Luxury Bali, Lombok and Java Explorer

Enjoy your time in lively Seminyak watching the burning sunsets over the Bali Sea, sampling a fusion of Indonesian and Western cuisine in stylish restaurants, or simply retreat to your private pool villa and relax.

Bumbu Bali has been a culinary institution since Heinz von Holzen first opened its doors in 1997. After studying the local cuisine for 15 years, while working as a chef in top resorts, Heinz pioneered Bumbu Bali as a cooking school.

Your day starts with a visit to the local to source the freshest ingredients. It is an early start, but worth is as you get to experience the colourful village market, which in the early hours is already is bustling with activity. Here you'll find an abundance of vegetables and spices. You'll then proceed to the famous fish market of Kedonganan, at the northern end of Jimbaran bay. The catch comes in at dawn every morning and this is where you may run into the chefs of Bali's fine dining restaurants. From here you will drive to Cape Benoa where a healthy breakfast of Balinese cakes, fruits, and black rice pudding awaits at Bumbu Bali.

Following breakfast you will spend four entertaining hours in a wide open Balinese kitchen, learning how to create authentic, tasty local dishes. The morning culminates in a celebratory lunch during which you'll taste the dishes you have helped to prepare.

Drive north, enjoying the beautiful landscape of rice terraces and peaceful villages as you go. Pura Luhur Batukau is a temple complex from the 12th century that is located on the southern slope of Mount Batukaru, Bali's second highest peak. It is one of nine 'cardinal' temples meant to protect Bali from evil spirits and is an extremely sacred site for the Hindu population. You will then visit the Jatiluwih Valley, one of the most astonishing examples of terraced agriculture in the world. In Jatiluwih, the landscape is a sculpture that has been meticulously perfected over some 500 years by many generations of farmers who collectively created an intricate infrastructure of dams, canals and aqueducts to irrigate their individual rice fields most efficiently.

With lush greenery and steep rice terraces that flank the soaring banks of the Ayung River, Ubud is one of Bali’s most scenic and relaxed destinations. It is also peppered with the island’s most important holy sites, temples and artisan workshops. Spend time exploring the local culure, taking in the epic landscape and relaxing in this beautful part of Bali.

Today you will drive to Carangsari village, a district that grows a vast range of vegetables, coffee, vanilla, corn and more. Explore the village with its charming atmosphere, visiting the home of a Balinese family where you will get ready for your cycling tour.

This cycle tour covers around 25km on flat village roads and paths through the rice paddies. The tour will end in Sangeh village, known for its monkey forest. The forest is filled with giant nutmeg trees and is home to Balinese monkeys, who are believed to be sacred and indeed will approach anyone paying respects at the temple. You'll also find the Pura Bukit Sari temple in the heart of the forest. You will then take a short drive to enjoy a tasty Indonesian lunch.

You will be met at the hotel and drive to Penelokan Village, enjoying a break for coffee and cake while enjoy stunning views of Mount and Lake Batur. You'll start the trek mis afternoon and walk for approximately 1.5 hours to get the Mount Batur rim where your chef starts to prepare the food. As you are back from the peak, enjoy the awesome sunset on the horizon and when the sky turns dark, a bottle of local wine will be opened. A three-course meal follows as you look out over Mount Batur, one of the most dramatic and accessible live volcanos on earth. Trek back on the other trek to get easy descending and back to the hotel at about 22:00.

Spend time lazing on white sand beaches, sailing around the Gilli Islands, or trekking the foothills of Mount Rinjani. You can do as much or as little as you like, it's entirely up to you. Speak to your personal travel designer about how you wish to pass your time here on Lombok.

Today you will head out in a private boat and explore the famous Gili Islands. These three paradise islands are located off the northwest coast of Indonesia and are ideal for diving and snorkelling. The islands are free from motorised vehicles, and the most popular way to get around is by bicycle and the traditional cidomo - a small horse cart. First, head to Gili Trawangan, which is the largest and most popular island, where you can find an uncomplicated, relaxed backpacker atmosphere of beach restaurants. The other islands are more remote and quieter, ideal if you wish to dream away the day.

Spend your days in this peaceful area of Java discovering the awe-inspiring Borobudur Temple, which is particularly impressive at sunrise. You'll also have the chance to explore the surrounding countryside and villages.

Wake up early at 4.30 to witness the sun rise on the world-famous Borobudur temple. Without a doubt this is the best time of the day to explore this massive Buddhist temple - the largest in the world - and discover its magic. It was the Sailendra dynasty that embraced Mahayana Buddhism in the early 9th century and the temple took almost 100 years to be completed. Borobudur is a massive pyramid that rises up from the green plains like the neighboring volcanoes. From its 150,000-square-foot base, you'll climb up six tiers to the top. The top level is dotted with 72 small, latticework stupas, each with a statue of Buddha inside, visible through the grates. Your knowledgeable tour guide will explain the history of Buddhism and the site as you enjoy the incredible views and atmosphere. You will also be able to see the majestic Merapi Mountain.

After the tour you'll take a private exit leading to Dagi Hill where you'll enjoy views of the temple while enjoying a warming cup of coffee. Head back to your hotel in time for breakfast.

A short drive will bring you to Candi Rejo village, from where you will start hiking to Menoreh Hill. It takes around an hour to walk to the top, and once there you will enjoy stunning views of the Borobudur Temple, surrounded by the four mountains of Merapi, Merbabu, Sumbing and Sindoro. Descend back to Candi Rejo village where you'll have the chance to visit a local house and enjoy coffee and cake.

The Jathilan trance dance is the most eye-catching and dramatic dance in central Java. The dancer is attached to a flat bamboo horse and dances along with traditional music until he is entranced by wild spirits. He rolls on the ground several times, whipped by the dukun - the leader of the jatilan group. This man is the most important man in the dance; he must have the ability to control the trance dancer and at the end has to order him to stop and bring him back to conciousness. Locals usually arranged this performance when there is a ceremony to entertain their family, relatives and neighbours.