Bali’s location in the Java Sea, south-west of mainland Indonesia and less than an hour from Lombok, puts visitors in prime position for island hopping and touring in this beautiful corner of the Far East. Recent years have seen holidaymakers jet off to Bali in search of more than just a beach holiday. Being such a spiritual place, a tour is a great way to explore this stunning part of the world. Experience the rich cultural traditions, unspoilt beauty, gorgeous landscapes and lush forests of ‘Paradise Island’ and see first hand how Bali lives up to its motto: ‘eat, pray, love’. At Kenwood Travel, our intrepid holiday experts have sourced the best Bali and Indonesia tours, so read on to find out about the exciting ways you could discover this charming destination.
1. Monkey Forest Tanah Lot Tour
This tour highlights three must-see locations in Bali. Start off at one of the most beautiful temples on the island, Taman Ayun (meaning beautiful garden) temple in Mengwi which was built for the royal family. Swing over to the monkey forest in Kedaton, home to hundreds of marsupials. Before returning, head over to the Tanah Lot Temple, which sits on an offshore rock. Holy water is said to surround it, so people gather from all over the island to bathe and drink the water to remove negative spirits. Grab your camera while you’re there and snap a sunset selfie or two to show off to your friends and family back home.
2. Uluwatu Kecak Dinner
Travel around the south of Bali and you’ll reach to the region’s most famous temple, Pura Luhur (Uluwatu Temple). Perched on a cliff, this area is perfect to test out your surfing skills and watch the waves crash onto the cliff edge. The highlight of this trip is the Kecak dance, featuring men in traditional dress as they chant and move to hypnotic music. This ancient dance shows the battle of Rahwana and Hanoman after Rahwana captured Rama’s wife, Sita. For the icing on the cake, enjoy a delectable seafood rijstafel dinner at Jimbaran Bay.
3. Kintamani Barong
Start your trip with a bang and enjoy the wonderful Barong Dance, depicting the evil witch against the good lion Barong. From there you’ll visit a plethora of different places: the arts and crafts centre of Mas for woodcarvings, Celuk for gold and silver work and Tohpati for handmade batik fabrics. Mount Batur is another spectacle you’ll encounter. This live volcano is unlike anything you’ll ever see, and with a buffet lunch overlooking this spectacle, you’re in for a treat. On the way back, the Elephant Cave at Bedulu is a holy sight where Buddhist monks used to meditate.
While the day tours are a fantastic way to experience a snapshot of the island’s charm, there are opportunities to spend a longer period of time travelling across Bali, experiencing even more of what’s on offer. Not only that, Bali’s incredible location boasts easy access to nearby islands for more Indonesia tours.
4. Java Bali Overland Tour
From magical beaches and lush jungles to historic volcanoes and temples peppered across the island, there is so much to see and do in Bali. This 12-day tour is the ultimate way to explore a wide spectrum of sights, sounds and sensations in the region. Get ready to visit hot springs and markets, villages and mountains and so much more. If that wasn’t enough you’ll even go to the Sultan’s palace and be treated like royalty. This tour is the perfect opportunity to sample a bit of everything, not to mention the authentic Balinese cuisine guaranteed to tantalise those tastebuds.
5. Dance with Dragons tour
This tour will take you to Komodo island, home to the world’s largest lizard. You’ll arrive at the ‘Pink Beach’ with impeccable scenery all around. Snorkel in the crystal waters and discover a range of vibrant marine life. A safari trip and jungle trek are the perfect places for Komodo spotting. While Komodos are the star attraction that people come to see, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the wild boar, buffalo, deer and cockatoos.
