Epic Indonesia 15 Days — Self-Launched
15 days · Indonesia (Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok, Ubud)
INTRO Travel charges £1,340
No-markup version: ~£701 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of INTRO Travel's 15-day Bali–Gili–Lombok–Ubud loop, rebuilt for independent solo travellers. You'll cover the same ground — ancient temples and Canang Sari offerings in South Bali, surfing at Canggu, waterfalls and Luwak coffee on the road to Lovina, dolphins at sunrise, a Balinese family homestay, three nights of turtle snorkelling on Gili Trawangan, waterfalls and Sasak village life in Lombok, then Ubud's markets, Monkey Forest and a sunrise trek up Mount Batur. The difference: you book each bus, boat, ferry and guesthouse yourself (or via 12Go/Klook/GetYourGuide), which typically saves well over £500 versus the packaged price. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates based on current backpacker rates in GBP — prices fluctuate with season and how far ahead you book.
Day-by-day
Arrive in South Bali (Canggu/Seminyak)
Canggu, Bali
Fly into Denpasar (DPS) and take a Grab/Gojek or official airport taxi to Canggu (~£8-10, 45-60 min). Check into a hostel dorm or private room near Batu Bolong. Spend the afternoon acclimatising — walk the beach at sunset, sort a local eSIM (Telkomsel, ~£7 for 20GB), and withdraw rupiah from a bank ATM. Tonight: join a hostel family dinner to meet other solo travellers.
🚌Airport taxi/Grab to Canggu ~£9
🛏Canggu hostel dorm (~£12/night, e.g. The Farm Hostel or Lay Day Canggu area)
- →Settle in, sunset beach walk at Batu Bolong
- →Buy Telkomsel eSIM and SIM top-up
- →Hostel meet-and-greet dinner
Temples, offerings and a Bali beach club
Canggu / Tanah Lot, Bali
DIY the cultural intro: rent a scooter (~£5/day, bring an IDP) or hire a driver for the day (~£30 split between 2-3 people) and head to Tanah Lot or Uluwatu temple for the sea views — entry ~£3-4 each. Book a short Balinese language class through a local Canggu language school (~£12) if you want the full INTRO experience, and pick up a Canang Sari offering-making workshop in Ubud later or at a Canggu community/coworking space (~£10). Finish with sunset at a Canggu beach club (free entry, ~£6 minimum spend on a Bintang).
🚌Scooter rental ~£5 or shared driver ~£10pp
🛏Canggu hostel dorm (~£12)
- →Tanah Lot or Uluwatu temple entry ~£4
- →Optional Bahasa lesson ~£12
- →Sunset at a Canggu beach club
Learn to surf at Batu Bolong
Canggu, Bali
Book a beginner surf lesson directly with one of the Batu Bolong surf schools (Rip Curl School of Surf, Pro Surf School, or a local instructor on the beach) — group lesson plus board hire runs ~£20-25 for 2 hours. Spend the afternoon between the beach and a café with wifi. If you'd rather self-guide, a board rental is ~£6/day and the Batu Bolong break is a forgiving soft-top wave.
🚌Walk or scooter ~£5
🛏Canggu hostel dorm (~£12)
- →2-hour beginner surf lesson + board hire ~£22
Canggu to Lovina via temples, waterfalls and coffee
Lovina, North Bali
The classic west-coast transfer north. Cheapest option: shared shuttle/minibus Canggu–Lovina booked on 12Go Asia (~£12-15, 4-5 hrs). With a private driver (~£45 split 2-3 ways) you can stop at Taman Ayun or Ulun Danu Beratan temple (~£3), swim at a waterfall such as Sekumpul or Gitgit (~£2-4 entry plus local guide at Sekumpul ~£6), and visit a Luwak coffee plantation near Munduk for a free tasting flight. Nadia & Willy's snack shack near the rice terraces is a good cheap lunch stop. Arrive Lovina by evening for a beachfront seafood dinner.
