Bali Adventure: Self-Launched 15-Day Itinerary

Fly into Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Skip the included group transfer and grab a Grab or Gojek taxi to Canggu for around £6-8 — far cheaper and just as easy. Check into your accommodation, freshen up, and head out to explore Canggu's famous Batu Bolong strip for dinner. Warung Dandelion or Warung Local are great budget spots for your first taste of Balinese food.

🚌Grab/Gojek app taxi from airport to Canggu, ~45 mins, ~£6-8

🛏Canggu: Frii Echo Canggu (same hotel as the tour) or equivalent such as Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (~£18-25/night for private twin). Book via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

• →Arrive at Denpasar International Airport (DPS)
• →Take a Grab/Gojek taxi to Canggu (~£6-8)
• →Explore Batu Bolong street for dinner
• →Meet fellow travellers at your hostel or guesthouse common area

Sign up for a beginner surf lesson at one of Canggu's many surf schools — Odysseys Surf School and Bali Surf School both offer 2-hour group lessons from around £18-22 bookable directly or via GetYourGuide. Afterwards, hire a scooter (~£4/day) and ride to Tanah Lot Temple (entrance ~£3) for sunset views. End the night at Canggu's famous beach clubs — Old Man's and Deus Ex Machina are legendary and free to enter.

🚌Scooter hire from local rental shop ~£4/day (International Driving Permit recommended)

🛏Frii Echo Canggu or equivalent (~£18-25/night)

• →2-hour beginner group surf lesson at Batu Bolong Beach (~£18-22 via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore Canggu's brunch spots (Nude or Betelnut Café)
• →Optional: scooter ride to Tanah Lot Temple (~£3 entrance)
• →Evening at Old Man's Beach Club or Deus Ex Machina bar

Hire a private driver for the day — a full-day driver from Canggu to Ubud covering multiple stops costs around £25-35 and is easily arranged via your guesthouse or apps like Triptis. Visit the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces (entrance ~£1.50), then head to Cretya Ubud Pool Bar for cocktails and infinity pool vibes (entrance with drink credit ~£10-15, bookable on GetYourGuide). Stop at a traditional Luwak coffee plantation in Kintamani for a free tasting tour. Check into your Kintamani forest cabin for stunning Mount Batur views.

🚌Private driver for the day from Canggu ~£25-35, arranged via guesthouse

🛏The Forest Cabin Kintamani (same as tour) or Lakeview Eco Lodge (~£20-30/night). Book via Booking.com.

• →Tegallalang Rice Terraces (~£1.50 entrance)
• →Cretya Ubud Pool Bar (entry + drink credit ~£10-15 via GetYourGuide)
• →Kintamani Luwak coffee plantation tour (free tasting)
• →Check in to forest cabin with Mount Batur views

Book a guided Mount Batur sunrise trek through your guesthouse or via GetYourGuide — group treks including a guide and breakfast at the summit cost around £25-35 per person. Depart around 2am to reach the summit for sunrise (~2hr hike, moderate fitness required). After descending, visit the Toya Bungkah natural hot springs near the lake for a soak (~£5 entry). Spend the afternoon transferring to Ubud by shared shuttle (~£3-5).

🚌Shared shuttle from Kintamani to Ubud ~£3-5 (arrange via guesthouse or Perama/Kura-Kura shuttle)

🛏Ubud: Evitel Resort (same as tour) or equivalent such as Bisma Eight or Adiwana Bisma (~£20-35/night). Book via Booking.com.

• →Mount Batur sunrise guided group trek (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide or guesthouse)
• →Summit sunrise views and breakfast
• →Toya Bungkah hot springs soak (~£5 entry)
• →Afternoon transfer to Ubud

Start the morning at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud (entrance ~£3.50, book on the door). Walk through ancient temple ruins and encounter over 1,000 macaques. In the afternoon, hire a scooter or grab a driver to visit one of Ubud's stunning waterfalls — Tibumana Waterfall or Tegenungan are both easily accessible (~£1-2 entry). For a free activity, do the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk at golden hour — it's a beautiful 9km trail starting right from central Ubud.

🚌Walking and scooter hire (~£4/day) or local ojek (motorbike taxi) rides ~£1-2 each

🛏Evitel Resort Ubud or equivalent (~£20-35/night)

• →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£3.50 entrance)
• →Tibumana or Tegenungan Waterfall (~£1-2 entrance)
• →Campuhan Ridge Walk (free, ~9km, start at Warwick Ibah hotel trailhead)
• →Browse Ubud Art Market for souvenirs

Book a fast boat from Padang Bai harbour to Gili Trawangan — tickets with Eka Jaya or Blue Water Express cost around £20-25 and can be booked online or via your guesthouse. Journey takes about 1.5-2 hours. On arrival, hire a bicycle (~£3-4/day — there are no motorised vehicles on Gili T!) and cycle the entire island perimeter (~11km). Visit the Gili Eco Trust Horse Sanctuary on the northeast of the island — entry is donation-based and you can walk, feed and groom the horses. Check into your beachfront accommodation and head out to explore Gili T's famous strip.

