Indonesia | Bali Cycling
with premier accommodation
An island of exotic culture and tranquil beauty Sitting on a beach, reading about someone else's adventures. That's one way to spend a holiday. But what about your adventures? Like cycling among emerald-green rice terraces on volcanic slopes, rafting the Ayung River through the jungle and ending the day with the Indian Ocean crashing at your feet. And at night, strolling through a quiet beach town like Lovina, tasting exotic fruits and enjoying some TLC from a world-class spa. Whether you crave action and excitement or a quiet romance, Bali gives your story a happy ending.
| Duration: | 8 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW321 |
| Trip Style: | Deluxe - 5 star |
| Departure Dates: | 25 Mar 2012, 14 Oct 2012, 07 Dec 2012, 15 Dec 2012, 23 Dec 2012 |
| Price: | From $3,960 |
| Single Supplement: | From $720 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
This trip is about embracing what life has to offer, living the experience as it unfolds and at the same time creating memories that will last forever. About half of the people who do this tour are between the ages of 35 and 55. Older and younger travellers are also well represented. The average group size is 16 and there is a mix of solo travellers, families and couples. They'll exhibit a diversity of interests and occupations and share a love of active travel and the outdoors.
If you would like a roommate, we will endeavour to pair you with one (same gender). If you sign up more than 95 days in advance of departure and no roommate is available, 50% of the private room charge will be due at final payment. Should a roommate be found before your trip departs, the private room charge will be refunded. If you sign up less than 95 days in advance of departure and no roommate is available, the full private room charge will apply. If a roommate is found before your trip departs, the private room charge will be refunded. Sometimes, twin room availability is limited; a private room charge applies if a shared room is not available, regardless of the number of days before departure.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 16 average
SEASONAL PRICE RANGE: $3,960 to $4,375
Single Supplement: $720 to $955
BRIEF ITINERARY
Days 1-2
Unforgettable rides past rice paddies, peaceful villages and sacred pools. Delve behind the scenes with our longtime friend and local guide, Wayan Narta. After spinning through rolling hills near Ubud, explore a secluded forest temple inhabited by gray monkeys. Raft the Ayung River, keeping an eye out for bright kingfishers and giant teak trees.
Day 3
Explore an exotic culture steeped in Hindu spirituality and colourful mythology. Cycle to the sacred Pura Taman Ayun temple and pay homage to the water goddess Dewi Danu at the Ulun Danu temple. Ever been inside a volcano? Venture to Lake Bratan, set within inactive Gunung Batur's crater.
Days 4-5
Relax at tropical beachside retreats. Pedal along Bali's arid northeast coast, passing lava flows from Mount Agung's 1963 eruption. Luxuriate at the spa, or don masks and fins for a snorkel amid the wreckage of the torpedoed U.S.S. Liberty, a haven for some 400 species of colourful reef fish.
Days 6-7
Meet locals in their art studios. Visit Tenganan, known for its beautiful double-ikat textiles. Prepare classic mie goreng in a private cooking class. Impressive volcanic mountains give way to a sandy beach on an exhilarating descent past scenic rice terraces.
Day 8
Snorkel with parrot fish and giant clams in the Blue Lagoon, a placid red-coral bay reached by outrigger.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
North Ubud Loop 14 Miles
Meet your Trip Leaders at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Alila Ubud hotel, located in Payangan, near Ubud. We kick off the trip with a light brunch of Balinese delicacies, including an array of exotic and delicious fruits. Then we head outside, where your leaders fit your bike and give a brief talk on biking techniques and safety. You'll also meet Wayan Narta, our local guide and good friend who will be with us for the entire trip.
Then set off on your first ride through the lush green Balinese countryside. The hilly loop - think of it as a crash course to prepare your legs for the week's riding - leads past many small villages nestled between terraced rice paddies. You're rewarded for your efforts with gorgeous views and tropical breezes. There may be more motorbikes and trucks on the road these days, but otherwise life in these rural communities remains much as it has been for centuries. Outside of its towns, Bali is still quite undeveloped and poor. This can be challenging to witness and yet the cultural and spiritual resilience of the Balinese people is evident.
If you'd prefer to take it easy today, you're welcome to lounge by the hotel's breathtaking emerald-green pool and check into your room once it becomes available. You can also head into town to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings - Ubud offers a dazzling array of local crafts.
Later in the day we reconvene at the Alila Ubud, an intimate sanctuary perched high above the Ayung River. This lovely hotel has been recognised for its eco-friendly practices, respect for the Balinese culture and people, and participation in community projects. Located outside Ubud, the Alila offers a peacefulness and sophistication unparalleled by hotels closer to the town centre. For the next two nights enjoy the infinity swimming pool and on-site health spa, which offers traditional treatments in private open-air pavilions. (Please note that spa services aren't included in the trip price.)This evening we chat over cocktails before dining on traditional Balinese delights.
