Day 7 : TEMPLES, TERRACES & TRANQUILLITY – FROM UBUD TO LOVINA VIA BALI’S SACRED HEART
This morning, after breakfast, your driver will collect you at 09:00 for a richly rewarding journey across the central highlands of Bali. Your destination is Lovina, the peaceful north coast haven known for its black-sand beaches and calm waters — but today’s route is a highlight in itself, filled with Bali’s cultural and natural gems.
Your first stop is the stunning Tanah Lot Temple, a 16th-century sea temple perched dramatically on a rock formation surrounded by crashing waves. Dedicated to the sea god Baruna, this sacred site is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bali. During low tide, it’s possible to walk from the cliffside to the base of the temple, allowing for incredible photo opportunities and a closer spiritual connection.
Continue your scenic drive to the lush Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO-listed landscape carved in intricate green layers into the mountainside — a true example of Bali’s harmonious relationship with nature and the ancient subak irrigation system.
Next, breathe in the vibrant aromas of the Candi Kuning Fruit & Flower Market, where local vendors offer exotic produce, colourful orchids, and tropical blooms. Nearby lies the serene Lake Bratan, with its jewel-like waters reflecting the graceful spires of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan — a temple floating ethereally on the lake’s surface, dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu. This photogenic site is one of Bali’s most revered and spiritual temples.
Before leaving the highlands, visit the Monkey Forest Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana), where cheeky long-tailed macaques roam freely through ancient temple ruins and lush forest paths. Keep your belongings close, as the curious monkeys are known for their mischief! A guided visit with expert commentary can be arranged at additional cost for those who’d like deeper insight into the site’s mythology and ecology.
As the afternoon unfolds, continue the drive through scenic mountain roads past the twin crater lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, offering misty vistas and photo-worthy moments. By evening, you arrive in the coastal tranquillity of Lovina, where calm seas and relaxed charm await. Check into your hotel and settle in for a peaceful night in this northern gem of Bali.