10-Day Bali Itinerary: The Full Island Experience (With North Bali)

Ten days in Bali changes the trip completely. Instead of rushing between highlights, you actually get to slow down in each area. Instead of choosing between the coast and the mountains, you get both. And instead of skipping North Bali like most itineraries tell you to, you spend two days up there.

That’s the real advantage of a 10-day trip. You’re not just seeing more stops. You’re seeing a different side of the island that shorter itineraries can’t reach.

This plan covers South Bali, Ubud, East Bali, North Bali, Nusa Penida, and the Bukit Peninsula. Every day is routed logically, every drive time is realistic, and there’s enough breathing room built in that you won’t feel like you’re on a schedule.

Why 10 Days Opens Up the Full Island

Most Bali itineraries top out at seven days and focus almost entirely on the south and central parts of the island. That’s fine, but it means most visitors never see:

• North Bali (Munduk, Lovina, the twin lakes)
• The mountain interior (waterfalls, coffee plantations, jungle trails)
• The quieter side of East Bali beyond the quick temple stops

Ten days gives you the room to include all of that without sacrificing the places everyone comes for. Here’s what you cover:

• South Bali (Seminyak, Canggu) for beaches, food, and sunsets
• Ubud for culture, rice terraces, and temples
• East Bali (Besakih, Tirtagangga) for sacred sites and water palaces
• North Bali (Munduk, Lovina) for waterfalls, mountains, and dolphin watching
• Nusa Penida for dramatic cliffs and turquoise water
• Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu) for the clifftop temple and Kecak dance

You’ll leave Bali feeling like you actually explored the island, not just the tourist corridor.

Your 10-Day Bali Itinerary at a Glance

Before You Go: Planning Notes

Getting Around: Private Driver

A private driver is essential for this itinerary. You’re covering the entire island over 10 days, including remote parts of East and North Bali where ride-hailing apps don’t work and public transport barely exists.

A full-day driver costs around IDR 600,000 to 900,000 (~$35 to $55 USD) for 8 to 10 hours. For the longer multi-region days (Day 5, 6, 8), expect to pay on the higher end or negotiate a multi-day rate.

Multi-day driver tip: If you find a good driver on Day 2 or 3, ask about booking them for the full trip. Many drivers offer discounted rates for multi-day bookings, and having the same person who already knows your pace and preferences makes the trip smoother. Agree on a total price upfront that covers all days, fuel, and overnight accommodation for the driver when you’re staying outside their home area.

You’ll need a driver for Days 2 through 8. Day 1 is arrival, Day 9 (Nusa Penida) is handled by a tour operator, and Day 10 is flexible.

Traffic and Logistics

With 10 days, you have more room to absorb traffic delays than a shorter trip. But the same rules apply:

• Leave early. 7:30am to 8am starts make everything better.
• Don’t double back. This itinerary moves you around the island in a logical loop so you’re never retracing long drives.
• Build in buffer time, especially for Days 5, 6, and 8 which involve longer drives.

Why This Itinerary Starts (and Ends) in South Bali

Ngurah Rai International Airport is at the southern tip of the island, between Kuta and Jimbaran. Every flight into Bali lands here. There’s no second airport, no northern entry point.

This itinerary uses that geography to create a logical loop: south coast first, then inland to Ubud, east to the coast, north through the mountains, back south via the lakes and Tanah Lot, then Nusa Penida and departure. You’re never retracing a long drive or wasting a day getting back to somewhere you’ve already been. The loop makes 10 days feel efficient instead of exhausting.

Flight Timing

This itinerary assumes you arrive in the morning or early afternoon and depart on a late evening or overnight flight (the most common pattern for international visitors). If your flights are different:

• Arriving at night? Treat the next morning as your Day 1 and shift everything forward. With 10 days, this barely affects the plan.
• Departing in the morning or afternoon? Keep Day 10 as a transfer-only day with no activities. Move any last-day plans to Day 9 evening.

Share Your Plan with Your Driver

Ten days with a driver means a lot of routes, stops, and logistics. Having everything organized before you arrive saves time, money, and confusion.

