Family Island Hopping

Day 1 - Welcome to Bali

To the uninitiated, Bali might seem just like another popular tourist destination, but for anyone who visits its shores, it is impossible not to be touched by a certain magic from the ‘Island of the Gods’. The predominantly Hindu island, gives visitors the chance to have a unique and fascinating cultural experience, while still being able to partake in any number of exciting or relaxing activities, like surfing, golf, massage and diving. Bali is an island paradise, with lush rice field terraces, stunning volcano and lake views and beautiful beaches, but it is often the warmth and friendliness of the Balinese people, that make any stay on the island so memorable. Bali has developed into a sophisticated tourist destination offering some of the most exclusive, award winning, hotels, restaurants and spas in the world, all of which are just a short drive from Bali’s international airport.

Arrive in Denpasar International airport and after immigration done, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel in Ubud

Day 2 - Ubud – Tirta Gangga – Lempuyang Temple

Today, you will drive to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a lovely maze of pools and fountains surround by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues.

Lunch at Local restaurant before continue to Lempuyang Temple, known as ‘Gateway to Heaven’ among travelers and one of Bali’s oldest and most highly regarded temples, it is also believed to predate the majority of Hindu temples on the island. Definitely a highlight on any travel itinerary for the fit and adventurous, the main temple lies at 3,800 feet above sea level, up on the peak of the namesake Mount Lempuyang in East Bali. The heights are reachable via a steep staircase of over 1,700 steps, with attractions along the way including several other temples and hordes of grey long-tailed macaques that inhabit the surrounding cool mountain forests.

Day 3 - White Water Rafting

Today experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Ayung River. The approximately two-hour long water adventure begins with a transfer to the start point followed by a safety and equipment briefing given by your expert instructor. It’s then headlong into the first set of thirty-three Class II & III rapids as you rush past untamed rainforest, towering gorges and magnificent rice paddy terraces. All the while your professionally trained and experienced guide will call out instructions and safely navigate you and the Avon-branded raft through torrents, tight turns and inclined rapids.

Enjoy the picturesque scenery along the way and end the action-packed morning with a hot shower followed by a delicious buffet lunch overlooking majestic mountains and rice paddy fields.

Day 4 - The Beauty of Central Bali on Bike & Foot

Begin your day after breakfast by pick up from your hotel in Ubud and driving up by car to Kintamani. This is a stunning starting point, with views (weather permitting) over the active volcano Mount Batur, which sits alongside Lake Batur, and the surrounding landscape of Central Bali. After a light breakfast, a short drive will bring you to the cycling starting point in Abuan village, from where you will wind your way downhill through the colourful tapestry that is the Balinese countryside. You will do several stops en route, taking in key sights and interesting highlights. You will pass scenic traditional Balinese villages and housing compounds, as well as lovely local temples. Say hello to the local children and villagers and revel in a life unchanged for centuries. Pass by blazing green rice paddies, lush and verdant and full of life.

Change back into a car and continue to the amazing rice terraces of Tegalalang, where you will also visit the local village market. This colourful marketplace has a wide range of items on display including clothing, textiles, leather goods and locally crafted souvenirs. Have fun wandering around and making the odd purchase, but keep in mind prices are negotiable so remember to bargain for a fair one.

Wind your way back to Ubud and arrive at the amazing art and cultural centre of Arma Kafe for lunch. Here you will savour either a crispy duck menu with Balinese side dishes, or a 3-course Indonesian meal, whichever you prefer.

After lunch, begin your exploration of the scenery of Ubud by foot. Your ramble will pass over the lush river valley of Tukad Wos, commonly known as the Campuhan Ridge, offering views of Gunung Agung and glimpses of small village communities and rice fields. This is a light trek, lasting around 2 hours.

You will have an orientation as you begin at the beautiful Gunung Lebah Temple, which means ‘small hill’ in the Indonesian language. This temple was built in the 8th century, and has become synonymous with Ubud and Balinese history.

From here, you will amble gently north, walking up onto the valley ridge between the two rivers. Continue north along the Campuhan ridge, arguably the finest trek in Ubud with spectacular views. This place has been regarded as holy for centuries and the peace of this landscape is guaranteed to soothe, as you walk between the tall green grasses. Afterwards return to your hotel in Ubud and spend the remainder of your day at your leisure.

