ASIA
Bali, Indonesia
May 18-31 2026
This is not the Bali you think you know
Time your visit to Bali around one of Asia's most celebrated culinary gatherings—the Ubud Food Festival—and discover the archipelago through the ingredients, traditions, and landscapes that make its cuisine extraordinary. This journey is designed to build your understanding from the ground up, quite literally.
We begin in Tabanan's volcanic highlands, where rice terraces cascade down mountainsides, and you'll understand why Balinese cuisine is inseparable from the rhythms of rice cultivation. In Munduk's cool mountain air, we'll visit coffee and spice plantations and taste directly from the source. Kintamani reveals how volcanic soil produces some of Indonesia's finest produce, while the coastal regency of Karangasem introduces you to salt harvesting, seaweed farming, and the ocean's contribution to the Balinese table.
By the time we arrive in Ubud for the festival, you won't just be attending cooking demonstrations and tastings—you'll have context. You'll recognise the ingredients, understand the techniques, and appreciate the stories behind every dish. This is Bali for those who believe that to truly understand a place, you must taste it—slowly, deeply, and with all your senses engaged
Experience Details
Trip Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Pricing
$4,950 twin share*
18 - 31 May 2026
Next Dates
Beyond the Postcard: A 12-Day Journey Through Bali's Hidden Heart
Trip Features
Time your visit to Bali around one of Asia's most celebrated culinary gatherings—the Ubud Food Festival—and discover the archipelago through the ingredients, traditions, and landscapes that make its cuisine extraordinary. Arriving in Ubud for the festival, you won't just be attending cooking demonstrations and tastings—you'll have context. You'll recognise and appreciate the stories behind every dish. This is Bali for those who believe that to truly understand a place, you must taste it—slowly, deeply, and with all your senses engaged..
Food & Drink
Savour Indonesia's finest: coffee grown, roasted and brewed kilometres from volcanic slopes. Experience locavore dining that honours ancient traditions whilst embracing contemporary innovation. Unwind with expertly crafted cocktails, local wines, and the essential gin and tonic—each drink a celebration of Indonesian flavours and spirited hospitality.
Exploring Culture
From heritage beachside elegance to mountain retreats wrapped in mist, from volcanic calderas to black sand coasts, each day reveals a different facet of this extraordinary island. This is Bali at its own pace, experienced through intimate encounters, exceptional cuisine, and accommodations that honour both comfort and place.
Accomodation
Each retreat is carefully chosen for character, comfort and location; not just rooms, but an integral part of your journey. Nestled amoungst nature with gasp-worthy views that stretch across volcanic peaks and verdant valleys, these havens offer service that charms and surrounds you with Indonesia's most breathtaking landscapes.
Tour Itinerary
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Our journey begins where Bali's story first captivated the world—at Tandjung Sari in Sanur, the legendary beachside retreat that introduced discerning travellers to the island's magic in the 1960s. Here, amid frangipani-scented gardens and traditional thatched pavilions, you'll understand why Bali became synonymous with paradise.
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From the coast, we turn inland, following ancient paths into Bali's verdant interior. In Tabanan Regency, where emerald rice terraces cascade down volcanic slopes and village life moves to rhythms unchanged for generations, you'll discover what happens when you slow down enough to see truly. The air is different here—cooler, sweeter, alive with the sound of water flowing through subak irrigation channels that have sustained communities for a thousand years.
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We climb higher into the mountains to mist-shrouded Munduk, where waterfalls hide in jungle folds and morning coffee tastes like the volcanic soil it grew from. Then onward to Kintamani's dramatic caldera, where you'll witness landscapes that remind you why mountains have always been considered sacred.
Our path leads east through the terraced valleys of Sidemen—a place so timelessly beautiful it feels like stepping into a living painting—before descending to Bali's wild black sand coast, where the island reveals an entirely different face. Here, traditional fishing villages meet dramatic volcanic beaches, and the ocean carries a distinct energy entirely.
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We conclude in Ubud, but not the Ubud of crowded markets and tour buses. By now, you'll see this cultural heartland through different eyes—knowing which paths to take, which sounds to listen for, which moments to pause and simply be.
Throughout these twelve days, you'll stay in carefully selected properties that honour Bali's authentic spirit while offering genuine comfort. You'll witness rituals that tourists never see. You'll taste flavours you didn't know existed. And perhaps most importantly, you'll have time—time to wander, to wonder, to let this extraordinary island reveal itself at its own pace.
