Bali Self-Launched Experience: 15 Days

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Indonesia offers a free 30-day visa on arrival for most nationalities — simply queue at the VOA counter on arrival. Take a metered Blue Bird taxi or pre-book a Grab car to your accommodation in Seminyak (roughly £5–8). Spend the evening settling in, exploring the beach strip, and grabbing dinner at a local warung. No activities are planned today — rest up.

🚌Grab app or Blue Bird taxi from airport to Seminyak, ~£5–8

🛏Katamama Hostel or Seminyak Square Hostel — dorm beds from ~£10/night, private rooms from ~£20

• →Arrive at DPS airport and clear VOA (free for most nationalities)
• →Take Grab or Blue Bird taxi to Seminyak (~£5–8)
• →Explore Seminyak beach strip at your own pace
• →Dinner at a local warung on Jl. Kayu Aya

Hire a scooter (~£5/day) or book a shared day-trip to Uluwatu via Klook (~£12–15). Visit the dramatic cliffside Uluwatu Temple — entry is around £2, and sarongs are loaned free at the gate. Stay for the Kecak fire dance at sunset (£6, book on-site or via GetYourGuide). Head back to Seminyak for sunset drinks at a beach club — La Plancha or Ku De Ta offer stunning sunsets without the premium of INTRO's private booking. Try a Bahasa Indonesia lesson on YouTube or pick up a free phrasebook PDF — locals love the effort.

🚌Scooter hire (~£5/day) or shared Klook day trip to Uluwatu (~£12–15 including transport)

🛏Katamama Hostel or Seminyak Square Hostel

• →Visit Uluwatu Temple (~£2 entry)
• →Watch the Kecak Fire Dance at sunset (~£6)
• →Try basic Bahasa Indonesian phrases — free online resources
• →Canang sari (offering) making experience — often offered free at temples or via Klook for ~£8
• →Sunset drinks at La Plancha beach bar, Seminyak

Bali is one of the world's best places to learn to surf. Book a 2-hour beginner surf lesson directly with local schools on the beach at Kuta or Canggu — prices are highly negotiable in person and far cheaper than through a tour operator. Rip Curl School of Surf and Odysseys Surf School both offer reputable lessons with Balinese instructors. Spend the afternoon exploring Canggu's café scene — a rite of passage for any Bali backpacker.

🚌Scooter hire or Grab to Kuta/Canggu (~£3–5 each way)

🛏Katamama Hostel or Seminyak Square Hostel

• →2-hour beginner surf lesson with Balinese instructor (~£15–20 booked direct)
• →Practice on the waves independently in the afternoon (board rental ~£5/hr)
• →Explore Canggu's cafés and beach clubs

This is a big travel day — hire a private driver for the day (~£30–35 shared between travellers you meet, or solo) to take you through the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (entry ~£3), a local Luwak coffee plantation (free to visit, just buy a coffee for ~£3), and Sekumpul or Gitgit Waterfall (~£2 entry) on the way up to Lovina. Alternatively, rent a scooter if you're confident on Bali's roads. Arrive in Lovina by early evening.

🚌Private driver for the day (~£30–35 solo, less if split) or scooter hire (~£5/day)

🛏Angsoka Hotel Lovina or Suma Hotel — guesthouses from ~£12/night

• →Explore Jatiluwih UNESCO Rice Terraces (~£3 entry)
• →Visit a Luwak coffee plantation and sample coffee (~£3)
• →Stop at Sekumpul or Gitgit Waterfall (~£2 entry)
• →Arrive and settle in Lovina — quieter, more local feel than the south

Wake before sunrise and head to Lovina Beach — local fishermen offer traditional outrigger (jukung) dolphin watching trips departing around 6am. Book directly on the beach the evening before for ~£8–12 per person (the same trips INTRO includes, at a fraction of the cost). Spend the morning relaxing on Lovina's calm black-sand beach. In the afternoon, arrange a traditional Balinese basket-weaving session through your guesthouse or via a local cultural centre — often free or for a small donation.

