Bali itinerary for 9 days: Seminyak, Gili and Ubud
A 9-day Bali itinerary from India: Seminyak, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Gili Trawangan and Ubud with a Mount Batur sunrise. Hotels, visa, budget and seasons.
AVR Travels · · 6 min read
This 9-day Bali itinerary suits couples, honeymooners and anyone who likes an active holiday, with beaches, islands and rice terraces in one trip. The route runs Seminyak, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Gili Trawangan and Ubud: three nights in the south, two on a small island with no cars, and three in Ubud.
It is the plan behind our Bali trip. The days are full, so read through them before you decide which to keep and which to slow down.
Best time to visit: April to June is dry season, with calm seas for the island crossings, before the summer rush. July to October is still dry; July and August are peak, so book hotels and ferries early. From November to March the sea can be choppy and some sailings are cancelled.
Day by day
Day 01
Arrive in Bali, Seminyak
You are met at Denpasar airport and driven to Seminyak. The afternoon is yours: the boutiques on Jalan Laksmana, a pool day at one of the beach clubs, or a spa. Sunset from La Plancha on the beach. Overnight in Seminyak.
Day 02
Nusa Dua, Rock Bar and Uluwatu
Morning at Tanjung Benoa in Nusa Dua for water sports; parasailing is included when the weather allows. Lunch at Rock Bar on the Jimbaran cliffs, then Uluwatu Temple above the ocean and the Kecak Fire Dance, performed by a chanting choir as the sun goes down. Overnight in Seminyak.
Day 03
Nusa Penida day trip
An early boat to Nusa Penida with a packed breakfast. Kelingking Beach and its T-Rex cliff, Broken Beach and a swim in Angel Billabong, then snorkelling at Crystal Bay or Gamat Bay if the sea allows. Back on the last ferry for an evening at Atlas Beach Club. Overnight in Seminyak.
Day 04
Ferry to Gili Trawangan
An early ferry to the Gili Islands, where there are no cars, only bicycles and horse carts. Afternoon in the cafes, then a sunset snorkelling trip around Gili Air and Gili Meno. Dinner at the night market and live music along the beach road. Overnight on Gili Trawangan.
Day 05
Gili Trawangan at leisure
A sunrise swim off the hotel beach and optional paddle boarding. The reefs here have turtles and reef sharks, and scuba dives can be arranged from the island. Cycle along the shore in the afternoon and watch the sunset from Pink Coco. Overnight on Gili Trawangan.
Day 06
Back to Bali and up to Ubud
A two-hour ferry to Padang Bai and a two-hour drive up to Ubud. The Monkey Forest in the afternoon, then the Ubud Art Market for silk scarves, woven bags and carvings, and coffee at one of the cafes around town. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 07
Rice terraces, temples and waterfalls
An optional ATV ride through the countryside in the morning. Afternoon at the Tegallalang rice terraces, the Bali Pulina plantation and its swings, and the spring-fed pools of Tirta Empul, where Balinese come to bathe. Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo waterfalls on the way back, and sunset at Cretya or Oma Club. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 08
Mount Batur sunrise
A pre-dawn private hike up Mount Batur, an active volcano: about two hours in the dark to the crater rim, with breakfast at the top as the sun comes up. Down to the Lake Batur hot springs, then a coffee plantation to try luwak coffee. A Balinese massage in the evening. Overnight in Ubud.
Day 09
Departure
Breakfast and a slow morning, then the drive to Denpasar airport for the flight home.
Where to stay
The Comfort tier is 4-star on twin sharing, with breakfast. These are the hotels in the plan, or similar on your dates.
- Seminyak, 3 nights: Kanvaz Village Resort Seminyak (Comfort) or The Legian Bali (Premium)
- Gili Trawangan, 2 nights: Pearl of Trawangan (Comfort) or Pink Coco Gili Trawangan (Premium)
- Ubud, 3 nights: Sankara Suites and Villas (Comfort) or Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Premium)
Getting there and the visa
Fly into Denpasar. International flights are not included; we suggest routes and quote them at booking. The airport pick-up and drop, all sightseeing transfers, the ferries and the port pick-ups are included.
Indian passport holders can get a tourist visa on arrival in Indonesia, or apply online in advance as an e-VOA, and every traveller submits an arrival card online before landing. Bali also charges a separate tourist levy. The trip includes the Bali visa charges, and the Indonesia visa guide has the current fee, length of stay and documents.
Budget
AVR's brochure prices this trip from ₹50,000 per person, excluding flights. That covers 8 nights in 4-star hotels on twin sharing with breakfast, the Bali visa charges, airport and sightseeing transfers, ferries and port pick-ups, the sightseeing in the plan and travel insurance. The figure is indicative; the final price depends on your dates and hotel tier.
Not included: international flights, TCS as applicable under current rules, adventure activities (scuba, the ATV ride, water sports, snorkelling at Gili and the Bali swing), the entry tax at Nusa Penida and the entry and exit tax at Gili Trawangan, cafes and beach clubs, lunches, dinners, drinks, a SIM card, laundry and personal expenses.
Tips for travelling with kids and parents
- Non-swimmers are fine. Snorkelling, scuba and water sports are optional, and the boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis carry life jackets. Tell us and we plan the Gili days around the beach instead.
- Day 3 and Day 4 start early, and Day 8 starts before dawn. Mount Batur is a two-hour climb in the dark, so anyone who would rather skip it can have a slow morning in Ubud.
- Gili Trawangan has no cars. You get around by bicycle or horse cart, so a small bag for the two nights makes life easier.
- The ferry crossings are usually fine in the dry season. We keep a buffer so a missed ferry does not cost you a flight.
- Keep money aside for the island taxes at Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan, which are paid separately.
How to change it
- Shorter: the simplest cut is the two Gili nights, which also saves two ferry crossings.
- Slower: drop the Nusa Penida day and spend it in Seminyak, or keep Day 7 to the rice terraces and Tirta Empul.
- Avoid the rough season: if your dates fall between November and March, we look again at the island days.
- Upgrades: business-class flights, or a private chef evening at your villa or suite.
If you are weighing Bali against other beach trips, look at Thailand for Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket. For Bali, send us your dates and who is travelling from the Bali trip page and we will reply on WhatsApp.
Questions families ask
Is 9 days enough for Bali?
Yes, for Seminyak, the south coast, Nusa Penida, Gili Trawangan and Ubud. Nine days gives three nights in Seminyak, two on Gili Trawangan and three in Ubud, with a day trip to Nusa Penida from Seminyak.
What is the best month to visit Bali?
April to June, in the dry season, when the seas are calm for the island crossings and before the summer rush. July to October is still dry, but July and August are peak. From November to March the sea can be choppy and some ferries are cancelled.
Do Indians need a visa for Bali?
Indian passport holders can get a tourist visa on arrival, or apply online in advance as an e-VOA. Every traveller also submits an arrival card online before landing. The visa charges are included in this trip.
Is Bali suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes. Snorkelling, scuba and water sports are optional, and the boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis carry life jackets. Tell us and we plan the Gili days around the beach instead.
Are adventure activities included?
No. ATV rides, scuba, water sports and the Bali swing are paid on the day or added in advance. Island entry taxes at Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan are also extra.
How rough are the ferry crossings?
In the dry season they are usually fine. From November to March the sea can be choppy and some sailings are cancelled. We keep a buffer so a missed ferry does not cost you a flight.
