Luxury Indonesian Island Escape: Bali & Lombok - 7 Days

Highlights

• Discover the spiritual side of Bali with a visit to the revered Tirta Empul temple
• Say hello to curious monkeys at the Sangeh Monkey Forest conservation area
• Relax on your private, ocean-view terrace at Lombok's 5-star Oberoi Beach Resort
• Swim with turtles and colorful tropical fish off the coasts of the Gili Islands

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud, Free Afternoon to Explore

Welcome to Indonesia! Your flight lands on the island of Bali, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and known for its lush landscapes, ornate temples, and rich cultural traditions. Your private driver will collect you from the airport and transfer you to the town of Ubud, where you'll check in at the COMO Uma Ubud, a luxury resort that features rooms with contemporary Asian decor, options for private terraces or pool suites, and on-site restaurants offering world-class cuisine. 

After hotel check-in, your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Head into town and take a stroll along its charming streets, stopping in at local shops or grabbing a bite at a local restaurant. For souvenirs, visit the Ubud Art Market, where you can find items like silk scarves, handcrafted bags, and fun kites, or if you'd like to get out into nature a bit, make your way to the temple of Pura Gunung Lebah and follow the Campuhan Ridge Walk, an hourlong, fairly easy hike that takes you through rice paddies and palm trees, ending at the top of the ridge. Tonight, relax and regroup at your hotel after the long day.

Day 2: Ubud's Holy Sites: Tirta Empul Temple, Goa Gajah Cave & Gunung Kawi 

Discover the spiritual side of Balinese culture today, starting with a privately guided visit to the iconic Tirta Empul temple. Here, you'll explore the temple complex and witness people praying in the shrine and bathing in the "Holy Spring," renowned for its healing properties. Learn about Balinese traditions as you observe locals use the 11 water spouts in the central courtyard for spiritual cleansing.

Continue to Goa Gajah, a sacred Hindu cave temple on the outskirts of the island. Dating back to the ninth century, archaeologists believe the cave was hand-dug by Hindu priests with the intent to use it as a sanctuary. Your guide will share information on the cave's history as you take in the ornately carved entrance and see the statues of the Hindu deities, Shiva and Vishnu. As local residents still use the cave for prayers and offerings, visitors are asked to keep their distance and refrain from taking photos of people praying.

End the day at Gunung Kawi, an ancient temple complex that overlooks the Pakerisan River and consists of 10 different shrine reliefs carved into the cliff face. The carvings, with their intricate designs and doorways, were made to look like small buildings, and the accompanying views of the valley below are nothing short of spectacular! 

Day 3: Visit Taman Ayun, Batukaru Temple, Monkey Forest & Ulun Danu Complex

After breakfast, head out with your guide for a private tour of Pura Taman Ayun, whose name aptly translates to "beautiful garden." Built in 1634 by the Raja of Mengw to honor the deified ancestors of the Raja Dynasty, this is considered one of Bali's most significant temples. Walk the grounds and enjoy the park-like atmosphere, with its ponds and shady trees, and hear stories from your guide about the temple's history and traditions. 

From here, head to the slopes of Mount Batukaru—an extinct volcano and Bali's second-highest mountain. Here, you'll find Batukaru Temple, a sacred site for the local Hindu population and one of the island's nine "directional temples," which are said to protect Bali and its inhabitants from evil spirits. Walk through the temple's serene courtyards and visit its tiered shrines, one of which has seven roofs.

Stop at Sangeh Monkey Forest, a nature conservation area that covers 35 acres (14 ha) and is considered sacred. Within the forest, you'll find hundreds of macaque monkeys, along with a 17th-century Bukit Sari temple. Visit with the monkeys for a bit, then finish the tour at Ulun Danu Beratan, a 17th-century complex dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of Lake Beratan. The shrine, which sits on the shores of the lake, has distinctive multi-tiered meru shrines, intricate carvings, and a restive atmosphere that makes for the perfect end to the day. 

Day 4: Fly to Lombok, Explore the Island's Villages & Beaches 

Your next destination is the island of Lombok, located just a quick 50-minute flight from Bali and featuring incredible white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Check out of your hotel and meet your driver for transport to the airport. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the Oberoi Beach Resort, a 5-star retreat that sits on the shores of Medana Beach. Here, you'll find acres upon acres of landscaped gardens, an infinity pool that appears to fall right into the ocean, and rooms that offer private terraces with floor-to-ceiling glass paneled doors you can throw open to enjoy the island breezes.

Once you've gotten settled, you're free to indulge in the hotel's many amenities or step out and see some of the island on your own. For snorkeling and sunbathing, visit one of the island's beaches, such as Kuta Beach, a popular stretch of sand located near Kuta village, or Pink Beach, which gets its hue from crushed coral. You can also tour Lombok's traditional villages, which include Sasak Sade, where the residents create beautiful woven goods, or Ende, where you can see Sasak homes built in their unique architectural style and get to know some of the villagers. 

Day 5: Boating & Snorkeling Tour of Gili Layar & Gili Rengit

Today's private excursion takes you to the islands of Gili Rengit and Gili Layar, two small, unpopulated islands with pristine beaches and peaceful turquoise waters. In the morning, meet your guide and board a boat to cruise over to Gili Rengit, where you'll relax on the warm, sandy beach and swim in crystalline water. This area is most known for its snorkeling, and your expert guide will take you to the best spots around the island. In addition to a wide variety of tropical fish and other sea life, you'll also get to see the huge coral reef that sits offshore. 

Another quick boat ride takes you to Gili Layar, which has a large coral reef, plenty of snorkeling opportunities, and, of course, more idyllic white-sand beaches. The snorkeling here is considered some of the best in Bali—dive under the ocean's surface to explore the reef for sightings of turtles, fish, and huge starfish. Return to shore in time for another impressive sunset and a delicious dinner at the resort or in town.

Day 6: Boating & Snorkeling Tour of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air & Gili Meno

Make the most of your last day in Lombok with more cruising around the Gili Islands. This time, your private boat tour will take you to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno, all of which are situated just north of Lombok. Stop at some of the best snorkeling spots around the islands, offering you an up-close view of the colorful sea life that these waters are known for. If you're lucky, you may even get to swim alongside a sea turtle or two! You can also snorkel around underwater statues that sit offshore from Gili Meno.

Lunch will be served on board the boat, or you can stop at a local restaurant before returning to your resort. As evening falls on the final night of your trip, indulge in a session at the resort's opulent spa, or book a private dinner on the beach, where you can toast your Indonesian adventures and watch a colorful sunset over the ocean.

Day 7: Depart Lombok 

Your adventure in Indonesia ends today. After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and meet your driver for your transfer to the airport to catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

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