Essential Bali & Gili Islands – Self-Launched 10 Days

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and make your way independently to Ubud. The easiest and cheapest option is a pre-paid taxi coupon from the official taxi desk inside arrivals — expect to pay around IDR 550,000 (~£27) for the 1.5-hour ride. Alternatively, book a private transfer via Klook for a similar price. Once in Ubud, check in to your guesthouse and spend the afternoon wandering Monkey Forest Road, poking around the market stalls, and soaking up the patchouli-and-incense atmosphere. Head out for a solo dinner of nasi goreng or babi guling at one of the many warungs (local restaurants) around Jl. Dewi Sita.

🚌Pre-paid airport taxi coupon to Ubud, ~£27 one-way

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in central Ubud — e.g. Rumah Dharma Guesthouse or Cinta Cottage. Dorm from ~£8/night, private room from ~£18/night.

• →Arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport and take a pre-paid taxi coupon to Ubud (~£27, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Check in and explore Ubud town centre on foot
• →Visit Ubud Art Market (free to browse, haggle for souvenirs)
• →Dinner at a local warung on Jl. Dewi Sita (~£3–5)

A full free day to explore Ubud at your own pace. Start early with a yoga class at The Yoga Barn (book directly, ~£9 per class). Then head out to the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces — either rent a scooter (~£5/day) or grab a cheap rideshare via Grab. Browse the Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) and catch a traditional Kecak dance performance in the evening (book at the gate, ~£7). For a cooking class, book directly with Casa Luna or Paon Bali (~£25–30), which is far cheaper than through a tour operator. Seek out babi guling at Ibu Oka warung for lunch — a Ubud institution.

🚌Scooter rental ~£5/day or Grab rides (~£2–4 per trip)

🛏Same guesthouse as Night 1

• →Morning yoga class at The Yoga Barn, book direct (~£9)
• →Rent a scooter and ride to Tegalalang Rice Terraces (~£5 scooter hire + ~£2 terrace entry)
• →Explore Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) — free entry to grounds
• →Optional: Cooking class with Paon Bali or Casa Luna, book direct (~£28)
• →Optional: Bali cycling tour via GetYourGuide (~£22)
• →Optional: White-water rafting on the Ayung River via Klook (~£22)
• →Evening Kecak fire dance at Pura Dalem Ubud (~£7, tickets at the gate)

Make your own way north towards Mt Batur, stopping at key sights en route. First stop: Tirta Empul Water Temple near Tampaksiring, one of Bali's most sacred Hindu sites built in 962 AD — still very much an active place of purification. Entry is ~IDR 50,000 (~£2.50); sarong hire is included. Next, swing by the Tegalalang Rice Terraces if you didn't yesterday (or explore a different angle). Hire a local driver for the day to cover these stops comfortably — negotiate in Ubud for around IDR 350,000–450,000 (~£17–22) for a full-day private driver. Arrive at your glamping or guesthouse near Kintamani/Mt Batur by late afternoon. Rest up — you have a very early start tomorrow.

🚌Hire a local private driver from Ubud for the day ~£20, or take a shared tourist shuttle Ubud–Kintamani ~£6 via Kura-Kura Bus or Perama

🛏Glamping or guesthouse near Kintamani — e.g. Batur Glamping & Resto or local guesthouses from ~£15–20/night

• →Visit Tirta Empul Water Temple (~£2.50 entry)
• →Stop at Tegalalang Rice Terraces (~£2 entry if not visited Day 2)
• →Optional: Gunung Kawi rock-cut temple complex (~£2.50 entry)
• →Arrive at Mt Batur area by afternoon — rest and prepare for 3am start

Wake at 3am for the iconic Mt Batur sunrise hike. You must hire a licensed local guide — this is a government regulation and keeps costs in the local community. Book directly at the Mt Batur trekking office in Toya Bungkah village the evening before, or via GetYourGuide. Guide fees are fixed at around IDR 300,000–450,000 (~£15–22) per person, including a basic breakfast at the summit. The 2-hour ascent over volcanic rock is steep in places — bring a headtorch, layers and good shoes. At the top, watch the sunrise over Lake Batur with views across to Mt Agung and potentially Mt Rinjani. After descending, soak tired muscles in the natural hot springs at Toya Devasya (~IDR 280,000, ~£14). In the afternoon, arrange onward transport south-east to the laid-back coastal village of Candidasa. Chill at the beach and rest your legs.

