The Perfect 10-Day Bali Itinerary

Bali is a relatively small island, but it packs a continent’s worth of diversity into its shores. You have active volcanoes, dense jungles, world-class surf breaks, ancient Hindu temples, and a culinary scene that rivals major capitals.

The challenge with Bali is never what to do, but how to fit it all in without spending your entire holiday stuck in traffic.

This optimized 10-day itinerary is designed to minimize travel time and maximize experience. It follows a "U-Shape" route (or a loop), ensuring you see the jungle, the bustling coast, and the pristine south.

The Route:

• Days 1-4: Ubud (Culture, Jungle, Volcanoes)
• Days 4-7: Canggu (Cafes, Surf, Beach Clubs)
• Days 7-10: Uluwatu (Cliffs, White Sand Beaches, Relax)

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Days 1-4: Ubud - The Spiritual Heart

We start in Ubud to decompress and immerse immediately in the "real" Bali.

Day 1: Arrival & The Monkey Forest

• Morning: Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Take a private driver directly to Ubud (approx. 1.5 hours).
• Afternoon: Check into your jungle villa. Head straight to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Walk among the ancient banyan trees and watch the macaques play. It’s the perfect introduction to the island’s mix of nature and spirituality.
• Evening: Walk down Jalan Monkey Forest. Dinner at Hujan Locale (upscale Indonesian street food) or The Seeds of Life (for the raw vegan curious).

Day 2: Temples & Rice Terraces

• 06:00 AM: Start early! Head to Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Before 7 AM, you will have the place to yourself to watch the sun rays pierce the palm trees.
• 09:00 AM: Visit Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple). Participate in the Melukat purification ritual. The water is cold, but the experience is unforgettable.
• Lunch: Stop at a warung overlooking the rice fields.
• afternoon: Visit Gunung Kawi, an 11th-century temple complex carved into the rock face. It involves 300 stairs, but it’s worth it.
• Evening: Watch a traditional Legong Dance at Ubud Palace.

Day 3: The Volcano Sunrise (or Waterfall Chase)

• Option A (Active): Mount Batur Sunrise Trek. Pickup is at 2:00 AM. Hike up the active volcano to eat boiled eggs cooked in steam vents while watching the sun rise over Lombok.
• Option B (Chill): Sleep in. Hire a driver to take you north to Sekumpul Waterfall or Nungnung Waterfall. These powerful cascades in the deep jungle are awe-inspiring.
• Afternoon: Treat yourself to a 2-hour package at a spa like Karsa Spa (book months in advance) or Putri Bali.
• Dinner: Locavore NXT or Mozaic for a world-class tasting menu experience.

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Days 4-7: Canggu - Surf, Eat, Party

On Day 4, hire a driver to transfer you from Ubud to Canggu (approx. 1 hour). Stops along the way: Tegenungan Waterfall.

Day 4: Sunset & Beach Clubs

• Afternoon: Check in at your villa near Batu Bolong/Berawa. Rent a scooter if you are experienced (Canggu is not walkable).
• Late Afternoon: Head to The Lawn or Finns Beach Club. Book a daybed in advance. Sip a coconut or a cocktail and watch the surfers as the sun goes down.
• Dinner: Mason (wood-fired meats) or Penny Lane (stunning decor).

Day 5: Surf Lessons & Shopping

• Morning: Surf lesson at Batu Bolong Beach. The waves here are gentle and perfect for beginners. The sand is black volcanic sand.
• Lunch: Crate Cafe. It’s an institution. Giant portions, low prices, hipster vibes.
• Afternoon: Explore the boutiques. Love Anchor Market for souvenirs, or wander the streets for high-end local fashion brands like The Pont, Flook, or Drifter.
• Evening: Dinner at Ji Restaurant (Japanese fusion in an ancient temple). Party at Old Man’s or Sand Bar.

Day 6: Day Trip to Tanah Lot

• Morning: Slow morning. Brunch at Motion Fitness or Avocado Factory.
• Afternoon: Drive 20-30 minutes north to Tanah Lot Temple. This is the sea temple on the rock.
• Tip: Don't just stay at the main lookout. Walk north along the cliffs towards Melasti for a different perspective away from the bus tours.
• Evening: Return to Canggu for a sunset skate session at Pretty Poison (if open) or dinner/drinks at Black Sand Brewery.

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Days 7-10: Uluwatu - Limestone Cliffs & Blue Water

Transfer from Canggu to Uluwatu (south) takes about 1 - 1.5 hours depending on traffic.

Day 7: The Cliffside Arrival

• Afternoon: Check into a hotel near Padang Padang or Bingin.
• Sunset: Head strictly to Single Fin or Ulu Cliffhouse. The view from the cliffs here, looking down at the pro surfers barreling in the sets, is mesmerizing.
• Dinner: Suka Espresso or La Baracca (Italian).

Day 8: Beach Hopping

The Bukit Peninsula has the best beaches.

• Morning: Thomas Beach or Padang Padang (Eat Pray Love beach). Go early to claim a spot.
• Lunch: Fresh grilled fish / local nasi goreng at a beach warung.
• Afternoon: Bingin Beach. It’s a workout to get down the stairs, but the vibe is bohemian and exclusive.
• Highlights: High tide is for swimming, low tide creates rock pools.
• Evening: Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple. This is a must. See the performance with the sunset backdrop.

Day 9: Sundays Beach Club & The Southern Tip

• Day: Spend the day at Sundays Beach Club or Palmilla. You take a inclinator/cable car down the cliff to a pristine white sand cove. Kayaks and paddleboards are usually included.
• Afternoon: Drive to Nyang Nyang beach for paragliding or just seeing the endless stretch of sand.
• Dinner: Mana Uluwatu.

Day 10: Departure

• Morning: One last massage or a final acai bowl at Drifter Surf Shop.
• Transfer: The airport is much closer to Uluwatu (45 mins) than Canggu or Ubud.
• Flight: Depart Denpasar (DPS) dreaming of your return.

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Trip Planning Essentials

When to Go?

• High Season: July, August, December. Prices peak, traffic is bad, weather is perfect (dry).
• Shoulder Season: April, May, September, October. Best balance of weather and calmness.
• Wet Season: November to March. It rains, but usually in bursts. Everything is greener and cheaper.

Budget Estimation

• Backpacker: $30-40 USD / day.
• Comfort: $80-120 USD / day.
• Luxury: $250+ USD / day.

Bali is what you make of it. You can spend 10 days purely partying in Canggu or 10 days in silent meditation in magnificent Ubud. This itinerary gives you a taste of everything—the culture, the energy, and the relaxation. Selamat jalan! (Safe travels!)