Bali road trip: 3 weeks from Ubud to Nusa Penida

The tour

This three-week road trip takes in the whole of Bali at an unhurried pace. It begins in Ubud, the island’s cultural heart, with its temples, markets, rice terraces and traditional dance, then heads north to Lovina, follows the coast to Tulamben and Amed, and carries on east to Padang Bai.

The second half of the trip is spent by the sea: a few days on the Gili Islands, cycling the coastline and snorkelling over the reefs, then a final stop on Nusa Penida, where you spend four days with a local sea turtle conservation project. Free afternoons and a free day leave room to explore on your own terms.

It suits travellers who want to see Bali from more than a sun lounger: on foot, by bike and on the water, with local guides and real encounters, well away from mass tourism.

What makes it different

Sunrise from the top of Mount Batur
A discover scuba dive on the Liberty wreck at Tulamben
Snorkelling and cycling on all three Gili Islands
Four days with a turtle conservation project on Nusa Penida
Temples, Jatiluwih rice terraces and Kecak dance around Ubud

Day by day

Day 1: Arrival in Ubud

Airport pick-up at the agreed time, transfer to Ubud and check-in. Free time, then dinner.

Day 2: Central Ubud

Visit the Monkey Forest, Ubud Market and Ubud Palace. In the evening, a Kecak dance performance.

Day 3: Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi

In the morning, a water blessing at Tirta Empul temple and a visit to Gunung Kawi temple. In the afternoon, a coffee plantation, then free time.

Day 4: Cycling from Kintamani

A bike tour starting from Kintamani village. Free afternoon and a film night.

Day 5: Mount Batur

An early-morning hike up the Batur volcano. Balinese massage in the afternoon and a welcome dinner in the evening.

Day 6: Jatiluwih and on to Lovina

The UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih rice terraces, Lake Beratan and Banyumala Waterfall, then transfer to Lovina.

Day 7: Lovina’s dolphins

A sunrise boat trip to watch dolphins, with snorkelling. Visit Brahmavihara temple and the hot springs, then a Balinese dance class in the evening.

Day 8: To Tulamben

Transfer to Tulamben and a wild swim at Aling-Aling Waterfall.

Day 9: The Liberty wreck

A discover scuba session from Tulamben beach to see the Liberty wreck, then time to explore the area.

Day 10: Amed

A day in Amed snorkelling in clear water and relaxing on the beach, then free time.

Day 11: To Padang Bai

Transfer to Padang Bai, stopping at the Berina rice terraces and Tirta Gangga water palace.

Day 12: Rafting and Blue Lagoon

White water rafting on the Telaga Waja river, then Blue Lagoon beach.

Day 13: Over to the Gili Islands

Fast boat crossing, check-in and free time. Later on, a bike ride, sunset and the night market.

Day 14: Snorkelling the three Gilis

A boat trip to snorkel the reefs around all three islands, then free time on the beach.

Day 15: Gili Meno and Gili Air by bike

Explore Gili Meno and Gili Air by bicycle, then dinner at sunset.

Day 16: Free day

A day to enjoy the Gilis as you please, then get ready for the final leg.

Day 17: Nusa Penida

Transfer to Sanur and boat to Nusa Penida. Introduction to the sea turtle conservation project and training.

Day 18: With the turtles

A full day on the project, morning and afternoon sessions. Free evening.

Day 19: Crystal Bay

Morning on the project, afternoon at Crystal Bay beach and a bonfire in the evening.

Day 20: Back to the sea

A turtle release in the morning and a snorkelling trip around Nusa Penida in the afternoon.

Day 21: Departure

Breakfast and end of the trip.

The programme may change depending on the weather and local conditions.

On site

Accommodation

Hostel and hotel accommodation along the way: Ubud, Lovina, Tulamben, Padang Bai, the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida.

Meals

Breakfast is included every morning from day 2. Dinner is also included in Ubud and Lovina (days 1 to 7) and on Nusa Penida (days 17 to 20); from Tulamben to the Gilis (days 8 to 16), only breakfast is provided.

Arrival

You arrive at Bali airport on a Sunday and are met at the agreed time, then transferred to Ubud. The trip ends on the Saturday, day 21; the return transfer is not included.

Included

Airport welcome and transfer
Hostel and hotel accommodation
Meals as set out in the programme
All activities in the programme
24/7 support and supervision
A donation to the local project

Not included

Flights
Travel and repatriation insurance
Return transfer

Bali road trip tour