Private Tour Highlights
- Enjoy a traditional breakfast with coffee or tea served in Balinese home
- Experience a day in the life of Balinese farmers
- Step through the Kori Agung to see the elephant sculptures at Pura Kehen Temple
- Visit the Tanah Lot Temple, dating back to 1634, surrounded by a moat and beautiful gardens
- Watch the monkeys jumping up and down the walls of Kedaton Temple
- Visit Tanah Lot, perched on a little rocky islet, the most photographed temple in Bali
- See the pristine coral reef and tropical marine life while snorkeling around Lembongan Island
- Visit the burial chambers of high-ranking deceased in Lemo
- Take a stroll through Tongkonan Palawa, the oldest village in Toraja
- See the famous “hanging graves” of Marante
Tour Overview
This Indonesia Cultural Experience tour will provide a unique insight and appreciation into the beauty and culture of Indonesia. Travel to the island of Sulawesi and explore the lush jungles and visit with Torajan locals. This tour also includes time in Bali to visit the ancient temples, enjoy the local culture and spend a few days relaxing in the sun.
In Tana Toraja, take a soft trek around the villages to view the unique architecture, the daily life of the indigenous people, and perhaps one of their lavish burial ceremonies. Also visit the extraordinary grave sites of Lemo, Suaya, Sangala, Londa and Marante. On Bali, take a short journey to Pura Kehen, a temple constructed in the 13th century. The temple courtyard is decorated with elephant statues, which is intriguing for a structure built in this time period, as elephants were not native to Indonesia. The inner compound is guarded by a ‘Naga,’ or dragon, that is said to have a mystical stone imbedded in the statue. From here you will travel to Kintamani to have lunch overlooking volcanic Mount Batur and Lake Batur in its crater.
You will get a taste of Balinese cuisine and culture by being served a traditional breakfast at a local home. Continue your tasting of the island with a cooking class and trip to the market , or take a cruise to one of Bali’s sister islands to take in some of Bali’s beautiful beaches, pristine waters and stunning coral reefs.
Inclusions
Round trip domestic airfare from Denpasar to Ujung Pandang, Hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast, Private transfers between hotels with baggage assistance, Private guided tours in English including all entrance fees, Meals where specified (food only), Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote
Bali Excursions
Bumbu Bali Cooking Class:
Your day starts with an early morning trip to the local market. Here you will procure the delicacies that you will be learning to prepare, and you will get to take part in the bustle that is a daily routine for many of the locals. After the market, take a trip to the beach to visit a local fisherman and collect the freshest fish for your upcoming lesson. You will then return to Bumbu Bali Restaurant and Cooking School for a traditional breakfast and lesson in Balinese cooking. After sampling your lunch, you will have the remainder of your day at leisure.
Northern Bali Tour
Take a morning drive to the northern remote shores of Bali for a picturesque sunrise opportunity. Continue with a trip to Lovina Beach. Relax and have lunch on the black and grey volcanic sands before journeying up the mountain to Ulun Danu Water temple on Lake Bratan in Bedugul. On the way pass Lake Buyan and Tamblignan to view flora that only grows in this region. On the way back to your hotel, stop at a local flower and fruit market to get a taste of the luscious tropical fruits that Bali is known for.
Notes:
* Additional supplements may apply during the weeks immediately preceding and following the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. The dates vary each year, but fall sometime between January 21st and February 20th:
2016 – Monday, February 8th
2017 – Saturday, January 28th
2018 – Friday, February 16th
* In March, Bali celebrates the Hindu New Year, known as Nyepi (silent) Day. There will be no flights arriving or departing, no lights on the street and people are prohibited to go outside their house. Travelers who are staying on the island may participate in activities in their hotel only:
2016 – Wednesday, March 9th
2017 – Tuesday, March 28th
2018 – Saturday, March 17th
Package Price: From £$ 4615
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
International flight to Denpasar
Overnight international flight to Denpasar.
Overnight international flight to Denpasar.
