Excursion An evening at the royal palace tour at Benoa

Explore the rich cultural heritage, flavours and daily life of the Balinese people during this memorable, half-day excursion to the Royal Palace with dinner.

Benoa, Blayu Village, Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari, Pavilions, Tropical Garden, Shrines, Gates

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.75-hour drive to Blayu, a small village in the Tabanan District. Upon arrival, proceed to the magnificent former Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari. Built in the 17th century, this spectacular landmark of historic architecture served as the Royal Palace of the Mengwi Dynasty ancestry. Designed in the style of ancient Balinese royal compound houses, Puri Taman Sari consists of a number of pavilions. This wonderful Royal Palace complex also includes a fantastic, tropically landscaped garden, exquisite wooden shrines, beautifully-carved gates, coconut palms, and views of rice fields surrounding three rivers, making it one of the area's main attractions. Every move and breath of Balinese life can be felt from the environment and the hotel atmosphere.

Traditional Balinese Welcome Drink and Dance, Attractions and Activities, Indonesian Dinner

Upon arrival, you are warmly greeted by a group of Balinese women who are clad in their exquisite traditional dress, and present you with a graceful hospitality. As a Bleganjur music group performs for you, you are escorted to the lobby area where a refreshing drink awaits. After a welcome dance, observe a colourful procession before setting off to explore the many attractions and activities housed at the Puri Taman Sari. There are also areas where you can observe daily Balinese activities, many of which are performed by women, and include offering-making and traditional Balinese umbrella-making. Following your discovery of Balinese culture and activities, proceed for an Indonesian buffet dinner.

Traditional Kecak Dancing Performance

After dinner, you are regaled with an utterly unique and fascinating performance of the Kecak Dance. This traditional dance recounts a tale from the Ramayana, an epic story that found its way from India to Indonesia. During the dance, the only musical accompaniment is the chanting by men positioned in a concentric circle on the stage. As the men chant and rhythmically sway to the music, colourfully costumed dancers weave and intertwine their way amongst them. Lit only by glowing torches, the shadows cast by the dancers, combined with the haunting chanting, create a truly mesmerising and unforgettable experience. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.75-hour drive back to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Benoa, Blayu Village, Royal Palace of Puri Taman Sari, Pavilions, Garden, Shrines, Gates, Traditional Balinese Welcome Drink, Dancing, Attractions and Activities, Indonesia Dinner

Note

This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 273 yards (about 250 metres), at time over uneven and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 15 steps at Puri Taman Sari. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable, smart-casual clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must be at least six years old to participate on this tour. The total driving time between the pier and Puri Taman Sari is approximately 1.75 hours in each direction. The tour sequence may vary.