Dates: TBD
Costs: TBD
Tour begins/ends Denpassar
Day by day description of tour activities:
Day 1 Sanur
Welcome meeting; dinner
Day 2 Sanur
Barong and Kecak dance performances; Ulu Watu temple; Jimbaran Beach BBQ
The Barong and Kecak dances are two of Bali’s most famous and flamboyant performances. Ulu Watu is the most dramatically situated of Bali’s temples, perched atop converging 200-foot cliffs above the sea.
Day 3 Jogjakarta, Java
Becak tour of Jogja; Rijstafel dinner
Our becaks (pedal rickshaws) will transport us all around the interesting city of Jogja – Royal Kraton Palace, Taman Sari water palace, bird market, and a batik demonstration. Dinner is Rijstafel – classic Indonesian buffet.
Day 4 Jogjakarta
Borobodur excursion
Borobodur is a World Heritage site, an 8th century Buddhist temple mountain, and Indonesia’s most impressive ancient site. You can fill out your free afternoon with Jogja’s amazing shopping.
Day 5 Sanur
Prambanan excursion
Prambanan is another World Heritage site, an evocative 9th century Hindu temple complex.
Day 6 Amed
Klung Kung; Lunch at Kebun Impian
Klung Kung features Taman Kertha Gosa, an 18th century palace complex. After lunch we’ll enjoy a seaside swimming pool and observe a children’s class in traditional Balinese dance. The drive north to Amed is one of the most spectacular in Bali, winding through traditional, mostly untouched villages with stunning sea views.
Day 7 Amed
All-day boat excursion
Amed’s coast boasts Bali’s best underwater sights. We’ve hired a private boat for our snorkeling/swimming excursion.
Day 8 Amed
Free Day
Enjoy the beach, the pool, or organize your own excursion.
Day 9 Mt. Batur
Tirta Gangga; rice terrace view lunch; Pura Besakih
Tirta Gangga is a functioning water palace and Pura Besakih is the most sacred temple complex in Bali. We’ll cross our fingers for clear weather to enjoy Bali’s most famous and spectacular sunset/sunrise at Mt Batur with its volcanic caldera, lake, verdant flora, and steaming lava dome.
Day 10 Ubud
Sunrise hike option; Goa Gajah; Yeh Pulu
A guided pre-dawn hike to the lava dome (Gunung Batur) for sunrise is available. Then we’ll head south toward Ubud. After lunch together we’ll visit Goa Gajah, an 11th century cave temple and Yeh Pulu, an intriguing, 14th century, carved cliff-face.
Day 11 Ubud
Tirta Empul; Gunung Kawi
At Tirta Empul we’ll be introduced to and participate in the Balinese water purification ceremony and Gunung Kawi is Bali’s most impressive and mystical ancient sight. Your afternoon is free.
Day 12 Ubud
Lake Bratan; Babi Guleng dinner
Lake Bratan is home to Pura Ulan Danu, Bali’s most picturesque lake temple. Dinner is at Puri Taman Sari, a traditional Balinese compound owned by a member of the royal family of Mengwi, where we’ll enjoy Babi Guleng, Balinese suckling pig.
Day 13 Tanah Lot
Craft villages or Denpasar market; Tanah Lot
In the morning we’ll visit the nearby craft villages to see stone carving, wood carving, painting, and more or visit Denpasar’s teeming public market. Tanah Lot is Bali’s most photographed temple, built on a tidal island. Our hotel is located on the temple grounds providing easy access. We’ll have a final, sunset happy hour on bluffs overlooking the temple and our final dinner together in the hotel.
Day 14 tour over after breakfast
Staying on site at Tanah Lot allows the opportunity for early risers to enjoy the glorious, tourist-free sunrise at the temple. We’ll help with transport arrangements for anyone heading to the airport today (1 hour).
[Tour itinerary specifics subject to change]