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Upcoming Tour Dates ~ The Ultimate Bali Tour
Tours are forming now for our upcoming privately guided 2013 and 2014 Balifornian Tours. Please inquire for exact dates and other tour options. info@balifornian.com
JOURNEY TO THE ISLAND OF THE GODS
Join Balifornian Tours' Maryam and Michael Doliveck on a pilgrimage to the Islands of the Gods, where “Holding this sacred space” is a way of life.
Facilitated tours to some of Bali’s holiest sites, beautiful landscapes, richest culture and much more. You will be immersed in an atmosphere of exotic beauty, spiritual devotion and splendid nature.
Your guides will be Maryam, a native Balinese who splits time between California's Central Coast and Bali, with her husband, Michael an Art professor who has been traveling the last two decades in Asia including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Tibet, Nepal and India.
A video illustrating the tour can be viewed here.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CAN ONLY ACCOMODATE 10 PEOPLE PER GROUP IN ONDER TO KEEP THE TOUR PRIVATE, AND TO BE ABLE TO CATER TO YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS. Please register soon to secure the best accomodations and activities.
Day 1
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Air Port in Bali
Drive straight to Ubud, the cultural center of the island.
Relax (massage at the hotel spa – optional)
Welcome Dinner at Bridges Ubud
Day 2
Breakfast
Keliki Village tour – The Village experience
You will experience many aspects of traditional village life in Bali. These range form the making of natural coconut oil and coffee, to the preparation of offerings and special foods that are an integral part of Balinese life. The package begins in a typical Balinese village where you will visit a home to get a taste of Balinese architecture, home layout and functions, daily household life and activities.
A young girl from The Bali Aga Village peeks out to greet usThe village of Keliki, is a typical rural Balinese village. Its people are friendly and by walking around the village you will soon experience the color, serenity and beauty of everyday Balinese life in its unspoiled rural setting. Keliki is renowned for its fine miniature paintings and wooden carving of fruits and flowers. In the village you can visit the artist’s homes and studios.
Lunch at Sari Organic
Sari Organic supports local farmers, uses organic produce, and spreads virtue as the only way to get here is on foot taking a pleasant 15-minute trek from Jalan Raya Ubud near the aqueduct down a small pathway through the farms and rice fields. When you arrive you will be pleasantly surprised by this quirky restaurant with 360-degree views of the paddy fields and wildlife
Mas Tengkulak wood carving village
Kecak and Fire dance at Pura Dalem (temple of the dead) Ubud.
Day 3
Breakfast
Goa Gajah
Tampak Siring the holiest spring in Bali
Lake Batur and Kintamani Volcano (lunch)
Penglipuran Indigenous Village.
Penglipuran is a traditional countryside village with unique lifestyle, social customs and culture.
Ceking Rice terrace
Day 4
Breakfast
Neka Museum of Art
Visit with Semara Ratih Gamelan group www.semararatih.org
Gamelan Semara Ratih was formed in 1989 as a collective of top musicians, composers, dancers, and choreographers from southern Bali, including many esteemed graduates of the national academy of the arts in Denpasar. Soon after its inception, the troupe became renowned in Bali for the power, excitement, dynamics, innovation, and dramatic and musical breadth of its performances (the name of the troupe evokes the merging of the female and male principles of passion).
Lunch at Bebek Bengil
Ubud’s shopping is legendary, with hundreds of boutiques offering handicrafts, sterling silver jewellery, garments and home wares and much more. In the late afternoon and evening will be plenty of time to explore the small shops and studios of Ubud, which is renowned as the arts centre of Bali.
Dinner will be on your own in Ubud, which is also famous for its restaurants; we will recommend some of our favorites.
