Bali blends old-world ritual with lush, cinematic landscapes. Hindu temples crown sea cliffs, rice terraces ripple like silk, and daily offerings scent the air with frangipani. The island’s Subak irrigation system is UNESCO-recognized, and its artistry shows up in everything from woodcarving to dance.

You’ll split time between Ubud (Bali’s cultural heart) and Uluwatu (dramatic limestone cliffs and beaches). Expect serene mornings, waterfall swims, spa time, and the island’s most iconic sunset ritual—the Kecak fire dance. Coffee is excellent, food spans warungs to tasting menus, and villas often include private pools.

Practical notes: Indian passport holders can obtain an Indonesian Visa on Arrival or apply for an e-VOA; fee is typically IDR 500,000 for 30 days. Bali also levies a tourist fee (IDR 150,000) payable online or upon arrival. Pack a sarong for temples, carry cash for small fees, and mind monkeys—don’t hand them food or flashy items.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s spiritual and artistic center—think leafy ravines, royal palaces, and traditional dance at dusk. The town grew around a sacred banyan and medicinal herbs (hence “Ubud,” from “ubad,” meaning medicine), and today it’s where craftspeople, yogis, and chefs converge.

Top draws include the Sacred Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul’s holy springs, and live gamelan and dance at Ubud Palace. Food runs from legendary babi guling (spiced roast pork) to vegan wood-fired dining and special-occasion tasting menus.

• Stay: Browse private-pool villas and boutique stays via VRBO Ubud or curated hotels on Hotels.com Ubud. Look at Penestanan for leafy villas or central Ubud for walkability.
• Getting to Bali from Mumbai: Fly BOM→DPS (one-stop via SIN/KUL/BKK). Typical total travel time is 9–12 hours; round-trip fares often run about USD 400–750 per person. Search and compare on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com.
• DPS Airport → Ubud: 1.5–2.5 hours by car depending on traffic. Expect IDR 350,000–600,000 by taxi, or IDR 700,000–900,000 for a private driver for 8 hours (handy if you’d like to sightsee en route).

Day 1: Fly Mumbai → Bali; Sunset Stroll in Ubud

Morning: Depart Mumbai for Denpasar. One-stop routes via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok are the most common. Book with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to land in early afternoon.

Afternoon: Transfer to Ubud and check in. Shake off the flight with a coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio—try a single-origin pour-over or their cold-drip. If you have energy, take the Campuhan Ridge Walk (easy, breezy, golden light for photos).

Evening: Dinner at Warung Biah Biah (classic nasi campur, satay, and tempeh dishes; casual and affordable) or Naughty Nuri’s (smoky, sticky ribs and martinis—a Ubud icon). Turn in early; tomorrow’s a big day.

Day 2: Temples, Rice Terraces, and Spa Time

Morning: Early start to Tegallalang Rice Terrace (arrive ~7:30–8:00 to beat crowds). Wander the pathways; swings or sky-bikes here cost around IDR 150,000–250,000 if you’re feeling adventurous. Continue to Tirta Empul (entrance ~IDR 50,000; sarong included or rentable) to observe or partake in a purification ritual—be respectful and follow temple guidance.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ibu Oka for babi guling (go for the “special”—crispy skin, rice, crackling, and lawar), or Watercress Ubud for lighter bowls and burgers. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest (entry roughly IDR 80,000–100,000). Keep sunglasses and phones zipped—monkeys are curious pros.

Evening: Massage at Karsa Spa (book ahead; their floral baths overlook rice fields) or a couples treatment in your villa. Dinner at Clear Café (fresh juices, Balinese curries, wood-fired pizzas) or the plant-forward Dumbo (wood-fired vegetables, great cocktails).

Day 3: Choose Your Adventure—Mount Batur or Cooking + Waterfall

Option A: Mount Batur Sunrise Hike (pickup ~2:00–2:30 a.m., back late morning). A moderate ascent under the stars, sunrise over the caldera, and eggs cooked in volcanic steam—romantic and memorable. Expect IDR 600,000–1,000,000 per person with transfers and breakfast. Recover with a slow brunch at Zest (plant-based, jackfruit tacos, cacao tonics) or IBU SUSU Bar & Kitchen (Balinese spice meets modern plates).

