Best of Bali & Lombok Vacation (12 Days Tour)

Ubud – Captivating Culture

In the morning, the scent of freshly brewed Indonesian coffee blends with the sweet aroma of the Indian Ocean. Colorful fruits overtake the dining room at breakfast, with juicy pineapples and sweet rambutans accompanying succulent cherimoyas, a must try for Balinese vacations. After breakfast, you begin the journey to Ubud, which is considered Bali’s cultural center. Outside of Sanur, you stop in the town of Blanjong, known for its enchanting temple housing one of the island’s oldest artifacts. You follow the narrow lane to reach a pillar erected more than a millennium ago. The Sanskrit inscription recounts 10th-century military victories, leading to the island’s first formal government. Antiquity is palpable as you wander along the temple walls.

The aged scent of earth emanates from the soil and seasoned stones. You continue to Ubud, waving goodbye to the layered blues of the seaside, replaced by the emerald and jade hues of the terraced inland hills. Rice paddies texture the landscape beneath towering palm trees. The scent of coffee overtakes the herbaceous aroma of the countryside.

Cafes line the streets beside artisan shops, as bright colors abound in the artist markets. The essential culture of Bali comes to light along the streets leading to the glowing rice fields surrounding the town.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation.

Lovina – The Splendor of the North

In the morning, the sunlight spreads across the arched stone bridge, highlighting the stone sculpture of Lord Ganesh. The Hindu god watches over the small square and moss-covered pool, as colorful koi swim near his feet. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you north to the splendid coastline at Lovina. Before reaching the enchanting northern tip of Bali, you stop at Taman Ayun temple, a stunning 18th-century compound decorated with gardens and water features. An elegant moat encircles the main complex. The sound of trickling water moves beneath the concentric tiers of the multiple towers. The first courtyard is a verdant grassy space leading to the inner courtyard, which contains the impressive collection of multi-tiered shrines.

Lotus blossoms overtake the tranquil pools. The main fountain at the center of the complex contains nine water jets, symbolizing the nine main gods of Balinese tradition. The Garuda shrine contains elaborate sculptures of the mythical bird-like creature.

The figure represents the eagle atop which Lord Vishnu rides. Back on the road to Lovina, you pass through the intricate Subak, a water irrigation system developed in the 9th century. The remarkable network textures the surrounding hills with rice paddy terraces, allowing water to reach the roots, along with creating an artificial ecosystem in which the crops can thrive, encompassing nearly 50,000 acres.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation.

Kintamani – Into the Balinese Air

After breakfast, you meet your private transfer at the hotel and venture into the countryside, passing through traditional villages decorated with blossoming frangipani and orchids. Children kick balls against the walls of their wooden homes, motorbikes pass your car, and locals are eager to say hello. The road follows winding switchbacks leading upwards to the Gunung Batur area, an active volcano reaching a height of more than 5,600 feet above sea level, with a crater lake reaching a depth of 60 feet. The mountainous air is crisp and refreshing. An underground network of streams crisscrosses the slopes, offering an abundance of hot springs. The rugged terrain encircles the nearly seven square miles of the cobalt lake.

You venture to the village of Trunyan, located at the foot of Mount Abang.

The remote location on the eastern shore of the lake provides a pristine view of the water, dense ferns, and preserved a way of life unencumbered by outside influences. The main temple of Pancering Jagat contains an impressive seven-roofed tiered shrine, which protects the guardian statue of a celebrated spirit reaching a height of more than 13 feet tall.

The temple stands at the top of a small hill overlooking the village’s main cobblestone street. The mixture of trees, wooden homes, graceful ferns, and cool air provides an atmosphere different from what you have so far experienced in Bali; almost as if you have left the island altogether and reached a more isolated setting.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation.

Senggigi – Welcomed by the Best of Lombok

In the morning, you welcome the delightful aroma of fresh pineapple and star fruit. A watermelon smoothie accompanies your delicious roasted coffee. You listen to the sounds of the calm waves brushing against the coastline before meeting your private transfer in the hotel lobby. Your brief journey takes you to Denpasar Airport, for a quick flight arriving in Mataram, the capital of Lombok Island.

The airport’s contemporary design contrasts the surrounding greenery and framing rolling mountains. The air contains a familiar aroma of tropical fruits and herbaceous grassland. You meet your private transfer at baggage claim and venture towards the region of Senggigi, a collection of villages to the north of the island’s main town of Mataram.

Supple and towering coconut palm trees rise above the thin stretch of sandy coastline. The waves brush against the shore, spraying an elegant mist into the air. The coconut aroma adds a sweet layer to the seaside air.

You reach your lavish accommodation with a pool overlooking the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Surfers venture out to catch comfortable waves. The woven rooftops of the open-air lobby offer shade and a refreshing breeze blowing over the cool tiles. For a perfect day, you can spend time relaxing in the spa. The aroma of mango and fills the tranquil room, accentuated with the soothing sounds of the waves lapping at the beach. You can dip your toes in the comforts of a temperate footbath and let the pressures of the outside world melt away. 

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, accommodation.

Gili Islands – Into the Preserved Blue

The beauty of the Gili Islands emanates from the emerald ferns to the crystalline waters. The scent of pineapple and coconut blends with the sea breeze. The day is yours to enjoy the pleasures of paradise at your preferred pace.

Bask in the shade of a thatched umbrella overlooking the calm shore or venture out onto the water with a guided kayak tour. After breakfast, you follow a local guide on a boat and venture out to reach Hann’s Reef, located off the eastern coast of the island. Delight in an introduction to scuba diving, following the leader into the water along the reef nearly 60 feet below the ocean surface.

The opulent sandy bottom provides great visibility for viewing the coral and rock formations. The gentle current moves your body back and forth above the undulating seascape. Seahorses sense your presence and blend into the colorful coral. Leaf scorpionfish grow up to four inches long and resemble the bright hues of the surrounding hard calcite, shimmering with green, red, pink, and yellow.

Their 12 spines rise behind the dorsal fin. Your instructor points to a spotted moray eel peeking out of the cavern. The eel can grow to more than six feet long and contains double rows of teeth to help clamp down on passing prey. The ecosystem offers a view of the unique creatures around the Gili Islands.

What’s Included: breakfast, accommodation.

Gili Islands – Continuous Island Marvel

In the morning, the sweet and spicy aroma of the local dishes cooked the previous night lingers on the main road of town. The small cafes open their doors to locals and visitors, offering fresh coffee and fried eggs. The lingering flavors of chicken satay and hot peppers have become a staple of your time on the Indonesian islands. You can see kite surfers lift into the distance as they catch the early waves and passing breeze. Scuba boats have already departed with visitors eager to catch a glimpse at the exotic world set inside the Indian Ocean.

After breakfast, you have a private transfer meet you at the hotel, ready to escort you back to Lombok. If you have a late flight, you have time to visit the Pyramids in the Sea. The black and gray basalt rock rises out of the indigo water like Egyptian pyramids, creating a distinctive impression of crystal-like stones.

The water splashes against the base of the rocks and swirls around, making it feel as though you have stepped onto another planet. You continue to Lombok International Airport with plenty of time to check in for your flight home.

What’s Included: breakfast, airport transfer.