Walking in Bali and Lombok

This nine-night escorted tour with Explore Worldwide takes a slow, thoughtful pace through Bali’s western hill villages and on to Lombok’s highlands. It begins in Belimbing, where walking the rice terraces is accompanied by visits to temples and a traditional cleansing ritual. Walks lead through plantations, with local farmers tending coffee, salak and durian trees, ending days with Balinese rituals or a slow meal rather than a dash to the next highlight.

The route includes a dawn trek up Mount Batur to watch the sunrise over neighbouring volcanoes, followed by a switch to the island of Lombok via speedboat. Here, quieter mountains around Sembalun and Tetebatu await, with panoramic views from Pergasingan Hill and waterfalls reached by river crossings where shoes may get wet. Along the way, hands-on experiences include helping with farming tasks and a coffee roasting session.

The tour finishes in Tetebatu after a cooking class with locals. While each day offers between two and ten miles of walking, there are rest days and shorter treks, giving space to take in the natural environment without feeling hurried.