Bali & Beyond - 18 Day Trip

Today we’re diving deep into the local culture of Bali and visiting 2 of its most famous temples - Taman Ayun - the beautiful garden temple and Tanah Lot - Bali’s most famous temple in the sea. Are they as pretty as you saw on scrolling through Instagram months before this treat! Baby, they’re BETTER IN PERSON! Don’t forget to pack those elephant pants you bought on your first night travelling and a T-shirt to cover your shoulders to show respect when visiting the temples. After learning a little bit more about Bali and it’s wonders, we head to a funky beach bar lounge. Grab a cocktail or Bintang (That’s Bali’s famous beer) and watch the sun go down. Head back grab a shower and your dancing shoes because we’re out to paint the town red! (Or our famous TruBlue colour!)

Surf up and Shaka’s up!! We’re hitting the beach in Kuta! Never surfed before? NO PROBLEMO! We’ll have you standing up, riding those waves, doing backflips on the board in no time. Ok, maybe not to that extreme but you’ll deffo learn a thing or two! Spend the rest of the afternoon sunbathing on some of Bali’s best beaches, coconut in hand or head to the rooftop pool. We know, we’re fancy. Freshen up, scrub that saltwater out of your hair before we head out for a delicious dinner. (Our Tru Ninja’s know the best spots!) Have a drink or 6 and see where the night takes us!

Today we’re off to Bali’s vibrant jungle town of Ubud. Think relaxation, artsy and ultimate ZEN VIBES! Along the way, we stop off at Bali’s most southern waterfall, Tegenungan. If you haven’t got a snap here.. I mean have you even been to Bali? Splash around, cool off before we head to our super cool hotel in the afternoon where we’ll be for the next 3 nights. Have a dip in the pool, grab a shower before we head out for the evening of live music! We can’t promise there won’t be any gyrating air guitars or dad dancing thrown about but hey, we’re on holiday right?

Day 5 and we’re up and out as a local family and friend of the TruCrew is taking us around Ubud’s bustling food market. We’re learning about all the ingredients used in everyday Balinese cooking as well as ‘Canang Sari’ the local offerings made for the Gods. Bali has some of the most delicious foods in the world so it’s only right we learn to rustle up a couple. Will you be a world-renowned chef after this? You better Bali-eve it! Wayan, a TruTravels legend and his family show us the art of cooking Balinese food and of course, we overindulge after. You cooked it, so you deserve those calories of course! We spend the afternoon at Ubud’s sacred monkey forest where it’s believed that hundreds of monkeys live here to protect the ancient temples within. They're cheeky little creatures so keep a hold of your belongings! They're also known to jump in a selfie or two. We know, we know, they’re bananas! ;) After spending our day monkeying around we head back and get ready for dinner and drinks with the TruFam. First, drink to order? Monkey shoulder whisky obviously.

Today we head north to the scenic rice terraces of Tegalalang. A UNESCO World Heritage site. They’re pretty much on the cover of any magazine you’ve seen about Bali but boy they’re even more stunning in real life! We learn how these formations still play a very important role in the local's everyday life. Grab a snap, learn some heritage and culture. Win-win right? Next up we’re off to the region of Kintamani, we have lunch overlooking one of Bali’s active volcanoes. Mt Batur. Is this one of the best days in Bali? You betcha! It’s a blast! ;) We finish the afternoon wandering around the local market. Grab yourself a tacky souvenir, some knock off raybanz or just that keyring you promised your mum back home. Relax by the pool after an action-packed day before we head out for dinner with the crew.

IT’S TIME TO GET TROPICAL! You haven’t seen paradise until you’ve been to the Gili islands! We jump on the ferry then a short bus to the tiny island oasis of Gili Trawangan. Cars? Motorbikes? Not on Gili T! The island is so small it’s our very own slice of bliss. Turquoise clear waters, golden sandy beaches you’ll fall in love. Will you ever want to leave? It’s a no from us! Check in to our accommodation, sip cocktails by the pool or take a wander round the island. The sunset is like no other so we sit back and relax before we head out for dinner as a group. Although it’s a tiny island Gili T has some pretty darn lively nightlife. So get your best shit shirt on because we’re going OUT OUT!

Just when you think it couldn’t get any better.. We're exploring 2 of the Gili Islands! We’re taking you island hopping and to the best snorkeling spots around Gili Meno & Gili Trawangan! ALL ABOARD TRUFAM! The local marine life is some of the best in the world, unspoilt marine life and islands only accessible by boat adds up to healthy thriving waters. The Gili islands have coral conservation projects so check these out! Keep an eye out for a nearby turtle or two passing by. Gili Islands? Yeah, it’s the turtle package ;) We grab a beachside lunch on Gili Meno before we head back to freshen up before dinner and another big night in our new favourite place!

The best way to see any island is by bicycle of course! Today we’re off to explore! Pushbike style. Feel the wind in your hair, the cool crisp fresh sea air. It’s perfection. Visit the famous Gili T swings, grab a smoothie along the way or explore Gili T’s most secluded hidden gem beaches before we stop for a beer to replenish our tastebuds and watch the golden orange sunset go down. Perfect.

