Highlights
- Learn the traditions and history of Balinese dance with a family dance lesson
- Create and taste delicious chocolates at a chocolate-making workshop
- Walk the endless green rice fields and plantations of Lombok island
- Swim, surf, and play on Jimbaran Bay's endless white-sand beaches
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 2 | Sea Turtle Experience, Traditional Balinese Dance Lesson | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 3 | Guided Family Tour of Ubud | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 4 | Cycling Adventure & Chocolate-Making Class | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 5 | Free Day in Ubud, River Rafting Expedition | Ubud, Bali |
| Day 6 | Fly to Lombok, Free Time to Explore | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 7 | Lombok Nature Expedition: Villages, Plantations & Waterfalls | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 8 | Family Cultural Tour of Lombok | Senggigi, Lombok |
| Day 9 | Fly to Jimbaran, Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Jimbaran Dinner | Jimbaran, Bali |
| Day 10 | Balinese Daily Life: Markets, Rice Fields & Historic Sites | Jimbaran, Bali |
| Day 11 | Family Excursion to Bali's Sacred Sights | Jimbaran, Bali |
| Day 12 | E-Biking Fun in Jatiluwih | Jimbaran, Bali |
| Day 13 | Family Beach Day in Jimbaran | Jimbaran, Bali |
| Day 14 | Depart Bali |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud
Welcome to the Indonesian island of Bali! You'll arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Ubud. Located in the island's uplands, Ubud is renowned for its arts and culture, verdant greenery, and welcoming people. During the scenic 1.5-hour drive, you'll enjoy views of the island's twisting roads, quaint villages, and terraced rice fields. Once you and your family have checked in at your accommodations, head out to see more of this charming city.
You can take the kids out to explore some of the town's boutiques and cafés or visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art, which has exhibits dedicated to the preservation of Balinese art and culture. Stroll through the lively Ubud Market while vendors hawk their wares, and see Ubud Palace, which was once the home of the royal family and features intricately carved walls and doorways. Finish the day by sampling a traditional Indonesian meal—dishes to try include bebek goreng (crispy duck) and satays of grilled beef, chicken, or shrimp.
Day 2: Sea Turtle Experience, Traditional Balinese Dance Lesson
Cater to your young naturalists today with a visit to a sea turtle hatchery. A local conservation project on nearby Saba Beach helps protect and support the turtle population, collecting the eggs to safeguard them from predators and hatching them in a protected pond. You and the kids can see the adorable hatchlings, learn about the epic journey from egg to sea, and help support the conservation work that protects these critically endangered animals.
Tonight, learn more about Balinese culture with a traditional dance lesson. Your family will visit a local studio, originally created by the talented artist Bapak Ketut, and learn the panyembrama, a dance that includes movements from various sacred Balinese dances. Work with professional dancers and other students, and hear captivating stories behind the history of the dances while the whole family practices their new moves!Day 3: Guided Family Tour of Ubud
See more of Ubud with a full-day guided tour, meeting with your local guide, and starting with a visit to the village of Mas, which is known for its intricate wood carvings. The kids will love watching the talented artisans create different shapes and creatures from the wood and will learn all about the carving process. If you didn't make it there when you first arrived in the city, you can also visit Pengosekan and the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), one of the best collections of Balinese and Indonesian paintings.
Next up is a delightful visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary—sure to be a hit with the little ones! Also known as the Ubud Monkey Forest, this protected reserve is home to more than 1,200 long-tailed macaques, considered sacred by the Balinese people. Watch the monkeys play, and don't be surprised if these curious creatures approach you. While the monkeys are used to visitors and not aggressive, do hold onto your belongings because they're known to be intrigued by interesting objects!
Continue to central Ubud for lunch, then spend some time at the Royal Palace and the Ubud Art Market, which has all kinds of Balinese handicrafts and textiles, as well as fun souvenirs that the kids might like to purchase. Tonight, relax at your hotel, have dinner at a local restaurant, or explore more of the city on your own.
