Indonesia & Bali
Active Bali & Komodo
This exciting two-week family adventure is jam-packed with adventure and activities. Starting in the beautiful town of Ubud, surrounded by lush green paddy fields you can enjoy cycling and a cookery class. Heading east, you’ll take part in a silver jewellery workshop, cycle rural trails, and go white-water rafting. Leaving Bali you will then enjoy a four-night cruise in the Komodo Islands. During the cruise you will stop on remote pristine beaches to swim and snorkel and will see the dinosaur-like Komodo Dragons. Finish up with a few nights on the beach.
Highlights
White-water rafting and cycling
Food markets and cookery class
Experience rural Balinese life
Snorkelling on coral islands
4 night Komodo Cruise
Pristine beaches and relaxation
15 days from £3,500 pp
Plus international flights from £850
A two-week holiday to Bali and the Komodo Islands usually starts from £14,000 for a family of four. This excludes international flights but will include domestic flights, cruise, accommodation and most activities.
Active Bali & Komodo day-to-day itinerary
Day 1, Denpasar – Ubud (Bali)
Welcome to Bali! Upon arrival in Denpasar airport, you will meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Ubud (90 mins). Afterwards, enjoy some free time to relax.
Situated in the middle of some of Bali’s most picturesque landscapes, Ubud is a wonderful place to start your tour. The streets are lined with enticing cafes, restaurants, gift shops and galleries. There are beautiful boutique hotels, some in the town centre and some perched amidst the lush green paddy fields just outside.
Day 2, Ubud
Enjoy a leisurely morning to recover from your flight. Perhaps visit the Ubud Monkey Forest, an easy walk from town. This is a natural forest sanctuary that is home to numerous long-tailed macaques as well as many ancient temples and statues.
In the afternoon, take part in a traditional Balinese cookery class. You will be transferred to a local Lapidan village where you will discover how to cook delicious and authentic dishes by your local hosts. Dishes may include chicken satay and fish wrapped in banana leaves; this is always a real highlight.
Day 3, Ubud
This morning take a cycling excursion through the beautiful scenery surrounding Ubud. After selecting a suitable bike you will set off along peaceful, mainly flat, rural roads. Pass through small villages and beautiful lush paddy fields. Stop along the way to visit a local community and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
The afternoon is free to explore Ubud; perhaps find a cafe to watch the world go by or head to a Bali swing for an iconic insta photo.
Day 4, Ubud – Sidemen
This morning head eastwards, through picturesque countryside towards Sidemen, stopping enroute at the stunning Tegallalang Rice Terraces just outside Ubud. The landscape here is incredibly beautiful with terraced green rice fields peppered with palm trees. You will also visit Tirta Empul, site of a famous water temple with waters thought to have purifying properties. Locals and pilgrims flock here to take healing baths. If you take your swimwear and a sarong along with you, you can join them and take a dip, before continuing on to the Sidemen Valley.
This afternoon, discover the art of traditional silver craftsmanship at a jewellery workshop in Sidemen. Nestled among lush rice fields and serene mountain views, this hands-on experience allows you to design and create your own unique silver piece under the guidance of skilled local artisans.
Day 5, Sidemen
Glimpse rural Bali today as you explore the Sidemen Valley, following walkways through ride paddies. Wave hello to the farmers, see weaving workshops and take part in a rustic cookery session. Use a wooden oven to prepare some staple dishes such as rice flour pancakes, chicken satay skewers, or tomato, chilli and lime sauce with fried soya. While it cooks, have a go at writing your name in Balinese Sanskrit – a great souvenir to take home. A beautiful day out… When visibility is clear you have a stunning view over the sacred Agung Volcano, the highest point of Bali.
Read More Day 6, Sidemen Your guide will give you instructions and work with you to safely navigate the raft through torrents, twists, tight turns and rapids. Overhead obstacles, narrow gorges and breath taking views of steep, terraced rice fields will give you an appetite for your final challenge – the ‘water dam’, a straight 4-metre drop. Hold on, take a deep breath, and down you go! Day 7, Labuan Bajo – Komodo Cruise After lunch on board, start sailing, stopping on a beautiful beach to swim. Overnight either in your private cabin or on the deck under the stars. Day 8, Komodo Cruise In the afternoon you will continue sailing. Stop on a virgin beach to snorkel and appreciate the red and white coral. Day 9, Komodo Cruise Later continue to a small island, surrounded by coral with exquisite white sandy beaches. Large turtles and small blacktip reef sharks can sometimes be seen here. You may also be able to visit a local ‘sea gypsy’ village. Spend another night enjoying the spectacular night sky. Day 10, Komodo Cruise Day 11, Komodo Cruise – Labuan Bajo Day 12-14, Labuan Bajo Day 15, Departure Note: We will check the best international flight routes available for your dates at the time of booking. If returning to Bali means smoother flight connections, then we can include a final night close to Bali’s international airport at the end of the trip. Likewise if a stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur works better; your travel consultant will discuss this with you.
Today your rafting adventure begins in the foothills of sacred Mount Agung. From the time you drop into the first set of rapids, your heart will be racing and your adrenaline pumping. In a continual spray of white water, your raft will push past steep banks and ancient hanging trees, as well as passing under cascading waterfalls of cold natural spring water.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Labuan Bajo. It’s then a short transfer to your boat which will be your home for the next four nights. Each Komodo cruise boat has its own schedule, but the following is an example of what you could be doing.
After breakfast you will go to the island of Rinca where the legendary Komodo Dragons live. These huge lizards, the largest in the world, can grow to more than three metres in length. They are extraordinary, and reminiscent of dinosaurs. You will visit the dragons in their natural environment, accompanied by a guide. Also keep your eyes peeled for rare birds such as the megapod or the sulfur cockatoo.
Enjoy an early morning swim to enjoy the beautiful colours and marine life on the underwater reef. Swim to the shore and relax on the beach whilst the boat staff prepare breakfast.
Your final full day cruising, with more opportunities to swim, snorkel, paddle and soak up the magnificent views. Who can get the perfect ‘pink beach’ photo?!
Bid the boat staff farewell as you disembark and transfer to a lovely beach hotel in or near Labuan Bajo for some final R&R.
Three full free days to relax and enjoy the beach. Stroll along the bay, paddle in the sea and dine at some of the fabulous local eateries. We recommend the rumpu rampe which is papaya leaves and flowers cooked with the region’s unique spices and served with fish – sensational. Of course, no blissful beach day would be complete without watching the sunset while sipping a fruit juice or cocktail.
Perhaps a last-minute swim in the pool before transferring to Labuan Bajo airport for your flight home. Selamat jalan – Have a good journey!
Bali & Indonesia in pictures
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