Discover Bali and her lesser-known sister Lombok on this adventurous trip to Indonesia
The lowdown
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Getting There
There are no direct flights to Bali or Lombok with the quickest journey usually being via Singapore. The average journey time is between 17 – 18 hours.
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When to Go
The best time to visit Bali and Lombok is during the summer months (June to October).
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Best For
We’ve devised this holiday for a family, but as with all our itineraries we can tweak your trip to suit your wishes.
Pining for adventure? If this is you and your family, then our specially created trip to Bali and Lombok should satisfy your wanderlust. Coming with bags of intriguing culture, beautiful beaches, lush nature and a delectable cuisine, Bali and Lombok tick all the boxes.
Highlights
- Enjoy a slow-travel adventure where you’ll have time to get to know your destination on a trip that incorporates two islands
- Appreciate the different sides of Bali – rural tranquillity, cultural heartlands and coastal charm
- Get active in Bali – visit caves, temples, traditional villages and forests full of monkeys
- Savour the contrast of Lombok – quiet beaches, thatched villages and fascinating cultural heritage
- Explore the variety of Lombok: waterfalls, active volcanoes, snorkelling, surfing and boat trips to the Gili Islands.
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Uncover Ubud
Welcome to Indonesia and the first stop on your action-packed itinerary: Bali. Known for its lush interior dotted with paddy fields, rivers and waterfalls, Bali also has a brimming cultural heritage easy to explore through its temples, cuisine and welcoming people. Your first stop for five nights is the cultural hub of Ubud, located in the heart of the island, surrounded by monkey-inhabited forests and rows of bright-green rice plantations.
In the centre of this charming town are plenty of restaurants serving a delicious range of wholesome food alongside small artisan shops showing the best of Balinese craft: carved wooden ornaments, jewellery, artwork, handmade terracotta and Batik fabrics. If you wish, we can arrange a meet and tour with these talented artisans who live and work in small villages outside Ubud. An interesting stop is also the Elephant Cave temple, adorned with Buddhist carvings. While in Ubud you may like to take a traditional cookery class or watch a Barong dance performance plus visit the staggering active volcano Mount Batur and its impressive caldera.
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Beachside Bliss
From Ubud we will arrange a transfer to Bali’s southwest coast for three nights in a journey that takes around one and a half hours. Your destination is the upmarket resort of Seminyak which combines the natural beauty of its environment – white sand beaches fringed by lush greenery – with a laid-back, stylish atmosphere. Your hotel will be the tranquil Amala – a peaceful spot with a beautiful pool.
There are miles of beach to explore, equally you can have just as much fun relaxing by the pool or at a chic beach club, letting the kids enjoy the surf. You’re also not far from one of Bali’s most important Hindu temples Pura Petitenget, a Hindu Sea temple that has ornate detailing and revered wooden chests that are said to contain evil spirits. Today you’ll find ceremonial offerings around the chests plus you can enjoy the tranquil environment, decorated with ponds and lily pads. Seminyak is also a good place to admire Balinese art at the BIASA Art Space, plus wandering the boutiques, art galleries and surf shops is all part of the Seminyak experience.
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Lombok Exploration
Leaving Bali behind, you will board a boat to arrive in Lombok where you will be transferred to your hotel. With five nights here, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about your intriguing destination on the west coast of Lombok. You may like to take a Sasak Discovery Tour, finding out about the ethnic Sasak group who make up the majority of the population on Lombok including how they skilfully craft pottery and rattan plus their unique form of transport: horse and cart. A visit to the village of Sade, believed to be the oldest on the island is eye-opening with its traditional houses constructed from grass thatch, mud and cow dung. You may be able to meet the families who live here.
You will also want to make the most of Lombok’s beautiful and remote beaches – either by swimming in its crystal-clear waters or snorkelling. You can also access the paradise Gili Islands for a day trip to enjoy its remote charm and laid-back atmosphere, plus opportunity for scuba diving. Lombok also has some fantastic places for surfing, for both beginners and more experienced surfers and activity-lovers will enjoy hiking through pretty rice terraces and waterfalls to Indonesia’s second largest volcano Mount Rinjani and its crater lake. As your trip draws to a close and with your mind filled with kaleidoscopic imagery from your trip in Bali and Indonesia you will fly back to Bali for one more night before you return home.