🚌Shared shuttle Canggu–Lovina ~£14 (or split private driver ~£18pp)
🛏Lovina beachfront guesthouse (~£12-15)
- →Temple entry ~£3
- →Waterfall entry ~£4
- →Luwak coffee tasting (free / small fee)
Dolphins at sunrise and a Balinese family visit
Lovina, North Bali
Book a sunrise dolphin boat directly at the beach or through your guesthouse the night before — ~£8-10 per person for the traditional jukung outrigger (ask for a boat that keeps a respectful distance; some operators now use no-chase policies). Back by 8am for breakfast. Mid-morning, arrange a basket-weaving session and home visit with a local family through your guesthouse or a GetYourGuide/community tourism listing (~£10-12 including materials). Afternoon free for the black-sand beach.
🚌Walking / local bemo
🛏Lovina beachfront guesthouse (~£13)
- →Sunrise dolphin boat ~£9
- →Basket-weaving and family home visit ~£11
Lovina to Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan
Take a morning shuttle from Lovina down to Padang Bai or Amed (~£10-12, 2.5-3 hrs) and connect with a fast boat to Gili Trawangan (~£22-28, 1.5-2 hrs). Direct Lovina–Gili combo tickets are sold on 12Go and by local agents — book a day or two ahead. Boats usually run morning only, so start early. Arrive Gili T, walk or take a cidomo (horse cart, ~£3) to your guesthouse on the quieter north/east side. Evening: beach bars and live music on the main strip.
🚌Shuttle to port ~£11 + fast boat to Gili T ~£25
🛏Gili T guesthouse/bungalow (~£15-18)
- →Beach bars and nightlife on Gili T
Cycle the Gilis, no motor vehicles
Gili Trawangan
There are no cars or scooters on Gili T. Hire a bicycle for ~£3/day and ride the 7km perimeter loop — it takes about 1.5 hours with swim stops, passing the famous sunset swing on the west coast. Snorkel straight off the beach on the east side. If it's a Friday, join the free Gili Eco Trust beach cleanup (check their Facebook page or ask at the dive shops) — a great way to meet people and give something back.
🚌Bicycle hire ~£3
🛏Gili T guesthouse (~£16)
- →Bicycle island loop ~£3
- →Beach snorkelling (free)
- →Optional Friday Gili Eco Trust cleanup
Turtle snorkelling boat trip
Gili Islands
Book a shared glass-bottom or snorkel boat trip around all three Gilis directly at the harbour or through your guesthouse — ~£15-20 for a 4-hour trip including snorkel gear, with stops at Turtle Point, Meno and Air. Turtles are almost guaranteed at Turtle Point. Go with an operator that provides life jackets and doesn't allow standing on coral. Afternoon: nap, then a cheap warung dinner.
🚌Walking
🛏Gili T guesthouse (~£16)
- →3-Gili shared snorkel boat trip with gear ~£18
Gili T to Lombok — waterfalls and Rinjani views
Senaru / Sembalun, Lombok
Take a short public or shared boat from Gili T to Bangsal, Lombok (~£3-5, 20-30 mins), then a shared car or ojeg up to Senaru (~£10-12, 2 hrs). Base yourself in Senaru and walk to Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls (~£2-3 entry, plus a local guide ~£6 — recommended for the river crossings). Mount Rinjani looms over the whole valley; the viewpoints at Sembalun are spectacular at golden hour. Cheaper still: base in Senggigi and day-trip, but Senaru is where the waterfalls are.
🚌Public boat to Bangsal ~£4 + shared car to Senaru ~£11
🛏Senaru guesthouse (~£12-15)
- →Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep waterfall entry + local guide ~£9
Lombok free day — beaches or Rinjani foothills
Lombok (Senaru / Kuta Lombok)
A free day to travel at your own pace. Options: hike the Rinjani foothills to a viewpoint with a local guide (~£25 half-day), head south to Kuta Lombok's white-sand bays (Mawun, Tanjung Aan — shared transport ~£12-15), or simply rest in Senaru. If you're a confident hiker, a 2-day/1-night Rinjani crater rim trek booked direct with a Senaru guide association runs ~£140-180 — too much for this itinerary's pacing but worth knowing.
