Bali itinerary · 10 days

10 Days in Bali: A Loop Through the Center, East and South

Four bases, rice terraces on two sides of the island, the Gates of Heaven and a reef you can swim to from the beach.

By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 12 November 2026

At a glance

10 days, 4 bases

Ten days lets you loop the center, east and south of Bali without rushing: four nights in Ubud, two on the east coast at Amed, two in Sanur for a Nusa Penida day trip and two in Uluwatu before the flight home. You see the UNESCO rice terraces at Jatiluwih, a volcano sunrise, the Lempuyang gate, two water palaces and the reef at Jemeluk Bay.

The route runs clockwise from the center. Ubud is the base for three different day trips: north to the Tampaksiring temples, west to Jatiluwih and Tanah Lot, and up to Mount Batur. Then you cross to the east coast, where Amed’s black-sand bays sit in the shadow of Mount Agung, and come back down the coast to Sanur by way of the Taman Ujung water palace and the Bali Aga village of Tenganan.

The east is the part most short trips skip. It is quieter, the roads are slower and the reefs start a few meters off the beach. Two nights there is the minimum: one day to arrive by way of Klungkung and Tirta Gangga, and one for Lempuyang at dawn and the water.

Nights: four in Ubud, two in Amed, two in Sanur and two in Uluwatu, flying out on the morning of day eleven. The longest day on the road is day three, with 4–5.5 hours of driving; drop Jatiluwih if you would rather keep it to about three.

First trip to Bali? Start with our first-timer tips. Planning a honeymoon? See the Bali honeymoon guide.

Length: 10 days, 10 nights
Bases: 4 (4 + 2 + 2 + 2 nights)
Pace: Steady, with three pre-dawn starts
Longest drive: Day 3, about 4–5.5 hours in all
Best for: A first long trip, or a return visit that goes beyond the south
Airport to first base: 75–120 min

Where you sleep

Day by day

The plan

Times are a guide: shift a stop if the tide, the weather or a temple ceremony asks for it. Each drive time comes from the visitor guide linked under it.

Day 1: Settle into Ubud

A gentle arrival day in the center of Ubud, all on foot once you have checked in.

Sleep in UbudNight 1 of 4

3 PM
Ubud Art Market
Start here: souvenir stalls across from the palace sell textiles, baskets and carvings until about 5 PM. Entry is free, prices are not fixed, and the same pieces turn up at many stalls. Return before 8 AM one morning to see the produce and offerings market.
Visitor guide : Ubud Art Market
4 PM
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Walk south from the market to a temple forest of about 1,000 long-tailed macaques at the south end of central Ubud. Gates are open 9 AM–6 PM with last entry at 5 PM; adults pay IDR 130,000 (checked Nov 2026). Do not carry food in, and keep sunglasses in your bag.
Visitor guide : Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
7:30 PM
Ubud Palace
The home of Ubud’s royal family, at the main crossroads. Its outer court hosts a Balinese dance with a gamelan orchestra every night at about 7:30 PM. Buy tickets at the gate and arrive early for a seat near the front.
Visitor guide : Ubud Palace

Drive times

Bali airport to central Ubud: 75–120 min; From our Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary guide
Ubud Art Market to Sacred Monkey Forest: 15–20 min on foot; From our Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary guide
Sacred Monkey Forest to Ubud Palace: 15–20 min on foot; From our Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Ubud. Ubud area guide Places to stay in Ubud
Eat: Central Ubud has plenty of places to eat within a short walk of the palace. Where to eat in Ubud

Day 2: The Pakerisan valley temples

Three stops north of Ubud by car, starting at the terraces at 7 AM, in the cool of the morning, back for lunch.