Bali Rivo lets you build your full itinerary and share a clean, day-by-day summary with your driver. Especially useful for a trip this long, where each day covers different terrain.

Day 1: Arrival + South Bali

Base: Seminyak or Canggu Vibe: Easy arrival day. No agenda.

Most international flights into Ngurah Rai International Airport arrive in the morning or early afternoon. By the time you clear customs, grab a SIM card, and reach your accommodation, it’s usually midday or later.

You have 10 days. There’s zero reason to rush Day 1.

Afternoon

• Check in, unpack, grab lunch at a nearby warung or cafe
• Walk to the beach. Seminyak Beach or Batu Bolong in Canggu. Both are easy walks from most accommodation.
• Pool day is also perfectly fine. You’re here for 10 days. Pace yourself.

Evening

• Watch the sunset from the beach or a beach club
• Seminyak: Potato Head, La Plancha, or just the sand
• Canggu: Batu Bolong, Echo Beach, or The Lawn
• Dinner on foot. Walk the main streets. Both areas have restaurants covering everything from local Balinese to international.

Where to stay: You’ll be in South Bali for nights 1, 2, 9, and 10. Seminyak is walkable and polished. Canggu is more relaxed and spread out. Either works.

Practical notes:

• Get a local SIM at the airport. Telkomsel has the best coverage, including in North Bali and on Nusa Penida.
• Grab IDR from an airport ATM. Cash is essential once you leave the tourist zones.
• Airport exchange rates are poor. Exchange the minimum and find a better rate in town.

Day 2: Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula

Drive time from Seminyak: ~45 minutes Drive time from Canggu: ~1 to 1.5 hours Best start time:Leave by 8:30am

On a shorter trip, Uluwatu is usually the last day before departure. With 10 days, you get to do it early, on a full day with no flight to catch. That means you can actually enjoy the Kecak dance at sunset without stressing about getting to the airport.

Morning: Uluwatu Temple

Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits on a cliff about 70 meters above the Indian Ocean. One of Bali’s six key directional temples. The views are stunning, especially in morning light.

• Entrance: IDR 50,000 (~$3 USD) per person
• Sarong required (available at the entrance)
• Arrive at 9am when it opens. Thin crowds, great light.
• Watch your belongings. The monkeys here are notorious for grabbing sunglasses, phones, and anything loose.

Late Morning: Padang Padang Beach

A short drive from Uluwatu. Small beach tucked between cliffs, clear water, very photogenic.

• Entrance: IDR 15,000 (~$1 USD)
• Best before noon
• Not always great for swimming depending on swell, but beautiful to sit at

Afternoon: Melasti Beach

About 15 minutes from Padang Padang. Melasti is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Bali. White sand, crystal-clear water, dramatic cliff walls on both sides. It’s newer to the tourist scene and usually less packed than the Uluwatu-area beaches.

• Entrance: IDR 10,000 (~$0.50 USD)
• Good for swimming
• Beach clubs and warungs available, or bring your own snacks

Spend the afternoon here. You have time. This is what 10 days buys you.

Evening: Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu

The best way to close out a Bukit Peninsula day. The Kecak dance is performed at Uluwatu Temple at sunset, around 6pm. Fifty-plus performers chanting in unison, fire, the cliff edge, the ocean below. It’s genuinely one of the most memorable things you can do in Bali.

• Tickets: IDR 150,000 (~$10 USD) per person
• Book in advance during high season. It sells out.
• Performance runs about an hour.

Head back to South Bali after the show. Dinner in Seminyak or Canggu.

Day 3: South Bali to Ubud (With Stops)

Drive time from South Bali to Ubud: 1.5 to 2 hours (without stops) Best start time: Leave by 8am

Today you move from South Bali to Ubud. Use the drive to knock out two of Bali’s most popular attractions on the way.

Stop 1: Tegalalang Rice Terraces

About 20 minutes north of Ubud center. The terraced paddies drop into a steep river valley. Even after seeing it everywhere on social media, the real thing hits different.

