Bali, Nusa Penida &amp; the Gili Islands

Home to the tallest statue in Indonesia, this cultural park was a great first stop. Head to the information desk and ask for a drone permit — they hand one out free when you fill in a short form.

13 km · 11m

AFTERNOON

Uluwatu Temple

Perched on sheer 70-metre cliffs above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple is famous for its nightly Kecak fire dance at sunset. The clifftop views alone are worth the visit.

26 km · 22m

The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort

A comfortable first base on the beach, well placed for an early start the following morning.

Day trip to Nusa Penida's iconic beaches

9 stops

A full-day boat trip from Sanur harbour takes you to Nusa Penida's most celebrated spots. A local driver meets you at the dock and whisks you across the island.

Kelompok Nelayan Sanur

Denpasar

The departure point for the Nusa Penida day trip, booked through GetYourGuide. The boat picks up here early in the morning.

26 km · 44m

Banjar Nyuh Beach

The arrival beach on Nusa Penida, where a driver was waiting to guide me around the island for the day before returning to the harbour.

15 km · 17m

MORNING

Kelingking Beach

The island's most iconic spot — a T-Rex-shaped cliff plunging to a white-sand cove far below. Expect plenty of company, and plenty of monkeys.

25 km · 29m

MORNING

Diamond Beach

Nusa Penida's second most celebrated beach. A steep staircase leads to the sand, and on the far side of the headland sits the famous treehouse.

1 km · 2m

Rumah Pohon “Tree House”

The treehouse perched above the coastline draws big crowds — expect a long queue if you want the classic photo.

0 km · 1m

Thousand Islands Viewpoint

A sweeping panorama across a cluster of small islets scattered along the coastline — a quieter viewpoint that rewards those who push on past Diamond Beach.

24 km · 28m

Khamara Beach Resort

A relaxed beach club stop to unwind before the boat back to Sanur.

27 km · 46m

Kelompok Nelayan Sanur

Denpasar

The return departure point after a full day on the island — boats back to the Bali mainland leave from here in the late afternoon.

16 km · 18m

The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort

Or other places to stay nearby

djabu Echo Beach Hotel

Desa Potato Head Bali

Seminyak

The Stones - Legian, Bali - Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel

Kuta

The Anvaya Beach Resort Bali

Kuta

Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort

Seminyak

Double - Six, Luxury Hotel - Seminyak

Seminyak

Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach by IHG

Tanah Lot, Beratan Temple & Tegenungan Waterfall

4 stops·Route this day

A scenic drive north takes in two of Bali's most photogenic water temples before a refreshing stop at a jungle waterfall.

MORNING

Tanah Lot Temple

Tabanan

A beautiful sea temple perched on a rocky islet, visited en route to Ubud. Best seen at low tide when you can walk close to the base.

51 km · 37m

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

Tabanan

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan sits on the edge of a crater lake, its tiered shrines appearing to float on the water. The ornate split gates make for some of the most photographed scenes in Bali.

48 km · 35m

Tegenungan Waterfall

One of the day's highlights. A powerful waterfall tumbles into a natural pool, and there's a laid-back beach club nearby perfect for a cold drink afterwards.

9 km · 10m

Sahadewa Resort & Spa

Or other places to stay nearby

Penida Sunset Ocean View Bungalows

Penida Island

Sunset Garden Nusa Lembongan

Lembongan Island

Blue Harbor Beachfront Villas & Resto

Hotel Arsa Santhi Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida

United Colors of Lembongan

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Spa

Hai Tide Beach Resort

Nusa Lembongan

Ubud: rice terraces, holy spring & coffee plantation

5 stops·Route this day

A full day exploring the cultural heartland of Bali — sacred temples, emerald rice paddies, and a taste of the world's most unusual coffee.

MORNING

Ubud Rice Terrace

The weather wasn't on my side, but even under cloud the terraced rice fields around Ubud are a serene and beautiful sight.

