I am sure that to most it will come as a shock since creating a 5-Day Bali itinerary without heading to the beach is unheard of but I did the unthinkable. Considering how much of a beach person I am, there is no denying that the temptation crept in several times, and I was also on the verge of booking a snorkelling tour but decided against it. The reason will be shared in my next article.
Since my stay in Bali was for 12 days, of which 5 days were solo and other 7 was committed for a creator’s retreat (BHX)., I decided to make the most of what I could in those 5 days without cramming my itinerary with ‘must-dos’ and ‘must-visits’ .
How I Planned My 5 Days in Bali?
Once upon a time when I was severely bitten by the ‘FOMO’ bug, I would pack my days with each and every tourist spot lest I miss out on the ‘list of must-visit places’. The years taught me that instead of rushing to every place, I rather enjoy the one I am at, doing it justice. Or else why the need to travel and explore when I am only scratching the surface!
Solo Bali was curated in my newly embraced ‘Zen’ way. Before you head to Bali, there are 12 things you should know about this destination. From Bali I made an impromptu plan of travelling to Central Java with my husband, who joined me post the creator’s retreat.
- I opened Google Map and made a list of places I wanted to visit.
- Calculating the distance between all those places is a must for shorter travel time. If I found that few places are in the same location, then I clubbed them accordingly.
- Then I prepared my day-to-day itinerary wherein I listed the places I wanted to visit BUT was flexible to either opt-out or keep it for another day. The choice was mine.
- I also curated eateries around the place of visit but was open to sitting at random food joints.
How My Itinerary Looked for 5 Days in Bali?
Day 1: Slept The Jetlag Off
Landed in Bali at around 12:45 pm after a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. I had opted for Malaysian Airlines and even got a good deal. Since the 1st stay of the creator’s retreat was in Ubud, for accessibility I had booked my solo stay there.
Booking was at Griya Bramasa Guest House and Galeri, a Balinese style guesthouse at a great location, spacious and aesthetically pleasing along with a pool.
By the time I was at the accommodation it was close to 3:30 pm. Deciding to take it slow, opting for a simple yet filling lunch followed by a much-needed nap looked like a good option. If you are someone who doesn’t like to spend any time indoors then head to Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets but be informed it closes at 4 pm and then to Pura Taman Pule Mas Ubud that is open 24 hrs but attending their prayers in the evening would be a different experience.
A warm cup of comfort is what I crave after a good rest so post the siesta walking down to Odette, 2-min away café was the obvious choice. Ordering a pot of aromatic perfection along with a dense decadence was an ideal way to self-indulge. Since the plan for the next day was to start early, it meant conserving energy and not trying to cramp any activity the previous evening.
As I was returning from the café, a road-side satay seller caught my eye but knowing my limited appetite I decided to try it the next day.
Retired early after dinner from the restaurant beside the guesthouse.
Stay Cost at Griya Brahmasa for 5 nights – IDR 700,000 (INR 3,800)*
Day 2: Admiring the Artsy
Pura Puseh Desa Batuan
Having planned my day I started with visiting Pura Puseh Desa Batuan, a temple that dates back to the 11th century. With intricate carvings on the grand gates, Pura Puseh Desa Batuan is one of the most revered of the temples in Bantuan Village. A traditional Balinese temple with influences of Indian architecture, this temple has sections where ancient relics from prehistoric times have been housed. Although these sections are open and the artifacts on display, brake that temptation to touch them.
Entry Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: IDR 50,000 (INR 265)*
Werdhi Budaya Art Centre
The next stop on my list was a place where facets of art converge and present an ever-lasting memory of a cultural magnanimity – Werdhi Budaya Art Centre. Glorious from the get-go, it was unfortunately closed by the time I reached. But that did not dampen my spirit. Instead, I strolled around the grounds, taking in the splendour of the architecture. Lunch was at a local joint within the premises of the museum.
Entry Timings:
Monday – Thursday: 8 am to 2 pm
Friday – Sunday: 8 am to 12 pm
Closed on National Holidays
Entry Fee: IDR 15,000 (INR 80)*
Wisnu Garuda Kencana Cultural Park
A humongous theme park where you can spend your entire day! The central characters of the park are Lord Wisnu or Vishnu and his mount Garuda. With a map to navigate the various corners of the park there are upgrades that one can avail.
I opted for the basic package that starts from IDR 150,000 but paid extra IDR 40,000 for the buggy as I wasn’t aware how far it was from the ticketing counter but in all honestly its hardly a 10-15 min walk which might seem daunting during summers.