• Entrance: IDR 10,000 to 20,000 (~$1 to $1.50 USD)
• Arrive before 10am for the best experience
• Walk the lower paths for better views and fewer crowds
• Cafes along the ridge for coffee with the view

Skip the swings and photo props. Overpriced, long lines, and not worth the time.

Stop 2: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Right in central Ubud. About 700 long-tailed macaques live in this forest and temple complex. Lively, chaotic, and worth about an hour.

• Entrance: IDR 80,000 (~$5 USD) per person
• Keep bags zipped, don’t bring food, hold onto anything loose
• Walk the full loop through the forest, not just the entrance area

Afternoon: Settle Into Ubud

Check into your Ubud accommodation by early afternoon. You’re here for two nights (Day 3 and Day 4), so take it easy.

• Walk through Ubud Art Market
• Stroll Jalan Dewi Sita and Monkey Forest Road
• Find a warung for dinner

Where to stay in Ubud: Central Ubud for walkability. You want restaurants, the market, and the Monkey Forest within walking distance.

Dinner in Ubud

• Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka – famous suckling pig, lunch only (hit it tomorrow)
• Naughty Nuri’s – ribs, cocktails, casual
• Locavore – high-end, local ingredients, book ahead
• Night market stalls for cheap, authentic food

Day 4: Full Day in Ubud

Base: Ubud Best start time: 7am for the ridge walk

A full day dedicated to the quieter, deeper side of Ubud. No driving between regions. Just Ubud and the surrounding area.

Morning: Campuhan Ridge Walk

A 2km walk along a narrow ridge above the river. Grassland, jungle, views. Quiet and underrated.

• Free
• Best walked 7am to 9am before the heat
• About 1 to 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace
• Ends near breakfast spots on Jalan Raya Sanggingan

Mid-Morning: Tirta Empul Temple

A 25-minute drive from Ubud. Hindu water temple with holy spring pools for purification. This is an active place of worship.

• Entrance: IDR 50,000 (~$3 USD) per person
• Sarong and sash required (provided)
• You can participate in the purification. Ask your driver about etiquette.
• Best before noon

Afternoon: Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

A short drive from Tirta Empul. An 11th-century site with a carved cave entrance, bathing pools, and temple ruins in a lush ravine.

• Entrance: IDR 50,000 (~$3 USD) per person
• Less crowded than most Ubud sights
• About 45 minutes to an hour

Late Afternoon Options

With 10 days, you have room for things shorter trips have to skip:

• Tegenungan Waterfall. 20 minutes south of Ubud. Accessible, scenic, best before noon but still worth it in the afternoon. Entrance IDR 20,000 (~$1.50 USD).
• Spa time. A 60-minute Balinese massage in Ubud runs IDR 100,000 to 200,000 (~$7 to $13 USD). Treat yourself.
• Cooking class. Balinese cooking classes run about 4 hours and usually include a market visit. Book in advance.
• Ubud Palace evening dance. Traditional Balinese dance performed in the courtyard of Puri Saren most evenings.

Day 5: East Bali

Drive time from Ubud to Besakih: ~1 hour Drive time from Besakih to Tirtagangga: ~1 hour Best start time: Leave by 8am

East Bali is where the tourism thins out. Fewer crowds, bigger landscapes, and two of the most impressive sites on the island. This is the day that separates a 10-day trip from a 5-day trip.

Morning: Besakih Temple

Besakih, the “Mother Temple of Bali,” is the largest and most sacred temple complex on the island. It sits on the slopes of Mount Agung at about 1,000 meters, and the setting is genuinely awe-inspiring.

• Entrance: IDR 60,000 (~$4 USD) per person
• Sarong required
• Hire a local guide at the entrance. It’s expected, and they’ll help you navigate the complex and understand what you’re seeing.
• Go early before clouds cover Mount Agung. The mountain framing the temples is half the experience.

Afternoon: Tirtagangga Water Palace

About an hour from Besakih. Tirtagangga is a former royal water palace with ornamental pools, fountains, stone carvings, and stepping stones surrounded by lily pads. It’s one of the most peaceful places in Bali.

