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• Denpasar Tour, including the Monkey Forest, Royal Temple, Tanah Lot.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning is free at own leisure.
Bali is famous for its traditional dances. One of them is the famous Barong and Keris Dance that tells a story from the ancient Ramayana. Our first stop during this tour will be to enjoy the beauty and gracefulness of these skillful Balinese dancers. The dance expresses the eternal fight between good and evil spirits ending with the magical Keris (dagger) dance.
The Balinese are Hindu/animist, unlike the rest of predominantly Muslim Indonesia. They are self-assured, genuinely friendly, curious, and always make time to chat. Some of your most memorable experiences will come from warm interaction with local folk. Everyone here seems to be an artist of some kind and daily offerings and rituals are a way of life. While men and women no longer wander about in innocent nakedness, you will certainly encounter unselfconsciousness at the morning and evening bathing hours at rivers, pools, and public baths (Balinese become invisible when they slip out of their sarong).
Many Balinese mythical figures celebrated in music and dance have androgynous characteristics. That, together with the high visibility of many gay visitors to the island and a quiet acceptance among the indigenous communities, mean that most Balinese are aware of homosexuality. However, for Balinese, marriage and the union of opposite genders is a requirement for their full participation in village life. That said, homosexuality is certainly not a serious matter or one requiring a moral judgement. Interestingly, murals in The Hall of Justice in the Taman Gili, which luridly depict the punishments of hell, represent a wide range of sins from incest and bestiality to gossiping and farting -- but no proscriptions against homosexuality are recorded.
Not surprisingly, Bali has been a famous haven for homosexuals, and a number of its renowned foreign residents lead comfortable, open lives here. Respected artists like Rudolf Bonnet, Donald Friend and, most famously, Walter Spies, all contributed to the thriving cultural synthesis that is Bali today. The spectacular kecak monkey chant, perceived by millions of tourists as a glimpse back in time to the "real" Bali, was actually re-choreographed by Spies, who combined several languishing performance traditions, increased the number of male performers, stripped them to loincloths, and set them in a circle around a central fire light.
On the topic of sex, it needs to be said that the Balinese are not especially given to going out and having a few drinks at a bar and getting picked up. These are people who believe you can go into full-fledged demonic possession at the sound of a gong, and being drunk is not a happy feeling for them. On the other hand, they are not shy about physical contact between people of the same gender. Friendly encounters may lead to a chance to get better acquainted, but you are likely to be disappointed if you arrive with the expectation of finding a holiday boyfriend. Knowing a little Indonesian, and the gentle art of teasing and flirting, will go a long way towards making friends.
Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music. While it once was a haven for scruffy backpackers, cosmic seekers, artists and bohemians, Ubud is now a hot spot for literati, glitterati, art collectors and connoisseurs. Famous names walk its busy sidewalks everyday. Elegant five star hotels and sprawling mansions now stand on its outskirts, overlooking the most prized views in Bali. Nonetheless, Ubud is still popular with backpackers, mystics and all the finest fringe elements of global society. Ubud is not "ruined". Its character is too strong to be destroyed. It still draws people who add something; people who are actively involved in art, nature, anthropology, music, dance, architecture, environmentalism, "alternative modalities," and more.
Late afternoon, we make a visit to Batu Bulan Village for its renowned stone carved art and to see the famous Kecak & Fire Dance where a group of up to 50 men will enchant you with an old mystic performance. The story is a fragment from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic which finds its expression in many forms, not only in dance, but also in painting and carving. Prince Rama, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Ayodya, and his wife Sita have been banished from the kingdom by King Dasarata as a result of trickery by Rama's stepmother. The story begins with the arrival of Rama and Sita accompanied by Rama's brother Laksmana in the forest of Dandaka.
Carving through some of Bali's most fantastic landscape, the Ayung River provides thrill the moment you push off from the river bank. Class II and III rapid winds through deep valleys, cascading water falls, dense the tropical rainforest jungle and towering cliff.
Guests have complimentary access to an area shuttle within 5 km. Guest parking is complimentary. The staff can arrange business services, tour assistance, currency exchange, and computer rentals. Additional amenities include a rooftop terrace, a children's club, and spa services. 
There are no shots that are required for travel to Indonesia but Hermes Tours does recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date.
Please note that the above cost includes all accommodation in 4 star, gay friendly hotels, with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All activities as outlined in the itinerary; all meals as per itinerary; the services of a Hermes Tours Escort throughout the trip (with minimum participation of 10); all ground transportation as per itinerary; airport transfer on designated arrival and departure days; Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary. 
International airfare to/from Denpasar; visas to Indonesia; personal travel and cancellation insurance; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; services of a personal nature like alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes as well as customary tips to guides. 
