Essential Bali & Gili Islands

Essential Bali & Gili Islands

3,004 Views
10 Days From

$690

$621

Essential Bali & Gili Islands

10 Days Starting in Ubud and ending in Seminyak

Visiting: Ubud, Mt Batur, Candidasa, Gili Trawangan, Seminyak

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

TIYB

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-35 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Beach Tours

From: $690 $621 Operator discount: -$69

NB: Prices correct on 03-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Find peace, relaxation and adventure with a trip around Bali. Starting in the patchouli-infused Ubud, you can explore the jungle or cycle around rice paddies before ascending Mt Batur at sunrise and creating epic memories. Kick back on Gili T and soak up island life as you enjoy loads of free time to snorkel over reefs, snap a few sunsets and throw down some beers. End it all in Seminyak with some of the best beachy nightlife you’ll ever find, even more sunsets (the colours!) and a massage (or three).

Highlights

  • Float in the ocean, sunbake on the beach, and conquer a volcano at sunrise – the island landscapes of Bali make for an epic experience.

  • Bike around Gili T on a tour of the remote island, with a local leader who knows all the best recommendations – maybe spot sea turtles while snorkelling or just kick back with a good book and a cocktail (or few).

  • Wake up at 3 am and climb a mountain – this sunrise is worth it! Watching the day come alive at the top of Mt Batur is worth every minute of sleep you lose.

  • Let a local show you their favourite dishes, from nasi campur to all kinds of other delicacies during a street food tasting in Seminyak. We know you didn’t come all the way to Bali to eat spaghetti!

  • Soak up every drop of Ubud's relaxed atmosphere, from the calming jungle to the rice paddies waiting to be explored. Is this heaven or just Indonesia?

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Coral Triangle Center Foundation. Donations help expand their coral restoration project and support their educational outreach activities for local schools in Nusa Penida.

  • Float in the ocean, sunbake on the beach and conquer a volcano at sunrise – the island landscapes of Bali make for an epic experience.

  • Bike around Gili T on a tour of the remote island, with a local leader who knows all the best spots – maybe see some sea turtles while snorkelling or just kick back with a good book and a cocktail.

  • Wake up at 3 am and climb a mountain – the sunrise will be worth it! Watching the day come alive at the top of Mt Batur is worth every minute of sleep you lose.

  • Let a local show you their favourite dishes, from nasi campur to all kinds of other delicacies during a street food tasting in Seminyak.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Ubud

Location: Ubud

Accommodation: Hotel

Salamat Datang! Welcome to Bali. Your adventure begins in the rice paddy-lined oasis of Ubud, in the mountains of Bali. You're free to arrive whenever you like before your welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, maybe stroll around town, soak up the vibe and immerse yourself in all that leafy Ubud has to offer. After the meeting, go out for an optional group dinner and feast on delicious local cuisine.

Day 2: Ubud

Location: Ubud

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today is a free day to explore the temples, wander through the rice paddy fields or visit the famous art and craft markets in the town centre. Maybe get up early and start your day with a yoga class, then use your free time to join in on some fun optional activities like a cycling tour, white-water rafting or a cooking class. If you'd prefer to freewheel it, you can just hire a bike and ride around Ubud's lush countryside. For lunch, maybe seek out some of the Balinese specialty – Babi Guling (the Indonesian version of roast pork).

Optional Activities:
-Ubud - Cooking class
-Ubud - Saraswati Temple Lotus Garden
-Ubud - Bali Cycling Tour
-Ubud - Whitewater rafting

Day 3: Mt Batur

Location: Mt Batur

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Depart Ubud for Batur this morning, visiting the Tirta Empul Water Temple along the way. Tirta Empul, translating to holy water spring, was built in the 10th century as a place of ritual purification for Balinese Hindus and is still very much in use. This is the real deal, and you’ll see the local Balinese come here to bathe in the pools and purify themselves under the waterspouts. Next, head to the stunning rice terraces at Tegalalang to take a stroll. This is a great spot to take that perfect photo of beautiful Bali. When you arrive in Batur, you might want to rest, relax and recharge, ready for a jam-packed day tomorrow.

