BALI IN 2 - 3 WEEKS: THE MAINLAND HIGHLIGHTS AND ISLAND HOPPING ITINERARY
- Missy & Lucas
- 2 days ago
- 17 min read
This 17-day, or 2 to 3 week, Bali itinerary takes you from the tranquil rice terraces of Ubud to the sun-soaked beaches of Uluwatu, with stops for snorkeling, waterfalls, and island adventures along the way. Perfect for travelers looking to explore Bali’s diverse landscapes and culture at a relaxed pace.
Below, you’ll find day-by-day recommendations, accommodation suggestions, and tips to make the most of your trip.
So, pack your bags, rent a scooter or hire a driver, and get ready to explore!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Temple etiquette: knees & shoulders covered; sarongs often required (rent ~IDR 10,000–20,000). Additionally, some temples ask that menstruating women do not enter inner sanctums—this remains common practice in many Balinese temples.
Drivers: it’s polite and common to offer drivers a meal/lunch if they wait for you.
SIM / apps: Buy a local eSIM or SIM card and install Grab or Gojek, which are reliable across mainland Bali (especially Ubud and Canggu), although coverage is limited on the smaller islands.
Best season: April–October is Bali’s dry season (easiest for travel and beaches).
With that out of the way, let's begin!
ITINERARY OUTLINE
DAY 1 - DENPASAR TO UBUD (approx. 1 to 1.5 hours via taxi) Start your trip by making your way via taxi to Ubud for affordable and beautiful stays with plenty of activities in the surrounding area. If you're traveling from a distant location like we did, you might need some time to rest upon arrival.
If you have the energy after reaching your accommodation, you could take the time to visit the Gianyar Night Market. We did not have the most luck in finding our way to any markets in Bali, but Gianyar is located 10km outside Ubud and has dozens of food stalls selling Balinese street food. Generally open between 5:00–11:00 p.m., but the food stalls may close earlier. The best time to visit is between 6:00–8:30 p.m.
If you don't feel like heading to Gianyar, take advantage of your accommodation's facilities. Relax by the pool and unwind!
Accommodation Recommendation:
Jati Cottage: mid-range, quiet, with a pool and easy access to central Ubud.
DAY 2 - UBUD
Starting your Bali journey in Ubud is always a great choice. In the morning, you will visit the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces. To get there, you can either hire a private driver for the day for reasonable rates (through your accommodation) or for budget travellers there is the option of hopping on a scooter by renting your own or paying for a ride.
It is best to visit the rice terraces early to avoid the crowd, the heat, and the often harsher lighting! Enjoy the view at the top before taking the time to explore and traverse down and across; it is estimated to take an hour or more to be able to wander and take photos of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Figuratively next door, you will find the Bali Pulina Plantation where you can walk through the process of making traditional Luwak Coffee while enjoying stunning green scenery.
Next, visit Tirta Empul to take part in a purification ritual at a holy spring (open between 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. with entrance costs of approximately IDR 75,000). Bali has to be one of the most welcoming places in the world, and you will be welcome to participate directly alongside locals. You can rent a sarong as you enter, and if you choose to take part in the ritual (cost may vary) you will have a guide explain the meaning of the ritual and walk you through the process, and will be provided the proper sarong to wear in the water. Expect to spend between 45–90 minutes here.
One thing to acclimate yourself with in Bali is the stairs or climb down to different locations, which means additionally climbing back up.
You will walk down the stairs to visit Gunung Kawi (Candi Gunung Kawi), with its 10 candi (shrines) carved directly into the cliff face. It is generally open between 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. (expect to spend between 1–2 hours here) and costs approximately IDR 50,000–75,000 to enter. Included in your entrance is a rental sash/sarong, which is required to enter.
In the later afternoon, you will enjoy a view and a swim at Suwat Waterfall after another trek down stairs. This 15-metre plunge waterfall has a shallow cave behind it which can be climbed.
Before dusk and evening set in, visit Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah Temple) as a brief stop. Although primarily open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., we visited a bit late and were still allowed in. It costs approximately IDR 50,000 to enter.
DAY 3 - UBUD
As early as possible—to beat the heat—enjoy a morning stroll along Campuhan Ridge Walk for a casual hiking trail with lush hilltop views. We walked to get there with a stop for coffee on the way, but you could also use Grab or Gojek.
If you decide to trek around Ubud, you can stop at Ubud Art Market for handmade goods (and also where Julia Roberts visits in Eat, Pray, Love); at Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), with its lotus ponds and temple dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, art, and learning; and at Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Agung).
