Bali & Lombok 10-Day Itinerary: Temples, Rice Terraces & Islands
Ubud's rice terraces and temples, Seminyak's beach clubs, Lombok's Gili Islands and Rinjani volcano — the complete 10-day Bali and Lombok itinerary for 2026.
Overview
Bali and Lombok together make the perfect Indonesian island combination — Bali’s Hindu culture, terraced rice fields, and developed beach and wellness scene, followed by Lombok’s quieter atmosphere, the three Gili Islands (some of the best snorkeling in Southeast Asia), and the option to trek Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano.
Best for: Those who want the combination of culture, nature, and beach; first-time Southeast Asia visitors Budget: €50–120/day (excluding flights) Best season: April–October (dry season; avoid November–March when heavy rain affects Rinjani trekking)
Days 1–2: Arrival and Seminyak/Canggu
Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) — international connections from Singapore (1.5 hours), Kuala Lumpur (2 hours), and major hubs globally.
Day 1 — Seminyak: Arrive and adjust. Seminyak is Bali’s most sophisticated beach resort area — better restaurants and calmer beach than the adjacent Kuta (avoid Kuta for accommodation unless budget is the primary constraint; the party atmosphere and crowd density make it the least pleasant part of Bali).
Potato Head Beach Club (one of Southeast Asia’s most famous beach clubs, extraordinary architecture by Andra Matin, great spot to watch the sunset) or a quieter sunset at Pura Tanah Lot (the offshore temple perched on a rock, 20 km south of Seminyak, Bali’s most photographed sunset location — go 1.5 hours before sunset to avoid the peak crowd).
Day 2 — Canggu: Canggu (10 km north of Seminyak) is Bali’s surf and digital nomad neighborhood — the best surf break for learners and intermediates (Batu Bolong Beach), a dense concentration of organic cafés, co-working spaces, and the most photogenic accommodation options (private villa pools from €60/night).
Echo Beach: The best break in Canggu for intermediate surfers; La Brisa Beach Club for the afternoon; Old Man’s bar for sunset.
Days 3–5: Ubud — Culture and Rice Terraces
Drive 1.5 hours north into the mountains to Ubud — Bali’s cultural and artistic center, at 500m altitude with significantly cooler temperatures than the coast.
Day 3 — Sacred Monkey Forest and Puri Saren: The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (a temple complex inhabited by 700+ Balinese long-tailed macaques, extraordinary atmosphere in the early morning before tour groups arrive, €5 entry). Puri Saren Agung (the Ubud Royal Palace, traditional Kecak dance performances at sunset, €8–12) and a walk through the Ubud Art Market (textiles, carvings, silverwork — negotiate from the first asking price).
Day 4 — Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Tirta Empul: Tegallalang Rice Terraces (the iconic cascading rice paddies, most photogenic from the swing above the terraces — now very crowded by 10 AM; arrive by 8 AM for the best light and fewest people). Tirta Empul Temple (sacred spring temple where Balinese Hindus perform ritual bathing purification, one of Bali’s most genuine cultural experiences — dress appropriately, sarong mandatory, €3 entry).
Day 5 — Mount Batur Sunrise: Early departure (3 AM) for the 2-hour hike up Mount Batur (1,717m, an active volcano with a 2017 caldera lake visible from the summit) for sunrise — one of Bali’s most memorable experiences. The hike is not difficult but requires a guide (mandatory, guides available at the base at 4 AM). Down by 11 AM; afternoon for spa treatment (Ubud has Bali’s best traditional massage options, €10–15 for a 90-minute traditional Balinese massage).
Days 6–8: Lombok’s Gili Islands
Transfer from Ubud to the Padang Bai harbor (1.5 hours) and take the fast boat to the Gili Islands (2 hours, €25–35 — departs approximately 8 AM and 1 PM daily).
Gili Trawangan (the most popular, best nightlife), Gili Air (quieter, best balance of social life and beach atmosphere), or Gili Meno (the smallest, most peaceful, best for snorkeling the sea turtle nursery). Most visitors base on Gili T or Gili Air and take day trips between the islands by cidomo (horse cart, the only vehicles permitted — no motorbikes).
Day 6 — Arrival and Snorkeling: Check in and immediately snorkel the house reef — sea turtles are common around all three islands, particularly at the Gili T turtle nursery (the north coast). The water clarity is extraordinary (10–20m visibility). Bring your own mask/snorkel or rent from dive shops (€3–5/day).
Day 7 — Diving: The Gilis offer some of Indonesia’s best diving — walls, wrecks, excellent reef health, and guaranteed sea turtle encounters. PADI Open Water courses (€350–400 for 3.5 days) or fun dives (€30–35/dive) are available from multiple ISO-certified operators.
Day 8 — Island Hopping and Sunset: Take the Gili Eco Vibe island-hopping trip (€15, visits all three islands by boat, snorkeling stops between each) or simply relax on Gili Air’s beach and watch the sun go down over Bali’s volcanoes.
Days 9–10: Return to Bali — Eastern Highlights
Fast boat back to Padang Bai, then:
Day 9 — Tirta Gangga and Amed: Tirta Gangga Water Palace (a 1946 royal water garden in East Bali, koi ponds and tiered fountains set against the backdrop of Mount Agung, €3 entry) and the Amed Coast (black-sand beaches, good snorkeling on the Japanese shipwreck at Liberty, Bali’s best macro diving for underwater photographers).
Day 10 — Temple Circuit and Departure: Pura Besakih (the “Mother Temple” of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Agung, the most sacred Hindu site in Bali, €12 entry), then return to the airport for your departure.
Practical Tips
Transportation: Hire a private driver for the day (€30–40/day — ask your accommodation to arrange, or use Get Your Guide; Grab/Gojek work in Bali’s southern towns). Motorbike rental is €5–8/day but Bali’s traffic accidents involving tourists are a serious risk; ride only if experienced with Southeast Asian traffic.
Food and water: Do not drink tap water anywhere in Bali or Lombok — buy bottled water (€0.30/1.5 liters) or use a filter water bottle. Street food (warung) is excellent and safe at popular spots; avoid raw vegetables that may have been washed in tap water at lower-end places.
Temple dress code: Full sarong (provided at most temples, or bring your own, €2) and covered shoulders required for all Hindu temples. This is genuine cultural respect — Bali’s Hindu culture is extraordinary and largely intact because tourists follow the rules.