Family Trip to Indonesia: Bali, Gili Air & Lombok - 21 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Bali

Welcome to Bali! After arriving at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali you'll transfer to your hotel in Ubud, a drive of around two hours. Get some rest for the remainder of the day.

Day 2: Tour Ubud and Around

Today is devoted to checking out the sights and attractions of Ubud and the surrounding areas. In the morning, your driver will take you to Kehen Temple and the holy springs of Sudamala. Have lunch in a local house, where you can also learn more about Balinese culture.

In the afternoon, head to the refreshing Cepung Waterfall. There will be plenty of chances today for rest as well as play as your family acclimatizes and gets over any jet lag.

Day 3: Cycle Tour - Monkey Forest

This morning you'll enjoy an active adventure: cycling through the villages and farmland around Ubud. You'll start with a short drive to the starting point and pick up your bikes. Ride through traditional villages and plantations, all the while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

After a re-energizing lunch, return to Ubud and spend some time at the well-named Monkey Forest, where the cheeky animals roam free among trees and temples. Both parents and kids will love this place.

Day 4: Gunung Kawi Temple - Telagawaja River Rafting

Look forward to some exciting adventures today. From Ubud, drive north-east to the Tampaksiring area. There you can tour the Gunung Kawi Temple and enjoy a local lunch with views of rice fields.

After lunch, head to the Telagawaja River to embark on a white-water rafting adventure. Along the way you'll enjoy views of lush forest from the river. The rapids are easy class II and III, so shouldn't be too challenging even for beginner rafters. You'll be provided with life jackets, helmets, and a paddle. Prepare to get wet, and to swim to a delightful and refreshing waterfall, if you wish. 

Day 5: Climb Mt. Batur - Relax in Hot Springs

Get ready for an early start today, in order to climb Mt. Batur in time for sunrise. Leave Ubud and reach Kintamani, from where you'll set off on your mountain climb, from 4am until 9am, with a local guide. You'll reach the top after a climb of about two hours, and enjoy views of the amazing scenery once the sun rises.

On the way down, you can see the newly formed craters of the volcanic mountain. Once you've reached the bottom, take some time to soak in the hot springs at the foot of the volcano, in front of Batur Lake. 

Return to Ubud in time for lunch, and spend the rest of the day at leisure after your hard work this morning.

Day 6: Bali Bird Park - Jatiluwih Rice Fields - Munduk

Start the day by visiting the Bali Bird Park. Here you can see some birds endemic to Indonesia, as well as the incredible Komodo dragon, one of the world's largest reptiles. Bird shows are put on at the park throughout the day.

After lunch, head to the Jatiluwih rice fields. These are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the pathways carved around the edge of the fields and learn more about how these beautiful but functional rice terraces are irrigated, harvested, and maintained.

Continue driving to Munduk, your base for the next two nights.

Day 7: Countryside Hike with Waterfalls

In the morning, hike with a local guide between lush plantations, villages, and waterfalls. It is a three-to-four-hour walk through clove, cocoa, and coffee plantations, during which you can see how these important and fragrant crops grow. Walk along a river between waterfalls, where you can swim to cool off.  

Day 8: Munduk to Pemuteran Via Banjar Hot Springs & Brahma Vihara Temple

This morning, drive to the north coast of Bali and make a stop in the hot springs of Banjar, which are very popular with local people. Have a soak if you wish. Then visit the Brahma Vihara Temple, the only Buddhist temple in Bali.

In the afternoon, continue your journey west to Pemuteran, where you'll stay for three nights. The journey takes about two hours.

Day 9: Free Day in Pemuteran

After such an active itinerary, today you can rest and spend the day as you wish.

Lounge on the beach, or choose to go snorkeling independently. There are amazing underwater sights to see, including biorock corals and a turtle nursery. In the evening, watch the sunset from a lookout point, Bukit Kursi, just a 15-minute walk from the center of town.

Day 10: Snorkel at Menjangan Island - Pemuteran

Today is dedicated to underwater discovery: spend the day snorkeling on Menjangan Island, the marine section of Bali Barat National Park. In the morning, drive to Labuan Lalang Jetty where you'll travel to Menjangan Island on small boats. On two snorkeling sessions you'll see beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish beneath the water. A packed lunch will be provided. After finishing your snorkeling, take a short walk on the island to see the resident deer.

Day 11: Drive to Sambangan Waterfalls - Amed

Drive east from Pemuteran to Amed, a journey of about three hours. Stop en route at Sambangan to check out some hidden waterfalls, reached via a walk through plantations. Continue on to Amed, where you'll stay for two nights.

Day 12: Fishing and Free Time in Amed

Get up early, before sunrise, and hop aboard a local fishing boat to experience some fishing above the coral reefs off the coast of Amed.

Return to your hotel for breakfast, and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach. You can also borrow some snorkels just in front of your hotel.

Day 13: Boat Transfer to Gili Air - Free Time on Gili Air

Early this morning, transfer to the harbor to take a speed boat to Gili Air, a journey of about 90 minutes. After your arrival, check into your bungalow with a private pool, where you'll stay for three nights.

Gili Air offers white sand beaches and a very relaxed pace, as there are no cars on the island. You can either walk around or rent a bicycle. Many snorkeling spots are accessible just by swimming from the shore.

For the remainder of the day you can choose to have a massage, enjoy a cocktail on the beach, take a group excursion by boat to other nearby islands (Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan), or just relax by the pool.

Days 14-15: Free Time on Gili Air

Enjoy a couple of free days on Gili Air, each family member seeing and doing things to meet their needs and interests. Activities you can do include scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, walking and biking around the island, and watching the beautiful sunsets.

Day 16: Bangsal - Kuta Lombok

This morning, cross over to Lombok by boat, a journey of around 30 minutes. A driver will welcome you and drive you to the south of Lombok, about a two-hour journey. 

Kuta Lombok, your stop for the next few days, is easy to walk around, and the beach is an especially good place to stroll. It is famous for its surfing beaches, such as Tanjung Aan. 

Days 17-19: Kuta Lombok - Free Time

You have three full days to enjoy the south of Lombok, around Kuta. You can try surfing, hiking, and snorkeling at nearby islands on an optional day tour. Of course, you can also spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach, too.

Day 20: Fly to Bali - Drive to Jimbaran, Via Uluwatu Temple

This morning, head to Lombok Airport to take a short (40 minute) flight back to Bali. After your arrival, your driver will be waiting to drive you to Jimbaran. En route, stop at Uluwatu Temple, where you can enjoy a great view of the ocean from the cliffs, surrounded by monkeys.

Continue on to Jimbaran, your stop for your last night in Bali. Jimbaran is famous for its grilled fish on the beach. Many beaches around here are worth visiting, including Padang Padang, Balangan, and Uluwatu.

Day 21: Farewell Bali!

You'll be transferred to the airport in good time for your flight. It's time to say goodbye to Bali and Indonesia. We hope to see you again!