Lakes and waterfalls: Ubud, Munduk and Canggu

8 days, 7 nights: Ubud (3N), Munduk & Bedugul (2N), Canggu (2N). Best time to go: Best Apr–Sep.

Day 1: Arrive in Ubud

Ubud

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: Bargain at the market; start at about half the first price.

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.
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.
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).
Ubud jungle swing · 2 h. Packages vary by number of swings and photo nests; check what is included.

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

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.

Munduk & Bedugul · Ubud to Munduk & Bedugul, Private car ~2h (via Jatiluwih adds ~1h)

Ulun Danu Beratan lake temple · 1.5 h. Arrive at opening (~7am) before mist and tour buses; it is chilly, so carry a layer.
Handara gate photo stop · 0.5 h. Queues build after 9am; a fee is charged per photo session.
Banyumala twin waterfalls · 2 h. ~15 min of steep, slippery steps; swimming is allowed in the pool.

Local tip: Arrive at opening (~7am) before mist and tour buses; it is chilly, so carry a layer.

Munduk & Bedugul

Jatiluwih rice terraces walk · 2 h. UNESCO-listed subak landscape, ~1h from Munduk; works as a stop on the drive from Ubud.
Munduk waterfall trail (Melanting and Red Coral falls) · 2.5 h
Lake Tamblingan canoe and twin-lakes viewpoint · 2.5 h. Local guides paddle dugout canoes to the lakeside temple; the viewpoint over Buyan and Tamblingan is on the ridge road.
Wanagiri hidden hills viewpoints · 1 h

Local tip: UNESCO-listed subak landscape, ~1h from Munduk; works as a stop on the drive from Ubud.

Canggu · Munduk & Bedugul to Canggu, Private car ~2.5h

Tanah Lot sea temple at sunset · 3 h. ~30–40 min from Canggu; arrive by 5pm and stay for sunset over the temple rock.
Drop-in yoga class · 1.5 h

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

Canggu

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: Several clubs have pools and day passes; weekends are busy.

Canggu

Batu Bolong beginner surf lesson · 2.5 h. Batu Bolong's long, gentle waves suit beginners; Echo Beach is for experienced surfers.

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

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

Ubud (3 nights): Penestanan and Sayan pool villas. Private pools over rice fields, 10 min from the centre.
Munduk & Bedugul (2 nights): Munduk ridge coffee-estate lodges. Cool nights, plantation views and in-house treks.
Canggu (2 nights): Berawa and Pererenan pool villas. Private pools among rice fields, 5–10 min to the beach.