Dubai & Bali: Self-Launched Skyline to Sunrise Hike

Arrive at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and transfer to your accommodation in the Deira or Bur Dubai area — well-connected, budget-friendly and central. Settle in, grab a shawarma from a local spot and rest after your flight. The Dubai Metro Red Line runs directly from the airport to central Dubai for around £2.

🚌Dubai Metro Red Line from DXB Airport to central Deira — approx £2 per person

🛏Hostels/budget hotels in Deira or Bur Dubai, e.g. Millennium Place Barsha Heights or XVA Art Hotel — budget options from £25–40/night

• →Arrive at Dubai International Airport
• →Transfer to accommodation via Dubai Metro (~£2)
• →Explore the local Deira neighbourhood on foot
• →Grab dinner at a local shawarma or biryani spot (~£5)

Head to the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) waterfront to explore The Walk promenade — a lively stretch of shops, cafes and street performers right on the beach. Continue to Palm Jumeirah by metro and monorail (Palm Monorail ~£4 return) to explore the iconic artificial island and enjoy views of the Atlantis hotel. Both are free to visit and easily navigable independently.

🚌Dubai Metro Red Line to DMCC/JBR, then Palm Monorail to Palm Jumeirah (~£5 total)

🛏Continuing in Deira/Bur Dubai budget hotel

• →Explore The Walk waterfront promenade (free)
• →Visit Palm Jumeirah island via Palm Monorail (~£4 return)
• →Walk the Palm boardwalk and enjoy views of Atlantis
• →Lunch at a cafe on The Walk (~£10)

Dive into the historic heart of Dubai. Start at the Al Fahidi Historical District with its wind-tower architecture and narrow alleyways. Visit Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum) for just £1 entry. Cross Dubai Creek on a traditional abra (water taxi) for around £0.30 and explore the famous Deira Gold and Spice Souks on the other side. This is one of Dubai's most atmospheric and affordable days.

🚌Walk and abra water taxi — very cheap. Dubai Metro if needed (~£1–2)

🛏Continuing in Deira/Bur Dubai budget hotel

• →Explore Al Fahidi Historical District (free)
• →Visit Al Fahidi Fort & Dubai Museum (~£1)
• →Cross Dubai Creek on a traditional abra water taxi (~£0.30)
• →Explore Deira Spice Souk and Gold Souk (free entry)
• →Lunch at a local Deira restaurant (~£6)

A big Dubai highlights day. Start at the stunning Dubai Miracle Garden (entry ~£12, seasonal — check opening dates). Take a taxi or Uber to the Burj Al Arab for photos from the public beach area (free). Head to Dubai Mall (free entry) for an afternoon of exploring — including the famous indoor waterfall and aquarium viewing panel. Stay for the Dubai Fountain Show at sunset (free to watch from the waterfront). Optional: book the Burj Khalifa 'At the Top' observation deck independently on Klook or GetYourGuide for ~£25–45.

🚌Uber/Careem between attractions (~£5–10 total). Dubai Mall accessible by metro.

🛏Continuing in Deira/Bur Dubai budget hotel

• →Visit Dubai Miracle Garden (~£12)
• →View Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah beach (free)
• →Explore Dubai Mall including the Aquarium viewing panel (~£6)
• →Watch the Dubai Fountain Show from the waterfront (free)
• →Optional: Burj Khalifa observation deck floors 124/125 via Klook (~£25–45)

Fly from Dubai (DXB) to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) — flights typically take ~9 hours with airlines like Emirates, flydubai or Air Arabia (often via a short stop). Book in advance for best prices (~£150–220 one way). From the airport, take a pre-arranged shuttle or metered taxi to Ubud (~£10–15, 1.5 hours). Check in to a guesthouse or hostel in central Ubud and take the evening to explore the town and grab a meal at a warung (local eatery) for £3–6.

🚌Flight DXB to DPS (~£150–220). Shuttle/taxi airport to Ubud (~£10–15).

