ASIA
Bali, Indonesia
14-21 October 2026
This is not the Bali you think you know
Time your visit to Bali around one of Asia's most celebrated literary gatherings - Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (October 21-25) - and discover the archipelago through the traditions, and landscapes that bring these stories to life. 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.
Set in the heart of Ubud, Bali's vibrant art and cultural hub, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival brings book lovers of all stripes to Ubud each year with the opportunity to listen to world-leading writers, poets, and novelists in conversations about a wide range of themes
Experience Details
14-21 October 2026
Next Dates
8 days / 7 nights
Trip Duration
AU$4,950 twin share*
Pricing
Beyond the Postcard - Journey Through Bali's Hidden Heart + Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Trip Features
Time your visit to Bali around one of Asia's most celebrated literary gatherings—the Ubud Writer’s & Readers Festival. Set in the heart of Ubud, Bali's vibrant art and cultural hub, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival brings book lovers of all stripes to Ubud each year with the opportunity to listen to world-leading writers, poets, and novelists in conversations about a wide range of themes. This tour ends when the Festival kicks off. Attendance to the Festival is not included in this tour, and needs to be independently arranged.
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.
Accommodation
Each retreat is carefully chosen for character, comfort and location; not just 4 star rooms, but an integral part of your journey. Nestled among 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 Bali's mountainous spine, arriving in Munduk—a village suspended between earth and cloud. Here, the pace is gentle. Waterfalls cascade through jungle folds, clove and coffee plantations carpet the hillsides, and the air carries a coolness that invites you to slow down completely.
Your accommodation offers comfort wrapped in mountain serenity, with dining experiences that rival anywhere on the island. This is the time to exhale, to wander village paths at your own rhythm, to let the mountain work its quiet magic.
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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 the tour 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 4 star rooms, but an integral part of your journey. Nestled amoung 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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Departure: October 14-21, 2026
Price: $4,950.00 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $5,490.00Ready to discover Bali's hidden heart? Enquire now for full itinerary details.
Full itinerary provided upon request
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Set in the heart of Ubud, Bali's vibrant art and cultural hub, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival brings book lovers of all stripes to Ubud each year with the opportunity to listen to world-leading writers, poets, and novelists in conversations about a wide range of themes.
Alongside author in-conversations and panel discussions, there’ll be a wide-ranging offering of Indonesian dance and performance, literary lunches, guided tours of Ubud’s famous markets, temples, and rice fields, late-night comedy, musical and spoken word galas, as well as book launches, workshops, and events designed to enrich and inspire the imagination.
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This journey departs October 14, 2026, with limited spaces available.
To secure your place or learn more, email fiona@rasavoya.com
Common Questions
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What's Included
7 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
Dinners and 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 (mandatory)
Spa treatments (except where specified)
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
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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: $4,950.00 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $5,490.00Deposit: $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:
90+ days prior: Full refund minus $100 administration fee
60 – 30 days prior: 50% refund
Less than 30 days: no refund
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.
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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: Limited to 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: October in Bali transitions to wet season, warm and increasingly humid (28-32°C) with cooler mountain evenings. Pack light layer for mountain regions.
Cultural Sensitivity: We'll provide guidance on appropriate behaviour, temple dress codes, and cultural protocols to ensure respectful engagement.