Planning a trip to Bali and Lombok is usually a little bit complicated. There are such a lot of fashionable cafes, yoga studios and swanky hotels-turned-nightclubs to take care of – and that’s earlier than you even begin to look exterior Ubud. To assist lower via the noise, and level you in the appropriate route, we sat down with one in every of our skilled native leaders to seek out out what they’d suggest. Â
Hailing from Lombok Island, Andy has been main small group adventures for Intrepid since 2017. His love for the nice open air means he’s recurrently traipsing throughout the nation both rafting, biking or mountaineering, and seeing what lies exterior the primary metropolis hubs.Â
Right here are Andy’s high tips about what to see and do throughout your vacation to Bali and Lombok. Â
Photograph captured by Damian Raggatt
1. Hike to Lempuyang Temple on Bali
With its lush valley location, Lempuyang Temple gives among the greatest views in Bali. The temple, which occurs to be one of many six holiest locations of workshop in Bali, is a photographer’s paradise, due to the putting Heavenly Gates framing Mt Agung within the distance. Whereas many travellers get dropped off by bus on the high of the temple, Andy says he prefers to do one thing a bit totally different.Â
‘We climb about 1,700 steps via rainforests to reach on the essential temple on the high. It makes the arrival extra attention-grabbing, and also you get a greater understanding of the place the temple is positioned.’  Â
Alongside the way in which you’ll have the prospect to identify long-tailed macaque monkeys and study native mythology. For those who’re fortunate, you is likely to be greeted by a Hindu priest and invited into the temple’s internal sanctum for a personal tour whenever you get to the highest. Â
Hike to Lempuyang Temple on our Bali & Lombok: Hike, Bike and Raft tour.Â
Using previous chili plantations in Bali. Photograph by Damien Raggatt.
2. Cycle via rice terraces in Jatiluwih
As a biking aficionado, it’s no shock that biking makes Andy’s listing of high issues to do in Bali. He recurrently leads Intrepid’s biking excursions on the island and likes to get within the saddle to discover.Â
‘I wish to cycle across the Jatiluwih rice terrace. It’s often known as among the best rice terraces in Bali, and since 2012 has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Website. Biking via this space, maintaining to the small roads, offers you a good way to see village life and native folks working within the discipline.’Â
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 As a result of the Jatiluwih rice terrace performs such an necessary position within the social lives and cultural of the native Balinese, UNESCO selected to offer the positioning a Cultural recognition somewhat than recognising it only for its stunning location. Â
Cycle via Jatiluwih’s rice terraces on Intrepid Journey’s Cycle Bali tour. Â
Mt. Rinjani
3. Camp on the summit of Mt Rinjani
The total-day trek to Mt Rinjani is likely one of the more difficult actions on Lombok, however it’s additionally probably the most rewarding. At 3,726 metres (12,224 feet), it’s the second highest volcano in Indonesia, and the trail to the summit takes you thru shaded forests and open grasslands. Â
‘The view from the summit is spectacular. You’ll be able to see all the way in which to Lombok Island and, as a result of we camp right here in a single day, you’ll be able to watch a particular sundown above the clouds whereas having fun with a cup of tea or espresso.’Â
You may also rise up early the subsequent morning to catch the dawn earlier than starting the descent again right down to Senaru. Andy says that typically he likes to cease together with his group at waterfalls on the way in which again for a refreshing bathe. Â
Photograph by Gemma Saunders
 4. Eat native dishes at Tetebatu Village on Lombok Island.
For those who wound again the clock on Ubud by about 20 years, you’d find yourself with one thing that appears so much like Tetebatu village on Lombok Island, a place that hasn’t but been touched by the excesses of over-tourism. As a local of Lombok himself, Andy says visiting the village offers guests an actual perception into native tradition.Â
‘We cease in at Masbagik Village, the place quite a lot of conventional pottery is produced. Right here you’ll be able to see the pottery being made after which we go to a neighborhood restaurant the place you’ll be able to strive some specialty meals from Lombok Island.’Â
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Andy says weddings are historically held on Sundays on Lombok, and it’s commonplace for his group to be pulled into the marriage festivities whereas visiting the villages!Â
You’ll be able to go to Tetebatu Village on Intrepid Journey’s Bali & Lombok Journey. Â
A lady snorkels in Gili Air. Photograph by Megan Hart.
5. Bliss out on Gili Air
 If you wish to bliss out amongst white sand seashores and clear waters, Andy says there’s nowhere else to be than Gili island.  Â
‘Gili Air is just round 5 okilometres (3 miles) round and there aren’t any automobiles or bikes on the island. The native folks solely use horse carts or bicycles to get round. The seashores are good for snorkelling, diving, get up paddle boarding and extra. One of the best bit is on the finish of the day, when you’ll be able to catch the sundown whereas having fun with a cocktail on the seaside.’Â
Again on land there’s loads of different actions to take pleasure in too, like yoga or a cooking class specialising in Indonesian delicacies. Â
You’ll be able to unwind at Gili Air on Intrepid’s devoted Uncover Lombok tour.   Â
For those who’re dreaming of a tropical escape, Intrepid Journey has an entire vary of small group adventures in Bali. Click on right here to verify them out.Â
Function picture by Damien Raggatt.Â