Day 5 – A Day in East Bali
Besakih- Bali's Mother Temple is the holiest place on the islandBreakfast
Kerta Gosa Hall
Besakih mother temple
Puri Agung Karang Asem www.purikarangasem.com
Taman Ujung Sukasada
Dinner at Lotus Seaview Candi Dasa
Day 6
Breakfast
Balinese cooking class including lunch (optional, you can choose other activities)
Bali Bird Park
Free evening to explore Ubud
Day 7
Breakfast
Visit to John Hardy Design studio
John Hardy first came to Bali in 1975 and studied silver-smiting techniques with Balinese craftsmen and has since gained a worldwide following for his unique designs of jewelry and other pieces. Known for exceptional design and craftsmanship, John Hardy Designs also has a strong commitment to preserving the environment and culture of Bali, which is evident in the development of their property and at the home of John, and Cynthia Hardy.
The current property of the John Hardy Design Studio, acquired in 1997 as a workshop for their rapidly expanding business, was still rice fields. Concerned about converting food-producing land, the design studio also became an organic farm, complete with livestock and fishponds. The paths are paved in river stones and lined with tall sugar cane. Rice grows in paddy fields outside the glass walls of the design center, while the food grown here is used to provide the 700 employees with a wholesome lunch. The architecture is an eclectic mix of buildings using low-impact materials such as bamboo, thatch, adobe, sun-dried brick, and the soft volcanic stone called paras quarried from nearby river gorges. A small fishpond is located between the studios functions as a water quality control: as long as the fish thrive, ensures that no pollution from the workshops is getting into the irrigation system.
Taman Ayun Mengwi
Batuan Painters Village
Dinner at Terazzo (Optional)
Day 8
Free day please see your options for various activities or just relax at the pool, spa, or whatever you like. We will help arrange anything you would like to do.
Ulun Danu Temple sits proudly in Lake BeratanDay 9
Leave early for West Bali National Park.
Stop at Bedugul and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
Brunch
Check in at The Menjangan Resort.
*Evening bird watching and explore the West Bali National Park
With more than 120 species of bird thriving in the national park, many on the endangered species list, a guided tour is indeed a rewarding experience.
Look out for the Bali Starling and visit the breeding program, which protects these rare and endemic birds as the fight their way back from extinction. Listen to our trained guides share their secrets; find out which leaf to use for antiseptic and which one to grab for the perfect manicure. Discover some of the best views, only reachable on foot. Keep quiet to discover the Menjangan, a unique species of deer for whom the resort is named.
Chance upon a monitor lizard sunning himself on a warm rock or a family of monkeys in search of lunch. Our guides can answer your questions about the conservation projects the resort is involved in and the many animals, flora and fauna that live in the park.
Dinner at Santingi Beach
Day 10
Breakfast early
The coastal area just offshore from the resort offers possibly the best snorkeling opportunities anywhere in Bali, and is also renowned as one of Indonesia’s premier scuba diving spots. The resort’s Water Sports team coordinates all “At Sea” activities:
Snorkel or Dive Includes lunch
Seven world-class dive sites lie off the Coast of Menjangan Island, a short boat ride from The Menjangan. This small, uninhabited island off the north west coast is one of the most spectacular coral reefs in Bali.
At the local dive and snorkel sites are magnificent coral gardens and dramatic reef walls that are home to a vast range of marine life: everything from sea fans, pygmy seahorses and vivid gorgonians to schools of snapper and reef sharks. Visibility is normally excellent, ranging from between 15 and 50 meters.
We will have snorkel guide to help us explore.
**The Menjangan’s water sports / dive base offers a comprehensive selection of wetsuits, masks, diving equipment and all other gear necessary to explore beneath the waves.
Additional charge for Diving equipment rental*
Additional Activities:
2 Hour Horseback Riding tour, taking in the views of the jungle and beach with guide at USD 70net/pax.
Experience the beauty of the national park on horseback.
We have a stable of faithful Australian horses that know these woods almost better than we do! Take in the views of the jungle and beach, guided by the resort’s trained staff whose tailor each trek to suite your riding ability.