Sleep in UbudNight 2 of 4

7 AM
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
The terraced valley north of Ubud that most photos of Bali’s rice fields show. Arrive by 7 AM, before the day tours, walk the paths into the valley and pay the small fees at the farmers’ booths. You will see working terraces at a larger scale tomorrow at Jatiluwih, so an hour here is enough.
Visitor guide : Tegallalang Rice Terrace
8:20 AM
Tirta Empul
The spring temple at Tampaksiring, where worshipers bathe under rows of carved spouts. Visitors can join in, wearing a bathing sarong rented at the temple. Skip the two spouts reserved for ceremonies for the dead. Soon after the 8 AM opening, the pools are still quiet.
Visitor guide : Tirta Empul
9:30 AM
Gunung Kawi
An 11th-century royal memorial of ten shrines carved into the cliffs on both banks of the river, about 300 steps below the road. Allow an hour, more if you linger at the bottom, where the river runs between the two groups of shrines.
Visitor guide : Gunung Kawi

Drive times

Central Ubud to Tegallalang: 20–30 min; From our Tegallalang Rice Terrace guide
Tegallalang to Tirta Empul: 15–20 min; From our Tegallalang Rice Terrace guide
Tirta Empul to Gunung Kawi: About 5 min; From our Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring guide
Gunung Kawi to central Ubud: 30–40 min; From our Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Ubud. Ubud area guide Places to stay in Ubud
Eat: Lunch back in Ubud and a free afternoon. Where to eat in Ubud

Day 3: Jatiluwih, Taman Ayun and Tanah Lot

The long day west: UNESCO rice terraces in the morning, the Mengwi royal temple after lunch and sunset at Tanah Lot, with a late drive back.

Sleep in UbudNight 3 of 4

8:30 AM
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Working rice terraces at about 700 m on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, the best-known part of Bali’s UNESCO subak listing. Walk one of the marked loops through the fields, staying on the paths. Bring cash for the ticket and parking, a hat and water.
Visitor guide : Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
1:30 PM
Pura Taman Ayun
The royal temple of the Mengwi kingdom, surrounded by a moat, with rows of tiered meru visible over its inner wall. A sarong is lent with the ticket. Walk the whole loop around the wall; each side shows a different group of shrines.
Visitor guide : Pura Taman Ayun
4 PM
Tanah Lot
The temple on a rock in the surf. At low tide you can walk to the base of the rock for a holy-water blessing; check the tide table, as there is no crossing at high water. Stay for the sunset, then allow 1–1.5 hours back to Ubud.
Visitor guide : Tanah Lot

Drive times

Ubud to Jatiluwih: 1.5–2 hours; From our Jatiluwih Rice Terraces guide
Jatiluwih to Pura Taman Ayun: 1–1.25 hours; From our Jatiluwih Rice Terraces guide
Pura Taman Ayun to Tanah Lot: 35–50 min; From our Pura Taman Ayun guide
Tanah Lot to Ubud: 1–1.5 hours; From our Tanah Lot guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Ubud. Ubud area guide Places to stay in Ubud
Eat: Lunch near Jatiluwih between walks, and a late dinner in Ubud. Where to eat in Ubud

Swap: To shorten the day, skip Jatiluwih: drive from Ubud to Taman Ayun (40–60 min) after lunch, then on to Tanah Lot.

Day 4: Sunrise on Mount Batur

An early climb with a guide, the hot springs on the lakeshore, and an easy afternoon before the move east.

Sleep in UbudNight 4 of 4

4 AM
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Ubud pickups are at about 2 AM for a 4 AM start. The climb gains about 650 m in 1.5–2 hours on sand and loose grit, and the reward is dawn over the caldera lake with Mount Agung behind. Pack a warm layer, gloves and a headlamp.
Visitor guide : Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
9 AM
Lake Batur Hot Springs
Pools of spring water at about 38–40°C on the west shore of Lake Batur, five minutes from the trailhead. Check whether entry is in your trek package. Bring swimwear and a dry layer, and drink water first.
Visitor guide : Lake Batur Hot Springs

Drive times

Ubud to the Batur trailhead: 1–1.5 hours; From our Mount Batur Sunrise Trek guide
Trailhead to Lake Batur Hot Springs: About 5 min; From our Mount Batur Sunrise Trek guide
Hot springs to Ubud: 1–1.5 hours; From our Lake Batur Hot Springs guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Ubud. Ubud area guide Places to stay in Ubud
Eat: Breakfast is included on most treks; keep dinner early and near your Ubud hotel. Where to eat in Ubud

Swap: Skip the climb and walk the Campuhan Ridge at 6:30 AM instead: free, about 2 km each way, with no shade after mid-morning.

