Once a refuge for persecuted Hindu nobles, priests and intellectuals, Bali is now the only predominantly Hindu island in the Indonesian archipelago. It is known as the Island of the Gods because of its numerous temples, each considered the residence of a god, and is characterized by looming volcanoes, stunning beaches, gamelan orchestras, and a colorful and festive culture. This tour begins in Kuta, known for its long sandy beaches and ideal surfing waves. The group meets and explores this bustling area together before enjoying drinks on the beach. From here, they travel to Kubutambahan and have lunch at the Bali Community Training Lunch Program, which G Adventures supports. This initiative helps and assists people living with disabilities. In a society where disabilities are considered taboo and ‘bad karma,’ this project fulfills a need to help educate communities and help provide employment. The evening is spent in a Balinese village watching a jungle sunset. Here, travelers can enjoy a Balinese cooking lesson before walking to a waterfall, swimming in a natural spring, or visiting a dragon fruit farm. They are then driven to Ubud, where they can explore Pura Taman Saraswati, a Balinese Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati. It is also called Ubud Water Palace because of its picturesque water garden and lotus ponds. While in Ubud, travelers can explore the monkey sanctuary, home to the long-tailed Balinese macaque monkey. The tour continues to Gili Trawangan, where travelers can relax in a beachside bar and explore the area on foot. The next day offers travelers a chance to explore the island by bicycle and then celebrate the tour’s conclusion with a beach party. From here, travelers can take an optional boat transfer back to Kuta.
G Adventures is a sustainable, small group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.