From Bali to Komodo: 15 days of motorbike adventure discovering the wildest side of Indonesia

Upon arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, Bali’s main airport, we will be welcomed in true local style and transferred to the hotel in private vehicles. After checking in, we will receive our motorbike gear for the experience. Everything is personalised and included in the price, so you’ll even get to take it home as a souvenir. Part of this culture includes what we know here as “ceremonies,” and of course, we’ll enjoy the first one: the Welcome Ceremony. Just let yourself be carried by the energy of local hospitality. To regain energy, we’ll enjoy a spectacular dinner on the beach. Local cuisine is a feast of exotic flavours and intense aromas. Get your taste buds ready for dishes like Babi Guling (spiced roast suckling pig), Bebek Betutu (duck slow-cooked with local herbs), and countless fried rice and noodle dishes with fresh ingredients. Spices, coconut, and chilli are essential in every dish, so if you have a sensitive stomach, don’t forget to bring a strong antacid to avoid discomfort. Once dinner is over, the welcome party begins… I guarantee that on the first day we’ll sleep like children. Time to rest after the party, and tomorrow, full of energy to start the route!

After breakfast, we’ll carry out the usual safety briefing and assign the motorbikes. Regarding the bikes, there are two models: a Honda CBX 150cc and a Kawasaki Versys 250cc. You’ll ride the Honda if you’re solo, and the Kawasaki if you have a passenger. At this point, it’s worth noting that if at any stage the passenger prefers to go by car, the support vehicle is available for transport — no problem at all. You might be wondering why these particular bikes were chosen, and there are several reasons: they are lightweight, ideal for riding on the “roads” (if they can even be called that), tracks, and trails we’ll encounter on this experience; easy to transport on ferries/boats between islands; and they offer mechanical simplicity and reliability perfect for this type of adventure. Could we have chosen bigger bikes? Sure, but they simply wouldn’t fit on the paths between the rice terraces. Believe me when I say these bikes are perfectly selected for this journey — the experience has proven it. If you notice that today’s route is around 130 km and will take the whole day to complete, you can get an idea of the kind of roads we’ll be riding. But not all the time will be spent on the bike, because today also includes a visit to a Hindu temple where we’ll receive blessings for the journey, accompanied by a typical Balinese dance, a visit to one of the charitable projects our local partner is involved in, and rides through rice terraces and mountains… yes, those same rice terraces you’ve seen a thousand times in photos — you’re going to experience them first-hand. A feast for the eyes and a super fun challenge for your riding skills. We’ll finish the day with arrival at the selected hotel in Tejakula, dinner, and sleep. The experience has only just begun, and I guarantee you’ll already have memories to share. Good night — tomorrow, even more!

Today’s riding challenge is undoubtedly the climbs along lava paths with up to 20% gradient, taking us to the base of Mount Batur (active today and standing at 1,717 metres), offering an experience that combines adrenaline, nature, and the authenticity of northern Bali. To relax after the rush of this first part of today’s route, we’ll take a dip in the hot springs of the volcanic caldera, so don’t forget your swimsuit — although I doubt I need to remind you, just in case! Bathing in the hot springs is a pleasure, but remember this is a luxury experience, so we take it to the next level with an in-water massage that will soothe both body and soul. Remember when I promised that the experiences on this trip would be unique? Well, a hot springs bath and massage in the caldera of an active volcano gets even better with a tasting of one of the world’s most exclusive and prized coffees. And it keeps getting better… Have you heard of Luwak coffee? It’s made from beans that have been eaten and then excreted by the civet, a small nocturnal mammal related to cats and mongooses. This natural process ferments the beans and gives them a smooth, distinctive flavour, highly valued by coffee lovers. Yes, it’s one of the most expensive and exclusive coffees in the world, due to its limited production and special processing, making it a sought-after gourmet experience in Bali. I often wonder who first thought of searching through a Luwak’s droppings, finding the coffee beans, then roasting and brewing them… and just like that, discovered an exquisite delicacy enjoyed by coffee aficionados worldwide. Stories like this are simply amazing, aren’t they? As if that weren’t enough, we’ll also stop to visit some stunning waterfalls along our way to today’s accommodation, located in front of the spectacular Padangbai harbour. As you can see, the day is packed with experiences and activities of all kinds — but above all, with quality and luxury, just as promised. Dinner and rest, because this is only the beginning!

