Day 1 – Welcome to Bali
Today your family adventure in Bali begins you’ll arrive at the airport and be met by your private driver, who will take you to your lovely hotel set among the rice terraces of Sidemen, where you can unwind by the pool and take in the views. While Bali is undeniably popular, this peaceful spot remains largely untouched by mass tourism.
Day 2 – Guided valley walk
In Sideman start each day starting with a generous breakfast of fresh tropical fruit and often delicious pancakes overlooking the rice terraces. During your stay, a guided walk through the valley is included, taking you through lush green fields, traditional villages, and winding paths where daily Balinese life unfolds at a gentle pace. The rest of your time is free to explore or simply relax and take in the peaceful surroundings. Unlike the busier parts of Bali such as Ubud, there are no crowds here, just wide rice fields where farmers work, water buffalo graze, and local life continues much as it has for generations, with a handful of relaxed cafés and restaurants nearby for lunch.
Day 3 – Day at leisure to explore
Today is at leisure in Sidemen, where you can take things entirely at your own pace and enjoy the calm of this beautiful valley. Relax at your hotel overlooking the rice terraces, watch everyday village life drift by, or simply unwind by the pool surrounded by lush green hills. If you feel like getting out and about, stroll along quiet paths through the countryside, passing small traditional villages and seeing farmers at work in the fields. You may also come across local temples and welcoming cafés for a relaxed lunch, all set against the backdrop of Sidemen’s peaceful, unspoilt scenery.
Day 4 – Travel to Amed
With a private driver for the day, the journey from Sidemen to Amed becomes a relaxed and scenic experience. Set off in the morning and visit Lempuyang Temple for its iconic views of Mount Agung, then continue to the serene water gardens of Tirta Gangga. Enjoy a leisurely lunch along the way, ideally with coastal views near Amlapura, before following the beautiful shoreline road into Amed and stopping for photos. Arrive by mid afternoon to check into your hotel and unwind by the sea, with the option to explore nearby highlights like the USS Liberty Shipwreck if you have more time.
Day 5 & 6 – Beach stay East Bali
Over the next few days, you will stay on the peaceful east coast in comfortable beachfront bungalows, where the atmosphere is slow, relaxed, and close to nature. From your hotel, you can walk straight onto the beach and step into the calm sea, where a colourful coral reef lies just offshore, filled with tropical fish and clear, warm water. There is no need to book any organised excursions, as the best snorkelling spots are right in front of you and easily accessible from the shore. You can simply rent snorkelling equipment from one of the nearby dive shops, take your time exploring the reef at your own pace, and return to your bungalow whenever you like to relax by the water.
Day 7 – Set off for Lombok
From Amed, your driver will take you over to Padangbai Port in about two hours, where you hop on the boat across to Lombok. The crossing takes roughly two and a half hours, and as you arrive you will notice straight away how the pace of life has shifted, everything feeling quieter, simpler, and a little more untouched. From the port, you continue by car along easy coastal roads towards Senaru, with the scenery slowly changing as you head into the hills. Lombok is still relatively under the radar, which is exactly what gives it its charm. Senaru is a laid-back mountain village sitting at the base of the mighty Mount Rinjani. By the time you arrive, it is all about slowing down, settling into your stay, and enjoying that classic view of the volcano from your bed or pool, with nothing but fresh air, greenery, and complete calm around you.
Day 8 – Trekking to the Falls
This morning you head out with a local female guide from the village for a gentle walk through jungle paths and alongside beautiful rice terraces. Along the way, you will learn about the plants that grow here, including cocoa, vanilla, coffee, peanuts and a variety of tropical fruits. You also visit traditional Sasak homes, where your guide shares stories about local customs, ceremonies and daily village life. In a lovely spot surrounded by rice fields, you stop for a simple Indonesian lunch in the middle of nature.
Afterwards, the trail continues along winding paths and stone steps into the rainforest, where you come across a series of waterfalls. The first is easy to reach and ideal for a refreshing dip, while the second involves a little more effort, including crossing a river and climbing over rocks, so it is best to bring your swimsuit. The walk takes around four hours in total, although it can be shortened depending on the group’s pace and energy levels, and it is generally recommended for children aged eight and above.
Day 9 – On to the monkey forest
Today you travel around the slopes of Mount Rinjani to reach Tetebatu, which lies on the quieter, greener side of the mountain. The journey itself is scenic, passing through rural landscapes, small villages and rolling rice fields as you gradually make your way into a more peaceful and traditional part of Lombok. You will be staying in a beautiful hotel full of character and charm, with lovely views over the volcano and the surrounding rice terraces. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, perfect for slowing down and taking in the natural beauty around you.
Day 10 – Cycling through the forst
Day 11 – Paradise in the Gili Islands
From Tetebatu, you will travel on to the port of Kores, near Kuta Lombok and take a boat transfer across to Gili Trawangan, so make sure you have your flip flops ready as there is no pier, just soft white sand and warm, crystal-clear water waiting at the shore. On arrival, you are dropped directly onto the beach and make your way to your stylish beachfront bungalow with a private veranda, perfectly placed for easy access to the sea. Gili Trawangan has a relaxed tropical vibe with a gentle buzz in the evenings, and with no cars or motorbikes on the island, transport is limited to bicycles and horse carts, keeping everything slow and easy going.
Day 12 & 13 – Beach days
Day 14 – The Gili Islands to Nusa Lembongan
Day 15 & 16 – Exploring Nusa Lembongan
Day 17 – International departure
It is your final day in Indonesia, and you take the boat back to Bali. Depending on your flight time, we can arrange for you to enjoy a relaxing half day at a beach resort, where you can freshen up, store your luggage and unwind by the sea one last time. It is a calm and comfortable way to end your journey, allowing you a few final hours to relax before your driver takes you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Accommodation
