Backpacker loop: Canggu, Ubud, Nusa Penida and Gili

Day 1: Arrive in Canggu

Canggu

• Tanah Lot sea temple at sunset · 3 h. ~30–40 min from Canggu; arrive by 5pm and stay for sunset over the temple rock.

Local tip: ~30–40 min from Canggu; arrive by 5pm and stay for sunset over the temple rock.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Canggu

Canggu

• Batu Bolong beginner surf lesson · 2.5 h. Batu Bolong's long, gentle waves suit beginners; Echo Beach is for experienced surfers.
• Canggu beach club afternoon · 4 h. Several clubs have pools and day passes; weekends are busy.
• Echo Beach sunset and seafood · 2 h. Strong currents — watch the surfers rather than swim.
• Canggu café brunch crawl · 2 h. Vegetarian and vegan menus are standard here.

Local tip: Batu Bolong's long, gentle waves suit beginners; Echo Beach is for experienced surfers.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Canggu

Canggu

• Drop-in yoga class · 1.5 h
• Love Anchor weekend market · 1.5 h. Weekends only, on Jalan Batu Bolong.
• Horse riding on Seseh beach · 1.5 h. Book the late-afternoon slot for sunset; beginners are led on foot.
• Pererenan beach and rice-field lanes · 2 h

Local tip: Weekends only, on Jalan Batu Bolong.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Canggu → Ubud

Ubud · Canggu to Ubud, Private car ~1.5h

• Tegallalang rice terraces · 2 h. Go before 8am for soft light and no crowds; small donations are asked at bridges and the swings inside are charged separately.
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary · 1.5 h. Carry no food or plastic bags, keep sunglasses away and don't touch the monkeys. Higher price on weekends.

Local tip: Go before 8am for soft light and no crowds; small donations are asked at bridges and the swings inside are charged separately.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Ubud

Ubud

• Ayung river white-water rafting · 4 h. Grade II–III, usually from age 7. Most packages include pickup and lunch; water is higher Dec–Mar.
• Ubud Palace and art market · 1.5 h. Bargain at the market; start at about half the first price.
• Campuhan Ridge walk · 1.5 h. Start by 7am — the ridge has no shade.
• Tirta Empul water temple · 2 h. Sarong and sash are included at the gate. Bring a change of clothes if you join the purification bath; go at opening (~8am).
• Legong dance at Ubud Palace · 1.5 h. Nightly at ~7:30pm; tickets are sold at the gate on the day.

Local tip: Grade II–III, usually from age 7. Most packages include pickup and lunch; water is higher Dec–Mar.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Ubud

Ubud

• Mount Batur sunrise trek · 8 h. Pickup 2–3am, ~2h climb on loose volcanic gravel to see sunrise ~6am, back by 11am. Bring a jacket and a torch.
• Ubud jungle swing · 2 h. Packages vary by number of swings and photo nests; check what is included.

Local tip: Pickup 2–3am, ~2h climb on loose volcanic gravel to see sunrise ~6am, back by 11am. Bring a jacket and a torch.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Ubud → Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida · Ubud to Nusa Penida, Car to Sanur (~1h) + fast boat ~45 min

• Kelingking Beach viewpoint · 2 h. The viewpoint is easy; the path down to the beach is steep, exposed and takes ~45 min each way — not for children or in wet weather.
• Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong · 1.5 h. Swimming in Angel's Billabong is only safe at low tide in calm seas — waves surge in without warning.
• Goa Giri Putri cave temple · 1 h. Enter through a narrow opening into a large cave; sarong lent at the steps.

Local tip: The viewpoint is easy; the path down to the beach is steep, exposed and takes ~45 min each way — not for children or in wet weather.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida

• Crystal Bay swim and sunset · 2 h. Snorkel near the shore only; strong currents beyond the bay.
• Manta ray snorkel trip · 4 h. Usually four stops including Manta Bay and Crystal Bay. Water is cool and surge can be strong; mola mola season for divers is Jul–Oct.
• Diamond Beach, Atuh and Thousand Islands viewpoint · 4 h. East coast is best at sunrise; ~1.5h by car from the harbour on rough roads. Diamond Beach has carved steps with a rope rail.

Local tip: Snorkel near the shore only; strong currents beyond the bay.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Nusa Penida → Gili Islands

Gili Islands · Nusa Penida to Gili Islands, Direct fast boat ~2–2.5h (limited, weather-dependent)

• Sunset swings on Gili Trawangan's west coast · 2 h. Swings stand in the water at beach bars on the west side; buy a drink to use them.
• Island loop by bicycle · 2 h. ~7km around Gili T; the inland and north paths are sandy — walk those stretches.

Local tip: Swings stand in the water at beach bars on the west side; buy a drink to use them.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Gili Islands

Gili Islands

• Turtle snorkel trip around the three Gilis · 3.5 h. Shared glass-bottom boats stop at the turtle reef and the underwater statues off Gili Meno. Don't touch or chase turtles.
• Gili dive or try-dive · 4 h. Gili T is a popular place to certify; turtles are seen on most dives.
• Gili night market dinner · 1.5 h

Local tip: Shared glass-bottom boats stop at the turtle reef and the underwater statues off Gili Meno. Don't touch or chase turtles.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Lombok day trip (Sasak villages and waterfalls)

Gili Islands

• Lombok day trip (Sasak villages and waterfalls) · Full day. Lombok is mostly Muslim — cover shoulders and knees in villages. Options include Sade village or Tiu Kelep waterfall.

Local tip: Lombok is mostly Muslim — cover shoulders and knees in villages. Options include Sade village or Tiu Kelep waterfall.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Depart from Gili Islands

Gili Islands

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.