How to Reach
You cannot drive directly to the main ticketing counter with. Instead, you must park your car or alight from your cab at the Parking lot where shuttles await. Hop on one and they will take you to the main ticketing counter. From there you have the option of taking another buggy to drop you off to the main building or you can walk (it isn’t a long one). It is difficult to comprehend from the exteriors that there are several floors which can be accessed with additional payments while booking tickets.
The Paid Buggy Service – IDR 40,000 (price is subjected to change)
This is a one-way ticket that includes pick-up Plaza Bhagawan (where the ticket counter is) to GWK Statue. Then from the statue to Festival Park. One ticket allows one person.
Entry Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
Entry Fee: Starting IDR 125,000 (INR 665)* + IDR 40,000 (INR 212)* – This price might fluctuate based on Discounts.
Uluwatu Temple
A great place if you are someone who loves to witness the retiring sun most vibrant departure for the day – I am one.
The temple had closed by the time I reached so I took a walk around the periphery. Uluwatu is known for the Kecak Dance performance that takes place in the temple grounds not big enough to accommodate the scores who come to enjoy the dance. While the outstanding backdrop of the setting sun can convince anyone to purchase a ticket but most of the audience end up standing far and can hardly enjoy the art. There are other places namely temples where Kecak dance is performed.
All seemed perfect until a disinterested monkey decided to pull my dangling earring. Engrossed in the colours of the sunset my reverie was thankfully interrupted by a passing tourist who uttered a shrill cry that made me instinctively reach for my earrings and shake off the monkey’s determined digits – it had taken a liking to my danglers! Might sound hilarious but my reflex left me and the monkey equally shocked.
Entry Timings: Open to visitors from 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: IDR 50,000 (INR 265)*
Day 3: Nature Meets Spirit
Goa Gajah Temple
Known for rock-cut cave with its cavernous demon mouth where an apparent Shivling is present along with Lord Ganesha.
If you walk around, you will see that the temple complex is huge. Walk a little and you reach a waterfall that cascades down to meet a river. There is also a pretty lotus pond that is an adorable spot to take pictures. There are quite a few shops selling souvenirs – ensure to bargain with them.
Pro-tip: Vendors would quote the starting price as IDR 50,000 (INR 265 approx.). Start yours with half the price.
Entry Timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: IDR 50,000 (INR 265)*
White Box Ubud
After a fulfilling exploration of the Goa Gajah Temple, I set off looking for a place to eat and guzzle down a coffee. White Box Ubud is a 2-min walk from the temple. A laid-back café with a stunning view but no fans or air-conditioning! You can read up on ‘The things you should know about Bali before visiting’ for clarity.
Ordered a cold coffee along with a Croissant Salata grilled with vegetable, mozzarella, rucola topped with 50 gram of chilled roasted duck breast – it was heavenly!
Price: IDR 140,000 (INR 740)*
Taman Beji Griya Waterfall – A Magical Cleansing Through Water Therapy
As I sat in the White Box planning my next locale, Taman Beji waterfall seemed close enough for a quick drop. I was expecting one of those absolutely stunning waterfalls, with decorative Balinese statuettes but I wasn’t expecting it to be a spiritual therapy centre specializing in cleansing. An absolutely surreal experience that entails going deep inside a cave to get a taste of the holy water to cleanse my soul.
My honest opinion about the price is its premium and on the higher side. And although I was on budget I went ahead because I balanced it with my other expenses.
Entry Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: Starting at IDR 300,000 (INR 1,592)*
Day 4: Learned a Little Art
A 3 Hour Batik Making Class at WS ART STUDIO
Right in middle of rice fields, a quaint household that hosts Batik, wood carving and other art classes for tourists, I booked for this class through Get Your Guide. They even have a room dedicated to the art they have created over the years. The 3-hr class includes the use wax with a canting – a specially designed etching tool that holds wax to outline designs, use of fabric paint to fill colours in blocks, drying, boiling the fabric to bleed excess colour and soak in cold water to set the paint.
Location: C7X4+JFP, Lodtunduh, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Activity Fee: INR 2097
Upon my return a long bath and siesta followed. Not before ordering lunch at my stay that sounded better than eating out. Ubud is known for its coffee shops and its vibe. A customary evening coffee was on the cards but this time it was Tony Raka – a 7-minute drive from my guest house.
Coffee Shop – Tony Raka
An art café with each piece screaming for unequivocal attention Tony Raka blends its modern take on aesthetics with serving some local delicacies with a twist.