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in central Ubud, e.g. Pondok Ayu or Ubud Sari Hostel — from £12–20/night

• →Fly Dubai to Bali (~£150–220 booked in advance)
• →Transfer from Ngurah Rai Airport to Ubud by shuttle or taxi (~£10–15)
• →Check in and explore Ubud town in the evening
• →Dinner at a local warung (~£4)

Spend the day exploring Ubud at your own pace. Wander the central market (Pasar Ubud) for local crafts, browse art galleries along Jl. Monkey Forest, and sample local food from warungs. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a highlight — entry is around £3 and is home to over 600 long-tailed macaques roaming freely among ancient temple ruins. Book via GetYourGuide or pay at the gate.

🚌Walking around central Ubud. Scooter rental available locally (~£5/day) for wider exploration.

🛏Continuing in Ubud guesthouse/hostel

• →Explore Ubud central market and art galleries (free)
• →Try local food at warungs (~£4–8 per meal)
• →Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£3)
• →Evening stroll along Jl. Hanoman

An early start for one of Bali's most iconic experiences. Join a guided Mount Batur sunrise trek (compulsory to hire a local guide — bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook from ~£20–30 pp including guide and transport from Ubud). Depart around midnight or 2am, hike ~2 hours to the summit and witness the sunrise over the caldera. Enjoy breakfast cooked over volcanic steam vents at the top. Descend and visit a coffee plantation for Luwak coffee tasting on the way back. Return to Ubud by late morning for a well-earned rest.

🚌Transport from Ubud to Mount Batur typically included in guided trek package. Return by minivan.

🛏Continuing in Ubud guesthouse/hostel

• →Mount Batur night hike with guide (~£20–30 via GetYourGuide/Klook, includes transport)
• →Sunrise experience at the volcano crater
• →Breakfast with volcanic steam at the summit (included with hike)
• →Crater exploration
• →Coffee plantation visit with Luwak coffee tasting (~£3–5)

A packed day of Ubud's greatest hits. Start at Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) — free to enter the outer courtyard, a stunning example of Balinese royal architecture. Walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk early morning for cool temperatures and lush valley views (free, about 2km). Head out to the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces (~30 min by scooter/taxi, ~£2 donation on entry) — arrive before 9am to beat the crowds. Try the Jungle Swing for thrilling views over the jungle (~£15–25 depending on operator). Optional: catch a Kecak Fire Dance show at Ubud Palace in the evening (~£8).

🚌Scooter rental (~£5/day) or Grab taxi (~£3–5 per journey) between sites

🛏Continuing in Ubud guesthouse/hostel

• →Visit Ubud Palace outer courtyard (free)
• →Campuhan Ridge Walk (free)
• →Tegallalang Rice Terraces visit (~£2 donation)
• →Jungle Swing experience (~£15–25)
• →Optional: Balinese Kecak dance show at Ubud Palace (~£8)

Check out of Ubud and make your way south to Sanur, stopping en route. Visit Batuan Temple (Pura Puseh Batuan), one of Bali's oldest and most atmospheric temples (~£1.50 sarong hire if needed). Stop at a fresh fruit market for tropical treats. Visit the Sea Turtle Conservation & Education Centre (Turtle Sanctuary) in Sanur or nearby Serangan for a turtle release experience (~£5–10). Check in to your Sanur accommodation — a relaxed, less touristy beach town than Seminyak.

🚌Shared shuttle or private driver Ubud to Sanur (~£8–12 pp). Book via your guesthouse or Perama shuttle.

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Sanur, e.g. Santai Beach Inn or similar — from £15–25/night

• →Check out of Ubud accommodation
• →Visit Batuan Temple (~£1.50)
• →Stop at a fresh fruit market
• →Turtle Sanctuary visit and turtle release experience (~£5–10)
• →Check in to Sanur accommodation

Sanur's gentle, reef-protected beach is perfect for a relaxed day. Walk the flat 4km beach promenade from the main beach south to Mertasari — calm, clean and far less crowded than Kuta. In the evening, head to the Pasar Sindhu Night Market for cheap and delicious local food — grilled satay, nasi goreng, fresh juices and more. Budget £5–8 for a feast.