Included Activities:
-Ubud - Tirta Empul Water Temple
-Tegalalang - Rice Terraces

Day 4: Candidasa

Location: Candidasa

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals Included: breaksfast

Rise and shine early birds (at 3 am) – it's time for a good ol' fashioned crater hike. At 1717 m high, Mt Batur sits inside a spectacular caldera along with Lake Batur. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. You'll be just in time to witness the sunrise over the valleys of Bali! On a clear morning, it's possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Mt Rinjani. After descending the volcano, there may be an option to soak in hot springs with great views over the lake and caldera. Later in the afternoon, head southwest to beachside Candidasa. When you arrive, maybe chill out by the beach and let your muscles rest after your glorious hike.

Included Activities:
-Mt Batur - Sunrise volcano climb

Optional Activities:
-Mt Batur - Hot springs

Day 5: Gili Trawangan

Location: Gili Trawangan

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Drive to Padangbai this morning and jump on a speedboat to Gili Trawangan, or Gili T – the Goldilocks of the three Gili islands, striking the perfect balance between Gili Air's hippie vibe and Gili Meno’s low-key honeymoon atmosphere. Check in to your resort, then begin exploring on two wheels during a cycling orientation tour with your leader. Get insider island info on the best places to watch the sunset and the best beaches to soak up the salt air. Luckily for you, you’ll get access to the resort’s bicycles for the duration of your stay, so getting from A to B will be a peddle-powered breeze. After your cycling tour, spend the rest of the night however you like, just remember that bare feet are the basis of the dress code.

Included Activities:
-Gili Trawangan - Leader-Led Orientation Cycling Trip
-Gili Trawangan – Bike Hire (3 Days)

Day 6: Gili Trawangan

Location: Gili Trawangan

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Enjoy a free day on Gili T. Why not join an optional cooking or yoga class or go snorkelling in the unbelievably clear waters. You could even head out on a motorised wooden boat around the Gili Islands, jumping straight off the boat and coming face-to-face with marine life, including colourful fish, coral reefs and of course, sea turtles. The Gili Islands are a famous snorkelling destination and probably the best spot in South East Asia for turtle-spotting. If you’d prefer, just kick back with a cocktail and do nothing!

Optional Activities:
-Gili Air - Snorkelling
-Gili Trawangan - Cooking class
-Gili Trawangan - Yoga Class

Day 7: Gili Trawangan

Location: Gili Trawangan

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today is just another day in paradise. Maybe jump on another boat for more snorkelling or take it super easy and set up on the beach with a book, a coconut and a cocktail. You could also grab a bike and go for another ride – all three of the Gili Islands are tiny, but it’ll still sound pretty cool when you tell your friends that you circumnavigated an island on wheels.

Day 8: Seminyak

Location: Seminyak

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Have a leisurely breakfast and one last swim on Gili T before walking back to the port and taking a speedboat to Padangbai. From here, you’ll drive to upmarket Seminyak, where the sunsets are legendary, the beaches are plentiful, the nightlife is lively, and there are more spas, bars, massages and treatments than you can poke at. When you arrive, step out with your leader on an included food tasting. Your leader knows all the best dishes, so unbuckle your belt and try some nasi campur (a mixed plate of rice, veggies and meats) and other local street foods. Continue to a beach club tonight, where you can beat the heat with an included drink.

Included Activities:
-Seminyak – Street Food Tasting
-Seminyak - Beach Club Visit

Day 9: Seminyak

Location: Seminyak

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Give today a real Semin-crack with a range of optional activities to fill up your blissful free time. Maybe café hop (the colourful cafes in Seminyak are endless), laze by the beach or get active and take a surf lesson. You can’t hit Seminyak without soaking up the sun at another beach club in the afternoon. Ever heard of Potato Head? Cocoon? Ku de Ta? Sit back, listen to the tunes, splash around in the pool and watch the sun go down with a cocktail or coconut in hand. Toast to the final full day of the trip with your newfound travel companions and dance the night away.

