Bali to Lombok: Self-Launched Island Adventure
15 days · Bali & Lombok, Indonesia
G Adventures charges £1,215
No-markup version: ~£594 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched take on G Adventures' classic 15-day Bali-to-Lombok small-group trip, running Seminyak → Munduk → Bulian → Ubud → Candidasa → Lombok (Sembalun/Senaru, Rinjani foothills) → Gili Trawangan. You'll recreate the same headline experiences — Jatiluwih rice terraces, Ulun Danu temple, a community homestay, a Balinese cooking class, the Blue Lagoon snorkel, a Rinjani foothills trek, and Gili yoga — but booking everything independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, and local providers. Expect hostels/guesthouses and public buses, shared shuttles and fast boats instead of a private vehicle. All costs are approximate, per person, in GBP, and assume a mid-range backpacker style.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Seminyak
Seminyak, Bali
Fly into Denpasar (DPS), grab a Grab/Gojek or metered Bluebird taxi to Seminyak (~£5-8, 30-45 min). Settle into a beachside hostel or budget guesthouse, wander the Double Six beach strip, and catch sunset with a cheap warung dinner. This is your acclimatise-and-plan day.
🚌Grab/Gojek or Bluebird taxi from DPS airport, ~£5-8
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Seminyak (dorm ~£10-14, private ~£18-25)
- →Airport transfer by Grab/Gojek
- →Seminyak Beach sunset walk
- →Warung dinner on Jalan Kayu Aya
Seminyak to Munduk via Jatiluwih & Ulun Danu
Munduk, North Bali
Recreate the tour's transfer day independently. Book a private driver for the day (~£35-45 total, split with 1-2 other travellers from your hostel) or use a Klook shared shuttle. Stop first at the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (entry ~£2.50), then Baturiti Fruit Market for rambutan and dragon fruit, then the lakeside Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (entry ~£3.50), and the Twin Lake viewpoint on the scenic road to Munduk. Check into a Munduk guesthouse in the evening.
🚌Private driver for the day or Klook shared shuttle, ~£15-22 per person when split
🛏Guesthouse in Munduk (~£15-22)
- →Jatiluwih Rice Terraces walk
- →Baturiti Fruit Market
- →Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
- →Twin Lake photo stop
Munduk to Bulian Community Homestay via Banjar Hot Springs
Bulian, North Bali
Travel on toward Bulian, the village the tour uses for its community homestay. En route, stop at Banjar Hot Springs (~£1.50 entry) for a soak in the sulphur pools, and optionally the Munduk or Gitgit waterfall (entry ~£1-2). Book a locally run homestay in Bulian or the nearby village of Tigawasa/Tamblingan via Booking.com or Airbnb — these are genuine community family stays. Evening village walk and home-cooked Balinese dinner with your host family.
🚌Continue with your driver or arrange a local bemo/shuttle, ~£8-12
🛏Community homestay in Bulian/Tamblingan (~£12-18 incl. dinner)
- →Banjar Hot Springs soak
- →Gitgit or Munduk waterfall stop
- →Community village walk
- →Home-cooked dinner with host family
Bulian to Ubud
Ubud, Bali
Transfer south-east to Ubud (~2 hrs). Check into a central Ubud hostel or guesthouse near Jalan Hanoman or Jalan Monkey Forest. Spend the afternoon exploring the Ubud Art Market, the Saraswati Temple lotus pond, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk (free) at golden hour. Ubud is the cultural heart of the trip — stay 2 nights.
🚌Private transfer or Kura-Kura shuttle from Bulian/Munduk to Ubud, ~£12-18
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in central Ubud (~£12-20)
- →Ubud Art Market
- →Saraswati Temple
- →Campuhan Ridge Walk
- →Optional Kecak or Legong dance performance (~£6-8)
Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces & Waterfall
Ubud, Bali
Scooter rental (~£4-5/day) or a Gojek makes the Ubud day-trips easy. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£4), then drive north-east to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (~£2.50) and the Tegenungan or Tibumana waterfall (~£2-3). Book a morning Balinese cooking class via Klook or GetYourGuide (~£20-28 including market tour) — this recreates the tour's Day 8 cooking experience. Evening free for the Ubud night market.
