@andypanel ↗
← All itineraries

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY

Bali: two bases, less rushing

A suggested itinerary based in Ubud and the south coast. Allow 4 days.

A suggested route for your own trip, inspired by the Journal’s locations. It is not a record of Andy’s personal itinerary.

Allow4 daysBaseUbud and the south coastRoute6 planned stages

Editorially reviewed 16 September 2026 · confirm live access before travelling.

Bali, Indonesia — photograph from Andy’s Journal

Your suggested route

The times below are suggested allowances, not live opening hours or transport schedules. Adjust the order for your arrival time, bookings and conditions.

  1. Day 1 · Ubud arrival and town

    Base the first two nights around Ubud. Check in, have lunch and explore a compact section around the palace and town centre, using only open visitor areas. Keep the evening close to your accommodation; arrival traffic can consume more of the day than expected.

  2. Day 2 · Morning · Campuhan

    Walk a comfortable section of the Campuhan Ridge route early, allowing 90 minutes including pauses and your chosen turnaround. Have breakfast afterwards. Use the designated path and avoid entering working fields or private accommodation for a photograph.

  3. Day 2 · Afternoon · Choose one cultural experience

    Book a cooking class, visit a museum or arrange one temple outing with a driver. Give the selected experience two to three hours. Do not combine rice terraces, several waterfalls and multiple temples simply because they appear in one social-media list.

  4. Day 3 · Transfer to the south

    Move to a southern base such as Jimbaran or the Bukit area, allowing a generous travel window and a lunch stop. Check in and enjoy one nearby beach or café. A transfer day should not also depend on several timed attractions.

  5. Day 3 · Evening · Uluwatu if it fits

    Visit Uluwatu Temple using current access arrangements, with respectful clothing and possessions secured around monkeys. If you want a Kecak performance, book the specific session and arrive with time. Otherwise enjoy the coastal setting without making sunset compulsory.

  6. Day 4 · A local coast day

    Choose a beach appropriate to your swimming ability and current conditions, then a long lunch near your base. Keep the final afternoon open for the airport journey. Nusa Penida is a separate island excursion and needs more time than an airport-day detour.

Where to pause for food

Use Ubud for a cooking class or Indonesian meal, and the southern base for a relaxed coastal dinner. At Jimbaran, check seafood prices, weights and inclusions before ordering. Keep one simple meal near your hotel on each transfer day.

Getting around

A driver is useful for the base change and dispersed temple visits. Plan by realistic road conditions, not map distance. Four days is short for two bases; if you prefer less packing, stay in one area and remove the other half of this route.

For a shorter day or different weather

In wet weather, choose museums, cooking or a longer meal instead of slippery waterfall paths. If temple steps are unsuitable, check access before booking. Skip commercial swings or staged photo stops unless they personally appeal to you.

Before you go

Confirm accommodation locations, temple access and performance times. Check current visitor requirements through official channels before travelling. The broad Bali tag supports this two-base suggestion; it does not identify every photograph as having been taken at these stops.

Visitor information and further planning

Use these destination, attraction and operator resources to check current access and arrangements before booking.

Places from the Journal

Explore the original Instagram posts from this destination.

For more travel and everyday moments.

Follow @andypanel ↗
Back to the photo Journal