Bali & Lombok: An Island-Hopping Loop

Land in Bali, grab your bag, and find your way to the hostel in Canggu. You'll meet the rest of the crew in the evening before heading out. The first night is a group affair in Canggu, a town known for its chaotic energy and solid nightlife.

You're on an island famous for its waves, so today is about surfing. The morning starts with a lesson for all levels, getting the basics down on the sand before you hit the water with instructors. After that, the afternoon is yours. Rent a board to keep at it, hit the beach, or just grab a Bintang at a local warung (small restaurant).

Time to leave the coast and head for the hills. The first stop is the Ulun Danu Temple, which seems to float on the edge of Lake Beratan. From there, the drive continues to Bulian village. You'll be welcomed with lunch before a walk through the village to get a feel for the place. The day ends with learning to make traditional Balinese offerings and joining a local priest for a ceremony at a nearby temple.

You have a full free day to explore the rural side of Bali. Your call on how to spend it. The main options are a trek through nearby Lemukih village, passing durian plantations, rice terraces, and waterfalls—including a natural rock slide. Or you can grab a bike for a tour through the quiet roads around Bulian to get a better feel for the north.

The morning is free in Bulian for any last-minute exploring. In the afternoon, you'll jump in a van and drive to Kintamani, the town at the base of Mt Batur. You'll be camping tonight, but the site has a hot spring pool. The plan is to get checked in, soak in the mineral water, and then hang out around a campfire for dinner.

It's a very early start for the two-hour trek up Mt Batur. The goal is to reach the 1,700m summit in time for sunrise, with a picnic breakfast at the top. After hiking back down, there's time for a proper breakfast and another well-earned soak in the hot springs.

Then it's on to Ubud. On the way, you'll stop at the PKP Community center for a local lunch prepared by the women who run it. The rest of the afternoon in Ubud is free before a big night out with the group.

Today is a full free day to recover and explore Ubud at your own pace. The town is the cultural hub of Bali, packed with temples, yoga studios, and healthy cafes. You can wander through the main market, brave the Monkey Forest, or just find a good spot for a cheap massage. No agenda, just do your thing.

Another day, another chance to do whatever you want in Ubud. If you've already hit the main spots, you could sign up for a local cooking class, take a bike tour through the rice terraces, or check out one of the many art galleries. Or, just find a cafe, connect to the wifi, and plan your next move. The day is yours.

It's a travel day. The morning starts with a drive from Ubud to the Padangbai harbour. From there, you'll catch a speedboat over to the island of Lombok. Once you land, another overland journey takes you to Tempasan, a quiet village where you'll arrive in time for a group dinner with some of the local villagers.

Today is about getting a feel for local life on Lombok. You'll start with a village tour and a walk through the rice terraces, meeting farmers and passing through plantations. Afterwards, local women will demonstrate traditional weaving techniques before a group lunch. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, followed by a campfire after dinner.

You've got a full free day in the Tempasan area to do what you want. Lombok offers a lot, from sea to summit. You could book a snorkel trip to the coast, find a yoga class, go looking for waterfalls and monkeys in the forest, or sign up for a local cooking class. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day.

This morning you'll drive to Bonjeruk Village. A student from a local English program will guide a short bike tour—about an hour—around the village. This works up an appetite for a home-cooked lunch of traditional Lombok food. After eating, it's back in the van for a drive to the coast at Senggigi, where the rest of the afternoon is free to spend on the beach.

It's time for the Gili Islands. A short drive to the port is followed by a speedboat to Gili Trawangan, an island with no cars or motorbikes. You'll have to carry your own bag from the boat. Drop your stuff at the hotel and get straight back on the water for a snorkel trip, hopping between the three Gilis to look for sea turtles. The evening is for a big group night out on Gili T, which is legendary for its party scene.

A full free day on Gili T. Your only job is to decide how to spend it. You can rent a bike and cycle the path that circles the entire island, which takes about an hour without stops. Or just find a beanbag on the sand, order a drink, and chill. If you're feeling active, there's stand-up paddleboarding and more snorkeling spots to check out. Your call.

Time to head back to the mainland. A speedboat takes you from Gili T back to Padangbai harbour in Bali. From there, it's an overland drive to Seminyak, known for its beach clubs, shopping, and restaurants. It's the final night, so the evening is free to grab a last dinner with the crew, hit the shops, or catch one last Bali sunset.

And that's a wrap. The trip officially ends this morning. There are no activities planned, so you're free to pack your bags and head to the airport whenever you need to. You can leave at any time.