Highlights
- Relax on beautiful beaches, including the pink sands of Plaga Rosa
- See traditional weavers and potters at work
- Learn to cook Indonesian specialties during a family cooking class
- Meet turtles, clownfish, and more on kid-friendly snorkeling trips
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lombok, Transfer to Kuta | Kuta |
| Day 2 | Lombok Beach Day | Kuta |
| Day 3 | Beach-Hopping Boat Trip Around Lombok | Kuta |
| Day 4 | Meet the Locals on a Sasak Culture Tour | Kuta |
| Day 5 | Transfer to the Peaceful Island of Gili Air | Gili Air |
| Day 6 | Gili Islands Snorkeling Excursion | Gili Air |
| Day 7 | Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno Day Tour | Gili Air |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Senggigi, Family Cooking Class | Senggigi |
| Day 9 | Snorkeling Trip to Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak & Gili Kedis | Senggigi |
| Day 10 | Depart Lombok |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lombok, Transfer to Kuta
Welcome to Lombok! Located among Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands, Lombok offers the same lush mountains, pristine beaches, and rich local culture of neighboring Bali—with far fewer crowds. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be picked up by your private driver and transferred to Kuta, the main town and traveler hub on the south coast of the island. Settle into your hotel, where you're free to spend the rest of the day recovering after the long journey.
Depending on how energetic your family is feeling, you might like to head out for a stroll to explore the town or simply relax by the hotel pool or on a nearby beach. Much of Lombok is still quiet and lesser-explored, so you'll meet locals and children who will wave and welcome you to their island.
Day 2: Lombok Beach Day
Ease into your stay on Lombok with a whole day dedicated to the island's incredible beaches. After breakfast, you'll be picked up by your private driver and taken to some of the most beautiful stretches of coast in southern Lombok.
You'll travel via the scenic route so you can enjoy captivating sea views along the way. Stop whenever you spot a beach you like the look of and bask in the shade under a coconut tree with the ocean as your backdrop. If you or your kids are feeling active, rent a surfboard at the beach and try to catch a few waves—Lombok is famous for its surfing, and its gentle waves are perfect for beginners.
Day 3: Beach-Hopping Boat Trip Around Lombok
Prepare the kids for a day of adventure as you meet up with a local fisherman and board his traditional fishing boat. Set off for Ekas Bay, west of Kuta along Lombok's southern coast, where you'll search out small, deserted coves on which to relax and play. Let the little ones assume the role of the lookout as they spot hidden inlets and pick out their favorite spots to stop and explore. Along the way, the whole family can try their hand at fishing with the help of your knowledgeable guide.
You'll also make a visit to the startlingly pink Plaga Rosa (Pink Beach) or Tangsi Beach. The naturally white sand here mixes with ground-up red coral, creating a flamingo-like hue that will delight curious kids. It's a beautiful sight and makes a great backdrop for family photos.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Meet the Locals on a Sasak Culture Tour
After a couple of idyllic days relaxing with your family, it's time to learn more about local culture. Your first stop is at Sukarara in central Lombok, a weaving village not far from Praya (and the airport). It's home to the Sasak people, the island's largest ethnic group, and is renowned for its traditionally woven ikat or songket fabrics. You can see talented craftspeople weaving them and even buy some from roadside stalls to take home with you.
Continue your cultural tour in Penujak village, where Lombok's oldest pottery center is located. Admire the traditional gerabah pottery that's braided with bamboo. Continue to Sade, a traditional Sasak village with special traditions, rice granaries, and houses with alang alang grass roofs. Curious kids will be fascinated to learn about daily life in these rural villages as they meet the friendly locals. In the afternoon, return to your hotel, where you can relax by the pool or return to a beach for some more sand and water play.Day 5: Transfer to the Peaceful Island of Gili Air
Today you'll leave the "mainland" behind and travel by boat to tiny Gili Air, an island off Lombok's northwestern coast. There's very little to do on this gorgeous island, but that's the whole point. You and your kids can really switch off and relax here without feeling pressured to do too much or be anywhere. Rent a bicycle to pedal around the island (with a circumference of fewer than 3 mi/5 km, you can easily circle the coast), or go swimming in the shallow, crystal-clear waters. Make sure to find a good spot to watch a dramatic sunset, which the island is famed for.
Day 6: Gili Islands Snorkeling Excursion
Gili Air is just one of several Gili Islands, and you'll explore a few more of them today. Or, rather, you'll explore what's under the surface of the ocean on a snorkeling excursion! In the morning, meet your guide at your hotel and then board a small wooden boat with your captain. You'll be taken to various snorkeling spots, depending on the conditions of the day and your children's abilities.
Don a mask and fins before jumping in to see the multicolored fish and coral. You may even have a chance to snorkel alongside turtles, which are often spotted in the waters here. Take a lunch break on one of the islands, then return to the boat and head back to Gili Air, where you'll have the rest of the day free to relax.
Day 7: Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno Day Tour
Each of the Gili Islands has its own character, and today is your chance to explore one of the other two islands. At the port, buy a ticket for a day trip to either Gili Meno or Gili Trawangan. Gili Meno is the smallest island and is usually considered to be the more laid-back of the three. Here, you might see sea turtles if you go swimming or snorkeling at Turtle Point. Gili Trawangan has a more lively atmosphere, and it's a great spot to rent a bike to explore more and stop off at a beach bar to order refreshing drinks and fruit juices delivered to a beanbag or overwater hammock.
Choose an island that suits your family's needs and interests, and park up there for a full day of beach bliss. When the kids have had enough of sandcastles, paddling, and beachcombing, check the timetables and catch a boat back to Gili Air in the afternoon.
Day 8: Transfer to Senggigi, Family Cooking Class
Return to Lombok today by boat, this time to your base in Senggigi, a town on the west coast that's not far from the Gili Islands. You'll be picked up from the port and transferred to your hotel.
After you've had some time to settle in, you'll head out for a family-friendly cooking class in the afternoon. You and your kids will love getting practical in the kitchen and learning to make four or five traditional Indonesian dishes. The menu might include chicken sate, corn patties, baked fish, pancakes, and other dishes that are sure to please even the pickiest little eaters. Learn tips and tricks that you can recreate back home, and then enjoy eating your delicious meal prepared with your own hands.
Day 9: Snorkeling Trip to Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak & Gili Kedis
Make the most of your last full day on Lombok with another snorkeling excursion to some more tiny islands. In the morning, your driver will take you to Tawun Harbor, on the southwestern coast of Lombok, from where you'll cross the short stretch of sea on a local fishing boat. Head to Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis (not to be confused with the larger Gili Islands farther north, as gili simply means "island" in the local Sasak language).
These three islands are known for their stunning beaches and pristine waters and are filled with marine life, such as starfish, blue seahorses, clownfish, and pink corals. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even see turtles!
Day 10: Depart Lombok
It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Lombok today. Depending on the time of your flight, there may be time for a final swim in the sea or at least a beach walk. Your driver will pick you up in good time to make it to the airport for your flight. Safe travels!
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