Essential Bali 2025

Bali has been called “The Island of the Gods” due to the thousands of Hindu temples found everywhere. However, it is also a paradise for mere mortals, and a Bali vacation is a heavenly experience in many ways. Unlike other Indonesian islands, which are basically Muslim, Bali is strongly influenced by the Hindu religion and culture, which is demonstrated in everyday life through the small offerings found in Balinese houses, businesses, restaurants, and many other places. The island also has beaches, volcanoes, rice paddies, mountain treks, arts and crafts, ceremonies, and blessings; mountaintop sunrises; and beachside sunsets. Whichever Bali you’re looking for, it’s waiting to be found.
Accommodations: Alila Manggis

Next we proceed to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, the second water palace magically located between towering hills and rice terraces. After exploring the extensive tropical gardens and two large, shallow ponds, the painted statues of Balinese Barong and Rangda as well as the series of decorated water channels, we continue the visit to Sibetan Village, which is famous for its “salak” or snake skin fruit. Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Alila Manggis (Breakfast, Lunch)

We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Rendang Village with a view of the rice terraces. If weather permits, we may enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Agung, the highest volcano in Bali. Next, we travel to Tihingan Village. The villagers here are well known as the producer of Gamelan, a traditional music instrument made from bronze or copper, used in escorting Balinese dances and some ritual ceremonies. We then proceed to Tenganan (Bali Aga), an ancient fortress village surrounded by high mountains and preserves local beliefs and rulings which are very different from the rest of Bali. People in these villages are skilled in arts and crafts, including the double Ikat weaving, and Gringsing, which is practiced in only two other places in the world. On the way back to the hotel, we make a short stop at the shore to see the traditional salt Processing.
Accommodations: Alila Manggis (Breakfast, Lunch)

Afterwards, we enjoy a suckling pig lunch at Ibu Oka in Ubud. Following lunch, we spend time strolling through the many shops and galleries before returning to our hotel.
Accommodations: Plataran Ubud (Breakfast, Lunch)

Next, we stop at Batubulan Village, which is well known for its stone carving and ornate temples. We continue on through the woodcarving village of Mas and watch artisans chipping intricate designs from wood blocks. Our last stop before traveling back to our hotel is Celuk, the artistic heart and the gold and silver making center of Bali. Before traveling back to our hotel, we enjoy a cool break at the mountain village of Kintamani with its cool breeze and breathtaking vista of the still-active Mount Batur and its crater-lake while enjoying our lunch at local restaurant.

Accommodations: Plataran Ubud (Breakfast, Lunch)

Check out of the Ubud hotel and travel to Seminyak. First visit is to Mengwi “Taman Ayun”, known as the “Garden Temple in the Water”. Being a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the seven royal temples in Bali, the imposing complex stands on an island in a river and consists of two courts and a walled inner temple closed to non-Hindus.
Leaving the temple, we visit the sacred Monkey Forest, a cluster of towering trees, home to hundreds of monkeys. From here, we travel to Tanah Lot, the Temple of Earth and Sea, and watch the sunset beyond the black towers of this 16th century temple built on a black lava rock 200 meters off shore. The dramatic setting draws crowds to these shores every evening, and at low tide we can walk up on the rocky outcrop where the temple sits over the ocean.
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Sanur (Breakfast, Dinner)

On arrival, we enjoy a performance of the Ramayana epic-based Kecak Dance with the majestic temple and sunset as its background. The Kecak Dance is an especially unique and one of the most dramatic of all Balinese dances. A combination of dance and drama, the Kecak dance depicts the Hindu epic, “Ramayana,” and tells the story of Prince Rama, who with the help of the monkey-king Hanoman defeats the evil King Rahvana to rescue his Princess Sita. We then enjoy our Farewell BBQ Beach Dinner at Jimbaran.
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Sanur (Breakfast, Dinner)