Top 4 Unmissable Bali Tours

No matter how much traveling you have done in your lifetime, every different country represents a whole new set of challenges. Different languages, different customs, different regulations, different ways of getting around … if you can find anything that is similar to your home town, you probably haven’t gone far enough! While Bali is a popular tourist destination, the unfamiliarity is always striking for newcomers. If this is your first Bali holidays, the best way to get to see the island is to join a guided tour. We look at some of the best Bali guided tours, for either first-time visitors or Indonesian experts!

Why tour?

Jumping on a Bali guided tour, for at least part of your vacation, will open your eyes up to a whole new part of the country that you simply may not have been aware existed, by yourself. There are also plenty of other great reasons to join a tour, rather than trying to arrange your transport and activities on your own:

• In Bali, the local economy makes tours (as well as food, accommodation, and just about everything!) incredibly cheap for Westerners earning in AUD, USD or Euros. A full day guided tour can cost as little as $45 including lunch.
• Language difficulties will bother you less when you have a guide to act as translator
• You’ll be warned about potentially thorny social customs before they become an issue.
• You’ll have access to places that you didn’t even know existed!

Best Bali Tours

There are dozens of different tours that you can tag along with in Bali. Here are a few of our favourites, incorporating the big tourist areas as well as local secrets, and run by truly charming local people.

• Barong and Kintimani volcano tours: Bali has some beautiful, active volcanoes, but that’s not all you get to see on this half-day tour. The 11th century Elephant cave is on the itinerary, as is the woodcarving village of Mas, Mount Batur and the village of Trunyan, where traditional Balinese remain largely uninfluenced by Western culture.
• Karangasem Ancient Kingdom tour: The Klungkung Royal Court of Justice, the Bat Cave (Goa Lawah) and the east coast town of Amla Pura are all on the itinerary for this tour, which costs only $50 for both adults and children.
• Tanah Lot Tour: You get to spend a fair bit of time in the famous Monkey Forest on this tour. It is best to have a guide here to protect you from the cheeky spectacle and camera-stealing monkeys! Tanah Lot also feature – the name means ‘Land in the Middle of the Sea’ in Balinese, and is a temple atop an enormous offshore rock.
• Happy Bike Cycling Tour: The tour doesn’t disappoint, given the expectations that the name sets up! Many people say this tour was ‘the best thing they did’ in Bali. You’ll visit agricultural properties, a traditional Balinese home and home cooking, the way that Balinese people eat.

There are many, many tours in Bali. You can get bus tours, private car charter tours, bike tours, tours focused on temples and history, or on food and modern culture. A true eye opener, and the only way to make a first visit to Bali worthwhile.

Top 6 Bali Spiritual Tours To Warm Your Soul

The culture of Bali is in sharp contrast to what we are used to in the West. A large percentage of the population still dependent on farming for their living, people live on less money per day than what we would spend on petrol to get to work, and above all, most of the population is deeply spiritual as well as superstitious. If you want to feel that you’ve reconnected with your simpler side, a Bali vacation is the perfect way to do so. Today we look at some of the spiritual travel options in this tiny Indonesian island.

Temples in Bali

Bali, like many South East Asian countries, holds much of its art, culture and architecture in the temples of the region. Locals have believed for many years that the deities of the local area had a direct influence on the success of their lives, which is why there is such emphasis on inward-looking, on spirituality and on reverence. There are some truly beautiful temples to be accessed only minutes from a range of Bali hotels, including:

• Pura Besakih: This incorporates pre-Hindu beliefs into the temple complex, which consists of five compounds as well as the main temple. There are plenty of day-long Bali tours to Pura Besakih
• Taman Ayun Temple: This temple is around 18 km south of Denpasar, and is much quieter than the other famous and easily accessed temples. It is surrounded by a wide moat and beautifully kept gardens; visitors cannot enter the temple, but you can watch ceremonies being conducted inside.
• Temple of the Meeting of the Three: Intriguing name for an intriguing temple! This particular building has only been there since 1917, but there has always been a temple on this site for over a thousand years.
• Uluwatu temple: There is some controversy about whether the monkeys at Uluwatu temple are tamed or trained to be naughty. But the temple itself is a must-see for a Bali vacation.
• Yeh Pulu Temple: This is said to be a very quiet temple, although visitors are often ‘required’ to give an offering to the temple gods.