We start today’s activities with our first ferry transfer between islands, taking us from Bali to Lombok, where the rest of the day will unfold. Besides securing the bikes on the ferry — which is an adventure in itself — today brings the challenge of riding along the narrow paths that weave through the island’s rice fields, leading us to discover wild beaches where we’ll relax before the day’s most intense activity: a visit to the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia’s motorcycling gem. The circuit is 4.31 km long, with a total of 17 corners (11 right, 6 left) and MotoGP bikes can reach top speeds of up to 330 km/h on the longest straights. The race lap record in MotoGP is held by Fermín Aldeguer with 1:30.499, and in qualifying (pole) Marco Bezzecchi set the bar even higher with 1:28.832 — both recorded in 2025. We’ll get to ride the circuit ourselves, though of course at much more reasonable speeds. After visiting the track, we’ll head to the hotel’s beach to watch the sunset, ending the day with a delicious dinner on the sand where seafood takes centre stage: fresh fish, shellfish, and local delicacies to delight our palates. After dinner, time to rest — see you tomorrow!

Today is a relax day — the bike stays parked. After breakfast, we’ll take a small boat for a tour of the Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, where white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and coral reefs perfect for snorkelling and diving await us. Here’s a bit about the meaning of the islands’ names: Gili Trawangan: “Gili” means island in the Sasak language of Lombok, and “Trawangan” is interpreted as high sand or “elevated sand island”. It’s the largest and liveliest of the three, known for its beaches, nightlife, and social vibe. Gili Meno: “Meno” can be translated as small or “less” in Sasak, reflecting that it is the smallest and quietest island, yet just as beautiful as its neighbours. Gili Air: “Air” means water in Indonesian, referring to its close connection to the sea, the clarity of its waters, and the surrounding reefs. It combines nature and tranquillity with a touch of local life, perfect for snorkelling and diving. Regarding Sasak, the native local language, it belongs to the Austronesian family like Balinese, Javanese, or Indonesian, with several local variants across Lombok. Although its use is not very common today, it has been spoken for centuries and is the main language of the Sasak people, a community with deep roots on the island. Like every language, it reflects Sasak culture and traditions, including folklore, religious rituals, dances, songs, and proverbs — maybe we’ll learn a few! Today, most Sasak also speak Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), the country’s official language, but Sasak remains a symbol of cultural identity and local pride. As for diving and snorkelling, it’s truly amazing to see the wonders just five metres below the surface — some alive and natural, like giant turtles, others less so (see the day’s cover photo), but all equally impressive. I hope you’re good at snorkelling, because today you’ll put your lung capacity to the test! We’ll return to Lombok in the afternoon for a beach dinner with a bonfire. Good night!

Today we get back on the bike to catch the ferry that will take us to our next island: Sumbawa. The wild beauty of its white-sand beaches will welcome us with open arms, marking the start of a route that will lead us through dreamlike waterfalls and up to an elevated viewpoint in Mantar, where we’ll enjoy a privileged panorama of the surrounding natural landscape. Without a doubt, this will be one of the day’s most memorable photos. We’ll then ride back down to sea level to watch the sunset from Sumbawa’s best beach, where we’ll stay in a hotel that seems to float above the crystal-clear water — a true luxury for all the senses. And as if that weren’t enough, tonight we’ll enjoy a beachfront dinner, accompanied by a bonfire lighting our evening as we taste local culinary delights and share all the stories and moments of the journey — and there will surely be many by now! After dinner, it’s time to rest. See you tomorrow!

After a well-deserved rest, we point our bikes north for a relaxed day of riding, interacting with the locals in the villages we pass through —and honestly, I never know who is more surprised to see whom in these moments. We’ll soak up the genuine kindness of the people, visiting local markets and discovering their customs firsthand, while kilometer by kilometer we venture into the most remote and wild depths of Sumbawa; rice fields, volcanoes, and the sea will fill our souls with their majestic presence. Today’s accommodation offers one of the island’s most authentic curiosities: the lumbungs. Originally, lumbungs are traditional Indonesian granaries, especially common in rural areas of Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa. They are small elevated buildings on stilts, with thatched or bamboo roofs, designed to store rice and grain, keeping them dry and protected from animals. Of course, we won’t be sleeping in a granary — the lumbungs we stay in have been converted into luxury bungalows while preserving their traditional architecture: wooden structure, raised base, and classic palm roofs, offering a truly rustic yet cozy design. So when you see them, you’ll know where they come from and the reason for their curious appearance. We’ll enjoy dinner indulging in the island’s culinary delights and rest in these unique accommodations. Have you ever slept in a place like this? I can assure you it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! After dinner, time to sleep… tomorrow brings more adventure!

