Bali
3
Day Itinerary •
Indonesia
Three days in Bali delivers the essential extraordinary experience of the Island of the Gods, taking you from the sacred heart of Ubud and its extraordinary rice terrace landscapes to the ancient sea temples of the west coast and the dramatic clifftop headlands of the Bukit Peninsula with its legendary surf beaches and the most extraordinary sunset in Southeast Asia. This compact route covers the best of Bali without the overwhelm. The Tegallalang rice terraces, the sacred Monkey Forest, the extraordinary Tanah Lot sea temple at sunset, the Uluwatu clifftop temple, the finest Balinese cooking and the Kecak fire dance with the Indian Ocean as backdrop. Three days done right.
Best Time To Visit
April to October, dry season
Getting There
Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Denpasar
Getting Around
Private driver hire essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 180 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and short drives
DAY 1
UBUD
MORNING
SACRED MONKEY FOREST SANCTUARY AND UBUD CENTRE
The Mandala Suci Wenara Wana is home to over 700 long-tailed macaques within an ancient forest of towering fig trees and three extraordinary Hindu temples. The moss-covered stone carvings and sacred atmosphere are unlike anywhere else on earth. Entry approx 80,000 IDR. Then walk through Ubud's extraordinary main street to the royal palace, Puri Saren Agung, with its magnificent carved stone gates. Free entry to palace grounds. Transfer: 20 min drive north
MIDDAY
TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES
The most photographed rice terraces on earth, carved into the hillside above the Pakerisan river valley in extraordinary sweeping tiers maintained by the ancient subak cooperative irrigation system. Walk the extraordinary ridge path between the terraces. The light in late afternoon turns the terraces extraordinary shades of green and gold. Entry approx 15,000 IDR. Transfer: 20 min drive back to Ubud
AFTERNOON
UBUD ART MARKET AND KECAK DANCE PREPARATION
The Ubud Art Market beside the royal palace is the finest craft market in Bali, selling extraordinary Balinese textiles, hand-carved wooden masks, silver jewellery and traditional batik. Spend the late afternoon exploring Ubud's extraordinary gallery district on Monkey Forest Road before the evening Kecak dance performance at Pura Dalem Ubud. Tickets approx 100,000 IDR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Campuhan Ridge Walk begins at the Gunung Lebah temple just west of Ubud and follows an extraordinary narrow ridge through coconut palms and the valley of two sacred rivers for 9km. Best at dawn before the heat builds. Completely free and one of the most beautiful easy walks in all of Indonesia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Seniman Coffee Studio Extraordinary single-origin Balinese coffee and fresh tropical fruit in central Ubud. | Lunch: Locavore NXT, Ubud Outstanding modern Balinese tasting menu using only local ingredients. Book ahead. | Dinner: Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique The finest restaurant in Bali, in a tropical garden setting. Extraordinary seven-course menu.
DAY 2
TANAH LOT AND SEMINYAK
MORNING
TANAH LOT SEA TEMPLE
The most extraordinary temple location in Bali, perched on a dramatic rocky outcrop surrounded by crashing Indian Ocean surf, accessible on foot only at low tide. One of Bali's most sacred sea temples, built in the 16th century. Freshwater springs bubble up through the ocean rock at its base, considered holy by local priests. Entry approx 60,000 IDR. Visit in the morning for the finest light and smaller crowds. Transfer: 30 min drive south
MIDDAY
SEMINYAK BEACH AND PETITENGET TEMPLE
The finest beach on Bali's west coast, a wide volcanic black-sand surf beach where the extraordinary Pura Petitenget sea temple sits directly on the sand, one of a chain of six sacred sea temples that guard the island. The beach at midday is extraordinary for swimming. Walk north towards Batu Belig for the finest uncrowded stretch. Entry to temple approx 10,000 IDR. Transfer: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
SEMINYAK VILLAGE SHOPPING AND SUNSET STRIP
The finest boutique shopping in Bali concentrated on Jalan Oberoi and the surrounding lanes. Extraordinary handmade Balinese furniture, organic beauty products, designer resort wear and artisan textiles. The Seminyak beach clubs at sunset are extraordinary. Ku De Ta and Potato Head are the finest. Watch the sun drop into the Indian Ocean from the sand.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pura Taman Ayun royal temple in Mengwi, built in 1634 as the state temple of the Mengwi kingdom, is the most beautiful moated temple in Bali and visited by almost nobody. The extraordinary tiered meru towers reflected in the surrounding moat are among the finest examples of Balinese temple architecture on the island. Entry approx 20,000 IDR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: La Favela, Seminyak Outstanding garden cafe in a restored Balinese villa. Fresh juices and tropical bowls. | Lunch: Merah Putih, Seminyak The finest modern Indonesian restaurant in Bali. Extraordinary volcanic clay-pot dishes. | Dinner: Sarong Restaurant, Seminyak Outstanding pan-Asian fine dining in an extraordinary carved Balinese dining room.
