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Island of Bali New Year's Escape Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Bali 

Arrival at Denpasar Bali, Indonesia - Ngurah Rai (DPS) international Airport  in Bali. Our local representative will welcome you outside of the arrival hall and drive you to the group's hotel in Ubud.

Check-in, relax and discover the stunning surroundings of our hotel. Try a soothing Balinese massage to get over your jet-leg and recover some energy. Today is the first step to get in touch with the balanced Balinese way of life.

Day2: Bali Temples

After breakfast, we visit one of the oldest temples in Bali, Gunung Kawi Temple, built in the 11th century. Have a chance to meditate, listen and experience the mystery of these historical remains built into the side of a small mountain and surrounded by lush green tropical rice fields. The temple includes a bit of a climb down steps, and back again.

Then we continue to Tegallalang for a perfect Bali photo opportunity with dramatic views. The vista sprawls down and away to the rice terraces on the slopes across the valley. Some tines, the farmer who owns the land invites visitors to sample his green coconut drink, as well as to purchase woven hats that he makes from coconut leaves as well as posing with them for a small fee.

Then on to Yeh Pulu, an ancient complex of rock carvings containing some of the most mysterious and important sculptures from the 14th century. Afterwards we continue to Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, which is carved into a cliff face and dates back to the 11 century. The entrance to the cave is richly carved in the face of a demon and we enter the cave through the demon's gaping mouth. The site is thought to have been partially destroyed by a natural disaster and lay undetected before it was rediscovered in 1923. Many feel an overwhelming sense of stepping back in time upon visiting Goa Gajah.

Lunch will be provided at the Talisman Restaurant near the Elephant Cave before we drive back to Ubud.

Welcome Dinner will be hosted at Café Wayan Ubud with Balinese traditional performance

Day 3: White Water Rafting and Elephant Safari

Experience Bali’s most popular and exciting tour combination today as we go white water rafting on Ayung River followed by a visit to Elephant Safari Ride Park. The action starts when we launch into a 5 mile river stretch, navigating through class II and III rapids set to a backdrop of wild unspoiled rainforest, towering gorges and magnificent rice paddy terraces. Professionally trained guides pilot safety-equipped rafts through the best river runs, dramatic drops and spectacular waterfalls to make our Bali rafting ride a fun and awesome experience.

After rafting have a nice buffet lunch followed by a short drive to the Elephant Safari Park.

The Park at Taro has Bali's largest herd of 27 Elephants including 2 baby elephants that can be hand fed. Get up close and personal with these incredible animals in a beautiful tropical park setting. The experience of sitting high a top an elephant in a teak wood chair, through the cool jungle of Taro, is an experience you'll never forget. The Elephant Safari Park in Taro is the ONLY complete elephant experience in the world - making it truly unique.

Day 4: Rural Village Tour by Land Cruiser

A 4-wheel drive adventure to experience the mystical heart and soul of this amazing island, hidden far away from the bustle and the crowd of the world. Travel in a legendary land Rover, on tiny country roads and tracks, through terraces rice fields and untouched rainforest to the real heart of Bali. Exploring the island by Land Rover lets us infiltrate the areas around Mount Batukaru, which is still natural with muddy fields.

Visit the unusual and traditional, see the Balinese people as they work, pray and play. Traverse the spectacular country side, slowly with plenty of photo stops along the way. Explore an ancient quarry where stones are still cut by ancestral methods to build the temples and shrines of the island. Pass temples, small forgotten villages and shrines and always the mountains are in the distance - getting closer.

Day 5: Ubud, Cooking Class - New Year's Eve

Today we learn the secrets of Balinese organic cooking at a traditional village near Ubud. Embark on a culinary adventure to unlock the secrets of authentic Balinese cooking, utilizing traditional ingredients and preparation methods in a fully equipped community kitchen. A total experience - starting with a trip to the market, a walk through the rice paddies with explanations on how the whole system works, then a trip around the village, then the cooking class. We will be lead by wonderful hosts and guides, being in a village house, and learning more about how they live.

Tonight we enjoy a New Year's Dinner Celebration at our hotel

Day 6: Bali Bird Park - Sanur Beach

After our last breakfast in Ubud, we move to the southern part of Bali, the “place to go, the place to be” at the moment – not a transfer, a journey through wood and stone carving villages.

On our way we visit the Bali Bird Park. Witness the largest and finest collection of Indonesian birds in the world plus fantastic birds from Africa & South America. Encompassing five acres of botanical landscape, the park provides sanctuary to almost 1000 birds of 250 different species in their natural habitats & in large walk in Aviaries. The bird park has an amazing display of flora with more then 2000 tropical plants including 50 varieties of palms alone and attracts numerous butterflies.

We continue to a nearby Batik Factory and then a late afternoon check in at the Sanur Beach Hotel, located on the sandy beach of Sanur and is surrounded by 16 acres of tropical gardens with mature trees and coconut palms.

Day : Fun on the Beach

Have the whole day to enjoy the ammenities of our beach hotel. Relax at the pool or the beach. Do an activity like parasailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, jet ski, ocean kayak, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and tours with a glass bottom boat. Visit the Odiseus Spa in a tranquil garden at the beach front.

Day 8: East Bali Explorer

Today we explore the eastern part of Bali island, beginning with a visit to the royal city of Klungkung. The famous ancient royal court hall. Kerta Gosa is beautifully carved and decorated, the underside of the roof is covered with frescoes depicting the punishments awaiting the wrongdoer in hell. The court hall was built on high stone platforms so that the trials were visible to all.