Spiritual Festivals

Much as we in the Western world take time off our usual work to be with our friends and family, people in Bali often take time out of their day to honour locally recognized gods and deities. These events are a great way to get insight into the minds and motivations of the Balinese people … simply a very special thing to be around! You can check out most of the temples at any time of year, so if you want to up the ‘heart factor’ of your trip, take your Bali vacation around the dates of the following spiritual festivals:

• January 2 Tumpek Kandang – Special day of thanks for the gift of livestock
• February 06 Tumpek Wayang – Special day of thanks for the gift of Art
• February 26 Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday – Moslem Holiday
• February 27 Saraswati – Special day of thanks for the gift of Knowledge
• March 03 Pagerwesi – Special day for meditation to enhance balance in the world
• March 13 Tumpek Landep – Special day of thanks for the gift of metal
• March 15 Tawur Agung Kesanga – Held to welcome Nyepi holiday at every family compound; followed by procession of Ogoh-Ogoh (huge monster / evil dolls)
• March 16 Nyepi – Balinese New Year; The I Saka New Year 1932, the day of absolute silence for Hindu followers
• April 17 Tumpek Uduh or Tumpek Pengatag – Special day of thanks for the gift of fruit-bearing plants
• May 22 Kuningan – Believed to be the ascendant day of ancestral holy spirits and deities, back to the eternity
• May 28 Vaishakha 2554 – Buddhist holiday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism
• July 31 Tumpek Kandang – Special day of thanks for the gift of livestock
• September 29 Pagerwesi – Special day for meditation to enhance balance in the world
• October 09 Tumpek Landep – Special day of thanks for the gift of metal
• December 07 1 Muharram 1432 H – Moslem New Year
• December 08 Galungan – Praying for the victory of virtue (Dharma) upon evil (Adharma)
• December 18 Kuningan – Believed to be the ascendant day of ancestral holy spirits and deities, back to the eternity

Ancient Spiritual Sites

Bali is beautiful and quiet … unless you are in Denpasar or the other urban areas, there is usually nothing to hear but the wind in the leaves, the faint chattering of monkeys and the call of the ocean! Perfect for meditation and some private yoga sessions. Check out spiritual sites perfect for these practices on your Bali vacation, like the West Bali National Park and Bali Barat National Park.

Bali Vacation Packages

World Honeymoons magazine recently voted Bali the “most memorable and romantic honeymoon destination in the world” and it’s hardly surprising.

With its warm, sandy beaches, friendly locals and idyllic scenery, a Bali honeymoon reads like something out of a fairytale. And if that isn’t enough for you, Bali offers its honeymooners everything from a cut-price honeymoon package to the ultimate in luxurious indulgence.

From the moment you arrive, your senses shift into overdrive with the heady aroma of spices, the neon-bright palette of tropical colours and the sight of hundreds of species of birds which inhabit this tiny island, located only eight degrees south of the Equator.

Bali presents its honeymooners with an intricate mix of ancient culture, tradition and spiritualism seamlessly interwoven with sleek 5-star luxury accommodation, chic restaurants and boutique shopping.

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Bali Travel Offers Adventure, Wonder And History

The world is chockfull of destinations that are all worthy of consideration when it’s time to make holiday plans. There are not many places, however, that can compare to a particular island in the Indonesian archipelago. Bali travel melds adventure, history and wonder into a single experience that is virtually certain to create memories to last a lifetime.

Located only a few hours away from Australia by plane, this unusual destination packs a great deal of fun into 5,632 square kilometers. Here holidaymakers will find weather that is perfect practically year round. With warm tropical temperatures ranging between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius no matter the time of year, visitors to Bali are often surprised to find sunny days dominate even in the thick of the rainy season.