Overnight: Alila Ubud
DAY 2
Ayung River Rafting Trip - 4 Hours
Ubud Route - 18 Miles with Shuttle
After a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we embark on an exciting raft trip on the Class II and III rapids of the Ayung River, the longest river in Bali. It's a great way to experience the countryside from a different perspective. Paddling downriver, enjoy views of waterfalls, hillside bungalows and the last virgin rainforest on the island.
At midday a beautiful picnic spread is served on the riverbank. After lunch you may choose to shuttle to Ubud to shop, or immerse yourself in traditional Balinese life with a bike ride through the cultural heart of the island. If you opt to cycle, begin by following the only eastbound road toward the village of Payangan, tackling some of the hilliest terrain in the area. Our route climbs over a number of ridges and drops into several valleys. Then cruise downhill and into Ubud, pedaling past Puri Saren Agung, the city's royal palace, before leaving town and continuing along narrow car-free paths through villages and past temples, family compounds and acres of terraced rice fields. Traditional walled communities line your descent into Mas, and a forest road leads to Pura Dalem (Temple of the Dead), almost completely hidden by a tangle of moss and twisted vines. This forest is home to gray monkeys that, though charming and quiet when glimpsed from afar, are anything but shy if they think you have bananas! From here it's a short walk or ride back to Ubud.
Spend the rest of the afternoon discovering Ubud's many craft shops, art galleries and temples before returning to the hotel by van or bike. (If you pedal, get ready for a nice uphill!) Or, join Wayan for a unique cultural visit to the Balinese family compound of our good friend Made. We learn about sacred Balinese rituals, customs and traditional dress. After meeting the family, we're welcomed into their temple and may receive a blessing for our journey. At your leisure tonight, enjoy a fine meal in the open-air dining room of our hotel.
Lodging: Alila Ubud
DAY 3
Pura Taman Ayun Route - 18 Miles
Shuttle to Lake Bratan - 1 Hour
Lovina Beach Route - 38 Miles
This morning's ride begins with a level stretch from the hotel and continues along narrow side roads into Penestanan, and through the colourful villages of Bongkasa and Villa Semana. You'll pass a lively outdoor market before returning to the main road in front of Taman Ayun ("beautiful garden"), the main temple for the ancient Kingdom of Mengwi. Built in 1634, it is one of Bali's most picturesque temples with a massive moat and three nested courtyards, and Wayan shows us around on a fascinating tour.
Afterward we shuttle up the revered Gunung Batur volcano en route to Lake Bratan, where we explore ethereal Ulun Danu temple. Then jump in the saddle for a beautiful ride through pine and hardwood forests, with pretty views of Lake Buyan. Our route hugs the spine of the volcano - requiring some climbing - but the vista is spectacular! (Feel free to get a boost from the van.)
Our lunch spot, Puri Lumbung, is an open-air tree-house-style dining platform overlooking a hillside of cascading clove, banana and coffee trees. Following lunch we bike downhill to Lovina Beach, a resort town on the island's north end. On the nine-mile descent, you'll breeze through fields of hydrangea, and aromatic groves of coffee and clove trees. Take in views of orchards and banana plantations as you continue down the volcano's north side to Puri Bagus Lovina, a casual seaside resort where we make our home for the night.
This resort is simpler than the Alila, and the reserved service is reflective of how far off the tourist path we are. But it's the finest hotel in the area and offers easy access to our bike rides, as well as unique cultural opportunities. Beaches on this side of the island are made of rough black coral, a stark contrast from the fine white sand we'll find toward the end of our trip. And while it's not sand castle-building material, the location is great for snorkelling and exploring.Dinner this evening is a relaxing poolside feast accompanied by soothing rindik (bamboo xylophone) music.
Lodging: Puri Bagus Lovina.
DAY 4
Tembok Route - 30 Miles
Shorter Option: 22 Miles with Shuttle
We fuel up with a delicious breakfast before riding to the tranquil village of Tembok. After passing through Singaraja (Bali's second largest city), pedal along the island's arid northeast coast, stopping at the cold pools of Air Sanih for a refreshing break from the heat. Our route follows the sparsely populated shoreline and offers views of villages, temple festivals, and banana and coconut plantations. Expect to be awed by the jewel-like Bali Sea and the majestic Gunung Agung, Bali's "mother mountain" where locals believe all life begins. It's more than 10,000 feet high and just eight miles from the sea. Be prepared for curious glances and smiles from the villagers; this side of the island sees few Westerners, and they'll no doubt wonder who we are, where we came from and what we're doing. You'll also pass by more temples today, which locals often decorate in honor of Hindu gods and their own ancestors.
Just in time for lunch we arrive at our remote hotel, Spa Village Tembok, an atmospheric beachfront hideaway. The afternoon is yours to take it easy at the resort: walk on the black-sand beach, relax beside the infinity pool, treat yourself to a massage or just enjoy the peace and tranquility. This evening's delicious seaside dinner provides a perfect ending to the day.
