2 days in Bali

Day by day

1. Day 1: Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance and Tanah Lot

   Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, Tanah Lot, Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, then Ubud Palace and evening dance in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance

      At sunset, an open-air amphitheatre stages the Kecak fire dance, in which a chanting male chorus tells episodes of the Ramayana.

   2. Late morning

      Tanah Lot

      Only worshippers may enter the temple itself, but visitors can cross to its base at low tide, and the cliffs around it are a classic sunset spot.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babi guling

      Babi guling warung around Ubud, Gianyar and Denpasar, usually at lunchtime until sold out.

   4. Afternoon

      Tegallalang Rice Terraces

      Paths lead down and across the terraces past farmers, cafés and swings, and small donations are requested at several points by the landowners.

   5. Late afternoon

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Paths and a stone bridge cross a ravine to the 14th-century Pura Dalem Agung temple.

   6. Evening

      Ubud Palace and evening dance

      Buy tickets from the sellers at the gate during the day and arrive early for a front-row seat.

2. Day 2: Tirta Empul and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

   Tirta Empul, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Lempuyang Temple and Mount Batur sunrise trek, then Seminyak in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tirta Empul

      Visitors may join the ritual if they wear the proper sarong and follow the order of the fountains.

   2. Late morning

      Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

      Its 11-tiered meru shrine is one of the most photographed images of Bali.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bebek betutu

      Specialist restaurants in Ubud and Gianyar; some require ordering a day ahead.

   4. Afternoon

      Lempuyang Temple

      Its lower split gate, framing Mount Agung, is known as the 'Gates of Heaven'; the much-photographed reflection is created by photographers holding a mirror under a phone. The full climb to the summit temple involves about 1,700 steps.

   5. Late afternoon

      Mount Batur sunrise trek

      Treks start around 4am with headlamps and take about two hours to reach the rim for sunrise over Mount Agung and Mount Abang; local guides are required.

   6. Evening

      Seminyak

      Beach clubs with pools and DJs, such as Potato Head, and stylish cocktail bars on Jalan Petitenget.

Before you go

• Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance: Kecak tickets sell out in peak season; buy them early in the afternoon or online.
• Mount Batur sunrise trek: Book through a reputable operator that includes the local guide association fee.

If it rains

• Swap in Bali Museum (Denpasar): Combine it with Badung Market and Jagatnatha Temple, both a short walk away.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–26 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in June to 12.6 hours in January.

Getting between stops: Car. Hiring a car with a driver for the day is common and good value for touring temples and terraces; most hotels can arrange one.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bali
• 3 days in Bali
• 4 days in Bali
• 5 days in Bali
• 7 days in Bali

Questions travellers ask