Bali, also called the Island of the Gods, is an Indonesian paradise known for its breathtaking beaches, rich culture and stunning natural beauty. The island offers a perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, with plenty of activities such as surfing, snorkeling, hiking through rice fields and yoga.
In this 16-day itinerary you will discover the highlights of Bali, from the vibrant city of Ubud to the breathtaking landscapes of Sidemen and the beautiful beaches of Uluwatu and Nusa Penida. You stay overnight in a traditional homestay and get to know the locals and their lifestyle. Furthermore, you will be introduced to Balinese cuisine, traditional crafts and historical temples.
Some tips!
- Withdrawing Cash!
Before departure, withdraw cash (ideally in bills of €50 or higher), so that when you arrive in Indonesia you can go to a bureau de change to Indonesian Rupiah. Again, saves you transaction fees and the exchange rate is better. 1 euro equals about 16,000 Indonesian Rupiah (5-2023). Takes some getting used to, all those zeros on the bills. By the way, you won't get bills larger than 100,000.
- Buying a Sim Card
You can buy a SIM card at the airport, but they are more expensive. I went to a Telkomsel store for this. This is about a 20-minute drive from Denpasar in a shopping mall. Here for 150,000 Rupiah you have 25GB of data for a full month. By the way, in Indonesia it is mandatory to register the SIM card by name, so you will have to give the phone store employee your passport for a while.
I think I had timed my visit badly, because there was a 1.5-hour queue. Fortunately, I was able to shop and have a bite to eat downstairs in the mall.
- Offline navigation
Download the map of the region where you will arrive so you can navigate to your ho(s)tel and possibly the Telkomsel store without internet.
What do I bring with me?
Indonesia was part of my backpacking adventure through Southeast Asia. I only needed thermal clothing for climbing Mount Batur and Mount Bromo, while rain gear came in handy during tropical downpours on a few occasions.
You can find my complete packing list for my backpacking adventure in this blog!
Arrival in Indonesia: Jakarta or Denpasar
A significant amount of journeys in Indonesia will start at the airports of Bali or Jakarta. From Jakarta Airport, you can easily reach your accommodation using public transportation, but it's a bit different in Bali.
Arrival in Bali: Ngurah Rai Airport
I began my journey in Bali, where it was an exciting adventure to drive from the airport to my first destination. After getting the passport stamp and collecting your luggage, you can start your journey to your accommodation. Even before leaving the airport, you'll be bombarded with countless offers to buy a SIM card and of course, taxi drivers and scooter rentals.
I had already found a reputable scooter rental company on Google beforehand, so I wanted to rent a scooter from them. When one of the scooter hustlers asked if I had already paid, I politely said no, giving him a glimmer of hope that I should not have given. He claimed to be from the company but couldn't even show me his business card or anything.
Another man tried to appeal to my emotions by expressing his disappointment in my lack of trust in them. Nice try, sir, but you're lying to me (by saying that the place I want to go can only be reached by taxi, which isn't even true). I'd rather walk away from you just as easily. After hearing "stop here" ten times, I already knew that the scooter guy wasn't from ASA Tours & Motorbike Rental. He finally stopped when I only had to walk 100 meters. Persistence pays off!
Should you take a taxi to your accommodation or the shopping center for a SIM card? Often, it's worth walking a few hundred meters and then taking a taxi from there.
My 16-day Bali itinerary
An overview
- Day 1. Arrival, travel on to Uluwatu and watch the first sunset
- Day 2. Viewpoints, beaches and the Uluwatu temple
- Day 3. More viewpoints and beaches in Uluwatu
- Day 4. One last beach, continue to Ubud and on temple visit
- Day 5. Rice fields & temples
- Day 6. Waterfalls & rice field walk
- Day 7. Batur climbing and a yoga class
- Day 8. Off to the Homestay and meet your new family.
- Day 9. Be surprised by the beautiful rural surroundings and Balinese culture.
- Day 10. Saying goodbye to your Balinese family
- Day 10. - Day 14. Discover the Nusa Islands
- Day 14. Back to the mainland: Sidemen! Explore the village and rice fields
- Day 15. Explore the beautiful surroundings of Sidemen, rice fields, water palace and Bali's mother temple
- Day 16. End of trip, return to the airport.
