4 minutes reading time Bali
Bali is the most famous island in Indonesia. No matter what type of traveler you are, you will find a lot to do and see in this attractive destination. Indonesia is not only Bali, but Bali doesn’t need anything to be a whole destination by itself.
Bali is a paradise where you will find beautiful beaches, dreamy cliffs, unique rice fields, and fantastic temples. So, are you ready for a 5 day Bali itinerary? Sounds good? Let’s dive in!
Day 1: Ubud and surroundings
Our itinerary begins with the city of Ubud. This place has become very famous after the Julia Roberts movie, “Eat, Pray and Love” and it is the heart of the culture of Bali. Ubud is located in a strategic location to visit other nearby places.
In addition, if you are vegetarian or vegan you will find a varied gastronomic offer. Also, Ubud is known to be a paradise for yogis. I plenty recommend taking the sunrise hike along the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
During the walk, you will pass through rice fields and many palm trees. It is a very green landscape and full of exuberant vegetation. But the most picturesque rice fields on the entire island are Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
The truth is that it is quite a tourist spot, but it is a place that you cannot miss. In addition, you can take different photos on the swings with the terraces in the background. Finally, on this first day, I recommend you visit the Pura Tirta Empul Temple and join the Purification Ceremony. It is a Hindu temple dating back to 960 AD and is a national cultural heritage. You must rent a green belted robe and dip your head under the ice water. You need to repeat the ritual 11 times under each water source, and you will have an epic and holistic experience on your trip to Bali.
Day 2: Mount Batur and Monkey Temple
Hiking Mount Batur is a complete highlight of your trip to Bali. This place is perfect for you to take in the view of the sunrise spreading over Mount Agung. You must start the day too early and walk a bit, but the truth is that it is worth it.
In the afternoon, you cannot miss the chance to explore the Monkey Forest. Sure, the monkeys have their own park in the city of Ubud, and all the people who are visiting stop by to say hello.
It is said that there are about 1000 cute creatures. Remember to take your rubbish with you and do not touch them, because they get a bit aggressive.
Day 3: North Bali
Today, we will get to know the most unknown part of the island: the northern part. Our first stop is Ulun Danu Temple, which is located on the shores of Lake Bratan. You will feel like you are looking at a postcard. We continue towards Handara Gate, a place that you surely know because you saw a photo on Instagram, but I have to say that in real life, it is as spectacular as in the pictures. The typical image is the magnificent Handara Gate and the lush mountains in the background.
Finally, we will dive into the twin waterfall of Banyumala. Refreshing yourself in the water is the perfect ending for this intense day of adventure. The walk to the waterfall is very beautiful and you will find yourself surrounded by a lot of spectacular vegetation.
Day 4: Uluwatu
Uluwatu has a completely different vibe than Ubud. Its atmosphere is mainly surfer since there are perfect waves to practice this sport. The best beach is Bingin Beach, so don’t hesitate to enjoy a lazy morning here.
But the reason why all the tourists want to come to Uluwatu is to visit the Uluwatu temple, which is located at the top of a steep and narrow cliff. Such a dramatic and incredible location.
Day 5: Nusa Penida
At this point in our itinerary, I will give you two alternatives. The first one is to enjoy Kuta Beach. This spot is the main spot on the whole island, and it kind of loses Indonesian spirit. So, to be honest, I don’t really like it and I recommend you to explore a little bit more out of this area.
But if you still feel like doing something out of the common plan, I suggest you take a speed boat from the port to Nusa Penida island. After 30 minutes, you will arrive at your destination. So easy and quick. The island is an amazing place to rent a scooter and just explore around. So this is your time to create your own adventure. But don’t ever miss the Kelingking viewpoint or mostly famous as the T-Rex. From the top, the view of the ocean is genuinely outstanding.
Get ready to explore the beautiful island of Bali! Check out a list of the top 10 unique Bali bucket list activities for adventure seekers!
