Exploring the Heart of Bali: Rice Paddies, Beaches & Laidback Lifestyle

Assistance with immigration and customs. Transfer. Three-night stay in an eco-lodge in the middle of the countryside. All around, rice fields spread out against the backdrop of the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung, Bali's sacred active volcano. The buildings have the arched shape of traditional Indonesian rice barns. The suites exude rustic charm but also offer excellent luxury and perfect privacy. The restaurant uses a whole host of organic ingredients. Live life at a gentle country pace away from the crowds. The guesthouse atmosphere encourages a laidback approach to the day. The eco-lodge's surroundings are fantastic for walks.

Included in the itinerary - Learn about traditional Indonesian herbal medicines and enjoy an introduction to 'jamu'. Some knowledge is gradually being lost, such as the medicinal properties of everyday plants. Balinese people are still very much attached to their traditional medicines and make regular use of it: frangipani bark for back pain, cloves to fight colds, ginger for low blood pressure, etc. With an English-speaking private guide, collect some specialised plants found in the surrounding area. Some of them might even feature in 'jamu', a concoction that exists in various versions and keeps Indonesians healthy. It's basically a preventive medicinal drink containing the beneficial properties of plants

Included in the itinerary - A tour of the village of Undisan. During this day trip, visit the village of Undisan with an expert guide. The locals are welcoming and invite guests to into their homes, temples and fields to gain an insight into their way of life. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about growing rice, the preparation of daily offerings and 'gong' music, performed by a traditional group of musicians mainly comprising percussion instruments. Walks in the countryside to the main temples in the area while meeting local craftspeople (silversmiths and tailors) round off this introduction to a highly authentic Balinese way of life.

Transfer to Ubud. Three-night stay in a hotel. The villas, furnished in a contemporary and practical style, are simple and comfortable. A terrace extends out onto a long swimming pool - any excuse for a dip and a few lengths. There's also a sushi bar and a burger counter. In the spa, massages and treatments deliver the best of Balinese and Western expertise. There are yoga and 'batik' classes on site and if you fancy something more adventurous you can rent a bike or try rafting on the Ayung River.

Included in the itinerary - Bali like a friend. As this is such a dream destination for many, expectation levels are often already high as soon as visitors step off the plane. So, to make sure it lives up to the dream, we have opted for an open approach with an expert guide on hand as a good way to get started. First of all, they'll spend time with you putting together a wish list, highlighting your interests and tastes. And then, off you go... a private vehicle with a driver awaits you. The guide will immediately immerse you in Balinese life. Arts and crafts, music, kite flying, surfing, architecture, dance, religious practices, markets, agriculture, the whole shebang of life is there to see, hear and soak up, just as the locals do. Just ask.

Included in the itinerary - Rice fields and the Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple. With a private expert guide, walk from village to village, through rice fields and the rainforest, to gain a better appreciation of a beautiful landscape shaped by hard daily toil. In the village of Sebatu, visit a Hindu shrine founded beside a spring. Using the natural slope of the land, the water is fed through pipes into seven stone basins, some of which are used to cleanse the faithful. Take a seat and listen to the captivating sound of the gushing water, admire the work of the local engineers who created it and marvel at the statues. The ornate and colourful 'tedung' umbrellas indicate the temple's protective properties.

Included in the itinerary - Meet a Hindu priest. This is a unique chance to meet a priest. You'll be welcomed into their home and the priest shares religious texts over a meal. The first contains the texts that led to Hinduism (according to the development of Vedism, Brahmanism, Hinduism); the second consists only of plants. Then, bathe in the Banjar hot springs: water gushes out at 38°C from a dragon's mouth. Then, visit a village where the locals are a rarity in Bali - Buddhists.
Transfer to Munduk. Two-night stay in rice fields. Originally, the cottages were rice barns perched on stilts. Their shape is still the same but the only thing they house now is comfortable accommodation. It's a delightful place with wooden touches, screens made of plant material, colonial-style furniture and comfortable bedding. From the private terrace, soak up lovely views of the distant mountains, nearby ponds, clove orchards and rice fields. The restaurant serves Indonesian and international cuisine. Balinese spa massages are part of a vigorously maintained tradition.

During the colonial period, Dutch officials came to Munduk, 2,300ft above sea level, to enjoy the cooler air. The village's architecture, surrounded by terraced rice fields and forest waterfalls, stands testament to this period in history.
Included in the itinerary - Hiking in the forest and canoeing on Lake Tamblingan. With a private guide, enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour walking tour under a rainforest canopy of fig trees, palm trees, pandanus, orchids, and ferns, then through clove and coffee plantations, to a beautiful crater lake at the foot of Mount Lesung. Once there, sail over the sparkling green waters in a dugout canoe. The banks are home to old temples.

Transfer to Jimbaran. Three-night stay just minutes from the beach. The estate comprises three old wooden houses and a garden. The interior features a wonderful blend of gentle hues of wine-colours, grey-beiges, browns, chalk and sea green. The generously proportioned rooms form a harmonious whole, while light shines through the latticed bay windows. The rooms exude a delightfully unique atmosphere, with amenities and styling that brings a new sense of refinement to the rustic feel. The restaurant serves contemporary and delicious Indonesian food on traditional 'batik' tablecloths. Plus, there's the added bonus of a luxury spa and treatments and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.

During these days of playing in the sea and utter relaxation, find a little time to visit the Hindu temple of Uluwatu, built in the 16th century and perched on top of a steep cliff overlooking the sea. It's a stunning location. A troop of macaques has taken up residence there and these cheeky monkeys are behind a spate of brazen daylight robberies so keep an eye out! So, keep an eye on your things. As dusk falls, experience a kecak show, a dancing chorus that began in the 1930s from ancient trance rituals. Held in the temple setting, dedicated to the gods of the sea (an area where Bali really has been blessed), it's a bewitching spectacle.
Included in the itinerary - Beginners surfing. Bali is one of the best places on Earth for surfing. So, a lesson is an absolute must during your stay (if that's your type of thing, of course). Legian Beach, with its steady waves, is ideal for getting started. An English-speaking instructor shows beginners the basics. Start paddling, try to catch a wave, even stand up and then, usually... wipeout! It's still great fun though. Street food at night. Try not to lose your expert guide in the labyrinth of bustling stalls and tempting sights and aromas... This market is as authentic as it gets, not just put on for tourists. Taste the best that Balinese food has to offer: 'sate lilit' (meat or fish skewers with coconut), 'bakso' (meatball and noodle broth) and 'nasi jinggo' (banana leaf rice).

Transfer to Denpasar airport and return flight.