Escape the hustle and hassle and join Bali Eco & Educational Cycling to discover the ‘magic’ and feel the ‘spirit’ of rural Bali on their famous Eco/Educational Cycling Tour (Suitable for all ages, they also have Australian Standard Approved Baby Seats).
The original and authentic eco/educational cycling tour, this tour was designed to take the visitor to Bali away from the tourist areas and show them the Bali they want to see – ‘the real Bali’ and to learn about the Balinese culture in the process and that’s what they have been doing for the past nine years. This tour is now promoted in every guide book on Bali/Indonesia (the Lonely Planet Guide Books on Bali, Indonesia and Best of Bali, The Rough Guide Book to Bali, The Natural Guide to Bali and numerous French, German and Dutch guide books) has been consistently voted the best tour in Bali and a must for every visitor.
After being picked up at your hotel they drive in an air conditioned car to Penelokan (Kintamani) where you breakfast overlooking the active volcano, Mt. Batur and its crater lake, enjoying the most stunning views in Bali.
A short drive after breakfast and you’re off on our mountain bikes through the heartland of Bali, travelling downhill on non tourist, secret back roads and minor village roads (with little traffic), experiencing typical Balinese daily life and enjoying the beautiful Balinese countryside to Ubud. We ride through lush forested areas, plantations full of Balinese staples and cash crops (cloves, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, tapioca, taro, local vegetables and exotic tropical fruits), through timeless small villages and lush rice paddy panoramas. And throngs of adorable Balinese children will be there calling out ‘hellos’ and wanting ‘high fives’ on the way down. If you chance upon a ceremony (and they often do) you will be invited to witness the events and they guides will offer explanations.
They show you a Bali other visitors never see and our experienced guides explain this amazing culture and the relationship the Balinese have with their beautiful island.
They have numerous stops on the way, including a visit to a Balinese home/compound, (where you get to see first hand how the Balinese live outside the tourist areas), a Balinese plantation (where you learn of the medicinal and culturally important uses of local plants, the process of making coffee and see many of the spices you have used in cooking and tropical fruits growing in their natural environment. We also get to sample many exotic tropical fruits, local herbal teas and coffees, including Coffee Luwak, the unusually produced and most expensive coffee in the world). We also stop off at a village temple, an enormous Banyan tree and stunning rice paddy panoramas. We go for a short walk in the rice paddies to see villagers planting and harvesting rice (you can join in) and see traditional craftsmen at work en route.
They are the only tour that offers optional extra flat and uphill riding towards the end of the tour, for those wanting a cycling workout or for our more athletic guests.
Lunch, served in their restaurant, set in the serene surrounds of rice paddies, is a delectable Balinese feast, including the smoked duck/chicken the guide books rave about (Many guests describe their lunch as the best meal they have had in Bali). They also cater for vegetarians and can accommodate children with special meals.
A Balinese family concern with Western family ties, They are the only company that can proudly offer western standards of safety, hygiene and sanitation. And those standards are the norm. Their groups are kept at a size of 8 or 10 (unless requests for a larger group) and They have a senior leading guide and a secondary guide at the rear of the group (unlike other tours). Their car also follows you down the mountain in case anyone is not feeling well.
After lunch you have an optional visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest and temple complex.
They are rather flexible with their tour and if you want less information and more riding they can accommodate you as well.