Breathtaking Bali

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 2 days before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

Welcome to Bali! Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will be met at the airport before transferring to our hotel. This evening, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we'll discover many diverse angles of Balinese life, from culture to food to agriculture, on this one-of-a-kind trek to Kintamani in the eastern Bali highlands. We'll visit “Elephant Cave,” an ancient sanctuary with creatures carved into the glistening stone, and then the sacred Holy Spring Water of Tirta Empul in Tampak Siring. Here we'll witness a Balinese ritual of body and mind cleansing. We'll have the chance to put on a sarong, dip into the chill water and let holy water run over our heads. We'll sample delicious local coffees and hot drinks, including the world’s most expensive coffee, the famous “Coffee Luwak.” Upon reaching Kintamani, we'll take in the stunning views of mountains, lakes, and rice fields; the best view is only a short hike away, at the serene and less-frequented Tegalalang Rice Terraces.

Today we'll enjoy a leisurely morning at our hotel, with a chance to swim by the pool or enjoy other interesting facilities the hotel has. Later, we'll check out and begin our journey to Candidasa. Along the way, we'll visit Kusamba, the traditional sea salt harvesting village; and Goa Lawah, a unique temple home to thousands of bats.

After breakfast, we'll begin our exploration of East Bali. Our first visit will be to Tenganan Village, more commonly known as Bali Aga, the home of the original inhabitants of Bali. Continue to Tirta Gangga Water Palace where we'll enjoy lunch at Tirta Ayu Restaurant, overlooking the many pools and gardens. This afternoon we'll visit Besakih Temple, also known as the Mother Temple, the largest and holiest Hindu Temple in Bali. Comprised of 23 separate temples and perched nearly 1000 meters up the side of Mount Agung, the temple was designed to lead people upwards and closer to the top of the mountain which is believed to be sacred. After we've explored the Mother Temple, we'll return to the hotel with time to rest and relax.

After a morning at leisure, we'll check out of our hotel and travel to Munduk by car. We'll enjoy a scenic drive before making a stop at Ulun Danu Temple, the "Goddess of the Lake" Water Temple, where we'll enjoy the beautiful setting and soak in the crisp northern air. We'll continue to Candi Kuning, Bali's traditional fruit and flower market atop a picturesque hill. Here we have free time to shop for produce, just take in the local market's sights and smells or grab a quick bite to eat before we continue onward to Munduk.

After breakfast we'll take a short walk into the jungle where we'll be greeted by the rushing sounds and spectacular sight of Munduk Waterfall. Despite being one of Bali's most popular waterfalls, our morning visit is a great way to experience the beautiful cascade without the crowds. We'll continue to one of the island's best-kept secrets, Bhuana Sari Waterfall. Nestled in the tropical rainforest, this unique fall is reached by a 20-minute walk and is comprised of many smaller cascades that burst over a series of cliffs and resulting in a truly magical sight. We'll enjoy some free time to take photos and enjoy lunch independently. Next, we'll travel to our most breathtaking waterfall of the day. After a short drive, we'll follow a small downhill trail for about fifteen minutes to picturesque Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. Explore the two parallel falls, divided by rocks, with some time to swim and cool off and relax in the large pool. Afterwards, we'll return to our hotel refreshed and with free time to explore independently.

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and journey to Rumah Desa where the discovery continues with palm readings and a hike through the rolling countryside. We'll spend some time in the heart of a Balinese rice field, farming the crop alongside the farmers and water buffalo. After a hot and delicious lunch, we'll bid farewell to the friendly locals at Rumah Desa and continue to Tanah Lot, one of the most photographed temples in Bali. Perched precariously on a rock just offshore, this temple is a must-see, particularly as we near sunset when the area takes on a surreal feeling. Afterward, we'll continue to our hotel in Sanur.

Enjoy a free day to explore Bali independently or relax and enjoy the amenities of your resort. Consider one of our optional tours including a Sunrise Cycling tour of Sanur, a full-day tour of Nusa Penida Island, or a half-day Sanur Offering Making Class!

This morning is free to explore independently. This afternoon, we'll visit Pura Luhur, undoubtedly one of the region's most celebrated temples. Perched 250 feet above the water, we'll have the perfect vantage points to view the beach below and see the huge waves rolling in from the Indian Ocean and crashing against the cliffs. During our visit we'll see a Kecak dance, or Monkey dance, which features as many as 100 men swaying and chanting to the hypnotic music. This famous Balinese dance depicts an ancient story from the Ramayana when King Rahwana captured Sita, Rama's wife. The dance shows the battle between Rahwana and Hanoman, leader of the apes. Before we return to our hotel, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast this morning, our tour comes to an end as we check out of our hotel. Travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore and connecting flight back to the USA. Travelers returning to Los Angeles will arrive this evening.