Bali: Ubud and the south coast

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Ubud

   1. 11:00

      Transfer from the airport to Ubud

      Getting around

      Around an hour and a half inland by car, more in heavy traffic. Book a driver ahead.

   2. 13:30

      Stay in Ubud

      Stay

      The island’s cultural center, surrounded by rice fields and river valleys. Your base for three nights.

   3. 15:30

      Ubud Palace and the art market

      Activity

      The old royal residence in the middle of town, with craft stalls across the street.

   4. 18:00

      Dinner: nasi campur in Ubud

      Food & drink

      Rice with a little of everything: satay, vegetables, egg and sambal.

   5. 19:30

      Balinese dance performance

      Activity

      Legong and other traditional dances are performed most evenings in and around the palace.

2. Day 2

   Ridges, monkeys and rice terraces

   1. 07:00

      Campuhan Ridge Walk

      Activity

      A paved path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys, cool and quiet in the early morning.

   2. 09:30

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Activity

      Temples in a jungle full of long-tailed macaques. Keep bags closed and don’t carry food.

   3. 12:30

      Lunch: babi guling

      Food & drink

      Balinese spit-roasted pork with rice and spiced vegetables, a classic Ubud lunch.

   4. 14:30

      Tegallalang rice terraces

      Activity

      Steep terraces carved into a valley north of town; walk down into them for the best views.

   5. 18:30

      Dinner in Ubud

      Food & drink

      Try bebek betutu, duck slow-cooked in spices.

3. Day 3

   Sunrise on Mount Batur

   1. 03:30

      Drive to the foot of Mount Batur

      Getting around

      Pickup is in the middle of the night; the trailhead is about an hour north of Ubud.

   2. 04:30

      Sunrise trek up Mount Batur

      Activity

      About two hours up loose volcanic ground by headlamp, then sunrise over the crater lake. With younger children, swap this for a slow morning.

   3. 07:00

      Breakfast at the summit

      Food & drink

      Guides often cook eggs in the steam from volcanic vents.

   4. 11:30

      Tirta Empul

      Activity

      A water temple where Balinese come to bathe in the spring-fed pools; visitors can join in a sarong.

   5. 15:30

      Goa Gajah

      Activity

      The Elephant Cave, an old carved cave and bathing pools in a ravine just outside Ubud.

4. Day 4

   South to Uluwatu

   1. 09:00

      Drive to the Bukit Peninsula

      Getting around

      Around two hours south to the limestone cliffs at the tip of the island.

   2. 11:30

      Stay near Uluwatu

      Stay

      Cliff-top villages above surf beaches, base for the last two nights.

   3. 13:00

      Padang Padang Beach

      Activity

      A small cove reached by steps through a gap in the rock, good for swimming at low tide.

   4. 17:00

      Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak dance

      Activity

      A temple on a cliff edge high above the ocean, followed by a fire dance at sunset. Monkeys here grab sunglasses.

   5. 19:30

      Seafood dinner on Jimbaran Bay

      Food & drink

      Grilled fish at tables set out on the sand.

5. Day 5

   Surf and a sea temple

   1. 08:00

      Surf lesson at Kuta Beach

      Activity

      Long, sandy-bottomed waves make Kuta the island’s easiest place to learn.

   2. 12:00

      Lunch in Seminyak

      Food & drink

      Nasi goreng or mie goreng in Bali’s busiest beach neighborhood.

   3. 14:00

      Seminyak Beach

      Activity

      A wide stretch of sand for a swim and a rest; watch the flags, the current can be strong.

   4. 16:30

      Tanah Lot

      Activity

      A temple on a rock in the sea, reachable on foot only at low tide. Sunset brings the crowds.