Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Seminyak & Southern Bali,East Bali,Ubud & Central Bali,North Bali
100% customisable for you
This evening you’ll board your overnight flight from the UK to Denpasar, Bali. We’ll suggest the best routing, either via one of the Gulf states or Asian hubs. Either way, the flights will take around 19-and-a-half-hours.
After your connecting flight lands at Bali's Denpasar Airport, you'll be offered an escorted, fast track immigration service (when available) before being met by your local guide and driver, who will take you to your east coast hotel. The rest of the day and evening are at leisure for you to settle in and rest after your journey.
Take it easy today as you adjust to being on Bali time. If you want to get out and about, our Concierge can book you into a cookery class where you'll use locally grown organic produce to whip up a traditional Balinese meal. Alternatively, you could discover the local villages and rice paddies by bicycle or book a snorkelling trip to the secluded Blue Lagoon beach, where a coral reef lies just offshore waiting to be explored.
Connect with the local culture today as you explore the verdant Balinese countryside with your guide. Begin at Sidemen village, where you'll watch local weavers create colourful textiles just as their ancestors once did. Surrounded by beautiful rice paddies, it's an ideal location for a short scenic hike as your guide explains how rice is grown.
Next, you'll be invited to get hands-on and join farm workers as they plant seedlings, bring in the harvest or plough the soil ready for planting. Back in the village, learn how to make the traditional offerings that locals take to their temples, try climbing a tree to collect coconuts or help out at the blacksmith's workshop. Round off the morning's activities by helping a chef prepare authentic Balinese cuisine, such as sambal (the island’s beloved hot sauce), satay and a dessert called laklak, a sweet rice flour cake.
After lunch, visit the sacred Besakih temple, located on the slopes of Gunung Agung volcano to learn about Hindu culture and take in the beautiful natural surroundings.
Today you'll take the scenic route to Ubud, one of Bali's most popular tourist destinations, with stop-offs along the way. After an early breakfast, your first stop will be at the sacred bat cave at Goa Lawah temple, which is said to have undiscovered underground connections with Besakih, the largest Hindu temple in Bali, situated on the slopes of nearby Mount Agung. Next, you'll call in at what were once the Royal Courts of Justice in Kerta Gosa. The extravagant ceiling here is a must-see, featuring Wayang-style paintings depicting a battle between good and evil. Finally, snap a family selfie at the entrance to Goa Gajah, known as the Elephant Cave. Forest and animal motifs are intricately carved into the stone at this centuries-old temple complex.
Your scenic route will get you to Ubud just in time for lunch. Take the afternoon to explore this beautiful and spiritual town at your leisure and check-in to your hotel for the next three nights.
Swap the car for two wheels as you pedal through the Balinese countryside to Bongkasa. Prepare for a day of pedalling with an early breakfast, before collecting your bikes and meeting your guide at Petang village on the outskirts of Ubud. This 90-minute cycling adventure (don't worry, it's mostly flat or downhill) will take you through backcountry tracks and past rice terraces and quaint rural villages. On these quiet roads, you're more likely to get stuck behind a buffalo than a car or a bus, and you're more than encouraged to stop and chat with passing schoolchildren or villagers, take photos of the landscapes and learn about local culture.
As a reward after your family bike ride, you'll visit a Hindu temple in Bongkasa and receive a blessing. You'll have worked up an appetite for lunch by then, so stop for a meal before cycling back to Petang. Other activities on offer include a kecak dance performance or a cookery class.
After the last few days enjoying Bali's natural beauty at an unhurried pace, it's time for an adrenaline rush. Today, we've arranged a rafting adventure for the whole family with a professional guide. Choose between the Telaga Waja River, whose Class III rapids are considered quite challenging, or opt for the gentler Ayung River which is suitable for participants of all abilities. Whichever you choose, you'll be fully briefed and guided to ensure your safety is a priority at all times. Kitted out with helmet, lifejacket and paddle, you'll head to the rafts and enjoy the exhilaration of conquering the rapids.
Make sure you take the time to enjoy the scenery during this 90- to 120-minute ride as you'll pass by steep-sided gorges, verdant countryside and the occasional waterfall. There'll be the opportunity to swim before drying off for lunch at a nearby restaurant surrounded by lush jungle and spectacular views.