Lodging: Spa Village
DAY 5
Tembok Mimpi Route - 12 Miles with Shuttle
Longer Option: 24 Miles
U.S.S. Liberty Snorkelling Excursion - 1 Hour
Hop on your bike this morning for a spin up the Temok coastline to Mimpi Resort, stopping en route for coffee and Balinese treats. We meet fishermen in brightly painted junkung boats (outrigger-style with sails and outboard motors) who taxi us ten minutes to the site of the shipwrecked U.S.S. Liberty. Torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942, its twisted sunken hull lies just offshore and is covered with soft corals, sponges, hydrozoans and gorgonians - a spectacular haven for some 400 species of colourful reef fish. You can join your leaders on a guided snorkelling exploration of the wreck or, if you're a certified diver, you may want to head even farther underwater.
After working up an appetite, relax over lunch at Mimpi Resort, then cycle or shuttle back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon. Take advantage of the spa or simply put your feet up. Tonight we reconvene for dinner on a terrace overlooking the ocean.
Lodging: Spa Village Tembok
DAY 6
Manggis Route - 33 Miles with Shuttle
Shorter Option: 16 Miles
Longer Option: 42 Miles
A beautiful day of cycling awaits! After breakfast we take advantage of the cooler morning hours by hopping in the saddle and coasting along flat roads with stunning views of the Gunung Agung on one side and coastal villages on the other. Pedal along the north coast to the village of Culik, with its bustling market. From here, ride or shuttle up to a lofty pass for an exhilarating descent past some of the most scenic rice terraces of the trip. If you'd like, stop to explore the area's villages, which specialise in goldsmithing and silversmithing.
There's a short climb approaching the small town of Candi Dasa, with seaside views to help distract you from the effort.Here we stop for a scrumptious lunch before continuing to our luxurious beachfront hotel, Alila Manggis, which provides a host of amenities. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. Later we savour an evening meal in the hotel's open-air dining room.
Lodging: Alila Manggis Village
DAY 7
Loop - 14 Miles
This morning, while village life is active, you have a few wonderful options. You can take a loop ride to the nearby communities of Gegelang and Andakasa, passing small family compounds and the local school, where you can make friends with Balinese children as they do "morning exercises."
Or, join the Alila Manggis's chef on a visit to the Klungkung village market and participate in a private cooking class, using the fresh ingredients you've purchased. In the casual setting of the breezy open-air restaurant, you'll learn the secrets for creating such Indonesian specialties as nasi campur and mie goreng - then we all enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch!If you want to ride and cook, take the bike loop after lunch to work off the fantastic meal.
This afternoon you can visit Tenganan, a unique pre-Hindu village and the only place in Indonesia where beautiful double-ikat weavings are produced. Many of the residents are farmers, artists and craftspeople, all descendants of the aboriginal Balinese who settled on the island long ago. The place still has a distinctly Polynesian feel, which is especially noticeable in its architecture. Learn how to make ikat, or take advantage of the area's unique shops.
If you'd prefer, forgo today's activities and pamper yourself at the spa or relax by the pool. Tonight we're joined by local performers demonstrating the lively and dynamic kecak dance. Our farewell dinner is an outdoor barbecue feast that takes place in a nearby coconut grove following the performance.
Lodging: Alila Manggis
DAY 8
Blue Lagoon Snorkeling - 2 Hours
Shuttle to Denpasar Airport - 1 Hour
A fantastic snorkel in Bali's Blue Lagoon is a perfect way to cap off our tropical adventure. Local guides escort us from the hotel to a junking, which whisks us to the lagoon. Beds of hard and soft coral provide a home for a vast array of beautiful creatures - keep an eye out for the vividly coloured parrot fish, reef sharks and giant clams. After returning to the hotel, we eat a quick breakfast before saying our goodbyes.
ACCOMMODATION
Alila Ubud, Ubud (2 nights)
Set in a lush river valley, this deluxe retreat blends contemporary and traditional Balinese design. (pool, spa)
Puri Bagus Lovina, Lovina Beach (1 night)
Overlooking the Bali Sea, simple yet comfortable villas with traditional architecture and private gardens. (pool, spa)
Spa Village Tembok Bali, Tembok (2 nights)
Exuding peacefulness, a secluded retreat with views stretching from volcanic peaks to the black-sand beaches of the Bali Sea. (pool, spa)
Alila Manggis, Manggis (2 nights)
Reminiscent of traditional Balinese villages, a stylish seaside hideaway with palm-studded grounds. (pool, spa)
Inclusions
- All accommodation
- All breakfasts, most lunches and all dinners except for one
- Expertise and services of experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Private guided tours as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Water bottle
- Use of fully equipped titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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