Highlights
- Prepare lunch with a local family and learn firsthand about daily life here
- Take a leisurely bicycle tour through rural Bali and chat with the locals
- Snorkel over a virgin coral reef in Lombok and meet the sea turtles there
- Experience the majestic Tiu Kelep waterfalls
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bali, Explore Ubud | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 2 | Ayung River Rafting | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 3 | Cultural Immersion & Traditional Lunch at Rumah Desa | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 4 | Bicycle Tour from Kintamani to Ubud | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 5 | Ferry to Lombok & Explore | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 6 | Gili Islands Trip | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 7 | Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 8 | Gili Layar & Rengit Snorkeling | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 9 | Ferry to Bali, Explore Sanur | Sanur, Bali |
| Day 10 | Depart Bali |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Explore Ubud
Selamat Datang, welcome to Bali! A private driver will meet you and your family at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Ubud. During the trip, your driver will tell you a bit about the island―feel free to ask any questions you have. Once you've settled in, explore Ubud at your own pace. It's a small town, easily seen on foot but packed with activities and great food. Head to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary to see ancient banyan trees, beautiful temples, and over 1,000 entertaining macaque monkeys―a highlight for the kids!
To get more of a sense of the area's culture and history, tour the Royal Palace―the kids will love the traditional dance performance there. Afterward, let the kids stretch their legs with a walk around one of the many rice terraces and paddies surrounding Ubud. Alternatively, if you're up for a short trip out of town, the Tegenungan waterfall is spectacular and is a popular place to take a selfie or two. Kids can swim or paddle there or at a smaller, less crowded waterfall on the way in. Grab a homemade ice cream and start your holiday the right way!
Day 2: Ayung River Rafting
Kids aged five and up are welcome on this beginner-level tour of the Ayung River, making it the most family-friendly option for river rafting. This two-hour tour will nevertheless provide plenty of excitement and thrills as you raft down 21 rapids through the jungle's heart. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and birdlife, as well as stunning waterfalls. At the finish, you'll be taken for lunch at a local restaurant―you and the kids will doubtless have worked up a good appetite!
Spend the afternoon exploring the area around Ubud. Try one of the activities you didn't get to yesterday, or head to the extensive local markets for local crafts and souvenir shopping. There are also multiple places where you and the kids can try your hands at traditional crafts, from wood carving to Batik dyeing. You'll find several animal parks a short drive from town―take your pick of birds, reptiles, butterflies, or a more traditional zoo. Your biggest challenge will be deciding what to do next!
Day 3: Cultural Immersion & Traditional Lunch at Rumah Desa
Spend a morning off the beaten track with a local family at Rumah Desa, a traditional countryside house. You and the kids will have the chance to learn firsthand about daily life here, especially the cultivation and preparation of food. See how coconut oil is made, how the cows and chickens are cared for, and how different spices are used. You'll get a chance to go out to the rice fields and plantations―incredibly, the same irrigation system has been successfully used for centuries―and enjoy a tasty, traditional lunch. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring Ubud or relax at your accommodation.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Bicycle Tour from Kintamani to Ubud
Take your family on a tour of rural Bali today as you enjoy a relaxed four-hour bike ride through the countryside guided by a local. Starting in the beautiful volcanic village of Kintamani, you'll ride mostly on a gentle downhill slope, nice and easy for the kids (or the ones carrying them!). Going at a leisurely pace, you'll have plenty of time to take photographs and chat with the locals.
You'll pass through several villages―feel free to take a look at the temples or try the local snacks and fruit along the way. Ride by the local paddy fields, and, with the help of your guide, talk to a farmer about his work. Afterward, you'll be taken back to your accommodation in Ubud―spend the rest of your day relaxing, exploring, or shopping to your heart's content!
Day 5: Ferry to Lombok & Explore
This morning you'll be taken by private car to Padangbai Harbor, where you'll board the fast ferry to Lombok, Bali's quieter but no less beautiful neighbor. Relax as your family crosses the Lombok Strait, enjoying the fresh air and stunning sea views on this two-hour trip. Your driver will meet you at the jetty and take you to your accommodation in Sengiggi. The rest of the day is yours to explore―and there is plenty to find!
For a natural spectacle, head to the well-named Pink Beach. The kids will be captivated by the pink sand caused by crushed coral. This one is a bit of a trek, so for a classic beach day, you can also go to any one of several beaches closer to Sengiggi (add some excitement by throwing in some kid-friendly surfing lessons). If you head to Kuta Beach, you'll also find a traditional Sasak (Indigenous) village where you can take a guided tour and learn about traditional life and crafts. Another option is the Lombok Wildlife Park―the kids will love the chance to meet the parrots close up, hand-feed the elephants, and play with an orangutan.
Day 6: Gili Islands Trip
Spend the day island hopping with a boat excursion to the three Gili Islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno—situated just north of Lombok. Enjoy snorkeling in clear waters, getting up close to colorful fish, and, if you're lucky, even sea turtles. The beaches are clean and shallow, and the water calm, making this ideal for the younger ones. Make sure you see the underwater statues at Gili Meno. On the island itself, you'll also find a turtle sanctuary and bird park if you and the kids want a little break from the water. Lunch will be served on your boat, or head to a local restaurant at one of your stops.
Day 7: Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then take your family out for a guided day trip in the north of Lombok. Your first stop is the Lending Bajur markets to see where the locals get their daily supplies of rice, vegetables, fish, and spices. Driving on to Pusuk Forest, you and the kids have the chance to see monkeys in their natural habitat and even take a few photos with the friendliest ones―just make sure you don't lose any of your possessions to these talented wee thieves!
Next, you'll head to Senaru village on the slopes of Mount Rinjani. Here you can see the spectacular Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, just a short trek away (the trail to the more famous Tiu Kelep will also take you straight past Sendang Gile). Lunch will be at the beautiful Pondok Senaru cottage complex, after which you can head to a nearby Sasak village to learn about local Indigenous architecture and life. Afterward, head back to your accommodation in Sengiggi, stopping at Malimbu Beach on the way. Offering great views of the Gili Islands, this is a good spot to take a few photos and have a quick swim.
Day 8: Gili Layar & Rengit Snorkeling
It's time for another day of island hopping! Today your family will be headed to lesser-known Gili Rengit and Gili Layar for an extraordinary day of swimming and snorkeling. Relax on the white, sandy beaches and enjoy pristine waters. Thanks to fewer numbers of visitors, the marine life around here is unspoiled, so you can expect some excellent snorkeling, The Kids will love exploring the colorful coral reefs and spotting bright, tropical fish and sea stars. Lunch is included. Your driver will transfer you to your accommodation at the end of a sun-and-sea-filled day.
Day 9: Ferry to Bali, Explore Sanur
Your family's day starts with a private transfer back to the harbor to board the fast boat to Bali. Enjoy the sea views and morning breeze as you relax on your two-hour trip, keeping your eyes peeled for seabirds and marine life on the way. A driver will meet you on land and take you to your accommodation in Sanur, a beautiful little town on the east coast. Though popular with tourists, Sanur is notably quieter than other resort areas and is the ideal place for you to relax with the kids before heading home.
Day 10: Depart Bali
Sadly, it's the last day of your family holiday. Sneak out of bed extra early to see a beautiful sunrise over Sanur and then enjoy a leisurely family beachside breakfast. If you have a little time, head out for another swim and build a few more sandcastles before walking back to your accommodation to meet your driver and transfer to the airport. Sampai jumpa lagi! See you again!
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