Bali & Komodo Self-Launched: Dragons, Rice Terraces & Cultural Ceremonies

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) and take a pre-booked shared shuttle to Ubud (~2 hrs, ~£6 via Kura-Kura Bus or a shared Grab/Gojek). Check into your guesthouse and spend the afternoon wandering Ubud's central streets, browsing the art market, and soaking up the spiritual atmosphere. Head to Jalan Bisma for sunset views over the jungle valley. Grab dinner at a warung — try nasi goreng or babi guling (Balinese suckling pig).

🚌Shared shuttle from Denpasar airport to Ubud (~£6 via Kura-Kura Bus or pre-booked shuttle)

🛏Pondok Pundi Village Inn or similar guesthouse in central Ubud (~£18-22/night)

• →Arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar — take shared shuttle or Grab to Ubud (~£6)
• →Check into guesthouse in central Ubud
• →Explore Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni) — free to browse
• →Sunset walk along Jalan Bisma jungle ridge viewpoint — free
• →Dinner at a local warung (~£4-6)

Join a community-led walking tour of Desa Wisata Kenderan, a heritage village nestled among rice paddies just outside Ubud. A local guide will walk you through the village, show you the sacred Balinese waterfall, and share the ritual of melukat (holy water purification). Book directly with the village or via GetYourGuide (~£20-25). In the afternoon, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary if you want the cheeky primate experience (~£4 entry). Evening free to explore Ubud's café and yoga scene.

🚌Walk or hire a scooter (~£5/day) to reach Kenderan Village (~15 min from Ubud centre)

🛏Pondok Pundi Village Inn or similar guesthouse in central Ubud (~£18-22/night)

• →Guided community walk in Kenderan Heritage Village including sacred waterfall visit (~£20-25 via GetYourGuide or direct booking)
• →Optional: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary visit (~£4 entry — keep valuables secure!)
• →Explore Ubud's Jalan Hanoman café strip for lunch and coffee
• →Evening yoga class at Yoga Barn or similar (~£8-12)

Head out early to UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (~1.5 hrs from Ubud). Hire a driver for the day (~£30-35 shared between 2-3 travellers via Grab or local rental) or join a day tour (~£25 via Klook). Walk the 1.5 km rice terrace trail at your own pace — entry fee ~£2. Continue to the beautiful Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple perched on Lake Bratan. Grab a late lunch at a warung near the lake. Return to Ubud by late afternoon and begin packing for tomorrow's move to Munduk.

🚌Private driver hire for the day (~£30-35 split between travellers) or Klook day tour (~£25pp)

🛏Pondok Pundi Village Inn or similar guesthouse in central Ubud (~£18-22/night)

• →Walk the UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terrace trail (~£2 entry fee, allow 1.5-2 hrs)
• →Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple on Lake Bratan (~£2 entry)
• →Lunch at a lakeside warung (~£4-6)
• →Optional stop at Bali Botanic Garden (~£3 entry)

Take a shared shuttle or pre-booked private transfer from Ubud to Munduk (~2 hrs, ~£10-15). Munduk is a cool highland village surrounded by clove, coffee, and cacao plantations with spectacular valley views. Check in to your eco-guesthouse or boutique lodge. In the afternoon, walk the easy Munduk waterfall trail (passing Melanting and Golden Valley waterfalls — combined entry ~£2). Visit a local coffee plantation for a tasting of Bali's famous luwak and arabica coffees (~£5-8). Watch the sunset over the valley from your lodge terrace.

🚌Shared shuttle from Ubud to Munduk (~£10-15 via Perama or Kura-Kura)

🛏Puri Lumbung Cottages or Munduk Moding Plantation Eco Bungalows (~£35-50/night — book direct for best rates)

• →Shared shuttle Ubud to Munduk (~£10-15)
• →Munduk waterfall trail: Melanting & Golden Valley waterfalls (~£2 entry, 2 hr walk)
• →Coffee plantation visit and tasting (~£5-8)
• →Sunset from Munduk ridge viewpoint — free

Full day of adventure in Munduk's lush jungle. Join a guided jungle trek and canoe experience on Lake Tamblingan (~£25-35 via Klook or local guide direct) — paddle across the mist-covered sacred lake and hike through untouched forest. Alternatively, hire a local guide directly at the trailhead for ~£15. After lunch, visit the Twin Lakes viewpoint (Danau Buyan and Tamblingan) for one of Bali's most stunning panoramas — free. Relax at the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the highland cool air.