Destination 1. Uluwatu (3 nights)
Welcome to Bali! Did you manage to get a Sim Card and some cash? Then it's time to go to the beaches and waves of Uluwatu!
Day 1. Arrival, travel on to Uluwatu and watch the first sunset
Uluwatu is located on the southwestern coast of Bali and is known for its beautiful cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, the famous Uluwatu Temple, and surf beaches. It is popular among surfers for its great waves. Even if you're not into surfing, there is plenty to see and do.
- Travel time: Uluwatu is about 15km from the airport (30 minutes)
- Accommodation: Home Bience Hostel | A hostel where you will meet many surfers, run by a very friendly Balinese lady.
Sunset: Viewpoint Jaran Hill
After arriving at your accommodation, you can go to the first viewpoint to enjoy the sunset: Jaran Hill. A small hilly area in Uluwatu with panoramic views of the ocean, the surrounding cliffs and the green hills of Uluwatu. Ideal for enjoying a Balinese sunset. I personally thought it was the most beautiful viewpoint I visited in Uluwatu.
Day 2. Viewpoints, beaches and the Uluwatu temple
On the schedule today include Blue Point Beach, the Mandala Airlines "hotel," Nyang Nyang Beach (along with Nunggalan Beach) and the Karang Boma Cliff.
Bluepoint
Perhaps the most famous beach in Uluwatu, known for its beautiful turquoise waters and spectacular cliffs. The beach is accessed by a steep staircase that runs through the cliffs, after which you can enter the beach through a small gap between the rocks. The surf point, called Blue Point, is incredibly popular with surfers because of its high waves and can be accessed through the inlet between the rocks. If it is low tide, you can still sit in the sand; at high tide, the inlet fills with water and there is no beach left for a while.
3-in-1: Nyang Nyang, Nunggalan & Airplane Hotel
Nyang Nyang Beach.
A 1.5 kilometer long pristine white sand beach along the coastline of limestone cliffs. The cliffs are bright green in the rainy season and more brownish in the summer season as the foliage grows less. Few tourists can be found at Nyang-Nyang Beach because the beach requires a bit more physical effort (15-20 minutes of walking downhill) to reach.
Nunggalan Beach
Nunggalan Beach is next to Nyang Nyang Beach, thus giving you 2 beaches for the price of 1 walk down. It is easily identified by the shipwreck covered in graffiti. When I was there myself around 12:00, the tide was slowly rising and at times the waves even passed the shipwreck.
Mandala Airlines 'hotel'
Near the starting point for the walk down towards Nyang Nyang Beach you will find the (yet to be remodeled) Mandala Airlines PK-RII Hotel. The Boeing 737 aircraft was part of the fleet of Mandala Airlines, which has been declared bankrupt since 2014. The plane is placed right on the edge of the cliff next to Nyang Nyang Beach for a spectacular view.
You can already see that during low tide the beach is certainly not always beautiful because the waves do not come all the way to the shore
Would you like to spend the night here?
Karang Boma Cliff
Karang Boma Cliff, better known as Uluwatu Cliff, is a 70-meter-high limestone cliff that lies straight down into the ocean. It is located near the Uluwatu temple and is a great place to visit. A fence has since been erected at Uluwatu Cliff and so they are directing you toward a new (adjacent) viewpoint.
Hopefully you'll have better luck, because when I was there I shared the viewpoint with lots of monkeys. Don't like that much.
End your day at the Uluwatu temple!
The temple is known for its beautiful location, overlooking the vast ocean and the impressive cliffs surrounding it. The architecture of Pura Uluwatu is remarkable, with its stone walls, towers and statues overlooking the ocean. At the temple, the Kecak dance show, a traditional Balinese dance performance performed at sunset, takes place daily.
The dance is performed by a large chorus of men who combine song and movement to create a mesmerizing experience. Personally, I found it quite a distinct experience, as after 15 minutes I felt I had heard the word "Cak" (derivation of Kecak) 100,000 times.
Be on time to buy a ticket (you can do this when you are at the temple), so you can be sure to attend the 6 p.m. sunset show. A ticket costs 150,000 Rupiah (€9.50).
