Backpacking Bali Experience – Itinerary

Day 1 Airport Transfer, Welcome Dinner & Explore Kuta

Your Bali Trip begins here. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport & driven directly to our modern surf inspired hotel. Meet the rest of your group & your Bali guide for a group orientation welcome dinner! After filling our bellies, we’ll explore some of Kuta’s best nightlife spots!

Airport transfer & welcome dinner included

Day 2 Surf in Kuta & Explore Seminyak

What better way to begin your Bali holiday adventure than checking out the beach in Kuta and learning to surf! We’ll visit one of Bali’s best beginner surf beaches and learn how to ride the waves with the locals. After some free time in the afternoon to explore and shop the busy streets of Kuta, we’ll head to Seminyak for sunset on the beach & another fun night out on the town.

Breakfast, Professional Surf Lesson & Transfer to Seminyak included

Day 3 Temples & Beach Vibes  

Escape the busy city and head to the chilled surf town of Canggu. Today we’ll visit Taman Ayun, one of the most beautiful temples on the island. Next, we head to the Tabanan Region to visit Tanah Lot Temple which can be reached by wading across low tide. Relax tonight by the rooftop pool where a Bintang (Bali’s famous local beer) will be waiting for you at sunset.

Breakfast, Taman Ayun, Tanahlot Temple, Poolside Rooftop Sunset + 1 Bintang included

Day 4 Travel to Ubud

Today we will depart for Ubud, the place of “eat, pray & love.” En route, visit the hidden waterfall of Tegenungan and meet some of Ubud’s cheeky inhabitants at Monkey Forest.

Breakfast, Tegenungan Waterfall, Monkey Forest included

Day 5 Cooking, Coffee & Rice Terraces

This morning we’ll head to the local market where we’ll hand-pick fresh ingredients to use during our Balinese cooking class. With the help of our local chef, we’ll cook some tasty traditional Balinese dishes, learning how to create authentic flavours from scratch! Later on, we’ll visit a coffee plantation run by a local family and before heading back to our hotel in Ubud, we’ll make a short stop to explore the Tegalalang Rice Terraces by foot.

Breakfast, Guided visit to local market, Balinese Cooking Class Tasting & local family coffee plantation visit included

Day 6 Mt Batur Sunrise or Yoga

Feeling adventurous or looking for some rest and relaxation instead? Today you have 2 options. Choose to rise early and trek the active volcano, Mt. Batur. When you reach the summit relax your legs and take in an unforgettable sunrise! Prefer to sleep in? Take part in a mindful yoga class followed by an hour-long Balinese massage. The choice is yours!

The afternoon is yours to spend as you choose. Zen by the pool, wander around the local markets, try some local delicacies and take in the magical feel of Ubud!

Breakfast, Mt. Batur Sunrise Trek OR Yoga + Massage included

Day 7 Arrive in Paradise!

Following breakfast, we’ll head to the harbour and hop on the fast boat to Gili Trawangan, the largest and most popular of the Gili Islands and also every traveller’s favourite spot! Upon arrival, we’ll check-in at Gili T’s newest & most unique hostel and later meet to catch the sunset and drink to our arrival in paradise! Backpacking Bali paradise island.

Breakfast & all transfers to the Gili Islands included

Day 8 Explore the Gili Islands

Today we go island hopping! It’s Bali Tour time again, We’ll explore each of the three Gili Islands by boat, stopping off along the way to swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters. Spot sea turtles, right off the shore, explore the reef, walk on the white sandy beaches and take in your surroundings – we are in paradise Chill on the pontoon with some tunes while we cook you a traditional BBQ lunch.

Breakfast, Island Hopping Boat Trip, Snorkelling Equipment, BBQ lunch included

Day 9 I like to ride my bicycle!

Today we explore the island by bicycle. Enjoy the ride and stop at some of Gili’s most picturesque spots for some great photo opps! Tonight is the last night of our tour, so let’s celebrate all that we’ve seen and done and an epic time in Bali with dinner and drinks by the beach!

Breakfast & Bicycle Rental included

Day 10 Adios, Bon Voyage, Auf Wiedersehen, Toodle-oo!

It’s time for us to say our goodbyes. Whether your plan is to return to Kuta, continue your stay in Gili T or join another tour or volunteer experience, we’re here to help you plan your onward travels! No doubt you are now saying this is the best “Bali Tour” 😉

Breakfast & onward travel advice included

Total of 9-nights Accommodation

All accommodation has been hand-selected by our in-country team in Bali! Each property is centrally located and provide outdoor swimming pools. From jungle bungalows to surf-inspired hotels and a funky hostel a stone’s throw from the beach, we’ll give you a taste of it all!

Capital: Jakarta
Language: Indonesian (official)
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Time zone: UTC +8

Indonesia, a Southeast Asian nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands, is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different languages. It’s is known for its beaches, volcanoes and jungles sheltering elephants, tigers and Komodo dragons. On the island of Java lies Indonesia’s vibrant, sprawling capital, Jakarta, and the city of Yogyakarta, known for gamelan music and traditional puppetry.For learning culture and gaining experiences you’ve never thought of, there is Indonesia, one of the most interesting countries in the world. With around 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese and European sources, Indonesia has many cultural experiences ready to be discovered.

Bali
Dubbed the Island of the Gods, Bali is one of the more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. Due to its location off the coast from the mainland and unique culture and religion from the rest of the country, Bali is often treated as a destination of its own, “if you’ve only been to Bali, you’ve never been to Indonesia”.

With its pristine beaches, its unspoilt waters ideal for surfing and diving, its lush mountains, its never-ending rice terrace and volcanic hillsides, its spiritually-infused culture and more, Bali has quickly become a must-visit and it often makes its way on everyone’s bucket list.

Flores
Flores is located the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It has adventure, eco-tours, and mountain climbing interspersed with visits to prehistoric heritage sites, traditional villages and cultural events. It has some of the world’s most exotic marine life. And if you want to see the famous Komodo Dragons alive, this is the only place in the whole world which gives you the experience. You can visit the Komodo dragons in their natural habitats in the Komodo National Park islands. Here you will witness the natural treasures still trying to survive in its purest forms.

Flores is a multi-religious and multi-cultural island where 60% of the people are Christian, 20% Islamic and 20% Hindus and Buddhists. The holidays for Flores are similar to the general Indonesian calendar.

Flores, though one of the main islands in Indonesia, is still trying to keep up with the rest of the country. Evidently, its exceptional natural treasures need more care and its warm hearted people need more support.

Climate
Temperatures are pleasant, varying from 20-33 degrees celsius year-round. The monsoon season strikes in November and makes its way until March, bringing in humidity and a significant amount of rain. However, this usually does not stop people from visiting, as the rain usually begins in the late afternoons and evenings, meaning the daytime remains sun-filled. From June to September, the weather is dry and there is not too much humidity in the air.

Culture
Indonesia is a haven for customs and this can be seen in every corner of the islands. Not to mention the fact the these islands themselves have their own traditions and customs which are different from one another.

A good example of this can be experienced in Bali, where small offerings containing flowers, rice and even cigarettes (sesajen) are found in every house, restaurants, stalls and even at the check-in desks at airports. The offerings are set with burning incense sticks and sprinkled with holy water three times a day before every meal.

There are roughly 20,000 temples spread around the Bali island and, because the Balinese are masters of sculpture, the temples are guarded with statues of gods and goddesses.

Keep, in mind, however, that the Hinduism you will see in Bali is often different than the one seen in India.

Take a look at our latest gap year volunteer projects in Indonesia below or get in touch with any questions you have about volunteering in Indonesia.