5-Day Bali Paradise Itinerary

Tropical paradise Bali is a great place for rejuvenation, good food, friendly locals and rich culture. Also called the Island of the Gods, there's lots for visitors to do.

What makes Bali special?

• Beautiful beaches

• Temples dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses

• Rice terraces

• Volcanoes

• Natural beauty

• Rich culture

• Exotic cuisine

If you are visiting Bali for the first time, spending at least 5 days will give you enough time to explore various areas of the island. Here is a 5-day itinerary:

Day 1 - Ubud Tour

Start your first day in Bali, take a private or shared tour of Ubud, an artistic and cultural town in Bali. Some well-known attractions to see in your tour include:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - A nature reserve located in the village of Padangtegal with over 1,200 long tailed monkeys and several temples for locals including Pura Dalem (dedicated to Hindu lord Shiva), Pura Beji (dedicated to goddess Gangga) and Pura Prajapati (dedicated to Brahma Prajapati)

• Tegalalang Rice Terrace - Famous rice field landscape filled with green rice paddies over 600m above sea levels

• Tegenungan Waterfall - 15 meters in height, this beautiful waterfall is surrounded by Ubud's tropical jungle and lush greenery

• Tirta Empul Temple - Meaning "Holy Spring" in Balinese, this UNESCO site is a temple famous for its spiritual bathing ceremonies where people bathe in fresh water for purification

• Jungle Swing - Get an adrenaline rush by going on adult size swing over Ubud's beautiful green, lush landscapes and waters; options include nest, bed and tandem swing

• Ubud Traditional Art Market - Shopping center in Ubud with traditional arts and crafts great for souvenir shopping *Brush up on your haggling/negotiation skills before visiting for best prices

• Celuk Village - Traditional village skilled artisans create silver and gold art

Tip: While visiting the Ubud Traditional Market, check out Puri Saren Agung, or Ubud Palace, which is a historic building with detailed stone carvings and courtyards.

Day 2 - Nusa Penida Day Trip

On your second day in Bali, adding a day trip to Nusa Penida on your itinerary is a great way to enjoy Bali's beautiful beaches. Nusa Penida is a part of Kelingking Beach with a T-rex shaped headland. Exuding Bali's natural beauty, Nusa Penida is admired for its diverse marine life, clear blue waters and exquisite rock formations. While visiting Nusa Penida, you can enjoy activities such as:

• Sunbathing

• Diving and swimming with sharks, mantas and mola mola

• Bird sanctuary

• Biking

• Trekking

• Snorkeling among coral reefs

  
  

Nusa Penida also houses Goa Giri Putri Temple which is located in a cave.

Day 3 - Gate of Heaven

On your third day visiting beautiful Bali, travel east and visit well-known temple Gate of Heaven, also called Lempuyang Temple. This temple became a tourist hot spot due to its reflection, great selfie photo opportunities and Instagram worthy picturesque views of Mount Agung, an active volcano.

If you book a day tour package on Viator or Get Your Guide to Lempuyang Temple, tours usually include other attractions such as:

• Tirta Gangga - A water palace that used to be home to Bali royalty named after India river Ganges with beautiful fountains, lush greenery and shimmering waters where visitors can feed Koi Fishes in the pond

• Tukad Cepung Waterfall - A hidden waterfall where visitors can admire jungle scenery walking paths, rocks, caves and light

• Tegalalang Rice Terrace and swing is usually offered on tour packages

Day 4 - Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour & Kecak and Fire Dance Show

On the fourth day of your itinerary, start your morning off with a cooking class in Ubud. Classes are usually offered in the morning and afternoons with morning classes typically offering a tour of Ubud food market. Participants will learn from Balinese chef's various recipes and significance of traditional dishes. There are several cooking classes offered in Bali that will help you indulge in Balinese culture and delight your senses with fragrant curries, succulent satays, and delightful desserts.

In the evening, head to Uluwatu Temple to enjoy seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay and watch Kecak Dance show. Uluwatu Temple, a famous temple, which is Bali's only seaside temple, is located on the southwest region of Bali. The performance is very famous and a must on your Bali itinerary. The show tells the story of Hindu god Rama who is aided by monkey lord Hanuman to save Rama's wife goddess Sita from evil King Ravana, who kidnapped Sita.

Day 5 - Wellness Retreat

End your Bali itinerary on a wellness retreat. Bali is well known for its therapeutic activities including Balinese massage, flower baths, yoga and palm reading. Many hotels and accommodations have spas on site as well as throughout the region. Some of the most highly rated wellness centers in Bali include:

• Sacred River Spa in Ubud - A luxury spa located at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts with services including massages, organic facials, body scrubs and wraps, nail care, yoga, chakra ceremonies, Balinese spa rituals, meditation and "air naps"

• Bodyworks in Seminyak - Stated as "Bali’s original day spa offering a variety of treatments since 1994," Bodyworks provides an array of therapy services such as face and back facials, massages, foot treatments, manicures and pedicures, hair services including wash and blow dry, color, and cuts

• Six Senses in Uluwatu - Another spa resort rated 5 stars, this resort and spa sits atop a cliff with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean; the spa has several amenities including wellness screenings, yoga and meditation pavilion, indoor fitness center, nail bar, communal wet facilities with shower and jetted tubs, relaxation area and 8 treatment rooms; women have the option to book a "Female Wellness Program" including sleep, eat, spa, movement, mindfulness and children's activities

• The Yoga Barn in Ubud - A famous healing center minutes from the Sacred Monkey Forest, Yoga Barn open in 2007 and offers an array of wellness services including Hatha, fly high and forest-inspired yoga, meditation classes, sound healing with Tibetan bowls, Indonesian language classes, light therapy, shamanic breathwork, tea and essence card classes and ecstatic dance; retreats can be booked with options for 1+ days