Our recommendation would be to not visit the infamous Monkey Forest. But, as guilty parties who consistently read others say not to go and still thought, "Well, our experience will be different," and, "Monkeys are cute!", we also understand that you may want to try it out yourself anyway. If you do, listen when they tell you not to bring anything in. The (often mean) monkeys are very curious and will grab anything, even if it is empty. R.I.P. water bottle. The more you have on you that interests them, the more likely you are to pique their curiosity and have them jump on you and potentially bite you. We assumed this to be exaggerated if you follow the rules, but truly we watched many people who were not disobeying any rules have monkeys climb on them which resulted in bites. We left pretty quickly after that.
If you do visit anyway, expect to spend about IDR 80,000–100,000 and about 1–2 hours exploring (or until the monkeys chase you off!).
Grab a ride out to Cretya Day Club for a breathtaking view of green rice terrace from their layered and numerous pools. Expect to pay approximately IDR 200,000 to visit, which includes your first drink. Since it is open all day (between 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. daily), relax and enjoy the remainder of your day pool hopping and exploring their grounds.
DAY 4 - UBUD (TO KINTAMANI)
A highlight of Bali is the plentiful and beautiful waterfalls, and today is dedicated to them. In order to successfully visit all of the waterfalls, it would be advisable to book a full day private driver who will take you first south to the waterfalls, then all the way north to Kintamani to end your day. This ended up being approximately 8-10 hours, and the average cost is between IDR 700,000–1,000,000 (or $60–$85 CAD). For each waterfall, entrance costs will vary and are generally not exact online, but range between IDR 10,000–40,000.
Start at Tegenungan, which can get busy, but is beautiful as the sun rises over the powerful 15-metre waterfall. This waterfall also is more visitor friendly and has shopping and food nearby. Allow 45–90 minutes.
In contrast to the busy Tegenungan, your next stop, Sumampan, is a quiet and rural man-made waterfall running behind and through jungle foliage located after a short but rough climb down. Although there is a strong river rushing between you and the waterfall, it is able to be crossed and when we visited there was a rope stretched across to hold onto. That being said, the current is strong and it isn't advisable without proper precautions. There were others who assisted Lucas in crossing, and I did not end up crossing due to my height and the current. We planned for approximately 30 minutes here, plus travel time.
We weren’t able to visit Kanto Lampo since it was closed, but this waterfall is a popular photography spot, known for its wide river cascading gently down a wall of rocks. According to many, you can pay a small amount of money to have Balinese locals take photos for you, and I hear they have it down to a science. Allow 60–90 minutes.
You haven't seen enough yet, so next you will visit Tibumana waterfall, which was my favourite of the waterfalls. A quiet, stunning plunge waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Allow 45–60 minutes.
For your final stop of the day, Tukad Cepung offers the most unique waterfall experience. After descending a few hundred stairs, you’ll find the falls hidden inside a cave, streaming down the rock face. Watch your step—we even spotted a snake slithering across the damp rock wall! Allow 60–90 minutes.
Then strap in for the hour drive north to Kintamani, and make sure to get some sleep because in the morning...
Accommodation Recommendation:
Black Lava Hostel: budget-friendly, social, and ideal for Mount Batur hikers.
DAY 5 - KINTAMANI TO AMED
You’ll be waking up between 2:00–3:00 a.m. to be picked up and begin the trek up Mount Batur (approximately IDR 500,000–800,000). We used Get Your Guide without issue.
The hike starts with a coffee or tea before groups are organized. At that early hour, the climb feels tougher than expected, and since groups are kept together without splitting up, pacing can sometimes be an issue. Luckily, the payoff is worth it and you will be rewarded with clear sunrise view of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest and most sacred volcano.
At this point, we didn't feel super well, so I will share what we would have done had we been feeling better.
On the 2.5–3 hour drive to Amed, first stop for coffee at La Montagne Coffee, an Instagrammable cafe in Bali with a table for photos (only photos, you will need to sit at a different table to enjoy your drinks) overlooking a stunning view of Mount Agung with lush rice fields in the foreground.
Next, Tirta Gangga Temple, a beautiful former royal palace where you can feed the plentiful fishes.
Lastly, two viewpoints: Bukit Cinta, where you will enjoy a valley with sweeping rice fields and the looming Mount Agung volcano, and Lahangan Sweet, with the iconic tree platform and epic views of Mount Agung perfect for sunset.
