Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Explore the rich history and culture of Bali during a dance performance and temple visit. Meet your guide and drive to Denpasar, capital of the province of Bali, for an exclusive performance of the Barong and Kris Dance. This vivid depiction of the eternal battle between good and evil is told through dazzling costumes, dynamic movements and traditional gamelan music. Next, continue to the Bajra Sandhi Monument, one of Bali’s most important landmarks. Built to commemorate the struggles of the Balinese people, it houses a range of exhibitions that depict key periods in Balinese history. Further your cultural exploration at the 14th-century Pura Maospahit, one of Denpasar’s oldest temples. View its red-brick architecture and intricate carvings, a rare example of the Majapahit style that once flourished across Bali. After, return by motor coach to your ship.

Discover Bali’s intriguing world of gods, temples and crafts. Drive with your guide to the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, a sanctuary nestled in the heart of Tabanan. Take a walk through shaded paths lined with towering nutmeg trees and meet the forest’s cheeky residents—hundreds of long-tailed macaques that roam freely. Continue to the 17th-century Taman Ayun Temple in the town of Mengwi. This striking landmark served as the family temple of the Mengwi dynasty, whose kingdom survived until the late 1800s. The complex includes a moat, exquisite wooden shrines and beautifully carved gates. Next, visit the 16th-century Tanah Lot temple, also called the Sunset Temple. Its black lava towers are perched on a narrow rocky promontory that juts into the ocean. Surrounded by pristine aqua waters and white surf, it is Bali’s most photographed site.

Immerse yourself in Bali’s colorful traditions, arts and crafts during visits to local markets. Drive with your guide to Tohpati Village, where the island’s fabric dyeing tradition lives on at a batik factory. Admire the distinctive artistry and technique that go into producing the famous cloth. After taking time to purchase a keepsake, continue to Batuan Village to tour a traditional Balinese House Compound. These communities were typically constructed to achieve harmony with the universe, with each of its buildings serving a distinct function. You will walk with your guide to view a family temple, stand-alone houses and rows of houses facing each other. Next, visit the village of Kemenuh, where skilled wood carvers will demonstrate a craft once reserved for royal families and religious purposes. Later, explore the village of Celuk, home of silver and gold jewelers.

View the Tegenungan Waterfall, visit Balinese villages and explore the spiritual Batuan Temple. Meet your guide and drive to the Tegenungan Waterfall, nestled in a lush tropical setting. A walk down 150 steps brings you to the middle of the falls, where you can feel the refreshing mist and enjoy views of the cascading water surrounded by thick jungle. Next, visit Batuan Temple, a Balinese Hindu temple looked after by the residents of Batuan. Admire the temple’s beautiful design and Balinese ornaments before making a final stop at Puri Blahbatuh, a royal palace still inhabited by descendants of Bali’s noble lineage. With its traditional Balinese architecture and regal atmosphere, the palace offers a rare glimpse into the island’s aristocratic past. After your excursion, journey back to your ship.

Explore the museum and marketplace of Ubud, and discover the remarkable rice terraces of Tegallalang. Drive to the Puri Lukisan Museum to view local artwork and take a short walk to a nearby market, where you can spend time browsing colorful stalls with your guide. Continue to the Ubud Royal Palace, once the official residence of the Ubud royal family. View its classic Balinese architecture and ornate stone carvings, and stroll its garden and courtyards as you gain insight into Bali’s royal traditions. Then, head to Tegallalang where the region’s iconic rice terraces are maintained through a unique system of cooperative water management called “subak.” Subak involves elaborate engineering and shared labor. It is integral to agriculture and community life, as well as local spiritual traditions, and as a result, is featured on the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Soak up the sunshine as you relax at a private beach resort on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Depart your ship and set out along rural roads, observing local life, for Nusa Dua Beach Resort, located on Bali’s southern peninsula. Upon arrival, soak up the serene atmosphere and settle in for a relaxing afternoon on tropical sands. During your visit, you may choose to take a swim in the warm waters, or simply lounge in your complimentary beach chair as you enjoy the magnificent sea views that surround you; gaze at the waves as they gently lap the beach and the palm fronds that ripple in the breeze. Lunch will be provided at one of the resort’s many restaurants. Afterward, you may choose to take a short stroll to explore the nearby Bali Collection, an upscale shopping, dining and entertainment complex. After, return to your ship.

Embark on a panoramic drive through East Bali to discover its spiritual and cultural heritage. Depart by motor coach for Pura Kehen, a Hindu temple complex nestled at the foot of a wooded hill. Once the main temple of the former Bangli Kingdom, Pura Kehen was established during the 13th century. Explore the grounds, viewing the intricate stone carvings and the banyan trees that surround the complex. Then, continue to Penglipuran Village to see its traditional Balinese architecture and manicured gardens. The village’s roots date back to the 14th century, and locals work hard to preserve its cultural heritage. After lunch, head to the Kertha Gosa Pavilion, the center of the historic royal courts of justice in Klungkung, to glimpse its signature ceiling paintings. They depict stories from Balinese mythology and teachings of karmic law. Later, return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in Balinese rural life during a day-long excursion to a traditional compound. Drive to the center of the island and arrive at Subak Guliang, where you will meet your hosts. Learn about the sacred layout of the homes within the compound, which feature a unique style within Indonesia, similar to feng shui. Then, set out on a guided walk through the village, pausing to enjoy demonstrations of different artisans at work. Learn about the process of making tuak, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented palm sap, often used in cultural ceremonies. Observe craftsmen during a demonstration of wood carving, and discover the intricate methods involved in coconut-oil production. Continue to the rice fields, where you may roll up your sleeves and lend a hand to the locals as they tend the crops. After a lunch of traditional fare, return to your awaiting ship.

Travel to the Nusa Dua Beach Resort for a buffet dinner and a classical Balinese dance performance. Board your motor coach and set out for this luxury resort, nestled on Bali’s southern peninsula. Known for its traditional architecture and lush grounds, the resort has been carefully designed to resemble a Balinese palace. Upon arrival, head to one of the on-site restaurants, where you will enjoy an Indonesian buffet-style dinner, including a barbecue counter featuring freshly grilled meats, seafood and vegetables. As you dine, you will be entertained by a performance of the Kecak dance; developed during the 1930s, it tells the Ramayana love story of a prince who rescues his wife from danger. Following tradition, the only soundtrack is the chanting of the performers, a choir composed of male dancers. After your visit, return to your ship.