🚌Local driver or shared taxi from Kintamani to Candidasa ~£10–15 (negotiate the evening before or ask guesthouse to arrange)

🛏Guesthouse in Candidasa — e.g. Candidasa Beach Bungalows or Candi Beach Resort budget rooms, ~£15–20/night

• →3am start: Mt Batur sunrise hike with licensed guide (~£18 guide fee)
• →Sunrise at the summit (~1717m) with views over Lake Batur and Mt Agung
• →Optional: Hot springs soak at Toya Devasya after descent (~£14)
• →Afternoon transfer to Candidasa — rest, beach walk and early night

Make your way to Padangbai port — either walk (30 mins) or take a cheap local bemo or rideshare (~£3). From Padangbai, book a fast boat directly to Gili Trawangan with operators like Eka Jaya, Blue Water Express or Scoot Fast Cruises. Tickets can be booked online in advance or at the port, typically IDR 250,000–375,000 (~£12–19) per person, with the crossing taking around 1.5–2 hours. On arrival at Gili T, walk the 1km of sandy track to your accommodation (bring a backpack!). Once checked in, hire a bicycle from your guesthouse or a nearby rental shop (~£3–4/day) and explore the island at your own pace — it only takes 45 minutes to cycle the whole way around. Watch the sunset from the west side of the island at one of the beach bars. No motorised vehicles on Gili T — it's bicycles, horse carts and bare feet only.

🚌Local transport to Padangbai ~£3 + fast boat to Gili T ~£15

🛏Guesthouse or hostel on Gili T — e.g. Danima Resort, Sama Sama Hostel or Good Heart Hostel. Dorm ~£10, private ~£20–28/night.

• →Transfer from Candidasa to Padangbai port (~£3 by local transport)
• →Fast boat Padangbai to Gili Trawangan with Blue Water Express or Eka Jaya (~£15)
• →Check in, hire a bicycle (~£3–4/day from local hire shops)
• →Self-guided cycling circuit of Gili T — find the best sunset spots on the west beach
• →Evening beach bar sunset drinks

A full free day to explore Gili T however you like. The snorkelling around the Gilis is world-class — book a snorkelling boat trip via local operators on the beach (IDR 150,000–250,000 per person, ~£7–12) which will take you to multiple spots including Turtle Point (Gili Meno), where sea turtle sightings are almost guaranteed. Alternatively, just wade out from the beach with your own snorkel gear (rent for ~£3/day) and you may spot turtles from the shore. For a yoga class, head to Freedive Gili or one of the beachfront yoga studios (~£6–8 per class). In the evening, explore the famous Gili T strip of beach bars — try a sunset cocktail at the Night Market near the harbour.

🚌Bicycle hire ~£3–4/day (already arranged from Day 5)

🛏Same guesthouse as Night 5

• →Snorkelling boat trip around the Gili Islands including Turtle Point (~£10, book on the beach)
• →Or rent snorkel gear and snorkel from the shore (~£3/day)
• →Optional: Yoga class at a beachfront studio (~£7)
• →Optional: Cooking class via local operators on the island (~£19)
• →Explore the Gili T Night Market for cheap local food (~£3–5 for a meal)
• →Sunset cocktails at a beachfront bar

Another glorious free day on Gili T. Sleep in, laze on the beach, or make a day trip to quieter Gili Air or Gili Meno by hopping on the local island shuttle boat (~IDR 50,000, ~£2.50 each way). Gili Meno is the most peaceful of the three — perfect for snorkelling, hammock-swinging and avoiding crowds. Back on Gili T by evening, circumnavigate the island one more time by bicycle and find your favourite sunset spot. Try to eat at the Night Market or at a local warung off the main strip to keep costs down.