🚌Scooter rental ~£4-5 or Gojek rides ~£2-4 each
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in central Ubud (~£12-20)
- →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- →Tegallalang Rice Terraces
- →Tibumana or Tegenungan waterfall
- →Balinese cooking class with market tour
Ubud: Medahan Village & Spiritual Offering Tour
Medahan / Ubud, Bali
Take the optional cultural day the group tour charges extra for. Book a Medahan Village half-day trip through a local operator or GetYourGuide (~£25-35): welcome ceremony with Balinese cake and tea, walking tour of the traditional market, temples, rice paddies and spring. Add the Widya Guna Foundation offering-making session (~£15) to learn to weave traditional canang sari prayer offerings.
🚌Included in tour pickup or Gojek ~£3-5
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in central Ubud (~£12-20)
- →Medahan Village walking tour with welcome ceremony
- →Widya Guna Foundation prayer offering workshop
- →Traditional market and rice paddy walk
Ubud to Candidasa (East Bali)
Candidasa, East Bali
Head east toward Candidasa on the coast (~2 hrs) — the base for the Blue Lagoon. Transfer by private driver (~£18-25) or Perama/Kura-Kura shuttle (~£8-12). Check into a Candidasa guesthouse, then spend the afternoon at a quiet black-sand beach or the Taman Ujung water palace (~£2.50).
🚌Perama shuttle or private transfer Ubud to Candidasa, ~£8-18
🛏Guesthouse in Candidasa (~£14-20)
- →Transfer to East Bali coast
- →Taman Ujung Water Palace
- →Beach time at Candidasa
Candidasa: Blue Lagoon Snorkelling
Candidasa / Padangbai, Bali
The tour sells Blue Lagoon snorkelling as an add-on; book it yourself through Klook or a local Padangbai dive shop (~£15-22). The Blue Lagoon and nearby Tanjung Jepun have crystal-clear water, coral gardens and reef fish. Boat trip, gear and guide included. Afternoon free to relax in Candidasa or visit the nearby Tirta Gangga water palace (~£3).
🚌Local lift to Padangbai jetty, ~£2-4
🛏Guesthouse in Candidasa (~£14-20)
- →Blue Lagoon / Tanjung Jepun snorkelling trip
- →Optional Tirta Gangga water palace visit
- →Candidasa sunset walk
Candidasa / Padangbai to Lombok (Sembalun)
Sembalun, Lombok
The long travel day. Options: fly DPS to Lombok (LOP) with Lion Air/Wings or Citilink, ~£30-50 one-way, then shared transfer north to Sembalun; OR take the public bus/Perama combo Padangbai → Mataram (ferry to Lembar + bus, ~£15-20, 10-12 hrs). Most travellers fly to save a day. Check into a Sembalun guesthouse in the Rinjani foothills — base for the next day's trek.
🚌Flight ~£30-50 or overland ferry+bus ~£15-20, plus shared transfer to Sembalun ~£8-12
🛏Guesthouse in Sembalun (~£12-18)
- →Domestic flight DPS-LOP or overland transfer + Lombok ferry
- →Transfer to Sembalun village
- →Rinjani foothills views
Rinjani Foothills Trek with Local Female Guides
Sembalun / Senaru, Lombok
Recreate the tour's signature trek into the Rinjani foothills. Book directly with a Rinjani trekking outfit that uses local women guides — several Sembalun/Senaru operators now run female-led day and multi-day treks. A guided foothills half- or full-day hike to the rice terraces, waterfalls and viewpoints (Sendang Gile / Tiu Kelep) runs ~£25-45 including guide and lunch. Overnight in Senaru or back in Sembalun.
