The Bit Beyond Ubud

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: South Bali

Get to south Bali whenever you like because today’s the official start of your trip. Meet up with your local tour guide and fellow travellers tonight.

• Arrive in South Bali and spend time exploring the area

Day 2-3: Ubud

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

The baby macaques in the Sacred Monkey Forest are cute, but the adults are complete drama queens. They will stop at nothing to be the centre of attention. And if they don’t get it, prepare to be hissed at or pickpocketed.   

• Drive to Ubud - the cultural centre of Balinese life and visit the temple of Tanah Lot en route
• Explore the nearby Monkey Forest, temples, paddy fields and the famous art and craft market in the centre of town

Day 4: Lovina

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Isn’t it nice that the sunset here coincides with happy hour at most places? As far as sunsets go, this one is pretty good. Stock up on sarongs at the Bedugul market.

• Drive towards Bali’s northern coast via the temples of Taman Ayun and the market at Bedugul
• Visit Gitgit Waterfalls and perhaps take a swim
• Drive over the highlands that divide the north coast from the south

Day 5: Mount Batar - Kintamani

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Set the alarm early if you want to hit the water on a dolphin watching cruise. Head up the slopes of Mount Batur to our guesthouse for the night.

• Perhaps make the most of waking up early for an optional dolphin cruise
• Leave the coast and ascend the scenic slopes of Mount (Gunung) Batur
• Stop at several viewpoints to take in views of the crater and its lake
• Stay overnight in the Kintamani area - a highland town at an altitude of 1500 metres

Day 6: Padang Bai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Nobody’s going to force you, but it would be awesome if you got up early enough to watch the sunrise on top of Mt Batur.   

• Perhaps set off on a sunrise walk up Mount Batur
• Head for the lovely fishing village of Padang Bai and visit the temple at Besakih en route

Day 7-8: Senaru

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Everyone thought Mount Rinjani was extinct, til she went and erupted in 1994. And again in 2009. Then three times in 2010. So she's not even close to being extinct actually.

Day 7

• Cross by ferry to Lombok and drive to Senaru

Day 8

• Take a free day to enjoy the lovely surrounds
• Undertake optional village walks and visit the nearby waterfalls and rice terraces
• Perhaps set off on an optional trek up Mount (Gunung) Rinjani

Day 9-10: Senggigi

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

You can trek up Mount Rinjani today and spend the night camping on the slopes. Only if you want to. A full day’s walk gets you to the rim of the crater.

• Perhaps embark on an early start for a trek up the slopes of Rinjani
• Spend a full day walking and arrive at the rim of this volcanic mountain, and spend the night camping under canvas or under the stars
• Hike through mountain forest that echoes to the call of monkeys, and emerge on the moonscape slopes of the volcanic cone
• Reach the rim at sunrise and enjoy the views from above the clouds and looking down into the crater
• Take in the panoramas of Rinjani’s peak, Segara Anak (the crater lake) and the new volcano

Day 11-13: Gili Islands

Meals included: 3 breakfasts

The word ‘Gili’ means ‘island’, so it’s name is actually Island Islands. Weird. You've got two days to swim, dive, snorkel or just relax.

• Travel to the Gili Islands - home to the best snorkelling in Lombok
• Spend three days relaxing and exploring on these tranquil islands

Day 14-15: South Bali

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Prepare to get back into the rat race with a hot shave, a haircut or a facial before you leave.

Day 14

• Transfer back to South Bali via fast boat
• Enjoy the afternoon shopping or relaxing
• Perhaps take an optional last night out with the group

Day 15

• The trip ends today in the morning

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Your Trip

Nuts and Bolts

• Gecko’s expert English-speaking local tour guide throughout the tour, and professional local site guides at some sites.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Tanah Lot Temple; temples of Taman Ayun; market at Bedugul; Gitgit Waterfalls; Mount (Gunung) Batur; Besakih Temple; and Klungkung palace and museum.

• 3-day beach stay on Gili Islands.