Bali – Ubud
Upon arrival in Bali and reception, transfer to the hotel in the village of Ubud. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Upon arrival in Bali and reception, transfer to the hotel in the village of Ubud. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Exploring a Balinese Home and Pura Kehen
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This morning, a warm welcome awaits at a Balinese home, where a traditional breakfast will be served with Balinese coffee or tea. Walk through the local farms to experience the real life of Balinese farmers working in the rice fields. Learn more about the simple and traditional irrigation system called Subak, and the process of rice growing, from planting the seedlings, to harvesting, and even cooking the rice.
The next stop is Pura Kehen, which was constructed in the 13th century. Stepping through the "Kori Agung" (stone capped gateway), there are elephant sculptures, which is unusual for a building of that age, as elephants are not a native species of Bali. Once inside the temple, there is a small compound which is guarded by a mythical "Naga" (dragon) that has a magic stone inside it. Apparently, the stone glowed red hot once the site of the temple had been decided. Following this fascinating local insight, continue to Kintamani to enjoy lunch overlooking Mount Batur, an active volcano, and picturesque Lake Batur. Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
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Pura Kehen – Seminyak
Transfer to the hotel in Seminyak and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Transfer to the hotel in Seminyak and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Exploring Tanah Lot
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Spend the morning on the beach before an afternoon tour to Tanah Lot. The first stop is Taman Ayun, also known as the Royal Family Temple. The temple dates back to the Mengwi Kingdom in 1634, and is surrounded by a mote, beautiful gardens and a pond. Continue to Alas Kedaton Temple, which is located in the famed "Monkey Forest" of Tabanan. Its towering nutmeg trees are unique to this area and are sacred to the Balinese people. The monkeys here are very tame and may be seen jumping up and down the temple wall, or bathing in the moat.
Continue in the late afternoon to Tanah Lot, Bali's most photographed temple. The temple is perched on a little rocky islet that is inaccessible during high tides. At sunset, when the tides are low, walk to visit the temple and watch the sun dip into the ocean. Return to the hotel after sunset.
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Cruise to Lembongan
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Depart in the morning for a relaxing cruise to Lembongan Island on one of Bali's most luxurious catamarans. Cruise to Crystal Bay, a secluded stretch of beach on Lembongan Island that is solely accessible to passengers of the Aristocrat. Enjoy the feeling of being washed ashore while surrounded by crystal clear water. The bay is home to some of Indonesia's most pristine coral reef and is teeming with tropical marine life that can be observed while snorkeling. Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach and sail back in the late afternoon, catching a perfect sunset before arriving at Benoa Harbor. Upon arrival, privately transfer back to the hotel.
Note: If the Bumbu Bali Cooking Class or the Northern Bali Tour is preferred instead of the Lembongan Island Tour, please contact a travel consultant.
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Bali – Ujung Pandang
Transfer to the airport for a flight from Bali to Ujung Pandang. Upon arrival, reception and journey to Toraja with a stop for lunch in the port city of Pare-Pare. The driving time is approximately eight hours. Upon reaching Toraja, check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner.
Note: As a result of conservationist principles, resorts in Sulawesi do not offer air conditioning.
Transfer to the airport for a flight from Bali to Ujung Pandang. Upon arrival, reception and journey to Toraja with a stop for lunch in the port city of Pare-Pare. The driving time is approximately eight hours. Upon reaching Toraja, check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner.
Note: As a result of conservationist principles, resorts in Sulawesi do not offer air conditioning.
Touring Tana Toraja
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Tour the villages of Tana Toraja, to see Tongkonan houses with their boat-like roofs. Get a glimpse into the daily life of a culture untouched by the outside world, and then visit Lemo. Lemo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly the most well-known Toraja burial site, where the burial chambers of high-ranking deceased are cut into the cliffs and tau tau (well-dressed wooden effigies) are placed along the balconies. Then visit Suaya, the royal graves of the Seventh King; and Sangala, the traditional burial trees for babies who pass before they begin to teeth.
After lunch, visit the Londa burial caves. Here, a relative of the deceased will escort guests past a balcony of tau tau, and into the extensive caves. Move on to the small village of Kete Kesu, whose people are known for carving and painting. Then return to the hotel for dinner.
