Bali · 9 days
The Cultural Heart of Bali
Slow days in Ubud, sunrise at Mount Batur, water temples at Tirta Empul, and four nights on the quiet east coast.
Why we love this route
Slow days in Ubud, sunrise at Mount Batur, water temples at Tirta Empul, and four nights on the quiet east coast.
Highlights
Tirta Empul at dawn
The holy spring temple before the day-trippers arrive — a private blessing with a Balinese priest.
Mount Batur sunrise
A 2-hour pre-dawn climb to the rim of an active caldera, breakfast cooked on volcanic steam.
Sidemen valley
Two nights at a villa on a working rice farm — meals are whatever was harvested that morning.
Amed coast
Snorkel the Japanese wreck, drink kopi tubruk on the black sand, watch the jukungs come in at dusk.
Day-by-day itinerary
Click a day or a marker on the map to see them in sync.
- Day 01
Arrive in Bali · settle into Ubud
Met at Ngurah Rai airport by your driver Wayan. 90-minute scenic drive through the south, then check-in at your rice-terrace homestay outside Ubud. Welcome dinner of slow-cooked bebek betutu with the host family.
Stay: Tanah Merah EstateDriving: 1h 30m - Day 02
Tirta Empul · Tegallalang rice terraces
Pre-dawn departure for the holy spring temple — your priest, Made, will guide a private purification ceremony. Late breakfast above the Tegallalang valley, then an afternoon at leisure in Ubud's old market.
Stay: Tanah Merah EstateActive: light walking - Day 03
Mount Batur sunrise climb
3am wake-up, 2-hour climb with a Batur Karang guide to the caldera rim for sunrise over Lombok. Breakfast cooked on volcanic steam vents, then a long lazy lunch at a coffee plantation in Kintamani.
Stay: Tanah Merah EstateActive: 2h moderate hike - Day 04
Drive to Sidemen valley
Goodbye Ubud. The road east climbs through Bukit Jambul before dropping into Sidemen — the green valley with Mount Agung behind you. Two nights at a working rice farm with five rooms total.
Stay: Wapa di UmeDriving: 2h - Day 05
Sidemen weaving & nothing else
Morning visit to a fourth-generation songket weaver, lunch at the farm, afternoon free. Optional river trek to a waterfall pool. We'd suggest reading on the verandah and watching the rain come in.
Stay: Wapa di UmeActive: optional walk - Day 06
Drive to Amed · arrive on the coast
Coastal route through Tirta Gangga water palace (stop for lunch under the koi-pond pavilions), then descend to Amed in the late afternoon. Sunset arrival, swim, dinner of fresh-caught mackerel.
Stay: Bali Dream House AmedDriving: 1h 45m - Day 07
USS Liberty wreck snorkel
Short boat to Tulamben — snorkel or dive the WWII Liberty wreck (3m to 30m, accessible from shore). Afternoon completely free; the tide pools at Bali Dream are fine for napping.
Stay: Bali Dream House AmedActive: 2h snorkel/dive - Day 08
Slow day on the east coast
Yoga at sunrise (optional), a traditional Balinese cooking class with our friend Komang in Bunutan, fish market in the late afternoon, last sunset on the black sand.
Stay: Bali Dream House AmedActive: none required - Day 09
Drive to Denpasar · departure
Slow return drive along the south coast (3h). Optional half-day stop in Sanur for a final beach lunch before your flight from Ngurah Rai.
Driving: 3h to airport
What's included
Included
- ✓All accommodations (8 nights, hand-picked)
- ✓Private driver-guide for the full duration
- ✓All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- ✓Daily breakfast, plus 4 dinners with host families
- ✓All entrance fees and temple donations
- ✓Mount Batur guide & sunrise breakfast
- ✓Tirta Empul private ceremony
- ✓24/7 local support number
Not included
- ✕International flights to Denpasar (DPS)
- ✕Travel insurance (we strongly recommend)
- ✕Lunches and remaining dinners
- ✕Optional snorkel/dive equipment hire (~€15)
- ✕Tips for guides and drivers
- ✕Personal expenses
Best time to travel
Bali is doable year-round, but the dry season (May–October) gives you reliable sunrises and clear water.
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