Going off the beaten track in Bali’s countryside to feel the magic of ‘The Island of the Gods’
Surya Shanti Sidemen
Highlights
Beautiful boutique feel,
Staggering scenery
Best for
Couples
Families
An absolutely gorgeous hillside retreat in eastern Bali. This boutique hideaway has a genuine Balinese atmosphere with rice paddies and mist-veiled peaks all around.
This lovely hotel is great for travellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Bali’s main tourist areas, with relaxation, unique excursions and rural charm in equal measure.
The small riverside spa here offers a generous range of treatments, while the open-air library, relaxed bar and infinity pool all make for brilliant spots to unwind and take in the spectacular natural surroundings.
The views from each villa – and almost every corner of the resort – are honestly spectacular.
As for the lovely staff, they’re really warm and attentive, whether they’re serving up afternoon tea on the terrace or guiding you on a walk through the surrounding paddy fields. There’s plenty more to keep you entertained too – from cooking classes and white-water rafting to boat trips and a bit of shopping in Ubud.
The Rooms
There are just 10 stylish villas tucked into a valley, each fringed by emerald foliage with valley views.
Interiors blend natural materials, traditional Balinese style and comfort with a strong sense of space and tranquillity throughout. They come with charming four-poster beds, thatched-styled roofs and lovely bathrooms.
For those travelling with teens, the Mezzanine Family Villa is a great choice as it has two storeys with room to spread out.
For the most authentic room, go for the Joglo Saraswati villa, which has classical Balinese architecture and a cultural feel.
Whichever villa you stay in, you’ll sink into a peaceful atmosphere and overlook awe-inspiring views.
What You’ll Find:
- Ten thatched-roof villas, each with open-air layouts and local character
- A riverside spa offering Balinese treatments in a natural setting
- Not one but two infinity pools overlooking tropical scenery
Why You’ll Love It:
- Feel a whole world away from Bali's hustle and bustle
- Relax by the lovely pool or do a hands-on cooking class
- Sip tea on the terrace or a drink by the pool as the sun dips behind the hills
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in Indonesia
A few of our favourite routes – hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans – just ideas of what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
The Spirit of Indonesia
This sample itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors and has been designed to introduce curious travellers to the wonders and contrasts of Indonesia.
You’ll hop across three of its islands: exploring the cultural heartland of Java, delving into the magical countryside of Bali, and ending with a dose of beachside bliss on Lombok.
Highlights
Java
Soak up the sunrise over Borobudur Temple with breakfast, before being the first in the complex
Ubud
Delve into the heart of Balinese culture in the countryside, away from the crowds
West Lombok
Live the dream and relax on the beautiful beaches
Gallery
Map
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Bali & Lombok Family Adventure
This suggested trip is designed to give families a truly immersive experience of Bali and Lombok without too many stops or long transfers.
The accommodation enhances the immersive nature of the trip without breaking the bank, and it‘s family-friendly throughout (but not in the all-inclusive, ‘Kids Club’ sense of the term).
Highlights
The Ayung River
Exhilarating white-water rafting
Ubud
Delve into the heart of Balinese culture in the countryside, away from the crowds
West Lombok
Live the dream and relax on the beautiful beaches
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Sacred Trails & Secluded Bays in Indonesia
A luxury holiday with once-in-a-lifetime experiences in wonderful hotels: from Amanjiwo in Java’s cultural heartland to Capella Ubud and RASCAL Voyages in Komodo National Park.
Highlights
Borobudur
Watch the magnificent Borobudur Temple arise from morning mist
Bali
Delve into the island’s cascading countryside with its spiritual air
Komodo National Park
Spot the legendary Komodo dragons and snorkel with tropical fish and graceful rays
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Journey East across Java & Bali
Journey through Java to Bali, taking in the contrasting cultures and scenery of the exotic neighbouring islands.
Highlights
Borobudur
Watch the magnificent Borobudur Temple arise from morning mist in the cultural heartland of Java
Mount Bromo & Ijen
Experience the drama of these volcanoes the ETG way
Bali
Avoid the overcrowded southern beaches and spend time in the unspoiled West Bali National Park
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Java, Borneo & Beach: Orangutans, Temples & Castaway Islands
Encounter Borneo’s amazing wildlife, journey through Java’s volcanic landscapes visiting impressive temples, and finish with an idyllic stay on an exclusive tropical island.
