Between Rice Fields and Beaches: Bali Unfiltered

When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to Ubud, about an hour and a half away. Your accommodation for the next four nights is a lodge perched on the hillside in the middle of the rice fields. In this haven of peace, butterflies, statues and green gardens surround the joglos (traditional wooden Javanese houses) that have been transformed into cosy rooms. When you’re not exploring your tranquil surroundings, relax by the swimming pool in the shade of large palm trees.

You've several days to make the most of this quiet village in the heart of Bali. Nestled in the hollow of a valley, Ubud attracted the attention of painters, musicians and dancers who were seduced by its beauty. While you’re here, take a stroll around the picturesque centre to discover its galleries and museums. A few miles away in the Bali Bird Park, you’ll find the largest variety of birds in Indonesia – 250 species, to be exact.

The population of Bali is predominantly Hindu, and temples are a part of everyday life here. Unfortunately, some are now so touristy that they’ve lost their authenticity. We’ll arrange for you to take a private tour of the region’s temples today, focusing only on those visited almost exclusively by locals that still have a distinct atmosphere of peace and contemplation. About an hour's drive from Ubud, you’ll take a short walk through the rice fields to a sacred temple where you can familiarise yourself with Bali’s religious practices. After a traditional lunch in a warung (small family-owned eatery), you’ll discover two more temples, including one that’s nestled in a green valley and more than a thousand years old. Among other things, the beauty of this temple is due to its incredible sculptures.

Today, you’ll take a private transfer to Pemuteran (about four hours) where you’ll spend the next three nights. Your accommodation is located in Bali Barat National Park between forest, mangrove and coral reef. This informal hotel has a swimming pool surrounded by vegetation, where you can unwind after your journey. Between melodic birdsong and the gentle sea breeze, relaxation is guaranteed.

Located in the Bali Barat National Park, Pemuteran possesses a tranquility that’s increasingly difficult to find on the island. Its tropical climate has made it a haven for numerous animals including over 160 bird species, along with flying foxes, macaques, deer and monitor lizards. Turtles are also a protected species here. This vast territory can be explored on foot, on horseback, by kayak or by bike.

We’ll arrange for you to take a private snorkelling trip while you’re here. Head towards Menjangan Island, one of the best diving sites in Asia thanks to its weak currents and warm waters. Here, the ocean is so clear that visibility sometimes reaches 165ft.

You’ll take a private transfer to Munduk today, and in two hours you’ll reach its rice fields and the serenity that accompanies them. Your next two nights will be spent in a small hotel with a relaxed atmosphere and an intimate setting. There are barely a dozen bungalows and villas here, and this place of retreat lends itself perfectly to yoga and meditation, along with lazy days getting massages in the spa and taking dips in the swimming pool. Today, your time spent relaxing, reading and playing pétanque will be interrupted only by organic meals.

Munduk has some of the most fertile land in Bali, and we’ll arrange for you to take a hike around the region today. During this three-hour walk, you’ll experience the beauty of the island’s interior with a private guide leading the way. Discover rice fields, forests, waterfalls and plantations growing coffee and cloves, and stop to enjoy panoramic views across the valley, Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan. You’ll also have the privilege of meeting the communities living in the traditional villages of Banyuatis and Kayuputih.

It’s time to head to your final stop in Bali, so this morning you’ll take a private three-hour transfer to Uluwatu, on the island’s southern tip. Your home for the next three nights is a contemporary hotel made up of small villas. Morning and night, enjoy spectacular sunset views and divide your time between lounging by the swimming pool, massages in the spa and trips to the beach. In the evenings, sit down to delicious dinners in your hotel restaurant.

Set in the extreme south of the Bukit peninsula, the surroundings of Uluwatu feature a jagged limestone coast and numerous beaches that are popular with surf lovers. Today, you’ll have a car with a driver at your disposal, so you can explore the coast at your own pace. Stop here and there to swim in the emerald water and enjoy lunch in a warung; tuck into the day’s catch marinated in lime or grilled on coconut peel.

This is your final day in Bali and there’s plenty to get stuck into: learn to surf in one of the local spots; visit the famous Uluwatu temple; attend a mesmerising kecak performance (traditional dancing); stroll through the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park; sample local street food, including bakso (meatballs in broth), banana leaf rice and meat skewers.