DAY 1
ARRIVAL DENPASAR - CANDIDASA
Welcome to your Bali Cultural Tour! After arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, our local guide will meet you and transfer you to Candidasa in Karangasem, Bali’s eastern province. After checking in into your hotel in Candidasa, spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Meals Included: No meals included on this day.
DAY 2
CANDIDASA
Today, your Bali cultural tour will introduce you to one of the most authentic Bali village which was established in the 11th century - Tenganan Aga Village. Then, we will head out to one of the Bali's sacred water palaces, Tirta Gangga. Its name translates to 'water of the Ganges,' and the lush compound is a pilgrimage site for Balinese Hindus. Built in the early 20th century by the last King of Karangasem, the palace has many decorative ponds and fountains, tropical plants, and natural bathing pools. Next up, we will visit Taman Ujung Royal Palace which built by The King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Djelantik and continues to one of Bali’s oldest and most highly regarded temples - Pura Lempuyang Luhur. This is a complex of temples which famous for the ‘gateway to heaven’ that reveals Mount Agung framed within its sides. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 3
CANDIDASA - SIDEMEN - UBUD
After breakfast and checkout from the hotel, you will transfer to Sidemen – a small village surrounded by rice fields and agricultural land. There, we bring you a unique, immersive experience into local life on the 'Balinese daily life' program - try your hand at planting rice and plow fields along with the local farmers. You may also experience 20-minute workshops to learn about the Arak distillation and blacksmith making with a traditional oven in the Village of Sukahet Sari. Then, A 45-minute drive will take us to Besakih, commonly known as the 'Mother Temple' of Bali. Located on the western slopes of Bali’s tallest volcano, Mount Agung (2,567 meters), Besakih is the largest and most revered temple on the island. The Balinese regularly visit this sacred site for special ceremonies. Afterward, you'll transfer to Ubud for checking in into your hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 4
UBUD
This morning you will be introduced to the exotic ingredients and unique culinary heritage of Bali by joining a cooking class program. Start by heading over to the local market; you will handpick your ingredients for the class accompanied by a professional chef. Then, try your hand at crafting these specialties from scratch as you prepare a delicious feast made up of traditional Indonesian flavors. Afterward, this tour takes you to the best art gallery and museum in Ubud at The Agung Rai Museum of Art and Antonio Blanco Museum. Often called as ARMA, Agung Rai museum displays many beautiful arts and hosts regular performance four times a week. Unlike ARMA, the Antonio Blanco Museum was the house and studio of the late flamboyant Philippine-born maestro, Don Antonio Blanco. It displays paintings, collages and illustrated poetry. Next, we will set off to Elephant Temple that locally known as Goa Gajah, and then head out to one of the most scenic temples in Bali – Saraswati Temple. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 5
UBUD
This morning after breakfast, you may choose between two activities: The first choice takes you to the most idyllic rice paddies in Ubud, Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Meanwhile, the second one will bring you to the famous ancient village of Kintamani, Trunyan Village. It is inhabited by Bali Aga people who live in ways that are vastly different from other Balinese. They do not cremate or bury their dead, but just lay them out in bamboo cages to decompose. Hence, a macabre collection of skulls and bones lies on the stone platform and the surrounding areas. In the village, you will learn about this unique funeral rite tradition belongs to Aga people and a magic tree called Taru Menyan that bizarrely makes the death not smelly. Afterward, you will visit Gunung Kawi, a temple complex centered around royal tombs carved into stone cliffs in the 11th century and Tirta Empul, one of Bali’s most renowned water temples. Known for its sacred spring water, Tirta Empul is annually visited by all Balinese Hindus who come to bathe in these holy waters dedicated to Vishnu as an act of ritual cleansing. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 6
UBUD
Today, your Bali cultural tour takes you to an art village – Batu Bulan Village. There you may discover the uniqueness of storytelling in motion with a dance class teaching you the traditional movement of Balinese dances. Continue on Sukawati Market, a Bali traditional art market situated in Gianyar that offers myriad of Balinese merchandises at a low price, such as handicraft, clothes, paintings, and silver jewelry. After strolling around the market, we will set off to the sacred Monkey Forest, a sanctuary in Bali where you can spot the Balinese long-tailed monkey known scientifically as ‘Macaque'. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 7
UBUD - MUNDUK
End your day in Ubud after breakfast, and then a scenic drive will take you to Pura Batu Karu – one of nine kayangan jagat (directional temples) meant to protect Bali from evil spirits. Then, we set out to one of a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the outstanding Jatiluwih Rice Terrace. You can explore the rice paddies by an electric bike while learning about its unique subak irrigation system. The trip continues to the "floating" temple - Ulun Danu Beratan, which surrounded by the second largest lake in Bali, Beratan Lake. If you still have the stamina for strolling around, we will take you to the market of Bedugul that gives you another local produce and handicraft, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables you can buy. Afterward, you will transfer to Munduk – an eco-friendly village high up in the mountains with scenic views and numerous waterfalls. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 8
MUNDUK - LOVINA
Today, this tour will take you on a boat ride to watch over a hundred dolphins in Lovina. Embrace the warmth of the early morning sun and the crisp sea breeze to observe dolphins swim freely in the middle of the ocean. Then, you have two options to visit whether Banyumala Waterfall or Banjar Hot Spring. Banyumala Waterfall is one of the lesser known waterfalls in Bali with an utterly natural trail and rarely hiked trail. It is perfect to dip in as the depth of this waterfall can be up to two meters. Meanwhile, Banjar Hot Spring provides a recreational and therapeutic experience as it contains sulphuric content. It can be seen from the yellowish red sedimentation at several points of the spouts and pool walls. This hot spring is more enchanting due to the unique architectural designs of the temples. Your day will be closed with a picturesque vista of two crater lakes, Tamblingan and Buyan. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 9
MUNDUK - SEMINYAK
After a hearty breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and set off to Royal Temple of Mengwi - Taman Ayun which located in Mengwi District. This temple was built in 1634 and constructed as the official family temple of the Mengwi dynastic rulers. This historical piece of architecture is surrounded by a moat, magnificently carved wooden gates, and multi-roofed meru shrines. Then, you will join jewelry making and art classes where you will learn about silver-smithing and various jewelry making techniques. Continue to the famous temple of Tanah Lot that sets dramatically on a rocky outcropping in the sea to enjoy a magical sunset. The temple can only be reached on foot during low tide. Afterward, your incredible trip will transfer you to Seminyak. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 10
SEMINYAK - ULUWATU - JIMBARAN
Start your tenth day by visiting Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park which presents you a various uniqueness of Bali’s beauty in term of its fascinating histories, traditions, cultural customs, panorama attractions, and arts. There you will watch some cultural dance performance and see Indonesia’s tallest statue at 121 meters height as well, an icon of Bali. Afterward, we’ll make sure you don’t leave this fantastic island without enjoying panoramic cliff views in Uluwatu Temple and watch Kecak ‘Fire Dance’ performance. The Kecak Fire Dance is one of Bali’s most iconic art performances, famous for its dominant use of human vocals in place of gamelan instruments to accompany the dance-drama at its core. Then, you will close the day by savoring a delicious seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 11
DEPARTURE
On the final day of your Bali Cultural Tour, enjoy the last hearty breakfast at your hotel and spend the morning at your leisure until it’s time for your scheduled transfer to the airport. Afterward, it is time to say goodbye – We hope your journey with us is creating unforgettable memories, and we will be glad to see you again in another remarkable place in Indonesia! Meals included: Breakfast.