Luxury Bali Adventure & Komodo Cruise - 10 Days

Highlights

• Relax in your upscale suite and private pool at Ubud's 5-star Mandapa resort
• Experience traditional Balinese cuisine with an 11-course fine dining experience
• Swim and snorkel in the pristine waters of Komodo National Park on a luxury cruise
• Observe the fascinating daily lives of Komodo dragons in their natural habitat

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud

Welcome to Indonesia! Your flight lands on Bali, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands known for its lush landscapes, ornate temples, and rich cultural traditions. Your private driver will collect you from the airport and transfer you to Ubud, where you'll check in at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Nestled in Ubud's jungle, this 5-star retreat offers rooms, suites, and villas with floor-to-ceiling windows, private pools, and 24-hour butler service. 

After hotel check-in, your afternoon is free. Head into town and stroll along its charming streets, stopping at local shops or grabbing a bite at a local restaurant. For souvenirs, visit the Ubud Art Market, where you can find items like silk scarves, handcrafted bags, and fun kites, or if you'd like to get out into nature a bit, make your way to the temple of Pura Gunung Lebah and follow the Campuhan Ridge Walk, an hourlong, relatively easy hike that takes you through rice paddies and palm trees, ending at the top of the ridge. Tonight, relax and regroup at your hotel after the long day.

Day 2: Bali's Sacred Spots: Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi & Goa Gajah 

Discover the spiritual side of Balinese culture today, starting with a privately guided visit to the iconic Tirta Empul temple. Tour the temple complex and witness people praying in the shrine and bathing in the "Holy Spring," renowned for its healing properties. Learn about Balinese traditions as you observe locals use the 11 water spouts in the central courtyard for spiritual cleansing.

Continue to Gunung Kawi, an ancient temple complex that overlooks the Pakerisan River and consists of 10 different shrine reliefs carved into the cliff face. The carvings, with their intricate designs and doorways, were made to look like small buildings, and the accompanying views of the valley below are nothing short of spectacular! 

End the day at Goa Gajah, a sacred Hindu cave temple on the outskirts of the island. Dating back to the ninth century, archaeologists believe the cave was hand-dug by Hindu priests to use as a sanctuary. Your guide will share information on the cave's history as you take in the ornately carved entrance and see the statues of the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. As residents still use the cave for prayers and offerings, visitors are asked to keep their distance and refrain from taking photos of people praying.

Day 3: Traditional Balinese Massage, 11-Course Dinner Experience

Indulge in the expertise and traditions of a rejuvenating and pampering Balinese massage. You can choose between one, or two-hour massages, with options for body, foot, or facials, as well as add-ons such as essential oils, hot stones, and more. Immerse yourself in a truly blissful experience and come away refreshed and relaxed.

Later tonight, experience a first-class culinary journey with an 11-course fine dining experience. Put yourself in the hands of a master chef, sampling dishes designed to delight the senses, where each course is a work of art with its own story. Learn more about Balinese cuisine, sip delicious wine, and leave with a full stomach and fully satiated palate. 

Day 4: 4WD Jeep Adventure in West Bali

Take a 4WD Jeep adventure across Bali, meeting your guides and driving to the island's west side. Visit sites such as Belimbing Village's rice terraces, a panorama of fertile fields adorned with tropical plantations and rice paddies, and walk along the quiet trails. Stop to see the crashing cascades of Blehmantung Waterfall, located in Pujungan Village, a region where the climate is somewhat cooler. It's a bit of an uphill trek to the falls, but you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view—you can even take a dip in the pools at the falls' base. 

Your driver will take you past dozens of coffee plantations and villages, then make a detour for some off-roading to a nearby rubber plantation. The plantation in the Pekutatan district encompasses more than 2,700 acres (1,100 ha). Cross rivers, make muddy tracks up and down the hilly trails, and take in the scenery of the valley around you. Arrive at the plantation and enjoy a traditional Indonesian lunch, then return to your hotel for the evening. 

Day 5: Fly to Labuan Bajo, Explore Villages & Waterfalls 

After breakfast, take a private transfer to the airport and catch your flight to Labuan Bajo and the island of Flores, the gateway to the incredible Komodo National Park. Established in the 1980s, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses 669 square miles (1,733 sq km) and includes the islands of Komodo, Padar, and Rinca, as well as 26 smaller islands. The archipelago and its surrounding ocean waters are home to a wide variety of marine life and wildlife, including the more than 2,500 prehistoric-looking Komodo dragons that reside in the park. 