• Free time to explore Kuta-Legian, Ubud, Lovina, Kintamani, Padang Bai, Senaru, Senggigi and South Bali.

• Ferries from Bali to Lombok, round trip to Gili Islands and Lombok to Bali.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Aircon bus
• Boat
• Ferry

Accommodation

• 14 night Basic hotel

Meals

• 12 breakfasts

Not Included

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.

Optional Extras

• Barat Marine Park/Lovina - Snorkel Hire
  US$3
• Kuta (Bali, Lombok) - Daily Surfboard Hire
  US$10/day
• Lovina - (Menjangan) Diving
  US$65
• Lovina - (Menjangan) Snorkel hire
  US$3
• Mount Batur - Hiking & Hot Springs
  US$40 - 70 (various excursions available)
• Mt Rinjani Trek
  please enquire with your booking agent
• Senggigi - Snorkel Hire
  US$2
• Ubud - Legong Balinese Dance
  US$9
• Ubud - Monkey Forest Sanctuary
  USD$2
• Ubud - Rudana Museum
  US$2.50
• Ubud - Whitewater Rafting
  USD$50

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Important Information

Seminyak Beach is close to Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport.

In case of Emergency or if you need assistance please call our local office on +62(0)81353440018 or +62(0) 81 558802804

Tipping and Tipping Kitty
Although the culture of tipping may not be part of your own culture, it is nonetheless part of the culture in this area of the world and it is often the way some people supplement their earnings. Tipping has also become an accepted part of the tourism culture in the region. On our trips your tour guide can advise you on this matter; however, as a guideline we would recommend a tip of 5-10% in restaurants and US$1 to US$2 per person, per day for a local site guide. The bellboys at hotels will appreciate a small tip for carrying your bags. Taxi and rickshaw drivers do not expect a tip. If you are unhappy with a service, of course, you are under no obligation to leave a tip. However, if the service has been satisfactory, a tip is always appreciated....with a smile! To protect you from the sometimes seemingly endless soliciting of tips, we suggest you discuss with your tour guide about setting up a tipping kitty whereby everybody contributes an equal amount (this amount can vary from trip to trip, but a good approximate is US$3 per person per day). Your tour guide can then distributes tips along the way (except restaurant tips) to local site guides and hotel porters, etc. and keeps a record of all moneys spent. Please note that this kitty is not designed to provide a tip for your tour guide.

Tipping Your Tour Guide
It is also customary to tip your tour guide at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his/her service. A minimum tip of US$3 per day from each member of the group is the standard amount expected.

Cultural Differences
There are many cultural differences that you will notice whilst you visit Indonesia. For example:

- Being friendly and polite in Indonesia is considered a very high quality to have. Anger is often considered a weakness. If you find yourself in a situation remember that a smile is often your strongest weapon!

- Try not to criticize someone in front of others. This causes embarrassment, and whilst they will not show it, you will find it hard to get anything done afterwards.

- Indonesians find it difficult to give bad news. So much so that they will often postpone it to the very last minute. They will often deliver it within a beautiful story!

- If you find yourself asking for directions always best to ask a number of times. If a local has no idea what you are asking they will often provide incorrect instructions - this comes hand in hand with not wanting to pass on bad news!

- Whether you are male or female you may find yourself being greeted with "Hello Mister".

- You may find locals asking quite a number of questions, when you meet them they usually want to know where you are going (Mau Kemana), where you are from (Dari mana), whether you are married, how many children you have, how long you are wanting to stay, even how much your salary is etc. If you prefer not to answer any of these questions it's best to make up an answer!

- Indonesians are very religious, to have no religion in Indonesia is considered very strange!

- You may find yourself coming from a culture that is driven by time and money. In Indonesia this is not the case, please remember that you are on holiday and there may be times when things do not go to plan. A popular saying in Indonesia is to be on "rubber time" (Jam Karet).

- Never touch someone's head, or point with your finger (instead use your thumb). If you wish to call out to someone do so with a downward wave. It is also impolite to put your feet on a table or to point the sole of the foot towards other people!

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

1 May 2013

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