Bali & Gili Islands Tour

Two Very Different Sides of Indonesia in One Trip

This 7-day itinerary pairs Bali's cultural and temple-focused interior with the car-free simplicity of the Gili Islands, giving travelers a genuinely varied trip rather than a single-destination stay. The first half covers Ubud's rice terraces and eastern Bali's most photographed temples, the middle shifts entirely to island time on Gili Trawangan, and the final stretch closes back in south Bali with one of the island's most iconic sunset experiences.

Ubud: Rice Terraces and Adventure

After arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and settling into Ubud on Day 1, Day 2 combines two of the region's best-known activities. The Bali Swing platforms at Tegallalang have become one of Bali's most photographed attractions, set directly over the terraced rice fields. The tandem ATV circuit that follows takes a rougher, more physical route through jungle track, river crossings, and a cave tunnel, giving the day a mix of scenic and adventurous stops.

Heaven's Gate and the Water Palace

Day 3 requires an early start, timed to reach Pura Lempuyang's celebrated split gate before the queues that build later in the day. The gate frames a view of Mount Agung, considered the spiritual center of Bali. From there, Tirta Gangga, the former water palace of the Karangasem royal family, offers a calmer stop with its stepping-stone pools, ornamental carp, and landscaped gardens, a gentler pace after the early Lempuyang start.

Crossing to Gili Trawangan

Day 4 shifts the trip entirely, with a fast boat crossing from Bali to Gili Trawangan, one of three small islands collectively known as the Gilis. Gili Trawangan has no cars or motorbikes; getting around means walking, cycling, or riding a cidomo, a traditional horse-drawn cart. This shift in pace, from Bali's temple-and-traffic itinerary to an island with no motorized transport at all, is part of what makes the Gili leg feel distinct from the rest of the trip. Sunset from the island's west side, with its stretch of beachfront bars, is a well-known feature of the first evening.

Free Time on the Island

Day 5 is left entirely open, with cycling the island's roughly 90-minute ring road as the suggested anchor activity. Snorkeling with green turtles is possible directly from several points along the beach, without needing a boat, while a glass-bottom boat trip to the neighboring islands of Gili Meno and Gili Air offers a way to see more of the group in a single outing. The sunset swings on the island's west beach have become one of the most recognizable images associated with Gili Trawangan, and most visitors make a point of catching sunset there at least once during their stay.

Back to Bali: Uluwatu and the Kecak Fire Dance

Day 6 reverses the Day 4 crossing with an early fast boat back to Bali, followed by a transfer south to Uluwatu. The clifftop sea temple, perched roughly a hundred metres above the surf, is one of Bali's most dramatic settings, and the evening Kecak fire dance performed there as the sun sets is one of the island's best-known cultural performances. Dinner on Jimbaran beach, known for its beachside seafood restaurants, closes out the day and the trip's final full day.

Getting Home

The final morning is left free for last-minute shopping before the transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport for departure.

Best Time to Visit

April through October offers the most reliable conditions for this itinerary, particularly given the two fast boat crossings to and from Gili Trawangan, which can be affected by rougher seas during the wetter months from November through March.

Practical Notes for Nepali Travelers

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the local currency throughout. Since Gili Trawangan has no vehicles, packing light for the fast boat crossing and the two nights there makes getting around considerably easier; a smaller bag or backpack works better than a large suitcase on the island's sandy paths. Reef-safe sunscreen is worth packing for the Gili leg's snorkeling, and modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required for entry to Pura Lempuyang and Uluwatu.

Plan your Bali trip from Nepal

Before you book, Nepali and NRN travellers should review the Indonesia visa for Nepali citizens. For planning, read the best beaches in Bali and things to do in Bali. Compare every itinerary on our Bali tour packages for Nepali travellers page, or see official visitor information from Wonderful Indonesia.