Jul 24 → Aug 3 · Bali and Lombok, Indonesia
Bali, Nusa Penida & the Gili Islands
Thirteen days of island-hopping through the best of Indonesia: clifftop temples and rice terraces in Bali, dramatic sea-cliff viewpoints on Nusa Penida, and lazy days snorkelling with wild turtles on car-free Gili Trawangan.
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36 stops · 317 mi · 11h 34m on the road
Flying fromUnited States·
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eSIM for Indonesia ›Rent a car ›Top experiences ›Food & wine ›Hiking & outdoor ›Boat tours ›Culture & museums ›
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1
Uluwatu cliffs, GWK statue & sunset temple
3 stops
Shake off the journey with a dramatic introduction to Bali — a towering cultural landmark, clifftop monkeys, and the Indian Ocean glowing at dusk.
AFTERNOON
GWK Cultural Park
Kabupaten Badung
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.
7.8 mi · 11m
AFTERNOON
Uluwatu Temple
Kabupaten Badung
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.
16 mi · 22m
Night 1 of 2
The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort
Kabupaten Badung
A comfortable first base on the beach, well placed for an early start the following morning.
Book a stay2
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.
16 mi · 44m
Banjar Nyuh Beach
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.
9.2 mi · 17m
MORNING
Kelingking Beach
Klungkung
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.
15 mi · 29m
MORNING
Diamond Beach
Klungkung
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.
0.6 mi · 2m
Rumah Pohon “Tree House”
Klungkung
The treehouse perched above the coastline draws big crowds — expect a long queue if you want the classic photo.
160 ft · 1m
Thousand Islands Viewpoint
Klungkung
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.
15 mi · 28m
Khamara Beach Resort
Klungkung
A relaxed beach club stop to unwind before the boat back to Sanur.
Book a stay17 mi · 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.
11 mi · 21m
3
Tanah Lot, Beratan Temple & Tegenungan Waterfall
4 stops
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.
32 mi · 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.
30 mi · 35m
Tegenungan Waterfall
Gianyar
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.
5.4 mi · 10m
4
Ubud: rice terraces, holy spring & coffee plantation
5 stops
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
Gianyar
The weather wasn't on my side, but even under cloud the terraced rice fields around Ubud are a serene and beautiful sight.
5.1 mi · 9m
Tirta Empul Temple
Gianyar
A sacred Hindu spring temple where worshippers bathe in the fountain pools to cleanse themselves of impurities. A humbling and fascinating place to visit.
2.9 mi · 5m
Santi coffee plantation
Gianyar
Stopped here to try kopi luwak — the famously expensive coffee made from beans processed by civets. An unusual experience worth ticking off.
6.6 mi · 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.
17 mi · 19m
5
Arrival on Gili Trawangan
3 stops
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.
1 mi · 6m
Bora Bora
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
0.4 mi · 2m
Night 1 of 6
Royal Regantris Trawangan
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
A comfortable base on Gili T. The standout feature: an open-air cinema right on the beach.
Book a stay6
Beach day on Gili T
2 stops
A slower day — no agenda beyond sun, sand, and the turquoise shallows.
Gili Trawangan Beach
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
1.5 mi · 6m
7
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
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.
0.9 mi · 3m
Tiki Grove
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
A fun lunch stop between snorkelling sessions. Strong cocktails, good tacos, and a lively atmosphere.
Tickets1.6 mi · 6m
8
Turtle Shore & free diving on Gili T
2 stops
The island's best shore-snorkel spot is just steps from the beach — no boat required.
Turtle Shore
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
1.7 mi · 7m
9
Drone flights & night market seafood
2 stops
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
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
1.4 mi · 6m
10
Surf lesson & last morning on Gili T
2 stops
A gentle final morning on the island before the journey back to the mainland.
Surf Point Bar
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
Tickets0.9 mi · 4m
11
Lombok Wildlife Park & farewell
1 stop
One last stop before the flight home — a chance to slow down and say goodbye to Indonesia properly.
Lombok Wildlife Park
Kabupaten Lombok Utara
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.
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