8 km · 9m

Tirta Empul Temple

A sacred Hindu spring temple where worshippers bathe in the fountain pools to cleanse themselves of impurities. A humbling and fascinating place to visit.

5 km · 5m

Santi coffee plantation

Stopped here to try kopi luwak — the famously expensive coffee made from beans processed by civets. An unusual experience worth ticking off.

11 km · 12m

Penglipuran Village

Bangli

One of Bali's best-preserved traditional villages, with centuries-old bamboo-lined lanes still lived in by local families today.

27 km · 19m

Sahadewa Resort & Spa

Or other places to stay nearby

Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Kaamala Resort & Spa Ubud by Ini Vie Hospitality

Ubud

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Tejaprana Resort & Spa

Ubud

Sanna Ubud A Pramana Experience

Komaneka at Bisma Ubud

Tegallalang

Arrival on Gili Trawangan

3 stops·Route this day

Welcome to Gili T — a tiny car-free island where the only transport is bicycles and horse-drawn cidomo carts. The pace drops immediately.

Port

West Nusa Tenggara

The main strip of Gili Trawangan, and the first taste of island life. No cars, no motorbikes — just bikes, cidomo carriages, and a very relaxed vibe.

2 km · 6m

Bora Bora

The west-facing strip of Jalan Raya Trawangan is the undisputed sunset spot on the island. I came back here every evening for excellent sushi and a cocktail as the sun dipped below the horizon.

1 km · 2m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

A comfortable base on Gili T. The standout feature: an open-air cinema right on the beach.

Beach day on Gili T

2 stops·Route this day

A slower day — no agenda beyond sun, sand, and the turquoise shallows.

Gili Trawangan Beach

A proper beach day on Gili T's white-sand shore. Hire a sun lounger, swim in the warm shallows, and let the island's unhurried rhythm take over.

2 km · 6m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

Or other places to stay nearby

Taman Senang - Private Pool Villas - Gili Air

The Kayana Beach Lombok

Senggigi

Pearl Sunset Resort - Sunset Moments, Adults Only

Gili Trawangan

PinkCoco Gili Air - Constant Surprises & for Cool Adults Only

Snorkelling tour: underwater statues & Gili Meno turtles

3 stops

A snorkelling boat trip around the Gili Islands, stopping at the famous underwater sculpture park and several turtle-rich reef sites near Gili Meno.

Underwater Statues Park

The highlight of the snorkelling tour — a collection of eerie human figures submerged on the seabed, now encrusted with coral. The trip also stopped at Gili Meno and three other reef sites teeming with sea turtles.

1 km · 3m

Tiki Grove

A fun lunch stop between snorkelling sessions. Strong cocktails, good tacos, and a lively atmosphere.

Tickets website

3 km · 6m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

Turtle Shore & free diving on Gili T

2 stops·Route this day

The island's best shore-snorkel spot is just steps from the beach — no boat required.

Turtle Shore

My go-to spot every day on the island. Snorkel gear rents for around €2 for the whole day, and green sea turtles are almost guaranteed — I spotted multiple on every visit, no boat needed.

3 km · 7m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

Drone flights & night market seafood

2 stops·Route this day

Drone flight over the Gili archipelago reveals the turquoise channels between the three islands — then the evening ends at the best table on the island.

Gili Trawangan Food Night Market

Don't miss this lively night market for fresh, affordable seafood. I had lobster straight off the grill — one of the best meals of the trip.

2 km · 6m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

Surf lesson & last morning on Gili T

2 stops·Route this day

A gentle final morning on the island before the journey back to the mainland.

Surf Point Bar

A perfect way to spend the final morning on Gili T — a beginner surf lesson right on the beach before heading back to the mainland.

Tickets

1 km · 4m

Royal Regantris Trawangan

Lombok Wildlife Park & farewell

1 stops

One last stop before the flight home — a chance to slow down and say goodbye to Indonesia properly.

Lombok Wildlife Park

A fitting final stop before the flight home. The park is home to a wide range of animals, and you can get up close with elephants — a memorable last memory of Indonesia.