Madhuri’s Bali Journey with Thrillophilia: Five College Friends, One Dream Trip & 8 Days of Island Adventures

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKDXAMR2TU1
Rating: ★★★★★
Traveller: Madhuri Shanmugam
Duration: 8 Days
Travel Date: 20 Feb 2024 to 27 Feb 2024
Destination: Bali
Package Booked: 8 Days trip to Bali

“Bali was a dream destination for us five college friends from Bengaluru who wanted to celebrate our fiftieth birthday together. We chose Thrillophilia for this vacation and were very satisfied with their arrangements.”

Some trips begin with a destination in mind. Others begin with a group of people who have known each other for years and finally find the right reason to travel together. For Madhuri Shanmugam and her four old college friends from Bengaluru, Bali was both. They wanted to celebrate their fiftieth birthday year together, and the island became the setting for an eight-day holiday filled with temples, beaches, mountain landscapes and long days spent exploring.

From the cliffs of Uluwatu and the dramatic coastline of Nusa Penida to the green trails of Ubud and a sunrise over Mount Batur, their itinerary brought together several very different sides of Bali. For five friends marking such a special milestone, the variety gave them plenty to experience together.

Bali Began with Fire and a Sunset

Their Bali adventure quickly moved beyond the usual arrival-and-settle-in routine. One of their first major outings took them to Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), the cultural park known for its enormous statue of Vishnu riding Garuda. From there, they continued towards Uluwatu Temple, dramatically positioned on a cliff above the Indian Ocean.

The evening ended with the Kecak and Fire Dance, one of Bali's most recognisable cultural performances. Set against the coastal landscape, the performance brought together chanting, traditional storytelling and fire, giving the friends an atmospheric introduction to the island.

Then Bali Took Them to an Island of Cliffs

The next adventure took the five friends offshore to Nusa Penida, where Bali's landscape changed completely. Their private island tour covered some of the destination's most recognisable viewpoints, beginning with Kelingking Beach, where the limestone cliffs form the famous T-Rex-shaped coastline.

They continued to Angel's Billabong and Broken Bay, two striking coastal formations shaped by the island's rugged limestone landscape, before heading to Bubu Beach. The day also included the possibility of snorkelling and an Indian lunch on Nusa Penida. With the journey involving an early departure, a fast boat crossing and several coastal stops, this was one of the more action-packed chapters of their Bali holiday.

A Sunrise Above Mount Batur

One of the most memorable starts to a day came much earlier than sunrise. The friends set out around 1–2 AM for the Mount Batur experience, travelling towards the Kintamani region in an open-roof Jeep rather than undertaking the traditional trek on foot.

As dawn approached, they reached a viewpoint overlooking the volcanic landscape. Lake Batur spread below while Mount Agung, Bali's highest mountain, stood in the distance. Watching the landscape change with the rising sun gave the group a completely different perspective of the island, followed by a small breakfast before they continued their day around Kintamani.

From Ubud’s Green Trails to Bali’s Highland Temples

Their exploration of Bali's interior brought together two very different landscapes. Around Ubud, they walked along the Campuhan Ridge, experienced the famous Bali Jungle Swing and visited Goa Gajah, an archaeological site dating back centuries. The Saraswati Temple, with its lotus-filled setting, and the Sacred Monkey Forest added more of Ubud's cultural and natural character to the day.

Another outing took them towards the cooler Bedugul Highlands, beginning at the iconic Handara Gate. They continued to Ulun Danu Beratan, the lakeside temple complex on Lake Bratan, where the shrines appear to rise from the water against a mountainous backdrop. The day eventually led them to Tanah Lot, where the temple's offshore setting made a striking contrast to the highlands they had explored earlier.

One Day, Several Sides of Bali

Another full day showed just how much variety could fit into a single Bali experience. The friends visited Besakih Temple, Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, before heading towards Ubud Palace and Ubud Market.

The landscape then shifted again at Tegenungan Waterfall, followed by the layered green fields of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Their journey also included Tirta Gangga, the former royal water palace in East Bali, known for its ornate pools, fountains, stone sculptures and landscaped gardens. Across temples, markets, waterfalls, rice terraces and royal gardens, the day brought together some of the island's most distinctive sights.

Why Madhuri Chose Thrillophilia

For Madhuri and her four college friends, planning was an important part of making this milestone trip happen. They had specific preferences for their holiday, including their choice of hotels, and the Thrillophilia team spent considerable time working through the itinerary with them before the trip.

Their experience also extended beyond the planning stage. Madhuri specifically appreciated the drivers arranged for the group and the continued support from the India team throughout the holiday. Shubam, Ishika and Gourav stayed in touch during the trip, giving the group dependable support as they moved between Bali's beaches, temples, highlands and cultural landmarks. Ishika Khaandelwal, Thrillophilia's Bali Destination Expert, was part of the team coordinating their experience.

For five college friends who had come together to celebrate their fiftieth birthday year, the trip represented something they had looked forward to for a long time. As Madhuri put it, “Thanks, Thrillophilia, for making our dream come true.” 💕

Also Read: Vikram’s 5-Day Bali Trip