🚌Walking along the promenade. Grab/scooter for the night market if needed (~£1–2).

🛏Continuing in Sanur guesthouse/budget hotel

• →Beach relaxation at Sanur Beach (free)
• →Walk the Sanur Beach promenade (~4km, free)
• →Swim and snorkel in the calm reef-protected waters
• →Pasar Sindhu Night Market for dinner (~£5–8)

Take a day trip south to the Bukit Peninsula. Visit the dramatic clifftop Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu, ~£2 entry + sarong hire) perched 70m above the Indian Ocean — watch for cheeky macaques. Descend to Uluwatu Beach (also known as Padang Padang area) for swimming and relaxing on one of Bali's most iconic white-sand beaches. At sunset, head to Single Fin Bali — a legendary clifftop bar — for sunset drinks with a view over the surf (book a table in advance for peak times). Return to Sanur by evening.

🚌Grab or hired driver from Sanur to Uluwatu (~£12–18 return). Agree a day rate with a local driver (~£20–25 for the full day).

🛏Continuing in Sanur guesthouse/budget hotel

• →Day trip to Uluwatu Temple (~£2 entry)
• →Explore clifftop temple and watch macaques
• →Relax at Uluwatu / Padang Padang Beach (free)
• →Sunset drinks at Single Fin Bali (book ahead, drinks ~£5–10)

An active beach day with plenty of optional water sports available directly on Sanur Beach — no pre-booking needed, just turn up and negotiate locally. Jet skiing (~£20–30 for 15 mins), stand-up paddleboarding (SUP, ~£8–12/hour), surfboard rental (~£5–8/hour) and quad bike jungle tours (~£25–40) are all available from local operators along the beach and nearby. Mix and match based on your budget and energy.

🚌All activities are on or near Sanur Beach — walking distance from most accommodation.

🛏Continuing in Sanur guesthouse/budget hotel

• →Optional: Jet skiing (~£20–30 payable on site)
• →Optional: Stand-up paddleboarding (~£8–12/hour)
• →Optional: Surfboard rental (~£5–8/hour)
• →Optional: Quad bike jungle tour (~£25–40)
• →Beach relaxation (free)

A free day to explore Sanur at your own pace. Rent a scooter locally (~£5/day) to explore the surrounding area — visit nearby Denpasar for a more local Bali experience, or simply relax on the beach. In the evening, return to the Sindhu Night Market for one last taste of local Balinese street food. Alternatively, take a Grab taxi (~£2–3) if you'd rather not ride a scooter.

🚌Scooter rental (~£5/day) or Grab taxi as needed

🛏Continuing in Sanur guesthouse/budget hotel

• →Free day — beach, explore or rest
• →Optional: Scooter rental to explore locally (~£5/day)
• →Optional: Visit Denpasar for a local city experience
• →Sindhu Night Market for dinner (~£5–8)

Use your final full day in Bali to tick off anything you missed, revisit a favourite spot or simply relax. Consider a budget Balinese massage (£6–10 for 60 mins — available everywhere in Sanur), a final sunset at the beach, or a souvenir shopping run at Sanur market. Pack your bags and prepare for your departure the following day.

🚌Walking and Grab as needed

🛏Continuing in Sanur guesthouse/budget hotel

• →Balinese massage (~£6–10 for 60 mins)
• →Final beach sunset
• →Souvenir shopping at local market
• →Farewell dinner at a Sanur warung (~£5–8)

Transfer from Sanur to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) for your homebound flight. The taxi or Grab from Sanur to the airport takes around 20–30 minutes (~£5–8). Allow plenty of time for check-in. Safe travels!

🚌Grab taxi or pre-arranged driver from Sanur to DPS Airport (~£5–8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Check out of accommodation
• →Transfer to Ngurah Rai Airport (~£5–8 by Grab/taxi)
• →Depart Bali