Get out into the Ubud countryside this morning for a relaxing meandering loop beside idyllic rice paddies and the lush resplendent greenery. We’ll be heading north of your Ubud base to observe the charms of rural Balinese life. We’ll stop mid-morning for some refreshing local coffee, and there’s a chance to sample some local coconuts too.

Biking along narrow backroads, the local Balinese tend to greet you warmly. Most villages have a sacred temple, and you’ll usually catch a glimpse of a ceremony or two. Our friendly guide will help explain the significance of the daily offerings that villagers lay out.

Enjoy your first foray into Balinese cuisine with a delicious lunch of nasi campur beside the rice fields, an excellent opportunity to spot the native birds of the area. End the day with another tantalising feast back at the hotel to celebrate the first day’s riding.

Get an early start on the bike and head out west to see villagers going into the temples for their morning prayers and watch farmers setting up for their day’s work.  Coffee culture is strong in southern Bali, and we’ll stop mid-morning for another rejuvenating cup at a local market where you can browse the stalls for local produce. We’ll then stop by a village temple to participate in a water purification ceremony. These traditional rituals are performed to cleanse, purify, and bless the water, and usually include incense, flowers, and candles. The guide will help explain the symbolism.

We’ll skirt along the sacred monkey forest sanctuary where you can peacefully observe the playful monkeys lounging and leaping from tree to tree.  Away from the monkey forest,  you can enjoy a typical local lunch as a hospitable local villager welcomes you into his traditional family home. After socializing, hop back on the bikes to continue investigating those backroads on the way back to Ubud.

Time to make our way to Kaura community retreat.  En route, we’ll transition from the rolling rice fields to the rich geological formations around the volcanic Mount Batur. Your guide will help identify the effects of the various previous volcanic eruptions on the natural landscape. You’ll cycle a short, steady incline to enjoy coffee with a view at Mt Batur, a bewitching sight as it looms on the horizon emerging from the tropical jungle.

Next, it’s on to the famous Penglipuran traditional village that has been preserved and maintained as a living museum. The village showcases the Balinese people's way of life and culture through guided tours and cultural performances. On arrival at Kaura, get set up in your luxury tent before going on a 2-hour village walk guided by the village ambassador. You will be able to engage with the community, meet the goats that have become an iconic asset and get hands-on with the flavors of Balinese cuisine in a cooking class led by one of the local families of Manggis.

Prepare your comfiest walking shoes and embark on a 4.5-hour trekking trip to Jagasatru Waterfall. Starting from Kaura, it takes around 3 hours to reach the​ falls, walking through lush forest and weaving through clusters​ of homes where bantam chickens forage and children play. ​
The waterfall is a stunning site and the pool formed at its​ base is a great spot to cool off after the walk. Sitting next​ to a giant statue of Brahama, the waterfall is a spiritual​ place for local Balinese. 

This is a great way to stretch the legs, get the heart​ pumping and get well off the beaten path with the​ experienced hiking guides from the Manggis community. 

After a rewarding lunch at Kaura, enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the swimming pool or jump into the van for a quick transfer to the secluded Virgin beach, probably the only white sand beach on this part of the island. 

Day five of your trip and we'll say goodbye to your new friends in Manggis as you head for the coast. The day begins with a transfer to negotiate the hilliest areas around Manggis before hopping on the bikes and heading for the coast.

Cycle along winding palm-fringed countryside roads and pass charming villages to get to the iconic Tirta Gangga water palace. Tirta Gangga is a former royal palace in eastern Bali, notable for its reflective bathing pools and wonderfully ornate stone carvings. Learn about the site’s rich heritage before pressing on to Tulamben on the coast.

Enjoy panoramic views while skirting the rugged eastern coastline, spotting the idyllic fishing villages scattered intermittently. Take time to admire another of Bali’s iconic natural features - the otherworldly black, sandy beaches. Step off the bikes, sink your toes into the sand, and kick back for a well-earned break. 

Take the opportunity to embrace the beautiful Balinese coastline at Tulamben and enjoy the luxury of your courtyard villa accommodation. Discover the multitude of colorful fish and coral on a snorkeling trip to explore the shoreline. There are two particular points of interest off the coast here; the coral garden, a particularly picturesque spot for snorkeling, and the USAT Liberty wreckage, the remains of an American cargo ship sunk during WWII.

You’ll drop anchor around lunchtime to enjoy another fantastic Balinese meal of nasi campur, nasi goreng, and other snacks, laid out picnic-style. After a fun day out on the water, we’ll drop you back on shore mid-afternoon to enjoy the delights of Tulamben at your own leisure before a farewell dinner with the rest of the group. 

We have time to enjoy one last ride! After breakfast at the hotel, we'll take a relatively short 20 km loop touring the beaches of Tulamben, a nice treat to cap off your bike tour of Bali. Enjoy the sea vistas before pedaling inland to enjoy stunning views of the iconic volcano, Mt Agung. Your guide will help shed insight on the shadow cast by the volcano on Balinese culture, just as it casts its shadow over the lush greenery of the landscape.

You’ll return from the short ride around lunchtime in good time for your airport transfer and the end of your cycling adventure.