Experience the best of Bali and Lombok on our 10-day solo adventure. Beginning in Ubud with a welcome dinner, we explore popular sites like the Ubud Monkey Forest and Tegallalang rice terraces. Then it’s off to Lombok, where we enjoy a stunning hike to Benang Stokel and Kelambu Waterfalls. Returning to Bali for sea salt farming, we visit an ancient village, and experience a Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple. We conclude our Balinese adventure with a farewell dinner by the beach in Jimbaran – the end of a memorable escorted group tour of these two remarkable destinations.
Extras:
Arrive in Bali this afternoon after an overnight flight from the UK. On arrival, we will be greeted and transferred to our hotel for the next three nights.
Following check-in and a quick freshen up, we will meet for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
We’ll spend today at leisure, where we can spend time enjoying the hotel’s facilities or explore Ubud.
Our day begins with a visit to Ubud Monkey Forest, home to numerous trees, temples, and the cheeky crab-eating macaque monkeys. Next, we’ll explore the stunning terraced rice fields of Tegallalang and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant that embraces nature’s beauty. The journey continues to Gunung Kawi Sebatu, an ancient Hindu temple with sacred springs and intricate stone carvings, where you can participate in a ‘Melukat’ water blessing ceremony for an additional charge. Finally, we visit Kintamani for breathtaking views of the active volcano, Mount Batur, and enjoy a hot beverage at a coffee shop overlooking the volcano before returning to our hotel.
Following breakfast, we check-out of Ubud Wana Hotel and transfer to Padangbai, where we board a fast boat to Lombok. The journey will take approximately 2.5 hours with some stops along the way before reaching Bangsal Harbour in Lombok. Upon arrival, we will transfer to Holiday Resort Lombok for check-in.
After breakfast we will be picked up for a journey to the heart of Lombok Island, driving east through scenic rice fields and local villages. The hike to Benang Kalambu Waterfalls takes around an hour, traversing diverse tropical forest terrain, with the waterfall cascading into a refreshing rock pool ideal for a swim. After relaxing and enjoying the jungle ambiance, we return along the trail to Benang Stokel waterfall for a picnic lunch.
Today, we can enjoy a day at leisure. Enjoy the hotel’s facilities or explore the local area.
We head back to the harbour this morning for our boat back to Bali. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Sanur for the next three nights – Mercure Sanur Hotel.
We travel to Kusamba Beach today where we observe the age-old methods of salt farming and witness dedicated farmers producing around 5kg of pure sea salt daily. We engage with these farmers, learn their captivating stories, and appreciate their enduring traditions by participating in the salt production process.
After, we visit Tenganan, one of Bali’s most ancient villages, and join a workshop to weave ‘Ata’ and create traditional ‘Tenun Gringsing’ fabric using the unique double ikat technique. We enjoy a taste of pure honey from stingless bees, known for its health benefits, and savour ‘Cang’ tea made from the red wood tree, prized for its antioxidant properties.
The day concludes with a traditional Balinese lunch prepared by local villagers, offering a memorable end to your cultural exploration.
After a morning at leisure, we’ll be picked up this afternoon to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple, perched 70 metres above sea level on a steep cliff. This temple, one of seven sea temples forming a ‘chain’ around Bali, offers dramatic views of the Indian Ocean waves crashing against the rocks. A highlight of the visit is the traditional Kecak dance performance, featuring up to a hundred male performers chanting and swaying to hypnotic music, depicting scenes from the Hindu epic – The Ramayana. After the temple visit, we dine at one of Jimbaran Bay’s best beachside restaurants, renowned for its fresh seafood and stunning views. We enjoy a group farewell dinner in this picturesque setting before returning to our hotel for the night.
We spend our final morning in Bali at leisure before being transferred to the airport for the overnight flight back to the UK.
We will be staying in comfortable four-star hotels as listed below (or similar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Denpasar Airport to Ubud is approximately 1hr 30-45 depending on traffic
Mercure Sanur Hotel to Denpasar Airport is approximately 35 – 40 minutes depending on traffic.
When visiting Bali, it’s important to dress appropriately for both the climate and the local culture. We recommend light fabrics, shorts, tshirts, sundresses etc.
When visiting temples or other religious sites, it’s important to dress modestly. Men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff of approximately £50. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
To enter Indonesia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages.
You must have a visa to visit Indonesia.
You can get a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) for:
The VOA costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah, payable in cash or by card. It is valid for single entry only. You must meet passport validity requirements and have a return or onward ticket. Most of the main airports and ports issue VOAs.
Compulsory: None
Some vaccines are still recommended for travel.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
Indonesian Rupiah IDR
There is an included hike on day 5 of this itinerary. This hike takes approx. 1hr each way, and goes through a diverse jungle terrain. A good level of fitness is required.
The macaque monkeys in the Monkey forest and Uluwatu Temple can be a considerable annoyance. Please pay attention to the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys.
The Bali provincial government has introduced a tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately £8) for all foreign tourists arriving in Bali. You can pay this on arrival
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“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
