Bali & Java, 14 days

Met at Denpasar, private transfer to Ubud (90 minutes). Evening arrival dinner at our preferred villa-restaurant overlooking the river valley.

Rice-terrace walk at Tegallalang before the crowds, then a water ritual at Tirta Empul temple with a guide who will walk you through the protocol. Lunch at a 5-generation family warung.

Pre-dawn start for the sunrise hike (we time this so you return for breakfast, not collapse through the rest of the day). Afternoon off.

Traditional silversmith in Celuk, wood-carving studio in Mas, and an early-morning local market. Cooking class in the afternoon with a long dinner.

Two-hour drive to the coast. Afternoon at the beach, evening sunset at Tanah Lot.

Intentionally unscheduled. Beach, pool, massage, or optional surf lesson with a local instructor.

Short flight via Jakarta (we chose this routing for the morning Borobudur plan). Afternoon at the Kraton palace, evening dinner with a Javanese arts family.

We enter before the public hours for a private-time sunrise experience. Long breakfast after. Afternoon at Mendut and Pawon temples.

Prambanan Hindu temple complex with our archaeologist friend, then a half-day batik workshop with a master artist.

An adventurous day. Jomblang vertical cave (roped descent, optional), then the south-coast beaches. Night in a coastal eco-lodge.

Flight to Denpasar, afternoon arrival, gentle return-to-Bali pace. Dinner at the valley-edge villa where we started.

Drive east to the less-touristed Amed coast. Lempuyang (gateway-to-heaven temple) with timing to avoid the Instagram crowds.

Your call. Dive the USAT Liberty wreck, snorkel quieter reefs, or spend the day reading. Farewell dinner in the evening.

Transfer to Denpasar for your onward flight.