Islands of the Gods - 15 days

Drifters Price: £323.00
RRP: £340.00

Trip Code: INTIG
Local Payment: USD$200.00

Days 1-2 Ubud

Travellers will be arriving at different times during the day so feel free to arrive at the joining point at any time. Check at hotel reception for information on what time to meet and ideas on what to do for the day. For those with time in the evening of day 1, there is an option to head out to Gianyar night market with your leader to try some of the local cuisine. Although this is very informal, it is a great way to get your first taste of the local culture and food! The group meeting will be held in the morning of day 2.

Please note that your leader will collect the first part of your local payment (USD100) cash at the group meeting on day 2. The final part of your local payment will be collected on day 8.

As the cultural centre of Bali, Ubud is a wonderful introduction to the magic of the region. After the group meeting those who are interested can join in for a walk or bike ride into the surrounding rice paddies (approximately 2.5 hours). In the afternoon there is free time to visit the numerous art galleries and museums, the monkey forest and local shops. There is also the option of white water rafting on the Ayung River. Cost is approximately USD66. Before dinner we view a traditional dance performance, a highlight for many of our travellers. Ubud also has an abundance of fantastic restaurants offering food from traditional Balinese to an array of other delicacies.

Day 3 Sideman

We set off by bicycle through hilly back lanes, small villages and rice paddies - a great way to meet the local people and take in the views along the way. We have a support vehicle if the going gets too tough. There are plenty of opportunities to visit some of the small and intricately carved temples along the way. Once in the hills, we spend an afternoon soaking up the atmosphere of the peaceful village of Sidemen against a backdrop of Bali's highest peak, the mother mountain, Agung. It is a bit cooler up here so a break from the heat and bustle of the low lands is a welcome relief. This friendly village is proof that Bali has pockets completely away from the tourism the island is famous for. The afternoon is free for you to explore or to learn the art of making traditional offerings. In the evening there is an option for a Balinese buffet dinner and traditional dancing.

Day 4 Mt Batur

We take a morning walk around Sideman, visiting local songket weaving home industries and sampling a traditional 'bungkus' lunch. The walk takes around 3-4 hours and includes great views. We can also cool off in the nearby river. We continue higher into the mountains with great views from the giant crater rim road to a tiny fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur (approximately 1.5 hours' drive). The lake itself supports the local fishing industry while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. We stay overnight by the lake, staying at some simple lodgings in the village of Kedisan.

Day 5 Banyupoh

Rising at a rather early hour of the morning, we reach the summit of Mt Batur in time to witness a stunning sunrise over the valleys of Bali. The walk takes 1.5-2 hours up, and yes, it's UP! On a clear morning it is possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Lombok's Mt Rinjani. The adventurous can walk the narrow paths right around the volcano rim (maximum 1 hour). After descending the volcano there's an option to soak in hot springs with a great view right over the lake and caldera. Bali is just so full of beauty and contrasts. We head from the mountains to the coast (approximately 5 hours' drive).

Our next destination is renowned for the best coral reef and marine life in Bali. We spend night 5 at our beachside hotel at the village of Banyupoh before a day of snorkelling on the reef at Menjangan Island which is a 25-minute boat ride from the coast and part of the Bali Barat National Park. There is the option of scuba diving for experienced divers, at a cost of around USD50. There is even a beginner's course for those who have never dived before and are interested in giving it a try (approximately USD65). We continue to our base at Lovina Beach where we spend 2 nights. This is a great spot for fine food, a traditional massage or a big night out.

Days 6-7 Lovina

Our time in Lovina provides plenty of opportunities to explore this area. A dawn trip by outrigger boat to watch the dolphins come into the bay is wonderful. On the morning of day 7 we visit the lively Seririt market before arriving in the tiny hilltop village of Munduk (1 hour from Lovina). Here we walk through clove and coffee plantations to a hidden waterfall for a refreshing dip. The walk is moderately difficult and we will be carrying our day packs only, walking for 3-5 hours, depending on group wishes. Munduk receives few travellers and is a lovely village to visit. Don't expect to do any shopping here as there are no tourist shops. This area offers superb views across the hill country of Bali and, on a clear day, the northern coast. We can spend the late afternoon soaking in the Banjar hot springs before returning to our base in Lovina. In the evening hopefully we can arrange a traditional Balinese buffet at the home of our good friend Ibu Wayan, who lives in a small village on the beach.

