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BALI, LOMBOK AND THE GILI ISLANDS

The bountiful islands of Indonesia don’t end in Bali, so this trip showcases the best of Lombok and Gili Trawangan, too.

Destination
Starts at

Bali

Destination
Ends at

Lombok Island

Destination
Duration

12 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 18

Destination
Physical Rating

light Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

Everyone knows about the tropical allure of Bali, its spiritual temples and luscious jungles, bordered by pristine stretches of sand. However, we feel that to visit this iconic island and not explore its neighbor, Lombok, is a travel crime. The latter is far less discovered, much more rugged and features far fewer tourists. So, this itinerary takes you to the must-see sights and sounds of Bali – Mount Batur, Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga – but also whisks you away to the majestic landscapes of Lombok, Mount Rinjani and the beautiful Sasak people who populate the region. All that plus a little mid-trip detour to the tiny tropical paradise of Gili Trawangan – a snorkeling haven – makes this the ultimate trip to southwest Indonesia.

Trip Highlights

  • Experience traditional Balinese rituals at Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple
  • Tuck into breakfast with stunning sunrise views atop Mount Batur
  • Visit the iconic sites of Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga
  • Snorkel with sea turtles and underwater statues in the Gili Islands 
  • Spend time with the charming Sasak communities of Lombok
  • Take in jaw-dropping views of Mount Rinjani on the Senaru Panorama Walk
  • Kick back and relax as you stay in a series of stunning resorts

Your Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Bali!

    Welcome to paradise! You’ve arrived on this famously beautiful Indonesian island, and now all you have to do is make your way to the first hotel of our trip. From there the logistics are ours to worry about, so kick back, freshen up and we’ll see you early this evening for a welcome meeting with our Local Insider and the rest of the group, followed by a welcome dinner – the perfect way to get to know your fellow travelers.

    Accommodation

    Arma Ubud Hotel

    Activities Included
    • Welcome meeting and dinner
  2. Day 2 Embrace Balinese rituals and walk past rice fields en route to Campuhan Ridge

    After breakfast at the hotel we’ll set off on a morning walk to Campuhan Ridge. It’s the perfect introduction to Bali, as you wind along jungle trails and gaze across countless pretty rice fields, bathed in the gorgeous morning light. We’ll stop off for a coffee with some locals who’ll teach us how to make a traditional Balinese offering using flowers. We’ll continue the cultural learnings at a private family temple, where you’ll be taught about the symbolism of statues and altars inside. Next up is Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, one of the island’s most picturesque, where overgrown moss adds atmosphere to the intricate stone carvings and shimmering pools of water. You’ll get to take part in a purification ritual, which involves bathing in holy waters and cleansing your spirit. Whether or not the ritual moves you, this is a valuable experience to understand and respect the quiet power of Bali’s spiritual heritage.

    Accommodation

    Arma Ubud Hotel

    Activities Included
    • Morning walk at Campuhan Ridge
    • Balinese offering experience
    • Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple visit
    Optional Activities
    • Cooking Class
  3. Day 3 Enjoy Ubud at your own pace

    A key principle of this itinerary is not to overload our schedule. Bali is a place to slow down, to take in the moment and enjoy the finer things in life. That’s why we’re leaving today largely open for you to enjoy the island at your own pace. You might want to explore Ubud or organize an excursion to the coast, or you could simply take advantage of the gardens, pools, spa facilities and onsite art museum (yes, that’s right) in our dreamy Balinese resort. If you would like some guided fun, feel free to join a morning Fly High Yoga class or, to really get the adrenaline pumping, some white water rafting!

    Accommodation

    Arma Ubud Hotel

    Optional Activities
    • Fly High Yoga or white water rafting
  4. Day 4 Watch the sunrise from Mount Batur

    Set your alarms early this morning, as we’ll be heading out for one of the most essential Bali experiences, watching the sunrise from atop Mount Batur. This active volcano offers magical views across the island’s tropical landscapes, which look their absolute best under the warm hue of the rising sun. We’ll set up shop at an open air restaurant at the peak of the mountain, so you can tuck into breakfast as the sun shines onto the mountain and namesake lake. We’ll follow that up with an invigorating dip in a hot water pool beside Lake Batur, before we transfer to our next destination, Candidasa. After checking-in to our next hotel the rest of today is yours, whether you want to continue the adventures or catch up on sleep is up to you!