Day 3. More viewpoints and beaches in Uluwatu
On this 3rd day you can go to: Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach, Thomas Beach and the Balangan Viewpoint.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach requires the most effort to get there, so it is best to do this one first. A hidden gem in Uluwatu, Thomas Beach is a quiet and secluded beach that is perfect for relaxation. The beach has white sand and picturesque ocean views. Because the way down is a bit more challenging than other beaches, you won't meet many fellow tourists here
Padang Padang Beach
Practically next to Thomas Beach, you'll find Padang Padang Beach: a small and picturesque beach surrounded by high rock formations. It is one of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu and is known for its white sand and crystal clear waters, but most importantly as a surfing beach. The way down the steps is quite short. Ideal for when you want to go surfing yourself, or to watch surfers!
Bingin Beach
The third and last beach of the day is Bingin Beach, where you also have several restaurants with a nice view of the sea. Ideal to stop for a snack and a drink, for example. The beach itself is known for its clear turquoise water and white sand. The beach is surrounded by impressive cliffs and has a relaxed atmosphere.
Balangan Viewpoint
End your day at the Balangan Viewpoint, a popular vantage point located on the cliffs at Balangan Beach. From here you have a panoramic view of the ocean, the surrounding cliffs and the magnificent over 200-meter-wide Balangan Beach, with its distinctive waves.
Destination 2. Ubud (4 nights)
Ubud is also known as the cultural heart of Bali and is famous for its beautiful rice fields, traditional art and culture, sacred temples, and relaxed atmosphere. There is plenty to do in Ubud, from visiting rice fields to climbing an active volcano.
Day 4. Onward travel to Ubud and temple visit
The journey from Uluwatu to Ubud takes about 1.5 hours. So you can possibly go out in the morning, but the easiest option is to head towards Ubud around lunchtime. That way you can relax after checking into Ubud, before using the rest of the afternoon to visit 2 temples.
Saraswati Temple, Ubud's Water Palace, is a water temple with beautiful lotus flowers on either side! Follow the flowering path to the Balinese architecture and brilliantly colored doors. Practically next to the water temple is Ubud Palace. This beautiful temple has elaborate stone doors with flowers, monkeys and rather interesting faces. Entrance to both temples is free.
- Travel time: Ubud is about 55km from Uluwatu (90 minutes).
- Accommodation: Ubud Rice Field House (Hostel) | A small-scale hostel with a small rice field in the garden.
Rice field walk
In the evening, stretch your legs with a beautiful view while hiking through the rice fields! In my opinion, this rice field hike is just as beautiful as the widely known Bukit Campuhan hike. You can take this 45-minute route via Google Maps for this. The starting point is in the center of Ubud, but may be a bit hidden around the corner by a narrow alley. Along the way, stop at one of the local warung's for a snack or drink, such as Ubud Shanti Warung.
The cat at the Ubud Shanti Warung also liked a bite of my Nasi Campur
Day 5. Rice fields & temples
Ideally, your fifth day in Bali should start early so you can get ahead of the crowds at Bali's most famous rice fields: the "Instagram famous" Tegalalang. You'll find numerous Instagram photo spots, including the famous swing and some restaurants overlooking the rice fields. For a walking route, you can navigate to this spot on Google Maps. I was there at 06:00 to get ahead of the crowds and was the only one at the rice fields. Lovely that peace and quiet! Too bad the rice fields looked a bit muddy, but this is a matter of luck with the timing of your visit.
The 'secret' rice fields
After visiting Tegalalang, I started riding around on the scooter and automatically found some beautiful rice fields along the road. Not terraced like the ones at Tegalalang, but at least because they were in full bloom they colored quite a bit more beautifully. The best advice for finding the "secret" rice fields is to simply get lost in the moment while driving around near Tegalalang. You will automatically come across more than enough of them! In case you still want a hand on the road: a Google Maps location.
Visit the sacred Pura Tirta Empul temple
The Pura Tirta Empul is a sacred Hindu temple built around a sacred spring. It is an important place of worship for Balinese Hindus and is known for its purification rituals.
