Palaces, Temples and Rice Terraces: Discover Bali via Istanbul

The next three days are all about discovering Istanbul’s culture as you explore the bustling streets and historical sites. Being Europe’s largest city, there’s a lot of ground cover – but luckily, your itinerary comes equipped with an access card to Istanbul’s historical hot spots. These include Saint Saviour Chora and Hagia Sophia (both ancient churches-turned-mosques), and multiple museums across the city. This card is valid for the duration of your stay, so you can explore at your own pace. Another significant site is the Topkapi Palace, but this time you’ll be shown around on a half-day tour. Your private English-speaking guide will be on hand to answer any burning questions about this historical residence of the Sultans.

Also included in your Istanbul itinerary is a half-day tour around the city. A local guide will take you to all the best places, from an exciting shopping experience at Old Town’s Grand Bazaar to the photogenic Blue Mosque. Afterwards, head to the lively Karakoy district, packed with funky cafes and the location for your baklava tasting experience at Gulluoglu. This little business is family-run and famous for its seriously sweet baklava, of which you’ll get to taste three varieties alongside some tea. Afterwards, we recommend sticking around the Karakoy district for an evening of hopping between trendy bars overlooking the river.

Bid a fond farewell to both Istanbul and Europe, as today marks the start of the second leg of your journey to Bali. A private transfer will drop you off at Istanbul airport where you’ll board the 12-and-a-half-hour overnight flight. Make sure you’ve downloaded our specially curated music playlist to complement the views and lull you to sleep.

Touch down in Denpasar airport on day six of your holiday. After completing the customs and immigrations formalities, enjoy the comfort of a private transfer headed for your resort, located in the Tabanan district. Soak in Bali’s signature lush green landscape from the car window before settling into your beachside resort surrounded by mountain and ocean views. The remainder of the day is yours to unpack, wind down after the flight and enjoy the resorts’ swimming pool and gardens.

If you’re keen to explore, we can also arrange for you to go on a private guided walk in the rice fields of Jatiluwih. These rice fields are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you’ll soak in their beauty before stopping for a traditional Balinese lunch and a swim in the nearby river.

Today’s all about getting off the beaten track and living like a local. An English-speaking Balinese resident will act as your private guide around Tabanan, teaching you about the habits and customs of the locals. They have an intimate knowledge of the island and will happily tailor the day to all your wants and needs. A local lunch is included – think the likes of babi guling (Balinese-roasted pork) or nasi goreng (Indonesia’s version of fried rice). After the eight exciting hours is over, head back to your resort for a relaxing evening of cocktail sipping and sunset watching against the soundtrack of crashing waves.

Fill your bellies with breakfast before being picked up and privately transferred to Munduk, a waterfall and rice terrace-filled paradise located in northern Bali. The journey lasts around five hours (83 miles) and ends at the doorstep of your next hotel, where you’ll be spending the next three nights. Settle into your room and stretch your legs with a walk around the hotel’s tropical garden, all before indulging in some Indonesian delicacies served up by the hotel’s chef. The ingredients are local and fresh, grown in the very land that shapes the surrounding views.

Over the next two days, dive into outdoor adventures in the heart of Munduk. The first is private hiking and canoeing at Lake Tamblingan, located at the foot of Mount Lesung. Your morning will begin with a trek through the rainforest, passing peaceful temples and trees that are hundreds of years old. Upon arrival at the lake, climb into a handcrafted canoe and sit back as your guide paddles you across its mirror-like surface to visit another temple.

The following morning, take on another hike to a traditional village, via waterfall, forests and coffee and clove plantations. Visit rural communities, soak in the fertile landscapes and immerse yourself into island life alongside your private English-speaking guide. Transfers to and from your hotel are included, along with some Balinese cake and refreshing coconut juice (which you’ll like guzzle down in the humid climate).

Wake up, tuck into a hearty breakfast and hop into the car for your private transfer to Pemuteran, a remote coastal corner in northern Bali. The drive is around two hours (35 miles), but includes stops at a Buddhist temple and the Banjar hot springs. When you arrive in Pemuteran, check into your next hotel, a boutique beachfront resort in Bali Barat National Park. As the sun goes down, we can arrange for you to enjoy an aperitif and assortment of appetisers from the terrace bar at the Menjangan Bali Tower Bistro. The sunset views over the ocean and national park are second to none and a gorgeous introduction to your next three nights in Pemuteran.