🚌Local transfer Sembalun/Senaru, ~£4-8
🛏Guesthouse in Senaru or Sembalun (~£12-18)
- →Guided Rinjani foothills trek with local female guides
- →Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfall walk
- →Sasak village visit
Senaru / Sembalun to Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan
Transfer by shared shuttle from the Rinjani area to Bangsal harbour on Lombok's west coast (~2-2.5 hrs, ~£8-12), then take a public fast boat or shuttle boat across to Gili Trawangan (~£5-8, 20-30 min). No motorised vehicles on the Gili islands — cidomo (horse cart) and bicycles only. Check into a Gili hostel or budget bungalow near the main strip and catch sunset at the west-side beach bars.
🚌Shared shuttle ~£8-12 + public boat ~£5-8
🛏Hostel or budget bungalow on Gili Trawangan (~£12-20)
- →Shared shuttle to Bangsal harbour
- →Public boat to Gili Trawangan
- →Sunset at the west beach swing
- →Gili night market dinner
Gili Trawangan: Snorkel the Three Gilis & Yoga
Gili Trawangan
Book a three-island snorkelling trip by Klook or at the harbour (~£10-15) — turtles, coral gardens and the underwater statues off Gili Meno. In the afternoon, do a beach or sunset yoga class (~£8-12) to recreate the tour's Day 14 yoga add-on. Rent a bike (~£2-3) to loop the island.
🚌Bicycle rental ~£2-3
🛏Hostel or budget bungalow on Gili Trawangan (~£12-20)
- →Three Gilis snorkelling boat trip (turtles, underwater statues)
- →Yoga class on Gili Trawangan
- →Island bike loop
Gili Trawangan: Free Beach Day
Gili Trawangan
A proper relax day — the reward at the end of the trip. Beach, hammock, snorkel from the shore near the harbour, or dive a refresher (~£30-40 if certified). Optional paddleboard rental (~£5) or a short trip to quieter Gili Meno or Gili Air by local boat (~£3-5). Eat at the nightly night market for cheap local food.
🚌Walking / cidomo / local boat ~£2-5
🛏Hostel or budget bungalow on Gili Trawangan (~£12-20)
- →Beach and snorkel from shore
- →Optional paddleboard or sup hire
- →Optional day trip to Gili Meno/Air
- →Night market dinner
Gili Trawangan: Sunset & Farewell
Gili Trawangan
Second full day in the Gilis. Catch sunrise on the east side and a boat-based dolphin or sunset cruise if offered (~£10-15), or simply keep it slow. Swap travel tips with other travellers ahead of onward plans. If you want to extend, the operator's 'Bali Express: Gili Trawangan to Kuta' fast-boat shuttle (from £50) is bookable independently via Klook or the harbour agents (~£25-35).
🚌Walking; boat transfers as needed
🛏Hostel or budget bungalow on Gili Trawangan (~£12-20)
- →Sunrise east beach
- →Optional sunset cruise or dolphin boat
- →Harbour booking for onward fast boat if continuing
Depart Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan / Lombok / Bali
Final morning swim, then onward travel: public boat back to Bangsal (~£5-8), shared transfer to Lombok airport (LOP) for a flight to Bali or direct connections, or a fast boat straight to Bali (Padangbai/Serangan, ~£25-35). Trip ends here — onward flights not included.
🚌Public boat ~£5-8 + shared transfer ~£8-12 / fast boat to Bali ~£25-35
🛏Not included (departure day)
- →Boat back to Bangsal
- →Transfer to Lombok airport or fast boat to Bali
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£594 | £1,215 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £621 per person (51%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£594
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Bali to Lombok: Self-Launched Island Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £594 per person for 15 days in Bali & Lombok, Indonesia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,215 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £594 — a saving of roughly £621 (51%) per person.
How long is the Bali & Lombok, Indonesia trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Bali & Lombok, Indonesia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a backpacker, budget, culture trip through Bali & Lombok, Indonesia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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