You can participate in a purification ceremony here, where you will immerse yourself in the sacred spring and follow the ritual purification ceremony, accompanied by a local guide. You pay this guide on a donation basis. A unique and spiritual experience to participate in this ancient tradition!
Visit a coffee and tea plantation
Near the Pura Tirta Empul temple is a road with only coffee and tea plantations. You will probably have heard of it, the Civet coffee. This coffee is also known as the most expensive coffee in the world.
The coffee and tea plantations near Ubud are happy to introduce you to this unique type of coffee. You get a "free" tour and tasting of various coffees and teas, paying about €3.25 for the Civet coffee. The purpose of this whole tasting is, of course, that afterwards you buy some products for your home in their store.
Note: At the coffee plantations, the Civet (Luwak in Indonesian) cat is trapped in a small cage. Since they are nocturnal animals, you will therefore only see them sleeping during the day. According to the local guide, they are only exhibited in the cage for a week before they are allowed to go back into the wild; but according to the locals, nothing could be further from the truth. Bit of a shame that they keep these wild animals captive for the tourists.
Day 6. Waterfalls & rice field walk
Ubud not only offers beautiful rice paddies and temples, but also some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. Pass by about 3 waterfalls today:
The one and only Instagram waterfall: Kanto Lampo
Not only is the scooter road beautifully green, but the path to Tibuama Waterfall is also beautifully green surrounded!
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Kanto Lampo: The Instagram waterfall (I can understand why), so really be here first. If you're here late you can join the queue. Local guides know only too well how to take that perfect Instagram photo, so quickly spend between 5-10 minutes photographing someone.
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Tibuama: Visiting Tibuama Waterfall is mostly about the road to it. Just before you get there you pass a beautiful stretch surrounded by palm trees and rice fields. The waterfall is tucked away in a quiet area and surrounded by lush tropical trees and plants.
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Tegunangan: This waterfall is just a half-hour drive from Ubud and normally offers crystal clear water and beautiful jungle surroundings. When I was there I had bad luck with the mud, a case of expectations versus reality.
Tegunangan Waterfall, unfortunately unlucky with the amount of rainfall.
Day 7. Climbing Batur and a yoga class
Climbing Mount Batur volcano is an unforgettable experience not to be missed during your trip to Bali. After all, how often do you say you have climbed an active volcano? With a little extra luck, the active volcano offers you spectacular sunrise views from the top.
Since the climb requires plenty of energy, the rest of the day is spent relaxing, while in the afternoon you can take part in a yoga class. Indeed, Ubud is a popular destination for yoga, meditation and wellness. The Yogabarn is ideal for relaxing activities and to unwind after such an intense morning.
Destination number three of your journey through Bali will undoubtedly be the most authentic: a homestay in a Balinese village in the countryside. It was by far the best thing I did in Bali because it gave me a better insight into the way the local people live on this island. I now have so much respect for the people and greatly admire their way of life.
Be surprised by the beautiful rural surroundings and get to know Balinese culture extensively during 2 unforgettable days in Gadungan, a small village in the Tababan province. From attending a local ceremony to working in the rice fields, an unforgettable experience awaits you!
Destination 4-6 Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan (4 nights)
Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, the three islands east of Bali, are a must-see destination when you go to Bali. With their pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, beautiful underwater world and spectacular scenery, the islands are a unique destination for travelers looking for adventure, relaxation and beautiful photo spots.
During your visit to the Nusa Islands you will:
- Visit some beautiful beaches, such as Dream Beach, Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach
- Visit the widely known T-Rex beach
- Enjoy beautiful viewpoints, such as the 1000 Islands Viewpoint, Manta Point and Devil's Tears, Blue
- Lagoon and Mahana Point
- Swimming with manta rays
- Experience relaxed island life
Destination 7. Sidemen (2 nights)
After leaving the laid-back island life behind, it's time for another authentic piece of Bali: Sidemen. Located in eastern Bali, this charming village offers an authentic experience away from the hustle and bustle of tourist hotspots. The landscape around Sidemen is breathtaking with beautiful rice fields, rolling hills and majestic views of Gunung Agung, Bali's highest volcano.