Optional Activities:
-Seminyak - Bali ‘Eat Street’ Local Food Urban Adventure
-Legian - Rip Curl Surfing Lesson (includes transport)

Day 10: Seminyak

Location: Seminyak

Meals Included: breaksfast

Your Bali adventure comes to an end today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to swim, snorkel, sleep and tan – if you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Guesthouse (1 nights), Hotel (8 nights)

  • Ubud - Tirta Empul Water Temple

  • Tegalalang - Rice Terraces

  • Mt Batur - Sunrise volcano climb

  • Gili Trawangan - Leader-Led Orientation Cycling Trip

  • Gili Trawangan – Bike Hire (3 Days)

  • Seminyak – Street Food Tasting

  • Seminyak - Beach Club Visit

  • Meals

    9 breakfasts, 1 dinners

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

Transport

  • TRANSPORT IN BALI:
  • In Bali we travel by private minivan in order to access more remote areas such as Bedugul, and for safety on the busy and narrow Balinese roads. Depending on the size of your group you may be split over multiple vans and your leader will alternate between the vehicles throughout the journey.
  • On Gili Trawangan there is no motorised transport, only Cidomos (horse drawn carts). Your luggage will be transported by Cidomo between the port and our accommodation.
  • BOATS between Bali & Lombok
  • Please note that from time to time due to strong winds the fast boat services might be cancelled between Bali and Lombok – in this case we will take a larger slow ferry. The ferry can take upto 8 hours and will arrive in Lembar on Lombok mainland we will then drive a further 2 hours across Lombok mainland to Teluk Kode to take a boat to Gili Trawangan (20mins). Note if the fast boats are cancelled on the day we are due to travel back to Bali we will also need to take the Slow ferry service

Accommodation

  • Guesthouse (1 nights), Hotel (8 nights)

Included Activities

  • Ubud - Tirta Empul Water Temple
  • Tegalalang - rice terraces
  • Mt Batur - Sunrise volcano climb
  • Gili Trawangan - leader led orientation cycling trip
  • Seminyak - Beach club visit

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Candidasa) where there is no availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

  • TRANSPORT IN BALI:
  • In Bali we travel by private minivan in order to access more remote areas such as Bedugul, and for safety on the busy and narrow Balinese roads. Depending on the size of your group you may be split over multiple vans and your leader will alternate between the vehicles throughout the journey.
  • On Gili Trawangan there is no motorised transport, only Cidemo’s (horse drawn carts). Your luggage will be transported by Cidemo between the port and our accommodation.
  • BOATS between Bali & Lombok
  • Please note that from time to time due to strong winds the fast boat services might be cancelled between Bali and Lombok – in this case we will take a larger slow ferry. The ferry can take upto 8 hours and will arrive in Lembar on Lombok mainland we will then drive a further 2 hours across Lombok mainland to Teluk Kode to take a boat to Gili Trawangan (20mins). Note if the fast boats are cancelled on the day we are due to travel back to Bali we will also need to take the Slow ferry service

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    Part of what makes this part of the world so appealing is the warm weather, so it probably won’t come as a surprise that Bali can be extremely hot and humid. It’s also important to note that the temperature can drop in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

    Climbing Mt Batur on Day 4 to watch the sunrise from the top of the volcano is one of the highlights of this trip, just be aware that this will involve starting the hike at 3 am. The climb takes around 2 hours and requires a good level of fitness.

    This trip affords lots of free time so that you can experience Bali the way you imagined. If you need activity options, your leader will be on hand to help.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

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29-Feb-2024

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Operator discount: -$34

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Operator discount: -$38

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$720 $684

Operator discount: -$36

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Operator discount: -$36

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$720 $684

Operator discount: -$36

Saturday - Monday

Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025
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Operator discount: -$36

Saturday - Monday

Dec 06, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025
$720 $684

Operator discount: -$36

Saturday - Monday

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$750

Saturday - Monday

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$750

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$755

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$785

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$785

Saturday - Monday

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$785

Saturday - Monday

Nov 07, 2026 - Nov 16, 2026
$755

Saturday - Monday

Dec 05, 2026 - Dec 14, 2026
$755

Saturday - Monday

Dec 19, 2026 - Dec 28, 2026
$785
Prices last published on 02-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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