Bali & Lombok Discovery

Start your cultural trip with a visit to Tohpati, which is known for its batik and continue to Celuk, the center of exquisite silver works and Mas, for fine woodcarvings. Enter Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali with many fine art galleries, and a home to a score of local and foreign artists. One of them is Agung Rai Museum of Art which has an extensive collection of paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists in classic Balinese and contemporary styles. Afterwards, you can test your bargaining skill at Ubud art market prior to a visit to Puri Saren Agung whose royal family ruled Ubud from the late 1800’s until 1917.

Witness this theatrical experience. The "Cak" or "Kecak" dance is the well-known “monkey dance” which is originally derived from a sacred sanghyang dance, it has subsequently been added to and adapted, incorporating scenes from the story of Ramayana. The Kecak dance is an amazing cacophony of interlocking sounds – 100 men, representing the Ramayana’s monkey army sit in concentric circles and chant. Their arms are thrown up to the skies, fingers outstretched, but the sounds and gestures have no meaning other than to drive out evil.

Today's excursion will lead you to the rural heartland of Bali which presents an altered landscape and a different history. Your first stop is Pura Taman Ayun, founded by the King of Mengwi in the 17th century. It has three ascending levels of spacious courtyards containing rows of shrines and pavilions and is surrounded by a wide moat. The next one will be Lake Bratan, where a crater lies serenely in the midst of an elongated valley, formed centuries ago. A small temple called Pura Ulun Danu Bratan to honor Dewi Danau, goddess of the lake, can be seen on the lake promontory. Stroll along Candi Kuning market, where local fruits, vegetable and flowers are sold. After lunch, the trip continues through breathtaking valleys of rice paddies near Jatiluwih to visit Pura Luhur Batukau temple, in dense jungle near the peak of Gunung Batukau, Bali’s second highest mountain. The ancient temple complex has a number of separate sanctuaries joined by damp mountain paths, bubbling springs and a large rectangular lake with a shrine in its midst.

Sleep in this morning and relax at your hotel.

Take an excursion which shows you the must sees of West Bali starting at Pura Taman Ayun, founded by the King of Mengwi in the 17th century. It has three ascending levels of spacious courtyards containing rows of shrines and pavilions and is surrounded by a wide moat. Continue to Alas Kedaton, the holy monkey forest with its tall nutmeg trees. Your last stop will be Tanah Lot temple, one of the holiest temples in Bali which is built atop a huge rock and surrounded by the sea. Enjoy the wonderful sunset where the golden red sky frames the temple roof and the waves crash into the rocks below.

You will be picked up by private vehicle and driven to the pier in Bali where you will board a speed boat ferry to Lombok. Your guide and driver will be waiting for you in Lombok when you arrive.

This evening spend time at leisure or relax at your hotel.

The highlight of this full day tour is the deserted island of Gili Nanggu, with its beautiful beaches and clear turquoise water. On the way you will have the opportunity to sample the daily life of the local Sasak people. Visit the morning market at Kediri and stop off at the village of Banyumulek to see the Sasak women producing earthenware pottery, as they have done for generations. Continue on to sacred Mt. Pengsong, and the Hindu temple, which is inhabited by hundreds of holy monkeys. Sail from Lembar, by traditional motorized outriggers, for the 30 minutes trip to Gili Nanggu, where there will be time to relax and swim on this pristine island. Lunch will be provided midday.

Visit the village of Tetebatu and Loyok, popularly known as a peaceful and tranquil village. You will do some soft trekking to the local forest inhabited by the wild black monkeys (pitu), mahogony trees and clove plantations & enjoy the simple and natural way of life of the locals. You will also visit Lingsar temple, which symbolizes the harmony of Muslim and Hindu, Taman Narmada, a kingly garden which is also the replica of Lake Segara Anak in Mount Rinjani. Lunch will be provided along the way.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Transfer between airport and hotel with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from Lombok (Selaparang Airport) to Bali (Ngurah Rai International) today. The flight duration is approximately 25 minutes.