After the most amazing few days on the Gili Islands, it’s time to go off the beaten track as we make our way east to the sister island of Bali. We’re going to Lombok! We take the scenic route of course as we drive south to the beachside surf town of Kuta Lombok! After a bit of a travel morning, the afternoon is yours to spend as you please! Check into the hotel and have a relaxed afternoon by the pool or head out for a venture around the town. Whatever you decide Lombok is THE place to be.

Important note: The second half of this trip is truly unique and adventurous. A once in a lifetime experience as we take you to some less travelled and untouched parts of Indonesia, so prepare for a slight change in travel styles!

Don’t go chasing waterfalls…. Sorry, we couldn’t help but sing that. Today we start the day by immersing ourselves in the local customs and culture of Lombok at the Sasak Village. This is your chance to learn all about local village life by one of our super cool and friendly local guides. Give traditional weaving a go, passed down from generation to generation they’re masters at it. Will you be weaving your nan a giant scarf for Christmas? Who knows after the skills you’ve picked up today! This afternoon we’re heading to 2 of Lombok’s scenic waterfalls only accessible by jungle trek. Cmon’, vamanos. Call yourself Dora the explorer. Trek through luscious green jungles, the most spectacular views and peaceful surroundings before cooling off by jumping in the falls. Did someone say.. EPIC!

Calling ALL beach lovers! Today is your day! Grab your suncream, ya sunglasses and that itty bitty bikini you’ve been dying to wear! We’re off to visit some of Lombok’s most beautiful beaches. Forget the crowds, Lombok beaches are secluded, quiet and pristine. We set off to 2 different locations along the southern coastline where we spend the day on white sandy beaches. Grab a beer, sit back and relax. We grab a beachside lunch from a local restaurant then the afternoon is ours. Perfected your surfing skills in Kuta? Go on then show them off! Ride those waves baby! You know what that means? SHAKA’S UP and smile!

We’re onto our next destination, Sumbawa Island! We travel by bus and ferry. Sumbawa is a far less developed, remote area of Indonesia than we’ve been to so far. It’s time to relax, hey it’s been a busy few days. Take a moment to appreciate a local experience and relax amongst it's beauty. Spend a peaceful afternoon on the beach unwinding or hit the pool to catch those rays. In the evening, we get ready for dinner and drinks with the rest of your TruCrew.

Today is a TruExclusive! Which means you’re not getting this anywhere else! We’re heading to the uninhabited island of Moyo. We’re well known here, so the locals take us into the heart of the island. They show all the hidden gems nestled within the jungle and onto one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Indonesia. Untouched and beautiful. Moyo’s falls may just be the highlight of your trip. Take a dip, a swim or flip your hair backwards in the water and get your friend to film. Whatever works for you ;) Moyo is a TruTraveller favourite so soak it all in! We enjoy lunch on the beach before we head back to the boat for a sunset sail back!

Today we head off on our very own Liveaboard boat, an amazing Tru Exclusive. We will be on a converted traditional wooden boat which has been transformed for this journey of a lifetime! Sharing a dorm style room on the top deck, and having traditional style showers it's a Truly unique backpacking experience you won’t get anywhere else! The first part of our voyage has us stopping off at Satonda Island, grab a snorkel and mask and jump in! Check out the bay or the salt lake crater! Finish the day with a delicious local meal sitting on the deck as the sun sets for our first-night sailing. Fall asleep under the stars as we sail through the night. With little to no light pollution around the Komodo Island’s the sky has never been clearer. It's ultimate island hopping bliss.

Wake up and have breakfast looking out to mountainous views, look down and see crystal clear waters. You’re in paradise. How aboat it? ;) We’re in Komodo National park. Fill yourself up at breakfast because we’re sailing to Manta Point, home to families of Manta Rays. Snorkel up close with some of the friendliest creatures in the marine world. Although daunting in size, Manta Rays are harmless and thriving in the wild out here. We’ll be visiting Pink Beach. Yeah it’s really pink! Before taking a small trek on Padar Island for one of Indonesia’s most renowned viewpoints. This evening’s our last on the boat, so we have dinner cooked on board and 1 too many drinks! Sleep up deck, stay up all night listening to the waves, vow to become a sailor when you get home. You do you.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you’ve all been waiting for! We’re heading into the Jurassic world of the Komodos. Komodo dragons are only found on 5 islands in the world! So count yourself lucky TruFam. We’re greeted by our local guides who inhabit the island before we set off in search of these prehistoric creatures. We take an educational tour and learn all about our dino friends and the life they live here in Indonesia. Is the trip going to drag-on? No way! It’s a fun-filled day before we head east as our time aboard draws to a close. I know we’re crying too. Say farewell to the Capt & crew before we check into our beautiful resort in Labuan Bajo, Flores. It’s our last night together so we’re out for a farewell dinner and a mojito or two.

It’s to time bid farewell, Adios, "Sampai" , goodbye! It’s been a wild trip and you’ve made memories of a lifetime. We hate to see you go, so let’s just say see you next time? Our Travel Ninja is on hand for all your needs. Travel related and sadness induced hugs. Whatever you need they’ll try their best to help you out. Until next time TruFam you bunch of legends!