Day 5 - By speedboat off to Gili

This morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Padangbai, to board the speedboat to Gili Trawangan. From there, it will only take about half an hour by local boat to get to the lovely small island of Gili Meno, where you will stay at our favourite Mahamaya Hotel.

Day 6 & 7 - Diving around Gili

The next two days you can simply relax and enjoy the beach or take trips to the nearby islands. Only two kilometres long and one kilometre wide, Gili Meno is the smallest of the three Gili islands and by far the most tranquil. It’s possible to walk around the island along the beach, or the paths criss-crossing Gili Meno in under two hours.

Day 8 - Back to Bali

At appointed pick up time, you will be transferred to the harbour for your boat transfer to Bali.

Remainder day will be at leisure.

Day 9 - Monkey Forest Tanah Lot Tour

Your excursion begins with a drive into Central Bali and small town of Mengwi. Long associated with the Balinese Royal Family, Mengwi is home to the superb temple complex at Taman Ayun. Translating as ‘beautiful garden’ Taman Ayun is considered by many to be one of island’s most attractive temples and is still used today by people from all over Bali for special ceremonies and events.

Next head to Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest. This small forest is populated with giant nutmeg trees and home to hundreds of macaque monkeys (*). Spend a while observing their characteristics and mannerisms before heading south to the island’s most famous temple complex at Tanah Lot.

With its spectacular location, Tanah Lot is an integral part of Balinese mythology and one of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island. The temple is only accessible at low tide but despite its off-shore location in the Indian Ocean, it features a fresh water spring at its base which is said to contain holy water. As a result the temple is extremely sacred and Balinese visit from all over the island to drink the water and splash it over their bodies in order to cleanse themselves of any bad spirits. The temple’s inner sanctum is located on top of the rocky outcrop and only accessible to Balinese Hindus.  You will arrive in time for sunset when photographic opportunities abound.

(*) The macaque monkeys here can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys.

Day 10 - Sunset Over Uluwatu & Kecak Dance Performance

Travel to the southern-most tip of Bali to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple (*). One of seven sea temples that are said to form a ‘chain’ around the island, it is undoubtedly one of the region’s most venerable places of worship. Perched approximately 70 metres above sea level atop a steep cliff, the temple also has one of the most dramatic locations on the island and is the perfect vantage point from which to observe the huge waves as they roll in from the Indian Ocean and crash against the rock face below.

One of the highlights of this excursion is the opportunity to witness a traditional display of Kecak dance, which is regularly performed at Uluwatu. The Kecak dance features up to a hundred male performers who form a circle and sway and chant to hypnotic music. This ritual dance is based on an ancient story from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. King Rahwana captures Sita, the wife of Rama and the drama depicts the battle between King Rahwana and the monkey god, Hanuman.

A seductive crescent of white sand and blue sea, Jimbaran Bay has a reputation for having some of the best seafood on the island and after your visit to Uluwatu you will have the chance to dine in one of Jimbaran’s best beach restaurants overlooking the Jimbaran bay. The fresh seafood menu and ambient beachside location merge perfectly into a truly sumptuous dining experience.

(*) Please note there are macaque monkeys at Uluwatu Temple and they can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys.

Day 11 - Relax and enjoy

Optional: Snorkelling at Blue Lagoon

This tour is great for all ages, also families who want to do a bit of snorkelling and see a few of Bali’s hidden gems. Snorkelling at Blue Lagoon is one of Bali’s most beautiful places to snorkel with many spots to explore for all levels of confidence and skill set.

Depart by shared transfer to Blue Lagoon Beach, located just northeast of Padangbai in East Bali. With a steep white sand bottom sloping gradually to 22m, Blue Lagoon is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, bright white sandy bottom and delightful corals swarmed by an abundance of brightly coloured fish. Blue lagoon has some very nice and shallow reefs that are perfect for snorkelling encounters. There is loads to see here from Napoleon wrasse, several kinds of reef shark, stone fish, morays, blue ribbon eels, rays and stargazers to name just a few.

Enjoy this fantastic day trip with stunning snorkeling experiences at Blue Lagoon and relaxing on the boat’s sundeck with a picnic lunch before you will return to your hotel.

Note: The Snorkeling operator reserve the right to amend the snorkeling sites on spot depending on each guest’s snorkeling proficiency.

Day 12 - Departure

Enjoy your free day at leisure until your transfer time to the airport to catch your flight to your onward destination.