Day 8 Ubud

On the morning of day 7 we visit the lively Seririt market before arriving in the tiny hilltop village of Munduk (1 hour from Lovina). Here we walk through clove and coffee plantations to a hidden waterfall for a refreshing dip. The walk is moderately difficult and we will be carrying our day packs only, walking for 3-5 hours, depending on group wishes. Munduk receives few travellers and is a lovely village to visit. Don't expect to do any shopping here as there are no tourist shops. This area offers superb views across the hill country of Bali and, on a clear day, the northern coast. In the afternoon we return to our base in Lovina. We travel back to Ubud (day 8) via Lake Bratan where we can view the classical-style Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple on a small island in the lake.

Please note that canoe rides on the lake are now optional as we cannot guarantee the availability of lifejackets. It is a total of around 3 hours driving today with some free time in Ubud during the afternoon - perfect for shopping or exploring. In the evening we meet the travellers joining us for the Lombok section of the trip and have a farewell meal to say good-bye to friends only completing the Bali section of the trip. Please note that your leader will collect the second part of your local payment (USD100) in cash today.

Day 9 Kuta, Lombok

We start early to catch the ferry, a huge multi-level boat, from the small town of Padang Bai to Lombok. From Ubud it's a 1 hour drive to Padang Bai and the ferry trip can take anywhere from 4 to 7 hours. You will find many food hawkers wandering around the ferry offering interesting snacks and plenty of local passengers to meet. This ferry ride and the arrival into Lembar port can be quite an eye opener if you have spent some time on Bali. The scenery and the culture is quite different in Lombok, where the predominant religion is Islam and the people live a more simple, rural life. Once in Lombok we take the short ride down to the south coast town of Kuta (not to be confused with its touristy namesake in Bali). Here we can enjoy pristine beaches without the crowds. Bikes are a great way to explore the surrounding coastline.

Day 10 Tetebatu

We travel by bemo (minibus) to the hill retreat of Tetebatu in the very centre of the island (approximately 2 hours), where our guesthouse at the southern base of Mt Rinjani provides spectacular views. En route we can stop at Pringgasela where we can sample a traditional Sasak feast and learn about traditional weaving.

Day 11 Sapit

This morning we can take a sunrise walk to get great views of Mt Rinjani, and greet the locals getting ready for another day. After breakfast we hop into cidomos (horse-drawn carts) to visit a local market and local villages famous for their crafts, including pottery and bamboo weaving.

We travel on to picturesque Sapit, a tiny village on Mt Rinjani's eastern slope. From our friendly guesthouse overlooking the rice paddies, we take a walk through tiny villages and to a canyon near Sapit (approximately 3 hours).

Days 12-13 Gili Islands

We travel by minibus around the spiritual centre and sleeping giant of the island, Mt Rinjani (approximately 4 hours). Senaru is a small rustic village at the base of the mountain and on the edge of a jungle. It's from here that we take a leisurely afternoon walk to the spectacular Singang Gila waterfall. Travelling on to the west coast, we transfer out to the laid-back island of Gili Meno.

Day 13 is free to enjoy the pristine beaches and fine snorkelling, or perhaps island-hop to the nearby Gili Trawangan or Gili Air.

Days 14-15 Denpasar

We have free time in the morning to enjoy the beach, which is literally only metres from our bungalows. In the afternoon we take the short boat trip to the mainland and take a short flight from Lombok's capital to Denpasar.

Due to the difficulty and expense of pre-purchasing this flight from home, your leader will have bought your ticket for you. If you are interested in staying on in Lombok, you are welcome to change the date direct with Merpati Airlines and according to availability, return to Denpasar at your leisure.

On arrival in Denpasar we will transfer to our guesthouse before heading out for our fianl night's dinner together.

You are free to depart any time on day 15.