Destination: Indonesia

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Bali - Leaving The Crowds Behind

TWO WEEKS

First have fun in Bali’s south, then get the heck out! This trip takes you up Bali’s stunning and spiritual peaks before sending you hiking lush hillside hideaways and on to mostly undiscovered Nusa Penida. Then it’s off to the quietest parts of Lombok.



Escape the day-trippers’ trails and explore the central mountains. Tackle Gunung Agung, the spiritual centre of the island. Start early so you can reach the top and take in the views of Bali and other islands before the daily onslaught of clouds and mist.

Having climbed Bali’s most legendary peak, head west to the little village of Munduk, which looks down to the north coast and the sea beyond. Go on one of many of walks in the area and enjoy waterfalls, truly tiny villages, wild fruit trees and the sinuous bands of rice paddies lining the hills like ribbons. Then head a bit south to the wonderful temple of Pura Luhur Batukau, then consider a trek up Bali’s second highest mountain, Gunung Batukau.

Now bounce across the waves to Nusa Penida the huge island visible from much of the south and east – it’s lush, arid and almost unpopulated. Take in the amazing vistas off its cliffs and some huge marine life diving under the waves.

Head to Lombok and ignore the resorts in the east. Instead head south. Well off the beaten path, the south coast near Lombok’s Kuta has stunning beaches and surfing which will reward the intrepid. The little-driven back roads of the interior will thrill the adventurous and curious, with tiny villages where you can leave your regular life far behind and learn about the amazing local handicrafts. Many of these roads lead up the flanks of Gunung Rinjani, the volcanic peak which shelters the lush and remote Sembalun Valley. Trekking from one village to the next on the rim can take days, but is one of the great walks.