Culture, Food, and Beaches from Ubud to Sanur

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into DPS.

You’ll start your morning with a short ride to the Sacred Monkey Forest, a sanctuary that is home to more than 700 gray long-tailed macaques. Then you’ll take a short transfer to Ubud Market, a bustling market known for its diverse array of traditional crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. You’ll have lunch on your own and have the rest of the day free to explore as you wish! Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen today. You'll also want to bring extra cash with you at Ubud Market.

• Sacred Monkey Forest

  In the morning, you’ll hop on a private bus and head 30 minutes to the Sacred Monkey Forest, a lush green sanctuary that is home to more than 700 grey long-tailed macaques and temple ruins. You’ll be guided through the forest to see the Banyan Trees, Bridge of the Dragons, and visit a temple that is nestled inside. Note that you are not allowed to feed the monkeys and be sure to avoid eye contact. Be careful with your belongings such as sunglasses, hats, or your bag, the monkeys will try to snatch it! Your guide will prepare you with further do’s and don’ts on site.

  09:00· 120 min· Ubud
• Ubud Market

  From the Sacred Monkey Forest to Ubud Market is just a short 10-minute private bus transfer. Ubud Market, also known as Pasar Ubud in Indonesian, is a bustling and vibrant market located in the heart of Ubud. The market is divided into two main sections: the Ubud Art Market and the Ubud Traditional Market. The Ubud Art Market primarily sells arts and crafts, while the Traditional Market offers fresh produce, spices, and food items. Ubud Market is not only a shopping destination but also a cultural experience. It's a lively place where you can interact with local artisans, practice your bargaining skills, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Ubud's bustling market scene. Note that you should be bringing extra cash with you to shop at the market as most vendors are mostly cash only. You can call a Grab bike for a short ride back to the hotel at your own expense. Note that you will not have a guide with you, this is time for you to explore on your own. If you want to go back to the hotel instead of Ubud Market, then the car will drop you off at the hotel.

  11:00· 120 min· Ubud

Today marks the beginning of your exploration in Ubud! Following breakfast, you'll start your day with a transfer to Kanto Lampo Waterfall, where you can refresh yourself under the water flowing over natural rock formations. Afterward, you'll head to Pura Mengening for a water purification ceremony. Following your morning activities, transfer down to Puri Sebali, where you can enjoy lunch while overlooking the beautiful rice terraces. Finally, you’ll return to the hotel around mid to late afternoon where you can then unwind and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You will be getting wet today so be sure to pack or wear a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and wear sturdy walking shoes/sandals to avoid slipping.

• Kanto Lampo Waterfall Visit

  After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and take a 30-minute private bus transfer to Kanto Lampo Waterfall. This waterfall is renowned for its distinctive rock formations and the refreshing experience of standing beneath the cascading water. It offers an environment for visitors to immerse themselves in nature, surrounded by lush tropical scenery. To reach the waterfall, you will start from the parking lot and walk down a set of cement stairs, which takes about ten minutes. Please note that the climb back up the stairs can be more challenging. You’ll then walk in about ankle deep water for another 10 minutes to reach the waterfall where you'll have the opportunity to stand beneath the falling water for a refreshing experience and snap some pictures. The total walking/hiking distance is about 300m (0.2 mi). The terrain is beginner friendly with a set of stairs, some dirt trails with rocks, and walking through ankle deep water. For this activity, it is advisable to wear a swimsuit, carry an extra set of clothes, and wear water shoes or sturdy sandals with traction to prevent slipping.

  08:00· 120 min· Ubud
• Water Purification Ceremony

  After the waterfall, you’ll take a 30-minute private bus north to Mengening Temple. For thousands of years, Balinese people believed that the water that comes from these springs heal and purify people’s inner and outer self. You will learn about the purification ritual and get to participate in it yourself. You’ll present offerings, that will be prepared for you in advance, and then get into the pool under the flowing fountains for the purification. Then you’ll finish off with some guided prayer. You can wear your swimwear underneath a provided sarong for the purification ritual. Note that you’ll want to dress conservatively (guides will provide sarongs for cover ups as needed). Also, if you are menstruating you will be prohibited from entering the temple under Balinese tradition.

  10:00· 120 min· Ubud

This morning you’ll take a longer ride out to Rumah Desa for a farming experience and cooking class. You’ll be immersed in the ‘day in the life of’ a Balinese farmer, learning about local village life and get hands-on experience in the rice paddies. Then you’ll head to the compound for a cooking class, using ingredients that grew in the farm and eating the dishes for lunch. After the cooking class, you’ll leave the lush greenery of northern Bali and transfer to the beach town of Sanur where you will be checking into your hotel and staying for the remainder of your trip. Please be sure to pack comfortable shoes for walking, bug spray, sunscreen, and a change of clothes in case you get dirty.

