Trip Region: Southeast Asia
Country(ies): Indonesia
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $1635
Airfare Estimate: $1200
Structure: 3 •
Lodging: 4 •
Nightlife: 4 •
Activity: 2
If beaches, food, drinking and temples that would make Indiana Jones jealous are your thing, then this is the trip for you. Ballin’ in Bali is all about exploring what makes Bali a top destination in Southeast Asia. We will see all the cultural sites and experience all the tastes and flavors that Bali has to offer. Grab a swim suit and your drinking shoes, cuz we are gonna be Ballin’ in Bali.
Day 1 — Sunday, Aug 20
Om Swastiastu! Welcome to Ubud, the arts and cultural centre of Bali. Our adventure begins with a welcome meeting with our loacal tour guide. Afterwards, we will head out to for a group meal at one of the delicious local restaurants before getting to know each other better over a few drinks.
Day 2 — Monday, Aug 21
Our day starts early at the Ubud markets. Then we will head to Ubud Rice Field before heading off on guided ‘padi’ expeditions. Later in the day we will learn how to create authentic Balinese dishes and then enjoy a traditional Kecak dance performance. Driven not by musical instruments but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical performance is considered a highlight by many travellers. At night we will attempt to replicate the dances at some of the local bars.
Day 3 — Tuesday, Aug 22
Big tree farms that produce premium cacao, coconuts and sugar will be our morning destination. Here we will get to try Coco Mojo, which seems to be some kind of juice. In the afternoon we will visit a couple of local temples – Tirta Empul and Goa Gojah.
Day 4 — Wednesday, Aug 23
Today we transfer to Lovina, an area of Bali known for its beaches. Today will be mostly a free day to relax and but first we will visit Git Git waterfalls to enjoy some of the natural beauty. Drinks on the beach will end our night.
Day 5 — Thursday, Aug 24
Grab some coconut water in the morning to help with your hangover before enjoying a day of snorkelling on Menjangan Island reef, a short boat ride from the coast. This island and its coral reefs are part of the Bali Barat National Park. Enjoy some free time in Lovina this afternoon, exploring the sun-drenched coastline. Tonight we head to a traditional dinner and get to enjoy a Babi Guling feast. Babi guling, or suckling pig, is one of Bali’s most famed dishes. The pig is stuffed and infused with a spicy concoction typically involving turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, black pepper and garlic, and traditionally spit-roasted. Vegetable dishes will also be available.
Day 6 — Friday, Aug 25
Today we head to the tiny hilltop village of Munduk. We will walk through clove and coffee plantations to a hidden waterfall. Later we will visit Lake Bratan nearby for delightful views of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a Hindu/Buddhist temple set on a small island in the lake. Tonight we will be staying in Bedugul. This mountain town is nestled in the cool and misty highlands, in a volcanic lake region covered in lush vegetation. After a visit to Bali Botanical Gardens, we will head back to our hotel where we will enjoy the stunning views over multiple beers.
Day 7 — Saturday, Aug 26
Today we head to Uluwatu temple, one of six key temples believed to be Bali’s spiritual pillars. It is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above sea level. This temple also shares the splendid sunset backdrops as that of Tanah Lot Temple, another important sea temple located in the island’s western shores. Afterwards we head to Legian where we will be staying for the next 3 nights. In the afternoon stretch out those muscles with a relaxing yoga class. Legian is well known for its nightlife, so we will show Bali what it means to be a Rosser at night.
Day 8 — Sunday, Aug 27
Today we head out away from the crowds on our own private boat to Lembongan island. We will stop for snorkeling on the way and then have an included lunch at a restaurant on Lembongan. In the afternoon, we will head to the less visited crystal bay to swim and relax. If day drinking on the beach is your favorite activity, this is a day made especially for you. We will arrange for drinks to be stocked on board so that we can have our very own booze cruise.
Day 9 — Monday, Aug 28
Today we have a special day planned as we go retro-hipster-glam with an afternoon “safari” to some of Bali’s best beaches and beach clubs, where the only hunting you’ll do will be choosing the next great cocktail. We will travel the southwestern Bali coast in a modified 1980 VW Kombi — a bit of retro hipster style to complement your afternoon cocktail adventure. But of course, we can’t go all the way to Bali just to drink, so along the way, we’ll stop at a small, seldom-seen temple built on a rock in the ocean, where it’s said that fertility prayers are answered (we make no promises).
Day 10 — Tuesday, Aug 29
Today we must unfortunately say goodbye to Bali and head to the airport. On the flight back we will look back on all the incredible experiences we had on the best MTrek ever.