Bali & Lombok Family Adventure - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Bali

Welcome to Bali! You'll arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport. A driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Ubud. During the drive, you'll enjoy views of the island's twisting roads, quaint villages, and terraced rice fields. Once you arrive in Ubud and check in at your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day and evening free to relax. Explore the town's boutiques and cafés, take a yoga class, visit Ubud Palace, or learn about Balinese art at the excellent Agung Rai Museum of Art or the Neka Art Museum. Wander through Ubud Monkey Forest to see three historic temples and a native population of Balinese macaques — keep your distance and avoid direct eye contact, as the monkeys can get aggressive! Finish the day with a traditional Indonesian meal. Dishes to try include bebek goreng (crispy duck) and satays of grilled beef, chicken, or shrimp.

Day 2: Sightsee in Ubud & Take a Cooking Class

This morning you'll meet a Balinese chef and visit a local market to browse a wide selection of tropical fruits, organic vegetables, spices, and more. Shop for ingredients for today's cooking class, during which you will learn about traditional culinary techniques and flavors of Indonesia. After dining on the dishes you prepare together, you'll continue with an afternoon of sightseeing.

Visit Tirta Empul, a Hindu water temple. The central courtyard of the compound features a natural bathing area used for ritual purification — the temple's name means "Holy Spring." You'll likely observe locals praying at the shrine, then entering the water to pray and bathe at a series of water spouts. Next, you'll drive to the countryside and go on a short walk to Tibumana Waterfall. Although swimming is not allowed, you can walk across the rocks at the waterfall's base and dip your feet in the water. Continue on to the stunning Tagalalang Rice Fields near the village of Ceking, where the terraced paddies look like ocean waves. You can enjoy the views from up high or trek down for a closer look at the unique water irrigation system used by Balinese farmers. This is one of the most photographed places in Bali.

Day 3: Travel by Boat to Lombok

After breakfast, travel from Ubud to the harbor in the coastal town of Padangbai. Board a speed boat, then sit back and relax on the journey to Bangsal on the island of Lombok. Enjoy the scenic views and fresh air as the boat cruises across the clear waters. When you arrive in Bangsal, you'll transfer by car to Senggigi. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax and dine on Indonesian cuisine. Tomorrow, you'll discover the Gili Islands, a trio of small islands near the coast of Lombok. 

Day 4: Explore the Gili Islands 

Explore the natural beauty of the Gili Islands with a snorkeling excursion. You'll travel by boat around the three Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. As you snorkel in these clear waters, you'll get a close-up view of colorful sea life and possibly get the chance to swim alongside sea turtles. You'll also snorkel around the underwater statues off the shores of Gili Meno. Between snorkeling stops, lunch will be served on the boat.

Day 5: Snorkel Near Gili Nanguu

Join your guide for a trip to the southern end of Lombok. Along the way, you'll make several stops to discover what daily life is like for the island's residents, many of whom are from the Sasak ethnic group. One of the first stops will be the colorful morning market in the village of Ampenan. Then continue to a traditional fishing village, where you'll have the opportunity to see Sasak women making earthenware pottery using the same techniques that their ancestors have practiced for generations.

After this insightful look into the Sasak culture, continue to the harbor at Lembar, filled with colorful motorized outrigger boats. Board one of these boats to travel to Gili Nanggu, where you'll snorkel and swim in the afternoon before returning to Lembar and then transferring back to your hotel. 

Day 6: Ride a Speedboat Back to Bali

After breakfast, you'll go on a quick transfer to the harbor of Bangsal. Board a speed boat for the two-hour journey from Lombok to Bali. Head to your last destination, Sanur. You'll visit Sukawati Market, a popular Balinese marketplace where you can buy textiles, baskets, artwork, and food in a friendly atmosphere. Then go for a walk on Sanur's sandy beaches and go for a seafood meal, prepared Indonesian-style, on your last night of the trip. 

Day 7: Depart Bali - End of Trip

Today the trip comes to an end. Head to the airport to catch your flight out. Sampai Jumpa Lagi! See you again!