DAY 3
ULUWATU
MORNING
PURA ULUWATU, THE CLIFFTOP TEMPLE
The most dramatic temple location in Bali, perched on a sheer 70-metre limestone cliff above the Indian Ocean on the tip of the Bukit Peninsula. One of the six sacred sea temples protecting Bali, with extraordinary views along the coastline in both directions. The resident colony of grey macaques are extraordinary and mischievous. Entry approx 50,000 IDR. Arrive before 9am for the finest light. Transfer: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PADANG PADANG AND BINGIN SURF BEACHES
The finest surf beaches in Bali, hidden at the base of extraordinary limestone cliffs reached by steep stone stairways. Padang Padang is a perfect hollow barrel wave through a narrow cave mouth, one of the most famous waves in the world. Bingin is an extraordinary left-hand reef break with clifftop warungs serving fresh coconuts above the break. Entry approx 10,000 IDR each. Transfer: 30 min drive back to Uluwatu
AFTERNOON
KECAK FIRE DANCE AT ULUWATU
The most extraordinary performance in all of Indonesia, held every evening at the extraordinary clifftop amphitheatre of Pura Uluwatu with the Indian Ocean as backdrop. A chorus of 50 bare-chested men chanting kecak as the epic Ramayana battle is enacted in firelight against the burning sunset sky. The fire dancing at the climax is extraordinary. Tickets approx 150,000 IDR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nusa Penida island, 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur, contains Kelingking Beach, one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes on earth, a T-rex shaped limestone headland above an extraordinary turquoise cove. The Broken Beach natural arch and Angel's Billabong tidal pool are equally extraordinary. An unmissable full-day add-on from Bali. Hire a scooter on arrival for approx 80,000 IDR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Single Fin, Uluwatu Outstanding clifftop cafe above the surf break. Acai bowls, fresh juice, extraordinary ocean views. | Lunch: Warung Sunset, Bingin Local nasi campur and fresh grilled fish on an extraordinary clifftop terrace above the reef. | Dinner: Cuca Restaurant, Jimbaran Outstanding farm-to-table Balinese cuisine. Extraordinary tapas-style menu and local arak cocktails.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Ubud, Night 1 Komaneka at Bisma or Alaya Resort. Rice terrace views. Approx 80 to 200 USD per night. Seminyak, Night 2 The Layar or W Bali Seminyak. Approx 100 to 250 USD per night. Uluwatu, Night 3 Alila Villas Uluwatu or Suarga Padang Padang. Approx 150 to 350 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at Tegallalang rice terraces before 8am for extraordinary light and no crowds.
2. Book the Kecak sunset fire dance at Uluwatu on the day of your visit. Tickets sell out by noon.
3. Wear a sarong at every temple. Hire one at the gate for approx 10,000 IDR if you forget.
4. Exchange currency at licensed money changers in Ubud. Never use street changers.
5. Agree your driver's full-day rate before departing. Around 50 to 70 USD is the going rate.
6. The Campuhan Ridge Walk from Ubud is best at dawn. One of the finest free walks in Bali.
Total Budget
70 to 325 USD/day