Bali, Indonesia’s “Island of the Gods,” is a tapestry of Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and volcanic peaks ringed by coral reefs. The island’s culture is anchored by daily offerings, community festivals, and the subak irrigation system—recognized by UNESCO—that has shaped Balinese rice farming for centuries.

Across a compact area, you can go from jungle valleys to clifftop beaches in under two hours. In a single week, this itinerary pairs the artistry and slow rhythm of Ubud with the sun-soaked drama of Uluwatu, adding a Nusa Penida day trip for snorkeling with manta rays and postcard viewpoints.

Practical notes: dress modestly at temples (sarongs are often provided), carry some cash (IDR) for warungs, and ride scooters only if experienced—otherwise use a private driver. Drink bottled water, and consider an eSIM or local SIM (Telkomsel has wide coverage). Dry season (Apr–Oct) brings blue-sky days; rainy season (Nov–Mar) is lush and less crowded.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heartbeat—home to royal palaces, artisan workshops, plant-forward cafes, and sacred temples. Expect lazy mornings with single-origin pour-overs, afternoons wandering rice paddies, and evenings spent at thoughtful restaurants or listening to live gamelan.

• Highlights: Ubud Palace, Saraswati Temple, Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul water temple, Campuhan Ridge Walk.
• Good to know: Ubud’s traffic is dense mid-day—start early, book drivers, and walk when possible. Keep snacks for the Monkey Forest—but don’t hand-feed or touch monkeys.

How to arrive: Fly into Bali (DPS) and transfer 1.5–2 hours by car to Ubud (private driver ~IDR 600,000–800,000). Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Where to stay: For jungly serenity, the iconic Four Seasons Sayan sits in a river gorge; social travelers love Puri Garden Hostel’s pool and activities. Browse more stays via Hotels.com or VRBO.

• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Ubud luxury icon): Check availability
• Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (great value + vibe): Check availability
• More Ubud hotels: Hotels.com: Ubud
• Ubud villas: VRBO: Ubud

Day 1: Arrival in Bali, transfer to Ubud, palace stroll

Morning: Fly into Denpasar (DPS) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Arrange a private driver to Ubud (1.5–2 hours). Check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Walk to Ubud Palace and Pura Taman Saraswati, where lotus ponds frame an ornate temple. If energy allows, take the Campuhan Ridge Walk for golden-hour views over jungle valleys.

Evening: Dinner at Bebek Bengil (“Dirty Duck”) for crispy duck and rice fields ambience, or Casa Luna for Balinese classics (try bebek betutu). Cocktails at Night Rooster focus on island ingredients like kluwak and torch ginger.

Day 2: Ubud’s icons—monkeys, rice terraces, water temples

Morning: Coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio (tasting flights and manual brews). Head out on a private Ubud highlights tour that covers the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul’s holy springs, and a hidden waterfall.

Afternoon: Lunch near the terraces—Warung Dedari or Dewa Malen serve grilled fish with sambal matah and fresh coconut. Continue to a coffee plantation for civet-free tastings and learn about Bali’s subak irrigation.

Evening: Book dinner at Locavore NXT (multi-course celebration of Indonesian terroir) or Mozaic (contemporary tasting menu). Reserve in advance.

Recommended tour: Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour

Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise by Jeep, spa afternoon

Morning: Pre-dawn pickup (around 3:00 a.m.) for a Jeep ride up Mount Batur’s black lava fields. Watch sunrise spill over volcanic calderas without a strenuous hike.

Afternoon: Recover at Karsa Spa or Maya Ubud Spa with a river-view massage. Coffee at Anomali or gelato at Gaya Gelato. Browse Ubud Art Market for handwoven baskets and batik.

Evening: Feast on babi guling (spiced roast pork) at Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, or go for smoky ribs at Naughty Nuri’s—an Ubud institution. Nightcap on Jl. Goutama’s casual bars.

Recommended tour: Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour with Optional Activities

Day 4: Jungle adventure—ATV and rafting

Morning: Fuel up at Clear Cafe (smoothie bowls, wholesome plates). Then tackle Bali’s adventure double: an ATV ride through jungle tunnels and rice fields and a white-water rafting run on the Ayung River.

Afternoon: Dry off over a simple warung lunch included with many tours. If you prefer something lighter, try WAMM for salads and juices.

Evening: Dinner at Ibu Rai Bar & Restaurant for Indonesian classics or Indus for a serene valley view. Catch live music at Laughing Buddha Bar.

