More than just a hotspot for Australian expats and matcha-sipping yogis, Bali is one of the most beautiful islands in all of Indonesia, if not South East Asia. Crammed full of magnificent waterfalls, almost never ending stretches of pristine beach sand, home to the humble Bali smoothie bowl and jammed with temples, Bali is a pretty magical place. But what if you only have a week to visit the ‘Island of the Gods’? No problem! We’ve slimmed down all the sights for you, and curated the perfect 7 days Bali itinerary.
Don’t love all of our (very well-researched and personally tested) recommendations for Bali? You could also consider adding places like Uluwatu, Nusa Dua or the Nusa Islands of Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan to your Bali itinerary. You might even want to tag on a few days to visit nearby Java, Gili Islands or Lombok, the latter of which has some of the best surfing we’ve ever seen, and some great Instragram spots like the Lombok pink beach.
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What does the perfect 7 days Bali itinerary look like?
What is a good way to spend 7 days in Bali? Well we’ve picked our favourite activities after spending a month in Bali to provide you with the best 7 day itinerary. Something that is achievable but, also showcases what to do in Bali.
- Day 1 – Canggu | Temples, surfing and socialising
- Day 2 – Day trip to Nusa Penida
- Day 3 – Seminyak | Spas & Sunsets
- Day 4 – Munduk | Waterfall hiking
- Day 5 – Munduk to Ubud | Wanagiri Hidden Hills, Sekumpul Waterfall & Rice Terraces
- Day 6 – Ubud | Rice Terraces, Temples, monkeys & more…
- Day 7 – Ubud | Exploring the waterfalls
Why go to Bali?
So, we are assuming that you’ve landed on this page as you’re already set on spending one week in Bali. Excellent choice. This insanely amazing island in the Lesser Sunda Islands is a must-visit when in Indonesia. But just in case you’re also looking at other options, here are some of the reasons why you should make Bali your next holiday destination.
- With a booming tourist scene since the 1980s, Bali is really well set up for tourism. So whether you are looking to relax, party hard or go out and explore the wilderness, Bali has it all.
- The accommodation options are incredible – whether you’re earning in $, £ or €s it doesn’t matter. You’ll get huge bang for your buck. The quality of the accommodation for the price point is potentially the best in Southeast Asia – so if you’re looking for luxury at affordable prices, look no further.
- Alongside the cheap accommodation costs, you’re also in luck with flights, with great deals from many countries to Bali! Check out how cheap the flights can be here!
- Although it is a relatively small island, and even with the amount of tourism, there are still many unexplored areas. From the beaches in the north to the hillside towns, if you want to get away from the crowds, you really can.
- If you’re keen on a bit of a retreat, the spas, Bali yoga retreats and healthy food options are world class. What’s more it that Bali now has a burgeoning ‘functional’ fitness side, so you won’t miss out on your regular Crossfit session.
- The beaches are stunning; from black volcanic to virgin white – there are absolutely beautiful ones around. What’s more – there is amazing diving and snorkelling sites all around Bali. Looking to swim with Manta Rays ? Head to Nusa Penida. Looking for turtles and sharks? You’ll find them around Nusa Lembongan.
- If you’re looking to go trekking, or ever wanting to visit the crater of an active volcano, Bali offers that – and so many more amazing walks. It’s also a hop, skip and a jump to neighbouring Java, to do some pretty incredible hikes.
- Then, of course, there are the waterfalls – easy to reach through lush forests, Bali has some of the most stunning Instagrammable waterfalls in the world.
Is 7 days in Bali enough?
Although Bali is a relatively small island, there are so many hot spots to visit that you of course spend weeks or months here. There is a huge digital nomad community that do just that. And we wouldn’t be surprised after your holiday if you’d also consider just that – we are seriously contemplating it ourselves!
However, with the 7 days Bali itinerary that we’ve created, we believe that you can see most of the very best spots. Well, at least, it’s definitely enough to make you wanting to come back for more.
Getting from Bali to the Nusa’s, Gili’s & Lombok
If you’re looking to travel from Bali over to the neighbouring beautiful Lombok or fancy some low key island life on the Gili Islands, check out Bookaway for the latest ferry options. We really enjoy the 24 hour support that you get – just added peace of mind… and also many routes they offer have great cancellation policies – which is a bit of a relief, when you need to change travel plans. Trust us, that happens more frequently than you’d expect.
They also have options for trips to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida – both places that we loved.
Travel Insurance for Bali
Got your travel insurance booked? We promise to never push a brand or product we don’t personally use, and the travel cover from Safety Wing is a policy we don’t just use, but we highly recommend. They offer some of the most flexible policies, amazing customer service and are affordable too.
Check out the latest travel insurance prices with Safety Wing here.
Day 1 – Canggu
So landing into Bali, and probably on the back of a relatively long flight (unless you’re coming over from somewhere else in Southeast Asia), we’d recommend that you first head to Canggu, to rest up, relax, explore some of the best beaches in the area and really get yourself into the Bali vibe.
Tanah Lot Temple
One of the most iconic spots in all of Bali, so a great way to start off your itinerary. The ancient Hindu temple, only rivalled by the nearby Uluwatu Temple is set on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the ocean – making it a great spot to explore and take some unbelievable photographs. If you get there early in the morning, you’ll probably have the place to yourself. It gets pretty busy each night around sunset.
By the way, if you are heading to Uluwatu Temple, you should check out the traditional fire dance, known as a Kecak Dance. It’s quite the spectacle and one of the top things to do in Bali with kids.
Cost for entrance: 60,000 IDR per person (4.25 USD/3.25 GBP).
Learn to Surf
Or, if you’re already an expert wave runner, check out one of Canggu’s surf spots like Echo Beach or Batu Bolong. For beginners, you’ll probably also head to Batu Bolong since it has slow-moving waves that are great for newbies or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, get yourself and your board to Old Man’s Surf Spot or Berawa Beach.
If you don’t fancy surfing, there are plenty of other water sports you can sink your teeth into.
Chill out at one of the beach bars
So Canggu has some of the best beach bars in Bali. So what better way to spend the afternoon than relaxing at one of these, grabbing a bit of lunch and listening to some good music (disclaimer: Bali loves reggae and lounge music, so expect these!). There are quite a few famous beach bars dotted around the Canggu shore, like Finn’s, The Lawn and Panama. However, we visited the recently opened Café del Mar, which was the perfect spots for some snacks, a gorgeous sunset and some people-watching.
It’s a smart idea to book an area ahead of time as many of these places get pretty busy, especially in high season.
Head to Old Man’s to party
And for the final spot on day 1 of your Bali itinerary, you have to check out Old Man’s at Batu Bolong Beach– it’s a Canggu institution.
Be ready to dance on tables, and party into the early hours of the morning.
How to get from the airport
The best way to get from the airport to Canggu, is to book a private transfer. We used them when we landed in Bali and found them to be really great – waiting for us with our names, and also sorted us out a pre-loaded data SIM card for us to use on our trip.
Where to stay in Canggu
There are some amazing places to stay in Bali, and Canggu is no exception. Here are some of our favourite places:
Budget: There are loads of great budget villas and hotels to choose, but with amazing reviews, a pool, good wifi and great social areas, we’d recommend Indahbali Guesthouse.
Mid-range: If you’re looking for a really relaxing place, with great amenities and great location, check out Tapa Tepi Kali by Pramana.
Luxury: Set right near Echo Beach, Theanna Eco Villa and Spa offers full on luxury. You’ll get your own little villa, with a private pool and access to all amenities that you’d expect at a 5* resort.
Day 2 – Nusa Penida day trip
For day two of your one week Bali itinerary, we’d recommend that you take a day trip to one of the most beautiful islands just a few miles shy of Bali. Bali is actually a province that is made up of Bali itself, along with Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. And today’s day trip takes you to the latter, largest, most beautiful of the three: Nusa Penida.
One of the most Instragammable places in the world, there are numerous places to visit, and if time allowed, we’d really suggest that you book some time to further explore Nusa Penida, along with the other two smaller islands. One day is enough to do the key sights but you could really spend a few days in this area.
