Self-guided itinerary · free

Bali in 5 days: Ubud, the Subak terraces, Tanah Lot and Besakih

The plan moves through the island's three belts in turn: the southern beaches, inland Ubud and its rice terraces, and the mountain and lake temples of the north-east. Day one is arrival and a west-coast sunset; day two is Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest and a Balinese dance performance in the evening; day three is the Subak terraces and sunset at Tanah Lot; day four is an optional sunrise trek on Mount Batur, then Ulun Danu Batur and Besakih; day five is the southern beaches and departure. Temple hours and fees are not published by an official source, so check them at the entrance. Hours and fees link to the official source with the date we last checked them.

Prepared by: Kolay Seyahat content teamLast updated 22/10/2026Every fact links to an official source

Bali's terraced rice fields from the air

This is not a package tour. This itinerary is free information. Flights, hotels and experiences are each sold separately, under their own seller’s terms, with separate payment and a separate contract. Prices are never linked to one another.

Day by day

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Day 1 · Arrival and a west-coast sunset

Transfer to your hotel and end the day with a sunset on Seminyak or Kuta beach.

0 of 3 stops done

  1. Day 1 · 1

    Arrival in Bali

    After landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, head to passport control. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism, Hindu temples sit at the heart of Bali's culture; the plan moves through the island's southern beach belt, inland Ubud and the mountain temples of the north-east in turn.

    • Entrance fee

      Bali tourist levy: foreign visitors pay IDR 150,000 once for their stay; it can be paid electronically or by card at the BRI counters at the airport and Tanjung Benoa Port.

      Source: Endonezya Turizm Bakanlığı (indonesia.travel) · last checked 2026-10-22

    Tips

    We could not confirm airport transfer options from an official source; arrange a private car or taxi.

  2. Day 1 · 2 · 17:00

    Sunset on the west coast

    Sunset on Kuta beach

    Most of Bali's beaches are on the west coast and are ideal for watching the sunset. Spend the first evening on Seminyak or Kuta beach.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  3. Day 1 · 3 · 19:00

    Dinner in Seminyak

    Have dinner in Seminyak; see the food section for restaurants reinterpreting Indonesian cooking.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

Day 2 · Ubud and the Sacred Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest in the morning, Ubud's streets in the afternoon and a Balinese dance performance in the evening.

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  1. Day 2 · 1 · 08:00–09:30

    Travel to Ubud

    Head inland to Ubud by private car early in the morning.

  2. Day 2 · 2 · 09:30–11:30

    The Sacred Monkey Forest

    A macaque in front of a temple in Ubud's Monkey Forest

    More than 1,054 long-tailed macaques, considered sacred by the Balinese, live in this nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud. The forest is managed by Padangtegal village, which sees it as its spiritual, economic, educational and conservation centre; inside are the main temple and the Holy Spring Temple.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    Tips

    The monkeys are not tame; follow the visitor guidelines on the forest's website.

  3. Day 2 · 3 · 11:30–13:00

    Lunch in Ubud

    Walk into central Ubud for lunch.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  4. Day 2 · 4 · 13:00–17:00

    Free time in Ubud

    Spend the afternoon in Ubud's streets and its art and craft shops; see the food section for a dessert tasting.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  5. Day 2 · 5 · 19:00

    A Balinese dance performance

    Balinese dance falls into three genres by function: sacred Wali dances performed only in temple ceremonies, semi-sacred Bebali dances, and Balih-balihan dances staged for audiences. The performances visitors can watch are Balih-balihan dances such as Legong Kraton and Barong Ket; sacred dances are not shows. The three genres were added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2015.

    • Good to know

      The three genres of Balinese dance (Wali, Bebali, Balih-balihan); those staged as performances are Balih-balihan.

      Source: Endonezya Turizm Bakanlığı (indonesia.travel) · last checked 2026-10-22

    • Good to know

      The three genres of traditional dance in Bali were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.

      Source: UNESCO Somut Olmayan Kültürel Miras · last checked 2026-10-22

    Tips

    We could not confirm performance venues or times from an official source; ask locally in Ubud.

Day 3 · The Subak terraces and Tanah Lot

A morning walk in the rice terraces and sunset at Tanah Lot.

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  1. Day 3 · 1 · 08:00–12:00

    The Subak rice terraces

    Green rice terraces among the mountains

    Subak is a community-managed irrigation network that distributes water to the rice terraces and reflects the Tri Hita Karana philosophy of balance between people, nature and the spiritual. The ministry describes it as a UNESCO-recognised cultural landscape. Spend the morning walking among the terraces inland.

    Tips

    We could not confirm entry fees or hours for terrace villages from an official source; check on site.

