Day 1: South of Bali – Ubud (with Lunch)
This day trip begins in Batubulan with an electrifying performance of the Barong dance show, combining elaborate costumes, deft choreography and the lively crescendo of a gamelan orchestra.
Then drive through Balinese countryside to Mas, a village famous for its impressive woodcarvings. A stop is made at one of the many woodcarving factories where you can see artisans chipping intricate designs from blocks of wood.
Next visit is to the mysterious Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) which dates back to the 3rd century. Hewn out of the rocks, the cave entrance is fantastically carved and depicts entangled leaves, animals, ocean waves and demonic human shapes.
The route then takes you to one of Bali’s holy springs. The waters are believed to have magic curative powers and people journey from all over Bali to purify themselves in the clear bathing pools.
In Ubud, the artistic heart of Bali, visit one of the many art galleries and perchance catch an artist at work.
The road to Ubud is a haven for arts lovers with small family run workshops lining roadside, you will sew local artist employing skills, traditions and tools dating back centuries. The town of Ubud is Bali’s flourishing center for the arts and a shopper’s paradise, with colorful stalls of wood carvings, textiles and souvenirs on every street.
Overnight in Sanur/Kuta.
Day 2: Ubud – Rafting (with Breakfast & Lunch)
As you carve through some of Bali’s most appealing landscape, the Ayung River provides a thrill that begins the moment you push of from the riverbanks. As you switch between Class I and II rapids, you will wind through deep valleys with cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs of prehistoric significance.
On the more leisurely stretches through tropical forests you will see Hindu shrines that are brightly decorated on ceremonial days of prayer. Just as you think it is all coming to an end, the unpredictable Ayung River propels your raft into yet another rapid.
Sobek’s two hour, visually spectacular rafting trip down the Ayung River is made even more enjoyable and comfortable by the brand new industry leading, safety approved equipment.
This adventure for guests of all ages is a mix of wild excitement, breath taking views and well guided, informative, sightseeing.
Overnight in Ubud.
Day 3: Ubud – Lovina (with Breakfast & Lunch)
From Ubud, drive to the bustling commercial town of Tabanan, where you will leave the busy roads and make your way up into the mountains. Passing neat rice terraces clinging to the hillside, the road leads you to the remote Pura Luhur Batukaru, a temple set amidst lush tropical forests, half way up the steep slopes of mount Batukaru.
From Pura Luhur Batukaru you will take a tiny back-road leading across steep rice terraces to the village of Jatiluwih.
As the road winds up into the mountains, stunning views can be seen from all sides. At 1.500 meter above sea level you will arrive in Bedugul, a cool mountain retreat nestled on the shores of Lake Bratan, filling the crater of an extinct volcano.
We will visit Candi Kuning traditional market, to discover up-close the fascinating variety of exotic produce grown in the area’s fertile volcanic soil. Still in Bedugul, from here you will visit the peaceful and sacred temple on the lake of Ulun Danu Temple.
Following a scenic road your next point of call will be the beautiful waterfall at Gitgit. Renowned as Bali’s most dramatic waterfall, the cool cascading waters are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
From Gitgit you will leave the hills and drop down to the north coast and the city of Singaraja, once an important administrative center. The city has a relaxing cosmopolitan air, with tree-lined avenues, wide market streets and interesting colonial architecture. About 6 kilometers west from Singaraja you will arrive at Lovina, a long stretch of black sand, bordering numerous coastal fishing villages.
Overnight in Lovina.
Day 4: Lovina – Candidasa (with Breakfast & Lunch)
Early in the morning, it’s optional for you to join Dolphin Tour, arranged by hotel. Sailing from Lovina Beach to the sea by a local boat, for a good chance to greet some groups of hopping dolphins during the way.
After short Singaraja city tour visiting the ancient harbor of Buleleng, the city center and and old Chinese Temple, drive down to Candidasa passing Kintamani.
Approaching the Batur area, swirling mists are likely to obscure the view and increase the chill.
Follow the road passing the villages of Kintamani and Batur, suddenly you find yourself perched on the rim of a crater measuring some 14 km across. From here you have a stunning view of the still active Mount Batur surrounded to one side by the blue waters of Bali’s largest lake, Lake Batur, and on the other by lava fields and cultivated patches. When you will leave behind this fascinating scenery and will descend to the lush, green picture postcard Bali, you will certainly feel like you’ve just crossed over to a different place and time.
Continuing south from Penelokan, the road begins to descend towards the central-eastern regency of Bangli. The small sleepy town of the same name contains one of Bali’s most beautiful temples, the 11th century Pura Kehen.
From Kehen we proceed to Klungkung, once the center of Bali’s smallest but most important kingdom and a great artistic and cultural focal point. The painted ceiling of the Kertagosa (Hall of Justice) depicting the punishments awaiting evil-doers in hell and the delights of the gods in heave, is a superb example of architecture.
Driving eastward we are heading to Candidasa through the village of Sidemen and Putung which offer a magnificent view down across a valley of rice terrace to the sea and South Bali.
Overnight in Candidasa.
Day 5: Candidasa – South of Bali (with Breakfast)
In the morning you will visit one of the few remaining Bali Aga “original Balinese” villages. Tenganan is a walled village full of unusual customs, festivals and practices. Ritual clothing is an indispensable part of the village’s sacred order, their double ikat fabrics, known as geringsing, ranking among the masterpieces of traditional textile art.
Proceed visit to Puri Agung Karangasem. This palace was built at the end of the 19th century. Main attraction is building architecture, which is the combination between Balinese, Chinese and European architecture.
Continue to Taman Ujung water castle, which was initially called as Taman Soekasada. Continue through the eastern coast the main road meets the coast at the fishing village of Kusamba, with its dramatic black sand beaches. Last visit will be Goa Lawah (bat cave) Temple, one of the state temples of the Klungkung Regency.
The cave itself is home to hundreds of thousands of bats, crowds of kneeling devotees with colorful offerings, burning incense and priest’s prayers make a visit to Goa Lawah during the ceremony a fascinating experience.
Drive on to south of Bali.
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