2 Hour Kayaking tour through the beautiful mangrove maze at USD 25net/pax
Dinner at Bali Tower Restaurant
Maryam takes a moment to take in the beauty of Sanur BeachDay 11
Breakfast early
Leave West Bali National Park headed for South Bali
Check in at Bali Hyatt Sanur
A day at the SPA at Bali Hyatt Sanur (see details on optional activities)
Dinner at The Village Restaurant Sanur
Day 12
Breakfast
A visit with Balinese Prince
In the village of Kerambitan in the Regency of Tabanan lives 76-year old Raja Anak Agung Ngurah Rai Girigunadi, who resides in the 17th century palace that his father had lived in who was a real King of Tabanan Regency. Compared to most other Balinese Palaces, which have been destroyed by earthquakes and wars throughout the centuries, all the buildings in this Palace are still exactly standing at the same place where they were built. All around the Palace one can find old and magical trees and plants of which some are believed to host spirits.
We will join the Raja for a lunch of traditional delicacies of at least 10 dishes including the local specialty, smoked duck. The Raja he will give a tour of his Palace and explain about the architecture and gardens there, which have been mentioned in many books on Bali. This is also a great opportunity to learn about the traditional Balinese way of life. Members of the local village will join us and share their traditions with us such as the proper way to make a Balinese offering to the Gods.
After our visit we will travel to famous Tanah Lot, an exquisite temple built on an islet off the south coast.
Day 13
Breakfast
We have the morning to relax by the pool before we will say our goodbyes and transfer to the airport for flights back home. Bali is a gathering place for prayers from the Balinese and from all spiritual traditions of visitors from around the world. Our souls will be renewed, and the memories will remain in our hearts and souls forever.
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All the above activities are merely suggestions. You can alter, change or add programs that will suite you are passions and desires. We will have a meeting for all tour participants prior tour date at our home in Morro Bay (or phone/Skype where applicable). Some activities are dependent upon the Balinese cultural calendar. We might change our itinerary if there are big events that we may want to see such as Cremation or Temple Ceremony (Odalan).
Please contact us directly for pricing. Please note, since this is a custom tour; we can customize your itinerary based on your interests. Please let us know in advance so we can arrange them for you.
Cost Includes:
Accommodations and breakfast
Land Transportation
Tours
Guides
Entrance fees
Activities (see option activities) unless it stated otherwise
Lunches (7)
Dinners (5)
Temple attire
Travel tips, checklists, etc.
Cost does not include:
Airfare (we can help you with this)
Visa on arrival ($25)
Shopping expenses
Alcohol
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Here is an older itenerary for more ideas and options...
Day 1
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Air Port in Bali
Drive straight to Eastern Bali Candi Dasa to Rama Beach Resort
Relax
Included: Hotel, transfer to Candi Dasa
Day 2
8.30 am Breakfast
11.00 am Welcome Massage “Balinese Sensation” 100 minutes incl. peppermint foot bath, Balinese massage, Body scrub, and warm flower bath.
3.00 pm Visit Goa Lawah Temple
4.30 pm Visit Kertagosa Hall
7.30 pm Welcome Dinner at Hotel restaurant.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, welcome massage, trip to Goa Lawah, Kertagosa Hall, welcome dinner, temple gear.
Day 3
8.30 am Breakfast
10.00 am Water Palace of Tirta Gangga
12.00 pm Besakih Mother Temple the most important temple in Bali.
*note for visiting any temple in Bali, you have to dress appropriately. You have to wear your sarong, and a sash for your waist which I will be happy to provide for you. No tank tops allowed. I will also provide offerings for the temple on our visit.
*We will give you your Sarong and Sash for temple gear.
Dinner on your own at Hotel or I can suggest Vincent’s in Candi Dasa
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, trip to water palace Tirta Gangga, trip to Besakih mother temple.
Day 4
8.30 am Breakfast
10.00 am Leave Candi Dasa for Ubud Artistic and Cultural center of Bali
12.30 pm Mas Wood Carving Village
1.30 pm Tegalalang Rice Field
*2.30 pm Monkey Forest /optional
3.30 Check into Greenfield Resort Ubud
6.00 pm We will have dinner at Café Wayan on Mongkey Forest.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, trip to Ubud, Mas, Tegalalang Rice field, Monkey Forest.
*Note: Be careful with your belongings in Monkey Forest, they have naughty Monkeys that may take your camera, glasses, purse, jewelry, hat, etc.