Before you go:Mount Batur sunrise trek

Day 5: East through Klungkung to Amed

A full transfer day east, broken by a royal hall of justice and a water garden, reaching the coast by late afternoon.

Sleep in AmedNight 1 of 2

9:30 AM
Kerta Gosa, Klungkung
The royal hall of justice of the old Klungkung kingdom, its ceiling painted in the Kamasan style with scenes of heaven, hell and karma. A sarong and sash come with the ticket. Read the panels from the northeast corner, clockwise.
Visitor guide : Kerta Gosa, Klungkung
12:30 PM
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
A royal water garden of stepping stones, koi ponds and fountains, with spring-fed swimming pools included in the ticket. Bring swimwear and a towel; there are changing rooms. The rice terraces behind the garden are worth a short walk.
Visitor guide : Tirta Gangga Water Palace
5 PM
Jemeluk Bay viewpoint
The headland above Jemeluk Bay looks across Amed’s bays of black sand and fishing boats toward Mount Agung. Stop here on the way into Amed for the evening light, then check in.
Visitor guide : Jemeluk Bay viewpoint

Drive times

Ubud to Kerta Gosa: 45–60 min; From our Kerta Gosa, Klungkung guide
Kerta Gosa to Tirta Gangga: About 1–1.5 hours, by way of Candidasa; From our Kerta Gosa, Klungkung and Tirta Gangga Water Palace guides
Tirta Gangga to Jemeluk Bay, Amed: 30–40 min; From our Tirta Gangga Water Palace guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Amed. Amed area guide Places to stay in Amed
Eat: Lunch near Tirta Gangga, and dinner on the Amed coast, where small restaurants sit along the bays. Amed area guide

Day 6: Gates of Heaven at dawn, then the reef

An early start for the Lempuyang gate, a late-morning snorkel at Jemeluk and the Tulamben wreck in the afternoon.

Sleep in AmedNight 2 of 2

5:30 AM
Pura Lempuyang
The split gate that frames Mount Agung. The first shuttle up runs at about 5:30 AM; later in the morning the wait for the photo is often 2–4 hours. Tickets and the shuttle are cash only, sold at the temple. The temple closes to visitors for about five days at each temple festival.
Visitor guide : Pura Lempuyang
10:30 AM
Jemeluk Bay
The reef starts a few meters off the beach, with sunken statues at 3–5 m and a wall dropping beyond. There is no entrance fee. Stay inside the bay unless you are with a guide, and tow a bright float so boat crews can see you.
Visitor guide : Jemeluk Bay
2:30 PM
USAT Liberty Wreck, Tulamben
A US Army cargo ship torpedoed in 1942 lies 25–40 m off the stony beach, its shallowest parts 3–5 m down. Confident snorkelers can see it from the surface; divers go with a local dive center. Wear reef shoes for the slippery stones.
Visitor guide : USAT Liberty Wreck, Tulamben

Drive times

Amed (Jemeluk Bay) to Pura Lempuyang: About 40 min; From our Pura Lempuyang guide
Pura Lempuyang to Jemeluk Bay: About 40 min; From our Jemeluk Bay, Amed guide
Jemeluk Bay to Tulamben: 20–30 min; From our Jemeluk Bay, Amed guide
Tulamben to Amed (Jemeluk Bay): 20–30 min; From our USAT Liberty Wreck, Tulamben guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Amed. Amed area guide Places to stay in Amed
Eat: Lunch on the Amed coast and dinner near your base. Amed area guide

Swap: If Lempuyang is closed for a festival, snorkel Jemeluk at 7 AM, before the boats and the wind, and add the Japanese shipwreck east of Amed.