    Accommodation

    Utama Villas Beach Candidasa

    Activities Included
    • Mount Batur sunrise breakfast
    • Hot spring experience
  5. Day 5 Visit Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga

    If yesterday’s early start has you craving a lie-in, then be our guest! However, we will be heading this morning to Lempuyang Temple and its famous Gate of Heaven, perhaps one of the most iconic spots in Bali. After that we’ll visit the ornate gardens of Tirta Gangga, a former royal palace where you can explore the grounds. Back at the hotel, you can spend the rest of today as you wish. Spa time, perhaps?

    Accommodation

    Utama Villas Beach Candidasa

    Activities Included
    • Lempuyang Temple visit
    • Tirta Gangga visit
  6. Day 6 Speedboat your way to the Gili Islands!

    Today we leave the island of Bali behind in favor of the magical Gili Islands. This tiny archipelago is just off the coast of Lombok, and though we’ll be staying on the largest of the three islands – Gili Trawangan – it’s still only 3km long and 2km wide. We’ll arrive in style onboard a speedboat at around lunchtime, before checking into our luxurious island resort. Spend the day lounging by the pool, chilling on a sandy beach or exploring the island’s amazing nightlife.

    Accommodation

    Frii Resort Gili Trawangan

    Activities Included
    • Speedboat to Gili Trawangan
    Optional Activities
    • Massage or yoga
  7. Day 7 Snorkel with sea turtles and underwater statues

    The definitive experience to have in the Gili Islands is to explore under the water, so today we’ll head out on a snorkeling trip around the archipelago. Gaze in awe at the kaleidoscopic communities of fish populating coral reefs, hang out with sea turtles and get up close to the hauntingly beautiful statues of Gili Meno, a series of 48 human-sized stone carvings on the seabed, which also act as an artificial reef.

    Accommodation

    Frii Resort Gili Trawangan

    Activities Included
    • Gili Islands snorkel experience
  8. Day 8 Enjoy the pleasures of Gili Trawangan at your own pace

    This is our last day on Gili Trawangan, so you choose how you’d like to spend it. Our Local Insider is on hand to advise on potential activities like boat trips, bicycle rentals or a visit to the Turtle Sanctuary. The island is so small that you could even walk along the entire coastline in a few hours. Don’t worry though, we won’t judge if you prefer to kick back at our beach resort all day. Just be sure to get involved for our evening barbecue and cocktail dinner – the perfect way to toast to our time on the Gili Islands!

    Accommodation

    Frii Resort Gili Trawangan

    Activities Included
    • Barbecue and cocktail dinner
  9. Day 9 Culture and cuisine on Lombok island

    Now it’s time to explore the magical island of Lombok. Think of this place as Bali before it was discovered by mass tourism. Just as beautiful, but far less trodden. Our first stop will be the charming Pringgasela Weaving Village, where you’ll marvel at the craftsmanship behind Sasak cloth before tucking into a delightful Sasak lunch in a local villager’s home. The Sasak people come from a culture closely related to Balinese and are mostly found on Lombok. After lunch we’ll head to our home for the night, Tetebatu Village. After settling into your accommodation, we’ll regroup in the evening for a mini parade led by local Gendang musicians, which ends at a community center with a traditional Sasak dinner prepared by local women.

    Accommodation

    Nirvana Hotel Tetebatu

    Activities Included
    • Pringgasela Waving Village visit
    • Authentic Sasak lunch
    • Mini parade and Sasak dinner
  10. Day 10 Cycle around a rural village and enjoy breathtaking mountain views

    This morning you’ll be guided on a light cycling adventure around Tetebatu village, the ideal way to get a glimpse of local life and soak in the stunning views of rolling hills and pretty rice fields. After lunch we’ll head to Senaru, our home for the evening, stopping en route at the spectacular Pusuk Sembalun viewpoint for breathtaking mountain panoramas. After arriving at the hotel you can spend your evening in Senaru as you wish.