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Trekking through Batutumonga
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Journey through the mountainous region of Batutumonga. Walk through the hilltop village of Tongkonan Palawa, the oldest village in Toraja. The village is also home to a burial place, which to this day, has many celebrations and festivals in honor of the dead. A short drive will guests to the village of Bori to see ancient megalithic stones and roaming buffalo.
After lunch, visit Marante to see the famous "hanging graves", coffins with skulls on them, and a cave scattered with human bones. While this may be uncomfortable for some, it must be said that the Torajans place more emphasis on celebrating death than they do life, so funerals are a rather joyous occasion. After the tour, return to the hotel for dinner.
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International flight home via Bali
Journey back to Ujung Pandang, stopping for lunch in Pare-Pare along the way. Upon arrival in Ujung Pandang, transfer to the airport for a flight to Bali, to connect with a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.
Journey back to Ujung Pandang, stopping for lunch in Pare-Pare along the way. Upon arrival in Ujung Pandang, transfer to the airport for a flight to Bali, to connect with a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.
Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Seminyak, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Sulawesi, Toraja Utara, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Places You'll See
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Ubud (Bali)
For an artistic, cultural, and relaxing experience like none other, visit the town of Ubud. Famous for its arts and crafts, the town offers several art courses at places like the Five Art Studio Keliki Ubud. Or cooking classes at Pissari Bali Cafe. Take a bike ride through the bamboo forest, or visit the Pura Gunung Kawi Temple. Or take some time to relax at one of the numerous spas.
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Seminyak (Bali)
As one of the most beautiful beach towns in Bali, Seminyak has lots to offer. Enjoy the high end spas and boutiques, or catch a stunning sunset on Seminyak Beach. The beaches are also great for snorkeling and horseback riding. For the thrill seekers, go for a nighttime bungee jump.
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Sulawesi Toraja
While on the island of Sulawesi, meet the Toraja people and learn their ways with their strong connection to their indigenous culture and religion. View the unique architecture, the daily life of these indigenous people, and perhaps one of their lavish burial ceremonies. Also visit the extraordinary grave sites of Lemo, Suaya, Sangala, Londa and Marante.
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Testimonials
Joan A.
Traveled April, 2013
As usual, everything went like clockwork
Recently I went to Bhutan with Yampu Tours. With multiple flights and visas, this is not the easiest of tours but, as usual, everything went like clockwork. I say, as usual, because this is the third trip with Yampu and I have nothing but praise for their handling of everything. The professionalism, attention to detail, economical prices, keeps me returning to their services when I want to travel. I highly recommend them.
Traveled To
Client
Traveled July, 2012
loved Indonesia
We had a great time. We loved Indonesia most of all, our tour guide in Bali especially. The hotels were all very nice, and it was very nice to have help all along the way with Yampu. We would have been very lost without it at times I am sure.
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Debbie
Traveled February, 2014
I will always remember this trip
We have had opportunities to review our photos and share stories with family and friends, I will always remember this trip! Bangkok hotel and tour guide was fabulous. As soon as we got to the hotel they upgraded all of us to unbelievably fantastic rooms! Our guide met us at the airport and between her and the driver all went so smoothly. Due to the protest and closed streets, our guide helped us around the city using public transportation (upon our request), so no sight was unseen. The guide treated us as friends, sharing the local market place food and making sure we were safe at all times. Chiang Mai was great. Our hotel was in a perfect location. The hotel staff, food, and our guide were excellent.In Siem Reap, the hotel and surprise birthday celebration was fantastic, great location and fantastic staff! The guide and driver were kind, knowledgeable, accommodating and very flexible! Magical is a good word for Koh Samui. The hotel was perfect and would highly recommend it. I saw a few children, but not a place I would suggest for family with young kids. I must say that our guide showed us incredible places on the island that were not on the planned itinerary and that was beautiful. This guide had such a love for Koh Samui, which was a big plus! This guide saw we loved nature and added some unique experiences for us, like climbing a fantastic waterfall. In most of the locations the included lunches were not very good and in some cases bad. Maybe people should be given a chance on tour packages to upgrade to more of a local experience not a place all the tour buses go to. The first meal in Cambodia was fine but it went downhill fast from that one.I am so grateful for the chance to get check one place off my bucket list, Angkor Wat. Seeing Angkor Wat at sunrise completed one of my dreams.
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