After your brief stops, you will end your travel day in Amed, a quiet fishing and diving village with a black-sand coastline.
Accommodation Recommendation:
Kubu Kangin Resort: mid-range, quiet, and surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
DAY 6 - AMED
If you are interested in "the" photo—at Lempuyang Temple—you will need to wake up early and be prepared to spend potentially hours waiting for the iconic photo of Mount Agung through the "Gate of Heaven". Do not be like us (and many others who visit Bali) and rent a scooter without getting instruction, resulting in you crashing and going to the hospital for stitches.
If you decide to visit, you must wear a sarong while visiting the temple and make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. Additionally, kissing is not permitted so skip it if or when doing your couples photos!
Additionally, note that the famous photos are created via illusions where a black mirror (phone) is used to reflect the photo. This is becoming common knowledge, but it is worth noting that there is no water or reflective surface naturally occurring.
Lempuyang has an entrance fee of approximately IDR 55,000 and a shuttle fee of IDR 45,000 (all visitors must take the shuttle to reach the upper temple; private vehicles aren’t allowed beyond the base parking lot).
Is Lempuyang Temple worth it? That is for you to decide. For us, since we had some now bandaged injuries, we were content to read and wait for our number to be called.
Otherwise, spend an active day snorkelling at Lipah Beach, where you’ll find coral, Blue Spotted Rays, Mackerel, and more; Bunutan–Selang Beach, known for Triggerfish, Boxfish, Barracuda, common tropical species, and even Blacktip Sharks; and the Japanese Shipwreck, where corals have settled on the wreckage, attracting Batfish and Clownfish. Unfortunately for us, fresh stitches and water activities don’t mix, so we can’t give a firsthand account of the experience. Instead, we visited Tirta Gangga which we had missed the day prior.
After a day of snorkelling, stop at Jemeluk Viewpoint for a view of Mount Agung, the water, houses, boats, and jungle all in one photo.
End the day at Sunset Point and/or Blue Earth Village at—you guessed it—sunset, and enjoy some dinner and drinks.
DAY 7 - AMED TO GILI TRAWANGAN
Catch the boat to Gili Trawangan this morning. Amed is a great jumping off point for a ferry to the Gili Islands. There are two ferry companies, and the boats generally run once a day so check in advance either when you arrive in Amed or by booking online. The fast ferry should take around 1.5 hours.
Gili Trawangan has no cars, so walking, bicycles, and horse carts are the main transport.
Start your visit with a nice brunch at one of the many options, many of which offer the now Instagram famous smoothie bowls.
Spend the rest of your day beach lounging at Turtle Point, an area on the northeastern side of the island. It is aptly named, as the snorkelling here is fantastic and you are nearly guaranteed to spot sea turtles sunbathing and grazing on the seagrass and reefs. It is best around high tide to avoid coral and see the turtles better.
You definitely do not need to book any tour in order to see the turtles.
If you do not have your own equipment with you, you are able to inexpensively rent a mask and snorkel from one of the many street stalls.
Accommodation Recommendation:
Manta Dive Gili Trawangan Resort: mid-range, stylish, and perfectly located.
DAY 8 - GILI TRAWANGAN
I could be alone in this, but one of the main reasons I wanted to visit the Gili Islands was to see the famous Gili Meno Underwater Statues, 48 life-size statues set in a circular formation underwater designed as an artificial reef. We booked a day trip the day prior, and were taken to a few different locations including the statues.
They were extremely busy when we visited and it was nearly impossible to have photos without others in them, so it is recommended to visit earlier in the morning if possible, though you may be restricted by your tour times.
You will also stop at a few other less notable locations like Gili Meno Turtle Heaven, though the water is clear and the fish generally plentiful!
Once you finish your time on the water, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the island, renting a bike for a half day from one of the many bike rentals.
Squeeze in some dinner on the West side of the island (less than 30 min bike ride) in time for a particularly vibrant sunset, then park up on a beach to watch an outdoor movie.
We had planned to visit an outdoor movie night on the island anyway, but happily stumbled upon Royal Regantris' cinema playing Ice Age and decided to grab a bean bag and some popcorn!
DAY 9 - GILI TRAWANGAN TO NUSA PENIDA
Purchase your tickets the day before then join the chaotic ferry line to make your way to Nusa Penida via a 3.5–4 hour ferry.
Nusa Penida is less accessible without transport, and we would not recommend renting a car here due to the extremely narrow and twisty roads, but if you are above proficient on a roadbike it could be an option for you.
