5 days in Bali

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance

      Remove sunglasses, hats and dangling earrings: the resident macaques snatch them and trade them back for food. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Tanah Lot

      Arrive mid-afternoon to see it at low tide and stay for sunset from the cliff-top cafés. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babi guling

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

   4. Afternoon

      Tegallalang Rice Terraces

      Go at 7–8am for soft light and few people; the terraces are greenest a few weeks before harvest. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. 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: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk

   Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Campuhan Ridge Walk and Goa Gajah, then Seminyak in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Bring no food or loose items, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and keep children close; seek medical advice after any bite or scratch. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Campuhan Ridge Walk

      Walk it at sunrise or late afternoon; there is little shade at midday. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bebek betutu

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

   4. Afternoon

      Goa Gajah

      Walk down the steps past the pools into the ravine, which most visitors skip. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Seminyak

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

3. Day 3: Tirta Empul and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

   Tirta Empul, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Lempuyang Temple, then Canggu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tirta Empul

      Go early, bring a change of clothes and ask a local guide to explain which spouts are skipped. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

      Bring a jacket; Bedugul is often misty and cool, and the morning has the calmest water for reflections. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Nasi campur Bali

      Local warung across the island; point at what you want from the display.

   4. Afternoon

      Lempuyang Temple

      Arrive at dawn to beat the photo queue, which can last hours, and to see Mount Agung before clouds form. (2–5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Canggu

      Beach bars at Batu Bolong and Echo Beach and busy bars along Batu Bolong and Berawa roads.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Nusa Penida

   About 45 minutes by fast boat each way. Getting there: Fast boat from Sanur.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Nusa Penida

      About 45 minutes by fast boat (Fast boat from Sanur); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Nusa Penida

      The rugged island south-east of Bali has the T-rex-shaped headland at Kelingking Beach, the natural pool at Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach and manta-ray snorkelling at Manta Point. Best for couples, first-timers and beach.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bali

      Dinner: try Sate lilit.

5. Day 5: Mount Batur sunrise trek and Besakih Temple

   Mount Batur sunrise trek, Besakih Temple and Jatiluwih rice terraces, then Kuta and Legian in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mount Batur sunrise trek

      Wear proper shoes and bring a warm layer; it is cold at the top before sunrise. (6–8 hours including transfers, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Besakih Temple

      Use the official ticket office and an official guide if wanted; decline unofficial guides who approach at the car park. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sate lilit

      Warung, night markets and as part of nasi campur, especially near fishing villages such as Jimbaran.

   4. Afternoon

      Jatiluwih rice terraces

      Combine it with Ulun Danu Beratan in the highlands; it is larger and calmer than Tegallalang. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Kuta and Legian

      Big clubs and late bars on Legian Street, popular with younger travellers.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance and Mount Batur sunrise trek before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Seminyak keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Canggu ($$) suits solo travellers, nightlife, food lovers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 24–34 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in June to 12.6 hours in January.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask