Our own air-conditioned Minivans, complete with English-speaking drivers, are available for hire.

This is an ideal opportunity to see the part of the Island which you wish to see, without having to stop at shops and other destinations not of your choice, and without the anxieties and wrong-turnings that go with a self-drive vehicle. You can visit the well-known spots, or you can get right off the beaten track - please refer to the suggested itineraries that follow.

What we can offer

A road map is available at Reception.

A large ice-box is available if you would like to bring your own cold drinks.

Hire charges are very reasonable, especially if you travel as a group; the maximum recommended number of passengers is seven, or if two or more children are in the group, eight.

Please make your Minivan Reservation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Suggested Itineraries

Full Day Tours

1) KUTA BATUR TEJAKULA CULIK AMLAPURA CANDI DASA GOA LAWAH KLUNGKUNG KUTA.

Long distances, so an early start required. Travel to Batur, which overlooks Batur Volcano and the Crater Lake. Climb the steps to Penulisan, Bali's highest temple, for a fine view. Down a winding mountain road through fruit orchards to the North Coast, and Alam Anda, a good lunch stop. On across the lava flows at the base of Bali's 3,100 meter (10,400 feet) Mount Agung. Spectacular and desolate coastal and mountain scenery gives way to beautiful green rice terraces just north of Amlapura, which is an interesting old royal town. Stop for refreshments at Tirtagangga. Candi Dasa lies on a fine stretch of coast. If there is time stop at Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave. Return via the towns of Klungkung (famous Kertagosa painted ceiling), and Gianyar (centre of traditional Balinese weaving).

2) KUTA MAS PUJUNG PENELOKAN PURA KEHEN RENDANG PUTUNG ISEH KLUNGKUNG KUTA.

This is a scenery - orientated trip which passes through fine Rice Terraces, the island's most spectacular Volcanic Scenery, attractive Mountain Villages, and includes one of Bali's oldest and most interesting temples. Much of the route is rarely seen by tourists. Highly recommended. Lunch can be taken at Penelokan overlooking the volcano or at Putung.

3) KUTA MENGWI KEDATON BEDUGUL MUNDUK MAYONG PUPUAN ANTOSARI TABANAN KEROBOKAN KUTA

Mengwi (Taman Ayun) is Bali's second most important temple, and from here it's a short drive to Kedaton Monkey Forest. Then up to Bedugul with lunch at Strawberry Hill Restaurant en route. See the interesting fruit and vegetable market, and beautiful lakeside temple. Bedugul also boasts one of the world's former top 50 golf courses in a spectacular setting. Continue through jungle up around a second crater lake - passing monkeys beside the road - and then take the narrow mountain road to Munduk and Mayong. Pass through coffee, vanilla and clove plantations in the Pupuan area and eventually through some of Bali's finest rice terracing, north of Antosari. Refreshments available at the Puri Lumbung in Munduk or at the Cafe Belimbing in Belimbing Village.

4) KUTA BUKIT JAMBUL BESAKIH MUNCAN PUTUNG BEBANDEM BUDAKLING TIRTAGANGGA AMLAPURA CANDI DASA GOA LAWAH KUTA

Rice Terraces, Temples, Mountains and Coastal Scenery. Stop at Bukit Jambul lookout, followed by the Besakih Mother Temple; around the south slopes of Mt. Agung to the beautiful viewpoint at Putung. On through salak-fruit plantations to the Water Palace at Tirtagangga built by a former king. Lunch either at Putung or Tirtagangga. Return along the coast as for Route No.1.

5) KUTA KLUNGKUNG PADANGBAI TENGANAN TIRTAGANGGA AMED TANAH BARAK AMLAPURA PUTUNG SIDEMEN KLUNGKUNG KUTA

The highlight of this trip is the spectacular coastal road around the extreme eastern end of Bali. The midway point for lunch is Tirtagangga, with a late refreshment stop at Putung. Due to time restraints visit either the colourful fishing village and ferry port of Padangbai, or the ancient village of Tenganan with its unique weaving traditions and building styles. (This route is subject to current condition of road!).