🚌Shared car / ojeg ~£10
🛏Senaru guesthouse or Kuta Lombok hostel (~£14)
- →Optional Rinjani foothill viewpoint hike ~£25
- →Or beach-hopping around Kuta Lombok
Sasak village visit and local dinner
Sade / Ende Sasak Village, Lombok
Visit a traditional Sasak village such as Sade or Ende — entry is a small donation (~£2-3) and you'll be shown weaving and traditional houses; buy something from the village weavers to support the community. Arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family through your guesthouse or a community tourism initiative (~£8-10). This is the closest DIY equivalent to INTRO's included family meal and village visit.
🚌Shared car / ojeg ~£8
🛏Senaru or Kuta Lombok guesthouse (~£14)
- →Sasak village visit with donation ~£3
- →Weaving purchase/workshop
- →Home-cooked family dinner ~£9
Lombok to Ubud — markets and Monkey Forest
Ubud, Bali
Fly Lombok (LOP) to Denpasar (~£30-45 one way on Lion Air/Super Air Jet/Wings Air, 40 mins) — check baggage allowances and book ahead. Or take the slow route: shared boat back to Padang Bai (~£10) then a Perama/shuttle bus to Ubud (~£10, total ~10 hrs). Arrive Ubud, then wander the Ubud Art Market (free) and walk into the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£4 entry) late afternoon when it's quieter. Evening: a Kecak dance performance at Ubud Palace or Pura Dalem (~£8-10).
🚌Flight Lombok–Denpasar ~£38 + airport transfer ~£8
🛏Ubud hostel/guesthouse (~£14)
- →Ubud Art Market (free)
- →Sacred Monkey Forest entry ~£4
- →Kecak dance performance ~£9
Ubud free day — rice terraces and waterfalls
Ubud, Bali
Hire a scooter (~£5) or a driver (~£30/day split) and hit Tegallalang rice terraces (~£2 entry, ~£5 for the swings if you fancy it), Tirta Empul water temple (~£3), and Tegenungan or Tibumana waterfall (~£2-3). Or take a half-day cooking class booked on Klook/GetYourGuide (~£20-25 including market tour and lunch) if you want the foodie hit. Keep the evening early — tomorrow is a 2am start.
🚌Scooter ~£5 or shared driver ~£10pp
🛏Ubud hostel/guesthouse (~£14)
- →Tegallalang rice terraces ~£2
- →Tirta Empul temple ~£3
- →Waterfall entry ~£3
Mount Batur sunrise trek and Balinese massage
Ubud / Mount Batur
Book the Mount Batur sunrise trek directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£30-38 per person, including hotel pickup, guide, torch, breakfast cooked in the volcanic steam and hot drinks). Pickup is around 2-2:30am from Ubud; you summit for sunrise around 6am with views over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. Back in Ubud by late morning. Afternoon: book a traditional Balinese massage at a local spa on Jalan Hanoman or Jalan Dewi Sita (~£10-15 for 60 mins).
🚌Included in trek price
🛏Ubud hostel/guesthouse (~£14)
- →Mount Batur sunrise trek with breakfast ~£34
- →60-min Balinese massage ~£12
Ubud markets and departure
Ubud / Denpasar
Final morning for coffee and a last wander through the Ubud market, then a Grab or shared shuttle to Denpasar airport (~£10-15, 1.5 hrs — allow 3 hours before an international flight). If you're continuing on, Ubud is a great base for onward travel to Amed, Nusa Penida or Java. Airport transfer and any shopping not included in the trip cost.
🚌Grab/shuttle to Denpasar airport ~£12
🛏—
- →Last-minute Ubud market shopping
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. INTRO Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | INTRO Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£701 | £1,340 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £639 per person (48%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more INTRO Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£701
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 Epic Indonesia 15 Days — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £701 per person for 15 days in Indonesia (Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok, Ubud). 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 INTRO Travel?+
Yes — INTRO Travel charges around £1,340 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £701 — a saving of roughly £639 (48%) per person.
How long is the Indonesia (Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok, Ubud) trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Indonesia (Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok, Ubud).
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 adventure, beaches, culture trip through Indonesia (Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok, Ubud), 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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