Luxury Spiritual and Cultural Tour of Bali

Bali: Ubud, Candidasa

From $5,051 pp

In the morning, set off on the journey to Batukaru Temple. Located on the misty southern slopes of Mount Batukaru, Bali’s second highest volcano, the peaceful temple is surrounded by lush rainforest. Due to its remote location it is rarely visited by tourists, yet is an architectural beauty featuring a multitude of shrines with tiered roofs. It is meant to protect Bali from evil spirits and is an extremely sacred site for the island’s Hindu population.

From here drive to the Unesco listed rice terraces of Jatiluwih where lush emerald green rice fields cover the sides of the hills. Hop on a bicycle for a one hour tour of the rice terraces. While cycling, your guide will tell you about the Subak irrigation system that has been preserved by the Balinese farmers for centuries. At the end of the tour, sit down and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch while taking in the undisturbed views over the stunning landscape.

Next day, you have the unique opportunity to meet an expert on the Unesco World Heritage listed Pakerisan river area and its ancient temples and monuments. You will visit heritage temples and monuments that trace the creation of the unique Balinese Hindu religion. The temples date from the 8th to the 12th century and are rarely visited by locals, let alone tourists. Some have been neglected, hidden in the forest while others are still used by the local villagers. Yet all have played a significant role in the development of present day Balinese culture.

Visit a temple that explains about the solar and lunar calendar, and another hidden temple that shows how Balinese Hindus and Buddhists lived together in harmony. The final stop is at an ancient meditation site set in the rainforest and carved out of the stone walls. It lies virtually untouched since the 10th century. Here a local priest will conduct a blessing ceremony to wish you luck on your onward journey in life.

Leave Ubud behind as you drive upward to Kintamani to see Bali’s most active volcano. Approaching the Batur area, swirling mists often obscure the view until suddenly you find yourself perched on the rim of a crater measuring some 14 km across. From here there are stunning views of the active Mount Batur. On one side are the blue waters of Bali’s largest lake, Lake Batur, and on the other are lava fields and cultivated patches. Continue to the village of Sidemen where you will get a true taste of Balinese Life. Join a cookery workshop to learn how to make some Balinese favourites. Prepare your own rice flour in a traditional way and then join the women in the Balinese kitchen to make a spicy sauce, chicken sate and a sweet local desert. Also understand the importance of daily offerings, ceremonial cakes and palm leaf decorations, and how they are made.

In the morning set off for a half day cultural tour. Visit Tirtagangga Water Fountain, which means water from the Ganges and it is a site of some reverence for the Hindu Balinese. Tirta Gangga is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden, stone carvings and statues. The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence. The centrepiece is an eleven tiered fountain. Continue to Ujung Water Palace, built by the king of Karangasem in 1919 and completed in 1926. It is located near the sea but has several fresh water springs for the ponds. Inside you can see a collection of pictures of the king. After lunch in an organic restaurant, return to the hotel for relaxation.