Bali Adventure for Active Families: Ubud & Munduk - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud

Selamat datang and welcome to the Indonesian island of Bali! Your private driver will be waiting to transfer you from the airport in Denpasar to your hotel in Ubud, about an hour's drive inland. Along the way, your driver will provide a short introduction to Bali. After checking into your hotel, you and your family can rest and enjoy the hotel's facilities or head out into the compact, walkable town to get your first taste of the island. You'll come across beautiful little temples on almost every corner, and there are many fabulous and family-friendly restaurants where you can enjoy your first Indonesian meal.

If the little ones are still full of energy in the afternoon, arrange for a visit to Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, located in the city center. This natural forest sanctuary spans over 30 acres (12 ha) and is home to a horde of nearly 1,000 gray long-tailed macaques. Stroll through tropical foliage dotted with temples and stone carvings, then look up to see the trees filled with chattering monkeys. The macaques here are quite bold and have been known to steal sunglasses, climb onto visitors' heads, and more!

Day 2: Rafting on the Telaga Waja River, Bali Safari Marine Park

After a good night's rest, your family should be ready for a thrilling start to your trip with a morning of rafting fun on the Telaga Waja River. While less famous than the Ayung River, the Telaga Waja offers clearer water and stronger currents while still being accessible to children and beginners. An exciting two-hour journey takes you 9 miles (14 km) through the jungle and past hidden villages and waterfalls. There are many rapids along this route, which will get your adrenaline pumping as you navigate them with the help of your rafting guide. After, refuel with a local lunch at the side of the river.

Chill out in the afternoon with a leisurely visit to the Bali Safari Marine Park. It's home to animals representing more than 100 species, including rare and endangered species such as the Komodo dragon and orangutans. The park is at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Indonesia and has a good reputation for treating animals well. Kids of all ages, as well as adults, will enjoy getting a close-up look at the beautiful birds and mammals here.

Day 3: Cycle from Kintamani to Ubud, Evening Hike in Campuhan Valley

Enjoy a different kind of adventure today as you cycle along quiet back roads and through local villages, rice paddy fields, and fantastic countryside for approximately four hours. You'll be driven to Kintamani, from where you will make your way (mostly downhill!) back to Ubud. Stop and take photographs wherever you like, and refresh with fruit snacks along the way. 

After a rest in the afternoon, embark on a late-afternoon hike timed to coincide with the sunset and to take in the cooler evening air. Setting off from your hotel into the Campuhan Valley, a well-marked trail takes you away from the touristy center of Ubud and into the colorful countryside. You'll see traditional Balinese architecture, verdant paddy fields, and small villages. There's a small café along the way if you want to stop for a cool drink. The entire loop is around 5.5 miles (9 km) and takes about two hours from start to finish. You'll enjoy the sunset along the way.

Day 4: Cultural Immersion & Lunch at Rumah Desa, Beji Guwang Hidden Canyon

Learn more about Balinese life and culture this morning with a visit to a traditional home in the countryside, Rumah Desa. The family that lives here will introduce you and your kids to various aspects of Balinese daily life through fun, engaging, and enriching activities. Tour the village rice fields and plantations, learning about the agricultural techniques that Balinese farmers use, then sit down to a traditional-style lunch. Balinese cuisine is distinct from other types of Indonesian cuisine, and you'll learn about these differences first-hand.

Day 5: Transfer to Munduk, Temples Tour & Rice Terraces

Say goodbye to Ubud today and head to your next destination, Munduk, in Northern Bali's highlands. The journey from Ubud will take about two hours. After dropping your bags at your hotel, head out to explore some of the many stunning temples around Munduk. Start at Batukaru, located on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, an extinct volcano, and Bali's second-highest peak. This temple is a sacred site for the local Hindu people, and kids will love learning about its role as one of the island's nine "directional temples," said to protect Bali and its inhabitants from evil spirits.

Then it's on to the famous Ulun Danu Bratan, a picturesque Hindu temple located on Bratan Lake. Built in the 17th century to honor the Hindu gods of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, the compound's ornate shrines and tropical gardens beg to be explored by curious kids. Later in the afternoon, you could head back to the hotel for some rest or get more active with some mountain biking, e-biking, or hiking around the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO-listed site. See local farmers going about their daily tasks in these dazzling green rice paddies, and make sure to stop for a memorable family photo-op.

Day 6: Hike to Munduk's Lakes & Waterfalls

Bali is famous for its lush interior, and today you and the kids will head out for a day of exploration in the jungles around Munduk—with the length and duration of your hike customized to your family's needs. Depart early and take a walk through emerald plantations to reach the hidden Sekumpul waterfalls. Spend time relaxing by the falls or cooling off with a swim, then continue to the shores of Tamblingan Lake. This secluded spot is well off the usual tourist trail and is the perfect place to enjoy the tranquility of the area. If weather permits, there's even the opportunity to glide across the lake in a traditional canoe.

Don't miss checking out some of the small temples dotted around the lake's shores before you leave. Of particular note is the fantastic 10th-century Ulun Danu Tamblingan, similar to the famous Ulun Danu Bratan on Bratan Lake but with far fewer tourists. 

Day 7: Explore Munduk, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to Bali today. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may have time to go out for one last leisurely breakfast or to fit in some last-minute souvenir shopping. In good time for your flight, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Denpasar, a drive of around three hours. Selamat tinggal!