Bali & Gili Islands Self-Launched Adventure

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar). Take a pre-booked Grab car or Blue Bird taxi to Canggu (~45–60 mins, £6–10). Check into your hostel in the Berawa/Canggu area and spend the evening exploring the famous beach strip — grab dinner at one of the many warungs on Jl. Pantai Berawa. Echo Beach and Batu Bolong are a short walk away for a first taste of the surf scene.

🚌Grab car or Blue Bird taxi from Denpasar Airport to Canggu (~£6–10)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Canggu (e.g. Kabak Bar & Hostel or Motion Hostel, dorm ~£10–14/night)

• →Arrive at Denpasar Airport — take a Grab car or Blue Bird taxi to Canggu (book via app, ~£6–10)
• →Check into hostel and explore Canggu's beach strip
• →Dinner at a local warung on Jl. Pantai Berawa (~£3–5)

Visit two of Bali's most iconic temples. Hire a scooter (~£4/day) or book a shared day tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18) covering Tanah Lot sea temple and Taman Ayun Royal Temple in Mengwi. Tanah Lot is best visited late afternoon for dramatic sunset views over the ocean. Entry fees are around £3–4 per site. Return to Canggu for dinner.

🚌Hired scooter (~£4/day) or shared day tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18 incl. transport)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Canggu (same as Day 1)

• →Tanah Lot Temple visit (entry ~£3–4) — book via GetYourGuide or self-drive by scooter
• →Taman Ayun Royal Temple visit (entry ~£2)
• →Sunset views at Tanah Lot
• →Dinner back in Canggu (~£4–6)

Head to Kuta Beach (20–30 mins from Canggu by scooter or Grab, ~£3) for a 2-hour beginner surfing lesson. Dozens of surf schools line the beach — book in advance via Klook or directly on the beach. Lessons typically include board and instructor for around £12–18. Spend the afternoon riding more waves or exploring Kuta's markets. Return to Canggu for the evening.

🚌Scooter or Grab car from Canggu to Kuta (~£3 each way)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Canggu (same as Days 1–2)

• →2-hour beginner surfing lesson at Kuta Beach (~£12–18 via Klook or direct booking)
• →Free surf/beach time in the afternoon
• →Explore Kuta's shops and street food stalls

Check out of your Canggu hostel and head to Ubud. Book a private car transfer (~£18–22, ~1.5hrs) or negotiate a metered Blue Bird taxi. Stop en route at Tegenungan Waterfall (entry ~£2) — one of Bali's most accessible and spectacular waterfalls, great for a swim. Continue into Ubud, check in, and explore the famous Ubud Art Market in the afternoon. Dinner at a warung on Jl. Dewi Sita.

🚌Private car transfer from Canggu to Ubud (~£18–22, bookable via Klook or local drivers)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Ubud (e.g. Pondok Pundi Village Inn or Bisma Cottages, ~£12–18/night)

• →Tegenungan Waterfall visit and swim (entry ~£2)
• →Ubud Art Market browse — great for souvenirs
• →Explore central Ubud on foot — cafes, galleries, rice paddies

Start the morning at a traditional local market, then take a half-day Balinese cooking class — book via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20–28 including market visit, hands-on cooking, and a feast lunch). Afternoon: visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (entry ~£4) and wander Ubud's charming streets. Evening: catch a traditional Kecak fire dance performance at Pura Dalem Ubud (~£8–10).

🚌On foot or scooter within Ubud

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Ubud (same as Day 4)

• →Local market visit (usually included in cooking class or free to browse)
• →Balinese cooking class with lunch included (~£20–28 via GetYourGuide or Klook)
• →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary visit (entry ~£4)
• →Optional: Kecak fire dance performance at Pura Dalem (~£8–10)

An early start for a full day exploring Bali's highland interior. Hire a scooter or book a guided day tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–25 incl. transport) to the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces (entry ~£1.50) for a morning walk and photos. Continue to Kintamani for the Mt. Batur volcano viewpoint — dramatic caldera views over the active volcano and Lake Batur. Stop at local markets on the way back to Ubud.