🚌Shared shuttle from Ubud to Padang Bai ~£4-6 (Perama Tours or similar), then fast boat to Gili T ~£20-25

🛏Gili T: Royal Regantris Hotel (same as tour) or budget alternative such as Gili Hostel or Villa Almarik (~£15-25/night). Book via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

• →Fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan (~£20-25, book via Bluewater Express or Eka Jaya)
• →Bicycle hire and coastal island ride (~£3-4/day)
• →Gili Eco Trust Horse Sanctuary visit (donation-based entry)
• →Evening on Gili T's famous nightlife strip

Book a full-day island-hopping and snorkelling tour covering all 3 Gili Islands — widely available from the Gili T harbour from around £20-28 per person (GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct from local operators on the beach). The tour typically includes snorkelling at Bounty Reef Garden on Gili Meno (look for underwater statues and sea turtles!), beach time on Gili Air, and the best snorkel spots back at Gili T. Equipment is usually included. Celebrate in the evening — Gili T's party scene is legendary.

🚌Included in island-hopping boat tour

🛏Royal Regantris Hotel or equivalent (~£15-25/night)

• →Full-day Gili Islands snorkelling and island-hopping boat tour (~£20-28 via GetYourGuide or local operators)
• →Snorkel at Bounty Reef Garden, Gili Meno (underwater statues + sea turtles)
• →Beach time on Gili Air
• →Evening drinks on Gili T strip

A fully free day to enjoy Gili T at your own pace. Options include: diving with one of the many PADI dive centres (~£35-45 for a fun dive), hiring a kayak or paddleboard (~£5-8/hr), visiting the beachside swing for photos, or simply bar-hopping along the sunset strip. The outdoor cinema (Horizontal Lounge or similar) is a great chill option in the evening. Tonight is your last night on Gili T — make it count!

🚌Bicycle hire (~£3-4/day) or walking

🛏Royal Regantris Hotel or equivalent (~£15-25/night)

• →Optional: PADI fun dive (~£35-45 with local dive school)
• →Kayak or paddleboard hire (~£5-8/hr)
• →Explore beach clubs and the famous Gili T swing
• →Evening at outdoor cinema or farewell night out on the strip

Take a fast boat from Gili T back to Bali — boats run to Serangan or Padang Bai (£20-28, book via Scoot Fast Cruises or Eka Jaya). From the harbour, take a pre-arranged Grab/Gojek taxi or private driver south to Uluwatu (~1.5-2 hrs, ~£15-20). Check into your hotel, unwind by the infinity pool, and enjoy a relaxed evening — you've earned it!

🚌Fast boat Gili T to Bali ~£20-28, then Grab/Gojek or private driver to Uluwatu ~£15-20

🛏Uluwatu: Four Points by Sheraton Ungasan (same as tour) or budget alternative such as Mu Bungalows or The Pala Uluwatu (~£20-35/night). Book via Booking.com.

• →Fast boat from Gili T back to Bali (~£20-28, book via Scoot Cruises or Eka Jaya)
• →Transfer south to Uluwatu by Grab taxi or private driver (~£15-20)
• →Afternoon relaxing at hotel infinity pool or spa
• →Sunset dinner at a cliffside restaurant in Uluwatu

Start the morning at Jagged Rock viewpoint (free, bring your camera!) for jaw-dropping Indian Ocean views. Then head to the iconic Uluwatu Temple (~£3 entrance, sarong required — provided at the gate). This cliffside sea temple is one of Bali's six key spiritual sites. In the evening, book tickets for the Kecak Fire Dance at Melasti Beach or Uluwatu Temple amphitheatre — tickets can be purchased on the day or in advance (~£8-12). The performance is set against a dramatic cliff backdrop at sunset. Not to be missed!

🚌Scooter hire (~£4/day) or Grab taxi between sites

🛏Four Points Ungasan or equivalent (~£20-35/night)

• →Jagged Rock viewpoint (free)
• →Uluwatu Temple (~£3 entrance — sarong provided at gate)
• →Lunch at a cliffside warung overlooking the ocean
• →Kecak Fire Dance and sunset show at Melasti Beach or Uluwatu amphitheatre (~£8-12, book on the day)

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Uluwatu — visit Padang Padang Beach or Balangan Beach (both ~£1 entry), or grab a smoothie bowl at one of the clifftop cafés. In the afternoon, take a Grab taxi or metered taxi north to Seminyak (~45 mins, ~£8-12). Check in and explore Seminyak's famous stretch of boutique shops, restaurants and beach clubs. Ku De Ta, Potato Head and Petitenget Beach are all must-visits.

