Bali is one of the few places on Earth that lives up to its mythological reputation — emerald rice terraces, ancient Hindu temples wreathed in incense smoke, world-class surf, and a spiritual energy unlike anywhere else. Indonesia's 17,000 islands hold extraordinary diversity beyond Bali.
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
📅 Ubud
The cultural heart of Bali. Tegallalang rice terraces at sunrise. Tirta Empul holy water temple. Traditional Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu cliff temple at sunset. Cooking class with a local family in the rice paddies. Spa treatments for $15 an hour.
📅 Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Pre-dawn 2-hour hike to the rim of an active volcano (1,717m) for sunrise over Bali and Lombok. Boil eggs in volcanic steam vents. Breakfast on the crater rim with sweeping caldera views.
📅 Seminyak, Canggu & Uluwatu
Surf lessons at Kuta. Sunsets at Tanah Lot sea temple. The surf breaks at Uluwatu (Padang Padang for advanced). Seminyak's beach clubs and warung dinners. Jimbaran Bay seafood BBQ on the beach at sunset.
📅 Nusa Penida
45-minute fast boat to Bali's dramatic offshore island. Snorkel with manta rays at Manta Point. Kelingking Beach (T-Rex rock) — possibly Southeast Asia's most dramatic viewpoint. Angel's Billabong natural infinity pool.
📅 Komodo or Lombok
Fly to Labuan Bajo for Komodo National Park — Komodo dragons (world's largest lizard) and the pink sand beach at Pantai Merah. Or Lombok — climb Rinjani volcano (3,726m), the most rewarding summit in Indonesia.
💡 Key tips: Dress modestly at temples — sarong and sash are usually provided. The Bali belly is real — stick to bottled water, cooked food from busy warungs. Rent a scooter for flexibility ($5/day) but drive carefully — traffic is chaotic. Bargain at markets but not in restaurants. Respect religious ceremonies — they happen constantly and everywhere.
