Highlights of Bali & Borneo: Pangkalan Bun, Munduk, Ubud & Sanur - 15 Days

Highlights

• See orangutans as you cruise down the Sekonyer River in Borneo
• Visit temples and hike to waterfalls around Munduk
• Learn about the "subak" irrigation system and visit Bali's famous rice terraces
• Enjoy snorkeling and see a Kecak dance show near Sanur

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Jakarta, Free Day in Jakarta

Welcome to Jakarta! After checking into your airport hotel, you'll have some free time to rest after your flight. If you arrive in the morning, consider taking a taxi to the city center to explore.

Jakarta is the bustling capital of Indonesia, and there is always something going on here—you'll find plenty of world-class shopping, street food, and restaurants to enjoy. Keep in mind that traffic in this metropolis can be heavy, so be sure to leave plenty of time to get to and from the airport.

Day 2: Fly to Pangkalan Bun, Join a Cruise & Visit Tanjung Harapan Rehabilitation Center

The next day, head back to the airport to catch a domestic flight to Pangkalan Bun, a city on the island of Borneo. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and drive directly to Kumai for about 20 minutes to reach the Sekonyer River. Here, you'll board a klotok, a traditional wooden river boat. From the boat's upper deck, enjoy the view of mangroves and the thick rainforest. You'll be accompanied by a team consisting of a skipper, cook, and English-speaking guide.

In the afternoon, slowly explore the tranquil river and watch the wildlife. Keep your eyes open and try to spot proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and exotic birds on the riverbank. In the afternoon, stop to visit Tanjung Harapan Rehabilitation Center, where you'll see orangutans being fed. Afterward, return to the boat and spend the night on board.

Day 3: See Orangutans & Explore the Rainforest on a Borneo Cruise

Spend the morning cruising through the peaceful, still water of the national park, keeping an eye out for freshwater crocodiles. Later, enjoy lunch on board your boat, then visit Camp Leakey, the research and information center where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rainforest.

From the center, set off on a scenic, easy trek through the tropical rainforest to see birds, orangutans, and other animals and jungle plants. Keep an eye out for noisy gibbons, deer, and wild boar. Afterward, return to the boat for dinner and move to a quiet mooring for the night.

Day 4: Last Day of Borneo Cruise, Fly to Jakarta

Enjoy your last freshly-cooked breakfast and the breathtaking view from your wooden boat before returning to Kumai.

Upon arrival in Kumai, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight from Pagkalan Bun back to Jakarta. A driver will welcome you at Jakarta Airport and drive you to your hotel, where you can settle in for the evening and relax.

Day 5: Fly to Munduk in Bali, Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

After breakfast, you'll be picked up at the hotel for your quick flight to Denpasar on Bali. Your private driver will be waiting for you at the airport and drive you inland to Munduk. Once there, you can unwind at your hotel or explore the beautiful natural surroundings. 

Later today, take some time to discover the famous Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, located on the shores of Beratan Lake. The reflective and smooth surface of the lake surrounds most of the temple's base, creating a floating impression. The temple is also surrounded by a scenic backdrop: the Bedugul region's mountain range. This water temple is dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu, the goddess of lakes and rivers, and is used for offering ceremonies.

Day 6: Haunted Valley Waterfall Expedition

At Munduk Wilderness Base Camp, get ready for a sand dune adventure on a two-hour ride in a Fin Komodo buggy. Pass through dirt tracks and the hills of Kayu Pandak, rock challenges, and rice fields. Then race a couple of rounds on a track.

Next, swap your buggy for a mountain bike and set off on a dirt trail through more farm scenery, with a stop for a picnic lunch. Returning to your buggy, head for Bengkel village for a rice field walk before driving a short way to a serene waterfall in the middle of a forest. Then, enjoy a refreshing swim after a day of adventure.

Day 7: Sekumpul Waterfall Hike

This morning, a driver will pick you up and take you to Sekumpul village. Then, with your guide, you'll trek 5-6 hours through unspoiled nature to reach several of Bali's most impressive waterfalls.

On the way, you'll pass through scenic rice fields, learn about the unique flora and fauna of the region, and even cool off with a dip in some of the waterfalls. The tour's highlight is the 262-foot (80 m) high Sekumpul Waterfall. 

Day 8: Transfer to Ubud via Jatiluwih Rice Terraces & Batukaru Temple

Leave Munduk behind and transfer south to Ubud, the cultural center of Bali. Along the way, visit the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These rice fields form a natural amphitheater and are a great way to learn about the famous subak irrigation system. This communal water management system is of great spiritual and cultural significance to the Balinese.

Continue to the village of Wongaya Gede to see the sacred Batukaru Temple, located on the slopes of the dormant Mount Batukaru, before reaching Ubud and settling into your accommodation.

