Explore beautiful Bali

Welcome to Ubud, the largest Hindu city in Bali and the artistic and cultural heart. Our adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 18:00, where we will meet the group leader and fellow travelers. Depending on the arrival time, we can choose to stroll through the traditional market stalls near the city center, pop into a local bar, or stretch our muscles after the flight with some yoga in one of the city's zen studios. After tonight's welcome meeting, we can decide to have dinner together in one of the delicious local restaurants.

We start the day with a guided walking tour around Ubud with your local leader (about 2.5 hours). We discover the daily life of the village as we walk through lush rice fields, an alang-alang valley (a type of wild grass used for the roofs of traditional buildings) and stop at a Balinese home for coffee. The tour ends in the center of Ubud, where we will have time to explore the many cafes, galleries, and shops on our own. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Kecak dance performance. Led not by musical instruments, but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical show is considered a highlight by many of our travelers.

Today we will explore the area from a different perspective, from the saddle of a bicycle. Let's enjoy a 2-hour and 30-minute tour through alleys, villages, and rice fields. It's a relatively easy ride - most of the route is downhill - and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or a short rest. We will also stop to take a look at some finely carved small temples, before concluding our bike tour in Ubud. After refueling with lunch, we head to the hills up to the village of Sidemen with a private minivan. Against the backdrop of Bali's highest peak, Mount Agung, the peaceful village of Sidemen is proof that Bali still has some areas untouched by tourism.

Our tour continues with an approximately 2-hour morning walk around the Sidemen rice terraces, visiting the craftsmen of the local songket weaving industry, including a traditional "bungkus" lunch. The walk is a great opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery before saying goodbye to Sidemen and heading towards the village of Sibetan. We will receive a special welcome from the village chief, followed by settling in with a host family before enjoying some free time in the afternoon. We can choose to explore the village or relax and soak up the atmosphere. Alternatively, we can take an optional cooking class. The evening meal will feature the local specialty of Salak.

This morning we enjoy a guided walk through an ancient Salak plantation with the opportunity to interact with the local community. Here we will see plants of cultural heritage: the remains of a white mango tree that was first planted in Sibetan in the 16th century and a Jaka Moding plant (a type of palm) which is a relic plant. For lunch, you will taste Tipat Blayag (Rhombus); rice wrapped in coconut leaves, paired with chicken and vegetable side dishes. After exploring the village and its surroundings on foot, we will take to four wheels for a journey higher up into the mountains, driving along the crater rim road to a fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur. The volcanic Mount Batur is situated within a desolate and spectacular caldera and with Lake Batur below, it's an awe-inspiring sight. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many villagers work as guides for climbing the volcano. Our accommodation for the evening is in a prime location to start the morning trek that awaits us tomorrow!

We wake up early in the morning at 3 to start the 1.5 to 2-hour walk up to the summit of Mount Batur to reach the top before dawn. On a clear morning, it's possible to see the Lombok Strait up to the peaks of Mount Rinjani on Lombok. The view of the stunning sunrise over the valleys of Bali might be the most memorable part of the trip. Keep in mind, however, that the weather can be unpredictable and sometimes the view is obscured by clouds. After descending from the volcano, there's the optional chance to soak in the hot springs with fantastic views of the lake and caldera. We move from the mountains to the small coastal town of Lovina, famous for its dolphins that patrol the coastline.

Let's enjoy a day of snorkeling among the coral reef of Menjangan Island, part of the West Bali National Park. On the way back from our underwater adventures, we stop for a dip at Banjar Hot Springs, a small spring popular among the locals. In the afternoon, we stop to savor a tasty cup of coffee at Global Kafe, a diner whose profits support the Global Village Foundation, providing wheelchairs and mobility aids for people with disabilities and assisting individuals with illnesses with their medical expenses. Tonight, we're going to Ibu Wayan's to learn about Balinese cooking.

This morning we will say goodbye to Lovina and head towards Sanur. Along the way, we will visit the Munduk waterfall, Lake Bratan, and if we have time, we'll stop by a local market. Then, we will visit a local family and learn how to make a Balinese offering (and you'll discover the importance of this ritual) before continuing to Sanur to enjoy some free time in the afternoon.

Our journey in Bali ends here! See you on the next tour!