Day 7: Water palace and a Bali Aga village on the way to Sanur

Down the east coast with three stops, reaching Sanur by mid-afternoon.

Sleep in SanurNight 1 of 2

8:30 AM
Taman Ujung Water Palace
A royal water palace on the coast southeast of Amlapura: three large ponds, an island pavilion and arches on the hill above the sea. Come early, as the lawns have little shade, and walk the full loop up the hill.
Visitor guide : Taman Ujung Water Palace
10:30 AM
Tenganan Pegringsingan
A walled Bali Aga village whose customs predate the island’s Majapahit-era Hinduism, and where families still weave the double-ikat geringsing cloth. Entry is by donation. Ask before photographing people, and do not enter compounds uninvited.
Visitor guide : Tenganan Pegringsingan
1 PM
Goa Lawah Temple
A sea temple whose shrines stand at the mouth of a cave full of bats, and a key stop in Balinese funeral rites. A sarong and sash are needed. Stay behind anyone praying; 30–45 minutes is enough.
Visitor guide : Goa Lawah Temple

Drive times

Amed (Jemeluk Bay) to Taman Ujung: 40–50 min; From our Taman Ujung Water Palace guide
Taman Ujung to Tenganan: 25–35 min; From our Taman Ujung Water Palace guide
Tenganan to Goa Lawah: 25–30 min; From our Tenganan Pegringsingan Village guide
Goa Lawah to Sanur: 40–60 min; From our Goa Lawah Temple guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Sanur. Sanur area guide Places to stay in Sanur
Eat: Lunch near Candidasa on the way, and dinner in Sanur, where restaurants line the beach path. Where to eat in Sanur

Day 8: Nusa Penida’s west coast

A boat day from Sanur with a driver on the island. Confirm the return boat before you leave the harbor.

Sleep in SanurNight 2 of 2

9:30 AM
Kelingking Beach
The headland shaped like a T-Rex, seen from the clifftop. The path down is steep and loose, and swimming at the bottom is banned, so for most visitors the view from the top is the visit. Each ticketed site on the island charges about IDR 25,000 per adult, cashless (checked Nov 2026).
Visitor guide : Kelingking Beach
11:30 AM
Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
A cove inside a collapsed sea cave, with an arch to the open ocean, and a tidal rock pool a short walk along the cliffs. Look, but do not go in or stand at the pool’s edge; waves sweep over it with little warning.
Visitor guide : Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
1:30 PM
Crystal Bay
Snorkel off the beach, staying inside the line of moored boats, and do not try to swim to the islet in the bay. Fins help, as the current changes quickly. Watch the time; the last boats back to Sanur leave in the afternoon.
Visitor guide : Crystal Bay

Drive times

Sanur to Nusa Penida: 30–45 min by fast boat; From our Sanur Beach guide
Banjar Nyuh harbor to Kelingking Beach: 45–60 min; From our Kelingking Beach guide
Kelingking Beach to Broken Beach: 20–30 min; From our Kelingking Beach guide
Broken Beach to Crystal Bay: About 40 min; From our Crystal Bay guide
Crystal Bay to Toyapakeh or Banjar Nyuh harbor: 15–25 min; From our Crystal Bay guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Sanur. Sanur area guide Places to stay in Sanur
Eat: Lunch near Crystal Bay and dinner in Sanur. Where to eat in Sanur

Swap: In rough seas, spend the day on Sanur Beach and the beach path instead, and keep your boat booking flexible.

Before you go:Fast boats to Nusa Penida Nusa Penida cliffs and sea pools

Day 9: To Uluwatu for the Kecak

A late-morning drive south, a swim and sunset at the cliff temple.