🚌On foot locally

🛏Angsoka Hotel Lovina or Suma Hotel

• →Pre-dawn outrigger boat dolphin watching trip (~£8–12, booked direct on the beach)
• →Relax on Lovina's black-sand beach
• →Balinese basket-weaving experience (arrange via guesthouse, ~£5–10 donation)

Take a shared minibus from Lovina south to Serangan or Padang Bai harbour (~£5–8, bookable via your guesthouse the night before), then catch a fast boat to Gili Trawangan (~£20–25 with operators like Eka Jaya or Gili Getaway — book online or at the port). The crossing takes around 1.5–2 hours. There are no motorised vehicles on the Gilis — it's all bicycles and horse carts. Check in, grab a cold Bintang, and explore the island's famous strip of beach bars and warungs. Gili T's nightlife needs no tour guide — just follow the music.

🚌Shared minibus + fast boat (~£25–33 total)

🛏Desa Dunia Beda Hostel or Compressed Hostel Gili T — dorms from ~£10, private rooms from ~£20

• →Transfer south by shared minibus (~£5–8)
• →Fast boat Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan (~£20–25 with Eka Jaya or Gili Getaway)
• →Arrive and explore Gili T's beach strip
• →Experience the famous Gili T nightlife independently

Rent a bicycle (~£3/day) and circumnavigate the island — it takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, with stops at viewpoints, quiet beaches on the east side, and local warungs for fresh coconuts. Spend the afternoon on the white-sand beach, swim in the crystal-clear water, and position yourself for one of Gili T's legendary sunsets. If visiting on a Friday, join the Gili Eco Trust beach clean-up — a great way to meet other travellers while giving back.

🚌Bicycle hire on the island (~£3/day)

🛏Desa Dunia Beda Hostel or Compressed Hostel Gili T

• →Bicycle hire and island circumnavigation (~£3/day)
• →Relax on white sandy beaches
• →Swim and snorkel from shore
• →Friday option: Gili Eco Trust beach clean-up (free, sign up at their hut on the main strip)
• →Sunset drinks on the west-facing beach

Book a shared snorkelling boat trip around the three Gili Islands (Trawangan, Meno, Air) through any beach-front operator or via GetYourGuide — these trips run daily and cost around £18–25 including snorkel gear, typically stopping at 3–4 snorkel sites where sea turtles are commonly spotted. A beachside lunch of grilled fish and rice is usually included or costs ~£4 extra. Spend the final evening on Gili T celebrating — grab dinner from one of the many excellent beach BBQ spots.

🚌Snorkel boat trip included in activity cost

🛏Desa Dunia Beda Hostel or Compressed Hostel Gili T

• →Shared snorkelling boat trip around all three Gili Islands (~£18–25 via GetYourGuide or direct booking)
• →Snorkelling with sea turtles at multiple sites
• →Beachside grilled fish lunch (~£4–6)
• →Farewell drinks on the beach at sunset

Take an early fast boat back to Padang Bai (~£20–25) and arrange an onward shared transfer to Ubud (~£8–10, bookable at the port or via your hostel). Alternatively, book a combined Gili-to-Ubud transfer via Perama Tours for around £25 total. Arrive in Ubud by early afternoon. Spend the rest of the day wandering Ubud's famous art market, the Palace (Puri Saren), and the surrounding rice fields. Grab dinner on Jl. Dewi Sita.

🚌Fast boat + shared transfer (~£28–35 total)

🛏Sama's Cottages or Bisma Sari Bungalows — guesthouses from ~£12, budget hostels from ~£10

• →Fast boat Gili T back to Padang Bai (~£20–25)
• →Shared transfer Padang Bai to Ubud (~£8–10, or Perama Tours combined ~£25)
• →Explore Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) — free exterior viewing, ~£2 for cultural shows
• →Browse Ubud Art Market

Start the morning at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — entry is around £4 and it's best visited early before the crowds. Keep your belongings secure (the macaques are notorious thieves!). In the afternoon, join a Balinese cooking class — Ubud has dozens of excellent options. Casa Luna Cooking School and Paon Bali are highly rated and bookable via GetYourGuide or direct for around £28–35, typically including a market visit, preparation of 5–6 dishes, and eating your creations for lunch.