Day 4: Cycling Adventure & Chocolate-Making Class
This morning, explore Ubud's picturesque countryside via a bicycle tour. Your guides will meet you at your hotel, and after getting set up with your bikes and helmets (bike seats provided for younger children), you'll set off. Ride out of the city, pedaling along quiet roads that have minimal traffic and are safe for families with kids of all ages. Visit the famous rice fields and nearby villages as your knowledgeable guides share insight into the Balinese way of life and traditions. Be sure the kids wave hello to the friendly rice farmers as you pass by the fields!
After your bike ride, it's time for a sweet treat with a visit to a chocolate factory. Learn about the region's organic farming practices and see the process of Balinese cocoa pods going from flower to harvest to become delicious chocolate. Your family will also get to participate in a chocolate-making workshop, where you and the kids can make chocolate, topping it with different ingredients and tasting your creations.
Day 5: Free Day in Ubud, River Rafting Expedition
Your last full day in Ubud is yours to do as you please. You and the family can relax at your resort, enjoy the pool and other amenities, or take the kids out to see more sights around town. If you're interested in archaeology, you can visit the Elephant Cave or Goa Gajah. Originally thought to have been built as a sanctuary for spiritual meditation, the site has beautiful carvings and several ancient statues worth seeing.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Fly to Lombok, Free Time to Explore
Your next destination is the island of Lombok. A private transfer will pick you up in the morning and take you to the airport, where you'll catch a quick, 40-minute flight to the island. Once there, you'll be met by a driver and taken to your hotel in Senggigi, a resort town and tourist hub located just north of the capital city of Mataram. After you check in at your hotel, you're free to enjoy the day at your leisure.
If you don't want to stray too far from town, take the family to Senggigi Beach, a small public beach where you can relax and let the kids play. Or, you can head north to Kerangdangan Beach, a popular spot for families with gentle waves and soft white sand. Kerangdangan also has several restaurants nearby, making it a perfect lunch spot.
Families interested in local history can visit the Pura Batu Bolong temple, an ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of a rock formation, or if you've got older kids, you can also look at renting scooters to cruise around the island. Tonight, relax at your hotel in anticipation of continuing your adventures tomorrow.
Day 7: Nature Expedition: Villages, Plantations & Waterfalls
Get ready for an impressive family journey into the culture and traditions of Lombok. You'll meet up with your guides in the morning and start out on an exciting driving tour that takes you through rice fields and terraced rice paddies, charming villages, and rolling hills, eventually reaching the valley of Sembalun and the Rinjani volcano. Stop to take in the expansive views of Pusuk Pass, and the kids can watch the playful monkeys in the nearby forest.
From here, continue the drive past Sasak villages, such as Lawang and Bumbung, where your family will get a firsthand look at local life. Stop in the abandoned village of Beleque, then watch local farmers as they cultivate crops on Trek Selong Hill and the surrounding plantations. Local farmers here grow a wide range of crops, and if you happen to be here during harvest, you and the kids can help pick some fresh and delicious strawberries!
Before returning to town, you'll stop at Sendang Gile Waterfall, which towers at more than 400 feet (125 m) amid the lush forest greenery. Have lunch at a local restaurant here, then drive along the black-sand beaches of the northern coastline as you make your way back to your hotel. Make a final and memorable stop at Malimbu Hill, where the natural backdrop makes for a perfect family photo op to commemorate the day.
Day 8: Family Cultural Tour of Lombok
Learn more about the island's heritage and history with a family city tour. Your guides will pick you up from your hotel, and you'll head into the capital city of Mataram, making your first stop at the Mayura Water Palace, a remarkable structure that dates back to 1744 and was once part of the island's Balinese Kingdom. Walk through the bustling Mandalika Market, immersing your family in the daily local activities, then continue to Taman Narmada (Narmada Gardens), a beautifully serene garden space with spring waters that are believed to bestow eternal youth.
Your final stop is Lingsar Temple, an important symbol of unity between the island's Muslim and Hindu communities. Here, both faiths come together in prayer and worship, creating a unique and deeply meaningful experience for families to cherish. You can explore the exterior grounds freely or, with appropriate attire, walk through the temple's interior rooms. The temple grounds also have a pond that is considered sacred to the deity Vishnu and is home to a family of holy eels, which the little ones might enjoy seeing.