Recommended tour: Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting

Uluwatu (Bukit Peninsula)

Uluwatu trades jungle for sea cliffs and surf breaks. Limestone headlands cradle white-sand coves, dramatic temples, and some of Bali’s most scenic beach clubs. Days here are made for lazy swims, fish grilled on the beach, and theatrical sunsets.

• Highlights: Uluwatu Temple, Kecak fire dance at sunset, Padang Padang, Suluban Cave, Bingin, Melasti’s cliff elevator, GWK Cultural Park.
• Vibe: Clifftop lounges, surfer cafes, spa afternoons, and seafood feasts on Jimbaran Bay with toes in the sand.

Getting there from Ubud: Depart after breakfast by private car (1.5–2 hours; ~IDR 600,000–800,000 depending on vehicle/traffic).

Where to stay: Choose clifftop views in Uluwatu, family-friendly Kuta, or beachfront Nusa Dua. Compare hotels and villas below.

• The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua beachfront elegance): Check availability
• Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta, great for families with pools and slides): Check availability
• M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak budget-chic, easy to the Bukit by car): Check availability
• More Uluwatu hotels: Hotels.com: Uluwatu
• Uluwatu villas: VRBO: Uluwatu

Day 5: Transfer to Uluwatu, beach time, Kecak fire dance

Morning: Check out of Ubud and drive south. Brunch at Suka Espresso (corn fritters, brekkie rolls, flat whites) or BGS Bali for surf-y cafe vibes.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: Padang Padang for gentle waves, Suluban for caves and surfers, or Melasti for easy swimming and dramatic limestone cliffs.

Evening: Head to Uluwatu Temple for sunset, then watch the Kecak fire dance—an entrancing chorus retelling the Ramayana. Finish with grilled snapper and prawns at Jimbaran’s Made Bagus Cafe or Menega, eaten right on the sand.

Recommended tour: Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Day 6: Nusa Penida adventure—snorkel with mantas, epic viewpoints

Morning: Early pickup to Sanur Harbor (45–75 minutes depending on traffic). Cross by private fast boat and snorkel at four spots—often Manta Point, Gamat, and Crystal Bay—with a chance to see manta rays and vibrant coral.

Afternoon: Land tour to Kelingking “T-Rex” viewpoint, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong. Expect stairs and sun; bring reef-safe sunscreen and water.

Evening: Return to the Bukit. Celebrate sunset at El Kabron (Spanish bites, cliff-edge pool) or Ulu Cliffhouse. Dinner at La Baracca (wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta) or Warung Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki for spicy Balinese chicken.

Recommended tour: Nusa Penida day trip: boat, 4 snorkeling, Manta rays & Land tour

Day 7: Slow farewell—last swim, brunch, airport

Morning: Swim at calm Melasti or Karma Beach; if tides are low, explore Suluban Cave. Brunch at Drifter Cafe (healthy bowls) or Bukit Cafe (eggs and fresh juices).

Afternoon: Spa hour if time allows, then depart for DPS (30–60 minutes from most Bukit hotels; allow extra for traffic). Search return flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Flight day—if you’re staying near Jimbaran, a quick early seafood lunch on the beach is a classic sendoff.

Optional swaps and add-ons (time/interest permitting):

• Secret waterfalls day from the south (Tegenungan, Tibumana, Tukad Cepung): Bali Secret Waterfall Tour - Private and All-Inclusive

  

• North Bali temples and lakes (Ulun Danu Beratan, Jatiluwih UNESCO rice terraces): Full-Day Tour to Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces in Bali

  

Dining cheat sheet (save for later): Ubud—Seniman Coffee, Anomali Coffee, Alchemy (raw/vegan), Clear Cafe, Locavore NXT, Mozaic, Naughty Nuri’s, Ibu Oka. Uluwatu/Jimbaran—Suka Espresso, Drifter Cafe, Bukit Cafe, La Baracca, El Kabron, Ulu Cliffhouse, Sundays Beach Club, Made Bagus Cafe (seafood on the sand), Cuca (innovative small plates).

In one week, you’ll have bathed in temple springs, watched sunrise from a volcano, conquered jungle trails, and toasted the Indian Ocean as the sun slipped behind Uluwatu’s cliffs. Expect a camera roll full of emerald terraces and aquamarine bays—and a lingering desire to return for the north’s lakes and waterfalls.