When Bali travel is under consideration, potential holidaymakers will find these reasons tend to draw travellers from all over the world like moths to a flame:

• The outdoor splendour – Bali is famous for its breathtaking geography. The island is surrounded by warm turquoise waters that lap at white sandy beaches. From quiet lagoons just right for swimming and snorkeling to more “active” beaches that call to surfers and adventure sports lovers, the waters here are ideal for year round fun. Whilst the beaches are certainly a draw, they are not the only outdoor wonder that awaits those planning Bali travel. This island is also famous for its lush tropical forests, active volcanoes, tiered rice paddies and incredible lakes and waterfalls.
• The history – Bali has a history that dates back thousands of years. Evidence of its most early inhabitants can be found in a variety of sites all over the island. From the temples in the Mount Agung complex to the wonderment of the Tanah Lot, visitors here will learn much about the peoples and cultures that have touched Bali throughout the ages. With its strong ties to the Hindu religion, holidaymakers will discover that many of the island’s most splendid outdoor attractions have also served as places connected deeply to religion through the ages.
• The culture – Balinese culture is known for its distinct arts, form of dance and cuisine. Those who plan Bali travel will find themselves arriving on a island that is known the world over for its welcoming hospitality and unique traditions.
• The adventures – Bali is one of the few places in the world where people can get up close and personal with gray monkeys, elephants and a variety of other tropical creatures all on a single vacation. If fauna doesn’t appeal, those on Bali tours will find that plenty of other adventures await. Bali tours can unlock adventures that are found nowhere else in the world. From Odyssey Submarine trips that take holidaymakers into the depths that surround the island to a trip to the 11th century Elephant Cave, there is no shortage of opportunities to do and see things that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

When an experience like nothing else is desired, Bali travel will deliver. Combining adventure, wonder and history, this legendary island offers holidaymakers an opportunity to explore paradise on earth.

Bali Vacation Packages Deliver Memories That Last

When the ancient temples and stunning volcanic mountains of Bali are on a holiday agenda, the memories that are made will last a lifetime. If the desire is to pack every incredible sight possible into a trip to this legendary island is the plan, Bali vacation packages will deliver.

No matter what part of this island is visited during a trip to Bali, holidaymakers are likely to discover that packages are the way to go. Whilst actual inclusions in Bali vacation packages will vary, they generally include accommodations and tours that are more than worth taking. The coupling of both can help vacationers keep costs low and adventure high.

When Bali is the destination, travellers will find breathtaking sights around almost every corner. Some of the top stops to make memories in include:

• The Bali Butterfly Park – Located in Tabanan, this destination offers visitors to Bali a chance to explore expansive gardens that are home to hundreds of beautifully coloured butterflies.
• The Bali Bird Park – This stop in Batubulan boasts more than a thousand birds in a single location, including many rare species found only in Indonesia.
• Mount Agung – Also known as Gunung Agung this is Bali’s highest mountain and home to an active volcano. Called the “navel of the world,” this mountain holds a sacred place in the religious life of many Balinese. It is said to have been erected by the Gods to serve as a viewing point for them down upon the world. The Hindu temple Pura Besakih is located on this mountain. Dating back more than 1,000 years, the temple was erected to honour Vishnu, Brahma and Agung. The temple is located within a complex of other sanctuaries that serve other gods in the Hindu religion.
• Gunung Batur – This is another active volcano revered by the Balinese for its religious significance. Whereas Mount Agung is seen as the male, Gunung Batur is the “female.”
• Klungkung Royal Palace – This reconstruction of the historic palace serves as a reminder of what once was. The site offers holidaymakers a chance to take in breathtaking gardens, courtyards and more.
• The beaches – Throughout the island, those on a Bali holiday will discover pristine beach after pristine beach. Each, however, offers its own distinct charms. Sanur Beach, for example, is known as a tranquil destination that is ideal for quiet walks, wind surfing, swimming and parasailing. On the other hand, Katu Beach might not offer a lagoon feel, but it’s famous for surfing and its incredibly white sands.
• The Elephant Safari Park – This world renowned stop in Bali, near Ubud, offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. The park offers elephant rides, a show and a chance for holidaymakers to learn more about this creature and its long history. In fact, the park boasts a 15,000-year-old mammoth skeleton.

With its beautiful landscapes, unique history and incredible attractions, Bali offers holidaymakers the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. When Bali vacation packages are booked, dreams of adventure come true.