Day 5
8.30 am Breakfast
10 am-2pm Balinese cooking class with Siti at her beautiful home. You will visit Ubud traditional market to look for ingredients of your cooking.
2.30 pm Massage at Ubud Bodyworks
5.00 pm Dinner or snack at Café Lotus near Saraswati temple. Be sure to walk along the beautiful lotus pond.
7.00 pm Kecak dance at Pura Dalam Ubud or other dance at Ubud Palace. Both places are within walking distance from Café Lotus.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Balinese cooking class and lunch, Massage at Ubud Bodyworks, Balinese Dance.
Day 6 THIS IS THE DAY WHERE YOU GET TO DO WHAT EVER YOUR
PASSION IS. WE WILL DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS:
Early Yoga Class
Meditation and Chanting
Spa
Visit Ketut Liyer or Wayan Nuriasih Balinese healer
Walking around or explore Ubud
Visit Anthropological sites around Ubud
Visit various museums or any other thing that YOU want to do.
4.00 pm Balinese cleansing ritual in Tampak Siring Temple. You will need your bathing suit and sarong and a change of clothes. Back to hotel.
7.00 pm Dinner at Terazzo on Jalan Suweta.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Balinese Cleansing Ritual, Terazzo Dinner
Day 7
7.00 am Breakfast early
8.00 am -5.00 pm Day Cruise to Lembongan Island. This is a full day excursion bring your swim suit, sun block, hat, glasses, books, etc. The Bali Cruise will pick you up at the Lobby and they will drop you back around 6 pm.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Cruise Lembongan Island
*Bali Cruise with sailing yacht is the best way to discover and enjoy an unforgettable full day cruise on Lembongan Island. Relax and feel the warmth of the ocean breeze on deck while enjoying morning & afternoon tea or coffee with refreshments (beers, and wines at reasonable prices). You may also try your luck troll fishing during the trip.
Island Explorer is a 17 metre (60 ft), around-the-world sailing yacht with a capacity of 20 passengers. This modern yacht, departs every morning at 9.00 am returns 5.00 pm. The fun continues as you arrive in Lembongan Island Bay, where you are treated to a great BBQ buffet lunch on board, and can join all water activities.
Included: Hotel transfer, BBQ Buffet lunch all you can eat buffet, Shared game fishing/trolling, snorkeling, kayaking, banana boat Riding, Seaweed Village tour, Glass bottomed boat, Pool use at Coconut beach resort, am/pm tea, snacks, fresh fruit, etc.
Day 8
8.00 am Breakfast
10.00 am-3.00 pm Batik painting Class at Nirvana Batik and lunch.
4.00 pm Neka Museum of Art.
5.00 pm Evening walk to Keliki Village. We will be able to see up close the typical Balinese traditional houses.
*7.00pm Balinese dance performance at Ubud Palace/Optional
Included : Hotel, Breakfast, Batik painting, lunch, evening walk at Keliki Village, Neka Museum of Art, Balinese Dance at Ubud Palace.
About NIRVANA BATIK:
Nirvana is the home of I Nyoman Suradnya, his wife Ni Wayan Rai Rupini and their son Putu Adi and daughter Kadek Santi.
Nyoman was born in Ubud and is a painter who works in three main media : batik, oil and water colour. He began studying in Yogyakarta, but being a bit of a maverick he found himself in confkict with some of the academics there and decided to develop in his own unique way. Although firmly rooted in the Balinese tradition Nyoman has always been open to otherinfluences which he blended into his own art.
His works record aspects of daily life in Bali, scenes that can be witnessed in homes, markets, temples and villages throughout the island.
He has also been artist-in residence at Bondi Pavilion, Sydney and Toorak College, Melbourne, and lectured at John Kennedy Hall, Guam University, on “The Connection Between Art, Religion, Traditional and Culture in Modern Balinese Society.” Nyoman has exhibited extensively in Bali and abroad in Australia, Italy, Guam, Japan, Singapore and Switzerland.
