10 Days Bali Culture, Beaches & Temples

This 10-day Bali itinerary combines cultural experiences, mountain landscapes, temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, and time on the coast.

From Ubud and rural Tabanan to Tamblingan Lake, Bali Barat National Park, and the beaches around Amed and Padangbai, the journey covers several distinct parts of the island.

Trip Highlights

• Explore Ubud and its surrounding cultural attractions
• Visit Tirta Empul and Tegalalang Rice Terraces
• Take part in a traditional Balinese cooking and village experience
• Walk through rural rice fields around Tabanan
• Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
• Canoe across Tamblingan Lake
• Walk to waterfalls around Munduk
• Visit Brahm Vihara Arama and Pura Pulaki
• Snorkel around Menjangan Island in Bali Barat National Park
• Relax on the coast around Pemuteran and Amed
• Visit Taman Ujung Water Palace
• Spend time at Pasir Putih and Bias Tugel Beach

Overview

Begin in Ubud with visits to temples, rice terraces, a local market and a Balinese cooking experience.

The journey then moves through rural Tabanan and the mountain landscapes around Munduk and Tamblingan Lake before continuing west to Pemuteran and Menjangan Island.

The final part of the trip follows Bali’s eastern coast, with time around Amed, Taman Ujung Water Palace and Padangbai.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bali and transfer to Ubud

Welcome to Bali. A Petnah Africa Tours representative and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort in Ubud.

After checking in, the remainder of the day is free to rest or begin exploring Ubud at your own pace.

Depending on your interests and energy levels, you can visit Ubud Palace, browse local boutiques and cafes, take a yoga class, or visit one of the area’s art museums.

You can also visit Ubud Monkey Forest, home to Balinese macaques and several historic temples. Keep your distance from the monkeys and avoid feeding or approaching them.

Overnight: Accommodation in Ubud

Day 2: Ubud sightseeing and Balinese cooking

Meet your Balinese chef this morning and visit a local market to browse tropical fruit, vegetables, spices and other ingredients used in Balinese cooking.

You will then take part in a hands-on cooking class, learning traditional techniques and preparing a selection of local dishes before enjoying the meal together.

In the afternoon, visit Tirta Empul, a Hindu water temple known for its sacred spring and ritual purification bathing area. Continue into the countryside for a walk to Tibumana Waterfall.

The day ends at Tegalalang Rice Terraces near Ceking. You can admire the terraces from above or walk down for a closer look at the agricultural landscape and irrigation system.

Overnight: Accommodation in Ubud

Day 3: Local traditions at Rumah Desa

After breakfast, drive to the village of Marge and meet a Balinese family at Rumah Desa Balinese House and Cooking Studio.

The experience provides an opportunity to learn about local ways of life through cooking, agriculture, and everyday village traditions.

Walk through nearby rice fields and learn about the farming practices of the area before preparing traditional Balinese dishes with guidance from local hosts.

After lunch, continue to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, part of the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Bali Province.

Overnight: Rumah Desa, Balinese Home

Stay in a traditional family compound and experience village life through the cooking and cultural programme hosted by local villagers in Banjar Baru, Tabanan.

Day 4: Canoe on Tamblingan Lake

Begin the day with a walk through the plantations around Munduk towards a waterfall.

If conditions are suitable, there will be an opportunity to swim before continuing towards the shores of Tamblingan Lake.

Take a traditional canoe onto the lake and enjoy views across the surrounding forest and towards Ulun Danu Tamblingan temple.

Continue with further waterfall walks in the afternoon, including visits to GitGit Waterfall and Aling-Aling Waterfall.

Overnight: Accommodation in the Tamblingan or Munduk area

Day 5: Sacred temples and the coast

Travel towards northern Bali and visit Brahm Vihara Arama, a Buddhist monastery located on a hillside overlooking the surrounding landscape.

Continue to Pura Pulaki, a Balinese Hindu temple located between the mountains and the sea. The site has a long religious history and offers views towards Bali’s northern coastline.

Continue to Pemuteran, where you will spend the night close to the coast. The area is known for its volcanic landscape and access to Bali’s northwest marine environment.

Overnight: Accommodation in Pemuteran

Day 6: Snorkeling around Menjangan Island

Today, take a snorkeling excursion around Menjangan Island within Bali Barat National Park.

Spend time in the water exploring the area’s marine environment before enjoying a picnic lunch on the boat.

Return to Pemuteran in the afternoon for time at leisure.

Depending on conditions and availability, optional activities may include fishing, beach volleyball, birdwatching, hiking, or an excursion to White Island.

Overnight: Plataran Menjangan Resort & Spa

Day 7: Les Waterfall and Amed

After breakfast, travel to Les Waterfall in the Balinese countryside.

Depending on local conditions, you can enjoy time around the waterfall and its pool before continuing along the coast towards Amed.

Amed offers a quieter coastal setting with opportunities to relax or explore its underwater environment.

The area is known for coral reefs and marine life, making it possible to arrange additional snorkeling depending on conditions and availability.

Overnight: Accommodation in Amed

Day 8: Taman Ujung Water Palace

Today, visit Taman Ujung Water Palace in Karangasem.

The former royal complex combines historic buildings, gardens, and large pools and reflects several architectural influences.

Spend time walking through the grounds before continuing to Pasir Putih.

The remainder of the afternoon is available to relax on the beach or go snorkeling, subject to conditions.

Overnight: Accommodation in Amed or eastern Bali

Day 9: Bias Tugel Beach and Padangbai

Head towards Padangbai and enjoy lunch overlooking the coast.

Spend the afternoon at Bias Tugel Beach, a small sandy beach near Padangbai. Relax on the shore, swim where conditions are suitable and enjoy your final afternoon in Bali.

Return to your accommodation and enjoy your final Balinese sunset.

Overnight: Accommodation in eastern Bali

Day 10: Depart Bali

Your Bali holiday comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

What’s Included

• Accommodation for 9 nights
• Entrance tickets for the listed activities and attractions
• Professional guide during excursions
• Airport arrival and departure transfers
• Full-board meals

What’s Not Included

• Visa fees
• International or domestic air travel
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Services not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Early check-in or late check-out
• Any additional activities or services outside the programme

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this itinerary suitable for travellers interested in Balinese culture?

Yes. The itinerary includes village experiences, traditional cooking, rice-field walks, Hindu temples, a Buddhist monastery and visits to historic sites.

2. Does the trip include snorkeling?

Yes. Snorkeling around Menjangan Island is included in the itinerary, with additional opportunities around Amed and Pasir Putih, subject to conditions.

3. Is there much walking involved?

There are several walks and short hikes, including rice-field walks, waterfall walks, and the Tamblingan Lake excursion. The difficulty varies by activity and terrain.

4. Can the beach activities depend on weather?

Yes. Swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and other outdoor activities can be affected by weather and sea conditions.

5. Where does the itinerary end?

The itinerary ends with a transfer to Bali’s airport on Day 10. The source itinerary does not specify the exact departure airport or flight arrangements.

Ready to start planning? Send an inquiry through our contact page or WhatsApp us on +256 705 161344. Petnah Africa Tours can help tailor the route, activities, and accommodation to suit your interests and travel plans.