Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,000+ islands shaped by volcanoes, trade winds, and centuries of cultural exchange. Hindu-Buddhist temples sit beside mosques and royal palaces; gamelan music drifts through rice terraces and tropical forest. In one week, you can taste two islands’ personalities: serene, green Bali and history-rich Java.

Bali’s Ubud is the island’s cultural heart—think artists’ studios, terraced paddies, lush ravines, and Balinese Hindu temples. South of Ubud, limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise seas at Uluwatu. On Java, Yogyakarta anchors classical Javanese culture, a gateway to Borobudur and Prambanan, UNESCO masterpieces that glow at sunrise and sunset.

Expect warm hospitality and unforgettable food: smoky satay, fragrant rendang, and coconut-sweetened desserts. Carry cash for small warungs (local eateries), dress modestly for temples (sarongs often provided), and plan buffer time for Bali’s traffic. This itinerary assumes arrival in Bali on Day 1 afternoon and departure from Yogyakarta on Day 7 afternoon.

Ubud (Bali)

Ubud blends rainforest canyons with artisan villages and healing traditions. Wander the Ubud Art Market, stroll the Campuhan Ridge Walk at golden hour, and meet long-tailed residents at the Sacred Monkey Forest. Nearby waterfalls, coffee plantations, and emerald rice terraces stitch together a quintessential Bali experience.

• Top sights: Ubud Palace dances, Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, Tegenungan/Kanto Lampo waterfalls, Campuhan Ridge.
• Good to know: Traffic can be slow—hire a driver or plan clusters of sights. ATMs and cash are common; card accepted at most restaurants.
• Where to stay (curated picks):
  • Splurge: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve or Viceroy Bali (jungle-framed villas, serene pools).
  • Mid-range: Pertiwi Bisma 1 or Ubud Tropical Garden (walkable to cafes and markets).
  • Budget/Hostel: In Da Lodge (social, central).
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Ubud | Hotels.com Ubud
• Getting there: Fly into Bali (DPS). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Private transfer/taxi to Ubud takes ~1.5 hours, ~$25–35 depending on time and traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Settle into Ubud’s Jungle Rhythm

Afternoon: Land at DPS and transfer to Ubud. Check in and shake off jet lag with an easy loop through the Ubud Art Market for handwoven baskets and ikat textiles. Walk the Campuhan Ridge near sunset—the light washes the valleys gold.

Evening: Dinner at Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) for crispy duck with sambal matah, or Naughty Nuri’s for sticky ribs and martinis. Nightcap at Seniman Coffee Studio, the local roasting pioneer, or a ginger-lime jamu at Casa Luna.

Day 2: Signature Ubud—Monkeys, Rice Terraces, Temples, Waterfalls

Morning: Fuel up at KAFE Ubud (hearty smoothie bowls, tempeh scramble). Then join an all-day highlights circuit:

All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour

Afternoon: Your guide hits the Sacred Monkey Forest (1,000+ macaques—secure your sunglasses), Tegallalang Rice Terrace boardwalks, and Tirta Empul for a look at sacred water rituals. Break for lunch at a rice-view warung like Warung Bintangbali (grilled mahi, nasi campur).

Evening: Cool off at Kanto Lampo or Tegenungan waterfall depending on crowds, then back to town. Dinner at The Sayan House (Latin-Japanese plates and valley views) or plant-forward Alchemy. Catch a Legong dance at Ubud Palace if energy allows.

Day 3: Mount Batur Sunrise by 4x4, Hot Springs, and Spa Time

Pre-dawn: Depart 3:00–3:30 a.m. for Kintamani. Skip the hike and watch first light flare over volcanic cones from a jeep viewpoint with breakfast:

Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour with Optional Activities

Late morning: Soak at Toya Devasya hot springs with lake views. Coffee stop at a Kintamani roastery (try natural-process Arabica).

Afternoon: Return to Ubud for a massage—try a Balinese boreh body wrap. Lunch at Flock (crispy soft-shell crab burger, tonic spritzers).

Evening: Easy dinner at Clear Café (lemongrass chicken, turmeric noodles) or Ibu Oka for babi guling if you missed it. Early night after the sunrise start.

Day 4: Southern Bali Cliffs—Beaches, Uluwatu Temple, and Kecak Fire Dance

Morning: Late breakfast at Watercress Ubud then drive 1.5–2 hours south to the Bukit Peninsula. Beach hop: Melasti for dramatic cliffs or Padang Padang for clear, swimmable coves.

Afternoon: Golden-hour visit to cliff-perched Uluwatu Temple. Watch for nimble monkeys near the gates.

Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Evening: Experience the rhythmic Kecak chant as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean. Cap the night with grilled snapper and chili-lime sambal at Jimbaran Beach seafood cafés. Return to Ubud (1.5–2 hours) and pack for Java.

