Bali 7-Day Itinerary: Ubud, Temples, a Volcano Sunrise & the Bukit
One island, three Balis.
Bali's green interior puts Ubud's rice terraces, temples and monkey forest at the start of the week. The volcanic highlands add a Mount Batur sunrise and Kintamani, while the surf-and-cliff south brings Uluwatu, the Bukit and Nusa Penida into the final stretch.
The route begins by the beach in Seminyak, uses Ubud as the base for the interior and volcano days, then relocates to the south for Uluwatu and the Nusa Penida boat day before finishing at Tanah Lot.
Best time: the dry season, roughly April–October. The wet season from November–March still works, but expect afternoon downpours.
- Fly into Denpasar (DPS) and use Seminyak, Ubud and the Bukit or Uluwatu as the three bases.
- Hire a private driver for day trips; it is the easiest way to cover ground across the island.
- Scooters are common but traffic is chaotic, so ride only if experienced.
- Carry a sarong or rent one at temples.
- Mount Batur is an active volcano climbed pre-dawn with a licensed guide.
- Bring a headlamp and a warm layer because the summit is cold.
- Check for any volcanic-activity advisories before you book.
Where to Stay
Use three bases to keep the island route moving
Where to Stay
Use three bases to keep the island route moving
Seminyak / Canggu
Choose the beach and dining base for the arrival night.
Ubud
Use Ubud for culture and nature and as the base for Days 2–4.
The Bukit / Uluwatu
Relocate to the cliffs and surf of the south for the last nights.
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current entry rules, visitor information and tourist contributions
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current entry rules, visitor information and tourist contributions
Entry and Bali visitor information
Check current immigration, provincial tourism and tourist-levy information before travel.
Ubud and the water temple
Confirm current sanctuary and temple visitor information.
Southern temples
Use the official Indonesia Travel pages for Uluwatu and Tanah Lot planning.
Budget Snapshot
Getting Around
7-Day Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Arrive Denpasar → Seminyak
Ngurah Rai (DPS) → Seminyak — arrive, transfer and finish with a beach sunset
Arrive at Ngurah Rai (DPS) & transfer to Seminyak
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport and transfer to the Seminyak base. Keep the arrival flexible before the first evening by the beach.
Sunset and dinner on Seminyak Beach
Walk the wide public beach for sunset, then stay in Seminyak for dinner. The beach is free and needs no activity booking.
Day 2: Ubud — rice terraces, monkey forest & town
Base: Ubud — terraces, the ticketed sanctuary and a free palace visit
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace
See the stepped green paddies north of Ubud. Treat this as an unbooked viewpoint stop rather than an online-ticket attraction.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Visit the ticketed sanctuary in Ubud and keep loose food and sunglasses secured around the long-tailed macaques.
Ubud Palace & the art market
See the ornate palace gate and continue through central Ubud's art market. The palace is free to enter, so no activity booking is attached.
Day 3: Ubud water temple & waterfalls
Base: Ubud — Tirta Empul, Tegenungan and an unbooked recovery afternoon
The Tirta Empul water temple
Visit the paid water temple and its purification pools. A sarong is required and provided on site.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Continue to the jungle waterfall and swimming pool near Ubud. The steps can be slippery; this local-entry stop has no online activity CTA.
A Balinese spa afternoon & dinner in Ubud
Leave the remainder of the day flexible for a spa afternoon, rest and dinner in Ubud after the temple and waterfall.
Day 4: Mount Batur sunrise trek & Kintamani
Ubud → Mount Batur → Ubud — guided pre-dawn climb, caldera views and recovery
Pre-dawn trek up Mount Batur for sunrise
Climb the active volcano with a licensed local guide on a pre-dawn start. Bring a headlamp and warm layer and check volcanic-activity advisories before booking.
The Batur caldera & Kintamani coffee stop
Pause in the Kintamani highlands for the caldera and lake view and an informal coffee stop. No online activity booking is needed.
Drive back to Ubud & rest
Return to Ubud and protect the remainder of the day for rest after the pre-dawn volcano climb.
