Itinerary Details
G Adventures: Bali and Komodo: Dragons, Rice Terraces & Cultural Ceremonies
Day 1: Ubud: The Center & Soul of Bali
As a center of traditional healing, where the rich knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants has been passed down through generations, Bali, especially Ubud, is now a vibrant hub of culture and spirituality. Lush jungle landscapes, once tended by healers and herbalists, now cradle serene retreats and wellness sanctuaries, where ancient remedies intertwine with modern practices to restore body and soul. Welcome to Bali, and to Indonesia. We invite you to embrace not only Bali's heritage of healing and nature but also the island's natural beauty and adventurous side.
Arrive at any time and meet your included arrival transfer at the airport to bring you to the starting hotel. Choose to accompany your CEO on a brief walk to get to know Ubud. Join your group for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Ubud: Kenderan Village Experience
Just beyond Ubud's busy city life is where you can embrace the tranquil hidden gem of Desa Wisata Kenderan Village. Where nature and Balinese traditions blend so time seems to slow down and you may relax into Bali's cultural richness, sacred temples, emerald green rice terraces and peaceful village life. A morning of cultural immersion turns to an afternoon of free adventure to explore Ubud how you please.
Enjoy a tour of traditional Kendran Village through rice paddies, temples and a waterfall led by a local guide. After a morning in the community, return to the center of Ubud for a free afternoon. As Bali's cultural capital, there is no shortage of amazing things to do. Opt to visit the famous Monkey Forrest, browse through the Ubud Market or admire the Ubud Palace and many temples.
Day 3: Ubud: Your OMG Day
To raft or to eat? That is today's question! Your OMG Day is all about choices and lucky for you, you get to choose! Looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush? Grab a paddle and head down the river on a white water rafting adventure with a local guide! Looking to venture down Bali's culinary side? Join a cooking class that will have you hands on in a Balinese market and in the kitchen. However you'd prefer to spend your day, you are sure to have some stories to share over dinner. In the evening, come back together as a group for an epic firefly experience. Enjoy dinner together in the rice paddies before heading out in the night to see the fireflies light up the sky. A pretty magical evening!
Your day will be epic no matter which way you spend it on your OMG Day. Fill in your fellow travellers on what the day held over a delicious dinner in Taro Village.
Day 4: Ubud to Munduk: Macaques, Rice Terraces and the Floating Temple
Verdant Bali is dotted with terraced fields that cascade down hillsides, their lush greens shimmering in the sunlight. As you pass through small villages, you’ll often catch the scent of incense wafting from temples and offerings placed along roadsides. Friendly locals greet you with warm smiles, and the sound of traditional gamelan music drifts from community gatherings, immersing you in the rich culture and tranquil beauty of inland Bali.
Drive northwest from Ubud to Munduk and make some amazing pitstops today. The first stop is at Sangeh Monkey Forest, a slightly crowded but equally as beautiful monkey forest. Watch the macaques play and admire the ancient Balinese architecture. The next stop is the famous Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we can enjoy a short walk through the rice fields. The last stop is at the breathtaking Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. Admire the floating temple with the stunning mountainous backdrop before driving to Munduk and checking into your OMG Stay.
Day 5: Munduk: Your OMG Stay
The beautiful region of Munduk in Northern Bali is known to be greener, cooler and much less touristy than other parts of the island. With blue lakes, misty mountains, historic puras, Balinese Temples, and incredible hiking, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in all that Munduk has to offer today. And today you'll experience just that. After an invigorating east trek to temples and waterfalls, get settled into your Munduk OMG stay.
Trek through the tropical Balinese jungle, along beautiful lakes and passed historic temples. In the afternoon, enjoy the many amazing activities at your OMG Stay. Tour the coffee plantation, build your own Balinese kite, join a yoga class or even make homemade soap.
