Om Swastiastu! Welcome to Ubud, the arts and cultural centre of Bali. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. Afterwards, perhaps head out to Gianyar night market to try some of the local cuisine. It's an informal setup, but a great way to get a taste of the local culture and cuisine. Notes: Your room in Ubud is not air-conditioned but has a ceiling fan. Air conditioning is available for an additional cost – just ask the hotel reception.

Led by your local guide, you will tour Ubud on foot today (approximately 3 hours). Along the way you'll see the goings-on of daily village life, rice fields, an alang alang valley (wild grass that is used for making the roof on traditional buildings), and visit a local painting and handicraft area. The tour ends in central Ubud where you'll have time to explore the many cafes, galleries and shops on your own. Today you'll also visit Bumi Sehat, a local community-based health clinic whose mission is to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality. In the evening you will sit down to a traditional Kecak dance performance. Driven not by musical instruments but by human chanting, this fascinating theatrical performance is considered a highlight by many travellers. Special Information

Set off by bicycle (approximately 3 hours) through backstreets, quaint villages and rice fields – a great way to meet the local people and take in the lovely views. Along the way, you'll make stops for photo opportunities and to rest if you need to. There are plenty of opportunities to visit some of the small and intricately carved temples. Your ride concludes in Ubud. Next, head for the hills and the village of Sidemen, travelling by minivan (approximately 2 hours). Set against a backdrop of Bali's highest peak, Mt Agung, the peaceful and friendly village of Sidemen is proof that Bali has pockets tucked away from the tourism the island is famous for. It's a little cooler up here, thanks to the elevation. Notes: Bicycle helmets are included on your ride, and there is a support vehicle if the going gets too tough.

Take a morning walk (approximately 3–4 hours) around Sidemen, visiting the craftspeople of the local songket weaving industry. A traditional 'bungkus' lunch is included. The walk is a great chance to take in the beautiful scenery. You can also cool off in the river nearby. Continuing your journey higher into the mountains, drive along the crater rim road to a fishing village on the edge of Lake Batur (approximately 2 hours). Volcanic Mt Batur (1,717 m) sits inside a stark and spectacular caldera, and with Lake Batur below it's a stunning sight. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. Your accommodation at the base of Mt Batur is a basic hotel with a restaurant. This is a great location at which to start tomorrow's early morning trek without extra travelling time. Notes: There are often mosquitos and bugs around Lake Batur, so be sure to pack your insect repellent.

Get up at 3 am this morning to walk to the summit of Mt Batur (approximately 1.5–2 hours). You'll be glad you made the effort to rise early when you see the gorgeous sunrise over the valleys of Bali. On a clear morning, it's possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Lombok's Mt Rinjani. This may well be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. Do keep in mind, however, that the weather can be unpredictable and sometimes the view is obscured by clouds. After descending the volcano, there's an option to soak in hot springs with fantastic views over the lake and caldera. Make the journey from the mountains to the small coastal town of Lovina (approximately 3 hours). Lovina is famous for the dolphins that patrol its coast. It's also a great spot for fine food, traditional massage and yoga. Notes: The summit trail follows switchbacks over volcanic rocks and gravel, and in places the trail can be quite steep. A good level of fitness is required. You will also need appropriate walking shoes, a head torch, a waterproof jacket and sufficiently warm clothing for Mt Batur and Bedugul. These items are available for purchase in Bali, but you may prefer to bring them from home to ensure correct fit and quality.

Enjoy a day of snorkelling on Menjangan Island reef, a short boat ride from the coast (there will approximately 2 hours of travel in total). This island and its coral reefs are part of the Bali Barat National Park. Enjoy some free time in Lovina this afternoon, exploring the sun-drenched coastline. Just be careful of rubbish in the water if you go swimming, as this can be a problem after bouts of stormy weather in the waters around Menjangan, as in other coastal areas in Bali. Notes: Intrepid no longer supports dolphin-watching trips as an optional activity, as there is little regulation of them, and many previous travellers have raised concerns over sightings of motorised boats pursuing dolphins.