You’ll need to plan that day carefully though, and these are the places that you must have on your list:
Angels Billabong
A natural crystal clear tide pool, that is best seen at low tides – so well worth check the best time to go and see the rock pools. At higher tide and also during bad weather, they close Angels Billabong so you can’t go down into the pools. At low tide you are able to take a dip in the refreshing pools that have been created from countless years of waves bashing the rocks.
Broken Beach
Set right next to Angels Billabong is the second location for the day – Broken Beach. Turns out this is actually not a beach that you can get down to, but a circular cliff walk that takes you over a natural bridge or archway, which has been created by the waves breaking through the rocks to create a beautiful cove.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach, also known as the T-Rex, has become somewhat of a must-see Instagram location and Indonesian landmark. And quite rightly so, as it is an absolutely stunning natural view point. We were even lucky enough to see a number of manta rays swimming just off the beach on the day we arrived.
The walk down (and back up) from the actual beach takes around an hour, and is not an easy hike or climb – especially if you aren’t great with heights. There are only bamboo handrails and some interesting steps to navigate, so definitely not one for the faint hearted. Although on the beach you are rewarded with a stunning, more secluded experience to enjoy.
Keep in mind: Due to its popularity, it can get very crowded at the top viewpoint. In some ways, this ruined our personal experience of Kelingking beach since it was heaving with people when we arrived. Really a classic case of over-tourism and the impact that ‘Instagram hotspots’ can have on previously hidden gems.
Diamond Beach
Probably our favourite beach on Nusa Penida, Diamond Beach is another spot that has found fame through Instagram – with many people arriving there just to take the photo at the top of the stairs.
But out of all the climbs down, this was the one that we really thought was worth it! Although it can be a little hairy in a couple of places, the stairs are better secured than at Kelingking and there is a more robust rope/bollard handrail in place.
Warning: The sea here can be very strong, and there are also some pretty decent currents – we would avoid doing anything more than paddling in the shallows. A couple of weeks before we were there, unfortunately a man was dragged out to sea and drowned. It is a very remote area so no boats were able to get to him for over an hour.
Rumah Pohon Tree House
Also in the same area as Diamond Beach is our last suggested place to visit. Yup, you guessed it: another spot that has become very Instagram popular in the last year or so – The Nusa Penida or Rumah Pohon Tree House. The Tree House is perched on the top of the Thousand Island viewpoint looking back towards Diamond Beach and is well worth the trip there.
Good to know: The Tree House has recently added 100K IDR ‘entrance fee’ for anyone who wants to visit and take some photos. I guess the question is, is that worth it to you?
The Tree House is actually somewhere you can stay too, so if you don’t mind all the crowds, this could be a really unique experience!
Booking a Nusa Penida Day Tour
Although you can jump on the boat over to Nusa Penida and then hire a motorbike to do a tour yourself, be warned that the roads are extremely difficult to drive in Nusa Penida. Unless you have a dirt bike or have been riding a scooter for years, we’d strongly recommend against this option. Instead, it’s much better to have a driver who will take you around the island.
Here’s an excellent tour that we’d personally recommend.
Optional extra: Swimming with manta rays at Manta Point
So this is a once in a lifetime experience, and for us a total bucket list thing – to swim with some of the ocean’s gentle giants, manta rays. You’re likely to see manta rays at Manta Point all year round, so really worth considering adding a snorkelling tip in Nusa Penida into your 7 days Bali itinerary.
Here is a great option to consider with Get Your Guide.
If you’re also a keen scuba diver this is meant to be a fantastic experience – unfortunately we only did the snorkelling trip as we had already planned to scuba dive on Gili Trawangan (part of the Gili islands).
For day two of this 7 day itinerary, we’d recommend that you stay for your second night in Canggu – although with our next stop, Seminyak, just down the road you could also book your accommodation for Day 2 here. It really depends on your luggage – it’s suggested to leave your luggage in Canggu while you do your day trip.
Day 3 – Seminyak
A little down the road from Canggu, you’ll find the slightly more exclusive area of Seminyak, which is where we would recommend that you spend Day 3 of your week in Bali. We’ve only accounted for one day here, but you could easily spend 3 days in Seminyak, or more!
