From the Mysteries of Java to the Secrets of Bali

Arrival at Denpasar airport. Formalities, welcome by your local French-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight to Yogyakarta (Java). Welcome in the arrival area by your local French-speaking Javanese guide and transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver to the center of Yogyakarta. Departure towards Magelang to reach the Borobudur site. Discovery of the superb Borobudur temple, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the largest Buddhist temple in the world: its construction dates from the 9th century. The walls of the galleries are entirely carved with bas-reliefs retracing the life of the Buddha. Discovery of the typical Javanese village of Candirejo: ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage, locally known as “dokar” and discovery of this peaceful village. You will crisscross small alleys lined with traditional houses and observe different activities in the village: making cassava biscuits, gamelan, harvesting and drying vanilla or peppers. Lunch at a local home in the village of Candirejo. In the afternoon, visit Pawon and Mendut temples. Mendut, also known as the Bamboo Grove Temple, is a pyramid-shaped temple that houses three impressive carved stone statues, and whose bas-reliefs constitute one of the most brilliant masterpieces of Indo-Javanese art. Pawon is a simple temple but known for its precise symmetry. Transfer to the hotel. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast. Morning dedicated to the discovery of Yogyakarta including the visit of its main sites: The Sultan’s Palace, also known as “Kraton”. This building, built between 1756 and 1790, is a beautiful example of the architecture of the Sultanate of Java. As you wander through the rooms, you will discover this aspect of Javanese culture and heritage. Continue by becak (similar to a cyclo or pedicab) to the nearby village of Kauman built near the Kraton. This village is the central guardian of the Islamic religion, as authorized by the Sultanate. The small alleys of this village are designed to ensure minimal noise disturbance and traffic so as not to interrupt or disturb the Islamic students during their studies. It has also been said that by ensuring that the alleys were only passable on foot, every man was equal. End your becak ride at Taman Sari. This building, adjacent to the royal complex, was built over 200 years ago by the first sultan with baths for his harem. Visit a batik factory then demonstration of Wayang Kulit, the famous leather puppet. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure for Prambanan. These immense ancient Hindu temples were built in the 9th century. This complex has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1991. Discovery of the site whose 3 main temples are dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Brahma the creator, Shiva the destroyer and Vishnu the protector. Dinner in a local restaurant followed by a traditional dance show "Ramayana" at the Pura Wisata theater. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight to Denpasar (Bali). Welcome and transfer to the hotel in the South of Bali. Free meals. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for a day of discovery of West Bali. Drive to Mengwi and visit the superb royal temple of Taman Ayun, built in the mid-17th century by the royal family of Mengwi. Surrounded by wide moats, it seduces visitors with its serenity, the balance of its buildings and the richness of its sculptures. Continue to Jatiluwih, famous for its extraordinary rice terraces classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Departure from the Jatiluwih belvedere for a walk of about 45 minutes in the rice fields with your guide. Discovery of this extraordinary landscape of rice fields and the complex irrigation system of the Subak: the farmers have preserved the same ancestral irrigation techniques for centuries. Lunch in a local restaurant in Jatiluwih. In the afternoon, continue to the mountainous region of Bedugul, renowned for its cool climate and market gardening: the region is also known for its volcanic lakes including Lake Bratan. Visit the lake temple of Pura Ulun Danu. Dedicated to the goddess of water, this delightful little temple built on two islets near the shore seems to float peacefully on the waters of Lake Bratan. Drive to Umabian with a stop at the fruit and orchid market. Check in to the hotel, free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Umabian.

