Spiritual Bali

After breakfast in the morning, meet with the tour guide and driver and head out for a fun-filled day of sightseeing. The city tour of Ubud begins with a visit to the Peliatan Palace for a look at its traditional Balinese architecture. Next is a stop at the ARMA Museum, which provides excellent insight into Balinese art and culture. Next is a visit to Ubud’s sacred Monkey Forest to meet its cheeky inhabitants and the lush tropical jungles in which they live. Afterwards enjoy some free time at Ubud Market and watch as local vendors sell everything from food and clothes to souvenirs and art -great place to get a feel for local life in the area. Lunch is served in Indus Restaurant. From here, enjoy beautiful views over Tjampuhan Valley. In the afternoon, drive back to Ubud by a different road towards the area of Pekedui near Tegalalang for views of some of the most beautiful rice terrace landscapes in Bali. Enjoy a 1-hour soft trekking in Tegalalang. Walk down the rice terraces with the local guide and learn about the unique subak irrigation system that is common to Bali. Rice fields are a signature of Bali and these quiet verdant paths lined by palm trees provide great photographic opportunities. Enjoy a coffee break at this beautiful location away from the crowds. The last stop of the day is on the way back to Ubud in Petulu. The area is well-known by nature-lovers who come to witness the roosting of thousands of herons who gather here in the late afternoon every day. Return to the hotel in Ubud to freshen up and take a rest. In the evening, head out to witness an incredible traditional dance performance followed by a dinner of local specialties.

After breakfast, depart Ubud for an excursion to Mt Batur. Drive along small, scenic roads offering beautiful views of the rice fields and the daily life of the Balinese farmers. The first stop is a visit to the unique temple of Gunung Kawi. Set amidst lush rice terraces, these 11th century temples feature 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face. They stand seven metres tall and combine ancient Hindu and Buddhist temple attributes. There are numerous stairs leading down to the temple, so good walking shoes are recommended. Continue to the nearby village of Tampaksiring to explore Tirta Empul, a temple famous for its sacred spring water. All Balinese bathe here at least once a year for a ritual cleaning in these holy waters dedicated to Vishnu. We drive on further to the North until reaching Kintamani, a volcanic region with breathtaking views of Mt Batur. Adjacent to the volcano is the large crescent-shaped Batur Lake. The entire area is surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim. Stop for lunch at Sari Organik Pulu Mujung the restaurant looks out at the caldera of the Batur volcano. In the afternoon, we drive back to Ubud by a different road towards the area of Bangli. Along the way, stop at Penglipuran, a traditional countryside village known for its unique building style and architecture and Kehen Temple, often called ‘Mini Besakih’.

Today, after breakfast, start with a visit to the royal Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi for a look at its beautiful ponds, multi-tiered roof structures and traditional Balinese architecture. Next we drive north to Lake Bratan for a visit to Ulun Danu Temple. The temple is set in the lake’s calm waters on several small islands giving the impression that it is ‘floating’. It’s widely considered to be one of the most photogenic temples in Bali -so be sure to take a few photos! Afterwards, we have a look at the local market which is famous for its extensive collection of exotic tropical fruits, vegetables and species. Continue with a visit to Bali’s UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih for panoramic views of its iconic rice terraces. Located on a slope near the holy mountain of Batukaru, this area is known as the ‘Rice Granary of Bali’, and is one of the best examples of subak-style rice farming. Here, we go for a one-hour leisurely walk through the rice fields for an up-close look at the verdant scenery. Late in the afternoon, arrive at the incredible sea temple of Tanah Lot -one of Bali’s most famous temples. Set dramatically on a small island just off from the beach, watch as the sun sets behind the horizon in one of Bali’s most iconic places to watch sunset. Return to Ubud. Overnight in Ubud.