• Entrance: IDR 50,000 (~$3 USD) per person
• Swimming in the pools is allowed and absolutely worth it. Bring a swimsuit.
• The surrounding village and rice fields are beautiful to walk through

Evening: Stay in East Bali

Instead of driving all the way back to Ubud, spend the night in Amed or Candidasa. Both are on the east coast and set you up perfectly for the drive north tomorrow.

• Amed is quieter, smaller, known for diving and snorkeling. Good beachfront guesthouses.
• Candidasa is slightly more developed, with more restaurant options and a nice main strip.

This is an underrated part of Bali. The pace is completely different from the south. Enjoy it.

Day 6: East Bali Coast to North Bali

Drive time from Amed to Lovina/Munduk: ~2.5 to 3 hours (coastal route) Best start time: Leave by 8:30am

Today is a travel day, but a scenic one. You’re driving from Bali’s east coast up along the northern shore to the Munduk/Lovina area. The drive itself is part of the experience.

Morning: Amed Coastline

If you stayed in Amed, spend the morning enjoying the coast before you leave.

• Walk the black-sand beach at sunrise
• If you’re a snorkeler or diver, the Japanese Shipwreck and the coral reefs off Amed are some of the best in Bali. Even a quick snorkel session from the beach is worth it.
• Have breakfast at your guesthouse overlooking the water

The Drive North

The route from Amed to Lovina follows the coast road through Tejakula and along Bali’s north shore. It’s winding, scenic, and mostly empty compared to the southern roads.

You’ll pass through small fishing villages, black-sand beaches, and stretches of road with views of the Bali Sea. This isn’t a freeway. Expect narrow sections, the occasional truck, and a slower pace. That’s part of the charm.

Optional Stop: Air Sanih (Yeh Sanih)

About halfway between Amed and Lovina. Air Sanih is a freshwater spring pool right on the coast. It’s popular with locals and almost unknown to tourists.

• Entrance: IDR 20,000 (~$1.50 USD)
• Cold, clean water, lush gardens
• A good 30-minute break from the drive

Afternoon: Arrive in Munduk or Lovina

Check in and settle into the mountain or coastal vibe of North Bali.

• Munduk is up in the mountains. Cooler air, waterfalls, jungle, coffee plantations. Quieter and more isolated.
• Lovina is on the north coast. Black-sand beach, calmer energy, famous for morning dolphin tours.

You can stay in either. If you want waterfalls and mountain views, pick Munduk. If you want the beach and dolphins, pick Lovina. They’re about 30 to 40 minutes apart, so you can do both areas regardless of where you sleep.

Evening

Dinner at your accommodation or at a local restaurant. North Bali doesn’t have the restaurant scene of the south, but the food is honest, cheap, and often excellent. Ask your hotel for recommendations.

Day 7: North Bali Exploration

Base: Munduk or Lovina Best start time: 8am (or 6am if doing Lovina dolphins)

This is the day most Bali visitors never get. North Bali is completely different from the south. Cooler temperatures, green mountains, waterfalls hidden in jungle, and almost no tourist crowds. It feels like a different island.

Option A: Lovina Dolphins (Early Morning)

If you’re staying in or near Lovina, the dolphin boat tours leave at dawn, around 6am. Local outrigger boats take you out to spot wild dolphins in the Bali Sea.

• Cost: IDR 100,000 to 150,000 (~$7 to $10 USD) per person
• Tours last about 1 to 2 hours
• Dolphins aren’t guaranteed, but sightings are common
• Book through your hotel the night before

After dolphins, grab breakfast and start the day.

Munduk Waterfalls

The Munduk area has several waterfalls within a short drive of each other. The three worth visiting:

• Munduk Waterfall. The main one. A 15-minute walk through jungle from the parking area. Tall, powerful, surrounded by greenery. Entrance IDR 20,000 (~$1.50 USD).
• Melanting Waterfall. About 10 minutes further along the same road. Taller than Munduk, less visited, with a steep stairway down. Entrance IDR 10,000 (~$0.70 USD).
• Golden Valley Waterfall (Labuhan Kebo). A newer discovery, about 20 minutes from Munduk. A tiered waterfall in a lush canyon. Less developed, fewer people. Entrance IDR 20,000 (~$1.50 USD).

