BALI AND KOMODO ISLAND ESCAPE
October 15th – 23rd
9 Days – 8 Nights
Bali, famous for its wonderful beaches, paintings, woodcarvings, handicrafts, and beautiful formed rice terraces, has an estimated 20,000 temples and shrines. It is known as the “Island of a Thousand Temples.” Komodo National Park has over 4,000 Komodo Dragons, which are the largest, heaviest lizards in the world. Visit both islands, local villages and temples; relax at the beach and swim in the ocean as you escape to the Islands of Bali and Komodo.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Bali
Arrival at Denpasar Bali, Indonesia – Ngurah Rai (DPS) International Airport in Bali. Our local representative will welcome you outside of the arrival hall and drive you to the Alaya Resort in Ubud. Check-in, relax and discover the stunning surroundings of our hotel. Try a soothing Balinese massage to get over your jet-leg and recover some energy. The Alaya Resort Ubud is a sanctuary of serenity and sophistication in the culturally charged village of Ubud on the island of Bali. It has been built with rare sensitivity towards the surrounding environment and shares its rice terrace views with a number of the local cafes, eateries, and the Monkey Forest.
Day 2: Holy Spring and Volcano
After breakfast, we proceed to visit Tirta Empul Temple built around the sacred spring at Tampak Siring. For more than a thousand years, Balinese worshipers have been drawn to Tirta Empul Temple whose sacred spring is said to have been created by Indra and to have curative properties. The tradition continues almost unchanged at the temple today. Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the spring water’s curative powers. Then we will travel to Kintamani Village, a countryside area located in the hills with a beautiful panorama of the active volcano Mt. Batur and the wide Lake of Batur in the valley. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant with an amazing view over Lake Batur.
Then we continue to Tegallalang for a perfect Bali photo opportunity with dramatic views. The vista sprawls down and away to the rice terraces on the slopes across the valley. Sometimes, the farmer who owns the land invites visitors to sample his green coconut drink, as well as to purchase woven hats that he makes from coconut leaves as well as posing with them for a small fee.
Our Welcome Dinner will be hosted at Mansion Restaurant.
Day 3: Rural Village Tour by Land Rover
A 4-wheel drive adventure to experience the mystical heart and soul of this amazing island, hidden far away from the bustle and the crowd of the world. Travel in a legendary Land Rover, on tiny country roads and tracks, through terraced rice fields and untouched rainforest to the real heart of Bali. Exploring the island by Land Rover lets us infiltrate the areas around Mount Batukaru, which is still natural with muddy fields.
Visit the unusual and traditional, see the Balinese people as they work, pray and play. Traverse the spectacular countryside, slowly with plenty of photo stops along the way. Explore an ancient quarry where stones are still cut by ancestral methods to build the temples and shrines of the island. Pass temples, small forgotten villages and shrines and always the mountains are in the distance – getting closer.
Day 4: Tanah Lot Temple
Enjoy a free morning to relax at the resort or explore the surroundings. Take a walk to Ubud Monkey Forest which is only 10 minutes away from our hotel. There are lots of local crafts, arts and clothing shops to check-out, including the local flea market.
This afternoon we will travel to the western shores to visit Tanah Lot Temple, one of Bali’s most important landmarks. The temple, located on a rock just offshore is said to be the work of a revered 15th century Hindu priest. The Temple site is dotted with smaller shrines alongside restaurants, shops and a cultural park presenting regular dance performances. We will then return to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Ubud – Labuan Bajo – Komodo Island
We will take an early morning drive to the airport to catch our flight to Labuan Bajo, on the westernmost tip of the Island of Flores. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the pier to set sail to the UNESCO world heritage site, Komodo Island. We will be assigned a trekking guide who will take us for a short trek around Komodo National Park looking for Komodo Dragons. There are a few different treks which range in distance from 45 minutes walking, 1 hour walking up to 2 hour trek. At the end of the time with the Komodo Dragons, we return to the boat to enjoy lunch.
Then we travel by boat about 30 minutes along the coast of Komodo Island to Pink Beach. The beach earned its name for the way the sand can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The pink color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear water.
In the late afternoon, we will sail back to Labuan Bajo harbor and transfer to the Jayakarta Suites Komodo-Flores for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Labuan Bajo – Bali
We travel back to Bali today. Sleep late and enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the Labuan Bajo airport for our flight to Denpasar. Upon arrival we will head to our beach resort, the Puri Santrian, located in Sanur, a seaside town in the southeast of the island. Its long stretch of beach offers shallow waters. Colorful jukung fishing boats rest on the sand, backed by a paved cycling path. The leafy main street, Jalan Danau Tamblingan is lined with art galleries and restaurants. The beautiful Puri Santrian Beach Resort has three large pools to relax by, plus a private 650 foot long white sandy beach.
Day 7: Fun on the Beach
Today you will have the whole day to enjoy the amenities of our beach hotel. Relax at the pool or the beach. Try an activity like parasailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, jet ski, ocean kayak, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and tours with a glass bottom boat. Visit the hotel spa in a tranquil garden at the beach front.
Day 8: Uluwatu Temple – Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a pleasant short ride along the hills of Bali’s southern peninsula. This area known as Bukit offers landscape and topography unequaled by any other regions.
Our tour ends up at Jimbaran Beach for our farewell BBQ seafood dinner, which will be served on the beach.
Day 9: Depart Bali
Relax at our hotel before transferring to the airport and your flight home. It is now time to say goodbye to Bali and all your new single travel friends. Please make sure you are ready for your transfer to the airport three hours before your flight.
Bali and Komodo Island Escape
Double Occupancy: $2785.00
Single Supplement: $895.00
Deposit: $500.00
Balance Due: August 15th
INCLUDED
8 Nights Accommodations
Breakfast Daily – 5 Lunches – 3 Dinners
Roundtrip Flight and Boat Ride to Komodo Island
Dedicated English Speaking Tour Leader
Guided Tours per Itinerary
Airport/Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates
All Taxes and Surcharges
NOT INCLUDED
International Airfare
Visa on Arrival ($25 per person)
Pre-Night Hotel w/Transfer: $175
Gratuities