Crossing Bali on foot: from temples to volcanic peaks

This morning you will visit Ubud Palace – an iconic historical complex steeped in Balinese history, the former residence of the royal family. Just opposite is the craft market, where you can find all sorts of souvenirs. Afterwards, you will embark on a walk through stunning rice paddies to Tampaksiring. A family of Balinese artists will welcome you to their traditional home and offer you a typical meal accompanied by Balinese dances. In the afternoon, you will stop in the village of Tampaksiring to visit the temples of Gunung Kawi. This site is arguably the most impressive in Bali, with the nine tombs of King Wungsu's family carved into the cliff face. You will also visit Tirta Empul and its sacred pools, where hundreds of Balinese come daily to purify themselves. Return to Ubud in the early evening, where you will have free time to explore the village.

Early in the morning, transfer to Jatiluwih, a small village nestled amidst Bali's most beautiful rice paddies, in the central-western part of the island. Then, in the early afternoon, embark on a superb hike through this vast expanse of terraced rice paddies that surround you.

Today you begin your grand trek across Bali. Tropical forests and terraced rice paddies are the landscapes that mark your path to the village of Wongayagede, located on the southern slopes of Mount Batukaru (2,278 m). In the afternoon, visit the Luhur Batukaru temple, which rises from a lush green setting and features several multi-roofed "meru," some dating back to the 17th ^century , dedicated to the ancestors of the Tabanan dynasty and local protective deities.

You continue your hike through fields and rice paddies towards the village of Belimbing.

Early this morning, transfer to Munduk, via a stunning waterfall near the village of Pujungan. Munduk is located in a region of Bali steeped in history, considered the cradle of Balinese culture. Former Dutch settlers enjoyed vacationing here, based in the former colonial capital of Singaraja (on the north coast). In the early afternoon, you'll stroll around the village to discover the beauty of the surrounding nature. The area around Munduk is indeed picturesque, with its coffee and clove plantations nestled near forests and waterfalls.

Your trek today takes you to Candi Kuning, along the volcanic lakes of Tamblingan and Buyan. These two lakes were once a single body of water until the massive landslide of 1818 separated them permanently. This magnificent hike offers the opportunity to discover local agricultural and cultural life, as you walk alongside and through the island's beautiful rainforests. You'll visit the stunning Hindu-Buddhist temple of Ulun Danau. This enchanting place boasts a huge banyan tree at the entrance and beautiful gardens. One of the temples is perched on a small island, its 11-tiered roof reflected elegantly in the lake's waters. Next, you'll experience the vibrant atmosphere of the picturesque market in Bedugul before continuing on to the village of Catur, located halfway between Lake Bratan and the caldera of Mount Batur.

Early in the morning, enjoy a short walk around the village, through charming orange and coffee plantations. Returning to your host's home in the late morning, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about rural life by observing the customs and traditions of these villagers, who are not accustomed to mass tourism. A short transfer then takes you to Kedisan, located at the foot of Mount Batur (1717m). Ascend the volcano through fields of solidified lava. After skirting the four craters created by successive eruptions, you begin your descent.

Mid-morning, transfer to the Bali Aga village of Trunyan, traveling along Lake Batur. Boat trip to the cemetery where the bodies of the deceased decompose in the open air. Late morning, transfer to the famous Kehen Temple, one of the most important and beautiful in Bali. Transfer to Sidemen after the visit.

The morning is dedicated to a pleasant 4-hour hike around Sidemen, through upland plantations and rice paddies. During this walk, you'll pass numerous hamlets, offering opportunities to meet the locals, and also cross an old suspension bridge. The vegetation is lush and the landscape truly exotic.

Nighttime ascent of Mount Agung (it is essential to reach the summit early in the morning for a clear view). At dawn, you reach one of the crater rims, at an altitude of 2,850 meters. You are essentially at the sub-peak of Mount Agung. The highest and most revered mountain in Bali, Mount Agung dominates virtually the entire south and east of the island with its imposing silhouette, often shrouded in a veil of clouds and mist. Although most books and maps give it a height of 3,142 meters, some say that the summit did not survive the 1963 eruption and that it now stands at only 3,014 meters! After the descent, you return to Sidemen. Late morning, a short transfer takes you to the royal baths of Tirtagangga (literally "Waters of the Ganges"), on the southeastern slopes of Mount Agung. Officially known as Tirta Ayu, this freshwater bath complex was one of several water palaces built by a king of Karangasem. Surrounded by the beautiful landscape of terraced rice paddies, it's the perfect place to relax after your long walk.

You resume your trek through fields and rice paddies, heading towards the Bali Aga village of Tenganan, which has preserved Balinese culture predating the Javanese influence of the Hindu Majapahit dynasty. To protect their village from the negative effects of intrusion by those uninitiated into the worship of Batara Indra, all visitors are welcomed from noon until nightfall, after which everyone is asked to continue on their way. There was a time when the villagers of Tenganan would even sweep away the footprints of visitors to completely erase their presence. In the afternoon, transfer to the seaside resort of Sanur. The rest of the afternoon is free. In the evening, farewell dinner by the sea.

Free time. Transfer to the airport according to the return flight schedule.