Highlights
Kalimantan
Staying in the Borneo rainforest to see orangutans and other wildlife
Java
Exploring the countryside and the magical temples of Indonesia’s cultural heartland
The Karimunjawa Islands
Living the dream at an exclusive, tropical island hideaway
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Borneo, Java & Bali Adventure
Come face-to-face with the wondrous wildlife of Indonesian Borneo, explore the cultural heartland of Java and relax in Bali’s leafy countryside.
Highlights
Kalimantan
A once-in-a-lifetime experience in Borneo, spotting wildlife from your private houseboat
Java
Soaking up a surreal sunrise over ancient temples and volcanoes
Bali
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Classic Bali & Lombok
The neighbouring islands of Bali and Lombok are easily combined. With a range of gorgeous boutique hotels in even its most rural areas, we think Bali is the better of the two for experiencing culture and countryside without compromising on creature comforts.
Lombok, however, has some exceptional beach hotels, and its coastal areas are far less congested than Bali’s southern shoreline.
A holiday combining the exotic sights and sounds of Bali with the idyllic white-sand beaches of Lombok is a winning combination.
Highlights
Bali
Experience the countryside, temples and scenery of Sideman and Ubud
Take a speedboat across the Lombok Strait with a backdrop of dramatic volcanoes
Lombok
Relax on the idyllic Mangsit Beach on the remote northwest coast
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Exploring Flores & Komodo
Explore exotic Flores, stalk dragons in Komodo National Park and relax in the most beautiful parts of Bali.
Highlights
Flores
Discovering the ancient rituals and traditions of the Ngada people in the highlands of Bajawa
Flores
Watching the volcanic crater lakes in Kelimutu change colour in front of your eyes
Komodo National Park
Spotting Komodo dragons on Rinca and exploring the marine wonders
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Java & The Lesser Sunda Islands
Discover the heartland of Java, then head east to sail around the wildly beautiful Komodo National Park, before exploring magical Bali and lovely Lombok.
Highlights
Borobudur
Watch the magnificent Borobudur Temple arise from morning mist in the cultural heartland of Java
Bali & Lombok
Be amazed by the distinct flora and fauna found along the ecological boundary of the Wallace Line
Komodo National Park
Spot the legendary Komodo dragons and snorkel with tropical fish and graceful rays
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Komodo Adventure & Magical Bali
Combine the wondrous wildlife and natural splendour of Komodo National Park with the timeless, atmospheric beauty of Bali.
Highlights
Komodo National Park
Set off on a once-in-a-lifetime boat adventure, waking up each day surrounded by soul-stirring sea and sky
Komodo National Park
Dive into a vibrant marine world, swimming alongside turtles, nemo and gliding rays
Tabanan, Bali
Trek through lush rice paddies and volcanic valleys, getting a feel for Bali’s spiritual air
Explore Full Itinerary
Bali
Contrasts of Sulawesi, Bali & Lombok
Think thick terrain, temples and tribes. Fascinating traditions, magnificent scenery, doses of downtime: a journey of a lifetime.
Highlights
Sulawesi
Trekking through remote villages to learn about their fascinating and elaborate rituals
Lombok
Soaking up glorious sunsets from your beach retreat on Lombok
Bali
Experiencing authentic Balinese life in the island’s remarkable countryside
Gallery
Surya Shanti Sidemen on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
ETG look outside the box
They always come up with things that no one else seems to, that's why they are so good. They are original and trying their best to show you the real country and people and not the facade. Great listeners, always a smile and a good banter... exceptional service and insight.
First-class Island Hopping in Indonesia
Fantastic journey, away from the tourists hotspots, of Java, Borneo, Bali and Komodo. All means of transport and wide variety of experiences from primary jungle to volcanos to dragons.
Temples, Volcanoes and Dragons of Indonesia
A 16 night family holiday with 2 teenage boys. We did enough cultural visits to keep mum happy but with volcano visit, swimming pools, Komodo dragons, snorkelling and seeing Manta rays the boys had a fantastically diverse holiday.
I have used Experience Travel Group three times now and would highly recommend them.
A Brilliant Adventure (Bali and Beyond)
Decided we wanted to do more than just go to Bali so asked for something different and some travelling around, and what an adventure it turned out to be. Highlight climbing the Ijen volcano in East Java a fantastic experience with our very experienced guide... Then off to Sumba a magical and intriguing island... The whole trip was a great mixture of adventure, culture and lovely hotels.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia
With over 17,000 islands and endless possibilities, planning a holiday to Indonesia can quickly become overwhelming. To help you cut through the noise and avoid decision fatigue, we’ve created The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia.
Inside, you’ll find our experts’ top picks for standout experiences and places to stay, along with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and returning travellers.
