Bali + Lombok
Over the course of these ten days, you will dive deeply into two of Indonesia's most interesting islands. From climbing up and cooking atop a volcano to hiking through dense jungle, you are guaranteed to gain a unique perspective into the country at large and both Bali and Lombok specifically. A perfect balance of both cultural encounters and active adventures, you'll leave with memories to last a lifetime.
At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Indonesia might look like. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!
Welcome to Indonesia! Upon your arrival in Bali, you will be met just after exiting the aircraft for VIP assistance through customs and immigration. You will then be escorted to your private driver for your transfer to the lovely Mandapa resort in Ubud, where you will spend four nights in a Reserve Suite. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve Meals: N/A
This morning’s excursion will begin with a drive north to the Bedugul Regency district. Part of the island’s central highlands region, it is renowned for both its stunning beauty and also three caldera lakes (Beratan, Buyan and Tamblingan).
The first stop will be the iconic Ulun Danu Temple. This important Hindu Shivaite water temple is located on a small sliver of land that juts out into the calm waters of Lake Beratan. If the water level is high (normally only during the rainy season) it gives visitors the illusion that this 17th century temple is ‘floating’ on the lake.
After your visit, you will head in the direction of Tamblingan and begin a gentle trek down through the tropical rainforest that surrounds this attractive lake. You’ll admire the flora and fauna and take in the clean, mountain air as you hike through a region that has remained at one with nature for many centuries.
After approximately one hour, you’ll reach the shore of the lake and continue your journey by boat. Rowing across its waters in a traditional dug-out canoe, you’ll rendezvous with your driver and return to your hotel.
The remainder of your evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
After a delicious breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel.
This afternoon, you will be met by your guide for a moderately challenging walk through the various moonscape-like lava flows and ash-cones created by the numerous eruptions of Mount Batur.
The hike begins on a path running between mounds of frozen lava rock and newly grown scrubland. You will then traverse an expanse of volcanic ash and eventually head up an ash-cone to the rim of the volcano. From this vantage point you will have a wonderful panoramic view of the caldera as well as 270 degree vistas of Lake Batur, Mount Abang and Mount Agung to the east. On a clear day the imposing Mount Batukaru and Mangu Peak, part of Bali’s Western Mountain range, can also be seen.
Further up the ridge, you will encounter various fumaroles and see not only billowing steam but also mini stalactites made from multi-colored mineral deposits. Whilst you are exploring the craters, your guide will be preparing a meal heated in one of the volcano – ovens (specially prepared steam vents that can be blocked to create pressure to cook your meal). Afternoon tea will also be available.
Following your meal, you will begin your traverse back down the mountain, where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve Meals: Breakfast / Light Dinner
This morning you will visit a Brahman family in the village of Mas. Descendants of the holy priests who brought Hinduism to Bali in the 9th century, they will welcome you in their traditional home and teach you one of the most unique, yet for Balinese most common daily activities – the making of the traditional offerings.
Walking down any street in Bali, you will notice these offerings on the ground. Known as Canang Sari, they consist of small, square, woven baskets made from coconut leaves that are filled with flowers. Accompanied by an assortment of gifts for the Gods, the offerings are topped with a single smoldering stick of incense. In their simplicity, these modest offerings encapsulate Bali’s unique fusion of Hinduism. And while it is only women who craft the offerings, often entire families sit together chatting while these natural ingredients are magically transformed into beautiful creations.
You will join the family and learn how to make these Canang Sari offerings as well as the larger Gebogan – arrangements of fruit, colorful flowers and cooked chicken that are attached to a banana tree trunk by sharp bamboo skewers which come together to form a cylindrical tower. While Canang Sari are meant to be placed in houses, temples and on streets on a daily basis, Gebogan are carried by Balinese women on their heads during more important ceremonies.
Once you have finished the preparation, you will then have the chance to witness the family’s daily prayer. Dressed in sarongs, the women will place the Canang Sari in their house temple. A frangipani flower will be dipped into a bowl of holy water and sprinkled over the offering before an incense is lit. This act completes the fusion of earth, fire, wind and water. After three meditational waves of the hand and a prayer, the smoke wafts skyward, carrying the essence of the offerings up to God.
You will then drive to another Brahman house to witness how the larger Gebogan is carried to the temple. Upon arrival, it will be blessed and prayers will be made to this ancient family temple, which serves around 800 villagers. Once all rituals are concluded, the women will take the Gebogan back home and the food is shared amongst family and friends, including you.
Enjoy this traditional lunch, which includes chicken, rice, sambal and fruits before you say goodbye to your new Balinese friends and return to your hotel.
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lombok. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driven to The Kayana Lombok, your home for the next four nights. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
The Kayana Lombok Meals: Breakfast
Your day will start with a visit to one of the region’s most prominent pearl farms, located near Teluk Nare on Lombok’s western shores. Founded in 1991, this farm specializes in sourcing pearls from the waters surrounding Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia and supplies pearls to some of the most prestigious jewelers around the world.
At the farm, you will be guided through the full process of culturing a South Sea Pearl, starting with cultivation (oyster spawning), and moving through monitoring, the surgical process, and harvesting. It is fascinating to see how pearls are formed and to learn just how long it takes to cultivate one of appreciable size. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to make a purchase from the farm’s floating boutique.
Following your visit to the pearl farm, you will continue by outrigger boat to the exotic Gili Islands – Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. Famous for their crystal clear waters, here you will have the opportunity to snorkel right above colorful coral reefs and amongst hundreds of varieties of fish.
You can enjoy some free time on Gili Trawangan to either relax or explore the island. With no motorized vehicles allowed, you can safely walk or cycle around town, meeting locals along the way. You might also opt for a ride in one of the island’s traditional horse-drawn carts (cidomo). You could also visit the turtle conversation project to learn about these endangered sea creatures. No matter how your time is spent, it won’t take long to appreciate the slow pace of island living.
Following lunch at a local restaurant you will return to mainland Lombok by outrigger boat and be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the night is yours to enjoy at leisure.
The Kayana Lombok Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
This morning you will be met at your hotel for a journey into the heart of Lombok . Driving eastwards for around 90 minutes, coastline is soon replaced by beautiful rice fields and local villages.
Once inland, you will set off on a walk deeper into the tropical forest and toward Benang Kalambu waterfall. This will take around an hour, bringing you over mixed terrain and through diverse tree and plant species. The waterfall itself is fed by a natural spring high on the rock face, and the water falls like a curtain into a fresh rock pool – ideal for a refreshing swim. Spend some time here relaxing amidst the sounds of the jungle before venturing to Benang Stokel waterfall. Here, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and then return along the same trail to your vehicle.
You will be transferred back to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
The Kayana Lombok Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the hotel property and partake in the activities on offer.
The Kayana Lombok Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bali. Upon arrival at Denpasar Airport, you will be met by your guide and driven to Alila Villas Uluwatu, where you will spend two nights. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Alila Villas Uluwatu Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the hotel property and Uluwatu region.
Alila Villas Uluwatu Meals: Breakfast
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your international flights home.
N/A Meals: Breakfast
