9 Days 8 Nights Ubud - Sidemen Friends Trip Package

Resort 3

Om Swastiastu ! Welcome to Ubud, Bali’s largest Hindu town, and artistic and cultural heart. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Afterwards, perhaps head out to for a group meal at one of the delicious local restaurants.

Resort 3

Start the day with a guided walking tour (about 2.5 hours). Gain an insight into daily village life as you pass lush rice fields, an alang alang valley (type of wild grass used to make the roof of traditional buildings) and stop by a Balinese home for coffee. The tour ends in central Ubud, where you’ll have time to explore the many cafes, galleries and shops on your own. In the evening sit down to a Kecak dance performance. Driven not by musical instruments, but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical performance is considered a highlight by many travelers.

Hotel 3

Today you’ll explore the area from a different angle from the saddle of a bike. Enjoy a 2.5 hour tour through backstreets, villages and rice fields. It’s a relatively easy ride much of the route is downhill and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or a brief rest. You’ll also stop to check out some small, intricately carved temples, before concluding your bike tour back in Ubud. After refueling at lunch, head for the hills to the village of Sidemen, travelling by private minivan (about 2 hours). Set against a backdrop of Bali’s highest peak, Mt Agung, the peaceful village of Sidemen is proof that Bali still has some pockets that are untouched by tourism.

Hotel 3

Take a morning walk (approximately 2 hours) around Sidemen, visiting the craftspeople of the local songket weaving industry, a traditional ’bungkus’ lunch is included. The walk is a great chance to take in the beautiful scenery. Continuing your journey higher into the mountains, drive along the crater rim road to a fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur (approximately 2 hours). Volcanic Mt Batur (1717 metres 5633 feet) sits inside a stark and spectacular caldera and with Lake Batur below, it’s a stunning sight. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. Your accommodation at the base of Mt Batur is a hotel with a restaurant. This is a great location to start tomorrow’s early morning trek without extra travelling time.

Hotel 3

It/’s a very early start today you’ll have to wake at 3 am to begin the 1.5 to 2 hour walk to the summit of Mt Batur in order to reach it before sunrise. Trust us, it’s worth the effort. On a clear morning, it’s possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Lombok’s Mt Rinjani. The view of the gorgeous sunrise over the valleys of Bali may well be the most memorable part of your trip. Do keep in mind, however, that the weather can be unpredictable and sometimes the view is obscured by clouds. After descending the volcano, there’s an option to soak in hot springs with fantastic views over the lake and caldera. Then make the journey from the mountains to the small coastal town of Lovina (approximately 3 hours). Lovina is famous for the dolphins that patrol its coast. It’s also a great spot for fine food, traditional massages and yoga.

Hotel 3

Enjoy a day of snorkeling among st Menjangan Island’s coral reef, part of the Bali Barat National Park. You will travel 1.5 to 2 hours by road (each way) and then take a boat ride of around 20 mins into the National Park at Menjangan. On the way back, you’ll stop for a soak at Banjar Hot Springs, a small spring popular with locals. Tonight, head to Ibu Wayan’s to learn about Balinese cuisine before sitting down to a home cooked meal.

Hotel 3

After breakfast, visit the local market then head to the tiny hilltop village of Munduk (approximately 1 hour) where you’ll walk through aromatic clove and coffee plantations to a spectacular hidden waterfall, (it’s a good idea to pack warm clothing as the early mornings and evenings can be quite cool). Continue inland and stop at Lake Bratan for a delightful view of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a Hindu Buddhist temple set on a small island in the lake. Its then a short drive to the picturesque mountain town of Bedugul where you will spend the night.

Hotel 3

Start the day with a drive to a village (approximately 30 minutes), where you’ll join a local family in making a traditional Balinese offering. Be welcomed into their home with a drink and delicious cake, before learning how to make an offering (canang) and gain a better understanding of this daily ritual that you will see all over Bali. Afterwards, visit their small spice garden and enjoy the surrounding views overlooking Batukaru Mountain. Continue by minivan to Sanur (approx 1.5 hours) and enjoy some free time there in the afternoon. Perhaps enjoy a stroll along Bali’s first beachfront walk, watch the fishermen in the shallows or kick back and relax at one of the beach side restaurants. Get a feel for the traditions and local customs which are well maintained here. Ancient temples are also easily accessible just a short distance away from the beach.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast today.