Day 9: Ubud & Sideman Cultural Excursion

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Bali has a strong arts and crafts tradition, which you'll discover during today's excursion. First, learn about the creation of fabric for sarongs, a piece of clothing worn by men, women, and children of all ages in Bali. Then follow a walking path to see the rice fields and plantations around Sidemen. Later, in a cooking class, learn how to grind spices and herbs and prepare traditional Balinese rice dishes cooked over an open fire, such as lawar and nasi jinggo. Sip on jamu, a drink with anti-inflammatory properties that is a mixture of turmeric, ginger, tamarind paste, lime juice, and honey.

Afterward, you'll learn how to prepare offerings by weaving together palm leaves and decorating them with flowers and other symbolic items, with an explanation of how the offerings are used for family temples every day and during special ceremonies. Then, in a lontar workshop, learn how dried palm leaves are cut into strips and transformed into rectangular pages to be used for manuscripts filled with mantras, rituals, and astrological texts. Get a lesson in the Aksara Bali alphabet, and copy some lines of text to take home with you.

Day 10: Ubud VW Safari Car Tour

Discover the highlights around Ubud in style on a vintage VW convertible tour. Start with a short walk to Tibumana Waterfall for a quick swim in the refreshing waters surrounded by forest. Afterward, head to the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple, where elaborate royal shrines are carved into the cliff face in a deep ravine, giving the site its name of the "Valley of the Kings." Your next stop is the temple of Tirta Empul (its name means "sacred source" in Balinese), located in the village of Manukaya. The waters here come from the Pakerisan River and have the reputation of being purifying. 

It's then on to one of Bali's most photographed views: Tegallalang and its stunning rice terraces, which cut into the hillside like giant green steps. Next, in Ubud's Monkey Forest, meet the troops of monkeys that freely roam the nature reserve and the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple. The curious monkeys are fun to be around and can be particularly mischievous—keep your belongings close! End your adventure with a trip to the lively Gianyar Market. Here, you can awaken your tastebuds with flavorful Indonesian specialties and get insight into local life on the island.

Day 11: Climb Mount Batur at Sunrise

Rise before dawn today to meet your driver and hit the road toward Mount Batur. When you reach the slopes of this active volcano, start your ascent, climbing to an altitude of over 5,577 feet (1,700 m) above sea level. The trek takes about two hours, and when you finally reach the top, you'll watch the sunrise from above the clouds and be rewarded with breathtaking views over the island.

Below you'll see the outline of Lake Batur and, in the distance, the other volcanoes of Bali: Abang, Agung, and Batukaru. After a well-deserved break enjoying the sunrise, start the trek down and meet your driver. Reward your tired legs with a visit to the hot springs of Pura Batur on the way back, where you can rest in the soothing waters to regain your strength.

Day 12: Transfer to Sanur via Taman Ayun Temple & Tirta Taman Mumbul

Today, you'll meet your driver and travel onward to your next destination: the beachside town of Sanur. Visit the majestic Taman Ayun Temple on the way. The ruler of the Mengwi Kingdom in 1634 built this temple. You can enjoy a stroll around the temple complex with its traditional architecture, garden landscapes, and courtyards.

Later, explore Tirta Taman Mumbul. This Hindu temple located in the village of Sangeh in Mengwi is dedicated to purification. The waters of its pools have the reputation of being purifying and magical. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the Hindu religion and thus understand the spiritual culture of the Balinese. Tirta Taman Mumbul is similar to Tirta Empul near Ubud but less crowded—so your visit will be a peaceful and pleasant experience.

Day 13: Day Trip to Nusa Lembongan & Snorkeling Adventure

Early in the morning, step onto a motorboat and head toward the coast of Nusa Penida, a small island located just 15 miles (25 km) southeast of Bali. Here you can jump into the clear, calm seas and spend the morning snorkeling at your leisure. If you're lucky, you might encounter the manta rays that frequent this area and have the chance to swim alongside them.

Back on board, navigate toward other hidden bays and empty beaches, stopping for more snorkeling to explore the colorful underwater world with its abundance of coral and tropical fish. Head to the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan around noon to enjoy some downtime on its crescent beach and discover the idyllic surroundings.

Day 14: Bukit Beach Tour & Kecak Dance Show

Today your driver will take you on an unforgettable day of beach-hopping as you discover the beautiful beaches of the Bukit Peninsula, such as Padang Padang Beach, Thomas Beach, Green Bowl Beach, and Pandawa Beach. You can spend as long as you like at each beach and visit as many or as few as you like.

Finish the day with a visit to Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple to take in a spectacular sunset. The temple is located on a cliffside, and you can walk around it to enjoy the landscape and surrounding scenery. Keep in mind that the monkeys here are masters of the place! As night falls, stay for the grand spectacle of a Kecak show. Pronounced "ketchak," this dramatic Balinese dance is performed by around 50 people and narrates stories from the Hindu epic of the Ramayana.

Day 15: Depart Bali

Depending on the departure schedule, you'll be picked up by your private driver and taken back to the airport in Denpasar. Have a safe flight to your onward destination!