You can hit all three in a morning. They’re close together and the walks are manageable.

Twin Lakes: Tamblingan and Buyan

A 15-minute drive from Munduk. Two volcanic lakes sitting side by side in a crater, separated by a strip of forest. The viewpoint from the ridge is one of the most beautiful panoramas in Bali.

• Free to access the main viewpoint
• The area around Lake Tamblingan has jungle trails and a small temple you can walk to
• Fog and clouds are common in the afternoon, so visit in the morning for clear views

Afternoon: Coffee Plantation Visit

The Munduk highlands are one of Bali’s main coffee-growing regions. Several small plantations welcome visitors for a tour and tasting.

• Most are free to visit (they make their money on coffee sales)
• You’ll see how Balinese coffee and the famous kopi luwak (civet coffee) are produced
• Buy beans directly from the source if you want to bring some home

Evening

Relax at your accommodation. If you’re in Munduk, the mountain air is noticeably cooler than the coast. Bring a light layer. Enjoy the quiet.

Day 8: North Bali to South Bali (With Stops)

Drive time from Munduk/Lovina to South Bali: ~3 hours (direct) Best start time: Leave by 8am

Today you head back south. The drive is long, but you’ll break it up with two of Bali’s most iconic stops along the way. By evening, you’re back at the beach.

Morning Stop: Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

About 30 minutes from Munduk. This is the temple you’ve seen in every Bali travel brochure. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan sits on the shore of Lake Bratan, and when the water is high, it looks like the temple is floating.

• Entrance: IDR 75,000 (~$5 USD) per person
• Best visited in the morning when the lake is calm and the light is soft
• Allow about an hour
• There’s a small market near the entrance for snacks and souvenirs

Drive South Through the Mountains

The road from Bedugul (Lake Bratan area) south to the coast is one of the most scenic drives in Bali. You’ll pass through highland villages, terraced hillsides, and stretches of forest. It’s winding and slow in places, but beautiful.

Afternoon Stop: Tanah Lot Temple

About 1.5 hours south of Bedugul, depending on traffic. Tanah Lot is a sea temple perched on a rock just offshore. It’s one of the most visited sites in Bali, and for good reason. The setting is dramatic, especially in the afternoon light.

• Entrance: IDR 60,000 (~$4 USD) per person
• Best visited 2 to 3 hours before sunset
• You can walk to the base of the temple rock at low tide
• The area around it is touristy (lots of shops and food stalls), but the temple itself delivers

Evening: Back in South Bali

You’ll arrive in Seminyak or Canggu by late afternoon or early evening. Check into your accommodation for the last two nights.

Keep the evening simple. You’ve been on the road all day. Find dinner, enjoy being back near the beach, and rest up. Tomorrow is Nusa Penida.

Day 9: Nusa Penida Day Trip

Depart from: Sanur Fast boat to Nusa Penida: ~30 to 45 minutes Drive time from Seminyak/Canggu to Sanur: ~30 to 45 minutes Best start time: Leave your hotel by 6:30am

After nine days on the mainland, Nusa Penida feels like entering a different world. Steep cliffs, turquoise water, and raw, undeveloped coastline. This is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Indonesia.

The roads on Nusa Penida are rough and the stops are spread out, so a guided day tour is the most practical option.

The West Tour (Recommended)

The most popular route, covering the four must-see spots:

• Kelingking Beach – the famous T-Rex cliff viewpoint. The hike down to the beach is steep (45 minutes each way) and exposed. The viewpoint alone is incredible if you’d rather not do the descent.
• Angel’s Billabong – a natural rock pool on the ocean’s edge. Visit at low tide. Don’t swim when the waves are high.
• Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) – a collapsed sea cave forming a natural arch. Walk the rim for views. Five minutes from Angel’s Billabong.
• Crystal Bay – calm water, white sand, good snorkeling. Best spot to swim before heading back.