Relax with a Spa Treatment or Massage
Definitely start your day off at one of the world class spa or massage centres in Seminyak. Let’s be real, you’re on holiday and need to spend a little time enjoying the little things in life, right? So go on treat yourself – you’ll definitely want a bit of relaxation after the full day exploring of Nusa Penida. Here is a great guide to some of the best spa’s in Seminyak.
Tuck into some Nasi Campur at Nook
You can’t come to Indonesia and not eat the lipsmackingly good local food. And some of the best to be found is undoubtedly at Nook Eatery. Nook has a few branches across Bali but this Seminyak spot is one of the best. We’d recommend you dine on Nasi Campur, which essentially means ‘mixed rice’ and is a mix of all the side dishes they have on hand.
If you’re not keen on Indonesia food they also have an extensive Western menu with favourites like smashed avo toast and eggs benedict.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at the Potato Head Beach Club
Three restaurants, three bars and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, what more could you want? Since it opened in 2010, The Potato Head Beach Club has become the place to go in Seminyak – and what better way to spend an afternoon than enjoying more delicious food, a few drinks and watching the sunset?
Where to stay in Seminyak
Budget: If you’re looking for a great little homestay, with clean rooms, a pool and centrally located, have a look at Rusty Seminyak.
Mid-range: Just 5 minutes from the beach, and amazing rooms, you really can’t get better than Kamar Kamar Rumah Tamu for the price range.
Luxury: Not worried about the budget? Why not stay at Deas Potato Head, the Katamama Suites there look insane.
How to get from Seminyak to Munduk
We’d definitely suggest that you get a taxi from Munduk – it’ll take a couple of hours but worth getting there early, dropping you bags and beating the morning rush hour! The taxi will probably cost around 350, 000 IDR (25 USD/19 GBP).
Day 4 – Munduk
This morning head to Munduk, a small hillside village in the north of Bali. Munduk is one of the newer up and coming stars on the Bali tourist trail, offering you a quieter option to busy Canggu and also boasting some of the most incredible waterfalls you’ll ever clap eyes on. The town itself doesn’t have much in the way of shopping but it does have some very authentic (and delicious) local warungs (restaurants), plus great hiking at the Twin Lakes nearby.
Golden Valley Waterfall
Today, is all about walking the waterfalls that are really close to Munduk village. Once, you’ve dropped your bags at your accommodation, ask them to drop you at the starting point for this waterfall walk, the Golden Valley entrance. We’ll be honest – Golden Valley is the least impressive out of all the falls (although it’s still incredible), but it’s a strategic starting point since you can get a strong cup of coffee at the Eco Café, a tiny eatery overlooking the falls, or even munch on some breakfast to give you energy for your upcoming waterfall hike.
Hiking difficulty: Easy – 10 minutes without many stairs.
Swimming options: None. A waterfall for viewing rather than swimming.
Facilities: There is a toilet at the café that you can use for free if purchasing something or for a small donation.
Cost: 10,000 IDR (0.70 USD / 0.50 GBP)
Munduk Waterfall/Red Coral Waterfall
Try to get to Red Coral waterfall as early as you can – when we arrived, the entire place was deserted, but it can get a little busier by mid-morning…
Red Coral waterfall is beautiful since it’s a single stream fall which is flanked by gorgeous greenery, and usually is quite shaded (great when the heat is on!).
Hiking difficulty: Pretty easy – all gentle downhill with very few stairs. There is a slightly precarious bamboo bridge at the end of the hike, but nothing too difficult to manage.
Swimming options: You can get a lovely picture from the pool at the bottom of the waterfall but there are no real areas where you could swim.
Cost: 20,000 IDR (1.40 USD / 1 GBP)
Labuhan Kebo Waterfall
Labuhan Kebo has one of the best swimming areas on the walk, so the perfect place to cool off. It is a hugely impressive fall with a lot of spray! It has a large pool at the base of the waterfall which is ideal for pictures, feeding into two larger rock pools.
Hiking difficulty: Easy – it’s about 10 minutes between Red Coral and Labuhan Kebo before you need to descend about 100 steps down to the waterfall itself.
Swimming options: This is the best place to swim on this hike. The two rock pools are relatively shallow but deep enough to splash about in.