6) KUTA PACUNG APUAN JATILUWIH BATUKAU KEDATON TANAH LOT KUTA

Some of Bali's most beautiful rice terraces lie between Pacung and Jatiluwih. Batukau is a mysterious and isolated temple completely surrounded by dense tropical jungle high on the slopes of a volcano, where the air is cool. Kedaton Monkey Forest is on this route and the famous island temple of Tanah Lot can be included (time permitting) to see the sunset. Several choices for lunch overlooking the rice terraces.

7) KUTA BATUBULAN UBUD BALI BIRD PARK KUTA

An 8.30 am start in order to reach Batubulan by 9.30 am to watch a Barong Dance. Then on to the picturesque village of Ubud, the centre for Balinese painting, where artists from various parts of the world have settled. Besides paintings there is much to see here - the scenery is beautiful, and Ubud has its own monkey forest. There are also several attractive restaurants; recommended are Terazo or Cafe Lotus in town, or Indus or Kupu Kupu Barong which both overlook spectacular valleys. The Bali Bird Park at Singapadu is well worth a visit on the return journey and is best visited in the late afternoon. Or, if you are still in the vicinity of Ubud itself in the late afternoon, another interesting objective is the nearby village of Petulu, to which large flocks of white herons return to roost in the trees each evening - aim to arrive there at 6pm.

8) HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR KUTA ELEPHANT CAVE (GOA GAJAH) YEH PULU ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM THREE TEMPLES OF PEJENG GUNUNG KAWI TEGALLINGGAH KUTRI TEMPLE KUTA

Many of Bali's historically important sites can be visited in this relatively small area, and for lunch or refreshments you can visit the nearby Ubud restaurants (see Route No. 7). A detailed archaeological guidebook Monumental Bali may be borrowed from Reception.

Nearer Destinations

9) TANJUNG BENOA NUSA DUA ULUWATU

If you are interested in ceramics, first stop can be Jenggala, Bali's most spectacular showroom and factory for handmade pottery. At the end of its peninsula lies the picturesque old trading port of Benoa, now replaced by the modern one across the bay. There is an old Chinese temple well worth a visit. On the way to Uluwatu, pass through Nusa Dua, the luxury hotel area, and stop and see an unfinished extravaganza of the Soeharto era, the massive Garuda Vishnu project. On the southern tip of Bali lies the rocky promontory on which is perched the famous little temple of Uluwatu - an ideal spot to see the sunset. Look out for turtles in the sea far below, and the monkeys on the cliff face.

10) DENPASAR

The museum is open daily, except on Public Holidays, and the Badung Market may be of interest. The Government Handicraft Centre at Tohpati is a good place to see examples of Balinese creativity under one roof.

11) SANUR

An afternoon in Sanur is pleasant. Visit the artist Le Mayeur’s museum. Then walk along the beach from the Bali Beach Hotel southwards to the Bali Hyatt. An evening out in Sanur is also rewarding; recommended places to eat are the Telaga Naga Restaurant (excellent Chinese cuisine, and attractive setting), Cafe Batu Jimbar (healthy and good food), the Tanjung Sari Hotel where the Indonesian Rijsttafel is available certain nights and the bar is right on the beach, and the Bali Hyatt Pizzeria on the beach. Meter taxis can be hired in both Kuta and Sanur and may be preferable for an evening trip.

Poppies Minivan Rates

Please ask for our current rates at reception.

Other Activities

Bali now offers many specific outdoor activities for your enjoyment. Most companies that offer them provide door-to-door transport, and Poppies will be happy to arrange this for our guests. Activities include...

Seeing a Balinese Ceremony
(a cremation, for example) or seeing a Balinese Dance

Mountain Biking
Poppies staff is happy to assist you.

Windsurfing, Parasailing, Waterskiing, Surfing
Kuta Beach is a 10 minute walk

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
from nearby reefs to a faraway shipwreck

Golf

Other
White Water Rafting , Water Theme Park, Kayaking, Mountain Climbing, Jungle Trekking, Bungy Jumping, Ocean Day Cruises, Elephant Safaris, Horse Riding...