You visit the unusual and traditional -you see the Balinese people as they work pray and play sometimes, smiling with hellos, sometimes sombre. You traverse spectacular country side-slowly and in comfort. Take photos you only dreamed of taking.

The trip is not arduous as there are plenty of stops a long the way-looking-looking. You visit an amazing quarry of stones where it seems time has stood still for centuries. You pass temples and small forgotten villages and shrines and always the mountains are in the distance - getting closer. A stop at a small farm to see the crops ( vanilla, coffee, cocoa, cloves ) and the local animals - there we serve coffee and tea with cakes from the baskets we carry on the roof of the car.

The hot spring in the rice fields where local people bathe and have done so for a long long time. The endless beauty of the rice terrace; green or golden brown - depending on harvest time. See the amazing irrigation system and the rivers that flow down to the sea. The vehicle climbs to over 900 meters and you are above the rice bowl of Jatiluwih and the plains of Bali.

The mountain air is cooler and you are in an area so different - its not anything like the Bali you are staying in. The forests have turned into bamboo jungles and ferns abound - the people change and its here you find the Waka Camp and restaurant. A restaurant built from local bamboo in the middle of nowhere serving delicious Balinese mountain food - not quite 'haute cuisine' but almost. Great food, good wine and cognac with your coffee - where are you? In the mountains, in a bamboo restaurant, high in a forest - miles from nowhere, the soul of Bali.

There are tracks and paths and cool mountain water, wild orchids and birds and an overall stillness. Relaxed, happy, and different, you are then taken back to your hotel by luxury Land Rover after a very remarkable day.

You will remember this special journey through the 'remarkable, unseen Bali'

ITINERARY OF WAKA LAND CRUISE

' Luxury Adventure to the secret soul of Bali '

Travel by legendary luxury Land Rover, on tiny country roads and tracks, through terraced rice fields and untouched rainforest to the real heart of Bali.

As you experience the mystical heart and soul of this amazing island, hidden far away from the bustle and the crowds of the Bali you have already seen.

Included:
Transfer from / to hotel, Mineral water, tea, coffee at the morning break, buffet Lunch with complimentary soft drinks, imported wine, beer, tea or mountain coffee and Cognac

Pick Up Time:
Our Land Rovers depart every morning between 8.30 am and 8.45 am Approximate return to hotel 16.30 – 17.00 PM.

Following are a few explanations about your route and stops on the Waka Land Cruise.

Tegal Jadi Village
Approximate Time : 10.00 – 10.45 AM
You will visit an amazing stone quarry. Time seems to have stood still for centuries. The people from Tegal Jadi cut the stone, known as ‘paras', out of the cliff, the same way they have done for centuries, using traditional methods and techniques handed down for generations. The stone are rectangular shaped and weight about five kilogram (0.80 stone) each. They are used to build the temples and shrines of the island.

Tajen Sedahan – Malgunung Village
Approximate Time : 11.00 – 11.45 AM
At this stop you will be in typical family run farmhouse. It is very good example of the Balinese architectural concept which has buildings positioned in a courtyard accordingly to the family temple. Note the kitchen wall made out of bamboo and rendered with a mixture of mud and rice husk. You will be taken for a short walk around the garden to discover some of the fruit and vegetables grown here : banana, mango, rambutan, salak, jackfruit, pineapple, tapioca and more. But also look for vanilla, cloves, as well as coffee and cacao. From our kitchens tea, coffee and biscuits have been brought in the baskets on top of your car and will be served to you in the courtyard.

Rainforest Camp High on the Slopes of Mount Batukaru
Approximate Time : 13.00 – 14.30 PM
Your vehicle climbs to over 900 meters and you are above the rice bowl of Jatiluwih. The mountain air is cooler and the scenery becomes different. You are now entering the rain forest where giant bamboos and fern trees abound. Sacred mount Batukaru reveals its splendor and a short stroll lead you to our rainforest camp. Built out of bamboo, cut and assembled by local craftsmen, it sits in the middle of nowhere.

You will be served a delicious Balinese lunch with red or white wine. Some of the produce is straight out of the rainforest. Taste the famous Bali Mountain Coffee but the Cognac remains French though ! Small shrines to the devinities that inhabit the rainforest of the sacred mount Batukaru, pure spring water running in the suspended bamboo, but most of all tremendous quietness and a great sense of peace; you are in THE SECRET SOUL OF BALI.

Hot Spring at Banjar Belulang
Approximate Time : 15.00 – 15.30 PM
Situated in the rice fields is a sacred hot spring where local people have always come to bath. The spring bubbles up at temperature of approximately 30°C or 86°F. You will enjoy beautiful scenery of manicured terraced paddy fields that continue to function efficiently on an age old. Unique irrigation system. Approximate return to Hotel : 16.30 – 17.00 PM