joanw

Hi, We will be in Bali 15 nights for our first visit there. Putu is available.
We will book hm for 3 or 4 days. We love nature, local culture, temples, dances.
Whcih tours would you recommend?
How long should the day be?
We already have a village bicycle tour and white water rafting included in our package.
Thanks for all your help.
Joan

rhkkmk

i suggest that you not use putu for much more than 8 hrs per day... after a while you are just tired out..

you will love him, btw...

i would follow his lead as to where to go.. get his suggestions and then read a bit about those areas to make your decision..

StanKase

I do not totally disagree. You pay 550.000Rp. and that permits up to 10 hours. He does not discount is you use him for 8-8.5 but you can ask him for a 4 day itinerary including several hidden gems off the beaten path. Ask him for an 8 hor a day itinerary and a 10 hour a day itinerary or a combination if you are concerned. We went out at 8:30-5:30 or 6 most days.
But this yer we are going to the Papuan rice fields in West Bali and that is a 9.5 to 10 hour day so we are leaving the Chedi Club at 7:30 and returning a little after 5PM. It is gorgeous out there so I am told. I wrote Putu and asked him to make your 4 days truly specil. I would not do the days consecutive if I were you.

marmot

Most resorts have their own menu of activities, fullday, halfday or just a couple of hours. Depending on where you are these could include walking, cooking, visiting markets, learning how rice is grown, arts & crafts like mask carving or batik.

Arma's program of cultural workshops is very good, but this kind of offering is fairly easy to find in Ubud.
http://www.armabali.com/museum/cultural-workshops/

I'd also highly recommend this company for in depth cultural experiences. If you're already in Bali you can join one of their groups on a daily basis.
http://www.danutours.com/bali_menu.htm

In the Ubud area there are dances every night. Your resort will have a list.

The dates and locations of temple celebrations and creations are also publicized. You can get a list from your resort, the visitors center, sometimes in the local papers. Aside from big island-wide holidays, each temple/village has its own festival calendar.

You don't need a guide for dances or festivals. The important point is to get out of the car and walk around, through the villages, through the rice paddies, along the beach. Balinese culture and art is everywhere.

StanKase

I am talking about daytime activiies. Besides we have found, based on 3 visits to Bali or elsewhere, hotel services are higher than personal pre-arranged contacts. The difference can be as much as 25++% based on our experience.

joanw

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers. Any thing in particular you wouldn't miss?

StanKase

I would skip the monkey forest. I found it a bit seegy and the hawkers at the entrance "put me off" Also I am not sure I could keep all my posssessions from the aggressive monkeys. One or two monkeys would be interesring but 50 + was a real annoyance in my opinion. Tell Putu you will be epecially pleased if he finds a wedding or funera service going on that you could observe.

nokomis

One of our most special days in Bali was meeting up with Wayani who lives in the jungle right outside the back of the village Tenganan.He has a sign that says honey and baskets for sale. For $25.00 he walked us through the jungle, rice fields, and over a beautiful bamboo bridge. We were picked up in a van and went to the water palace.He is kind and very informative about life as he knows it.The water palace was beautiful.I can't say enough about how wonderful this hike was.

StanKase

The volcano region is very serene and the local village of of Sideman is a nice stop as is the lake region. Ask Putu to research a few days before your arrival if any marriage or funerak services are occuring. They are extremely interesting.

kmkrnn

I have done a rice paddie walks in 2 different areas of Bali. Very fun and serene out on the paths between. There is a published map for the one I did in Ubud, but there are several guides that will take you for a reasonable fee. Google it.