Besides his painting Nyoman feels and acts passionately to conserve the culture and physical well-being of Ubud and its surroundings. He was instrumental in setting up the Ubud Tourist Information and its information sheet Napi Orti which was banned by the Suharto government for fear it might disseminate unfavourable information.
Encouraging his fellow villages to beautify Ubud resulting in Ubud winning an award in 1982, 1984 and 1986 for the Most Beautiful Village in Indonesia. Producing information booklets explaining adat (local law and customs) aimed at tourists visiting ceremonies that take place from time to time.
While you are in Bali, call in at his studio and meet this larger than life personality. Wander around his gallery and view his work, and with a bit of luck he may have time to share some of his life philosophy with you. If you are inspired by the idea of learning the techniques of batik painting, he is also willing to impart some of these techniques and other artistic skill he has developed over the years as a practicing artist.
His works record aspects of daily life in Bali, scenes that can be witnessed in homes, markets, temples and villages throughout the island.
Day 9
Free day for you to explore Ubud or just relax by the pool. I will be available to help everyone with their free activities.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast
Day 10
7.00 am Leave early for Kintamani Volcano tour. We will stop at a beautiful scenic spot for Breakfast. A scenic drive over small roads, overlooking beautiful rice Terraces brings you to the mountain village of Kintamani 5000’ above sea level. Which offers spectacular views of Lake Batur and the volcano. There we will visit the colorful fruit and flower market of Pasar Candi Kuning. Afterwards we will visit Ulun Danu temple. This serene temple is on the edge of a lake and often shrouded by mists. The temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of water. We will take offerings to temple and be blessed by the priest. Lunch at Pacung view.
5.00 pm Free evening
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, lunch Kintamani Village tour.
Day 11
8.30 am Breakfast
10.00 am Batuan painting village
12.00 pm Sukawati Silver and Gold village
2.00pm Spa at COZY~ famous for its foot reflexology
5.00 pm Sunset Farewell Dinner at Jimbaran Beach – seafood incl. Lobster, fish, calamari, etc.
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Batuan and Sukawati tour, Spa at Cozy, Sunset Dinner
Day 12
We have the morning to relax by the pool before we will say our goodbyes and transfer to the airport for flight back home. Bali is a gathering place for prayers from the Balinese and from all spiritual traditions of visitors from around the world. Our souls will be renewed, and the memories will remain in our hearts and souls forever.
Included: Breakfast, hotel, transfer back to airport.
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All the above activities are just suggestion, you can alter, change or add program that will suite you more. We will have a meeting for all tour participants prior tour date at our home in Morro Bay (or phone where applicable). Some activities are dependent upon the Balinese cultural calendar in June 2011. We might change our itinerary if there are big events that we may want to see such as Cremation or Temple Ceremony (Odalan).
Other Options for Activity:
Sea Walker
Bali Bird Park or Bali safari & Marine Park
Ayung white water river Rafting
More arts/culture related activities (wood carving class, Balinese dance class, making offering class, silversmith class)
Meditation and chanting class
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Since our tour is very small (ten to twelve people maximum in one tour) we will be able to customize our activities based on what you are passionate about. Please review our itinerary and you can change, add or reduce your activities based on what your interest. If you have a group of friends and would like to have a private tour, we will be able to assist you and help develop a new itinerary (minimum eight people).
We are also offering Yoga and Wellness trips where the itinerary focuses more on Yoga, wellness and spiritual activities as well as Fitness and Adventure. We will focus on more strenuous activities such as Biking, Hiking, Snorkeling, Aerobic & Fitness, River rafting, and Tree top/zip line adventures. All tours will be combined with nutritious cuisine as an integral part of our Balinese culture.
The trip will fill quickly, so if you are interested please contact us right away.
We suggest you to buy travel insurance and please let us know if you need help with this.
We also can assist you in getting the best price on your airline ticket if you don’t have your agent yet.
Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you on your trip of a lifetime.
Sincerely
Maryam and Michael Doliveck
Balifornian Tours
Email: putu@balifornian.com
Questions? Just ask Balifornian Tours how they can help you make the best holiday ever.
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