Sleep in UluwatuNight 1 of 2

12:30 PM
Padang Padang Beach
A small sheltered cove, one of the better swimming spots around Uluwatu at low to mid tide. Reach it down a staircase through a crack in the rocks. Stay out of the water when the swell is big. The small entry fee is paid in cash.
Visitor guide : Padang Padang Beach
4:30 PM
Uluwatu Temple
One of Bali’s directional sea temples, on a cliff about 70 m above the ocean. The Kecak runs daily at 6 PM with the gate opening at 4 PM; adults pay IDR 150,000 on top of temple entry (checked Nov 2026). Keep belongings away from the monkeys.
Visitor guide : Uluwatu Temple

Drive times

Sanur to Uluwatu: 60–90 min; From our Sanur Beach guide
Padang Padang Beach to Uluwatu Temple: 10–15 min; From our Padang Padang Beach guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Uluwatu. Uluwatu area guide Places to stay in Uluwatu
Eat: Dinner after the show, about 7:30 PM, on the cliff roads near the beaches. Where to eat in Uluwatu

Day 10: A last beach day

An unhurried final day in Uluwatu, close to the airport for tomorrow’s flight.

Sleep in UluwatuNight 2 of 2

Low tide
Suluban Beach
A cove of sand and sea caves below the Uluwatu surf break. The caves lead to the sand only around low tide, so time your visit with the tide table. It is not a swimming beach; the bottom is sharp reef.
Visitor guide : Suluban Beach
Afternoon
Melasti Beach
Long white sand under cliffs on the south coast, with a reef that calms the water. Swim between the flags while lifeguards are on duty. Stay for the late-afternoon light, then head back to your Uluwatu base for the night.
Visitor guide : Melasti Beach

Drive times

Padang Padang area to Suluban Beach: About 10 min; From our Padang Padang Beach guide
Suluban Beach to Melasti Beach: 20–30 min; From our Suluban Beach guide
Uluwatu to Bali airport (departure day): 40–90 min; From our Padang Padang Beach guide

Sleep: Base yourself in Uluwatu. Uluwatu area guide Places to stay in Uluwatu
Eat: A last dinner in Uluwatu; keep it early if your flight leaves in the morning. Where to eat in Uluwatu

Safety

Read this before the early starts

Mount Batur sunrise trek

On 12 November 2026, Indonesia’s volcano agency listed Batur at Level I (Normal), its lowest alert level; check again the day before you climb. BKSDA Bali, which manages the mountain, rates the trail Grade 1–2: about 1.5–2 hours from the base to the 1,717 m summit on sand and loose volcanic gravel that is easy to slip on, especially on the way down. The summit is very cold before dawn. Climb with a licensed local guide, wear shoes with grip and bring a warm layer and a headlamp.

Checked 12 November 2026. Sources: MAGMA Indonesia (PVMBG) volcano alert levels; BKSDA Bali, Batur trail grading (30 September 2025).

Fast boats to Nusa Penida

The crossing from Sanur takes 30–45 minutes over open water, and the ride gets rough when the swell is up. Crossings are delayed or canceled in high seas. Check BMKG’s marine forecast and high-wave warnings for Bali’s waters the evening before, wear the life jacket you are given, and do not push an operator to sail when the harbor says no. If you get seasick, sit low down at the back. Do not book a flight on the day of the crossing.

Checked 12 November 2026. Sources: BMKG marine weather and high-wave warnings.

Nusa Penida cliffs and sea pools

Swimming is banned at Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Diamond Beach under a January 2023 circular from the Klungkung regent, after visitors drowned there. Waves can break over the rocks at Angel’s Billabong without warning, so stay out of the pool and back from its seaward edge. The path down Kelingking is steep and loose, and in September 2026 an Australian visitor died after leaving the marked path and falling from the cliff edge. Stay on the marked path and behind the rails. Treat Angel’s Billabong as a viewpoint only, and go down to Kelingking Beach only if you are a confident, sure-footed hiker, and only in dry weather.

Checked 12 November 2026. Sources: Coconuts Bali, swimming ban at Diamond Beach, Kelingking and Angel’s Billabong (January 2023); detikBali, Klungkung swimming ban (SE Bupati 556/028/Dispar/2023); The Star, 15 September 2026.

When to go

Rain, month by month

This route works all year. In the wet months, plan the beach and boat days with a spare day nearby, and do the temples and terraces in the morning, before the afternoon downpours. Read our Bali rainy season guide.

