Essentials of Indonesia: Bali, Lombok & Yogyakarta

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.

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

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English-speaking driver.

Fly one way from Bali to Yogyakarta.

You will be picked up by private vehicle with an English speaking guide and transferred between the airport and your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Prambanan village to visit the Prambanan Temples. The Hindu temple complex was erected in the 9th century while Java was ruled by the Hindu Sanjayas Old Mataram in the north. The complex consists of 4 major temples/shrines such as Candi Shiva Mahadeva, Candi Brahma and Candi Vishu, Candi Nandi as well as the Candi Sewu. The Ramayana story is carved into the walls of the temples. Enough time is given to stroll around and to observe the beautiful carvings.

This tour will bring you to the world's biggest Buddhist monument complex. Pick up from the hotel and drive about one hour to visit Borobudur. Looming out of a patchwork of bottle-green paddies and swaying palm tops, this colossal Buddhist relic is one of the continent's marvels. Built around 800 A.D after the decline of buddhism and the shift of power to East Java, the monument was abandoned soon after its completion. For centuries the complex lay forgotten, buried under layers of volcanic ash. Climb up to the top and enjoy a wonderful view on the Menoreh mountains. Enough time is given to stroll around the complex and to discover its beauty. Afterwards continue to visit the nearby located temples such as Candi pawon, Mendut. Around lunchtime return back to the hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and begin your city tour by visiting the Keraton Palace, located in the heart of the old city. This huge palace of the sultans of Yogyakarta is effectively the center of a small walled city within the city. Over 25,000 people live within the greater Kraton compound, which contains its own market, shops, batik and silver cottage industries, schools and mosques. Next, you will proceed to the nearest bird market and afterwards, continue to Kota Gede. Kota Gede has been famed as the hub of Yogyakarta’s silver industry since the 1930’s. But this quiet old tow, which is now a suburb of Yogya, was the first capital of the Mataram Kingdom, found by Panembahan Senopati in 1582. Visit the busy silver workshops as well before being transferred back to your hotel.

You will be picked up by private vehicle with an English speaking guide and transferred between the airport and your hotel.

Fly one way from Yogyakarta to Lombok.

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

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.

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.