Breakfast. Departure for the village of Tunjunk, where an immersive excursion will be offered to you at the Taman Sari Buwana farm. You will have the opportunity to live a unique experience of Balinese life, by supporting a project based on sustainable tourism in the village of Tunjuk. Discovery of the traditional activities of the village: initiation to the preparation of offerings made from palm leaves for ceremonies, observation of the training of roosters for fights. You will prepare for the activities of the farm: hat and walking stick will be lent to you. You will walk with the farmers to their rice fields, locally known as “Sawah”. Depending on the season, you will learn how to plant, or rather transplant rice. Visit a coconut plantation where the villagers will show their ability to climb and pick young coconuts. A fresh coconut will be served to refresh you. Return to the village to observe the cooking of cassava in the traditional kitchen before enjoying a delicious country lunch. In the afternoon, departure towards Tanah Lot on the west coast of Bali. Visit Tanah Lot, the most famous temple in Bali which stands spectacularly on a small rocky islet about 100 m off the west coast of Bali. Transfer to Ubud, the small cultural and artistic capital of Bali. Check in to your hotel, free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Ubud.

Breakfast. Departure for a day of discovery of the center of Bali. Road towards Tampaksring and stop to visit the archaeological site of Gunung Kawi with its royal tombs dug into the side of a cliff (descent by many stairs, bring good shoes). Visit the sacred spring of Tirta Empul, created according to legend by the god Indra, and which attracts many pilgrims who come to purify themselves in its waters reputed to be miraculous. Road towards the North-East towards Mount Batur. On the way, the small picturesque roads offer very pleasant viewpoints on the rice fields. Arrival at the Penelokan belvedere from which you can admire the splendid view of the volcano and Lake Batur. Lunch in a local restaurant with a superb panoramic view of the volcano. In the afternoon, return to Ubud by taking small picturesque roads. Stop en route in the village Tegallalang which offers spectacular viewpoints on the rice fields, which seem to be cut with a knife. Return to Ubud and visit the Royal Palace, built in the 16th century, the palace is still the home of the King of Ubud and the royal family. Free time at the Ubud market which is full of crafts and traditional products. Return to the hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant in Ubud. Overnight at the hotel in Ubud.

Breakfast. Departure for a day of discovery of the East of Bali. Departure towards Klungkung and visit the old Royal Court of Justice known as Kerta Gosa. The attraction is the ceiling decorated with wayang style paintings illustrating the fight between good and evil. Continue towards Besakih and visit the temple of Besakih, known as the "Mother Temple" of Bali. Located on the western slope of Mount Agung, Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple on the island. Lunch at the local restaurant Maha Giria Rendang with panoramic views of Mount Agung, the highest volcano in Bali (3,142 m) and a superb landscape of rice terraces. Departure by a pretty panoramic road at the foot of Mount Agung to reach via Selat and Sibetan the region of Karangasem, the easternmost of Bali. Arrival in Tirta Gangga and visit the Water Palace built at the beginning of the 20th century by the last king of Karangasem. It has many decorative ponds and fountains, lush vegetation and natural pools. Drive via Amlapura towards Candidasa for your last visit of the day: discovery of the village of Tenganan which is home to the Bali Aga community, (the first inhabitants of Bali before the Hinduization of the island) who have preserved their animist traditions. The village, very different from a Balinese village, has kept a primitive architecture: the inhabitants have always woven superb Ikat and produced basketry. You will follow the south-east coast of Bali to return to Ubud. Dinner and overnight in Ubud.

Breakfast. Free morning in Ubud for a personal discovery of the city. Free lunch. Transfer to the South of Bali. Check-in at the hotel and free end of the day. Dinner and night at the hotel. Optional morning excursions in Ubud (extra charge): - White water rafting on the Ayung River - half day with lunch included - Balinese cooking class at a local home in Paon - half day with lunch included - Mountain bike ride in the countryside near Ubud - half day with lunch included

Breakfast. Free morning and lunch. In the afternoon, departure for an excursion to the Bukit peninsula in the extreme south of Bali and visit the Uluwatu temple perched on high cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. At sunset, you will attend a performance of the spectacular Kecak dance in the Uluwatu open-air theater. Transfer to Jimbaran in the south of Bali for a dinner of grilled fish and seafood served directly on the beautiful Jimbaran beach. Return to your hotel. Night at the hotel.

Free stay with breakfast.

Breakfast. Transfer to Denpasar. Flight to France. Meals and overnight stay on board.

Arrival in France.