Dry season: April to OctoberBetween seasonsWet season: November to March

Average rain per month in millimeters on the south coast, 2021–2025, from the model data behind our Bali weather guide. Tap a month for details.

Tickets & Tours

Rather not organize it yourself?

Every day above works on your own with a hired driver. For the stops where a ticket or a guide helps, these Klook listings cover them. Pick-up areas, inclusions and prices vary, so read the listing before you book.

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

Know Before You Go

10-day trip tips that save time and trouble

01Book one car and driver for each transfer day (days five and seven), so your bags stay in the car at every stop.
02Carry cash in small notes for the east: Lempuyang, Taman Ujung, Tenganan and Goa Lawah are paid in cash, while Nusa Penida’s sites are cashless.
03Pay Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy online through the official Love Bali site before you fly (checked Nov 2026).
04Bring your own snorkel mask to Amed if you have one; the reefs at Jemeluk and Tulamben start from the beach.
05Check whether Lempuyang is closed for a temple festival before you plan day six; closures last about five days.
06Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, usually in March, closes the airport and the roads for 24 hours. Check its date before you book flights.
07Days four, six and eight all start before dawn, so have an early dinner and an early night before each.

FAQ

Bali itinerary questions, answered

How far is Amed from Ubud?

About 2–2.5 hours by car without stops. This plan breaks the drive at Kerta Gosa in Klungkung and Tirta Gangga, so the transfer day takes most of the day. From Amed back to Sanur by way of Taman Ujung, Tenganan and Goa Lawah is a similar full day.

How long is the wait at Lempuyang Temple?

For the photo at the split gate, often 2–4 hours on dry-season mornings between about 7 and 11 AM. Catching the first shuttle, at about 5:30 AM, or coming after about 3 PM can cut it to under an hour. Numbers are called by megaphone.

Is Mount Batur safe to climb?

Usually, with a licensed local guide. On 12 November 2026 Indonesia’s volcano agency listed Batur at Level I (Normal), its lowest alert level. BKSDA Bali rates the trail Grade 1–2; the main risks are slips on loose volcanic grit in the dark and cold at the summit.

Can you swim at Kelingking Beach or Angel’s Billabong?

No. Swimming at Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Diamond Beach was banned by a January 2023 circular from the Klungkung regent after visitors drowned. Crystal Bay is the usual place to swim and snorkel on Nusa Penida’s west coast, inside the line of moored boats.

Which fees does this route add on top of entry tickets?

Three kinds (checked Nov 2026). Bali’s tourist levy is IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, paid once online through Love Bali. On Nusa Penida, foreign visitors pay an island fee on arrival, and each ticketed site charges about IDR 25,000 per adult, cashless. In the east, parking and temple donations are paid in cash.

More plans

More or fewer days?

3days

3 Days in Bali: Ubud, Then the Uluwatu Cliffs

A long weekend or a stopover

Ubud · 2 nights
Uluwatu · 1 night

8 stops · See the plan

5days

5 Days in Bali: Ubud, Tanah Lot and the Uluwatu Beaches

A first trip of under a week, split between hills and sea

Ubud · 3 nights
Uluwatu · 2 nights

14 stops · See the plan

7days

7 Days in Bali: Volcano, Island Cliffs and Uluwatu

A first week with a bit of adventure

Ubud · 3 nights
Sanur · 2 nights
Uluwatu · 2 nights

20 stops · See the plan

First trip
Travel Tips for Visiting Bali for the First Time
Honeymoon
Bali Honeymoon Guide: Where to Stay, Costs and Plans
Seasons
Best Time to Visit Bali: Month-by-Month Guide
Rainy season
Bali Rainy Season: Wet Season Month by Month

How we researched this

Sources and fact checks

Opening hours, ticket prices, show times and safety rules on this page were checked against official sites, government pages and recent reporting on 12 November 2026. Drive and boat times come from our own visitor guides, each linked under the leg it covers. See our editorial policy.

We re-check these plans at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Show all 19 sources ↓