Bring your swimming gear to visit today as our first stop is a visit to the small but more local Banjar Hot Springs. Continue to the tiny hilltop village of Munduk (approximately 1 hour). Walk through clove and coffee plantations to a hidden waterfall. Visit Lake Bratan nearby for delightful views of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a Hindu-Buddhist temple set on a small island in the lake. Continue to Bedugul (approximately 1 hour). This mountain town is nestled in the cool and misty highlands, in a volcanic lake region covered in lush vegetation. Your warm clothes may come in handy for early mornings and evenings here. Notes: Our accommodation here has no air conditioning, as it is not generally required in the cooler climate of Bedugul.

Visit the Bali Botanical Gardens in Bedugal, where over 2000 species of plants from all over Indonesia are on display in a tranquil highland setting. Continue by minivan to Sanur (approx. 2 hours), and enjoy some free time this afternoon. Sanur's white sand beach stretches along the coast for five kilometres, sheltered along its length by reef making it safe for swimming. You can enjoy a stroll along Bali's first beachfront walk, chat with the locals as they too enjoy the sea and sun, watch the fishermen in the shallows or kick back and relax at one of the beachside restaurants. Sanur maintains its traditions and local customs and ancient temples are only a hop, skip and a jump from the beach. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers

Travel by minivan from Sanur to the port of Padang Bai (approximately 1.5 hours). Then you'll take a fast boat that takes you from Bali to Lombok (1.5-2 hours). Then take a bus to Tetebatu (2 hours). The hill retreat of Tetebatu is situated in the centre of Lombok, at the southern base of Mt Rinjani, and boasts spectacular views.

Enjoy a guided walk through verdant rice fields and see how the farmers of this region have tended the land for centuries, still using traditional water buffalo ploughs. Climb a little higher and pass through clove and coffee plantations (walking time is approximately 2 hours). Visit the local village of Pringgasela to learn traditional weaving and enjoy a delicious Sasak feast. After returning to the hotel, you will travel to Masbagik village, which is noted for its pottery. Explore the village and see the process of pottery making, with the possibility to get down and dirty and try it for yourself. Then continue through the village and see the other products Masbagik is renowned for, such as tofu and soya bean.

Travel by minibus around the spiritual centre and sleeping giant of the island, Mt Rinjani. Visit a market and local villages famous for their crafts, including bamboo weaving. (Total driving time is about 5 hours, but it will take most of the day to reach our destination at Senaru, as we stop a couple of times.) Senaru is a small, rustic village nestled between the base of Mt Rinjani and the edge of the jungle. Notes: We do not include a Mt Rinjani trek on this itinerary, but we do stay in the vicinity with great views of the mountain.

Continue to the west coast today (approximately 2 hours). You will visit the spectacular Singang Gila waterfall. The Gili Islands (Tiga Gili) are an archipelago of three small islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Transfer by small boat to the Gili Air where you can take in the breezy atmosphere and stroll down stunning white beaches that rival those of the neighbouring islands. Your hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the port. Your bags can be transported by Cidemo from the port to the hotel. Notes: Our accommodation on the island has private outdoor bathrooms, with a lockable external doors.

Today you'll get amongst the marine life, with a snorkelling trip around the crystal waters of Gili Air. After being fitted for snorkelling equipment, head out on a motorised wooden around the Gili Islands. Swim out straight off the boat and catch colourful scenes of fish and sea turtles in the water. You will make a few stops at different spots around the islands. When it's over, you'll feast on a delicious dinner of local seafood. Notes: This activity is subject to local weather conditions and may be cancelled due to rough seas.

Take a short boat trip back to Lombok (approximately 40 minutes) and transfer to your guesthouse in Senggigi (approximately 1.5 hours). Ideally positioned to take in the glorious sunsets over nearby Bali, this renowned beach resort is the ideal place to relax and unwind. A great optional activity is to visit the Pura Batu Bolong, which is around 2.5 km south down the coast from the resort. This is an important local Hindu temple and also a lovely spot to watch the sun go down.

Your trip comes to and end today. Perhaps extend your stay in Senggigi, or pre-book a departure transfer to Lombok Airport.