Bali Complete: 10 Days Temples, Rice Terraces, Volcanoes & Beaches

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Bali — The Island of Gods

Touch down at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Bali has been captivating travelers since the 1920s, when artists like Walter Spies and Miguel Covarrubias arrived and documented a culture that seemed to operate on a different plane — where daily life is inseparable from ritual, where every village has at least three temples, and where the concept of Tri Hita Karana (harmony between humans, nature, and the divine) shapes everything. Transfer to Ubud, the cultural heart nestled among rice paddies and river gorges. Evening: welcome dinner with Balinese dance performance — the Legong, with its intricate finger movements and expressive eyes. Overnight in Ubud.

Day 2: Ubud — Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces & Royal Palace

Morning walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a 12.5-hectare jungle inhabited by over 700 long-tailed macaques. Three Hindu temples dating to the 14th century lie within — Pura Dalem Agung, the Temple of the Dead, is particularly atmospheric with its moss-covered carvings. Afternoon: the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a masterpiece of subak — Bali’s 1,000-year-old cooperative irrigation system recognized by UNESCO. The terraces cascade down steep valleys in precise steps, each level fed by a network of canals and bamboo pipes that distribute water equitably to every farmer. Visit a coffee plantation for a tasting of Luwak coffee (kopi luwak) and the full range of Balinese coffees and teas. Evening: explore Ubud’s art market and the Puri Saren Agung (Royal Palace). Overnight in Ubud.

Day 3: Central Bali — Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi & Tegenungan Waterfall

Morning at Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple, founded 962 AD), one of Bali’s most important water temples. Observe devotees performing melukat — ritual purification under the 30 water spouts that flow from a sacred spring. The water is believed to have healing properties, and the ceremony is deeply moving to witness. Continue to Gunung Kawi, an 11th-century temple complex where ten 7-meter-high shrines (candi) are carved directly into a cliff face — flanked by rice terraces, this is Bali’s own Valley of the Kings. Afternoon: Tegenungan Waterfall, a powerful cascade plunging 25m into a pool where you can swim. Return to Ubud for an evening yoga or meditation session. Overnight in Ubud.

Day 4: East Bali — Besakih Mother Temple & Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven)

Full day exploring East Bali’s spiritual heart. Morning drive to Besakih, the “Mother Temple” of Bali, a sprawling complex of 23 temples on the slopes of Mount Agung (3,031m), Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano. The temple has been a place of worship for over 1,000 years. The last eruption of Agung in 1963 miraculously spared the temple complex, which Balinese see as divine intervention. Afternoon: Lempuyang Temple, famous as the “Gates of Heaven” — the split gate (candi bentar) frames Mount Agung perfectly, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Bali. The 1,700 steps to the upper temple reward with sweeping coastal views. Overnight in Ubud.

Day 5: North Bali — Ulun Danu Bratan & Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Morning drive to Lake Bratan in the Bedugul highlands (1,200m), where the air is cool and misty. Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, the iconic 17th-century temple that appears to float on the lake — dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes and rivers. The temple’s 11-tier meru (pagoda) reflected in the still water is one of Bali’s most beautiful sights. Afternoon: Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage), 600 hectares of the most spectacular and best-preserved subak irrigation landscape in Bali. The terraces here are so vast they seem to go on forever, with Mount Batukaru rising in the background. Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the terraces. Overnight in Ubud.

Day 6: Ubud to Munduk — Highlands & Waterfalls

Morning Balinese cooking class: visit a local market to source ingredients, then learn to prepare a complete Balinese meal — lawar (shredded coconut and vegetables), sate lilit (minced fish satay on lemongrass sticks), bebek betutu (slow-cooked spiced duck), and dadar gulung (green pandan crepes with coconut). Enjoy your creation for lunch. Afternoon: drive to the Munduk highlands (1,000m), a region of coffee and clove plantations, misty forests, and spectacular waterfalls. Visit Munduk Waterfall, a 25m cascade plunging through dense jungle. Overnight in Munduk eco-lodge overlooking the valley.

Day 7: Dolphin Watching & North Coast to Sanur

Pre-dawn drive to Lovina Beach on the north coast. Board a traditional jukung (outrigger boat) at sunrise to watch spinner dolphins — the waters off Lovina host large resident pods. The dolphins often swim alongside the boats in groups of 20-50, leaping and spinning in the golden morning light. Visit the Banjar Hot Springs, natural volcanic springs set in a lush garden with tiered pools. Afternoon: drive along the scenic northern and eastern coasts to Sanur, Bali’s original beach resort town with a calm lagoon protected by an offshore reef. Overnight in Sanur.

Day 8: Island Hopping — Nusa Penida Day Trip

Early morning fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida (45 minutes). This rugged island off Bali’s southeast coast has become famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs and untouched beaches. Visit Kelingking Beach — the T-Rex-shaped cliff is one of the most stunning viewpoints in Indonesia, the turquoise water 200m below contrasting with the ochre rock. Broken Beach (Pasih Uug), a natural rock arch forming a circular cove. Angel’s Billabong, a natural infinity pool carved into the volcanic rock. At Crystal Bay, snorkel in some of the clearest water in Bali with a good chance of seeing manta rays. Return to Sanur by evening. Overnight in Sanur.

Day 9: South Bali — Uluwatu Cliff Temple & Kecak Fire Dance

Morning at leisure on Sanur Beach — the calm water is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking. Optional: visit the Le Mayeur Museum, the former home of Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur who married a Balinese legong dancer. Afternoon: drive to the Bukit Peninsula. Visit Uluwatu Temple, dramatically perched on a 70m cliff edge above the Indian Ocean — its location at the southwestern tip of Bali was chosen because it’s believed to protect the island from evil sea spirits. Watch the famous Kecak Fire Dance at sunset — 50 bare-chested men chanting “cak-cak-cak” in rhythmic trance, telling the Ramayana story as the sun drops into the ocean behind them. Farewell dinner at Jimbaran Bay — fresh grilled seafood with your feet in the sand. Overnight in Sanur.

Day 10: Depart Bali

Final morning: optional early visit to the Sanur morning market, a temple blessing with a local priest, or simply one last swim in the lagoon. Transfer to Ngurah Rai Airport.

Inclusions

• 9 nights (5 Ubud + 1 Munduk + 3 Sanur) with daily breakfast
• All temple entry fees (Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Besakih, Lempuyang, Ulun Danu, Uluwatu)
• Jatiluwih + Tegallalang rice terraces
• Balinese cooking class (market visit + full meal)
• Lovina dolphin watching (sunrise jukung boat)
• Nusa Penida day trip (fast boat + island tour + snorkeling)
• Uluwatu Kecak Fire Dance at sunset
• Jimbaran Bay seafood farewell dinner
• 7 dinners incl. welcome Legong dance dinner
• Private vehicle + English-speaking guide throughout