Grand Bali: beaches, hills, east and Penida

Day 1: Arrive in Seminyak

Seminyak

• Seminyak beach sunset with bean bags · 2 h. Bean-bag bars line the sand from Double Six to Petitenget; order a drink to use them.
• Seminyak day spa (massage and scrub) · 2 h

Local tip: Bean-bag bars line the sand from Double Six to Petitenget; order a drink to use them.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Seminyak

Seminyak

• Tanah Lot sea temple at sunset · 4 h. ~1h from Seminyak in evening traffic; leave by 4pm. Visitors can reach the base at low tide but not enter the temple.
• Jalan Kayu Aya boutiques · 2.5 h

Local tip: ~1h from Seminyak in evening traffic; leave by 4pm. Visitors can reach the base at low tide but not enter the temple.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Seminyak → Ubud

Ubud · Seminyak 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Ubud

Ubud

• 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.
• Ubud Palace and art market · 1.5 h. Bargain at the market; start at about half the first price.
• Balinese massage and flower bath · 2 h. A 60-minute Balinese massage costs ~IDR 150,000–250,000 in town; villa spas charge more.

Local tip: Sarong and sash are included at the gate. Bring a change of clothes if you join the purification bath; go at opening (~8am).

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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.

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 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: 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 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: 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.
• Sidemen village cooking class · 4 h
• Songket weaving workshops · 1 h

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

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Sidemen → Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida · Sidemen to Nusa Penida, Car to Sanur (~1.25h) + 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 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida

• 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.
• 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.

Local tip: 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.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Nusa Penida → Uluwatu

Uluwatu · Nusa Penida to Uluwatu, Fast boat ~45 min + car from Sanur (~1h)

• Uluwatu Temple clifftop walk · 1.5 h. Sarong and sash are lent at the gate. Monkeys grab sunglasses, phones and hats — keep them in a zipped bag.
• Padang Padang beach · 2.5 h. Small cove reached through a rock cleft; go before 10am for space.

Local tip: Sarong and sash are lent at the gate. Monkeys grab sunglasses, phones and hats — keep them in a zipped bag.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Explore Uluwatu

Uluwatu

• Kecak fire dance at sunset · 1.5 h. Starts ~6pm in the clifftop amphitheatre; arrive by 5pm or buy online in Jul–Aug as it sells out.
• Melasti beach · 3 h. Paved road down the cliff; calm water at low to mid tide.
• Suluban (Blue Point) cave beach · 1.5 h. Only accessible at low tide; check tide times.
• Uluwatu spa session · 2 h

Local tip: Starts ~6pm in the clifftop amphitheatre; arrive by 5pm or buy online in Jul–Aug as it sells out.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Depart from Uluwatu

Uluwatu

• Bingin beach · 2.5 h. Steep stairs down; reef pools at low tide.

Local tip: Steep stairs down; reef pools at low tide.

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

Open day 12 route in Google Maps