Bali

Five days designed around two bases — two nights in Ubud for rice terraces and river valley yoga mornings, three in Seminyak for beach time and sunset dinners. One day trip south to Uluwatu for the cliff temple. Paced for a couple who want rest as much as sightseeing.

Land, private drive to Ubud, check into a river-view villa, recover from the flight with a gentle evening.

1. 11:00

   transit

   DPS airport → Ubud

   Bali south → central

   Pre-booked driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign. The drive north passes rice fields and small temples once you're past Denpasar traffic.

   1.5 hours · ~$25 · Arrival

2. 13:00

   rest

   Komaneka at Bisma (Ubud) — check-in

   Ubud

   Unpack, swim at the infinity pool hanging over the Tjampuhan river valley. Jet-lag recovery before the first walk.

   2 hours · ~$180/night for Ubud base · Driver drop-off

3. 16:00

   sight

   Campuhan Ridge Walk

   Ubud

   A flat 2 km paved ridge between two river valleys — tall grass on both sides, late-afternoon light. Start at Ibah Hotel, walk to the Karsa Kafe at the end, coffee, turn back.

   1.5 hours · Free · 10 min walk from hotel

4. 19:00

   meal

   Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique

   Sanggingan

   A French-technique, Indonesian-ingredient tasting menu in a garden dining room. The 8-course 'Discovery Menu' is the order. Exit through the herb garden they just pulled your dinner's cilantro from.

   2 hours · ~$95/person with wine · Gojek car, 10 min

   Tip: Reserve 1 week ahead via their website; closed Sundays.

A full Ubud day — the Tegallalang rice terraces at sunrise, a holy water temple, a waterfall swim, and a ceremonial dance at night.

1. 06:30

   sight

   Tegallalang Rice Terraces (sunrise)

   Tegallalang

   Subak (the 1,000-year-old Balinese irrigation system) carved into hillsides. Arrive at 06:45 — mist clears by 07:30 and tour buses arrive at 09:00. Walk down into the terraces for the photo.

   1.5 hours · ~$2 entry + $2 for the swing if you want it · Pre-arranged car from hotel, 20 min

2. 09:00

   meal

   Kawi Resto Rice Terrace

   Tegallalang

   Breakfast overlooking the terraces. Pisang goreng (fried banana), nasi goreng, strong Balinese coffee. Unpretentious and the view is included.

   1 hour · ~$12 · 5 min walk

3. 11:00

   sight

   Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple)

   Tampaksiring

   A 10th-century temple where Balinese Hindus perform melukat, a purification ritual, in pools fed by 11 underground springs. You can participate (rent a sarong + sash at the gate, follow the line). Bring a change of clothes.

   1.5 hours · ~$3 + $2 sarong rental · Car, 25 min

4. 13:00

   meal

   Warung Little Bird

   Ubud central

   A small warung serving traditional Balinese rijsttafel (rice table) at half the tourist-restaurant price. Get the nasi campur — rice with a dozen small sides. Vegetarian options excellent.

   1 hour · ~$10 · Car, 35 min back to Ubud

5. 15:00

   activity

   Tegenungan Waterfall

   Kemenuh

   150 steps down to a wide waterfall pool. Swim (wear a swimsuit under clothes), dry on the rocks, climb back. A proper Bali reset moment.

   2 hours · ~$1 entry · Car, 25 min south

6. 19:30

   activity

   Kecak Fire Dance at Pura Dalem Ubud

   Ubud

   A 60-man choral performance telling the Ramayana story, climaxing in a fire dance. Nightly at 19:30. Front-row seats only matter for photos; acoustics are excellent from any seat.

   1.5 hours · ~$8 · 10 min walk

   Tip: Buy at the gate from 18:30; rarely sells out.

One more Ubud morning, then transit to Seminyak and check into beach mode.

1. 07:00

   activity

   Morning yoga at The Yoga Barn

   Ubud

   Drop-in hatha or vinyasa class in an open-air bamboo shala over a rice paddy. Accepts walk-ins; mats provided. The signature Ubud experience even for non-yoga people.

   1.5 hours · ~$10 · 10 min walk

   Tip: Arrive 20 min early — classes fill up in high season.

2. 09:00

   meal

   Seniman Coffee Studio

   Ubud central

   Bali-grown single-origin coffee, roasted on-site. Sit on a suspended chair, drink a pour-over, eat a breakfast sandwich. The original Ubud third-wave café.

   1 hour · ~$10 · 5 min walk

3. 11:00

   transit

   Ubud → Seminyak drive

   Central → south

   Pre-booked driver from Komaneka. The drive south passes through Batubulan (stone carving villages) and Denpasar traffic. Stop at Alas Harum café if you need to break it up.

