Bali Explorer

As you arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar this afternoon, your local guide will warmly greet you. Then transfer to Candidasa, in the east of Bali (42 miles, 2 and 1/2 hours). About 30 miles from the airport, we will stop to visit Goa Lawah temple, which is one of Bali’s most significant temples. It features a complex built around a cave opening that is occupied by a cluster of bats; hence, it got the name 'Bat Cave.’ In the 11th century, Mpu Kuturan established this temple. He was also one of the early priests who laid the foundations of Hinduism on the island.

Check in to your hotel in Candidasa, and the rest of today is at leisure. 

Today after an early breakfast, get ready for a morning trek to Pura Lempuyang, which is one of the most important and sacred temples in Bali. Pura Lempuyang means the ‘highest lantern,’ and its entrance resembles much to the doorway to heaven. It opens with an extensive view broad as from the peaks of close by Mount Agung and down to the gorgeous and serene bays on the east coast of Bali. It's about one hour or little longer drive from Candidasa to the foot of a mountain and then about two hours uphill hike on a stepped-trail hidden in grasslands and Pandan forests.

Once on the top, you will enjoy spectacular views. Get blessing from a Balinese Hindu priest, and as you are climbing down the 1,700 steps of the path, you will enjoy more of the lush surroundings. We will continue on a short drive from the bottom of Belibis Mountain to an exquisitely situated restaurant for a refueling Megibung lunch, served in the style of the Royal family of Karangasem. 

Note: Some sections of the trails are steep and can be slippery, so you are recommended to bring good hiking shoes. This trekking section is based on a join-in trip.

On the way back, we stop to visit the 20th century Tirta Gangga Water Palace, which is not very far from here. This beautiful palace is full of decorative ponds, natural bathing pools, and lush gardens. Take a stroll, learn the history of the palace and the significance of water in the Hindu religion. Visit the gardens and also swim in the cooling waters of the nearby pool (basic changing facilities).

Please Note: Basic changing facilities at Tirta Gangga Water Palace; since towels are not available, you need to bring one. 

Continue to Tenganan village, which is home to the Bali Aga people. They are the first inhabitants of Bali, here before the arrival of the Majapahit dynasty people who came from Java. See the village’s distinctive architecture and also observe the weaving of the ikat pattern and traditional basket weaving.

Back to the hotel in Candidasa, and the rest of today is at ease. 

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out the hotel and meet your guide and the driver for travel to Lovina.

About 20 miles (1 hour 20 minutes), we will have our first stop and visit the beautiful Besakih Temple, also known as the ‘Mother Temple.’ The temple is located on the western slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano (2,567m), and it is the largest and most important temple on the island. It is one of the best places in Bali to see traditional culture and religious practices. 

Then we will continue to drive inland and arrive in Kintamani (14 miles, 50 minutes). We stop at a local restaurant for lunch with spectacular views over Lake Batur and Mount Batur. Mount Batur is the most active volcano, surrounded by an impressive caldera overlooking the lake. 

After lunch, we continue our drive over the mountain and stop in Sangsit Village to visit the Beji Temple- dedicated to the spirit that looks after the irrigation and rice fields. Then continue to Lovina (36 miles from Kintamani, 2 hours), in the North of Bali, for hotel check-in.

Later, spend the rest of the day by relaxing or sightsee around independently. 

After breakfast, enjoy Lovina’s beaches with exceptionally stunning coffee ground-colored and textured sands. After leisurely lunch, check out the hotel and proceed to Munduk with stops in Bramha Vihara Aram and natural hot springs.

Brahma Vihara Arama (6 miles, 20 minutes) is an exceptional Buddhist temple in Bali with distinctive architecture, and the surroundings here are stunning. We will also visit the natural hot springs of the area for a bath. (Changing facilities are basic). If you wish, you can soak up in the hot springs; the water here is claimed to have healing properties.

Now, we continue to drive up the hills and then descend to the secluded and magnificently scenic area of Munduk, arriving towards the end of the day. (11.25 miles, 40 minutes from Brahma Vihara Arama).

After checking in the hotel, enjoy the rest of the evening in the hotel’s atmosphere. 

Munduk is the perfect place for outdoor activities because it has lush tropical rainforests, lovely waterfalls, and relatively cool temperatures due to higher elevation (68-77°F). It has a unique climate and plenty of rainfall, so; there are many fruits, vegetables, and spices grown in the area that contributes to its ‘Garden of Eden’ feel.