Upon arrival, you'll be met by your private driver and transported to Plataran Komodo Resort and Spa, a luxury accommodation located on the quiet shores of Flores' Waecicu Beach. Rooms blend traditional Indonesian decor with contemporary style, with options for beach or garden views, private pools, and open-air showers.

Take some time to regroup, then head out to explore. You can rent motorbikes and visit some of the surrounding villages, learn more about local culture, or hike to spots such as the picturesque Cuca Wulang Waterfall, whose unusual rock formations almost make it look like the Grand Canyon in miniature! You can also relax at the hotel, enjoy amenities such as the pool or on-site spa, and dine at one of their restaurants.

Day 6: Liveaboard Cruise (Day 1): Welcome to Komodo National Park

Check out of your hotel and head to the boarding dock for the next leg of your travels—a cruising excursion via Liveaboard Cruises. You'll be sailing around the waters of Komodo National Park, visiting the three main islands and some of the smaller ones. With a focus on exploring the park's underwater world, you'll have multiple opportunities for diving and snorkeling, as well as enjoying wildlife encounters, hiking, and beach time. 

Board your phinisi-style ship (a single-masted sailing vessel), and once you've settled in your luxury cabin, make your way to the main deck to watch the sunset as the ship sets out across the water. Have dinner onboard, then rest in your comfortable room, falling asleep to the gentle movement of the waves. 

Day 7: Liveaboard Cruise (Day 2): Komodo Dragons, Snorkeling & Beach Fun

Your first Liveaboard stop today will be the island of Padar, a volcanic landform with some of the most spectacular views on Earth. Take a leisurely hike across the island's distinctive terrain and view the curved bays set against white, black, and pink sand beaches and the cobalt blue sea. 

You'll have time to swim and snorkel here, then set sail to West Komodo Island, home to a large colony of Komodo dragons. These mighty lizards take ownership of the island, and together with your guide, you'll have a chance to observe them from a safe distance. The islands here are the only place in the world where you'll find these unusual creatures, and they remain of great interest to scientists, naturalists, and researchers. Tonight, the boat will anchor near the island of Kalong, where you may have the opportunity to snorkel and swim more.

Day 8: Liveaboard Cruise (Day 3): Gili Lawa Island, Snorkeling at Makassar Reef 

Explore the natural paradise of Gili Lawa Island today. This uninhabited island, located in the northern part of Komodo National Park, features pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, and you can go on a dive trip, snorkel, or cruise the waves via kayak and paddleboard. Keep your eyes out for the many colorful fish that live here, and don't be surprised if you spot some friendly turtles swimming nearby.

Afterward, visit Siaba Island for more sunbathing and beach time, then stop at Makassar Reef, otherwise known as Manta Point. The longest dive site in the park, the reef stretches more than 1.5 miles (2.5 km) and is considered one of the best places in the world to see manta rays. Because this is also a shallow dive site, it's an excellent place to snorkel if you'd prefer, and you can easily see the mantas from the sea's surface. The boat will anchor around Sebayur Island for the night, and after dinner on board, you're free to relax for the evening. 

Day 9: Liveaboard Cruise (Day 4): Kanawa & Bidadari Islands, Transfer to Labuan Bajo

After a hearty shipboard breakfast, start your day with a snorkeling tour around Sebayur Island, seeing more of the park's unusual and beautiful marine life. Then, continue to Kanawa Island, a small island surrounded by a gorgeous coral reef teeming with fish, turtles, and underwater plants, and Bidadari Island, another small island where you'll have a chance to dive, swim and snorkel. 

Have lunch onboard, and if there's time before returning to Labuan Bajo, you can stop at the island of Rinca to see more Komodo Dragons and other wildlife or visit the waters around Kelor Island, where you can snorkel a final time. Late this afternoon, you'll dock back at Labuan Bajo and transfer back to Plataran Komodo Resort and Spa for your final evening in Indonesia.

Day 10: Depart Labuan Bajo 

Your luxury Indonesia adventure ends today. At the appointed time, you'll be transported to the airport for your journey home. Safe travels!

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