Holly and Blaine Murphy
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Bali Arrival
Welcome to Bali, the "Island of the Gods!" Meet our friendly representative in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel in the Tabanan area. Take the rest of the evening to unwind after your travel day.
Your hotel, Nirjhara Bali, is an eco-resort tucked away from the crowds. Surrounded by lush jungle and with views of green rice fields and a winding river, the resort strives to incorporate ancestral Balinese culture into its design. Your canopy suite features traditional woven furniture handcrafted by local artisans, coconut paneling and woodcarving, and contemporary art by local artists. Celebrate the start of your honeymoon by taking a dip in the saltwater pool or gazing out at the sunset and decompressing in the tub on your private rooftop deck. The resort is dedicated to sustainable luxury; initiatives include financing major renovation projects for the local community, using locally sourced materials and produce from the organic garden, and reducing waste and plastic use.
Overnight Nirjhara Bali
Day 2
E-Biking through Bali’s Less-Visited Landscapes
Meet your private guide and drive to Batukaru Temple (Pura Luhur Batukaru), a deeply spiritual sanctuary nestled in the rainforest on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. Find yourself surrounded by misty jungle and serene ponds as you learn more about the island's cultures and spiritual practices.
From here, embark on an E-Bike ride through lush rice terraces toward Jatiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its timeless beauty and traditional subak irrigation system. Ride along quiet paths, far from traffic and crowds, and pause for a coffee break with a panoramic view. Continue to a local coffee plantation and discover the island's aromatic herbs and spices before gliding through traditional villages where daily life unfolds much as it has for centuries. Pause at a sacred 700-year-old Kayu Putih banyan tree, one of Bali's most remarkable natural landmarks.
Recharge with a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore a mystical 300-year-old monkey forest. Immerse yourself in this tranquil haven where nature and spirituality coexist as you look out for free-roaming long-tailed macaques, considered sacred by many Balinese people. Conclude with a final ride through green rice fields before returning to your hotel.
Overnight Nirjhara Bali
Day 3
Transfer to Munduk via Stunning Scenery and Temples
Today, you will be transferred to Munduk, a serene village located in the mountains of northern Bali. Drive through gorgeous scenery until you arrive in Mengwi, home to a superb temple complex at Taman Ayun, or 'beautiful garden' in English. Many Balinese people continue to use this complex today for special events and ceremonies.
Continue north to the iconic Ulun Danu Temple. This Hindu Shivaite Water Temple, located on the shores of Lake Beratan, creates an intriguing optical illusion. When water levels are high enough, this 17th-century temple appears to float on the lake! Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to your hotel, Sanak Retreat.
This property is located in the Munduk Mountain Valley, a region of Bali with cooler temperatures and gorgeous views of mountains and rice fields. In your bungalow, handcrafted from local Bankerai wood, you'll be able to spend your mornings gazing out at these views, coffee in hand, on your private terrace. Take part in yoga and meditation sessions, enjoy a spa treatment, and savor delightful cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Sanak Retreat supports sustainable tourism through hiring local staff, providing supplies for nearby schools, and participating in a variety of environmental programs.
Overnight Sanak Retreat
Day 4
Munduk Walk and Picnic by the Falls
This morning, take a leisurely 2-hour walk through Munduk. Immerse yourself in local life as you pass through lush plantations of clove, cacao, coffee, and various herbal plants. Stroll through scenic rice terraces, where you may encounter local farmers at work. If you do, you are more than welcome to join them to experience traditional farming firsthand. Your guide can help translate!
Continue to a hidden waterfall, tucked away in a peaceful forest. Cool off with a refreshing swim before enjoying a private picnic lunch prepared by your guide as you look out at the waterfall. Take in this moment reserved for just the two of you. Then, return to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Sanak Retreat
Day 5
Ubud via Sangeh Monkey Forest
In the morning, check out of your hotel and begin your journey inland to Ubud, the cultural and artistic heart of Bali. En route, visit Sangeh Monkey Forest, a lesser-known sanctuary featuring a serene forest of towering nutmeg trees and the historic Bukit Sari Temple. Take a short walk through the forest to observe the playful long-tailed macaques leaping from tree to tree or enjoying a mid-morning bite to eat.
Continue your journey with lunch at a local restaurant before arriving at your next hotel, Fivelements Retreat Bali. Situated on the Ayung River, this property is a wellness sanctuary that invites you to set modern distractions aside and be present in the moment — a lovely mindset for your honeymoon! Visit the healing and wellness village, take a moment for yourself at one of the yoga salas, or cool off in the ionized swimming pool. Savor plant-forward cuisine on the riverside and be sure to spend time in your riverfront suite, which boasts a private bamboo bathhouse with an open-air bathtub that looks out towards the river.
Overnight Fivelements Retreat Bali
Day 6
A Day of Romance and Rejuvenation
Start your day with a 90-minute healing massage. Whether you'd prefer a full-body oil massage with Balinese techniques, an aromatic massage, or a warm-stone massage, you'll leave feeling calm and renewed.
Next, you’ll participate in an Agni Hotra Fire Ceremony. Described in sacred Vedic Hindu texts, Agni Hotra is an ancient fire ceremony in which priests offer grains and ghee into the fire and recite Sanskrit mantras to summon blessings of health, abundance, and transformation. You'll be invited to join the priests at specific moments, offering rice into the fire as a symbol of divine light.
After the fire ritual, proceed to the Sakti Dining Room, where a three-course Chef's Tasting Menu awaits you for dinner. In a romantic setting by the river, with tropical ponds and gardens surrounding you, enjoy a creative selection from the hotel's Chef, accompanied by a refreshing "Elixir." The cuisine features epicurean plant-based dishes that celebrate "aliveness," to let Mother Nature's cuisine shine through exciting tastes, textures, vibrant colors, and pure flavors.