Otherwise, grab a taxi to get to your accommodation. If possible, plan your accommodation somewhat centrally (our recommendation is at the bottom of this day's itinerary) to maximize your time on the larger island.
It would make sense to avoid booking any activities on this day, as the ferry schedule can be misleading and the taxi will take you longer than expected. We anticipated arriving around lunch and did not get to our accommodation until the sun was already setting due to ferry delays and the longer than expected drive on the winding roads.
Accommodation Recommendation:
NG Sweet Home: budget, family-run guesthouse offering warm local hospitality.
DAY 10 - NUSA PENIDA
We recommend to book a private driver for the day (ranges widely, so book via the accommodation or a reputable source).
You will start by visiting Crystal Bay, but afterward you will visit Tembeling Beach and Natural Pools, Manta Ray Viewpoint, Broken Beach, and Kelingking Beach, so it would make sense to determine the order with your driver (although we will also share the route we took!).
The icon, the showstopper—swimming with manta rays. You can book through the accommodation or alternatively just visit Crystal Bay and find a vendor. Ours was approximately $20 CAD (!!) each for the tour, and it was such an incredible experience. Choose between a few hours or a half day tour.
Next, visit the natural pools and Tembeling Beach. Inaccessible by car, you will need to walk approximately 30 minutes to get to the pools and beaches. You will pass beautiful natural pools, and at the end you’ll see a small cave with hundreds of tiny rock stacks and after walking through will find a small cove and swing. Allow yourself 1–2 hours here.
Another highlight for many, and a stunning vista, Kelingking Beach is your next destination.
Those in appropriate footwear and physically able can descend the approximately 400 metres to the beach, but many hazard that there are some quite sketchy points so allow for a decent chunk of time if descending. Although we have done quite a bit of hiking, in the midday heat and sandals, we chose not to climb down to the beach and still spent at least 1 hour here.
The best photos are at the top, where you can fully capture the dinosaur shaped land.
Make a quick stop at Broken Beach, a little cove on the island with a natural archway with water flowing in and out from the ocean.
Between Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong there should be Manta Ray Viewpoint, and if you find it you will be rewarded with a view of giant manta rays surfacing the water.
Your last activity of the day will be visiting Angel’s Billabong, a naturally formed rock lagoon with glassy emerald water overlooking the ocean. You can only swim here during low tide and the risk can change rapidly so be cautious. Although you can spend as little or as much time as needed here as it is the last stop, we would recommend about 45–60 minutes.
DAY 11 - NUSA PENIDA
You can't visit Bali without participating in the famous floating breakfast, and NG Sweet Home offers a great location to partake at.
Continuing with a private driver, start your day by going to Goa Giri Putri temple. This underground temple requires an ascent up a number of stairs, but is one of the best cultural things to do on the island.
When you arrive at the top, you will be welcomed by incredibly friendly locals and given water to drink, passing in front of those praying to crawl through a narrow crevice, and then suddenly, the vast cavern temple will open up around you. It will take between 1–2 hours to visit.
Next, visit the nearly conjoined beaches (separated only by a cliff that requires descending, re-ascending, descending, and re-ascending once more, as is the way of Bali) of Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach.
We began by going to Diamond Beach, the slightly more difficult descent leading to a beautiful beach. Be aware that it can be difficult or inaccessible to visit the beach as high tide arrives.
Afterward, we made our way down the much more structured stairs to Atuh Beach, which can be enjoyed during all tides. As it is more structured and larger, you can rent a chair and umbrella, grab some lunch at a small warung, and even have a cold drink. There is also a cute (but not free) swing. Expect 2–3 hours at the beaches collectively.
The attached viewpoints, Thousand Island Viewpoint and the famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse, are great places for scenic views and photos.
Lastly, you can visit the slightly quirky Teletubbies Hill for lush round hills that resemble the hills from its namesake!
DAY 12 - NUSA PENIDA TO CANGGU
One last ferry, this time to Sanur, where you can walk or taxi to Taman Festival, an—allegedly—haunted and abandoned amusement park. Originally intended to drive tourism, it closed just a few years after it opened due to financial constraints and bad luck and it is now said to be a highly haunted place in Bali that is home to overgrown jungle encroaching on the deteriorating buildings. Keep an eye out for one of the crocodiles, supposedly left behind when the park closed...
Make your way to Canggu, which we found easiest via taxi.
