Bali Explorer

Om Suastiatu. Welcome to Bali!

Plan to arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Indonesia by mid afternoon for a group transfer to our hotel in the southeast seaside town of Sanur. We have time to ease into our Balinese surroundings (and the sea)—it’s an easy walk to the beach where jukung outrigger fishing boats color the shore.

Later, we gather as a group for a warm welcome and orientation at 6:00 p.m. with our awesome trip leader. We can swap life stories over a cool culinary experience at Moksa Ubud, a plant-based restaurant and permaculture garden offering a hyper-local menu.

Included Meals

Dinner

Accommodations

Sudamala Sanur

Travel

30 minutes

Finding Sanctuary

After a bright breakfast at the hotel, we will depart at 8:00 a.m. for West Bali National Park. Depending on traffic, this super scenic journey will take approximately three to four hours.

En route, we will take a slow walk through the emerald rice terraces and fields in the Belimbing region. Around midday, we have a traditional Balinese lunch at a secluded cottage in Belimbing village.

After checking into our posh hotel located within the national park, there will be time to enjoy the resort and spa amenities of this stunning eco retreat on the Bali Sea.

At 7:00 p.m. we will rendezvous at the hotel’s restaurant for a trip briefing and dinner. Our guide will present activity options for the next two adventure-squeezed days ahead.

Included Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodations

Plataran Menjangan

Travel

4 hours

Snorkeling Around Menjangan Island

Menjangan (“deer” in Javanese) Island is in the pulsating heart of West Bali National Park. This uninhabited, biodiverse island is teeming with species above and below. The intricate coral reef formations are inhabited by a blur of clownfish, anglerfish, anemone and indigo blue starfish. Hawksbill and green sea turtles might surprise us too.

After a seaside breakfast, we travel by motorboat with uninterrupted views of Java’s towering volcanoes to two coral garden snorkeling sites (depending on the current). Later,  we have a boxed lunch and take a short walk on the island to look for deer and learn more about the Hindu temples.

Back at the hotel, the afternoon and evening are dedicated to leisure. Tonight’s dinner is independent! You can choose to dine at the hotel’s restaurant with your fellow Wild Women or embrace a little solitude and order room service to your cottage patio!

Included Meals

Breakfast and boxed lunch

Accommodations

Plataran Menjangan

Blooms and Birds

This morning, we have two half-day activities (8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to choose from in the national park. A picnic will be provided on both.

OPTION 1:

KAYAKING or SNORKELING 

Take advantage of another opportunity to snorkel in the aquarium-like clarity of the sea. The snorkel spot is within swimming distance of the jetty and is teeming with tropical fish and live corals. The time of this activity is subject to the tide. For those who wish to paddle, it will be a beginner-friendly excursion in the calm waters of the park.

OPTION 2:

TREKKING THROUGH THE FOREST AS A RANGER

Sneak behind the scenes and discover more about the protection of this fragile ecosystem. An experienced park ranger will introduce us to the exotic and delicate flora and fauna and daily patrol procedures include emergency response.

We reunite again as a group at 4:00 p.m. to pitch in with some sweat equity and participate in the mangrove reforestation project by planting our own individual tree or local plant in the Endemic Tree Plantation.

Later, we have a celebratory BBQ dinner under the shimmering stars with a pounding wave soundtrack. 

Included Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodations

Plataran Menjangan

Moats and Markets

After breakfast, our journey to the central highlands will take around three to four hours (depending on traffic). In Munduk, we take an easy walk and feel the mist of the Munduk waterfall cascade before having lunch in the area at The View Plataran. We will see the twin lakes of Tamblingan and Buyan as well.

We also visit Lake Bratan, one of Bedugul’s three natural lakes and the site of Ulun Danu, a 17th-century temple serenely located on the lake’s edge. In Bedugul, we can browse the colorful stalls of the market of neatly arranged spices, tea and  orchids and learn about the different uses of herbs and spices in Balinese cooking.

Our last stop is at the Royal Temple of Mengwi. Built in 1634, this temple is surrounded by a moat and admired for its multi-roofed Meru shrines and intricate wooden gates. 

Late afternoon, we check into Kajane Mua Ubud, in the heartbeat of buzzy Ubud. Dinner is independent tonight and there are countless options within walking distance.

Included Meals

Breakfast and lunch

Accommodations

Kajane Mua Ubud

Travel

4 hours

Decompress and Dance

Take advantage of the hotel’s amenities: indulge in a healthy breakfast or join a complimentary yoga class (offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday) before we meet at 11 a.m. for a short transfer to Campuhan ridge. It’s an easy walk (30 minutes on a concrete path) to a spa spectacularly located in the middle of a rice field. We have a spa session and traditional bath followed by a flavor-punched lunch.

In Singapadu village, we take part in an authentic Balinese dance lesson and learn about the individual postures, hand and facial gestures that are the foundation of Balinese dance. Music, sash and sarong are provided! 

