At a glance
| Recommended days | 8 - 14 days |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $ / $$ |
| Daily cost | IDR 500,000–1,000,000 / IDR 1,500,000–3,000,000 (illustrative) |
| Best season | Apr-Sep |
| Region | Southeast Asia |
Day-by-day plan
This route comes from our full Bali: Temples, Rice Terraces & Surf guide - each day below links to the deeper detail there.
- Ubud: Tegalalang + monkey forest
- Ubud: cooking class + Goa Gajah
- Ubud: Campuhan ridge walk
- Ubud → Sidemen Valley (1.5h)
- Sidemen: rice paddy walk
- Sidemen → Amed (north coast)
- Amed snorkelling; arrange a separate transfer to Tulamben for the USS Liberty wreck
- Amed → Canggu via Besakih
- Canggu: surf lesson + Tanah Lot sunset
- Uluwatu: cliff temple + Kecak dance
- Uluwatu: Padang Padang beach
- Fly out DPS
Pacing this route
This route deliberately alternates inland and coast: Ubud first while you are fresh, then the quiet east (Sidemen, Amed) before the surf south. Distances are short on the map and long on the road — Bali traffic means a "1.5 hour" transfer is realistically two.
Base yourself a minimum of two nights almost everywhere. One-night hops burn half a day on check-ins; the itinerary above already pushes that limit in the Uluwatu stretch.
Fewer or more days
- Fewer days: cut Sidemen and Amed and keep Ubud + Canggu + Uluwatu — you lose the quiet east but keep the two essential faces of the island (culture and surf).
- More days: add Nusa Penida (2 nights) or the Gili Islands (2–3 nights) between Amed and Canggu; both slot cleanly into the coastal flow.
Practical tips for this route
- Scooter or private driver, not taxis: a weekly scooter rental costs less than two airport transfers, and drivers cost IDR 700,000–900,000 per day for the days you do not want to ride.
- Order the east before the west: Amed snorkelling is best in flat morning seas, and the Uluwatu Kecak dance needs a 2-hours-early seat for the sunset slot.
- Carry cash inland: Sidemen and Amed have thin ATM coverage, and Besakih ticket desks are cash-only.
Pair the route with the daily budget breakdown and the best-time-to-visit calendar to lock your dates, or hand the stops to our interactive trip planner.
Related guides
Best time to visit Bali · Bali travel budget · Full Bali guide · Interactive trip planner
FAQ
Is 8 days enough for Bali?
Eight days covers the Ubud–Canggu–Uluwatu core comfortably if you skip the east. The full 12–14 day route is worth it only if the quiet-coast stops (Sidemen, Amed) appeal more than pool time.
Should I rent a scooter in Bali?
For this route, yes — it is the difference between freedom and negotiation. You need an international driving licence, a helmet habit, and honesty about your experience level; Bali traffic is its own skill.
Where should I stay longer: Ubud or the coast?
Split it. Ubud rewards three nights (classes, walks, temples); the coast is more substitutable. If you must cut, trim Canggu, not Ubud.