Facilities: There is a toilet block nearby where you can change into your swimming gear.
Cost: 10,000 IDR (0.70 USD / 0.50 GBP)
Melanting Waterfall
Melanting Waterfall was our favourite of the day, since it is the most powerful of the falls and so not surprisingly the most impressive. There are some good areas to sit and chill at, and you’ll likely have the place completely to yourself.
Hiking difficulty: Medium. Accessed via 470 quite steep stairs. But the great news is that you don’t have to climb back up these!
Swimming options: Not really. Like most of the others, there is of course the waterfall pool that you can get into but as it’s the most powerful you won’t get in very far. At least the spray is cooling.
Cost: 10, 000 IDR (0.70 USD / 0.50 GBP)
That’s the end of the Munduk waterfalls route that’s accessible from the village itself. From here just head back away from the waterfalls (not up the stairs!), on the path which will take you back to the village.
The waterfall route takes about 2 – 3 hours, depending on how long you take at each waterfall. We’d definitely recommend that you try and get this done nice and early in the morning to get away from the heat of the day.
If you’re still keen to get out and about in the afternoon, then why not get a taxi to take you to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls? It’s about 30 minutes drive from Munduk but well worth it!
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
A double stream, Banyumala Twin Waterfall is an incredibly impressive sight and a must-stop if doing a Munduk waterfall tour. The waterfall rock pool is the ideal spot to have a swim! It’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Bali, let alone Munduk, which makes it worth getting slightly off the beaten track to get to this Bali hidden gem.
Hiking difficulty: It takes about 15 – 20 minutes to get down to the waterfall but the paths weren’t the best maintained.
Swimming options: There is a moderately-sized pool at the base that’s perfect to take a quick dip in.
Cost: 30,000 IDR (2.10 USD / 1.50 GBP) per person and 2,000 IDR for parking.
Where to stay in Munduk
If you’re on a budget, Munduk village is a dream. Most Munduk hotels and homestays offer you fantastic value for money and many have great options for dining too. Here are our best three picks for a variety of price ranges:
Budget: We stayed at Nadya Homestay, and loved it! It was super clean with large rooms, hot showers and a great view. Worth noting it has no aircon though! This was fine in the evenings, since they are cool.
Mid-range: The village doesn’t have too many mid-range options. That said, Lesong Hotel is a stunning place. A bit further out of town but offers a great place to relax and get away from it.
Luxury: If you can afford it, and can get a reservation there is only one place to stay in Munduk, the Munduk Moding Plantation. The stuff dreams are made of.
Day 5 – Munduk to Ubud
For day 5 of your 7 day Bali itinerary, we suggest that you book an all-day transfer – essentially you can book a driver for 10 hours and they’ll take you to wherever you want to go. It’s like booking a taxi, but you get to use it for the whole day. Somewhere safe to keep your luggage while you go off exploring the sites but – surprisingly – still an affordable way to travel. Check out the cost here.
We’ve got a fantastic itinerary for you between Munduk and Ubud – this one is an absolute cracker, so read on!
Wanagiri Hidden Hills
First stop, and not too far outside of Munduk is Wanagiri Hidden Hills. This is one of the new ‘selfie parks’ that are popping up all over the world. Set overlooking the Twin Lakes, this is the perfect place to get some wonderful photographs with yourself sat in a Bali Swing, birds nest, boats and many more…
Cost: Entrance is 100,000 IDR (7 USD / 5.50 GBP) per person. However, this includes the assistance of the staff to set up and take the perfect Instagram shots. Very handy!
We’ve actually put together a full overview of what to expect – have a read of our review on Wanagiri Hidden Hills.
Twin Lakes Viewpoint
Right next to Wanagiri Hidden Hills, you’ll find a raised platform that will give you the perfect photo of the Twin Lakes (Tamblingan Lake and Buyan Lake) – the Twin Lakes Viewpoint! There are quite a few roadside stalls near the viewpoint so you can pick up some cold drinks and snacks for the day! If you are able to spend a few more days in Munduk, we’d actually recommend you spend one day trekking around the Twin Lakes themselves. This can be done without a guide, and is a lovely day out, getting some fresh air in those lungs!
