travelled and, while winding through remote villages with hinterland on the right, rugged black sand beaches can be seen on the left.

Stop at Ujung Water Palace, remaining from the Karangasem Kingdom and built in 1919. It was originally built as a moat for the punishment of those practising ‘black magic’ or pangiwa in Balinese; however the king decided to convert the moat to a Palace given the natural spring fed moats and lovely views – it is a sister Palace to Tirta Gangga.

Take a late lunch of a delicious Megibung traditional feast in a bamboo restaurant with views across the rolling fields and rice terraces at various stages of harvest depending on the season.

Continue along the coastal road to Bali’s smallest regency, Klungkung, to visit Kertagosa, the former 17th century Royal Courts of Bali. The Bale-style structures house some of Bali’s most stunning artwork, with ceilings painted in the Kamasan-style offering spiritual lessons to those that gaze upon these colourful and intricate illustrations. There is also a small museum with interesting artefacts.

Late in the afternoon, be dropped off at the selected Ubud or Southern Bali beach hotel (not included) or to Denpasar Airport for an evening return flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch