Looking for feedback on 16-day Bali itinerary

Hi there,

So: Ubud 4 nights Amed 2 nights Padangbai 1 night Gili Air 3 nights Nusa Lembongan 4 nights Jimbaran or Seminyak 1 night

That averages out to only 1.5 full days per stop—it’s not much, especially on an island that more than anywhere else really needs to be explored at a relaxed pace to be fully appreciated.

How do you plan to handle the non-maritime travel segments?

The detour to Gili Air forces a pretty big loop.

Our main interests lean toward nature and landscapes

I don’t see much of that in your itinerary.

Here’s what I’d do: -I’d cut one stop, either Amed or Gili Air, which would also eliminate the transit night in Padangbai. -I’d use the extra days gained to add a stop in Bali’s lush greenery to better match your interests. Plus, going from 6 to 5 stops bumps the average full days up to 2—things feel a bit more relaxed that way.

Hi Thierry, thanks for your feedback! I’m actually waiting for more critiques on this itinerary draft to refine it, since I feel it’s too "heavy." Don’t you think Ubud still lets you discover beautiful landscapes and be in the heart of nature, though? We’ll probably drop the Amed stop. Would Munduk be a better choice than Ubud? We’re thinking of booking a private driver for getting around.

Ubud is surrounded by beautiful landscapes but is definitely way too crowded. In October, it’ll be slightly better since Western tourists have left and the Oceanians haven’t arrived yet, but it’s busy year-round with a never-ending string of shops catering to tourism. Its main draw, in my opinion, is the frequent traditional evening performances (you can find them elsewhere, but usually by chance). That said, the overcrowding makes it far from a peaceful spot.

For travelers heading there in July-August, I’d strongly recommend avoiding it altogether ("draw a horizontal line just above Ubud and steer clear of everything below it down to the southern tip of the island"). In your case (October), it’s worth a quick visit for day trips with a private driver to the sites north of Ubud and for the performances, but I’d suggest staying one fewer night. Or you could just skip it entirely.

As for adding a green stop, Munduk is indeed a great option. If you change your mind and keep Amed instead of Gili Air, Tirtagangga—a small village nestled in the middle of rice terraces—would be a more geographically convenient choice since, unlike Munduk, it wouldn’t require a detour.

We’re thinking of booking a private driver for transportation

It won’t be essential everywhere since some of your stops are on the Perama shuttle routes. Their hub is in Ubud, and from there, they serve places like Munduk, Padangbai (arriving at 9:30 AM, which lets you catch the 10:30 AM fast boat to Gili Air), Tirtagangga, Amed, and the airport (only *to* the airport, though—Perama isn’t licensed to pick up passengers there). You can buy Perama tickets at agencies all over Ubud (destinations and prices are displayed in the windows) or at certain stops in the villages they serve. Here’s their website for reference, but booking in person the day before or even the morning of is usually fine: https://peramatour.com/b/en/shuttle-bus.

Private drivers with cars will "find you" everywhere—they’re affordable and can be hired for a full day, half-day, or just a single trip. You can also ask the front desk at your accommodation to arrange one for you.

After spending my weekend reading and re-reading Bali travel guides and blogs... I’ve revised my plan. I think Sidemen (which I hadn’t considered before) might let us experience similar natural elements (landscapes, greenery, waterfalls, etc.) to what we’d find in Munduk, while avoiding overly long trips and that detour toward the Ubud area, which doesn’t really appeal to me...

Here’s the new itinerary I’m considering—would love your thoughts! 😉 Day 1: Arrival at 11:30 AM in Denpasar → transfer to Sanur or Nusa Dua for a relaxing afternoon, overnight in Sanur or Nusa Dua Day 2: Sanur → Nusa Lembongan Days 3–4: Nusa Lembongan Day 5: Transfer from Nusa L to Sidemen, overnight in Sidemen Days 6–9: Sidemen and surrounding areas (including Sibetan, which looks really nice) Day 10: Transfer from Sidemen to Gili Air Days 11–13: Gili Air Day 14: Transfer from Gili Air to Amed Day 15: Amed Day 16: Transfer from Amed to Jimbaran—overnight in Jimbaran Day 17: Seminyak → Denpasar Airport

Day 1 Upon arrival at 11:30 AM in Denpasar -> transfer to Sanur or Nusa Dua for a relaxing afternoon, overnight in Sanur

I’d rather go straight to Sanur but not to bother spending a transit night there—just take the 5 PM D’Camel Fast Ferry to Lembongan (there’s also a 1:30 PM one, but timing’s tight). https://dcamelfastferry.com/#carouselHero And I’d stay in Amed for 3 nights instead of 2.

Oh right, I hadn’t thought about the option of arriving at night in Nusa L... but after the long trip, we might be happy to settle in a bit before hopping on the boat. Isn’t there a small town or village a little more typical, near Sanur? (I’ve read everywhere that Sanur isn’t anything special and looks like a Mediterranean seaside resort.)

Hi Fanny,

Just a heads-up—my opinion might not be super valuable since I only spent a week in Bali back in 2017 (so not recent) and it was in the spring (everything was super green, which probably won’t be the case for your trip). I kept a travel journal you can check out on my profile, but here’s the short version:

We didn’t like Ubud much (too crowded, noisy, and full of tourist shops, even though there were/are some nice spots in nature nearby). We really loved the vibe in Amed and the Tirta Gangga water palace. We went there instead of Sidemen (our original pick) and didn’t regret it at all. Up north, we preferred Sekumpul over Munduk—the waterfalls are gorgeous, and you’re *really* in the peaceful countryside. We wished we could’ve stayed longer. Can’t compare it to the Munduk area since we didn’t go there 😉

Beyond that, I don’t know much. Happy planning! 😉

Honeymoon in Bali.... A generous one 😉. It was my first invitation to travel, back in 2007. We went back with the family in 2017, and things had changed a lot (especially Ubud).

Even though our honeymoon was a while ago, I thought it was well-balanced. We also had a driver.

Here’s what I’d recommend: Ubud is a great central spot—4 days is good, but avoid "Ubud City," which has become a traffic nightmare. Jatiluwih or Ulun Danu aren’t exactly close to Ubud. A stop in Munduk is nice (we did it back then). It’d be a shame to skip Amed for its black sand beaches. There’s Tanah Lot (a must-see) and Uluwatu (skippable) in the South—plan more than one night in Jimbaran/Sanur (why do you want to go to Gili Air?)

You could do a loop: Ubud (4 days) – Munduk (2 days) – Amed (2 days), then Nusa Lembongan (4 days), and finish around Jimbaran (3 days).

Wishing you all the best 😉

Honeymoon in Bali.... A generous one 😉. It was my first invitation to travel, back in 2007. We went back as a family in 2017, and things had changed a lot (especially Ubud).

Even though our honeymoon was a while ago, I found it well-balanced. We also had a driver.

I hope we won’t regret our choice of destination... 🙂

What I recommend: Ubud is a great central hub—4 days is good, but avoid "Ubud City," which has become a traffic nightmare.

I’m still debating Ubud or not Ubud... I’m increasingly thinking of replacing it with Sidemen and its surroundings, which seem more authentic and just as "green"...

Jataluwih or Ulun Danu aren’t exactly near Ubud. A stop in Munduk is nice (we did it back then).

Unfortunately, given our timing and the total number of days (16), I think we’ll have to skip Munduk—it seems too far from our other stops. I hope the Sidemen area will offer some of the same landscapes (jungle, rice terraces, waterfalls, Lake Batur...?).

It’d be a shame to skip Amed for its black sand beaches.

True, but aside from the beaches, are there really any beautiful spots nearby? Since we’ll already be snorkeling in Gili... I’m waiting for your feedback on Amed to change my mind 🙂

There’s Tanah Lot (a must-see) and Uluwatu (skippable) in the South—plan more than one night in Jimbaran/Sanur

Is Tanah Lot *really* a must-see?

(Why do you want to go to Gili Air?)

To do nothing, quite simply! 😉 I get the impression that the Gili Islands are a bit less crowded than Nusa Penida/Lembongan, right? Plus, no motorized vehicles... A few days of relaxation to break the routine—snorkeling, naps, beachside dinners... I think we’ll still do THE boat excursion to maybe find better snorkeling spots than near the shore, even if it’s super touristy. Your thoughts on that?

You could do a loop: Ubud (4 days) - Munduk (2 days) - Amed (2 days) - Nusa Lembongan (4 days), and finish around Jimbaran (3 days)

That was the initial plan, but after reading recent feedback, we’re thinking it’s better to visit the islands at the start or middle of the trip to avoid missing the boat due to rough seas... And again, we’re set on the Gili Islands—are we wrong?

All my best wishes 😉

Thank you so much, that’s really kind! By the way, thanks to everyone who’s already been so helpful in answering my (many) questions (and I’m sure there’ll be more! )

Oh right, I hadn’t thought of the option of arriving at night in Nusa L... but I’m thinking that after the long trip, we might be happy to settle in a bit before

And the next morning, will you be happy to have to repack your bag already? Of course, going straight to Lembongan after the flight might seem like a lot, but since the trip to Sanur is relatively short (if by taxi) and the boat only leaves at 5 PM for a 30-minute crossing, it could all be done without stress.

Isn’t there a small, somewhat typical town/village near Sanur?

Obviously, I don’t know everything, but the chances of finding a (even slightly) typical village in southern Bali are slim...

I see Muriel18 mentioned the Tirtagangga Water Palace to you: even though, for me, its appeal is secondary compared to the setting of the village amid rice fields, which allows for lovely walks, it’s still a good reason to stop there for a few nights. From Tirtagangga, I also went to visit Besakih on foot, by hitchhiking, and by (rare) bemos along an isolated road crossing very pretty landscapes and traditional blacksmith villages a bit off the beaten path. For the return trip to T. Gangga in the evening, though, I had to hire a driver with a car due to lack of time. Besakih Temple is beautiful, but it’s the journey to get there that I remember most fondly.

I get the impression that the Gili Islands are still a bit less crowded than Nusa Penida/Lembongan, right?

No, even if they’re less busy than in July-August and December-January, they’re still crowded year-round.

Just to do nothing at all! 😉 (...) we’re set on the Gili Islands... are we wrong?

Yes. Because: - in terms of visitor numbers, they’re comparable to Ubud (supposedly a compelling argument 😎. It’s not an exaggeration). - you’ll find better things to do in Bali (the nature stop suggestions are piling up...) - in Bali, you’ll find plenty of places where it’s nice to do nothing among the ones suggested. - your thread title doesn’t include Lombok...

Honeymoon in Bali.... A feast for the senses 😉. It was my first real taste of travel, back in 2007. We went back with the family in 2017

And logically, with the grandkids in 2037...[;]

😏😏😏

(...)we’re attached to the Gilis... are we wrong?

Yes. Because: - in terms of visitor numbers, they can hold their own against Ubud (an argument that’s supposed to be compelling 😎. It’s not an exaggeration, though). - you’ll find better things to do in Bali (the nature stop suggestions are starting to pile up...) - in Bali, you’ll find plenty of places where it’s nice to do nothing among the spots suggested to you. - the title of your post doesn’t include Lombok...

You’re going to convince me not to go to the Gilis after all! ... So, in that case, where do you think we can find beautiful snorkeling spots? Because that’s one of the main goals of our trip too. I was lucky enough to visit the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) in 2017, and I found that place exceptional, even though it was already very touristy at the time (and undoubtedly even more so now). I’d love to find that kind of atmosphere again—both peaceful and paradise-like...

Last night, we talked about your suggestion to go straight to Nusa Lembongan from the airport, and I think you’re right. It seems like we’d "gain" a night in our itinerary—Sanur would’ve just been a sleepover stop anyway, and we weren’t particularly keen on lingering there. Plus, this way, we’d wake up directly in Nusa Lembongan on the first real day of our little adventure... so that’s pretty nice 😉 I saw on 12go that other companies offer trips too (around 4 PM, I think). Do you specifically recommend this company, or are they all about the same for this "short" distance (compared to the Padangbai-Gili route, I mean)?

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Which place(s) in this case, in your opinion, have beautiful snorkeling spots? Because that's one of the main goals of our trip too. I was lucky enough to visit the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) in 2017 and found the place exceptional, even though it was already very touristy at the time (and undoubtedly even more so now...). I’d love to find that same kind of peaceful, paradise-like atmosphere again...

I don’t know the Perhentians, but I’ve seen a few photos, and Gili Air is the one that resembles them the most. Amed (which I suggest since it’s already on your route without needing to go out of your way) has everything you need for great snorkeling, including a Japanese wreck just a few meters from the beach, about 3-4 km east* on the same road. However, the sand isn’t white there because the area is at the foot of a volcano.

I think it was Djalma who once mentioned here that there are stingray observation spots in Lembongan, but I can’t remember if it’s for snorkeling or diving.

* Another snorkeling spot with a U.S. wreck a few kilometers west of Amed, in Tulamben.

I saw on 12Go that other companies also offer routes (around 4 PM, I think). Are you specifically recommending this company, or are they all about the same for this "short" distance?

I never use 12Go or similar sites because they’re full of nonsense or incomplete info.

I’m not specifically recommending this company—it just happens to be the only one I found that offers a late-enough connection from South Bali to Lembongan for your case. I didn’t see anything leaving around 4 PM—do you have a direct link to a company?

I use this site: https://www.gilibookings.com/bali-to-gili-fast-boat, which lists all (or at least I think so) the fast boat companies operating between Bali, the Gilis, Lombok, and intermediate stops like Lembongan. I enter the departure, arrival, and date, and it shows all the options. Then I check the official websites of the relevant companies to double-check.

I was lucky enough to visit the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) in 2017 and found the place exceptional, even though it was already very touristy at the time (and undoubtedly even more so now). I’d love to find that kind of atmosphere again—both peaceful and paradise-like...

Having been to the Perhentians too, you won’t really find that vibe in Bali itself (where you don’t go for the beach scene anyway—the beaches aren’t amazing). So, Gili Islands, why not? 😉

We just got back from three weeks in Bali.

For a 15-day trip, you’ll need to make some choices. And combining Gili + Nusa doesn’t seem practical to me, especially since cancellations aren’t uncommon. On July 29th and then again on August 6th, speedboats were canceled due to strong swells (for 2 and 3 consecutive days). The result? If you’re leaving Gili, instead of a 2.5-hour speedboat ride, you’ll need to dedicate a whole day (Gili → Lombok → 2-hour taxi → 6-hour ferry)...

We loved Gili Meno: no cars, no crowds, stunning beaches, no noise, and turtles just a towel’s throw away... Far from Nusa, with its crowds and Instagrammers!

For the Bali part: - Ubud is central but a nightmare to get around (at the end of the day, it took us 3 hours to cover 4.5 km coming back from Goa Gajah)... But you’ve got plenty of interesting activities (dance, e-bike, temples, museums, rice terraces you can explore on foot...) - Sidemen is great but it’s pretty remote (and this year, the subak decided to use the terraces for vegetables), and it’s a bit out of the way compared to Ubud. The upside? It opens up access to the Abang rice terraces and the climb up Mount Batur (plus, you’ve got Warung Puriasih, which was our best culinary experience in Bali). - Munduk is a whole different vibe (mountains, waterfalls, 14°C at night) and lets you visit Jatiluwih or Lake Bratan along the way.