🚌Bicycle (~£3–4) + optional island shuttle boat ~£5 return

🛏Same guesthouse as Night 5

• →Optional: Day trip to Gili Meno or Gili Air by island shuttle boat (~£2.50 each way)
• →Snorkelling, swimming and beach relaxation
• →Cycle around Gili T again to discover new spots
• →Sunset beach bar drinks and warung dinner

After a final swim and breakfast, walk to the port and catch a fast boat back to Padangbai (book the day before to secure a seat — same operators as the outbound journey, ~£15). From Padangbai, take a pre-booked shared tourist shuttle directly to Seminyak with Perama or similar (~£8–10), or negotiate a private transfer (~£20–25 for more comfort). The full journey takes around 4–5 hours. Check in to your Seminyak accommodation and head straight to the beach. In the evening, explore Seminyak's famous Eat Street (Jl. Kayu Aya) independently — try nasi campur, mie goreng and satay from the local warungs and street stalls. End the night with a free stroll along the beach at sunset.

🚌Fast boat to Padangbai ~£15 + shared shuttle to Seminyak ~£9

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Seminyak — e.g. Seminyak Square area guesthouses or Kayu Hostel. Dorm ~£12, private ~£22–30/night.

• →Morning: final swim and checkout from Gili T
• →Fast boat Gili T to Padangbai (~£15)
• →Shared tourist shuttle Padangbai to Seminyak (~£9)
• →Check in and walk to Seminyak Beach for sunset
• →Self-guided street food tasting on Jl. Kayu Aya (Eat Street) — nasi campur, satay, mie goreng (~£5–8 for a full spread)

Seminyak is the most polished part of the trip — make the most of it. Start with a surf lesson at Legian Beach — Bali surf schools charge around IDR 300,000–400,000 (~£15–20) for a 2-hour beginner lesson including board and instructor, far cheaper than booking through a tour operator. Spend the afternoon at one of Seminyak's famous beach clubs: Potato Head, Ku De Ta (now Kynd Community) and Cocoon are all iconic — entry is typically free but you'll need to spend on food and drinks (budget ~£15–20). Alternatively, La Plancha offers colourful bean bags on the beach at sunset for free. Round off the day with a cheap traditional Balinese massage from one of the many licensed spas on Jl. Basangkasa (~£7–10 for 60 mins).

🚌Walking and Grab rideshares around Seminyak (~£2–3 per ride)

🛏Same hotel as Night 8

• →Surf lesson at Legian or Kuta Beach (~£18, book directly with local school)
• →Afternoon at a Seminyak beach club — Potato Head, Ku De Ta or La Plancha (~£15–20 on drinks)
• →Balinese massage at a local spa (~£8 for 60 mins)
• →Optional: Bali Eat Street Urban Food Adventure self-guided walk or book via GetYourGuide (~£20)
• →Final group dinner and sunset drinks with fellow travellers

Your last morning in Bali — enjoy one final breakfast and a walk along Seminyak or Kuta Beach. Check out and arrange an airport transfer via Grab (~£8–10) or a pre-booked taxi (~£12–15) to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Allow at least 2 hours before your flight, as traffic in South Bali can be unpredictable. If you have a late flight, many guesthouses will store your luggage so you can squeeze in one last swim or massage.

🚌Grab or pre-booked taxi to Ngurah Rai Airport ~£10

🛏N/A – departure day

• →Final walk along Seminyak or Kuta Beach
• →Last breakfast at a local café (~£3–5)
• →Airport transfer via Grab or pre-booked taxi (~£10)