Yogyakarta (Java)

Yogyakarta—“Jogja” to locals—is Java’s cultural soul: royal palaces, batik ateliers, and night markets swirling around Malioboro. It’s the springboard to Borobudur’s 9th‑century Buddhist mandala and the soaring Hindu towers of Prambanan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Top sights: Borobudur, Prambanan, Kraton (Sultan’s Palace), Taman Sari Water Castle, Kotagede silver workshops, Jalan Malioboro night stalls.
• Food to try: Gudeg (jackfruit stew), bakmi jawa noodles, wedang ronde ginger broth, and bakpia mung-bean pastries.
• Where to stay (curated picks):
  • Near Borobudur: Amanjiwo (destination resort, rice fields) or Amanjiwo Resort listing.
  • In town: Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta (lush grounds, big pool).
  • Budget: EDU Hostel or EDU Hostel Jogja.
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Yogyakarta | Hotels.com Yogyakarta

Day 5: Fly Bali to Yogyakarta, Sunset at Prambanan

Morning (travel): Fly Denpasar (DPS) to Yogyakarta (YIA). Flight time ~1h30m; expect ~$40–$90 on carriers like AirAsia Indonesia, Batik Air, Citilink. Compare options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Transfer YIA→city is 60–90 minutes by car.

Afternoon: Check in and head to Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. Walk past reliefs of the Ramayana epic and into the shadow of Candi Shiva as light softens.

Evening: If in season, catch the Ramayana Ballet at the open-air theatre with the illuminated temples as a backdrop. Dinner at Gudeg Yu Djum for Jogja’s slow-stewed jackfruit, or the lively, quirky House of Raminten for local classics and iced dawet.

Day 6: Borobudur Sunrise and Village Life

Pre-dawn: Depart 3:30–4:00 a.m. for the Borobudur area (75–90 minutes). Many visitors watch first light from nearby hills (e.g., Setumbu) with Borobudur’s silhouette emerging through mist; then enter the monument after opening to study the 2,600 relief panels.

Late morning: Cycle or ride an andong (horse cart) through surrounding villages—watch tofu making, sip palm sugar tea, and see terraced fields at work. Brunch at Stupa by Plataran for Javanese dishes with a volcano view.

Evening: Back in the city, browse Jalan Malioboro for batik and street snacks (try sate klathak skewers and wedang ronde). Dinner at Mediterranea by Kamil (French-Med bistro loved by locals) or vegetarian staple Milas in its leafy garden.

Day 7: Kraton, Water Castle, Kotagede Silver, Depart

Morning: Tour the Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) to understand living Javanese court traditions, then wander the 18th‑century pools of Taman Sari. Coffee at Klinik Kopi or brunch at Roaster and Bear (famous bear pancakes, solid espresso).

Afternoon: Stop by Kotagede to watch silver filigree artisans and pick up tasteful souvenirs. Grab boxes of Bakpia Pathok for the journey. Transfer to YIA for your afternoon departure.

Optional Swap or Add-On in Bali

If you prefer a coastal adventure in place of Day 4, trade Uluwatu for a full-day island hop to Penida’s cliffs, lagoons, and snorkeling sites (often manta sightings):

Nusa Penida All-Inclusive Day Trip

Where to eat and drink highlights (quick list):

• Ubud coffee/breakfast: Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin pours), KAFE Ubud (healthful bowls), Flock (brunch favorites).
• Ubud lunch/dinner: The Sayan House (Latin-Japanese views), Clear Café (light, fresh plates), Bebek Bengil (crispy duck), Naughty Nuri’s (ribs).
• South Bali bites: Jimbaran Beach seafood cafés (grilled fish over coconut husks), Warung local spots near Padang Padang for mie goreng and fresh coconuts.
• Yogyakarta eats: Gudeg Yu Djum (iconic gudeg), House of Raminten (Javanese staples), Mediterranea by Kamil (date-night bistro), Milas (vegetarian garden), Malioboro night carts (sate, wedang ronde).

How this itinerary flows: 4 nights in Ubud (Days 1–4) for a deep dive into Bali’s culture and landscapes, then 3 nights in Yogyakarta (Days 5–7) to explore Java’s ancient temples and royal heritage. Travel between cities is by morning flight with door-to-door transfers factored into your days.

Trip booking shortcuts:

• Flights: Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Ubud stays: Mandapa, Viceroy Bali, Pertiwi Bisma 1, Ubud Tropical Garden, In Da Lodge.
• Yogyakarta stays: Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta, Amanjiwo, Amanjiwo Resort, EDU Hostel, EDU Hostel Jogja.
• Featured experiences: Ubud Private Tour, Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep, Uluwatu Sunset & Kecak, Nusa Penida Day Trip.

This 7-day Indonesia itinerary marries Bali’s rainforests, rice terraces, and ocean cliffs with Java’s temple grandeur and street-food energy. It’s calibrated for smooth travel, layered culture, and meals you’ll crave long after landing home.