Day 5: Uluwatu temple, Kecak & the Bukit
Ubud → the Bukit — relocate south for the cliff temple, dance and a cove beach
The Uluwatu cliff temple
Visit the paid temple high above the Indian Ocean. Stay back from cliff edges and keep bags away from the resident monkeys.
The sunset Kecak fire dance
Book the ticketed evening performance at the Uluwatu temple amphitheatre and watch the Kecak fire dance against the sunset.
A cove beach on the Bukit Peninsula
Use a small rocky cove for an unbooked beach stop on the Bukit. Strong surf and currents affect the south coast, so swim only where it is safe.
Day 6: Nusa Penida boat day trip
Bukit → Sanur → Nusa Penida → Bukit — a pre-dawn (~5–5:30am) transfer to Sanur for the first boat, then an organised island day
Fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida
Take the fast boat from Sanur for the island day. From the Bukit base this means a pre-dawn (~5–5:30am) transfer, as Sanur harbour is about 1h15–1h30 north, to catch the first ~7am boat for the calmest crossing. The crossing is over open water and can be rough, so follow the operator's current instructions.
Kelingking Beach viewpoint
Visit Kelingking on an organised boat and island day tour. The descent to the sand is a steep, exposed scramble, so many visitors stay at the clifftop viewpoint.
Broken Beach & Angel's Billabong
Continue on the same island tour to the natural sea arch at Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong. Mind the unfenced cliff edges and slippery surfaces.
Day 7: Tanah Lot & departure
South Bali → Tanah Lot → Ngurah Rai (DPS) — sea temple before the airport transfer
The Tanah Lot sea temple
Visit the paid temple grounds around the offshore rock. The rock itself is reachable only at low tide, so follow local access guidance.
Transfer to the airport & departure
Continue to Ngurah Rai International Airport for departure, allowing generous transfer time in Bali's heavy traffic.
Bali from Seminyak to Ubud, the Bukit and Nusa Penida
Seven master-image anchors trace the week from Seminyak through Ubud and Mount Batur, south to Uluwatu, across to Nusa Penida and back to Tanah Lot.
- 1
Seminyak Beach
Arrival, beach sunset and dinner
- 2
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Ubud rice terraces, monkey forest and town
- 3
Tirta Empul
Water temple and waterfall day from Ubud
- 4
Mount Batur
Pre-dawn volcano trek and Kintamani
- 5
Uluwatu Temple
Cliff temple, Kecak dance and the Bukit
- 6
Kelingking Beach viewpoint
Nusa Penida boat and island day
- 7
Tanah Lot
Sea temple before departure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Bali?
About a week covers Ubud, the volcanic highlands, the southern cliffs and a Nusa Penida day. This route uses Seminyak, Ubud and the Bukit or Uluwatu as its bases.
Which airport do I fly into for Bali?
Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, whose airport code is DPS.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most visitors buy a visa on arrival or e-VOA, but requirements depend on nationality. Check the current Indonesian immigration rules through the official e-VOA link before travel.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season, roughly April–October, is the best fit for this plan. The wet season still works, but expect afternoon rain from November–March.
Do I need to hire a car in Bali?
No. A private driver-guide by the day is the easier way to cover the route. Scooters suit only experienced, helmeted riders because traffic can be chaotic.
Do I need to cover up at Bali temples?
Yes. A sarong and sash are required, and many temples lend or rent them at the entrance. Tirta Empul provides a sarong on site.
Is the Mount Batur sunrise trek hard?
It is a moderate pre-dawn climb done with a licensed guide. Bring a headlamp and a warm layer, and check volcanic-activity advisories before booking.
Is Nusa Penida a day trip or should I stay overnight?
It is doable as a long day trip by fast boat from Sanur. An overnight lets you avoid some crowds, but this route keeps it as an organised boat and island day tour.
Is there a tourist tax in Bali?
Bali charges a tourist levy for foreign visitors. Use the official Love Bali portal for current contribution details and payment.
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