Bali 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.

Start the day with a visit to Kerta Gosa, or Hall of Justice, built in 18th century in Klungkung. It is beautifully laid out within a moat and provides an exquisite example of the Klungkung style of painting and architecture which can be seen in their ceiling murals. Continue through spectacular views of terraced rice fields to Besakih temple, located on the slope of Mount Agung, Bali highest volcano. It is called Mother Temple of Bali as it houses ancestral shrines for all Hindu Balinese and a complex of nearly 24 temples. Our next stop is Kintamani where you can enjoy your lunch with a breathtaking view over the caldera lake, Danau Batur. Driving down, we arrive in the bottom of a lush green valley, where the Gunung Kawi temple, Bali largest ancient monument is located. It consists of 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) – memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues and stand in 7m-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer cliff face. Our last stop will be Goa Gajah.

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.

You will be picked up by private vehicle with an English speaking guide from Ubud and transferred to your South Bali hotel.

Join fellow travellers on the 26 meters long catamaran across the Badung strait to Nusa Lembongan! This day cruise to Nusa Lembongan includes snorkeling, banana boat, village tour and buffet lunch including beer or selected wines on the island. Enjoy fantastic snorkeling and glass bottom boat rides in the afternoon before returning to Bali.

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

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English-speaking driver.