Bali – Paradise Island

DEPARTURE

Passport and baggage check-in. Flight to Bali.

UBUD

Arrival in Denpasar, Bali. A welcome at the airport and a transfer to your hotel in Ubud. This city is the main center of Balinese culture. Known for its art, craft traditions and strong spiritual presence, it has been attracting and inspiring travelers and artists for almost a century. It is also an excellent starting point for nearby attractions and the most beautiful places on the island.

Hotel accommodation and a welcome dinner. Overnight stay in Ubud.

UBUD BALI VILLAGE

Today we will have a meeting with traditional Bali.

After breakfast a drive to the village where we will start a meeting with the tradition, culture and everyday life of Balinese people. We will begin with the visit to a primary school, where we will meet children from the surrounding villages, who will enthusiastically welcome our group. Then, greeted by representatives of the Balinese family, we will enter the house, and get acquainted with the characteristic layout and organization of space.

The first point will be a stop at a backyard temple. A local priest will perform a short blessing ceremony especially for us. Right after it, we will be shown around the most important places on the farm. We will learn the methods of making offerings (gifts to the gods) and weaving decorations needed for the ceremony.

After that we will take a walk through the rice fields. We will learn how rice is grown and take at look at its post-harvesting processing. Everyone will be able to try on their own the planting of the rice. After the walk a refreshment with fruit and fresh coconut straight from the palm tree. During dinner consisting of traditional Balinese dishes, local artists will present us with a dance show and gamelan games.

Return to Ubud in the afternoon. Time to relax by the pool, massage or walk around the city in search of beautiful Balinese products. Overnight stay in Ubud.

UBUD – THE ESSENCE OF BALI

After breakfast we will visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, home to over 600 macaques.

Later, a drive to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, offering some of the most beautiful and distinctive views on the island. For volunteers, an optional photo session on a swing or a bicycle ride on a rope over the rice terraces.

Then a visit to the Temple of Tirta Empul which means “spring of holy water”. This is one of the largest and busiest water temples in Indonesia, dedicated to God Vishnu. Travelers from all over the world flock to its sacred waters to bathe alongside Balinese pilgrims. They receive blessings from healers and priests, or simply to absorb the atmosphere of this place.

After visiting the temple, a drive to the still active volcano Batur (1770 meters). There a buffet lunch consisting of Indonesian dishes will be waiting for us on the observation deck. A moment of relaxation with a view of the volcano awaits us.

After returning to Ubud, we will visit the city bazaar, and following that go to the Balinese dance show at Ubud Palace. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight stay in Ubud.

UBUD – SEKUMPUL WATERFALL

After breakfast, a drive to the north side of the island to the largest waterfall, Sekumpul.  Sekumpul means collection. Several smaller waterfalls merge at the top and create an amazing sight. To get under the waterfall, a 30-minute walk through the canyon and rice fields awaits us.

Then we will drive to Ulun Danau Temple. It is one of the most recognizable Balinese temples beautifully situated on the shore of Lake Bratan. The smooth, reflective surface of the lake that surrounds most of the base of the temple creates a unique floating impression. The mountain mist of Bedugul surrounding the lake complements the picturesque backdrop of the temple.

After sightseeing, we will take a picturesque road to the Jatuliwuh rice terraces, known for their exotic landscapes and numerous walking routes. We will walk among rice crops and learn the secrets of rice planting. Then we will have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the rice fields. Return to the hotel and an overnight stay in Ubud.

UBUD – RELAX

Free day to rest and relax in a true Balinese style. Possibility to relax by the swimming pool and use the spa, for which Bali is so famous. Time for souvenirs.

Optionally, we recommend a sunrise trip to the still active volcano Batur (1717 meters above sea level). People who decide to go on this attraction will have to wake up very early and climb the volcano at night. However, everything will be rewarded with beautiful views at sunrise, with a panorama of the highest peak of Bali – Agung volcano (2997 meters above sea level), and Lake Batur. Additional optional excursions include rafting, cooking lessons and yoga classes. Farewell to Ubud and an overnight stay.

*all optional tours are charged extra. Cost to be confirmed with the guide.

SANUR

After checking out of the hotel, we will go to the north-eastern part of the island, to the famous Pur Lempuyang Temple located on the extinct volcano of the same name.

Lempuyang Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Bali. It is also one of the six most sacred places of worship in Bali. A characteristic point of the temple is the Candi Bentar, which is a halved gate. After sightseeing, we will go to the royal water gardens of Titra Gangga, located in the eastern part of Bali, and to the Ujung Palace. Arrival at the hotel in Sanur in the late afternoon. Sanur is the oldest exclusive resort in Bali, situated on the beach on the east coast of the island. Overnight stay in Sanur.

NUSA PENID

After an early breakfast, transfer to the port of Sanur and a cruise (approx. 30-45 minutes) by a fast boat to the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. We will start exploring this charming island from the east coast. A drive to the famous Diamond Beach. It is an untouched, white, sandy and silky blue water bay. We will also see Atuh Beach, surrounded by magnificent green cliffs.

The postcard landscapes of turquoise water, green cliff coast and rocks in the sea scattered along beautiful sandy beaches delight everyone.

Lunch and relaxation in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Nusa Penida.

NUSA PENIDA – NUSA DUA

After breakfast, we will go to the most famous point on the island – Kelingking Beach, from where you can see a hidden beach from a high cliff. The characteristic shape of the cliff resembles a dinosaur, hence its common name: T-Rex.  Broken Beach is also nearby, with a natural tunnel made of rocks. Finally, time to relax in Crystal Bay, where you can swim with a mask and snorkel.

Transfer to the port for a return cruise to Bali and an overnight transfer to Nusa Dua, located in the southern part of the island. Nusa DUa is considered the most luxurious location on the island. characterized by beautiful sandy beaches.

ULUWATU – JIMBARAN

Free time until noon. You can relax on the beach or by the pool.

In the early afternoon we will head towards Uluwatu. Uluwatu is a picturesque, hilly area in the southwestern corner of the island, famous for its turquoise waves, white sand beaches, impressive sea cliffs, quality surfing and fancy beach clubs. Uluwatu is named after the temple located on the cliffs.

Before we see this famous Balinese sea temple, however, we will stop at Padang Padang Beach. Although the name of this beach may seem unfamiliar, in the pictures it certainly won’t be. Made famous by Julia Roberts in the 2010 Hollywood movie “Eat, Pray and Love”, it is undoubtedly one of Bali’s most picturesque beaches.

We will also see Suluban Beach with its unusual location among the rocks. After that we will visit the Uluwatu Temple complex. At the end, transfer to Jimbaran beach, famous for the best seafood on the island. In one of the restaurants on the beach we will have dinner at sunset and after go to Nusa Dua for the night.

DEPARTURE

Rest in the hotel in Nusa Dua by the sea. Check out. Transfer to the airport and a flight back home.

Return to Chicago. Farewell to the group.