Zip up your wetsuit and step into your flippers for today’s private snorkelling session around Menjangan Island. Situated off the northwest coast of Bali, this tiny island sits in the protected marine reserve of Bali Barat National Park. Menjangan is blessed with incredibly rich marine life and is ranked among some of Asia's best dive sites. With little current, water temperatures at a comfortable 27-30°C and visibility up to 50m, you couldn’t ask for better conditions to find underwater treasures. An English-speaking guide will be there to assist you during your private boat crossing and help you get to grips with snorkelling.

For an adventure back on land, we can also arrange a private horse ride through Bali Barat National Park. With wild forests and mangroves stretching across 19,000 hectares, it's the ideal place to see the country's rich variety of flora and fauna. This two-hour private ride takes you along the horseback trails that wind around the park, supervised by a local guide.

Today’s journey is a private transfer along the north coast from Pemuteran to Tembok. The drive is around four hours (93 miles) and treats you to serene seascape views. Your accommodation, a blissful spa retreat, is perched on the coast and provides the optimal spot for the next three nights of relaxation. You’ll be welcomed with a full body massage to ease you into life in this paradise.

Tembok offers a wealth of activities to get stuck into. It’s up to you how you choose to spend your time here. If it’s relaxation you’re after, we can arrange daily spa treatments and traditional cookery classes. Or, if you’re looking for a little adventure, we can suggest a number of local day excursions including cycling, swimming in local waterfalls or snorkelling and diving the World War II USAT Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben. Come dinner time, indulge in excellent Balinese and international food from the restaurant perched above the volcanic beach with its black sand and crashing waves.

Wave goodbye to the tranquil Tembok, because today you’re headed south to Sidemen. The journey lasts around four hours (55 miles), taking you far from crowded cities and into a little village sat in the shadow of Mount Agung. Check into your little hotel overlooking terraced rice fields before going out to explore and brush shoulders with the friendly local villagers.

Rise bright and early for today’s activity – a private guided stroll through the rice fields of Sidemen. Grab your backpacks and fill them with plenty of water, suncream and, most importantly, your camera. You’ll get to meet local farmers who maintain these lush lands and experience the beauty of their homeland at every twist and turn. Because Sidemen is a little cooler than other parts of Bali, you’ll have no problem completing the two-hour walk, which is broken up by a tasty picnic lunch.

That’s not all Sidemen has to offer though. For those seeking relaxation, we can also arrange for a traditional Balinese massage inside a joglo (a traditional house of the Javanese people). Settle into an hour of bliss accompanied by the gentle trickle of the nearby river.

Enjoy a breakfast of fresh fruits by the swimming pool this morning, before packing your bags and hopping into your next private transfer. Today’s drive is a quick hour-and-a-half (25 miles) towards Ubud, the cultural hub of Bali. Your next three nights will be spent in a boutique retreat just outside of the town centre, staying in one of their timber-clad rooms nestled in the heart of the vibrant countryside. As the evening approaches, head into Ubud for a spot of shopping at the night markets and sampling various dishes from food stalls.

Don your chef’s hat, because today you’ll be taking part in a cookery class in the heart of the rice fields. This six-hour culinary adventure begins with a visit to Tampaksiring market, where you’ll search for fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices to use in your cooking. After watching a demonstration from a local chef, it’s time to get to work as you chop, slice, fry and eventually taste your fresh Balinese meal. With stomachs satisfied, take a walk through the surrounding rice fields and visit Pura Puseh Butuan Temple. If visiting this temple has you eager to see more, we can arrange a private tour where you’ll visit sacred temples steeped in history.

Today marks your final morning in Bali. With a late checkout, you’ll have the day to leisurely check out the rest of Ubud and pick up some final souvenirs. Then it’s time to bid your farewells to Bali as you’re picked up and privately transferred to Denpasar airport, a journey that takes around an hour and a half. For the first leg of the journey home, you’ll be headed back to where your adventure began 23 days ago – Istanbul.