    Accommodation

    Pondok Senaru

    Activities Included
    • Cycling tour of Tetebatu Village
    • Lunch
    • Pusuk Sembalun viewpoint stop
  11. Day 11 Trek in the shadows of the towering Mount Rinjani

    Our time in Lombok is centered around the regions surrounding Mount Rinjani, the domineering volcano keeping watch over the island. The best way to explore the mesmerizing tropical scenery of this region is on a half-day Senaru Panorama Walk. You’ll be led by expert local female guides, starting in the foothills of the volcano, near the Gunung Rinjani National Park border, and winding through bamboo groves, village gardens and expansive rice terraces. Discover tropical plants, encounter playful long-tailed monkeys, cool off in tumbling rainforest waterfalls and get a taste of rural village life. The walk culminates with a phenomenal crescendo as Mount Rinjani itself emerges into view, rising above the countless rice terraces to grace you with its majestic presence. You’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch with a view, before transferring to our hotel in Senggigi beach, on the island’s sublime west coast. We’ll spend one last evening together at a farewell dinner, to reminisce on the trip of a lifetime.

    Accommodation

    Aruna Senggigi

    Activities Included
    • Senaru Panorama Walk
    • Lunch with a view
    • Farewell dinner
  12. Day 12 Time to say goodbye!

    Sadly our time in Indonesia has come to end. You’ve been spiritual in Bali, kicked back on the beaches of Gili Trawangan and basked in the majestic beauty of Lombok, but after breakfast it’s time to go our separate ways. Whether or not your adventures in Lombok are at an end is up to you, but if you do need to make it back to Bali, don’t hesitate to ask us for help in arranging return transport.

What's included

  • 11 nights hotel accommodation 
  • 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Local Insider
  • Local transport
  • Welcome meeting
  • Morning walk at Campuhan Ridge
  • Balinese offering experience
  • Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple visit
  • Mount Batur sunrise breakfast
  • Hot spring experience
  • Lempuyang Temple visit
  • Tirta Gangga visit
  • Speedboat to Gili Trawangan
  • Gili Islands snorkel experience
  • Pringgasela Waving Village visit
  • Mini Sasak parade 
  • Cycling tour of Tetebatu Village
  • Pusuk Sembalun viewpoint stop
  • Senaru Panorama Walk

What's not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance

Customer Reviews

Accommodation

Arma Ubud Hotel, Ubud

This unique resort in Ubud will have you sad to leave for your daily excursions, such is the wealth of offerings onsite. Explore the perfectly pruned gardens, soak in the outdoor pools and book a massage at the spa. Alternatively, spend an afternoon browsing the hotel’s art museum, founded and curated by the owner, Agung Rai.

Utama Villas Beach Candidasa, Candidasa

This charming complex, found in the coastal town of Candidasa, is practically within reaching distance of white sands and lapping ocean waters. If that’s still too far you could opt for a dip in the beachfront pool, while the airy room design and peaceful garden landscaping makes for an especially relaxing stay on the Balinese coast.

Frii Resort Gili Trawangan, Gili Trawangan

It’s hard to find a hotel on Gili Trawangan that isn’t a beach hotel, but this one stands out from the crowd. The sunsets here are extraordinary, best enjoyed with a delicious dinner and cooling cocktails at the lovely ocean-view restaurant.

Nirvana Hotel Tetebatu, Tetebatu

Nestled amid the overgrown greenery of Lombok’s gorgeous Tetebatu region, this pretty little hotel is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Stylish contemporary rooms, a stunning pool and garden area, plus genuinely excellent dining facilities will have you wanting to stay here forever.

Pondok Senaru, Senaru

North of Mount Rinjani, in scenic Senaru, is this charming cottage complex with amazing views of the surrounding mountainous landscape. The buildings here are simple and comfortable, but it’s the outdoor dining area and stunning viewpoints that will leave a memorable imprint on your mind for years to come.

Aruna Senggigi, Senggigi

This beach resort on the western coast of Lombok is the final hotel on our trip, but we won’t be surprised if it’s reason alone for you to extend your stay. From the stylish lobby and all-day dining areas to the gorgeous outdoor swimming pool and top class spa, this place has everything you need for a spot of relaxation on the Indonesian coast.

Covid Safety

The safety and wellbeing of all travellers is our top priority. To help us ensure this, please refer to this checklist:

  • Please check the entry requirements for the destination you are travelling to. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.
  • We recommend you confirm all guidance on official government sites and check that you are able to travel with your travel insurance issuer. Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against government advice. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.

Important Info

  • You must be aged 18 years or over to join this trip.
  • If there are disruptive weather conditions that prevent our ability to reach Gili Trawangan, we’ll extend your stay in Candidasa instead.
  • Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you're travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
  • We won't charge you extra if you travel alone – you'll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
  • Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
  • Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
  • Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
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