Today, you will fly from the selected airport to the Indonesian gem, Bali, with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You land at Bali’s international airport, Ngurah Rai, in Denpasar, and go through immigration where you are issued with a tourist visa. You then pick up your luggage and proceed into the arrivals hall where your guide will be waiting for you, holding up a TourCompass sign, and you will feel the warm Balinese hospitality immediately. You will be driven to the hotel in Ubud, which enjoys a central location in the scenic highlands surrounded by deep valleys, rippling rivers, light green rice fields, charming houses and temples.

After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please, allowing you to relax and acclimatise to the lovely warm climate.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the small town of Tampasiring, north-east of Ubud. Here, you will visit the sacred water temple Tirta Empul, located by 12 sacred springs. The temple is incredibly beautiful with fine sculptures, carvings and small fish ponds full of carp. The temple is most famous for its pool containing the sacred water, where you can bathe and cleanse your soul alongside the locals, who leave offerings and light incense sticks that fill the air with their special scent.

From Tirta Empul, you will be driven to the Gunung Kawi temple complex, one of Bali’s oldest temples. Gunung Kawi is set in a valley surrounded by lush jungle, and stairs take you past verdant rice terraces and tall palms down to the temple itself. The Pakerisan River, which has religious significance for Balinese Hindus, flows alongside Gunung Kawi. Water passing through a sanctuary is said to be transformed into holy water. When you get to the river, you have to cross a small stone bridge to get to the main attraction of the temple: the ancient royal tombs carved into the rocks. You have time here to walk around and admire the ancient, serene site dating back to the 11th century.

Today’s excursion is rounded off at Tegalalang’s unique rice terraces, which are some of the most beautiful on the island. You can walk along the edge of the rice fields or simply stand and enjoy the view over the photogenic terraces.

You will be back at the hotel in the afternoon.

The day is yours to relax by the pool, go for a walk into the centre of Ubud or purchase one of our extra excursions, which you read more about below.

Ubud is a lovely town with a very special charm and atmosphere. Religion and traditions are practised wholeheartedly, and ceremonial processions often take place in the streets where you can see the Balinese Hindus dressed in white, carrying large baskets of fruit and flowers on their way to the temples. It is a truly wonderful and atmospheric thing to experience.

You will also find that many local and international artists have settled here in the town, which is why Ubud is also known as “the artistic heart of Bali”. All along the main street, the creative souls have opened wonderful exhibitions and galleries displaying arts and crafts, side by side the cosy little shops selling jewellery, clothing and bags, etc.

Ubud is also known for its many exciting restaurants, whether you’re into Indonesian, Japanese, Italian, vegan or a big fan of organic produce. After a delicious meal, you can sit yourself down at one of the cosy coffee bars and just soak in the atmosphere.

Today, you will gain an excellent insight into the Balinese culture and traditions in the small village of Rumah Desa, located 35 km north-west of Ubud. You will have the opportunity to participate in some of the daily activities that take place in the village.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and head for the unspoilt landscapes of Tabanan province. Along the way, a stop will be made at the royal temple complex Taman Ayun, which dates back to 1634. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and beautiful gardens with jade green fish ponds and the finest lotus flowers.

You will then be driven the last stretch to the village of Rumah Desa, where you will be met by a local host who will show you around. You will see and hear how the families live, cook, build houses and farm, and if you’re game, you’ll have the chance to participate in the activities yourself. There will also be a walk through the village, taking in its small houses, temples, the local school and a beautiful landscape with exotic plants and trees. You will also pass the stunning green rice fields, where you will see the farmers at work with their water buffaloes, and observe how the coconut palms are climbed and how the coconut oil is extracted.

Back at the village, a lovely Balinese lunch is served before you head back to Ubud.

You’re back in Ubud in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

After breakfast, you check out of the hotel and are driven to Sidemen, 40 km east of Ubud, with three exciting stops on the way there.

