On this 7-day private-guided trip you will stay in the Northwest of Bali, renowned for its serene environment and stunning nature. This itinerary is filled with unique and active adventures – A boat ride in a dug-out canoe, a trek through the rainforest, rappelling and canyoning, snorkelling, a land rover excursion through the rice fields, and more! All of this amid breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

After breakfast, drive north to Bedugul Regency (district), part of the island’s central highlands region renowned for its stunning beauty and three caldera lakes (Beratan, Buyan and Tamblingan). The first stop today will be the peaceful Botanical Garden. Established in 1959 and covering an area of more than 150 hectares, the gardens are home to some 2,000 species of plants and an important centre for research, conservation and education. There will be free time, for about an hour or so, to wander through this tropical setting where places of interest include the Fern Garden, Cacti greenhouse and the Aquatic Garden.

After a picnic lunch in the gardens, continue your journey with a visit to the regional market at Candi Kuning. Bali is famous for fresh fruits and exotic spices and there are plenty of seasonal varieties to discover at the market, together with stalls selling beautiful scented flowers used for ceremonies and offerings.

Heading further north, the iconic Ulun Danu Temple is the next destination. This important Hindu Shivaite water temple is located on a small jut of land within the calm waters of Lake Beratan. If the water level is high (normally only during the rainy season) it gives the illusion that this 17th century temple is ‘floating’ on the lake.

Continue to Munduk Moding Coffee Plantation, stopping along the way at the village of Asah Gobleg for fine views of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan (weather permitting).The simple village of Munduk is one of Bali’s most appealing mountain retreats. After checking in at the plantation, the rest of the day is at leisure.

On the edge of a plateau above three breathtakingly beautiful lakes, Munduk Moding Plantation is located in one of the most mountainous areas of the island. The almost five hectares of hilly, but very fertile soil, allows for just about every type of tropical vegetation to grow with ease.

Heading in the direction of Lake Tamblingan, your day begins with a gentle trek down through the tropical rainforest that surrounds this attractive pool of water. Admire the flora and fauna and take in the clean mountain air as you hike through a region that has remained at one with nature for many centuries. Reaching the shore of the lake after approximately one hour, you will continue your journey by boat, as you are rowed across its waters in a traditional dug-out canoe. Lunch will be provided in a secluded local restaurant offering splendid views of the Munduk Hills and Seririt Beach.

Later return to the plantation, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

The day begins with an early morning drive to the Seririt region of northern Bali. Located in the central highlands, the region is an area renowned for its scenic beauty and gushing waterfalls and the perfect destination for water rappelling and canyoning. Refreshments upon arrival are followed by careful preparation and a full safety briefing from a certified instructor from the International Canyoning Organisation for professionals (ICOpro). You will learn how to perform slides, jumps and rappels as the adventure takes you through rivers as well as over and down spectacular looking waterfalls. It is a challenging but rewarding experience for the more adventurous.

Lunch will then be taken at a warung, the local term for a modest restaurant, and prior to returning to your island accommodation.

Leaving the resort at midday, your next destination will be the West Bali National Park. Located on the northwest coast of the island and covering an area of approximately 190 square kilometres, the park is known for its diverse habitat including savanna, mangrove swamps and coral islands.

Upon arrival you will check-in to the peaceful Menjangan Resort which is situated in the heart of the national park. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

The morning is free for relaxation or further exploration of the national park. You will be collected at approximately 12 noon to visit the nearby Pulaki Temple. Ornate in design, this place of worship is built predominately from black granite stone and is home to several species of Macaque monkeys who, in Balinese belief, are considered to be the sacred guardians of the temple (*). Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this large 16th century Hindu temple is also noted for its wonderful location.

After ample time to appreciate the temple and its enchanting setting you will continue south to Yeh Gangga, stopping for lunch in a local restaurant along the way. You will stay at the delightfully positioned Waka Gangga located on a pristine black-sand beach on the island’s west coast. A warm welcome and a spectacular sunset awaits.

*NOTE: The macaque monkeys here can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys.

Using customised Land Rovers as the mode of transport, today’s excursion goes off-road and heads into the superb countryside surrounding Gunung Batukaru, Bali’s second-highest mountain. The goal is the attractively-set bamboo forest restaurant, which is set deep in this mountainous region of the island and the location for today’s lunch. But, there is so much to see and take in en route. This is the heartland of Bali where verdant rice paddies, traditional villages and friendly Balinese await. Highlights include the seemingly endless UNESCO-recognised rice terraces at Jatiluwih(*) and the dramatically located 11th century Hindu temple of Batukaru.

An adventurous but not at all strenuous excursion, your 4X4 Land Rover is equipped with air-conditioning and comfortably seats a maximum of just six people plus the guide and expert driver. Photo opportunities abound as you explore little-visited temples and small villages and learn about the local flora and fauna during a stop at a local farm. And all the while, that ‘classic’ Balinese scenery is forever present, making for the most memorable of excursions.

(*) Please note the rice terraces are often wet and slippery and we recommend footwear with good grip.

The day is at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport in order to catch your onward flight.