Today is completely free for you to explore Ubud as you wish. Our family-friendly recommendations include Ubud's central market, which offers a fascinating glimpse into local lifestyles, and the nearby Monkey Forest with its colonies of Balinese long-tailed macaques (although you'll need to keep a tight hold of your sunglasses and bags to avoid cheeky monkeys claiming them as a shiny prize). If you're more interested in getting to grips with the Balinese culture, you're in the right place, with Ubud often dubbed as the 'cultural heart' of Bali. Be sure to visit Ubud Palace, known to residents as Puri Saren Agung, which was once home to the Ubud Royal family. Another option is a tour of the Green School, where staff and students are keen to share their experiences and show off their environmentally-focused facilities, including hydroponics and recycling centres.
Have a sweet start to the morning with a visit to a chocolate factory. Learn all about the chocolate making process before trying your hand at making a bar of your own as a souvenir or snack for the next leg of your journey to Bedugul village, situated on the fringes of the Batukaru Mountains. The forest here is a playground for thrill seekers, with zip lines, swings and rope ladders creating a circuit designed for having fun. There are courses to suit differing ages and abilities, from first-timers to mini-monkeys, meaning that the whole family can get involved.
To refuel after your treetop adventure, you can enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the picturesque rice fields and Mount Batukaru. Later, pop into the market at Bedugul where you can sample some of the local fruit, vegetables and spices on sale. Afterwards, stop for a moment of peace and a photo opportunity on the shore of Lake Bratan, where the temple of Ulun Danu is reflected in the still waters of the lake.
After an amazing day of exploring, transfer to your hotel in Menjangan and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
The next few days are yours to play with as you wish. If your family love the water, head to Menjangan Island - a short boat ride away from where you are staying - where the water conceals vibrant coral reefs. Whether you're a confident diver or casual snorkeller, you could spend your time exploring the underwater world with corals and reef walls teeming with kaleidoscopic marine life. You can spot sea fans, pygmy seahorses, vivid gorgonians, schools of snapper and even reef sharks. Another option is to visit the Bali Barat National Park. A mix of monsoon forest, mangroves and savannah, it provides a diverse habitat for a plethora of birdlife including brown boobies and lesser frigatebirds. Alternatively, your family could discover the nearby beaches and forests on horseback, either in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the energy-sapping midday heat.
See another side of Bali today as you head south towards the island's most famous beaches. You'll be in the car for around six hours today, but with such incredible scenery to watch from the window, the time will fly by. On the journey, stop to stretch your legs at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jatiluwih rice terraces, which have been managed as a cooperative for centuries. Its name translates as 'real' (jati) and 'good' or 'beautiful' (luwih) - when you arrive, you'll see exactly why.You'll eventually get to Jimbaran, an incredibly beautiful part of the island with stunning beaches and sunsets. Check into your luxury hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing.
Balinese tradition dictates that the body is the temple of the soul, so today you'll join a traditional healer in his house, nestled between a river and the jungle. This secret and sacred setting is where you will learn the principles of purification to reconnect your chakra to nature and the present moment. At the water's edge, the whole family can rebalance their energy and witness purification rituals. A traditional megibung lunch will be served to round off the visit.
In the afternoon, head to Jimbaran fish market where you will get to wander through a maze of stalls and take in the smells (little ones may want to hold their noses). Your local guide will tell you all about the Indonesian specialities on offer, and you might even get to try some of the local flavours.
Today, you’ll have a day to relax and play together on the beach. If you like, take a stroll down to Jimbaran Bay where you’ll see plenty of colourful boats at this fishing village and resort, particularly on the beach beside the Kedonganan fish market. Surfers should head south where Dreamland and Balangan beaches draw surfers from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Spend your final evening relaxing and taking in your Indonesian surroundings.
Your flight back to the UK departs later today from Denpasar Airport, but you'll have the opportunity to visit the beach one last time or spend your final hours relaxing by the pool before you have to pack up your things. Rest and prepare for your overnight flights home.
Your connecting flight lands in London early morning.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