The first stop is at the village of Penglipuran, a traditional, old Balinese village located in the scenic eastern highlands. The village is lovely and charming, and its inhabitants have managed to uphold the age-old traditions that have been passed down through many generations. On a walk through the village, you will meet the smiling villagers and see the wonderful traditional houses, small temples and exotic trees and plants. You will also notice that the village is incredibly quiet and serene. Motor vehicles are not allowed in the village, so it is incredibly clean here. In fact, in 2016, Penglipuran was named the third cleanest village in the world after Giethoorn in the Netherlands and Mawlynnong in India.

After visiting Penglipuran, you will be driven to the nearby 11th-century Kehen Temple. The temple is often compared to the magnificent Mother Temple Besakih because of the similarities and the amazing architecture that makes it one of Bali’s most beautiful temples. Kehen Temple is located on the slope of the Bukit Bangli ridge, and 38 steps lead up to the beautifully decorated gate at the entrance, opening into the temple’s gardens, impressive stone carvings and the iconic Meru shrines with their thatched roofs.

The last stop is the fascinating and photogenic waterfall, Tukad Cepung, a hidden gem in the jungle east of Kehen Temple. Steps lead down from the car park to the jungle, and after around 20 minutes you reach the bottom. You then follow a path along a stream, observing the lush surroundings as you go. Please note that you will be walking in water on the final stretch to the waterfall itself, so remember to wear good shoes that can get wet! The sight of Tukad Cepung takes everyone’s breath away. The waterfall drops 15 metres between impressive rock formations, and in good weather, you can see the sun’s rays shine down into the cave, creating the perfect photo.

There will then be time for lunch before you are driven to the hotel in Sidemen, arriving at some point in the afternoon. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Sidemen is located in the scenic eastern highlands and is in many ways reminiscent of Ubud with its hilly terrain and beautiful landscaped rice terraces, which are like steps up the hillsides. However, Sidemen is far more pristine, with far fewer tourists, and is often called “The real Bali”.  Looking down over Sidemen Valley, you will see Bali’s largest volcano, Mt. Agung, towering 3,000 metres above the landscape. The volcano is shrouded in clouds, but on a clear day, it forms a beautiful backdrop to the lush rice terraces.

Today, a scenic 2-hour hike in the area around the hotel awaits you. The guide will accompany you through the picturesque rice fields and plantations, where you will see coffee, cloves, bamboo and tropical fruit such as salak, also known as snake fruit due to its snake-like pattern. The tour provides insight into the local life and the everyday routines of the farming community. You will learn about life in the fields and about the traditional working methods as well as the unique and ancient subak irrigation system which provides water for the fields. The tour ends with a visit to a nearby village known for its impressive weaving techniques.

You will then return to the hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day doing exactly as you please. While in Sidemen, you should be sure to taste the local palm wines Tuak and Arak, which are produced in the area.

After breakfast, you check out of the hotel and continue to the east coast of Bali to the small town of Amed.

On the way, you will visit the magnificent Besakih temple complex. It is not known precisely when the temple is from, but the stone foundation is believed to be more than 2,000 years old. Besakih is scenically situated at the foot of the majestic Mt. Agung volcano. The volcano erupted violently in 1963, causing great devastation. Miraculously, the devastating lava flowed around Besakih, which is considered a sign from the gods. Known as the Mother Temple, Besakih is Bali’s largest, most important and most sacred temple of Balinese Hindus. The complex consists of a total of 23 temples, built on six levels up the slopes of Mt. Agung – an amazing sight! You really get a sense of the spiritual world here.

You will then be driven to the incredibly beautiful royal water garden, Tirta Gangga, which was built by the last king of Karangasem Province in 1946. After Mt. Agung’s violent eruption, most of Tirta Gangga was destroyed, but the garden was rebuilt and is open to the public today. Tirta Gangga is incredibly beautiful with fabulous statues, fountains and ponds containing carp and the most beautiful lotus flowers. You will have lunch at a local restaurant inside the garden itself.

