11-DAY Bali, Indonesia | Asia ITINERARY

Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to religious sites such as cliff-side Uluwatu Temple. To the south, the beach-side city of Kuta has lively bars, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort towns. The island is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats, per Google.

ACCOMMODATIONS

AirBnB close to Ubud

Hotel: Nandini Jungle Resort ($$), Bali Lush ($$)

CLIMATE

Dry season runs from April to October with rainy season being all other months. End of June marks the Bali Arts Festival which is a great experience.

ENVIRONMENT

Language is Makayo-Polynesian; locals do not speak English by most tours or hotels know English

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, Rp); if your exchange rate here

LIFESTYLE

Say it with me, oooooooommmmmmmmmmmm. You'll need to practice this for your trip. Bali attracts thousands of yogis and visitors each year. Besides the meditation and relaxation, Bali offers some great temples, beautiful beaches and elegant architecture. A chill city with mid-active tourism that won't break your budget. The atmosphere is ideal for a friends reunion, romantic getaway or to recenter with yourself.

Day one & TWO

Take off for Bali and it's a long flight

Day Three

Check-in to hotel and start exploring

Dinner at Potato Head Beach Club ($$, American Bar) where you'll eat, drink and enjoy the sites but don't forget to bring a bathing suit just in case

• Or Mamasan ($$, Asian & Thai), try everything on the starter menu and book ahead

Day Four

Breakfast at Sisterfields ($$, Seminyak), aussie-influenced café

8 AM – Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest; time spent is less than an hour, $3.75​

9:30 AM – Pura Taman Ayun Temple; time spent will be less than an hour, $1.15

• If you want to spend more time at Ubud, then skip this temple

11 AM – Sample unusual fruits and ‘traditional’ snacks while shopping in Candi Kuning Market (Bedugul Market); time spent is an hour

• Bargaining is to be expected

• Find the restaurant Boga Sair (two doors left of the market) and get strawberry juice

Lunch somewhere in the market

1 PM – Ulun Danu Beratan Temple; time spent is 1-2 hours, $5

4 PM – Jatiluwih Rice Terrace; time spend is less than an hour, $2

5 PM – Gaze at the temple of the island, Tanah Lot Temple, for amazing photos; time spent is 1-2 hours, $5​

• You can’t go in unless you are Balinese

7 PM - Dinner at Echo Beach Club ($, Surf & Turf), try BBQ seafood with lobster and free salad bar with baked potatoes

• Live music at night with good cocktails

Day Five

Early morning yoga session at The Yoga Barn

Breakfast at Revolver Espresso in Seminyak ($, Coffee)

9 AM – 3 PM – Ultimate Bali Countryside Cycling Adventure; $47

• Other Activities: Waterbom Bali Waterpark or Nusa Dua Beach

Lunch at Single Fin (Uluwatu) for cheap eats and drinks

• Or Motel Mexicola in Seminyak ($$, Mexican) for frozen margaritas and braised beef tacos

• Or get a day pass at The W Retreat & Spa's Woobar and poolside bar; free if you purchase a drink

7–9:30 PM – For a drink with a 5-couse dinner and live music, take a Bali Hai Cruises - Romantic Dinner; time spent, 3 hours, $67.50​

Drinks at Sky Garden Bali, Pyramid Club Bali or Cocoon Beach Club

Day Six

Bali Arts Festival

Day Seven

7 AM – Make your breakfast at Bamboo Shoots Cooking School; time spent is 3+ hours, $35

11 AM – Sindhu Beach Market

Lunch, find something to eat near you

2:30 PM – Wear your sarong or borrow one for a fee to the Uluwatu Temple; time spent is less than an hour, $3

• Monkeys live here and play on the temple. They are also thieves. A guide is not necessary but they will protect you from the monkeys for a fee.

• The hike from one end to the other takes about 1 hour

5 PM – Get here before it starts at 6 PM for good seats to see Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple; time spent is 1-2 hours, $7​

9 PM - Snacks & Drinks at BBC (Beach Bali Cafe) in Jimbaran Bay ($$, Seafood​)

• Best seller is the BBQ corn which comes from a cart on the beach

• Choose a table down on the sand and get up to dance (stay for 2-3 hours)

Day Eight

1:30 AM – 2 PM – Private Tour of Mount Batur Sunrise Trek & Ayung River White Water Rafting Tour; 12 hours long, $110

• On the way back, stop at a restaurant on the ridge

Enjoy a nap!

Dinner at Sarong ($$$, Asian & Thai) and try the soft-shell crab

• Options: Ku De Ta (beachside bar), must try the lobster gyoza

Drinks at The Rock Bar or Sunset Bar (Ayana Resort), try the watermelon or coconut cocktail

Day Nine

Breakfast anywhere you want to eat

8 AM – Wear your bathing suit to bathe in the pools at Tirta Gangga Royal Water Garden; time spent is 1-2 hours, $2​

• Very popular on the weekends

10:30 AM – Tenganan Aga Pegringsingan (Village); time spent is less than an hour

• Look for traditional geringsing double ikat style of weaving. Good place to buy textiles but price will be inflated.

11:30 AM – Eat, drink, snorkel, massage, swim and shower all at Blue Lagoon Beach, Padang Bai; time spent is 2-3 hours​

3:30 PM – Pura Goa Lawah or ‘Bat Cave Temple’; time spent is less than an hour, $1

4:30 PM – Check out the volcanic black sand of Kusamba Traditional Salt Mining; time spent is less than an hour​

• Buy salt here, a great souvenir or gift for friends

6 PM – Dinner at Bale Udang Mang Engking ($$, Sundanese food) and play the Flying Gurame Fish game; time spent is 2-3 hours

• Make a reservation & bring bug spray

• If possible, get a private bale and sit with your feet dandling over the lake and feed the fish

Day Ten & ElEVEN

Early morning yoga session at Radiantly Alive Yoga

Check out of the hotel

Goodbye Bali. Head home.