We’ve got a full article on the Twin Lakes Bali if you want to read more, including details on the viewpoint and hiking or trekking options.
Sekumpul Waterfall
Another waterfall, but this one for us is an absolute must – potentially the best in Bali! What’s more is that access to Sekumpul actually gives you access to two of Indonesia’s most impressive waterfalls in one area: Sekumpul and Fiji waterfalls.
We’ve handily also got a full review of what to expect when visiting the Sekumpul waterfall.
If you don’t want to read our full guide we’ll say this: Sekumpul waterfall is an expensive stop (about 200,000 IDR / 14.25 USD / 11 GBP) but for us, even as budget travellers, it was worth every penny. With the exception of Krka waterfalls in Croatia, this is the best waterfall we’ve ever seen.
Handara Gate
Another place that’s quite Insta-famous is the Handara Gate. Essentially this is the entrance to a golf estate that became pretty renowned for photographs using a reflective surface or ‘mirror’ as an optical illusion.
This Insta spot can get very busy; your waiting time for that perfect picture could be up to an hour (or more). But if you’re dead set on capturing that Bali image, then head to Handara Gate. We actually decided to skip this as we were able to get similar pictures at a temple in Lovina!
Pura Ulun Danu Temple
While we’re on the subject of temples, very near Wanagiri Hidden Hills is the Bali Botanical Garden and also the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. This is a water temple which has a lot of religious significance for the local Bali people and so usually attracts many people wanting to visit the temple. It’s a pretty beautiful place with lots of photo opportunities.
Cost: Entrance is 10,000 IDR (0.75 USD / 0.50 GBP) per person.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Since you’re heading to Ubud next you might wonder why we’re suggesting you head to rice terraces near Munduk, since surely the Ubud Tegalang Rice Terraces are beautiful enough? Well that’s because Jatiluwih actually means ‘real beautiful’, and these rice terraces truly live up to their name. Over 600 hectares of bright green rice plantations, this place has to be seen to be believed.
Plus it’s on your way, so why miss out? You can hike here or just take lots of postcard-ready pictures.
The entrance fee is 40,000 IDR ( 2.75 USD / 2.25 GBP) per person.
Day 6 – Ubud
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Kick off your first day in Ubud by visiting the ‘other’ rice terraces: the Tegalalang Rice Terraces! It’s one of our favourite places in Ubud and handily located only 20 minutes north of Ubud centre; an easy meander on the back of a motorbike.
We’d suggest you get there as early as possible to make sure you get to the rice paddies when it’s empty and the lighting is spot on. We arrived at 7.30am and there were only a few other people around, although we’ve heard that by 9.00am it’s not as secluded.
These sensational rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see, and make for some epic photographs. What’s even better is that they are entirely free! You might be asked to pay a ‘donation’ for some of the viewpoints, or of course to get onto the Bali swing but even if you don’t, you’ll find more than enough to keep you occupied for an hour or two.
Insider tip: Watch your step! The rice fields are full of murky water – one wrong foot and you’re covered in mud.
Pura Tirta Empul
Just a few kilometres past the Tegalalang rice terraces is the Hindu water temple of Tirta Empul Temple. Built around a fresh water source over 1, 000 years ago this temple boasts two bathing pools renowned for their holy water, which you can enter if you’re keen on doing a ritual purification.
Entrance to the temple costs 15,000 IDR (1 USD / 0.80 GBP). This also includes the rental of a sarong, which is compulsory even if you’re already wearing long trousers or a skirt.
If you’d like to take part in the purification ritual you will also need to rent an extra sarong which will set you back another 25K IDR (1.75 USD / 1.40 GBP) incl. use of a locker, and expect to give a donation for guidance on the ritual and an offering (a critical part of the ritual).
Pura Gunung Kawi
Just around the corner from Pura Tirta Empul, you will drive past Pura Gunung Kawi, a stunning 1,000 year old temple complex and cemetery. The temple is most famous for the enormous rock carvings that line the walls around the Hindu temple. Although it’s worth noting that it’s a decent climb down to this temple – over 350 steps stone steps; enough to get a real sweat on!