Day 6: Flores: In search of the world's largest lizard
Imagine a lizard so big they call it a dragon. What sounds like a legend is actually real, endemic to Komodo National Park. The Komodo dragon is of course not an actual dragon, but as the biggest and heaviest lizard in the world, this great reptile has quite the global reputation. This large beast can only be found on five tiny islands in the center of the Indonesian Archipelago, with only about 3500 remaining in the wild. Over the next few days, take the unique opportunity to explore some of the tropical islands where these rare, endangered lizards live.
Leave the lakeside mountains of Munduk this morning and drive back to Denpasar Airport. A trip back toward the city is deserving of a stop in one of Bali's most famous temples, Taman Ayun. With dark pagodas that stand out against a bright green forrest backdrop, this is the perfect stop off before arriving to the airport. An afternoon flight brings us to the island of Flores. We'll meet our private transfer at the airport and they'll bring us to our hotel for a restful evening before our Komodo adventure begins!
Day 7: Komodo National Park Day 1: Pink Sand Beaches and Komodo Dragons
Traveling in Komodo is a rare and extraordinary adventure, where rugged landscapes meet vibrant coral reefs and unique wildlife, including the legendary Komodo dragons. The islands offer an unparalleled mix of natural wonders, from pink sand beaches to crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling among seemingly untouched marine ecosystems. Today explore Komodo Island and other small, neighboring islands on an unforgettable boating trip and a chance to see the infamous Komodo Dragon. Enjoy lunch on the beach, snorkel in the perfect water and soak up the sun before returning to Labuan Bajo for the evening.
Day 8: Komodo National Park Day 2: Snorkel and Trek
The largest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon weigh as much, or more as most adult humans. Spotting these ancient predators in their natural habitat, with their slow, powerful movements and intense gaze, is both thrilling and humbling, offering a rare glimpse into a prehistoric world. Enjoy the encounter as much as the adventure through Komodo National Park!
After rushing over the crystal blue water, arrive to rugged savannas and dense forests, where we'll meet a local ranger. Trek through Rinca Island in Komodo National Park to see the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon. After the opportunity to see them in the wild, snorkel through some of Indonesia's most incredible coral reefs at Manjarite and Kelor Island.
Day 9: Labuan Bajo to Candi Dasa: To Bali's Quiet Coast
A morning flight brings us back safely to Bali. We'll drive to the northeastern coast, stopping at the amazing Bat Cave Temple, Goa Lawah Temple, along the way. This afternoon we will arrive to Candidasa beach, one of Bali's best hidden gems. With one main road that connects the whole beachside town, you'll escape the busy, touristy towns for this quaint and picturesque fishing village. There's no place better to wrap up your trip than here.
Day 10: Sibetan Village: The Legacy of the Snake Fruit
When the active volcano Gunung Agung erupted in 1963, the farms and rice paddies of Sibetan Village were all but covered in ash and magma. Only one plant seemed to survive the tragedy, the Salak Palm and its sweet snake fruit. The villagers collected the Salak seeds and have since discovered 14 different species of snake fruit, 10 of which are considered extremely rare. On a bicycle tour through this village, have a chance to try the unique snake fruit and maybe even their snake fruit wine.
Day 11: Candi Dasa: Final Day in Paradise
One last day in paradise means another opportunity to lay on the Candi Dasa golden sand and watch the brightly colored fisherman boats drift along the horizon. It gives you one more day to take a dip in the turquoise sea and snorkel through the rainbow reef. One day more to hear the waves crash, to smell the frangipani blossoms in the air and to see the historic Balinese temples backed by lush green jungle. Explore or relax, it's however you want to spend your final day in paradise.
With a free day ahead of you, opt to spend the day however you'd like. Feel free to plan your own adventure. Or opt to snorkel through the turquoise Candi Dasa water.
Day 12: Candi Dasa/Denpasar
After breakfast at the hotel, and maybe one last dip in the Balinese sea, your morning airport transfer will bring you to the Denpasar Airport in the early afternoon. Your Geluxe adventures ends upon arrival at the airport.