  2. Day 3 · 2 · 12:00–13:30

    Lunch on the way

    Stop for lunch on the way down to the west coast.

  3. Day 3 · 3 · 16:00–19:00

    Tanah Lot Temple at sunset

    Tanah Lot Temple on its coastal rock from the air

    Tanah Lot, perched on a coastal rock, is known for its sunset views. In Bali, temples are not only places of worship but cultural centres where spirituality and community life meet; temple anniversaries are celebrated with odalan festivals according to the Balinese calendar.

    Tips

    We could not confirm the temple's hours, fees or dress code from an official source; check at the entrance and be respectful of ceremonies.

Day 4 · Batur and Besakih

After an optional sunrise trek, the Ulun Danu Batur and Besakih temples.

0 of 4 stops done

  1. Day 4 · 1 · 03:00–08:00

    Optional: sunrise trek on Mount Batur

    Mount Batur and Lake Batur at sunrise

    The trek usually starts at 03:00 and the climb to the summit takes about 2–3 hours. The dry season is the best time for the sunrise: clear skies are more likely and the path is less slippery. It requires fitness, so sleep well the night before.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

    Tips

    We could not confirm whether a guide is required or what it costs from an official source; ask when booking the trek.

  2. Day 4 · 2 · 09:00–10:30

    Ulun Danu Batur Temple

    The temple on the shore of Lake Batur is dedicated to the water goddess and is integral to Bali's spiritual life.

    Tips

    No official source lists hours or fees; ask locally before you go.

  3. Day 4 · 3 · 11:30–14:00

    The Besakih Temple Complex

    The entrance of the Besakih Temple Complex

    Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism describes Besakih as Bali's most important and sacred temple complex. Visit quietly and respectfully, mindful of any ceremonies.

    Tips

    No official hours, fees or dress code are published for Besakih; follow the guidance at the entrance.

  4. Day 4 · 4

    Rest

    Rest at your hotel after the long day.

Day 5 · The southern beaches and departure

A last morning on the beach, then the airport.

0 of 2 stops done

  1. Day 5 · 1

    The southern beaches

    A turquoise cove in Bali from the air

    Spend the last morning on one of the beaches at Padang Padang, Bingin, Balangan or Jimbaran.

    Getting there

    1. Walk

  2. Day 5 · 2

    Departure

    Head to the airport. With visa-free entry you must leave Indonesia by day 30 at the latest.

    • Entrance fee

      Each day overstayed beyond the 30 visa-free days incurs an administrative fine of 1 million Indonesian rupiah.

      Source: T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı · last checked 2026-10-22

Getting around

  • Good to know

    Since 3 July 2025, Turkish citizens of any passport type can enter Indonesia visa-free for tourist trips of up to 30 days; go straight to passport control without stopping at the "Visa on Arrival" counters, and a return ticket is mandatory.

    Source: T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Good to know

    Since 1 October 2025, all travellers must declare through the All Indonesia system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code they receive at the border.

    Source: T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı · last checked 2026-10-22

  • Good to know

    Türkiye's Foreign Ministry notes that natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are frequent in Indonesia and that airports are sometimes closed because of volcanic activity; follow local weather updates.

    Source: T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı · last checked 2026-10-22

What and where to eat

What to eat and where to look

Local specialities

  • Jamu

    Indonesia's traditional herbal drinks and wellness culture; Jamu wellness culture was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2023.

    Source: UNESCO Somut Olmayan Kültürel Miras · UNESCO intangible cultural heritage · last checked 2026-10-22

Opening hours and prices vary by venue; check the venue’s own site before you go. Recommendations are not paid placements.

Where to stay

Candidates were picked by distance to the area, star rating, guest rating (weighted by number of reviews) and completeness of hotel details. Ratings, review counts and details come live from our catalogue. Tiers follow the star rating.

Sample dates: 26.11–30.11 (4 nights), 2 adults. Prices change with dates; choose your own dates on the hotel page.

Seminyak (south-west coast)

On the west coast's sunset beaches and close to the airport.

Good for: First-time couples and those who want nightlife

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

Ubud (inland)

A base for the Monkey Forest and the culture-focused days, closer to the terraces and the mountain temples.

Good for: Honeymooners and travellers after calm and culture

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

Jimbaran (south)

Close to southern beaches such as Padang Padang, Bingin and Balangan.

Good for: Beach-focused travellers and those who want an easy airport run on the last day

Budget

Mid-range

Upscale

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Photos: Pexels (Tom Fisk, gabriel bodhi, Yan Krukau, Patrick Gamelkoorn, Dana Englich, Veronika Andrews, Jayant Singh)

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