🚌Scooter hire (~£4/day) or shared day tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–25 incl. transport)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Ubud (same as Days 4–5)

• →Tegallalang Rice Terraces walk and photography (entry ~£1.50)
• →Mt. Batur volcano viewpoint at Kintamani (no entry fee, café viewpoints available)
• →Local market stops en route
• →Optional: pre-dawn Mt. Batur sunrise trek (~£25–35 via GetYourGuide, book in advance)

Check out of Ubud and make your way to Gili Trawangan. The most popular route is a shared shuttle bus from Ubud to Padang Bai harbour (~£5–8), then a fast boat to Gili T (~£15–20, approx. 1.5–2hrs). Book fast boat tickets in advance via Klook or directly with operators like Eka Jaya or Blue Water Express. Arrive at Gili T by mid-afternoon — check in, rent a bicycle (~£3/day), and explore the car-free island. Watch the sunset from the east-facing beach.

🚌Shared shuttle Ubud→Padang Bai (~£5–8) + fast boat to Gili T (~£15–20)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse on Gili Trawangan (e.g. Gili Hostel or Sama Sama Bungalows, ~£10–16/night)

• →Shuttle bus from Ubud to Padang Bai (~£5–8, book via hostel or Klook)
• →Fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan (~£15–20 via Klook or direct booking)
• →Check in and rent a bicycle to explore Gili T (~£3/day)
• →Sunset from the east-facing beach or swing bars

Join an island-hopping snorkelling trip covering all three Gili Islands — Gili T, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Book via GetYourGuide, Klook, or directly with local boat operators on the Gili T harbourfront (~£15–22 per person including snorkel gear). Highlights include the Gili Meno underwater statue garden (Nest installation) and sea turtles around Gili Air. Half-day trips typically depart 9am–1pm. Spend the afternoon chilling on the beach or exploring Gili T on foot.

🚌Shared snorkelling boat tour (included in activity price)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse on Gili Trawangan (same as Day 7)

• →Island-hopping snorkelling tour covering Gili T, Gili Meno & Gili Air (~£15–22 incl. gear, book via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Gili Meno underwater sculpture garden snorkel stop
• →Sea turtle spotting around Gili Air
• →Afternoon beach time on Gili T

Spend the morning cycling the entire circumference of car-free Gili Trawangan — it takes about 45–60 minutes at a leisurely pace, with stops at quiet beaches on the north and east sides. Trek up to the island's viewpoint hill for panoramic views over all three Gilis and Lombok's volcanic peaks. Explore the WWII Japanese bunkers on the south end of the island (free entry). Evening: enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Gili T's beachfront restaurants, and join the famous Gili T party strip — the island rotates nightly parties between its bars.

🚌Bicycle hire on Gili T (~£3/day) — the island is car and motorbike free

🛏Hostel or guesthouse on Gili Trawangan (same as Days 7–8)

• →Bicycle tour around Gili Trawangan (~£3/day bike hire, ~45–60 min full loop)
• →Viewpoint hill trek for panoramic views
• →WWII Japanese bunker exploration (free)
• →Farewell dinner at a beachfront restaurant (~£8–12)
• →Optional: evening party at Gili T's rotating beach bars

Check out and arrange your onward journey. Fast boats depart regularly to Padang Bai (Bali) or Bangsal/Teluk Nara (Lombok) for connections to Lombok International Airport. Book your return fast boat in advance (~£15–20 to Bali, ~£8–12 to Lombok). If flying from Denpasar, allow at least 5–6 hours from Gili T. A Grab car from Padang Bai to Denpasar Airport costs ~£18–22. Check departure times carefully and book your boat the evening before.

🚌Fast boat from Gili T to Bali (~£15–20) or Lombok (~£8–12) + Grab/taxi to airport (~£18–22 from Padang Bai)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Check out of accommodation and arrange luggage
• →Fast boat from Gili T to Padang Bai, Bali (~£15–20) or to Bangsal/Lombok (~£8–12)
• →Transfer to Denpasar or Lombok Airport for onward flight (~£18–22 by Grab from Padang Bai)