OVERVIEW OF BALI

The plane has landed, you've collected your luggage, and you're met by your driver and travel expert at the airport. Welcome to Bali! After a brief introduction to what awaits you on this lovely trip to Indonesia, you set off in the direction of your hotel. On the road, you'll see your first Balinese images, reflecting the cultural diversity of the south of the island. The small restaurants attract you with their colors and unfamiliar dishes, and the first smiles of the locals greet you. You arrive at your accommodation for the night, set against a backdrop of beautiful rice paddies. Spend the night there.

This morning you wake up for the first time in Bali, in an enchanting setting. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a hike along a magnificent trail. Let yourself be guided by the splendor of the landscape, wander through the rice paddies and admire the temple of Tanah Lot at the end of the road. Bali's most sacred site is even more impressive at high tide, when the waves crash against the rock on which the temple rests. The Balinese love this energetic place, where numerous ceremonies are held. Return to the hotel where you'll be staying this evening.

This morning, you leave the south of the island to discover the less-frequented north, with its wonderful spots that you'll never tire of during your stay in Bali. Take the road out of Tanah Lot, turn right at Antosari, and open your eyes wide! For several kilometers, rice paddies and jungles spread out in a festival of dazzling colors. You can stop along the way to visit a coffee factory or discover the Pupuan waterfalls. The show continues on the road along the north coast to Pemuteran. Make yourself comfortable in your hotel and relax.

You've got the day off, so you can do as you please. Your driver is at your disposal, so there's plenty of choice. The simplest is to relax at your hotel or on the beach at Pemuteran - after all, it's a vacation. For the more adventurous, the island of Menjangan, off the coast of the city, is a wonderful place for snorkeling and observing the thousand-colored fish. You can also discover the Bali Barat National Park, which will delight animal lovers and birdwatchers in particular. Then return to your hotel for the night.

This morning, you'll take the road along the coast towards Lovina, in the north of Bali. Your first stop is the Banjar hot springs. Enjoy a moment of relaxation in these pools, where the water is around 32°C. Next, a visit to the Brahma Vihara Arama monastery, the island's only Buddhist monument. Continuing on, you'll discover the Tamblingan, Buyan and Bratan lakes, before visiting the Ulun Danu temple, a true symbol of Bali. You'll be amazed by the breathtaking scenery. Finally, you drive down to Ubud. Return to your hotel for the night.

This morning you swap your ordinary vehicle for a Volkswagen safari. These vintage convertibles allow you to discover the splendid Balinese back roads with greater intensity. Your first stop is on the outskirts of Ubud. The landscape is made up of rice terraces, small roads, rural villages and waterfalls. Enjoy the lush landscapes that give Bali its charm. Stop off at Tegalalang's artisans' street, which leads up to the impressive rice terraces. Then head north to Kintamani and the caldera of the Batur volcano. In the late afternoon, return to Ubud for the night.

Today, your program is free and driverless. No worries, as Ubud has more than enough to offer without you having to travel far. Take advantage of your day off to do some shopping, laze by your hotel pool, relax in a spa, stroll the streets of Ubud, discover the many art galleries and museums, or meet the mischievous monkeys of the Monkey Forest. There's something for everyone. Then return to your hotel for the night.

This morning, we drive to Bedulu to visit the site of Goa Gajah. Also known as "the cellar of the elephant", this temple was built in the 9th century. You'll discover caves with picturesque sculptures. Then on to Pura Gunung Kawi, a temple dedicated to King Anak Wungsu. You'll then discover the sacred springs of Tampaksiring. In the afternoon, you reach Bali's highest terraced sanctuary, via Bangli and its Pura Kehen temple, arriving in the afternoon at Sidemen, a pretty little village lost in the rice paddies. Spend the night at your hotel.

Get up fairly early this morning and head out into Sidemen's surrounding countryside for an easy stroll. Along the way, you'll come across rice and fruit growers of all kinds. You'll pass clove, salak (snake fruit), cocoa and other plantations that make up Bali's lush tropical vegetation. But it's above all the stepped rice paddies that make up Sidemen's fantastic landscape. The afternoon is mainly devoted to relaxation. Why not try one of the famous Balinese massages?

Meet your driver, who will transfer you to Jimbaran, on the Bukit peninsula in southern Bali. Take the opportunity to visit Jimbaran's famous fish market, before sampling one. In the afternoon, relax on the beach, or go shopping for souvenirs of this wonderful trip. Have a chat with the Balinese, and notice once again their natural kindness. Then head back to your hotel, as it's already time to pack.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can take advantage of this time to enjoy a last swim in the sea, a last grilled fish or sip a last coconut. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the international airport. It's time to catch your flight and reminisce about all the wonderful moments you've had over the past few days. Our Indonesia travel agency wishes you a safe journey home.