• Rumah Desa Farming Experience

  After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and head to Rumah Desa for a full day adventure in the authentic Balinese Village of Tabanan. You’ll get to see the architecture and daily lives of the locals that live there. Then you’ll head to a Balinese kitchen for a cooking demonstration. After that, your next stop is the rice fields, and your guide will tell you all about the rice paddies and you’ll learn different farming practices from the farmers themselves. If you would like, you can even get into the wet rice fields for a fully immersive experience. Note that most farmers have a working ox that helps them plow the lands. You’ll then learn about how the crops are processed to become food. At the end, you'll walk back to the on-site restaurant to have lunch. You are mostly walking around village roads but once you get out to the farm and rice paddy it is mostly dirt. *Trovatrip works in tandem with the local operator to vet and ensure all animals are treated humanely and respectfully.

  09:00· 120 min· Tabanan
• Rumah Desa Cooking Demonstration

  As part of the Rumah Desa Farming Experience, you'll partake in a cooking demonstration. After learning about the architecture, philosophy, and language, you will move to the kitchen. First you will be shown how to make coconut oil. Then you'll gather around with your group and guide at a long table to help chop up vegetables, prep ingredients, and create Bumbu Genep (spice paste), Urap (vegetable salad), and Satay Lilit (chicken satay). After the dish is ready, you will enjoy these handmade snacks. A separate lunch will be served at the end of the full tour. *Vegan and vegetarian options must be notified in advance.

  11:00· 60 min· Rumah Desa
• Transfer · Ubud → Rumah Desa

  You’ll transfer on a private bus from the hotel in Ubud to Rumah Desa for a farming experience and cooking class. Bathroom breaks will be made as needed.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Rumah Desa → Sanur

  You will take a private bus transfer from Rumah Desa to your hotel in Sanur. Note that there is typically traffic in Bali so expect delays.

  private · 90 min

Waking up by the beach is not a bad way to start the day. You can either take the day to lounge on the beach and hang out at leisure, or if you are feeling particularly adventurous, there is an optional sunrise beach cycle tour you can sign up for. Then in the late afternoon/early evening, you’ll join the group for a Go-jek food tour, where the highlight will be tasting Balinese suckling pig. Be sure to wear a light long sleeve shirt as it can get pretty windy on the back of the scooter.

• Go-Jek Scooter Tastescapes Tour

  The evening tastecapes consist of five total stops. First, you’ll take a roughly 30-minute private transfer to Pantai Sanur Hang Tuah where you will enjoy an included fresh coconut or beer of your choice on the beach. Here, you’ll see the old pier which is a popular hangout spot for locals. You will then meet with your Go-Jek driver who will be taking you on the back of the scooter for the rest of the night. Your second stop is at Bajra Sandhi, a monument commemorating Balinese soldiers during the war, where you’ll get a brief history lesson about Bali during the war time. Then it’s back on the scooter for another half hour to Pasar Badung Night Market as your third stop, where you will try local street foods as appetizers before the highlight of the tour (for those that are vegetarian or vegan, the night market is where you will have your main course as the next stop consists of meat). Now it’s time for the main course! Your next stop is to try Babi Guling or suckling pig, one of the most iconic Balinese dishes that is very popular amongst the locals. Finally, your last stop to cap off the night is at Ronde where you’ll enjoy a warm mochi-like rice ball filled with peanuts and served in a bowl of warm ginger syrup before taking a half hour scooter ride back to the hotel. Helmets will be provided.

  17:00· 240 min· Denpasar

Spend the afternoon at leisure soaking in the Balinese sun and at the designated time, enjoy the included Balinese massage, just a short transfer from the hotel. Then to celebrate the incredible week that you’ve had making new friends and new memories, you’ll take a transfer to Rockbar to meet for a final sunset cocktail hour and farewell dinner.

• Balinese Massage and Spa

  Enjoy a full body 60 minute Balinese Massage and relax your muscles. The famous massage will leave you relaxed and be a perfect wrap to your vacation. Note: due to limited spa rooms in each hotel, travellers would be divided into few sessions for the massage. We could also take a 30 minute transfer to the spa outside of the hotel.

  09:0· 60 min· Sanur
• Afternoon Cocktail Hour

  Cheers to an amazing trip! You’ll be picked up late afternoon for a 15-minute private bus transfer to the stunning restaurant where you’ll enjoy an included cocktail overlooking the ocean. No food is included during the cocktail hour, but you are free to order snacks and additional cocktails at your own expense. Exact restaurant will be decided closer to your departure date and subject to availability.

  18:30· 60 min· Byrdhouse

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of DPS.