Destination Indonesia

Indonesia Excursions

Denpasar City Tour

Denpasar, the capital of Bali since 1945, is a mini metropolis, and home to some 200,000 people.  This tour takes us to Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali, which gives you a great insight to the history of Bali.  With houses a unique collection of bronze and stone implements, as well as beautiful costumes from days gone by, this museum allows you to delve into the history and culture of this unique island.  The Pasar Burung, or ‘bird market’ is home to the sweetest sounds on the island and is a wonderful stop on this short tour.  The Government Art Centre at Abian Kapas is home to some of the islands most treasured works, and we also stop in here as part of our journey.

Besakih Tour

Besakih is also known as the mother temple of Bali.  Sitting over a thousand feet up the volcanic slopes of Gunung Agung, the island’s largest mountain, Besakih is also home to Bali’s largest temple complex, comprising of 23 separate, but related, temples. Pura Penataran Agung, a six tiered temple terraced up the mountain, is the most important of these temples.  The backdrop is impressive and if the mist rolls in you feel as if you’re in heaven.

Tanah Lot Sunset And Monkey Forest Tour

Alas Kedaton is home to one of Bali’s famed monkey forests.  Featuring towering nutmeg trees unique to this area and sacred to the Balinese people, this is home to Bali’s cheekiest inhabitants, the macaque monkeys, and no trip to Bali is complete without seeing them.  Continue to Mengwi, where we visit the former Royal Temple, Pura Taman Ayung, built in 1634 and arguably one of the most beautiful on the island.  This tour also features a sunset visit to Tanah Lot, probably the most photographed place in Bali.  Perched precariously on a rock just off shore, this temple is a must, particularly at the end of the day, when the area takes on a surreal feeling.

Ubud – Tampak Siring

Operated: Daily

Ubud is a must see destination for visitors to Bali as the town is a haven for artists and craftsmen and boasts superb art galleries, craft shops, museums, a traditional market selling high quality, but low cost goods and fantastic restaurants to enjoy after browsing and bartering. Besides these cultural attractions, Ubud is also home to a spectacular hillside range which overlooks lush green rice paddies. This comprehensive excursion takes us to see surrounding traditional villages and the most authentic crafts shops where we will see skilful artisans creating stone and wood carvings and gold and silver pieces, with the opportunity to purchase at source. Other highlights include a visit to the scenic Monkey Forest; a nature reserve and temple complex, which is home to hundreds of monkeys, followed by a trip to the bustling market. After lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, we continue onto the temple and holy springs of Tampak Siring. This holy site and the bathing springs have been used by the Balinese for over a thousand years for good health and prosperity and the local people claim the spring water really does have healing qualities. Last stop on this full-day tour is the Elephant Cave, a former sanctuary for local Buddhist monks that houses a four-armed statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, and a 1,000-year-old statue of Hariti, a legendary Buddhist goddess. This tour will leave you feeling culturally and physically enriched!

Rural Bali & Mount Batur

Operated: Daily

A warm welcome awaits us at a Balinese home, where a traditional breakfast is served with refreshing Balinese coffee or tea. We then walk to some local farms to experience the real life of Balinese farmers who work in the lush green rice paddies. Here we will learn about the simple and traditional irrigation system called Subak and the process of rice production; from planting the seedlings, to harvesting and even cooking the rice. You will be served with fresh young coconut water, one of nature’s most revitalizing natural drinks. Next stop is Pura Kehen, one of the oldest temples in Bali which was constructed in the 11th century and has been ingeniously built on a sloping hillside over eight terraces. The temple complex is amid a palm tree plantation which adds to the mystical atmosphere. After stepping through the Kori Agung (stone capped gateway), there is a small compound which is guarded by a mythical Naga (dragon) .This has a magic stone within it that is said to have glowed red when the site of the temple’s location was decided. We then proceed onto Penglipuran village, an enchanting traditional community which gives an insight into life in an ancient Bali village which has changed little over the years. We then move onto Kintamani, where we enjoy lunch with a view of Mount Batur, an active volcano, framed by picturesque Lake Batur. En route back to the hotel, we visit a local family of artisans to get a private demonstration of traditional wood carving and art. This trip takes us back in time to an enchanting and mystical land.

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Tour products may change without notice from time to time so for further information on sightseeing and overland tour options in Indonesia, please contact Destination Asia’s Indonesia office.