Introduction
Discover temples surrounded by the sea, lost in rainforests, on the shores of beautiful lakes and the slopes of volcanoes, and hidden in caves. Visit historic palaces and wander through bustling markets and travel through scenic coffee plantations. This is Bali in its purest form – where spirituality and nature combine to create Indonesia’s most distinctive island. Over four magical days you will criss-cross Bali, visiting all four corners of the island from the resorts of the south to Tanah Lot in the west and inland to Lovina in the north then Candidasa in the east and finally to the cultural capital, Ubud, before returning to the south. The friendly and generous Balinese people will ensure you enjoy an unforgettable experience in the spellbinding paradise that is their home.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
- Visit the Royal Mengwi Temple
- Visit the Alas Kedaton (‘Holy Forest’)
- Visit the colourful fruit market
- Visit the eerie ‘Bat Cave’ of Goa Lawah temple
Day 1: SOUTH BALI – TAMAN AYUN – ALAS KEDATON – TANAH LOT – CANDI KUNING – ULUN DANU TEMPLE – LOVINA (168 km – 9 hrs)
Pick-up in the morning at 8:30 am from the airport or your hotel in South Bali area, driving inland towards the Taman Ayun Temple, also known as the Royal Mengwi Temple. It is famed for its beautiful merus (Balinese pagodas) and surrounding moat. The temple was designed to represent Mount Meru, the mythological home of the gods. Continue to the nearby Alas Kedaton (‘Holy Forest’) where hundreds of monkeys roam freely in a delightful temple complex in the middle of the jungle. Next, head to Tanah Lot Temple, a sacred site that sits atop a lava rock, which depending on the tides is either surrounded by the ocean or reached by a causeway. Head inland, stopping at Pacung, which sits amid beautiful rice terraces. Afterwards proceed to Candi Kuning to visit the colourful fruit market. Break for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to the mountain resort of Bedugul on the southern shore of Lake Bratan. The lake is also home to one of Bali’s most romantic shrines, the Ulun Danu Temple, which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Waters. This serene location exudes tranquillity and spirituality. Continue through a coffee plantation en route to Lovina beach on the north coast. Check in to your hotel at 5:30 pm. (Due to early pick up we recommend you to arrive one day before in order to be able to participate in the tour). Overnight in Lovina.
Day 2: LOVINA – DOLPHIN WATCHING – KINTAMANI – BESAKIH TEMPLE – CANDIDASA (108 km – 8 hrs)
Wake up in the morning to head out at 6:00 into the Bali Sea aboard a traditional fishing boat for Dolphin watching before returning to the hotel for breakfast at about 7:00. Check out and depart at 9 am, heading to the centre of the island to Kintamani to enjoy the views of the Batur volcano and the crater lake below. The unspoiled natural scenery is breath-taking and has a rather alpine appearance. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant. Continue your journey in a south-westerly direction towards the slopes of the Agung volcano, where the Besakih Temple, the largest and holiest Hindu temple in Bali, is located. It is popularly known as the Mother Temple, and you will be able to appreciate just why when you stand in its shadow of this 800-year-old complex. There are 22 different temples on layered ridges, with each ascension offering ever-more magnificent views of the valley below. Continue to Candidasa, arriving at around 5 pm. Check in to your hotel for overnight. Overnight in Candidasa.
Day 3: CANDIDASA – GOA LAWAH – KERTA GOSHA – GOA GAJAH – UBUD (60 km – 7 hrs)
Check out from your hotel after breakfast at 9 am and drive along the south-eastern coast towards Kusamba to visit the eerie ‘Bat Cave’ of Goa Lawah temple. The cave’s walls are thick with thousands of free-tailed bats, who, according to legend, are devoured by the mythological serpent Basuki, which resides deep in the cave. The views over the Badung Strait and, if weather permits, the island of Nusa Penida are another attraction. Proceed to Semarapura to visit the ruins of Klungkung Palace, of which the Kerta Gosa pavilion is the best preserved section. Its ceiling features illustrations portraying visions of heaven and hell. Continue to the ‘Elephant Cave’ of Goa Gajah temple, which dates from the 11th century and is surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens. Break for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive through a sculpted landscape of ancient rice terraces en route to Ubud, the cultural and artistic capital of Bali. Check in to your hotel at 5 pm and rest of the day is free at own leisure. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 4: UBUD – MAS – CELUK – SOUTH BALI (45 km – 4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel then check out at 12:00 before heading to the village of Mas, just a few kilometres to the south, to admire its most famous product, wood carvings. The ‘Mas style’ has been praised for encapsulating the synergy between humanism and naturalism. Continue the artistic trail nearby Celuk, which is renowned for the quality of its gold and silverware in particular. These precious metals have brought prosperity and visitors to the town, and this can be seen in the tidy houses and exuberant showrooms. The tour ends at about 4 pm with drop off at hotel in South Bali if you are planning longer stay in Bali or at Denpasar Airport for your onward flight. (We recommend you book your return flight no earlier than 7 pm or extra night in South Bali).
