Indonesia, Bali Essentials
Bali Essential – 7 Days
Bali Essentials – 7 Days (Ubud to East Bali)
Bali is best when you slow down. This week focuses on Ubud and East Bali—temples that are part of daily life, ridge walks above emerald paddies, craft villages where wood and silver are still shaped by hand, and warm water along a quieter stretch of coast. It’s culture-forward with plenty of breathing room: good coffee, small galleries, and easy sunsets built in.
In Ubud, we keep things grounded and respectful. Join a guided purification at a holy spring temple (we handle etiquette, offerings, and dress), then trace everyday ritual—family shrines, gamelan, dance—without turning it into a parade. Between stops, there’s time for a ridge walk, a café crawl, yoga or a sound bath, and a courtyard dance performance after dark. You’ll see how tradition and creativity sit side by side here.
Shifting east, the pace gets even calmer. Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung pair pools, pavilions, and (on a clear day) Mount Agung views; nearby lookouts drop to black-sand coves and small fishing villages. When conditions line up, opt for a relaxed snorkel near Amed—shore entries, bright reef fish—or head inland for short waterfall walks. A market-to-table cooking class rounds it out so you leave with skills, not just photos.
Everything is stitched together with private transfers and crowd-savvy timing. We keep temple visits thoughtful, workshops hands-on, and downtime truly free—spa, pool, or another café with a view. If you want more edge—sunrise volcano viewpoints, a Nusa Penida day boat, or even a short Komodo sail—those fit cleanly around this core.
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1 — Arrive Bali, Onward to Ubud
Meet & greet and a smooth transfer to your hideaway in Ubud. Unpack and ease into Bali time with a short rice-field walk at golden hour (flat path, 30–60 minutes). Dinner nearby—fresh, local, unhurried. Optional welcome massage to shake off the flight.
Day 2 — Temples & Craft Villages
Begin with a guided purification at a holy spring temple (e.g., Tirta Empul or a quieter equivalent). We handle etiquette—sarong and sash, offerings, and temple protocol—so you can focus on the moment. Afterwards, move through craft villages to see woodcarving and silversmith techniques handed down through families (hands-on time if you’d like). Spa time mid-afternoon; sunset stroll in the paddies if you’re keen.
Day 3 — Terraces & Ridge Paths
Start with a sunrise or mid-morning ridge walk above emerald fields (gentle grade, 60–90 minutes). Café hop back in Ubud and browse galleries. Add a yoga class or sound-bath session if you want a deeper reset. In the evening, take in a traditional dance performance—Legong, Kecak, or a gamelan-backed show in an intimate courtyard.
Day 4 — East Bali Water Palaces
Transfer east via scenic backroads (option to thread through the Sidemen Valley). Explore Tirta Gangga’s spring-fed pools and Taman Ujung’s pavilions with, on clear days, Mt. Agung framing the scene. Stop for coastal viewpoints and black-sand coves before settling into your East Bali base—quiet nights and sea breeze.
Day 5 — Snorkel Day or Waterfall Walks
Choose calm-water snorkeling near Amed/Lipah (shore entries, bright reef fish; conditions vary by season) or head inland for a short waterfall loop with forest paths and village views (light, non-slip footwear recommended). Easy evening—beachfront dinner or a simple warung with big flavors.
Day 6 — Village Life & Cooking
Shop a local morning market with your chef, then roll up sleeves for a Balinese cooking class—basa genep spice paste, satay lilit, coconut and garden herbs. Lunch on your creations. Afternoon at leisure for reading, one last massage, or a private blessing arranged through a local priest.
Day 7 — Depart
Private transfer to the airport. If time allows, add a final temple stop or a café with a view on the way out.
Make It Yours (Optional Add-Ons)
Swap in a Nusa Penida day boat for cliff views and quiet coves, catch a sunrise volcano viewpoint above the clouds (Batur area), or add a supported motorcycle day on scenic backroads (experienced riders only). Want to go farther? Pair this week with a short Komodo sailing from Labuan Bajo for dragons and coral gardens (best planned around seasonal sea conditions). We’ll tune everything to the weather, your pace, and how you like to travel.
LJ TRAVEL TIP
Transfer assistance for your departure will be provided.