Overnight Fivelements Retreat Bali
Day 7
Jewelry-Making Masterclass
In the 1970s, Canadian designer John Hardy visited Bali and was charmed by the time-honored jewelry-making traditions. His enterprise began with a few artists working out of his home, but has since transformed into a thriving business. Today, you'll visit the unique Mambal Workshop he built in 1996 to learn more about this history. The entire compound has been constructed so that the land can be returned to rice fields within three months, with buildings made of low-impact, locally sourced natural materials such as bamboo, adobe, and thatch.
Begin with a behind-the-scenes tour of the John Hardy workshop, where you'll gain insight into the brand's handcrafted jewelry-making process and the Balinese traditions that continue to inspire its designs. Learn how skilled artisans transform an idea into a finished piece through techniques such as sketching, wax carving, casting, assembly, chain weaving, and stone setting, all completed by hand.
Then, take a seat alongside the artisans for a hands-on workshop where you'll create your own keepsake inspired by these traditional techniques. You'll have the opportunity to design your piece, carve your pattern in wax, and try your hand at weaving one of the brand's signature chains. Once complete, your finished creation will be carefully crafted and shipped to your home within two weeks, giving you a lasting reminder of your honeymoon in Indonesia.
Finally, join the design team and artisans at the famous Long Table, where you'll enjoy a traditional Balinese lunch prepared by John Hardy's five-star Chef. Return to your hotel with the evening at leisure.
Overnight Fivelements Retreat Bali
Day 8
Flight to Sumba Island
After breakfast, head to the airport and fly to Sumba. The flight time is approximately one hour.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be picked up and transferred directly to your hotel, Cap Karoso. This stylish beachfront boutique resort blends modern architecture with traditional Sumbanese elements. It is known for its farm-to-table dining concept supported by its own organic farm, as well as curated cultural experiences that connect guests with local villages and traditions. Cap Karoso boasts many initiatives designed to preserve the island's fragile environment and rehabilitate damaged areas. These include removing non-indigenous weed species, carefully selecting water-conscious landscape plants, and using an eco-friendly water treatment system. Half of their energy comes from an on-site solar panel park, and the hotel avoids plastic packaging and reduces food waste with the help of its farm animals.
If you'd prefer, you can upgrade your hotel to Nihi Sumba. Located in a remote corner of the island, or "on the edge of wildness," as the hotel's slogan puts it, you'll find yourself nestled among palm and papaya trees that stretch far into the distance. Perched on the island's dramatic coastline, Nihi offers an unparalleled wild luxury experience. Even with the isolated location, Nihi Sumba boasts delightful cuisine that keeps food miles to a minimum. The resort's two flourishing organic gardens and chicken farm, plus fresh fish from the sea and a plethora of local fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs, enable a varied menu. The resort is deeply committed to empowering Sumba's future, with initiatives to conserve the marine environment, strengthen healthcare systems, and expand education already in place.
Overnight Cap Karoso or upgrade to Nihi Sumba
Day 9
Traditional Villages of Sumba
This morning, head to the Kodi area of Southwest Sumba to visit a selection of traditional villages. Your first stop is Ratenggaro Village, renowned for its unique architectural style, rich cultural heritage, and scenic views. It's one of the most well-preserved traditional villages on the island and is known for its towering Uma Mbatangu (traditional houses) with high-peaked thatched roofs reaching up to 15 meters.
Continue to Weekacura Rice Field, known for its beautiful, terraced rice fields, natural springs, and traditional village atmosphere. On the way to Weekacura, you will make a quick stop at Waikelo Sawah, a natural dam surrounded by lush greenery and rice terraces. As you trek through the fields, you may encounter local farmers going about their daily activities, offering a glimpse into their way of life. Discover a unique spring that flows from a cave, creating a serene atmosphere, and enjoy scenic views of the river and the soothing ambiance of the surroundings, where you can relax and even take a quick dip.
Overnight Cap Karoso or upgrade to Nihi Sumba
Day 10
A Day on the Water: Swimming with Horses
After breakfast, meet your guide and set out for Weekuri Lake, a peaceful, ocean-fed lagoon that boasts bright blue water. Surrounded by rocks and trees, it's an ideal spot to take a refreshing dip away from the crowds. Continue to the nearby Mandorak Beach, a true coastal paradise. Guarded by two colossal rock ridges that elegantly converge towards the center, this beach is the perfect spot to look out at the view as you soak up the sun or swim in the salty sea.
When you're ready, return to the resort and prepare to swim with horses! In Sumba, it is common to see the local people swimming with their horses and bathing them in the waters of the Indian Ocean. To honor this ancestral practice, you will be invited to enjoy a memorable swim alongside the local Sandalwood horses. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Overnight Cap Karoso or upgrade to Nihi Sumba
Day 11
Day at Leisure
Today marks your last full day in Indonesia, and we've left it free so that you can spend it exactly as you'd like. Take time to reflect on the special honeymoon memories you've created together and enjoy the tropical paradise surrounding you. Sip cocktails by the pool, inhale the salty sea air from the sandy beach shores, or cap your experience off with a rejuvenating spa treatment. The choice is yours!
Overnight Cap Karoso or upgrade to Nihi Sumba
Day 12
Departure Day
After a final breakfast in the jungle, it's time to return home. In time for your international flight, you'll be transferred to the airport. As you depart, carry with you the memories of shared adventures, quiet moments, and the unforgettable experiences of your honeymoon as you begin this next chapter of married life together.
