(private daily, SIC every Thursday, 08:30 hrs – 17:30 hrs)

This excursion will lead you to the rural heartland of Bali, which presents an altered landscape and a different history. Your first stop is Pura Taman Ayun, founded by the King of Mengwi in the 17^th century. It has three ascending levels of spacious courtyards containing rows of shrines and pavilions and is surrounded by a wide moat. The next visit will be Lake Bratan, a crater that lies serenely in the midst of an elongated valley, which was formed centuries ago. A small temple called Pura Ulun Danu Bratan to honor Dewi Danau, goddess of the lake, can be seen on the lake promontory. Stroll along Candi Kuning market, where local fruits, vegetable and flowers are sold. After lunch, the trip continues through breathtaking valleys of rice paddies near Jatiluwih to visit Pura Luhur Batukau temple, in dense jungle near the peak of Gunung Batukau, Bali’s second highest mountain. The ancient temple complex has a number of separate sanctuaries joined by damp mountain paths, bubbling springs and a large rectangular lake with a shrine in its midst.

(private daily, SIC every Friday, 08:00 – 18:00 hrs)

This excursion takes you on a convertible VW Kuebelwagen (former German military car) through local villages to Tabanan City. The tour continues driving up the slope of Mount Batukaru, to Tambuwaras. Continue off the beaten track, discover most spectacular rice terraces. On the way you will visit temples, local markets, villages. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant with superb view overlooking the rice fields of Soka. Short walks are made to explain the culture of rice growing and fruits and spices of Bali.

This excursion is a must for everyone visiting Bali for the first time! Start the day with a visit to the former regency of Klungkung and visit Kerta Gosa, or Hall of Justice, built in the 18^th century. It is beautifully laid out within a moat and provides an exquisite example of the Klungkung style of painting and architecture, which can be seen in their ceiling murals. Continue through spectacular views of terraced rice fields to Besakih temple, located on the slope of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano. It is called the Mother Temple of Bali as it houses ancestral shrines for all Hindu Balinese and a complex of nearly 24 temples. Our next stop is the town of Kintamani. Inscriptions from the 10^th century indicate that Kintamani – a high mountainous area that takes its name from the wind-blown town at 1,500 meters – was one of the earliest known kingdoms in Bali. Here you can enjoy your lunch with a breathtaking view over the caldera lake, Danau Batur. Driving down, we arrive in the bottom of a lush green valley, where the Gunung Kawi temple, Bali largest ancient monument is located. It consists of 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) – memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues and stand in 7m-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer cliff face. Our last stop will be Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) whose history dates back to the 11^th century. A fantastically carved entrance depicts entangling leaves, rocks, animals, ocean waves and demonic human shapes running from the gaping mouth, which forms the entrance to the cave. Afterwards return to the hotel.

(private daily, SIC every Wednesday, 08:30-17:00 hrs)

Your day will start with the famous Barong and Kris Dance show. It describes the eternal struggle between good (Barong) and evil (Rangda) and ends with a scene where the kris dancers fall into a trance and try to kill Rangda. We then proceed to Celuk, the center of exquisite silver works and Mas for its fine woodcarvings before visiting the holy spring of Tirta Empul surrounded by a large shrine to the God Indra. There are bathing pools, which are believed to have strong curative powers. On the hill behind this temple is a presidential guesthouse built by the late President Soekarno. Our next stop is the town of Kintamani. Inscriptions from the 10^th century indicate that Kintamani – a high mountainous area that takes its name from the wind-blown town at 1,500 meters – was one of the earliest known kingdoms in Bali. Here you can enjoy your lunch with a breathtaking view over the caldera lake, Danau Batur. Going down the hill, we pass the greeneries of Tegallalang with its rice field and coconut trees, to stop at one of Ubud’s art galleries and also Tohpati, which is known for its batik.