You will enjoy a pleasant trekking adventure around Munduk for two hours with the tour guide and explore its three significant waterfalls and several plantations, including coffee, cloves, and local spices.  

We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch on the way back to the hotel.

Check out hotel in the afternoon and proceed on a scenic drive along a small mountain road and halt at a viewpoint overlooking the ‘Twin Lakes’ of Buyan and Tamblingan that is just on the side of the road. This viewpoint is considered to be one of the best viewpoints in Bali.

From here, continue to Lake Bratan for a visit to Ulun Danu Temple, which is one of Bali’s most beautiful temples. It is set in the middle of the lake’s calm waters on a small bit of land, giving it the impression of floating’.

Visit the nearby traditional local market of Bedugul where fresh fruits, vegetables, and orchids are for sale from the area’s gardens. And there are also stalls selling exotic spices and souvenirs.

Later, return to the south, stopping along the way to visit the UNESCO Heritage-listed rice fields of Jatiluwih. Here, take a leisurely one-hour walk through the terraced rice fields and learn about the subak style of rice production in Bali. 

We will continue to Umabian and check-in to the hotel for the evening (43 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes).

Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, set off for an insightful Bali village tour and get an authentic local culture flavor. Marga is a typical rural village surrounded by stunning landscapes in the Tabanan Regency (10 miles from Umbian). This village is the perfect place to get familiar with the authentic countryside lifestyles and its people. Enjoy a warm welcome and a healthy drink in a family’s compound, and with an introduction, the host will explain about their daily activities on the farm, which is quite impressive. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditional herbal remedies, see amazing inscribed palm leaves, and also discover other parts of typical Balinese life. 

Explore the family compound and then join a farmer for an easy trek through the surroundings. You will learn about the Balinese Subak irrigation system, which is a unique and effective technique and has been in use since generations by local farmers. We will walk through the pleasant and vibrant rice fields where you may also have a chance to help the local farmers, depending on the time of year. We will go back to the house compound and relish delicious local lunch prepared in the usual family style.

In the afternoon, we will transfer to Ubud and stop en route at the peaceful Taman Ayun Temple near Mengwi (12.5 miles, 40 minutes). We will also stop at the well-known Tanah Lot Sea Temple (11.25 miles, 35 minutes) that is set unsteadily on a rock in the sea. Because of the crashing waves and distinctive location, it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places on the island. 

Continue to Ubud (19 miles, 1 hour) and check in to the hotel and freshen up. 

After some rest, we will head out for a remarkable Balinese dance performance. No visit to Bali will be complete if you don’t witness this beautiful show of Balinese culture. And Ubud, of course, is the best place on the island to see it. 

Later, we return to Ubud for dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and proceed on the excursions of the day.

The first stop is at Tampaksiring Village and also explore Tirta Empul, which is a temple famous for its holy spring water dedicated to Lord Vishnu. At least once a year, all Balinese will bathe in these sacred waters for ritual cleansing. 

Continue to the nearby village and visit the unique temple of Gunung Kawi (10 miles, 30 minutes from Ubud) set amongst lush rice terraces. These 11th-century temples feature ten rock-cut Candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face, and they stand 7-meter-high and combine ancient Hindu and Buddhist temple characteristics. Since numerous stairs are leading down to the Temple, you are required to have good walking shoes. 

Drive a bit further South towards Ubud and enjoy your lunch overlooking the stunning rice fields. After lunch, continue to Ubud center, and in the afternoon, enjoy and unwind as you get Balinese massage treatment at a local spa. 

There are many appeals of Ubud, discover them with visits to museums, palaces, and local markets. Begin with a visit to the ARMA Museum (Agung Rai Museum of Art), where you will find one of the finest permanent collections of Balinese and Indonesian paintings and also provides an excellent overview of the island’s rich artistic traditions. 

Continue to Ubud Royal Palace built in the 16th century in the heart of the small town. The Palace is still home to Ubud’s King and its Royal family.

Next, take a stroll in Ubud Market, a lively market where vendors sell foods, handicrafts, and textiles. Enjoy your lunch served at Indus Restaurant, one of Ubud’s top tables, along with spectacular views over the Tjampuhan river valley.

After lunch, the tour concludes, and transfer to the airport.

Ubud – Denpasar Ngurah Rai international Airport (24 miles): 1 hour 20 minutes.