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

Welcome to Bali! After you’ve collected your bags (and yourselves), you’ll be transferred inland to Bangli for a three-night stay in an eco-lodge. Nestled in rice fields, against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Agung, Bali's sacred active volcano, it embraces tranquillity, tradition and natural resources. Spend the day acquainting yourself with your new time zone beside the pool or in a flower bath surrounded by rose petals and essential oils. If you’ve got restless legs from the flight, no fear. There are plenty of hiking paths, bike trails and picturesque waterfalls to keep you busy.

After a restful night’s sleep, you’ll be ready to spend the morning learning about traditional Indonesian herbal remedies. With the help of a local English-speaking guide, you’ll get a crash course in all things botanical. From frangipani bark, which is known to relieve back pain, to garlic cloves and ginger that simultaneously fight colds and raise low blood pressure, you’ll have the opportunity to pick some for yourself and make your very own jamu. Known to reduce inflammation, prevent infectious diseases and strengthen the immune system, jamu is a one-stop salubrious shot that’ll leave you feeling more than invigorated for an afternoon of temple hopping.

Start the day with a coffee and fresh fruits before winding your way to the nearby village of Undisan. Get a taste of traditional Balinese life as you meet locals, spend time in their homes and pay a visit to their rice fields. It’s no secret that Bali has a long history with rice. In fact, its cultivation (or subak) practices are some of the oldest in the world, so what better place to learn about it. Help prepare daily offerings and listen to gong music performed by a group of traditional percussion musicians. Walk through nearby fields to the area’s main temples, with stops on the way to meet local craftspeople (silversmiths and tailors) – the perfect way to round off this introduction to the Balinese way of life.

Today you will travel an hour east to Ubud. A place where tradition and trend exist in perfect harmony, Ubud offers everything from markets and monkey forests to secluded spas and yoga retreats. After dropping your bags off at your new home for the next three nights, you’ll have the rest of the day to get acquainted with the hedonistic town. Browse stalls, stop for açaí bowls and wind down with sundowners at your hotel’s bar.

Bali is more than just a fun-in-the-sun destination, which is why, on your sixth day, you’ll see it in all its glory through the eyes of local. Far from the tourist traps and backpacker hotspots, you’ll be whisked away via private vehicle to off-the-beaten-track restaurants, waterfalls and viewpoints. Stop by villages, where you’ll be immersed into gamelan song, arts and crafts and dance, and spend time admiring the intricate architecture of some of the region’s most beautiful temples.

This is also your day to do as you please. Put together a wish list before you start and let your guide do the rest. Whether it be surfing on secluded shores, kite flying on cliffs or getting the lowdown on haggling at local markets, you’ll feel like a local in no time.

Your third day in Ubud is reserved for nature. Swap your flipflops for trainers and head out on a guided walking tour through villages, rice paddies and deep into the verdant rainforest. It’s in the village of Sebatu that you’ll be in for a real spiritual treat. One of the only holy spring water temples in Bali, it pays homage to Vishnu (god of preservation) using the natural slope of the land. Take a seat and listen to the sound of gushing water and marvel at the intricate detail of each statue and water pump. The ornate and colourful tedung umbrellas indicate the temple's protective properties.

End your time in Ubud on a high with a trip to see a Hindu pujari/pandit (priest). Go light on breakfast, as come lunchtime you’ll be dining in the home of the local priest. Share beliefs and listen to readings from the sacred texts, Vedas and Upanishads, which are the bases of Indian and Balinese Hinduism. After you’ve eaten, you will be led to the Banjar hot springs. Join locals for a soak in the 38°C water and dunk your head under the dragon's mouth spout. Finish the trip with a visit to the island’s Buddhist monastery, Brahmavihara Arama, which supports Bali’s tiny Buddhist community – less than one percent of the population.

From Banjar, you’ll be driven southeast to the quiet and mountainous region of Munduk. Staying in beautifully curated bungalows surrounded by dense jungle, rich fields and clove fields, you’ll soon feel at home on private terraces or down at the hotel’s spa, where the Balinese massages are too good to resist.

Tucked away in Northern Bali’s highlands, 2,300ft above sea level, Munduk is a breath of fresh air away from the bustling streets of Seminyak of Canggu. Its Dutch colonial architecture stands testament to the area’s history. But the real star is its natural beauty, which you’ll have chance to get up close and personal with on a hiking and canoeing adventure. Spend a couple of hours walking under rainforest canopies of fig trees, palm trees, pandanus, orchids and ferns, through clove and coffee plantations and on to a crater lake at the foot of Mount Lesung. Once there, sail over the sparkling green waters of Lake Tamblingan in a dugout canoe. Spend the evening exploring the local area or at your hotel, tucking into a bowl of nasi goreng (Indonesian stir fry).

After two nights in Munduk, you will transfer to the quaint fishing village of Jimbaran. With three-nights to play with, your beach-front hotel will more than meet any relaxation demands. Use the day to take up residence on a sun lounger, amble down narrow streets in search of fresh seafood (which you’ll easily find) and cool off with a refreshing dip in its inviting coastal waters.

Bali is one of the world’s best places for surfing, so a lesson is an absolute must. Allow time for breakfast to go down before heading to Legian Beach. With its steady waves and sweeping sand, it is the ideal beach to catch your first wave on. An English-speaking instructor will be on hand to show you the basics, but we’re sure you’ll have it down in no time. After working up a storm, you’ll be practically salivating as you head out on a street food tour in the evening. Try not to lose your foodie expert guide as you weave through the labyrinth of bustling stalls and tempting sights. Jimbaran’s market is as authentic as it gets, so get ready to tuck into plates of sate lilit (meat or fish skewers with coconut), bakso (meatball and noodle broth) and nasi jinggo (banana leaf rice). We’re hungry just thinking about it.