Entrance fee for the temple is 15,000 IDR (1 USD / 0.80 GBP) and you also need to rent a sarong.
Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
It’s a must-visit in Ubud for most: Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana or, as it’s better known, the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Actually over 10, 000 people visit the estate every month, trying to get a glimpse of the very friendly monkeys that live there.
The sanctuary has five varieties of monkeys but also has three temples on the grounds, so you can also visit these as you walk along the river bank.
A word of warning for you: keep your belongings safe! Over the years, the monkeys have turned into cute, hairy pickpockets! They’ll grab anything they can – your hat, your sunglasses, that expensive DSLR camera you spent your savings on. So try to go without any of those, or keep them hidden. What’s more, if you decide to buy bananas to feed them, keep in mind that the monkeys might get too close to comfort. They have been a few occasions when monkeys have bitten the guests; a sobering reality since many of them carry herpes. Just be smart about your visit.
The entrance fee is 80,000 IDR (5.50 USD / 4.50 GBP) for adults and 60,000 IDR (4.25 USD / 3.25 GBP) for children.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Last stop of the day is to see a Bali sunset (are there any better?!) on the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
This walk is handily right near the town centre of Ubud so you don’t even need to venture very far. Just get to the bridge, walk down to the small stream below and then up and over the hills. The Campuhan Ridge Walk will take you about 45 minutes and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the rice fields, temples and all of Ubud.
The walk is free (no cost of entry), and can be done in flip flops but we’d highly recommend more sturdy shoes.
Getting around Ubud
You can rent a motorbike from your hotel or hostel for about 70,000 IDR (5 USD / 3.75 GBP) per day excluding fuel. Please just ensure that you have a valid international driver’s licence before heading out and wear a helmet!
One thing to also keep in mind is that Ubud, like most of Bali, has a bit of a local ‘taxi war’ going on. What that means is that most of the online taxi services like Gojek or Grab can’t operate in the town. Even if you try to book them through the app, they will either not be able to pick you up at your location, or you’ll face an angry local taxi warden who isn’t afraid to tell you off. You usually need to use the local taxi rank or flag down one on the road; remember to still negotiate though!
Where to stay in Ubud
Budget: The best budget pick is undoubtedly Puji Hostel, mainly for it’s location and beautiful pool overlooking the rice fields. Dorm rooms are clean and quite spacious for the price.
Mid-range: We were very happy with our stay at Kubu Rama Cottage, located about 5 minutes drive outside of Ubud. The property includes well-appointed rooms, a refreshing pool, delicious breakfast and we really enjoyed being out of the manic town centre, but also able to access it easily via bike.
Luxury: Coming out on top is probably Goya Boutique Resort, a plush resort near the Monkey Forest which has an incredible pool, world-class spa and luxurious suites.
Day 7 – Ubud
Tegenungan Waterfall
Hopefully you didn’t get your full fix of waterfall hopping in Munduk, since the final day of your 1 week Bali trip is again about waterfall chasing. Trust us though: the waterfalls near Ubud are still worth it!
Make sure you’re up early and get out to Tegenungan waterfall to beat the crowds. We arrived at the waterfall at about 7.00am and there was literally no one else around. As we arrived, the sun was just peeking out from behind the top of Tegenungan and with the water gushing down to the base and birds chirping in the nearby trees, we were overwhelmed by the lush greenery of this awe-inspiring waterfall.
Hiking difficulty: Easy. It takes 5- 10 minutes to get down and there are even some really cute viewpoints to stop at, including a bamboo nest, heart-shaped frames and – of course – a Bali swing.
Swimming options: You can swim at Tegenungan but be careful.
Facilities: There is a toilet block, lockers, and small restaurants
Cost: 20,000 IDR per person (1.50 USD / 1 GBP.
Goa Gajah Elephant Cave
Dating back to the 11th century, this ‘cave temple’ of Goa Gajah is worth spending a few minutes at, especially as it’s an easy point between Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo waterfall, your next stop. It is thought to have been used as a sanctuary for Hindu priests, and boasts some water features, the actual Elephant Cave temple, and some small gardens.