Day 9: Fly to Jimbaran, Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Jimbaran Dinner
It's back to Bali today and on to the white-sand beaches of Jimbaran, a coastal resort town that sits in protected Jimbaran Bay. After breakfast, your family will take a private transfer to the airport for the 40-minute flight. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, and after you've had some time to relax and regroup, you and the kids will have the opportunity to see the talented kecak dancers of Bali at a Jimbaran dinner show.
Your guides will transport you to Uluwatu, a beautiful headland in the south of Bali that's home to the sacred temple of Pura Uluwatu. This cliffside shrine overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers endless views of the sea and countryside. At a nearby amphitheater, you'll watch a sunset kecak fire dance performance, a form of Balinese Hindu dance that tells the story of the abduction of the goddess Sita and the battles that followed. After the performance, you'll be served a delicious beachside seafood dinner, and the kids can run and play along the shore.
Day 10: Balinese Daily Life: Markets, Rice Fields & Historic Sites
Experience a guided tour of Balinese daily life, starting with a walk through one of Jimbaran's colorful markets. See local people buying and selling their goods, and purchase some fun keepsakes and souvenirs for family and friends as your guide shares insight into the traditions and cultures of the island. From here, you'll continue to a local subak cultivation system, where you can see how the Balinese farmers grow their rice using an ancient and sustainable method. Trek through the greenery of the rice fields, letting the kids enjoy the fresh air and saying hello to the farmers as they work.
After your visit to the rice fields, stop for coffee and snacks at a local café, then visit Pura Batu Ngaus, a mysterious fertility temple that stands on a remote rock in the ocean. Learn about the history and significance of this rare and special place, then end your tour at nearby Canggu and the Tugu Living Museum, a combination of museum and hotel that showcases artwork and antiques. The adults can have a meal or beverage here, and the kids can even go for a swim!
Day 11: Family Excursion to Bali's Sacred Sights
Start the day with a journey to Tabanan to visit the Taman Ayun, a UNESCO-recognized temple dating back to 1634 and a part of the renowned subak complex rice-field irrigation system. Meet with your guide at your hotel and set out on the one-hour scenic drive, which takes you to the sprawling complex that makes up the temple. The kids will be mesmerized by the large moat that surrounds it, and your guide will share stories of how this was once thought to be the abode of the gods.
Continue to Tanah Lot, a 16th-century temple dramatically perched on a wave-lashed rocky outcrop and a great spot for some photos. You'll have a chance to walk around here for a bit, then you'll return to your hotel, where you and the kids can enjoy some downtime on the beach and dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 12: E-Biking Fun in Jatiluwih
Travel to Jatiluwih today, a UNESCO Heritage Site that encompasses more than 740 acres (300 ha) and is famous for its beautiful rice terraces. Your guides will pick you up in the morning and drive you to Batukaru temple, where your family will get outfitted with e-bikes and begin a cycling tour of this gorgeous and diverse region.
Ride through dense jungles, giant bamboo forests, quaint villages, and green valleys as your guide shares interesting facts and stories about the area. During the ride, you'll all go at your own pace, and even younger riders will be able to keep up comfortably. End at a hilltop, where the carved rice terraces stretch out for miles, divided by the intricate system of irrigation paths.
Day 13: Family Beach Day in Jimbaran
Your last day in Indonesia should definitely include some of what this country is known for—incredible beaches and surfing! Spend some time letting the kids play in the calm, protected waters of Jimbaran Bay, and have lunch at one of the many fish restaurants that line the shore.
Budding surfers in the family may want to visit Dreamland Beach, a 328-foot (100 m) stretch of white sand with waves that entice surfers from around the world—this isn't a beginner's spot, as the surf can be quite strong, but the family can all enjoy watching experienced surfers conquer the waves. You can also head to the southern part of the bay where you can take surf or standup paddleboarding lessons or rent some boards to practice on your own. Tonight, take a family walk on the beach as you enjoy your last Balinese sunset.
Day 14: Depart Bali
It's time for your family to bid farewell to Indonesia. Your driver will collect you from your hotel in the morning, transferring you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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