   1.5 hours · ~$25 · 10 min walk back to hotel

4. 13:00

   rest

   The Oberoi — check-in + beach

   Seminyak

   Check in, change, walk the hotel's private beach frontage. The Oberoi's sunbeds are yours; order a nasi goreng and a Bintang for a beach-cabana lunch.

   3 hours · ~$35 for beach lunch · Driver arrival

5. 17:00

   sight

   Double-Six Beach sunset

   Seminyak

   Walk south from the Oberoi along the wet sand. At Double-Six, grab a beanbag at the beach bars (La Plancha has the pastel-striped ones), order a cocktail, watch the sun drop into the Indian Ocean.

   1.5 hours · ~$15 for a cocktail · 15 min walk along the beach

6. 20:00

   meal

   Merah Putih

   Seminyak

   High-ceilinged bamboo cathedral of a dining room. Modern Indonesian by chef Made Suwarsa — rendang with crispy skin, grilled snapper with sambal matah. Perfect for a first Seminyak dinner.

   2 hours · ~$65/person · Gojek, 5 min

   Tip: Book 3-5 days ahead via their website for prime 19:30-20:30 slots.

A half-day in the Bukit peninsula — secret beach at Padang Padang, the cliff temple, and a sunset fire dance.

1. 10:00

   transit

   Drive to Uluwatu

   Seminyak → Bukit

   Pre-arrange a driver for the day (~$45 for 8 hours). The road south through Jimbaran and up onto the Bukit is scenic; let the driver know you're doing the Uluwatu loop.

   1 hour · ~$45 for the full day · Driver pickup at hotel

2. 11:00

   rest

   Padang Padang Beach

   Uluwatu

   Down a tight staircase between rocks, a small cove with white sand. The beach the 'Eat Pray Love' final scene was shot at. Swim, rent a sunbed, have a beach-stall nasi goreng.

   2 hours · ~$1 entry + $3 sunbed · Driver

3. 14:00

   meal

   Single Fin (surfer cliff café)

   Uluwatu

   Perched on the cliff over Uluwatu point — the world-class left-hand surf break is literally below you. Tuna tostadas and a cold beer. Watch pros ride 8-foot waves.

   1.5 hours · ~$30 · Driver, 15 min

4. 16:30

   sight

   Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Cliff Temple)

   Uluwatu

   An 11th-century Hindu temple on a 70-meter cliff. Rent a sarong at the gate (included in ticket). Watch out for macaques — they will steal your glasses. Walk the cliff path along both sides of the temple.

   1.5 hours · ~$4 · 5 min drive

5. 18:00

   activity

   Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple

   Uluwatu

   The one at the cliff amphitheater, with the sun setting behind the performers over the ocean. Different from the Ubud version — this one is the sunset-postcard version. Book on arrival at the ticket booth.

   1 hour · ~$10 · 5 min walk from the temple

6. 20:00

   meal

   Jimbaran Bay seafood BBQ

   Jimbaran

   Pick a seafood warung on the beach — Menega or Intan Seafood are safe. Tables on the sand, grilled snapper/lobster/prawns by weight, sunset already past but the sea is loud and dark. The signature Bali dinner.

   2 hours · ~$45/person · Driver, 25 min north

Spa morning, lunch at the rice paddies of Canggu, final sunset, and a late-flight transfer to the airport.

1. 10:00

   activity

   Bodyworks Spa

   Seminyak

   Balinese massage done right. The 2-hour 'Ritual' package includes massage + scrub + flower bath. Cheaper than the hotel spa, better technicians.

   2 hours · ~$55/person · 5 min walk

   Tip: Book 1 day ahead via WhatsApp on their website.

2. 12:30

   meal

   The Lawn Canggu

   Canggu

   Beach-front restaurant + pool + grass lawn. Poke bowls, burgers, and smoothies. The lunch you'll talk about when you get home.

   2 hours · ~$35 · Gojek car, 25 min north

3. 15:00

   sight

   Tanah Lot Temple

   Tabanan

   A 16th-century temple on a rocky outcrop accessible only at low tide. Time your visit for 17:00-18:00 sunset. The temple itself isn't open to foreigners, but the cliff walk and the view are the draw.

   2 hours · ~$5 · Car, 30 min

4. 18:30

   meal

   Sundara Beach Club (Four Seasons Jimbaran)

   Jimbaran

   Last dinner. A long beachfront pool-deck, tiki torches at dusk, seafood and cocktails. Expensive, but it's the send-off dinner. Book a beachfront table.

   2 hours · ~$90/person · Car, 30 min south

   Tip: Reserve 5-7 days ahead via their site for the 18:30 sunset slot.

5. 21:00

   transit

   Sundara → DPS airport

   Jimbaran → airport

   Ask Sundara concierge to pre-book a car. 30 min max to the airport at that hour. Budget 2 hours for international check-in.

   30 min · ~$15 · Car directly from dinner

Practical info

Budget: ~$200-280/day for a couple excluding hotel