Entrance for the temple is 50,000 IDR per person (3.50 USD / 2.75 GBP).
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
So onto the second waterfall for the day. We’ll be honest with you: this isn’t our favourite waterfall in Bali but it’s probably the ideal place to get a waterfall ‘Instagram’ shot if that’s your thing.
These falls are very broad, making the perfect picture of water gushing down around you. The trick is that if you want to get this ‘Insta-perfect’ picture you’ll need your photographer to get down into the water below. There’s not much else to do at this waterfall except capture this picture so we’d recommend you get it, and you move on…
Hiking difficulty: Easy. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk down. That said, the steps at the bottom are very slippery so take care
Swimming options: You have to swim to be able to take your picture, but there isn’t much space to do more than just wade around
Facilities: There are changing rooms and toilets on the way down, and a food stall at the top in the parking lot.
Cost: 20,000 IDR per person (1.50 USD / 1 GBP)
Tibumana Waterfall
Now we’re talking: our favourite waterfall near Ubud – Tibumana! We loved Tibumana since you can spend time swimming here, and just relax after quite a morning of waterfall-hopping. It’s also a very lush, well-maintained waterfall and the walk down to this waterfall feels like you’re in a dream, surrounded by lush vegetation and birds in the trees.
Hiking difficulty: Easy. Study concrete steps and lovely paths; maybe 100-150 stairs.
Swimming options: You can swim in the waterfall pool; in fact we highly recommend it.
Facilities: Lockers and toilets although they aren’t the best maintained.
Cost: 15, 000 IDR (1 USD / 0.80 GBP) per person.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
It’s the final stop in Bali and we’re sure you’re already itching to see more. Well, Tukad Cepung is a great swan song for you, as it’s one of the most unique waterfalls on the entire island of Bali.
This one is set in a cave, which you access through a short walk. It’s quite something to turn the corner and see this powerful waterfall before you; particularly if you time it right and the light is streaming in from above.
This one is becoming famous too so you might not be alone, but we promise the view is well worth dodging a few other well-meaning tourists.
Hiking difficulty: Easy. You will need to cross some shallow water and a slightly precarious bamboo bridge, but this isn’t too difficult
Swimming options: There is not much room for swimming here.
Facilities: Toilets at the parking area, and a small café available.
Cost: 15, 000 IDR (1 USD / 0.80 GBP) per person.
Getting around the waterfalls near Ubud
All of the falls on this list are within easy reach of the town and can be done on a motorbike or scooter trip. As we’ve recommended before, if you’re not comfortable on a motorbike or even just can’t stomach the distances on the back of one, we recommend hiring a private driver. We did this all over Bali, and can’t recommend the ones from Get your Guide enough – they have safe, friendly drivers plus you’re assured your trip will take place (unlike other operators we used on the island).
If you’re looking for a 3 day itinerary for Ubud, we have a more in-depth guide here or if you’d like more information on the waterfalls near Ubud, why not check out this guide?
So that wraps up our 7 days Bali itinerary. It’s been an absolute doozy for us to put together and possibly for you to read, but we hope it’s given you everything you need to have a fantastic week in one of the most beautiful, fascinating islands in all of Asia. Did we miss anything? Anything changed since we last stopped in Bali? Let us know in the comments below or get in touch with us here.
What’s the best time of year to go to Bali?
With Bali located so close to the equator, you are always going to get warm (or hot), and humid weather whatever time of year you visit. However, there are two distinct seasons in Bali – the wet and dry seasons.
Another consideration is also when it is high and low season in Bali – as not surprisingly during high season, the costs rise and finding great accommodation becomes just a little tougher.
The dry season for Bali starts in April and ends with the monsoon’s arrival in November. However, with July and August being peak tourism months (alongside December and January) we’d suggest you also avoid these. Leaving two times in the year as the best to visit – April through June and September to October.
October may be considered a ‘shoulder’ month with potential for some rain. However we were there for a month this year between September and October and can’t remember being rained on once!
What camera equipment and other gear do we use?
We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.
- Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
- Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
- GoPro: Hero 7 Black
- GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
- GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
- Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
- Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
- Powerbank: Anker Powercore
- Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
- Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
- Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
- Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
- Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4
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