Bali
The island paradise of Bali has long been the traveler’s jewel of Indonesia. Blessed with a stunning variety of natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, welcoming locals, and great value, Bali is a favorite Imprint destination. Traditional Balinese dance, music, and theater are available everywhere, the island is dotted with beautiful temples, and Balinese arts and crafts make it a shopping paradise. Volcanic peaks, photogenic emerald rice terraces, and golden sand beaches add delightful natural elements to the experience. A traditional Hindu-Animist culture means visitors are safe and treated as honored guests. To round out the experience, our tour jets you to Jogjakarta on neighboring Java to explore the World Heritage sights of Borobudur and Prambanan.
Day 1 Sanur
Welcome meeting; dinner
Day 2 Sanur
Barong Dance; Ulu Watu; Kecak Dance
Barong and Kecak dances are two of Bali’s most famous and flamboyant performances. Ulu Watu, one of Bali’s 7 directional temples (protecting the island) has by far the most dramatic venue, perched at the tip of converging, sheer, 200+ foot cliffs with the sea crashing below. We will conclude our day with a classic Jimbaran Beach BBQ.
Day 3 Jogjakarta, Java
Becak tour; Taman Sari; Royal Kraton Palace; Batik demo; Rijstafel dinner
After a morning flight to neighboring Java, our becaks (pedal rickshaws) will transport us all around the interesting city of Jogja. Highlights include the Taman Sari water palace and the Royal Kraton Palace, complete with live Lagong music. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a batik making demonstration. Dinner tonight is Rijstafel – a classic Indonesian buffet.
Day 4 Jogjakarta
Borobodur
Borobodur is a World Heritage site, an 8th century Buddhist temple mountain, and Indonesia’s most impressive ancient site. After breakfast we’ll explore its concentric terraces and great views. You can fill out your free afternoon time with Jogja’s amazing shopping and attend the famous Ramayana Ballet performance in the evening.
Day 5 Sanur
Prambanan
Prambanan is another World Heritage site, an evocative 9th century Hindu temple complex. After a free morning we’ll be transported to the site and given a guide tour. Then we continue on to the airport for our return flight to Bali.
Day 6 Amed
Klung Kung; Balinese dance; Coast drive
Today we will begin our journey to the east edge of the island. Along the way we will visit Klung Kung, one-time capital of Bali. It features Taman Kertha Gosa, an 18th century palace complex. After our traditional, home-made lunch we’ll enjoy a seaside swimming pool and observe a children’s class in traditional Balinese dance. The afternoon’s 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
Snorkeling
Amed’s coast boasts Bali’s best underwater sights. We’ve hired a private yacht for our private all-day snorkeling/swimming excursion.
Day 8 Amed
Today is a free Day – enjoy the beach, the pool, or organize your own excursion.
Day 9 Mt. Batur
Tirta Gangga; Rice terrace view lunch; Pura Besakih
Our first stop today is Tirta Gangga, a functioning water palace. You can shop, swim, enjoy the best coconut cream pie on the island, or simply relax to the sounds of running water and fountains. After lunch with overlook views of emerald green rice terraces we continue on to Pura Besakih. Besakih, the “Mother Temple” is the most sacred temple complex on Bali, and also one of the most impressively photogenic. We’ll cross our fingers for clear weather to enjoy Bali’s most famous and spectacular sunset at Mt Batur with its volcanic caldera, lake, verdant flora, and steaming lava dome.
Day 10 Ubud
Sunrise hike; Goa Gajah; Yeh Pulu
A guided pre-dawn hike to the lava dome (Gunung Batur) for sunrise is available. It is a classic traveler’s activity. Then we’ll head south toward Ubud. en route 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
After breakfast we’ll enjoy some of the sights surrounding Ubud. At Tirta Empul we’ll be introduced to and participate in the Balinese water purification ceremony. Gunung Kawi is Bali’s most impressive and mystical ancient sight, with funerary cenotaphs carved from a cliffside. Your afternoon and evening are free. Options include: white water rafting; trekking; cycling; courses: cooking, painting, batik, meditation, and more; or simply relax by the pool. In the evening, there are many venues for enjoying more Balinese dance-drama.
Day 12 Ubud
Lake Bratan; Babi Guleng
An excursion today brings us to Lake Bratan, home to Pura Ulan Danu, Bali’s most picturesque lake temple, built on a tiny island. 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. It is the quintessential Balinese feast.
Day 13 Tanah Lot
Craft villages; Tanah Lot
In the morning we’ll start south, visiting nearby craft villages to see stone carving, wood carving, painting, and more. Our final destination is Tanah Lot, Bali’s most photographed temple, built on a tidal island off the southwest coast. 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
Staying on site at Tanah Lot allows the opportunity for early risers to enjoy the glorious, tourist-free sunrise at the temple. Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s included:
13 nights accommodation (all tour hotels include AC and swimming pool*); All breakfasts, 6 dinners, 7 lunches; All tour transport (A/C vans, minibuses, or bus; Jogja flights); Full-time services of an Imprint tour director (24/7) and local Indonesian guides for sight-seeing excursions; All tips for tour director, guides, drivers, group meals, and hotel staff; All entrances and activities: Ulu Watu, Borobudur, Prambanan, Taman Sari, Royal Kraton, Tanah Lot, Besakih, Goa Gajah, Yeh Pulu, Gunung Kawi, Taman Kertha Gosa, Tirta Gangga, Tirta Empul, and Pura Ulan Danu; Amed boat excursion; Kecak Dance; Barong Dance; children’s dance class, batik demo, Jogja bird market visit, craft village or Denpasar market visit.
*except Lakeview Hotel at Mt Batur.
[Note: Additional events: Temple festivals and cremations are held regularly all over Bali. If there is an opportunity to attend either or both of these cultural ceremonies we will make every effort to participate – all expenses covered by the tour.]
Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, and flight baggage overage fees.