We transfer back to the hotel in the late afternoon and have a few hours to rest, journal or wander around Ubud before a private dinner with a local family.

Included Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodations

Kajane Mua Ubud

Temples and Time

We have a leisurely morning to lounge about and drink extra cups of coffee as we will have a late departure (noon) from our hotel. A one-hour complimentary yoga class is available (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) at 8:30 for the bushy-tailed. You may also choose to book a Balinese massage (included).

On our route to the Kintamani area we will visit the Goa Gajah temple at Gianyar Regency. Known as the “Elephant Cave” this facade is a marvel with its curious carvings and ornate relief. In the 9th century, when it was first established, the cave served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks. 

After our temple visit, we will gather for lunch in the lush valley of Sebatu before proceeding to our stay at Pramana Zahill Kintamani. There will be free time before dinner on-site at the hotel and our guide will brief us on the day ahead!

Included Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodations

Pramana Zahill Kintamani

Travel

3 hours

Sunrise Picnic and Panoramas

*Today’s trek is optional. You can opt to stay at the hotel and chill out.

It’s an extreme early bird start at 3:45 a.m. We will meet in the hotel lobby for our transfer to the foot of Mount Batur at 3,281 feet (1,000 m). Upon arrival in the Tampur Hyang area, we will have a safety briefing and our guide will discuss the terrain ahead.

The first section slices through the jungle before we begin climbing the rocky volcanic path. It’s a slow uphill grind with several opportunities to stop and absorb the truly breathtaking views. After approximately two hours (depending on the group’s pace) we will approach the top of the main crater. The terrain shifts to a windswept scene with few rocks and sparse vegetation.

At the tip-top (5,633 feet/1,717m), we witness the buttery sunrise over Mount Abang and Mount Agung, the highest point in Bali. On the clearest days, it’s possible to see Lombok’s distant Mount Rinjani across the Lombok Strait.

A simple picnic breakfast with hot coffee and a knock-out view will power us through our two hour downhill over rocky and gravel terrain to the softer terrain of the pine forest and peaceful lakeview.

We reach the trail’s end at 9:30 a.m. and will return to our hotel for an early lunch onsite or nearby (independent) and depart at noon. It’s a three hour drive to our next hotel in Sidemen. 

At the hotel, we can reflect on our sunrise summit during a complimentary one-hour massage at the hotel’s on-site spa. 

Included Meals

Breakfast and dinner 

Accommodations

Wapa Di Ume Sidemen

The Hike

2.5 miles (4 km)

Travel

3 hours

A Stretch and Spin

It’s a freewheelin’ two-wheel, two-hour adventure in Sidemen this morning. Breakfast will be on the terrace overlooking the valley, followed by a complimentary yoga class for those who are flexible (Monday, Wednesday, Friday only).

Mid-morning we peel through the unforgettable rice field landscape on bikes, with teaser views of Mount Agung. Sidemen is a peaceful rural area, and our easy route will follow roads, pathways and cut through rice paddy terraces. On our serene rural ride, we are surrounded by salak (snake fruit) trees, coffee, cloves and cacao. 

We finish our impromptu Tour de Bali at the hotel in the early afternoon. The precious afternoon is all yours—lunch is independent too! Your only to-do: book a complimentary massage at the hotel spa to help erase the miles you pedaled earlier. 

Rejuvenated, we rendezvous in the hotel’s lobby in the evening (7:00 p.m.) for a short transfer to our top secret dinner venue.

Included Meals

Breakfast and dinner

Accommodations

Wapa de Ume Sidemen

Travel

2 hours (on bikes)

Cultivating the Ocean Floor

After breakfast, we make our way to Candidasa for an incredible underwater marine stewardship experience with an expatriate marine biologist. This coral farm produces corals for reef restoration projects and the aquarium industry. After a short video, we don masks and fins to snorkel with the marine biologist. Exploring the restored reefs, we learn about coral growth and have the opportunity to try cutting and transplanting a piece of coral to a new section of the reef. 

After taking advantage of some prime snorkeling, we have a set menu lunch served at a local oceanside restaurant. The peaceful inner glow of contributing to a coral forest should be properly celebrated and toasted!

It’s a short transfer (30 minutes) to our hotel where we will have our farewell dinner this evening. It will be a lovely time of reflection and swapping contact info and AirDropping photos!

Included Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodations

Sudamala Sanur

Travel

1 hour

Departure Day

It’s departure day. Sigh. If you’re catching a flight, your 30 minute shuttle to the airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport–DPS) is included. You can meet our guide and driver in the hotel lobby for the stress-free airport transfer accordingly. 

You can arrange your departure flight for anytime today. Please note that the check-out time at Sudamala Sanur Resort is 12:00 p.m.

If you’re staying on a while longer, lucky you! If you are boarding your plane today with bags of cloves and cocoa to keep the scent of Bali closer, where will you travel with your Wild Women crew next?

Included Meals

Breakfast

Travel

30 minutes