🚌Walking or bicycle hire (~£3/day) within Ubud

🛏Sama's Cottages or Bisma Sari Bungalows

• →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (~£4 entry, go early)
• →Balinese cooking class including market visit (~£28–35 via GetYourGuide or direct with Casa Luna/Paon Bali)
• →Evening wander through Ubud's rice field walking trails (free)

Book a guided Mount Batur sunrise trek through GetYourGuide or directly with a local trekking company (~£25–35 including transport from Ubud, a guide, and breakfast on the summit). You'll be collected from your accommodation around 2am for the 2-hour drive and 2-hour hike to reach the crater rim at sunrise. The views over the caldera lake and neighbouring volcanoes are breathtaking. Back in Ubud by midday, treat yourself to a traditional Balinese massage — widely available for £6–12/hour on Jl. Hanoman.

🚌Hotel pick-up typically included in trek price

🛏Sama's Cottages or Bisma Sari Bungalows

• →Mount Batur sunrise trek with guide and summit breakfast (~£25–35, book via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators)
• →Sunrise and volcano crater views
• →Traditional Balinese massage in Ubud (~£6–12/hour)

Take a shared transfer or Grab from Ubud to Sanur Beach (~£8–12), then catch a fast boat to Nusa Lembongan — Rocky Fast Cruise and Scoot Ferry both operate regular crossings for around £15–18 (book online or at Sanur port). The crossing takes about 30 minutes. Nusa Lembongan is gloriously relaxed — no traffic, stunning blue water, and great budget accommodation. Check in and head to a clifftop bar for sunset drinks over the bay.

🚌Shared transfer + fast boat (~£23–30 total)

🛏Pondok Baruna Guesthouse or Coconut Beach Resort — guesthouses from ~£12/night

• →Shared transfer Ubud to Sanur (~£8–12)
• →Fast boat Sanur to Nusa Lembongan (~£15–18 via Rocky Fast Cruise or Scoot Ferry)
• →Settle into the island's slow pace
• →Sunset drinks at a clifftop bar

Book a full-day snorkelling boat trip around Nusa Lembongan and neighbouring Nusa Penida directly with local operators at Jungut Batu Beach (~£20–28). Manta ray sightings are common at Manta Point off Nusa Penida's southwest coast, and the snorkelling at Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay is world-class. Lunch is usually included or available for purchase on the boat. Return in the afternoon and explore the island's viewpoints, mangrove forest, and seaweed farms on foot.

🚌Boat trip included in activity cost; on foot and bicycle locally (~£3)

🛏Pondok Baruna Guesthouse or Coconut Beach Resort

• →Full-day snorkelling boat trip to Manta Point and Crystal Bay (~£20–28, booked direct at Jungut Batu beach)
• →Snorkelling with manta rays and tropical fish
• →Explore island viewpoints and mangrove forest (free)

Take a morning fast boat back to Sanur (~£15–18) and arrange a shared transfer to Seminyak (~£8–10) for your final night. Spend the afternoon revisiting your favourite spots, picking up last-minute gifts at the Seminyak boutiques, or relaxing on the beach. For your farewell dinner, head to a beach club — Ku De Ta or Potato Head offer great sunset dining. Then hit the famous Seminyak party strip for one last night out.

🚌Fast boat + shared transfer (~£23–28 total)

🛏Katamama Hostel or Seminyak Square Hostel

• →Fast boat Nusa Lembongan to Sanur (~£15–18)
• →Shared transfer Sanur to Seminyak (~£8–10)
• →Last-minute shopping and beach time
• →Farewell dinner at a beach club (~£20–30 with drinks)
• →Night out on Seminyak's Jl. Oberoi strip

Enjoy a final Balinese breakfast — a nasi goreng at a local warung will set you back around £2. Check out of accommodation and take a Grab car or Blue Bird taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (~£8–12 from Seminyak). Allow at least 3 hours before your flight. If you have a late departure, consider leaving bags at the airport or at your hotel and spending your last hours at Seminyak Beach. Bali will call you back.

🚌Grab or Blue Bird taxi to Ngurah Rai Airport (~£8–12)

🛏Check out

• →Final nasi goreng breakfast at a local warung (~£2)
• →Grab or Blue Bird taxi to DPS airport (~£8–12)
• →Optional: extend your stay — Bali rewards slow travellers