🚌Walk or local ojek (motorbike taxi) to trailhead (~£2-3)

🛏Puri Lumbung Cottages or Munduk Moding Plantation Eco Bungalows (~£35-50/night)

• →Guided jungle trek and Lake Tamblingan canoe experience (~£25-35 via Klook or direct with local guide ~£15)
• →Twin Lakes (Danau Buyan & Tamblingan) viewpoint — free
• →Lunch at a local warung in Munduk village (~£4-6)
• →Optional: cycling through the plantation trails (~£8 bike hire)

Travel from Munduk to Candidasa on Bali's peaceful east coast (~3 hrs by shared shuttle or private car, ~£12-18). Candidasa is a laid-back beach town far from the Seminyak crowds, with excellent snorkelling, a coral reef, and black-sand beaches. Check in and spend the afternoon at leisure — book a snorkelling trip to nearby Padang Bai and Amed reefs (~£20-25 via local boat operators or Klook), or simply relax on the beach. Dinner at one of Candidasa's excellent fresh seafood restaurants.

🚌Shared shuttle or private car Munduk to Candidasa (~£12-18 via Perama Tours)

🛏The Watergarden Hotel or Lotus Bungalows Candidasa (~£20-35/night)

• →Shared shuttle from Munduk to Candidasa (~£12-18)
• →Snorkelling trip to Padang Bai or Amed reef (~£20-25 via local boat operator or Klook)
• →Explore Candidasa beach and the lotus lagoon — free
• →Fresh seafood dinner at beachside restaurant (~£8-12)

Morning visit to Pura Goa Lawah (Bat Cave Temple) ~20 min west of Candidasa — one of Bali's holiest sea temples (~£2 entry). Return to Candidasa for lunch then transfer to Denpasar airport (~2.5 hrs) for your domestic flight to Labuan Bajo, gateway to Komodo National Park. Book in advance with Lion Air, Citilink, or Batik Air (~£50-80 return depending on timing). Arrive in Labuan Bajo by early evening and check into your guesthouse on the waterfront strip.

🚌Shared shuttle Candidasa to Denpasar (~£10-15). Domestic flight DPS→LBJ (~£50-80 book via Traveloka)

🛏La Boheme Bajo or Mutiara Camar Hotel, Labuan Bajo (~£18-28/night)

• →Morning visit to Pura Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple (~£2 entry)
• →Transfer from Candidasa to Denpasar Airport (~2.5 hrs, shared shuttle ~£10-15)
• →Domestic flight Denpasar (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) (~£50-80, book via Traveloka or Tiket.com)
• →Check in to Labuan Bajo waterfront guesthouse
• →Evening stroll along Labuan Bajo harbour with sunset views — free

Full day boat trip around Komodo National Park islands — this is the bucket-list highlight of the whole trip. Book a shared boat tour from the Labuan Bajo harbour (standard 'open trip' ~£35-50 per person including park entry fee and ranger guide, via local operators like Bajo Trip or through your guesthouse). Visit Komodo Island for a guided trek to see the legendary Komodo dragons up close with a ranger escort. Continue to Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) for snorkelling among the coral reefs and stunning pink-tinged sand. Lunch served on board.

🚌Shared open boat trip from Labuan Bajo harbour (included in day trip cost)

🛏La Boheme Bajo or Mutiara Camar Hotel, Labuan Bajo (~£18-28/night)

• →Full-day open boat trip to Komodo National Park (~£35-50 including park entry ~£15 and ranger fee — book at harbour or via guesthouse the night before)
• →Guided dragon trek on Komodo Island with ranger (included in park fee)
• →Snorkelling at Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) — gear rental ~£3-5 if not included
• →On-board lunch included in most open trips
• →Sunset back at Labuan Bajo harbour

Second full day in Komodo National Park with a different route — visit Rinca Island, which typically has higher dragon density and a more remote feel than Komodo Island. Book another open boat trip (~£30-45) or combine with a manta ray snorkelling excursion at Manta Point (seasonal but high chance Nov-Jan). Many operators offer a 2-day combo at a discount. Optional afternoon kayaking around the mangroves near Labuan Bajo (~£15). Evening: explore Labuan Bajo's excellent restaurants — try fresh grilled barracuda.