Ordered a black rice porridge which is known as Bubur Ketan Hitam or Bubur Injin in Indonesian. Made with black glutinous rice served with a generous amount coconut milk and a side of ice-cream.
Cost: IDR 50,000 including taxes (INR 265)*
Day 5: Headed To The Most Amazing Tour
This day was booked with Get Your Guide which included the entry fees in all the 3 places.
Morning & Afternoon
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
I wish I could explain this place. Was I not on a tour with a guide I would have sat under the waterfall all day long. As the mist from the waterfall settles on your skin, the gentle rays peek through the thick canopy and leave you radiating! And I left with some pretty stunning pics – one shaking hand with the golden silhouette of the forest goddess.
Entry Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: Starting at IDR 50,000 (INR 265)* – covered by Get Your Guide
Tirta Gangga
Once a palace that was built in 1946 for recreational purposes of the royal family was almost entirely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963. Spanning over a hectare, I was under the assumption that it would have a temple of the Goddess Ganga, but it was more of an aesthetically designed ground with gardens, fountains, ponds with vibrantly coloured fishes and statues depicting Mahabharata characters. The ‘Mahabharata Pond’ is the most famous spot that is popular among all the tourists and travellers.
Entry Timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: Starting at IDR 70,000 (INR 371)* – covered by Get Your Guide
Taman Ujung Water Palace
Once known as ‘Waterpaleis’ meaning ‘Water Palace’ in Dutch, Taman Ujung Palace was architected by Dutch van Den Hentz, the Chinese Loto Ang, and undagi (Balinese architects) and completed in 1921. Unfortunately, an eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and an earthquake in 1975 almost destroyed the palace that was eventually renovated and now open to the public.
Spread across 30 acres, the palace compound consists of three large pools, a main building situated in the middle connected to the edge by a bridge. A stroll to the west will take you to the ruins that look like the Temple of Jupiter. The ruin or Bale Kale that is placed atop a long flight of stairs overlooks the vast space of the palace grounds laced with coconut trees, pools, fountain-statuettes of mythological characters.
Entry Timings: 7 am to 7 pm
Entry Fee: Starting at IDR 100,000 (INR 530)* – covered by Get Your Guide
On the way back we stopped at a local market to buy some fruits and snacks.
Evening
After relaxing for a while I headed to the coffee shop right across the street – Biji Coffee Lab where I order a Cold Brew Coffee that came in a pint. Dinner was takeaway from a local joint.
Day 6: A Day to Reminisce
A plan to attend a Creator’s Retreat by BHX from the 6th of November led me to take a breather of Day 6.
* – price is subjected to change based on conversion rates
How Did I Travel Locally?
I booked bike rides on Gojek. Since I am not very confident to ride or drive, booking on Grab or Gojek was the next best option.
In case you know how to ride, renting trumps all options.
There are long distance buses plying from Denpasar to Ubud and Depasar to other provinces, but intra-city public transport is not that prominent in Bali.
Best Place for A Good Cuppa Coffee
I can be a little critical when it comes to coffee but one place that blew my mind was Biji Coffee Lab.
Other Places One Can Visit During a 5-Day Bali Trip that Can Be Turned into A 10-Day Bali Trip
May seem a little cluttered but these places are grouped according to their proximity from each other
Group A – These set of sites can be split into into two days without challenging your body’s adventure quotient.
Day 6
- Tibumana Waterfall
- Suwat Waterfall
- Penglipuran Village
Day 7
- Agung Rai Museum of Art
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Eat at Bebek Tepi Sawah
Evening
- Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets
- Pura Taman Pule Mas Ubud
Day 8
- Taman Bali Festival Park – this is an abandoned theme park alleged to be haunted but a great place for anyone looking for good graffiti and aesthetic backdrop.
- Padang Padang Beach & Uluwatu Beach – club it with the visit to Wisnu Garuda Theme Park and Uluwatu Temple.
Day 9
- Delodsema Traditional Village – With only 60 families residing in this village they are upholding their culture and heritage and allowing visitors into their space for an immersive experience. A visit can be clubbed for with the below:
- Besakih Great temple
- Pura Tirta Empul
Day 10
- Pura Lempuyang Madya, Pura Pasar Agung Lempuyang and Lempuyang Temple can be clubbed with a visit to Tirtha Gangga
Curating 5-Day Bali itinerary without including beaches, beach cafes and parties is probably the best possible thing I planned in a long time. A deliberate attempt to consciously making my travel journal more meaningful by adding a touch of something local.
Until the next blog, live sustainably, travel responsibly & stay tuned to My Blogs for interesting itineraries, unique travel insights and culinary adventures!
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