Outback and beach: Bali and Darwin holiday

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Darwin
• 2 nights Top End small group tour
• 2 nights Darwin
• 3 nights Ubud
• 4 nights Sanur

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive Darwin

On arrival into Darwin, you’ll be greeted and taken by private transfer to your hotel in central Darwin where you will check in for a 2-night stay.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city. Why not head to Smith Street Mall and check out the shops, there are several Aboriginal art galleries to explore here as well as plenty of pearl stores, pearling takes place off the coast of Darwin and in the nearby regions, so this will be a perfect souvenir of your trip to the Top End.

Included: Private arrival transfer, hotel & breakfast

Day 3: Darwin

Today you have the full day at leisure.

Why not head to Crocosaurus Cove on Mitchell Street to learn more about these pre-historic creatures. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could take part in the ‘Cage of Death’ where you get to swim in the tank with the crocodiles, protected only by a perspex cage, a truly once in a lifetime experience.

For a relaxing afternoon, why not unwind by the lagoon or visit the wave pool and enjoy the sunshine the Northern Territory is so famous for!

Included: Hotel & breakfast

Day 4: Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Your tour leader will collect you from your hotel early this morning to embark on your 3 day ‘Top End’ adventure. Head out to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile & Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles!

We journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to *Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head back to our cozy camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers.

Included: Breakfast, transport, all activities, meals and overnight in permanent tents with beds

Day 5: Kakadu National Park

An early start today as you head out to Kakadu National Park in a 4WD ideal for the outback terrain. Today we’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs.

We generally visit Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls when seasonally accessible, alternatively, we will stop in at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible.

Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest.

Included: Transport, all activities, meals and overnight in permanent tents with beds

Day 6: Kakadu National Park to Darwin via Litchfield National Park

Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970’s. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park.

We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield’s natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. We’ll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls.

Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm.

Included: Transport, all activities, breakfast, lunch & hotel

Day 7: Darwin

Spend the next couple of days at leisure in Darwin.

Book a scenic flight or boat cruise for a chance to see more of the remote wilderness surrounding Darwin or why not take a trip to the nearby Tiwi Islands and learn more about Aboriginal culture in an authentic environment.

Head down to the beach and check out the Mindil sunset markets (running on a Thursday & Sunday in the dry season) browse boutique craft stalls, dine on delicious street food and watch the sun go down with a cold beer in hand, a perfect end to your trip to the ‘top end’.

Included: Hotel

Day 8: Darwin to Bali

A driver will collect you this morning and take you to the airport by private transfer for your flight to Bali.

On arrival, you will be greeted and taken by private car to your hotel in Ubud where you will check in for a 3-night stay.

Included: Private departure transfer, private arrival transfer & hotel

Day 9 & 10: Ubud

Ubud, centrally located in Bali, is the cultural hub of the island, home to fine arts, dance and music with a bohemian vibe and surrounded by scenic rice fields, small villages and ancient temples. Ubud is a fantastic base to explore the island from the mountains to the beaches.

Why not add a ‘Balinese Daily Life’ programme into your trip, you will visit a Balinese village where you will learn from the locals how to plough with cows, plant rice in the fields and cook local cuisine, a real insight into the day to day life here in Bali and an experience to treasure.

Included: Hotel & breakfast

Day 11: Ubud to Sanur

After breakfast, you will be collected by your private driver/guide for a full day touring Ubud, visiting museums, palaces and local markets.

You will enjoy lunch perched on a ridge above the Sungai Cerik Valley overlooking breath-taking views of hills, rivers and rice terraces before ending your day at the local market where you can witness vendors buying and selling food as well as handicrafts & textiles.

You will be dropped off at your hotel in Sanur; the evening is as leisure.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 12-14: Sanur

Sanur, located along an east-facing coastline, is situated on a sandy beach and is a perfect blend of quiet relaxation and buzzing nightlife with plenty of locally owned bars and restaurants to keep you entertained and a chilled out vibe that can be difficult to find on the west of the island.

So sit back and relax or go exploring on a day trip of Bali’s lakes and hills, explore traditional local markets and visit Ulun Danu temple, one of Bali’s most iconic and photogenic sites.

Included: Hotel & breakfast

Day 15: Depart Bali

You will be collected after breakfast and taken to the airport by private car to connect with your international flight back to the UK.

Included: Private departure transfer & international

Day 16: Arrive UK