Day 14: Back to the mainland: Sidemen! Explore the village and rice fields
Start your visit to Sidemen by wandering around the village's narrow streets. Visit a local market and meet the friendly people of Sidemen. Use the evening to take a walk through Sidemen while enjoying the view of the rice fields. I personally loved a walk from this Google Maps location! If you have a drone, you can definitely capture beautiful images here!
- Travel time: Sidemen is about 41KM from Sanur (60 minutes).
- Accommodation: For only €12.00 per night I had a 2-bed room with a view of the Gunung Agung volcano, including a delicious breakfast!
Day 15. Explore Sidemen's beautiful surroundings, rice fields, water palace and Bali's mother temple
Start your day early, as Sidemen offers magical landscapes for watching a beautiful sunrise.
Bukit Cinta: one of the most beautiful vantage points for the Gunung Agung
Beautiful green rice fields with the Gunung Agung in the background. You won't find it more unique than this. Ideal for watching the sunrise while quietly enjoying the beautiful scenery. It is about 25KM (45 minutes) drive from Sidemen, but absolutely worth getting up early.
Tip: Navigate to Bali Asli Restaurant, here you can possibly park your scooter and walk the last meters to the viewpoint.
Visit the Maha Gangga Valley
From Bukit Cinta, it is only a short 15-minute drive to the Maha Gangga Valley. The valley offers spectacular views of rice fields and mountains, while the green and lush landscape exudes peace and relaxation. After buying an entrance ticket (75,000 Rupiah) you will be shown around by a local guide, who will, among other things, let you taste a delicious cup of Balinese tea. Furthermore, you can see traditional farming methods and learn about Balinese agricultural culture, which has been an important part of Balinese society for centuries.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Just minutes away from the Maha Gangga Valley lies the Tirta Gangga water palace, making it an ideal combo with both the valley and the Bukit Cinta viewpoint. Surrounded by lush green gardens, the Tirta Gangga water palace offers several ponds, fountains and baths. The crystal clear water of the ponds is fed by a nearby natural spring and is considered sacred in Balinese culture.
Visit Bali's Mother Temple
The fourth stop of the day is Bali's Mother Temple: Pura Besakih. Built on the slope of Gunung Agung at an altitude of 1,000 meters, it makes it the largest, holiest and most important temple in Bali. The temple has a beautiful view of the surrounding area and Gunung Agung, which is why it is called Besakih (the most beautiful) for a reason.
There are also some photographers walking around who know only too well how to create that perfect "Instagram" picture. For a fee, they create a reflection, which suddenly gives you a reflection in your photo. A fun one in the context of Instagram versus Reality.
An authentic experience!
No photo with reflection for me, but an unforgettable local experience. At the entrance some guides are waiting for you, but somewhat eager to lead you through the complex. You pay them on a tipping basis, but I liked it better to walk through the complex at my own pace.
Tip: Even before you have had a chance to buy a ticket, some salesmen are already breathing down your neck. You are "required" to rent a sarong from them, while from others you are "required" to buy a Balinese offering bowl for a ceremony. A sarong is included in the entrance fee, while you can obtain a sacrificial bowl on a donation basis at one of the temples.
Enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking the rice paddies to finish off in style
Since Sidemen is surrounded by countless rice fields, you have plenty of restaurants that can offer you a unique dining experience. For example, Sidemen is home to 'D Padi Restaurant, where you can order both a local and international dish. I did find it a bit pricier compared to the average warung, but it also all looked a bit more luxurious and clean.
Day 16. End of the trip, back to the airport
For me, on day 16 the journey in Bali was over and I parked my scooter for one last time, to head for the neighboring island of Java. If you have longer than 16 days you can always choose to book 1 or 2 extra nights in some places, while you can also choose to go to one of the Gili Islands, Lombok or the north of Bali. I've heard great stories about each of them, so I will definitely go back again to explore Bali further.
My overview of 16 days (15 nights) Bali:
- Day 1 - 3: Uluwatu (3 nights)
- Day 4 - 7: Ubud (4 nights)
- Day 8 - 9: Homestay Gadungan (2 nights)
- Day 10 - 14: Nusa Islands (4 nights)
- Day 14 - 16: Sidemen (2 nights)
I hope to have inspired you with this itinerary for your visit to the Island of the Gods, have fun!
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