For Adventurous Visitors: The East Tour

If you’ve already seen photos of Kelingking and want something different, the East Tour covers:

• Diamond Beach – white sand at the bottom of steep cliff stairs. Stunning.
• Atuh Beach – secluded, clear water, dramatic rock formations.
• Thousand Islands Viewpoint (Pulau Seribu) – a viewpoint overlooking a cluster of small islands and rock formations.
• Treehouse (Rumah Pohon) – a viewpoint platform perched on a cliff.

The East Tour is less crowded and the scenery is just as impressive. Ask your tour operator about combining stops from both routes if you want a custom day.

Practical Notes

• Book fast boats in advance. Depart from Sanur harbor.
• Fast boat one way: IDR 150,000 to 250,000 (~$10 to $16 USD)
• Return boats until 5pm or 6pm
• Bring cash. ATMs on the island are limited.
• Sunscreen, water, hat. Minimal shade at most stops.
• Motion sickness: take something before the boat. The strait can be rough.

Evening

Back in Sanur by late afternoon. Drive to South Bali for your last night. Keep the evening easy. Tomorrow is your departure day.

Day 10: South Bali + Departure

Base: Seminyak or Canggu Note: Most international flights depart late evening or overnight

Your last day. No agenda. Just enjoy South Bali at whatever pace feels right.

Morning Options

• Sleep in. After nine days of early starts, you’ve earned it.
• One last beach walk. Seminyak Beach or Batu Bolong at sunrise is quietly beautiful.
• Brunch at one of the many cafes in Seminyak or Canggu.

Afternoon Options

• Beach day. Pick your favorite beach from the trip, or try Pererenan in Canggu for something new. Less crowded, good surf, nice cafes.
• Last-minute shopping. Seminyak and Canggu both have good shops for clothing, homewares, and souvenirs. Ubud Art Market was great for crafts, but the boutiques in South Bali cover a different style.
• Spa. End the trip with a Balinese massage. A 90-minute session at a quality spa in Seminyak runs about IDR 200,000 to 400,000 (~$13 to $26 USD). Worth every rupiah.
• Pool time. If your hotel has a great pool, use it one last time.

Evening: Departure

Ngurah Rai International Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from Seminyak, 30 to 45 minutes from Canggu. Add more time during evening rush.

Budget at least 2 hours before an international flight, 3 hours during high season (July, August, December).

If you have a late flight, Tanah Lot sunset is an option, but only if you didn’t do it on Day 8. Otherwise, keep it simple.

How to Customize This Itinerary

Ten days gives you a lot of flexibility. You could add a second day on Nusa Penida (stay overnight and do both the West and East tours). You could swap the Munduk waterfalls for a diving day in Amed. You could drop Besakih and spend more time on the beach.

Bali Rivo lets you take a plan like this and reshape it for your trip. Add or remove stops, rearrange days, check how full each day is, and share a clean summary with your driver before you land.

Practical Tips for a 10-Day Bali Trip

• Best time to visit: April to October (dry season). May, June, and September are the sweet spot. July and August are peak season with higher prices and bigger crowds.
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cash is essential once you leave South Bali and Ubud. ATMs are scarce in Amed, Munduk, Lovina, and on Nusa Penida. Withdraw enough before heading east or north.
• Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated. IDR 10,000 to 20,000 for small services. Tip your driver at the end of each day, or a lump sum at the end if you’ve booked them for the full trip.
• Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered at all temples. Sarongs are usually provided.
• Connectivity: Telkomsel SIM has the best coverage island-wide, including North Bali and Nusa Penida. Some spots in Munduk and Amed have weak signal.
• Water: Never drink the tap water. Bottled water everywhere, IDR 3,000 to 10,000.
• Luggage strategy: You’re moving between four bases (South Bali, Ubud, East Bali/North Bali, back to South Bali). Pack a daypack for the East/North segment and leave your main luggage at your South Bali hotel. Most hotels will hold bags for returning guests.
• Laundry: Ten days means you’ll need to do laundry. Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu all have cheap, fast laundry services (IDR 7,000 to 15,000 per kg, usually returned same day or next morning).
• Altitude in the north: Munduk is at about 800 meters. The temperature drops noticeably at night. Bring a light jacket or hoodie.