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Each retreat is carefully chosen for character, comfort and location; not just rooms, but an integral part of your journey. Nestled amoungst nature with gasp-worthy views that stretch across volcanic peaks and verdant valleys, these havens offer service that charms and surrounds you with Indonesia's most breathtaking landscapes.
A full list of accommodation will be sent upon booking.
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This is Bali as it was meant to be experienced: slowly, deeply, and with all your senses awakened.
Departure: March 7-18, 2026 | From $4950 per person twin share
Ready to discover Bali's hidden heart? Enquire now for full itinerary details.
Full itinerary provided upon request
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Ubud’s renowned festival….Please inquire for details.
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This journey departs March 7, 2026, with limited spaces available.
To secure your place or learn more, contact us at: rasavoya@gmail.com
Common Questions
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What's Included
11 nights accommodation in carefully selected properties (exact properties confirmed upon booking based on group size and availability)
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Private transportation throughout the journey in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
English-speaking guide throughout
All breakfasts
7 dinners and 2 lunches as specified in the itinerary
All entrance fees and activities as listed in the itinerary
Cooking class and market visit at Bali Asli
Cultural guide for temple visits
Bottled water during transfers and activities
What's Not Included
International flights to/from Bali
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages (except where noted)
Personal expenses and gratuities
Travel insurance (required)
Spa treatments (except where specified)
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Nyepi extension (available upon request)
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Send us an email in the contact form indicating which tour you’d like to book, and we’ll follow up with a call to discuss any final points.
We’ll provide the full itinerary, payment details and Terms & Conditions. Then you’ll receive an on-boarding form to share with us all your details.
We accept direct deposit and major credit cards.
Pricing & Booking
Price: From $4950.00 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $5950.00Deposit: $2500.00 per person to secure booking
Final Payment: Due 60 days before departure
Note: Exact accommodations will be confirmed once minimum booking numbers are met and may vary based on the final group size to ensure an optimal experience. All properties selected meet our standards for comfort, location, and authentic Balinese character.
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Cancellation Policy:
60+ days prior: Full refund minus $100 administration fee
30-59 days prior: 50% refund
Less than 30 days: No refund
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
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We recommend Russ Masterton and his team at Travel Made Easy.
Phone: 1300 168910 / 0400226454
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Bali rewards the traveller who travels simply. Bring less, move freely, and leave space for what you’ll discover. Comfort is essential, but so is curiousity. Think breathable, beautiful, and kind — to yourself, and to the island. Lightweight, breathable clothing, comfortable shoes for walking, swimwear, a sunhat, and a shawl for temple visits. We’ll provide a full packing guide closer to departure.
Pack light. Carry respect. Leave space for the unexpected.
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Yes. Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to the hotel in Sanur.
At the end of the trip you’ll be delivered safely and on time back to the airport, or for most other destinations on Bali.
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Absolutely. Many of our travellers join solo. We’ll match you with a like-minded roommate if you’d prefer to share, or you can book your own room for an additional supplement.
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We can accommodate most dietary preferences and restrictions—vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Bali has a thriving food scene with lots of options. Let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
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Yes. Each itinerary balances structured experiences with personal downtime. Whether you want to shop, nap, read by the pool, or explore a hidden café, you’ll have time to make the trip your own.
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Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical, cancellation, and baggage is mandatory for all our tours.
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For many nationalities, Indonesia offers a simple Visa on Arrival. We’ll send you current entry requirements well before departure.
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Flexibility is part of travel. If a plan shifts (say, a temple closes for a ceremony), we always have alternatives lined up—usually delightful ones. Our team on the ground manages logistics so you can relax and enjoy.
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Bali’s traditions are living, not staged. We brief all guests on temple etiquette, dress codes, and respectful photography. You’ll learn how to participate (not intrude) in ceremonies and how to interact with locals in ways that honour their culture.
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We partner with businesses that share our values: community-based, environmentally conscious, and respectful of culture. From bamboo architecture to farm-to-table meals, you’ll see sustainability in action. We offset our on-ground carbon footprint and encourage mindful travel practices (like refillable water bottles).
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Important Information
Group Size: Minimum 2 guests, maximum 8 guests
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Involves walking on uneven terrain, rice terrace paths, and jungle trails. Reasonable fitness level required.
Best For: Travellers seeking authentic cultural immersion, excellent cuisine, and meaningful connections with place and people
Climate: March is the dry season in Bali with warm days (28-32°C) and cooler mountain evenings. Pack light layer for mountain regions.
Cultural Sensitivity: This journey takes place during sacred preparations for Nyepi. We'll provide guidance on appropriate behaviour, temple dress codes, and cultural protocols to ensure respectful engagement.