A drive up the hills leads to the old weaving village of Sidemen, located in the middle of beautiful rice terraces. Visit a weaving family's private home to see how cloths are made in the traditional centuries-old way. Lunch in a local restaurant before we reach the most important and sacred temple for all Balinese, the Besakih Temple, also called the Mother Temple. Located on the slopes of the holy mountain Gunung Agung at 3278 feet, Besakih is actually a complex of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges, with stepped terraces and flights of stairs ascending to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire Meru structure, called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual upward and closer to the mountain Gunung Agung which is considered sacred.

The way back to our hotel leads us through picturesque villages, stunning scenery, forests, rice fields and terraces, volcanoes, all linked to fast flowing rivers and deep ravines.

Day 9: Uluwatu Temple

Morning to relax and enjoy the beach and hotel.

In the afternoon we will ride along the hills of Bali’s southern peninsula, known as Bukit Bukit offers a landscape and topography unequalled by any other region of the island. Visit the highly venerated Uluwatu temple, one of the oldest temples in Bali and built on the most southern cliffs facing the Indian Ocean. Free living and curious monkeys will be our new friends as we visit the temple.

The evening ends with our Farewell Dinner at dinner at Purawisata Temple.

The stories which are carved on the Prambanan's reliefs come alive during the Ramayana Ballet. Walmiki's epic is created into an enchanting performance, mixed with a variety of elements from the art or dance, music, drama, lyrics and song, make-up, costumes which are selected, stage and lighting that become arts performance.

Day 10: Time to say Good-Bye

Relax at our hotel before being transfered to the airport and your flight home. It is now time to say good-by to Bali and all your new single travel friends.

Island of Bali December 27 - January 5, 2013 Price - $2,495* Includes * 9 Nights of Accommodations * Breakfast Daily  * 5 Lunches - 3 Dinners * Guided Tours per itinerary * English Speaking Travel Leader * Airport/Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates * All Taxes and Surcharges *The price per person is for a double room. Best Single Travel provides roommate matching so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $995 Not Included * International Airfare * Visa on Arrival ($25 per person) * Tips $100 - collected on first day * Pre-Night Hotel w/Transfer - $150

Deposit $400 Balance Due November 1, 2012

Island of Java
30s - 40s -50s & Active 60s Singles Pre-Trip
December 23 - December 27, 2012
$695

Java is the world's most populous island with a population of 136 million and home to 60% of Indonesia's population. Java was the centre of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires and is still visible in the 1000 years old Buddhist Temple of Borobudur and the Hindu Temple complex of Prambanan. The island was the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies and was at the centre of Indonesia's campaign for independence. Formed mostly as the result of volcanic events, Java is the 13th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in Indonesia. A chain of volcanic mountains forms an east-west spine along the island.

The Island of Java Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Yogyakarta on the Island of Java

Upon arrival at Adisucipto International Airport (JOG) Jogjakarta you will be met and transferred to the group's hotel. Meet your hostess tonight

Day 2: Jogja City Tour -Prambanan

Our full day Jogjakarta tour takes us to the Sultan Palace (Kraton) dating back to the 17th century and Watercastle, site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. Take time to admire the famous traditional handicraft works of Kotagede central, of silver smiths as well as a traditional batik home industry, famous Malioboro street, a great long-colorful bazaar of souvenir shops and old market Beringharjo.

In the afternoon explore Java’s most interesting Hindu shrine Prambanan temple with its bas-relief depicting the famous Ramayana story. Locally known as the Loro Jonggrang Temple, or the temple of the "Slender Virgin", it is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. It is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century and has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Visnu and Brahma.

Tonight enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Dieng – Borobudur

Our drive this morning takes us through local villages and paddies to spectacular scenic points and an ancient pilgrim’s retreat in Central Java. Dieng, a silent mountain plateau with its eerie strangeness and proximity to the heavens is aptly called the Abode of the Gods. Sites include a hot spring, a multi-colored lake, candis and some impressive scenery from the peaks. Enjoy the scenery as we drive through the tea and tobacco plantations of Sindoro-Sumbing valley.

The Borobodur Temple complex has the most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world. Thought to have been built at the end of the 7th century A.D. or the beginning of the 8th it was the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Java for over a century. Erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid it has a central stupa forming the summit and the whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha.

Day 4: Solo – Sukuh - Cetho

Today we drive to Solo in central Java to visit the Mangkunegaran Palace. Built in the 18th century, the huge audience hall is claimed to be the largest one in Indonesia. The palace also features an exquisite collection of dance masks, wayang orang (dance drama) costumes, leather and wooden wayang puppets, religious icons, jewelry, and uncountable other antiques and heirlooms.

Time to visit the Triwindu Flea Market before we drive eastward to explore the mysterious ancient sites of Sukuh temple. Candi Sukuh is a Hindu temple built on the slopes of the mountain Gunung Lawu. Built in the 15th century, Candu Sukuh looks like no other Javanese temple, it more resembles the architecture of the Incas. It is a fertility temple and contains some fairly explicit stone carvings.

Next we travel up a scenic, winding mountain road to another Hindu temple at Cetho to enjoy the beauty of its peaceful surrounding.

Day 5: Depart Jogjakarta for Bali

Take an early flight (8:00am) to Bali and enjoy the day at the beach or relax at the hotel pool.

Hotel
 

The Island of Java December 23 - December 27, 2012 $695* Includes * 4-Nights Accommodations * Breakfast Daily * 1 Dinners * Singles Travel Hostess * English Speaking Guides * Tours and Admissions as stated in itinerary * Airport / Hotel Transfers on Tour Dates * Taxes and Surcharges *The price per person is for a double room. Free roommate matching is available so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement".  If you wish to room alone the cost is an additional $275 Not included * Flights between Bali and Java * Tips $40 collected the first day of tour * Pre-Night Hotel w/Transfer - $100

Deposit - $200 Balance Due November 1, 2012