Option B: Cooking Class + Waterfall: Start with a Balinese cooking class (market visit, spices demystified, and dishes like ayam betutu and sambal matah). After lunch, cool off at Tegenungan Waterfall (entry ~IDR 25,000–30,000; go mid-afternoon as midday can be crowded).

Evening: Culture night—Ubud Palace traditional dance (tickets ~IDR 100,000; arrive 30 minutes early). For a splurge dinner, book Apéritif at Viceroy Bali (elegant tasting menu blending Indonesian ingredients with refined European technique).

Uluwatu

Uluwatu means cliffs, surf, and sunsets. Beaches like Padang Padang, Melasti, and Bingin hide beneath towering limestone, while Uluwatu Temple perches dramatically above the sea—home to Bali’s most atmospheric Kecak fire dance.

Days here are about swims, sun, and scenery. Cafés serve excellent flat whites and smoothie bowls, and beach clubs carve out infinity edges on the very brink of the Indian Ocean. Evenings glow orange, then turn into starry walks along cliff paths.

• Stay: Find cliff-view villas and suites via VRBO Uluwatu or browse hotels on Hotels.com Uluwatu. Bingin and Padang Padang areas are great for couples.
• Ubud → Uluwatu: 1.5–2.5 hours by car; IDR 450,000–700,000. Depart after breakfast to miss rush-hour choke points around Denpasar.

Day 4: Transfer South, Beach Time, and the Kecak Fire Dance

Morning: Check out of Ubud. If you didn’t visit yesterday, stop at Tegenungan Waterfall en route for a refreshing dip. Continue to Uluwatu and settle in.

Afternoon: Lunch at Suka Espresso (eggs benedict, fish tacos, excellent coffee). Hit Melasti Beach for turquoise water, easy swimming, and sweeping photos from the cliff road. Alternatively, relax at Ulu Cliffhouse for a dip and a drink.

Evening: Head to Uluwatu Temple for sunset. The Kecak fire dance begins just before dusk (performance ticket ~IDR 150,000; temple entrance ~IDR 50,000). Post-show, dine on the sand at Jimbaran Bay—try grilled snapper with sambal at Menega Café; pick your fish by weight and eat with your toes in the sand.

Day 5: Slow Morning, Surf or Spa, Fly Home

Morning: Coffee at Drifter or BGS Bingin (surf-shop cafés with strong espresso) and a last swim at Padang Padang or Thomas Beach. Prefer lounging? Consider a day pass at Oneeighty at The Edge for vertigo-inducing glass-bottom pools above the surf.

Afternoon: Early lunch at The Loft Uluwatu (açai bowls, tuna steaks, halloumi burgers). Transfer to DPS (45–75 minutes). Fly Denpasar → Mumbai via your chosen hub. Compare options again on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit. If you have a late flight, catch the golden hour at Single Fin with fresh coconuts and panoramic views.

Optional Add-Ons in Mumbai (Pre-Flight or Post-Trip)

If you have extra time in Mumbai before you fly, these guided experiences add context and fun to your journey. Bookable highlights below:

• Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED

  

  Explore Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat, Crawford Market, and colonial-era icons with a flexible start time—great for a half-day warm-up before your long-haul.
• The Original Mumbai by Dawn - Recommended by Nigella Lawson & Nat Geo Traveller!

  

  Witness the city waking up—fish auctions, newspaper sorting, flower markets—an insider look at the engines that make Mumbai tick.
• Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan (Transport Included)

  

  Go behind the scenes at a working studio with an industry insider—perfect for film lovers between meetings and flights.

Eating & Drinking Highlights (Recap)

• Coffee: Seniman (Ubud), Suka Espresso (Uluwatu), Drifter/BGS (Bingin).
• Local must-tries: Babi guling at Ibu Oka; nasi campur at Warung Biah Biah; seafood feast on Jimbaran Beach at Menega Café.
• Date-night picks: Apéritif (tasting menu), Dumbo (plant-forward, great cocktails), sunset drinks at Single Fin or Ulu Cliffhouse.

In five days you’ll trace Bali’s essence—from tranquil Ubud mornings to cliffside sunsets in Uluwatu. Expect unhurried beauty, soulful rituals, and meals you’ll talk about long after your flight home. Selamat jalan, and come back when you can linger longer.