Canggu is a popular spot due to the surrounding beaches, and it is apparent in its more international and boho feel. You'll find many Australian owned places here; in our humble opinion, the food and prices tend to reflect that. Additionally, transport within the city is a lot busier and more time-consuming so if planning anything other than a scooter, expect travel delays!
With that said, Canggu is a great place to visit to enjoy coffees, smoothies, sitting poolside with drinks, or shopping around. We visited Kynd for brunch and mimosas, then checked in at our hostel and enjoyed the pool before doing some bar hopping!
Accommodation Recommendation:
Kos One: mid-to-high-range, aesthetic, and social.
DAY 13 - CANGGU
In the morning, get up early and visit The Practice, which offers open-air Balinese-style yoga classes in a bamboo structure. Enjoy a beginner morning yoga session in a stunning building.
Drop in classes are approximately IDR 150,000. I don't do yoga much, but when in Bali, it feels like a must!
Take the relaxation to a whole new level by visiting Tonic Day Spa and treating yourself to your chosen combination of massage, facial, manicure and/or pedicure.
Visit Batu Bolong Beach and watch the many surfers catch waves as sunset approaches before popping into Old Man's for a drink overlooking the beach!
DAY 14 - CANGGU
Visit Love Anchor for a collection of shops selling clothing, souvenirs, jewellery, etc.
If you are up for it, book the cooking class at Hotel Tugu (IDR 880,000), where you will do some more traditional cooking, including making the spice paste yourself! Truth be told, the cooking itself was more enjoyable than the food, as—although we love most cuisines—Balinese food was definitely not our favourite.
Prior to sunset, make your way to Tanah Lot, a temple sat atop a rock formation in the water, and exceptionally stunning at sunset. If you go early and time your visit with low tide, you can walk across the water to receive a blessing with rice and a flower.
The tide was rising when I went across, and the waves come from both sides of the temple and collide to make even bigger waves, but wonderful people from the temple helped people with crossing! As with much of Bali, the kindness and generosity of locals make the experience even more special.
After your blessing, you can go up the neighbouring cliff for a drink, passing wild luwaks and shops to find a restaurant that overlooks the temple for sunset.
DAY 15 - CANGGU TO ULUWATU
As you make your way to the area of Uluwatu (not a specific city as I originally had imagined!), you will find things take longer to get between and, compared to Canggu, you may find food and drink spots are less readily available.
Book in advance for the One Eighty Club (The Edge) for beautiful pools, food and drink, and stunning cliffside views including an overhanging show stopper pool on the edge with panoramic views. A regular day pass is approximately IDR 600,000, but includes a IDR 500,000 food and beverage credit.
Make your way to Uluwatu Temple and explore the area, avoiding the (mostly terrifying) monkeys once again. End your day by watching the iconic and traditional Uluwatu Temple Kecak and Fire Dance in an open, small stadium near the ocean. The costumes and spectacle are a must to see.
Accommodation Recommendation:
ONAYA Bali Resort: upscale, serene, and beautifully designed with a boutique feel.
DAY 16 - ULUWATU
Spend your last full day in Bali hitting up the many iconic beaches:
Dreamland: A popular surfing beach now officially known as New Kuta Beach.
Bingin: Another surfer's paradise featuring a beautiful shoreline.
Padang Padang: Popularized by Eat, Pray, Love, this beach is an ideal place to laze around and sunbathe.
Suluban: A beautiful beach cave giving the beach a unique feel.
Under no circumstances should you allow anyone on these beaches to draw you into a timeshare presentation, or you may miss out on visiting some of the list. Or so a friend of a friend told me... 😂
DAY 17
Depending on your flight time, you can stop at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on your way to the airport, which is about 20 minutes from Denpasar.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bali and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and his companion Garuda. The park boasts a 120 metre tall statue depicting Vishnu riding on the back of Garuda. You can't miss it as you go through the city.
Explore the park, take photos, and enjoy a final glimpse of Balinese culture before heading to the airport.
WRAPPING UP
That concludes your 17-day journey through Bali! From Ubud’s tranquil rice terraces to Uluwatu’s dramatic cliffs, this itinerary highlights the best of the island’s landscapes, temples, beaches, and small moments in between.
Whether you followed it day-by-day or simply used it for inspiration, we hope it helped you plan your own Balinese adventure—and maybe even prepare your legs for all those stairs and cliffside climbs along the way!
Have tips, questions, or stories from your own Bali adventure? We’d love to hear from you, so drop a comment below!
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