I hope you slept well, because today the sensations and adrenaline will reach one of the highest points of the trip. Are you ready? Let me explain… Today we give our bikes a rest and venture into the open ocean with the guidance of local fishermen. We set out in their traditional boats in search of the whale shark, the gentle giant that rules these waters. Measuring up to 18 metres in length and weighing as much as 20 tonnes, its presence is truly awe-inspiring. While there’s no danger swimming with them —these colossal creatures are herbivores and completely harmless to humans— their sheer size makes this one of the most emotionally powerful experiences of the entire journey. Swimming alongside a whale shark is a unique adrenaline rush: feeling its monumental size and the force of each fin stroke as you glide through the water is breathtaking, and, of course, completely safe under the guidance of local experts. Without a doubt, it’s an encounter that will remain etched in our memory forever. Will you dare to do it? After this aquatic adventure, we’ll regain our calm with a selection of fresh, flavoursome local seafood, enjoying the sea breeze while sharing laughter and the day’s stories — and there will be plenty! Finally, we return to our lumbungs, where peace and tranquillity await, letting us rest comfortably until tomorrow. Good night!

Today we get back on the bikes to enjoy riding as if it were the very first day of the route, covering the stage from Moyo Utara to Bima, always within the island of Sumbawa. Today’s experience will take us to traditional markets that seem frozen in time and across wooden suspension bridges hanging from cables over rivers, connecting remote villages rarely visited by tourists. As with the rest of the journey, today we ride far from the usual tourist routes. Imagine living in a small village on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean, and suddenly your daily routine is interrupted by the roar of engines slowly approaching your front door. What would you do? Probably the same as the friendly locals in the villages we ride through today: step outside to watch, turning us from simple travelers into the main attraction of the day. Conversations, photos and endless curiosity will be our constant companions throughout the day. Upon arrival in Bima, we will enjoy, as every night, the carefully selected hotel, ensuring the perfect rest to be ready for tomorrow’s ride. Time to sleep, rest… and more to come tomorrow!

Heads up and full of energy, because today is another one of those days that will take us on a true emotional roller coaster. After a short ride of around 50 km, we will reach the fishing port of Sape, at the eastern end of the island of Sumbawa. This port combines the role of a fishing harbor, ferry terminal and maritime transport hub for goods and passengers between the islands of Nusa Tenggara, making it a key point for inter-island connections and exploration of the Sape Strait. And that is exactly what we will do today: explore the islands of the strait to discover places such as Padar Island, part of Komodo National Park and one of its most iconic landscapes, famous for its natural viewpoints overlooking bays of different colors separated by narrow strips of land. We will swim with manta rays in the shallow waters and strong currents of Mengerite Island, where they come to feed and be cleaned, making it one of the best places in the world to observe them in the wild. And of course, we will stop at Komodo so the brave ones can take a photo with the famous Komodo dragons (the largest lizards on the planet), as this island is their natural habitat. Its landscape is dry, wild and mountainous, with hills opening out to the sea and a unique biodiversity both on land and underwater. It is a protected area where visits are always controlled and guided — but don’t get too confident, these lizards are still wild. After the adrenaline rush of the dragons, we will visit Siaba Island and Bat Island to slow things down and relax with a spectacular swim at Pink Beach. The name already gives you a clue, but trust me: no matter how much it’s described to you, until you see it with your own eyes, you won’t believe the natural spectacle of this magical place. You really have to see it to believe it. After an action-packed day, we will arrive at our luxury seaside hotel, where tonight it’s time to celebrate the end of our experience with a trophy ceremony and a full-blown party you will definitely never forget. The journey has been a luxury — and its grand finale will be too, no doubt about it. Tonight, we go to bed only when the body finally asks for rest… not before!

Relaxation and transfers—that’s the plan for today. After last night’s party, we’ll start the morning unwinding by the hotel’s pool or private beach, followed by a calm transfer to Komodo Airport to fly back to Bali. But wait… how about flying over southern Bali in a private helicopter? Let’s do it! Enjoy the most spectacular aerial views of the island in this flight, which will be the highlight of today. After the flight, we’ll transfer to a luxury hotel in central Bali, where we will spend our final night on the island. Tonight’s dinner is always very special. We all feel that the experience is coming to an end, and we share that quiet wish for it not to finish. Somehow, we all understand that we should set aside our daily obligations and dedicate more time to ourselves and these kinds of journeys… But everything that begins must come to an end, and even though our time together is ending, rest assured that a lifetime of memories is just beginning. And the best part? You can always repeat the journey—it might be similar, but it will never be the same, and that’s what makes it so amazing.

asdaYes, it’s true that today we have to catch a flight to start our journey back to Valencia, but is anyone in a hurry? So, if you like, let’s make the most of the last hours in Bali for a little shopping — it’s always nice to bring souvenirs for loved ones. And since we want to finish in style and considering the hours we’ll spend on the plane, what better way to face the return flight fully relaxed than with a massage? Well, said and done: a massage to put body and soul in place, transfer to Bali Airport, and off we go back home. Given the duration of the flight, we will arrive at Valencia Airport the following day.

Arrival at Valencia Airport and final farewell. If your final destination is not Valencia, and you have come from another city and need assistance arranging a connection to your next flight or an extra night in our city, don’t hesitate to ask us. See you next time!