Bali Immersion: Jungle Glamping & Untouched Isles

Om Swastiastu! Welcome to Bali. Your adventure begins at Denpasar Airport where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to transport you to your resort in Ubud. Set amid green hillsides and rice paddies, this is Bali’s largest Hindu town – and its artistic and spiritual heart – with an abundance of temples, museums and galleries. After checking in at your chic suburban hideaway, there’ll be time to freshen up before meeting your group and Pack Leader. Break the ice over welcome drinks and a traditional Indonesian dinner – your first authentic taste of the Island of the Gods. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a short but scenic walk along the Campuhan Ridge, where a gentle path leads through a lush jungle landscape. Marvel at the sweeping views of the verdant valley below. See locals working in the terraced fields. And stop for a homemade jamu or iced lemongrass tea at a bamboo-thatched cafe. Lunch today is at a scenic restaurant surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies, then it’s back to Ubud to explore. First, you’ll visit the 19th-century royal palace to admire the vast water lily ponds and beautiful Balinese architecture. Then, you’ll head to a coffee studio for an interactive workshop where you’ll perfect the art of roasting, cupping, brewing and tasting the perfect golden espresso – an essential Balinese skill.  

Ubud takes its name from ‘Ubad’ meaning medicine and you’re never far from rural ceremonies and temple offerings. This morning, you’ll take part in a water purification ritual dating back 5,000 years. Bathing in the sacred pools and bowing your head before each spring, you’ll be cleansed of negative energy – a life-affirming experience. Feeling renewed, you’ll continue your journey to an all-inclusive glamping retreat, secluded in the jungle-clad hills near Manggis. The gorgeous canvas cabins are part of a self-sustaining eco-community where you’ll be spending the next few days immersed in local life. After an orientation walk through the village, take a dip in the ocean-view infinity pool before gathering with your group for dinner.

Wake up to views of tropical fruit orchards and fertile vegetable gardens clinging to the volcanic hillside right outside your door. Today, you’ll be helping out on the community farm, getting stuck into the daily activities and learning how organic farming practices go hand in hand with Hindu beliefs of being kind to nature. Depending on the season, expect to find yourself ankle deep in mud planting rice seeds by hand, or grappling with a sickle to harvest the golden crops. New skills learned and a fun time had, your group will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch in the farmer’s home before an afternoon at leisure – the perfect opportunity to indulge in a mindful yoga session or rejuvenating spa treatment. 

What better way to get to know a country than through its food? Your cultural immersion continues with a Balinese cooking class. Together with the women’s farmer group, you’ll spend the morning discovering the secrets of Indonesian cuisine. Starting in the organic garden, you’ll learn how to harvest the fresh vegetables and herbs. Your chef will then guide you through the preparation of dishes using traditional utensils found in the local village homes. With expert tips on how to use exotic spices, you’ll create a fragrant three-course feast before a well-earned lunch with your group. Later, you’ll enjoy another hands-on experience. This time you’ll be making coconut oil from scratch – a surprisingly easy process – creating samples to take home. 

Bid farewell to the Manggis community as you journey towards the east coast. You’ll be up early to beat the crowds at Pura Lempuyang Temple – one of the holiest sites on the island – famed for its spectacular Heaven Gate against a backdrop of Mount Agung. From here, it’s a short drive to the vast water palace of Tirta Gangga, where you can hop across stepping stones of the koi-filled ponds dotted with mythical sculptures. Your final destination is the seaside town of Sanur, where your beach hotel awaits. With sheltered water protected by a reef and three miles of golden sand backed with local bars and restaurants, this upscale area strikes the perfect balance between laidback and lively. Sundowner cocktail anyone? 

Today you’re off on an adventure, Flash Pack style, travelling by speedboat. Bouncing across the azure water, it’s a 40-minute ride to Nusa Penida – a photogenic tropical island that remains relatively undeveloped. Discover Goa Giri Putri, a colossal underground temple accessed through a crack in the rock face. Travel to the village of Semaya to see how islanders harvest the seaweed, and try it for yourself. And stop in Tanglad village to meet a local batik weaver and learn how he uses hot wax and dyes in his vibrant artistic creations. Lunch today will be at Atuh Beach – one of the most beautiful on the island. This serene bay of spotless white sand and clear water is the perfect spot to paddle, snorkel or simply relax in paradise.

Start the day with a lie-in, followed by a leisurely breakfast of exotic fruits and fresh coffee. There’s only one pressing engagement today: a blissful Balinese massage. The rest of the day is free for you to do exactly as you please, perhaps exploring the local market or cycling down the seafront path to a secluded stretch of beach. Tonight, you’ll gather with your group for a final farewell dinner. Your venue is a chilled beach cafe where the creative superfood menu and plant-based drinks are beautifully presented. Dining with your toes in the sand, raise a toast to the incredible experiences you’ve shared – and the new friends you’ve made.

Your trip has come to an end and it’s time to make your way to the airport to catch your flight back home. You’ve learned new skills, gained deep insight and made memories to last a lifetime. If you’re already dreaming about your next tropical island adventure, why not check out our trips to Sri Lanka or the Philippines?