You will then be driven to the hotel in Amed, where you arrive in the afternoon. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Amed is a quiet little village located east of Mt. Agung and north of the eastern headland of Bali. The atmosphere is relaxed, the coastline is beautiful and the scenery fantastic. Amed has not yet been overrun by tourists, and the tourists who have found their way here mainly come for the area’s excellent snorkelling and diving, where you can experience colourful corals, tropical fish, sea turtles and, not least, old shipwrecks.

There are no excursions planned for today, so the day is yours to do as you please.

You might like to start your morning with a stroll along the dark volcanic beach and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the sea and the gentle lapping of the waves. You may be lucky enough to see the local fishermen and salt farmers on the beach. Amed is known for its fishing and unique sea salt extraction methods.

After breakfast, you can relax on a sun lounger and enjoy Amed’s laid-back atmosphere. You could also lace up your walking shoes and head out into the lush countryside, which offers numerous great hiking trails and breathtaking views. If you’d like to know more about local village life, you can head down some of the inland trails and experience the smiling East Balinese in the charming little village communities.

It goes without saying that you also have the opportunity to purchase a snorkelling trip to Amed’s beautiful undersea world, which you can read more about below.

If you didn’t get to experience the beautiful sunrise yesterday morning, don’t miss out on seeing it this morning before you leave Amed.

At noon, you check out from the hotel, and you will then be driven to the quiet beach area of Lovina, located on Bali’s north coast. You drive along one of Bali’s most scenic routes, with dramatic rock formations on one side and sapphire blue sea as far as the eye can see on the other.

About halfway, you stop for a break with coffee and snacks. You then continue towards Lovina, arriving late afternoon, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Lovina is famous for its long shimmering dark volcanic beach and gentle waves. For a lot of people, Lovina is all about the dolphin safari. However, we have chosen not to offer this, as the experience does not live up to our animal welfare standards, which you can read more about her.

From the beach, you can witness the most beautiful sunset in the evening, painting the sky in shades of red, orange and sometimes violet.

There’s nothing on the itinerary today, leaving you free to choose whether you want to relax by the pool or on the beach or go on one of our extra excursions.

You could also head into Singaraja, which is the main town in the area, just 9 km from the hotel. Not many tourists come here, so you can enjoy an authentic experience in the streets, several of which are lined with avenues of trees and buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era.

After breakfast, there is check-out and you will be driven towards Ubud.

En route for Ubud, you will visit the popular Gitgit waterfall. From the car park, steps and walkways lead you through the lush, green jungle and down to the foot of the majestic waterfall. Here you will be enveloped in the mist from the water which tumbles 40 metres into a natural pool, where it is even possible to bathe.

Next, you will be driven up into the heights with stops at the Twin Lakes, Tamblingan and Buyan, surrounded by dense rainforest in the lush and pristine highlands of Munduk. The two lakes were previously one large lake, but in about 1800, a landslide divided the lake in two, so that they are now separated by an almost 2 km ridge.

From here, the trip continues to the beautiful and nearby Lake Bratan, which is located at an altitude of 1,200 metres and encircled by mountains. Due to the location, it can be cool and hazy, which adds an air of mystery to the lake. Out in the lake is the famous and beautiful water temple Ulun Danu, which is probably the most photographed temple on Bali. On clear days, the surrounding mountains and the temple are reflected in the tranquil lake, which makes the whole thing look like a painting.

The last visit before reaching Ubud is the local and colourful Candi Kuning Market in Bedugul province. The market is known for its fresh fruits and vegetables and, not least, the wonderful spices with their captivating aromas. Perhaps you need to take a couple home for your own kitchen?

You arrive in Ubud late afternoon, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Today, the time has come to say goodbye to Bali. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport in Denpasar, from which you fly home to Europe, with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You land at the selected airport after a wonderful holiday, a great many memories the richer.