10 days is the minimum to see Bali without rushing. In two weeks you can add Lombok or the Gilis — but 10 days on Bali alone lets you feel the soul of the island, not just tick off photos.
Day 1-2: The South — acclimatisation
Straight from DPS airport → Seminyak or Canggu. First day for jetlag, beach walk, dinner at a beach club (Potato Head, La Brisa). Second day: sunset at Tanah Lot — a temple on a rock in the ocean (35 km from Seminyak, 45 min by car).
Stay: hotel/villa in Seminyak/Canggu, 50-100 EUR/night.
Day 3-5: Ubud — culture and jungle
Transfer by car to Ubud (1.5 h, 150-200k IDR). In Ubud:
- Tegallalang — UNESCO rice terraces, swings over the valley (morning);
- Monkey Forest — sacred macaque forest in the centre;
- Tirta Empul — holy springs, purification ceremony (bring a sarong);
- Campuhan Ridge Walk — easy 2h walk through the valley at sunrise.
Dinner: Locavore (fine dining, book 2 months ahead) or Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (Balinese roast pig, 7-8 EUR).
Day 6: East — Mount Batur volcano
Sunrise trek up Mount Batur (1717 m). Departure 3:30 AM from Ubud, 2h climb with guide. Sunrise view over the crater and second volcano Agung — one of the strongest Bali memories. Cost: 300-400k IDR (~25 EUR). Back to Ubud by 11:00, afternoon rest + spa.
Day 7-8: Nusa Penida
Fast boat from Sanur (30 min) → Nusa Penida. Rent a car with driver (500-700k IDR/day) — roads too demanding for scooter for most tourists. Programme:
- Day 1: West Tour — Kelingking Beach (T-Rex shaped cliff), Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach;
- Day 2: East Tour — Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, Rumah Pohon (tree house).
Stay: on the island (60-120 EUR/night, simpler than Ubud).
Day 9: Munduk — mountains and waterfalls
Boat back, car transfer to Munduk in the north (2 h, cooler mountains). Waterfalls: Munduk, Melanting, Golden Valley. In the evening Ulun Danu Bratan temple on the lake — one of the most photogenic on the island.
Day 10: Return — Uluwatu and departure
Transfer from Munduk south (3 h). Afternoon: Uluwatu Temple — temple on a 70m cliff overlooking the ocean. At 6 PM Kecak dance — traditional fire dance at sunset. Fresh fish dinner on Jimbaran beach (10 min drive). Night flight from DPS.
Rough budget (10 days)
- Flights EU → DPS: 700-1200 EUR;
- Accommodation (3-4*): 60-90 EUR/night × 9 = 540-810 EUR;
- Transport (drivers, boats): 200-300 EUR;
- Food: 10-20 EUR/day = 100-200 EUR;
- Attractions (Batur, Nusa Penida, entrance fees): 120-160 EUR;
- Visa: free up to 30 days (Visa on Arrival 500k IDR = 30 EUR if you want to extend).
Total: 1700-2700 EUR per person.
When to go
Dry season May-October — best conditions. August and July are peak (pricier stays, crowds). October-November is the sweet spot: warm, fewer people, gorgeous sunsets. Wet season December-March = cheap but short afternoon downpours.