🚌Grab/Gojek taxi from Uluwatu to Seminyak ~45 mins, ~£8-12

🛏Seminyak: The Capital Hotel Seminyak (same as tour) or budget alternative such as The Layar or Seminyak Square Hotel (~£20-35/night). Book via Booking.com.

• →Morning visit to Padang Padang or Balangan Beach (~£1 entry)
• →Transfer to Seminyak by Grab taxi (~£8-12)
• →Explore Seminyak's boutique shopping on Jl. Kayu Aya
• →Sunset drinks at Ku De Ta or Potato Head Beach Club

Take a Grab taxi from Seminyak to Sanur harbour (~30 mins, ~£7). Book a fast boat to Nusa Penida from Sanur — multiple operators run the crossing daily (~£6-8 each way, 45 mins). On arrival, hire a scooter (~£4-6/day) or arrange a private driver for the island (~£25-30/day — highly recommended given the hilly terrain). Head straight to Cactus Beach Club for sunset cocktails, DJ sets and diamond-shaped pools. Entry is typically free with a minimum spend.

🚌Grab taxi to Sanur ~£7, fast boat to Nusa Penida ~£6-8 (Rocky Fast Cruise or Maruti Express)

🛏Nusa Penida: Arsa Santhi Nusa Penida (same as tour) or equivalent such as Adiwana Warnakali (~£20-30/night). Book via Booking.com.

• →Grab taxi from Seminyak to Sanur harbour (~£7)
• →Fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida (~£6-8, multiple operators at Sanur Beach)
• →Hire scooter or private driver on arrival (~£4-6/day scooter, or ~£25-30 private driver)
• →Cactus Beach Club for sunset (free entry with minimum spend)

Book a full-day Nusa Penida snorkelling and highlights tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£30-40 including transport and snorkel gear), or hire a private driver and book snorkelling independently. Morning snorkelling at Manta Bay (Manta Point) for a chance to swim with manta rays, and the crystal-clear Gamat Bay. In the afternoon, visit the unmissable Angel's Billabong natural infinity pool, walk the arch at Broken Beach, and hike down to the famous Kelingking Cliff viewpoint (T-Rex shaped cliff — one of the most photographed spots in all of Indonesia). Start early — the roads are rough and distances are longer than they appear.

🚌Private driver for the day ~£25-30 (strongly recommended on Nusa Penida due to terrain), or join a group tour (~£30-40 all-inclusive via GetYourGuide/Klook)

🛏Arsa Santhi Nusa Penida or equivalent (~£20-30/night)

• →Morning snorkelling at Manta Bay (Manta Point) — manta ray sightings (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide)
• →Snorkelling at crystal-clear Gamat Bay (often included in same tour)
• →Angel's Billabong natural rock pool (free, accessible by road)
• →Broken Beach natural arch viewpoint (free)
• →Kelingking Cliff viewpoint and beach hike (free — allow 1hr for descent/ascent)

Take a morning fast boat from Nusa Penida back to Sanur (~£6-8), then Grab taxi back to Seminyak (~£7). Spend the afternoon exploring any remaining spots — La Plancha beach bar, Seminyak Square, or a beachside massage (~£8-12/hr). Tonight is your last night in Bali — celebrate with a final dinner and drinks on the Seminyak strip. Double Six Beach at sunset followed by dinner at Sarong or Merah Putih is a great shout.

🚌Fast boat Nusa Penida to Sanur ~£6-8, then Grab taxi to Seminyak ~£7

🛏The Capital Hotel Seminyak or equivalent (~£20-35/night)

• →Morning fast boat from Nusa Penida to Sanur (~£6-8)
• →Grab taxi back to Seminyak (~£7)
• →Afternoon at La Plancha beach bar or Seminyak Beach
• →Farewell dinner and night out on the Seminyak strip

Enjoy a final breakfast in Seminyak — Revolver Espresso or Biku are brilliant spots. When you're ready to head to the airport, use Grab or Gojek for a reliable and affordable taxi to Denpasar Airport (~30-45 mins from Seminyak, ~£6-9). Allow extra time during peak hours. Safe travels!

🚌Grab/Gojek taxi from Seminyak to Denpasar Airport ~30-45 mins, ~£6-9

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Final breakfast at Revolver Espresso or a local warung
• →Last-minute shopping at Seminyak Square or Seminyak Village mall
• →Grab/Gojek taxi to Denpasar Airport (~£6-9)