Indonesian Island Duo: Bali and Sumba

Rise and shine – you're in Dubai. After landing, our representative will assist you with priority access through passport control and customs before helping you transfer from Dubai to Denpasar. This second flight is around nine hours, so make sure you’ve consulted our recommended reading list for Bali to help the time (literally) fly by. You’ll land in the evening, and to speed up the process, we’ll take care of the mandatory tourist tax. So, collect your bags, speed through customs and jump into the private car waiting to whisk you away to your hotel in Sidemen. Once there, you can relax and settle into your new surroundings and then enjoy dinner in the hotel.

Dive into your first full day in Bali with a stroll through the rice fields of Sidemen. Located in the heart of the island, Sidemen is away from crowds, surrounded by mountains and filled with rice fields and forests, making the landscape authentic and wild. During this full-day activity, a private guide will take you to a weaving mill and textile manufacturer, where you’ll discover Endek and Songket weaving, art forms that are part of daily life in Bali. As you stroll through the rice fields, observe local farmers and enjoy the spectacular scenery with Mount Agung as the backdrop.

Alternatively, we can arrange for you to spend the day off the beaten track, living in the footsteps of a Balinese local. Learn about the habits and customs of the island as you discover its secret side, immersing yourself in nature and learning about the spiritual nature of Bali. This is one of the best ways to get under Bali’s skin alongside someone who knows the country like the back of their hand.

Today’s all about discovering the region’s sacred temples, so feast on a hearty breakfast before beginning your day of cultural immersion. After a short walk through luscious rice fields, accompanied by a private guide, you’ll reach a temple dedicated to purification. From here, you’ll discover two more temples filled with historical sculptures, nestled in a green valley and providing irresistible photo opportunities.

Leave behind Sidemen for today’s journey to the village of Munduk, around a five-hour drive north. A private driver will do the hard work – all you’ve got to do is watch the valleys and rice terraces roll past your window. After arriving, check in and enjoy the hotel’s tropical garden and refreshing swimming pool before finishing the day with a well-earned Balinese dinner (it’s tiring being a passenger, too).

Wake up and feast on a bowl of fresh fruit and yoghurt, because you’ll need fuel for today’s gentle guided trek to Lake Tamblingan. Begin with a journey through a dense rainforest dotted with peaceful temples before emerging onto the shores of the lake at the foot of Mount Lesung. Climb into a handcrafted canoe and sit back as your guide paddles you across the lake’s mirror-like surface to visit another temple.

After returning to your hotel, ask your local Concierge to point you in the direction of Munduk’s best waterfalls to plunge in, romantic viewpoints to marvel over (some even have knee-wobbling swings) or cafes to sip cup after cup of delicious Balinese coffee in.

Pack your bags and wave goodbye to Munduk, because today you’re transferring to Ubud. To break up the drive, you’ll stop along the way in the Jatiluwih region, renowned for the exceptional beauty of its rice terraces, which have been cultivated on the mountainside for centuries. Discover this UNESCO World Heritage site on a walk before settling in the shade for a typical Balinese lunch, followed by a swim in the adjoining river. You’ll then be dropped off at your hotel just outside Ubud’s town centre, where a spa will be waiting to soak, scrub and soothe you before a good night’s sleep.

Lovers of a good brew rejoice – it's tea o’clock. You'll be warmly welcomed into the home of a Balinese herbalist, where plants and herbs enhance health, happiness and well-being through delicious teas (that taste slightly different from a typical British cuppa). A stroll through their garden offers a chance to discover the virtues of the herbs, spices, plants and fruits that grow there, before returning indoors to craft personalised blends tailored to your tastes and well-being needs.

In the evening, take a walk through the maze of stands at Ubud's night market, where the hustle and bustle of street vendors and multiple scents, sounds and colours mingle to create an electric and mouth-watering atmosphere. Use the opportunity to taste various dishes, fruits and desserts in a typical warung (small, family-owned business) at the heart of local life.

It’s your last morning in Bali, and you’ve got one flight standing between you and Sumba. A private transfer will drop you off at Denpasar Airport, where you’ll board the short flight to Tambolaka. From there, begin the final leg of today’s journey: a transfer to your luxury resort on Sumba’s western shoreline.

Known as Indonesia’s ‘forgotten island’, Sumba is a peaceful paradise often overlooked in favour of Bali, its bustling neighbour. But those who skip Sumba are missing a trick – the island’s beautiful beaches, superb surfing spots and traditional villages are more than worth the visit. Over the next four days, we’ve left you free to explore this hidden gem at leisure: discover ancient megalithic burial sites, such as the impressive tombs at Anakalang; snorkel, dive and surf in the pristine waters; engage in Sumba’s famously intricate ikat weaving by watching local artisans at work; head to the heart of the island and explore stunning waterfalls like Lapopu and Tanggedu; spread out on the silky sands of a secluded beach and catch a tan; or simple wile away the hours at your hotel, cocktail (or two) in hand. In short, prepare for four days in heaven.

Wave goodbye to your Sumba-sized slice of paradise, because today you’re heading back to (the equally divine) Bali. A private transfer will whisk you to the airport, where you’ll catch the hour-long flight back to Denpasar. From here, another private transfer will take you to Uluwatu, in Bali’s southern tail. Check into your hotel by the beach, dump your bags and make the most of your final day in Indonesia.

The time has come to head home, so repack your bags, jump into your private transfer to Denpasar Airport, and retrace your steps. The first leg of the journey is a nine-hour overnight flight to Dubai, so grab your eye masks and attempt to get some shut-eye.