Slow east Bali: Ubud, Sidemen and Amed

Day 1: Arrive in Ubud

Ubud

• Legong dance at Ubud Palace · 1.5 h. Nightly at ~7:30pm; tickets are sold at the gate on the day.
• Ubud Palace and art market · 1.5 h. Bargain at the market; start at about half the first price.

Local tip: Nightly at ~7:30pm; tickets are sold at the gate on the day.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Ubud

Ubud

• 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.
• 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).
• Campuhan Ridge walk · 1.5 h. Start by 7am — the ridge has no shade.

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 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Ubud

Ubud

• Market tour & Balinese cooking class · 4.5 h. Most classes offer a full vegetarian menu; tell them at booking.

Local tip: Most classes offer a full vegetarian menu; tell them at booking.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Ubud → Sidemen

Sidemen · Ubud to Sidemen, Private car ~1.25h

• Besakih mother temple · 2.5 h. ~30 min from Sidemen; the ticket includes a sarong and the shuttle up. Ignore unofficial 'guides' at the entrance.
• Tenganan Bali Aga village · 1.5 h. Entry is by donation; known for geringsing double-ikat weaving.

Local tip: ~30 min from Sidemen; the ticket includes a sarong and the shuttle up. Ignore unofficial 'guides' at the entrance.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Sidemen

Sidemen

• Sidemen rice-terrace walk · 2.5 h. A local guide finds the paths between villages; go late afternoon for Mount Agung views.
• Songket weaving workshops · 1 h
• Kertha Gosa pavilion, Klungkung · 1 h. Painted ceilings of the old court; a natural stop on the drive from Ubud.

Local tip: A local guide finds the paths between villages; go late afternoon for Mount Agung views.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Sidemen → Amed

Amed · Sidemen to Amed, Private car ~1.5h

• Lempuyang temple 'Gates of Heaven' · 4 h. ~45 min from Amed; arrive before 6am — photo queues at the gate can reach 2–3 hours. The 'reflection' is a mirror trick.

Local tip: ~45 min from Amed; arrive before 6am — photo queues at the gate can reach 2–3 hours. The 'reflection' is a mirror trick.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Amed

Amed

• Tirta Gangga water garden · 1.5 h. ~30 min from Amed; stepping stones over the fish ponds are best before 10am.
• Jemeluk Bay snorkelling · 2 h. Reef starts a few metres from shore; the price is gear rental. Calmest in the morning.
• Amed sunset viewpoint over Mount Agung · 1 h. The headland viewpoint above Jemeluk frames Mount Agung behind the bay.
• Traditional Amed salt farms · 1 h. Salt making runs mainly in the dry season.

Local tip: ~30 min from Amed; stepping stones over the fish ponds are best before 10am.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Amed

Amed

• Tulamben snorkel over the USAT Liberty wreck · 3 h. The wreck lies 30m off a cobble beach in 3–30m of water; go at 7–8am before dive groups arrive. Wear reef shoes.
• Taman Ujung water palace · 1.5 h

Local tip: The wreck lies 30m off a cobble beach in 3–30m of water; go at 7–8am before dive groups arrive. Wear reef shoes.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Amed → Sanur

Sanur · Amed to Sanur, Private car ~2.5h

• Sanur beach path by bicycle · 2 h. The paved path runs ~5km along the beach; bikes rent by the hour.
• Sindhu night market · 1.5 h
• Sanur sunrise on the beach · 1 h. Sunrise is around 6–6:30am year-round.

Local tip: The paved path runs ~5km along the beach; bikes rent by the hour.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Sanur

Sanur

• Sanur reef snorkel by jukung boat · 2 h. Go at high tide; visibility is modest but the water is calm.

Local tip: Go at high tide; visibility is modest but the water is calm.

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

Open day 10 route in Google Maps