🚌Shared open boat from Labuan Bajo harbour (included in trip cost)

🛏La Boheme Bajo or Mutiara Camar Hotel, Labuan Bajo (~£18-28/night)

• →Boat trip to Rinca Island dragon trek with ranger (~£30-45 open trip or combo day 2 discount)
• →Snorkelling at Manta Point for manta ray encounters (seasonal — high chance Nov-Jan, often included or ~£5 extra)
• →Optional: mangrove kayaking near Labuan Bajo (~£15)
• →Fresh grilled seafood dinner in Labuan Bajo (~£8-12)

Morning flight back from Labuan Bajo to Denpasar (~£50-80, book with Lion Air or Citilink). Transfer to Seminyak or Kuta on Bali's south coast for your final nights. These beach resort areas offer excellent people-watching, surf lessons, rooftop bars, and beach clubs. Check into your beachside hostel or guesthouse. Afternoon: take a surf lesson on Kuta Beach (~£15 including board hire) or simply enjoy the beach scene. Sunset at Seminyak Beach or Pura Tanah Lot (30 min away, ~£3 entry).

🚌Domestic flight LBJ→DPS (~£50-80). Grab/taxi to Seminyak/Kuta (~£8-12)

🛏Puri Maharaja Seminyak or Bounce Hostel Kuta (~£18-30/night)

• →Morning flight Labuan Bajo (LBJ) to Denpasar (DPS) (~£50-80 via Lion Air/Citilink)
• →Transfer to Seminyak or Kuta via Grab or airport taxi (~£8-12)
• →Surf lesson on Kuta Beach (~£15 including board hire)
• →Sunset at Seminyak Beach or Pura Tanah Lot sea temple (~£3 entry, 30 min drive)
• →Beachfront dinner at a warung or surf café (~£8-12)

Day trip to Uluwatu, one of Bali's most dramatic clifftop sea temples. Take a Grab (~£10-15 each way) or hire a scooter. Entry ~£2. Explore the clifftop paths with resident long-tailed macaques, then stay for the legendary Kecak Fire Dance performance at sunset — staged at the cliff's edge with the ocean as backdrop (~£8-10, book on arrival or via Klook). Return to Seminyak for your last night. Treat yourself to dinner at Sardine or Merah Putih (~£20-30) or keep it budget at a local warung. Visit a beach club for sundowners (Potato Head Beach Club has free entry, pay per drink).

🚌Grab or scooter to Uluwatu (~£10-15 each way or £5/day scooter hire)

🛏Puri Maharaja Seminyak or Bounce Hostel Kuta (~£18-30/night)

• →Grab or scooter to Uluwatu Temple (~£10-15 each way or ~£5/day scooter hire)
• →Uluwatu Temple clifftop walk (~£2 entry)
• →Kecak Fire Dance sunset performance at Uluwatu (~£8-10 — book on arrival or via Klook)
• →Potato Head Beach Club sundowners — free entry, pay per drink
• →Final night dinner at Seminyak restaurant (~£12-25)

Enjoy a leisurely final morning — grab breakfast at a Seminyak café, do a last-minute souvenir shop at Seminyak Square, or fit in one final beach walk. Transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) by Grab or airport taxi (~£10-15, allow 30-60 min depending on traffic). Note: per the original itinerary, plan for your flight to depart no earlier than 15:30. Bali's traffic can be unpredictable — allow plenty of time.

🚌Grab or airport taxi from Seminyak to Denpasar Airport (~£10-15)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Leisurely breakfast at a Seminyak café (~£4-6)
• →Final souvenir shopping at Seminyak Square or Kuta Art Market
• →Transfer to Denpasar Airport via Grab (~£10-15 — book in advance)
• →Depart from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) — flight no earlier than 15:30