One of Indians’ top travel destinations, the island of Bali in Indonesia is a magnet for visitors due to its idyllic beaches, cultural heritage, religious iconography, adventurous activities and gorgeous natural landscapes, from rice fields to waterfalls. A visit here will introduce you to its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as paintings, sculptures, woodcarvings, handicrafts and performing arts; cuisine; and surfing, snorkelling and diving getaways, among other things. Whether you’re taking a cooking class or trekking to the top of Mount Agung, there is so much to do and see.
Here are the best offbeat places to visit in Bali during a five-day holiday. Be free to pick and choose from this itinerary to design a custom plan that suits your tastes.
Start your morning with breakfast at the Café Lotus. The place is renowned for its authentic Balinese and Indonesian dishes, so tuck into servings of nasi goreng kamponeg, sang lawe or the mie goreng breakfast, among other dishes. Wash it down with cups of Java tea or Bali coffee.
Next, check out the Ubud Art Market. This is a bustling hub of Balinese craftsmanship where you can buy unique items such as handicrafts, batik products, accessories and clothing. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Balinese art, handmade jewellery, paintings, sculptures and other trinkets, this is the place for you.
Join a cooking class where you can learn to make nine Balinese classics using fresh ingredients selected from a local market. Run by the Subak Cooking Class company, this hands-on experience is the perfect entryway into understanding Balinese gastronomy. As you mix and prepare the ingredients to make sambal matah, sayur, klepon cake and pepes ayam, you will hear the stories and history behind them.
Afterwards, check out the rice terraces of Tegallalang, a scenic sight where descending layers of paddy fields create a hypnotic and charming visual. Spend as much time as you want here.
At night, head to the Gianyar Night Market (Pasar Senggol Gianyar), where the delicious aroma of food stalls will hold you captive. While here, try the babi guling, the Indonesian version of a roast suckling pig; bebek betutu, a Balinese dish consisting of duck that is thoroughly marinated in spice mixture; jajan pasar (Javanese cakes); es campur, a cold and sweet dessert of fruit cocktails, coconut, tapioca pearls and grass jellies served in shaved ice, syrup and condensed milk; and satay (skewered or grilled meat). Make sure you have enough cash on you to pay for your meals.
On your second day, go on a rafting adventure along the Ayung River. Although its rapids are labelled as a class two, the experience is enough to get your heart pounding and offers a glimpse of the area's mystical rainforests and shadowy gorges. Some of the rapids are lighter than others, allowing you to take in the breathtaking scenery.
Next, go on a coffee-tasting experience by visiting the Segara Windhu Coffee Plantation. Here, you’ll have the chance to discover the rich flavours of Arabica, Robusta and the world-renowned Luwak coffee. The plantation is home to a wide range of coffee trees, allowing visitors to get up close with the cultivation process and the unique characteristics of each coffee type.
Follow this up with a trip to the Tirta Empul Temple, a Hindu Balinese water temple located near the town of Tampaksiring. The temple compound consists of a petirtaan or bathing structure, which is famous for its spring water and is where Balinese Hindus go to for a ritual purification called Melukat.
Wrap up your second day with a visit to the Fire Flies Garden of Taro Village. This magical oasis offers a unique opportunity to witness the mesmerising dance of fireflies as the moon rises, creating an unforgettable evening experience for nature enthusiasts and curious travellers alike. By day, the garden reveals the delicate dance of butterflies, while by night, the captivating glow of fireflies illuminates the tranquil beauty of Bali's countryside.
Begin your day early by climbing Bali's tallest stratovolcano, Mount Agung. This is also the island's most sacred spot for hikers and locals. The ascend is brutal, towering over 3,031 metres above sea level. Two temples greet you when you arrive: Pura Besakih and Pura Pasar Agung. The latter is reachable by 900 steps and is where most visitors stop the trek. More intrepid climbers continue upwards. A high level of fitness is required, as the first part of the climb is through windy, thick brush and untamed forest. The second part requires a bit of bouldering as you dodge large rocks which can be dangerously slippery to navigate in the rainy season. The last leg requires you to scramble up the mountain, sans harness or climbing equipment, on all fours to reach the peak.
Next, visit the Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple, a Balinese Hindu temple on Mount Lempuyang. It is the first and lowest temple of the complex of temples called Pura Lempuyang. The highest of these temples, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad or “six sanctuaries of the world,” and one of the nine directional temples of Bali. You will be treated to beautiful views of Mount Agung and a gratifying workout thanks to the 1,700 steps it takes to reach the top. Depending on your level of fitness, the walk takes about three to four hours but offers ample spots along the way to refuel and buy snacks from the highly stocked vendor stalls at each stopping point.
Dedicate this evening to resting and recovering from your adventures. Tuck into delicious Balinese food and head to bed early after an exhilarating day.
Head west to Menjangan Island, one of Bali’s best-kept secrets. Surrounded by unspoilt white sandy beaches, stunning coral reefs and an enchanting underwater environment, this tiny Island is located about 10 kilometres northwest off Bali’s mainland. The word “Menjangan” in the Javanese language means “deer.” The complex rock formations and coral reefs have given rise to a great number of large and small caves, festooned with sponge and soft corals and often inhabited by large groupers, moray eels, and young snappers and batfish in the smaller caves. The sea beds are also rich in barrel sponges and vibrant sea fans, some of which are truly enormous. Given the depth, the moderate flow of currents and its protection from strong winds, it is common to see tuna, shoals of jack fish, batfish, sea turtles and on occasion, sharks, especially off the outer corners of the island. Spend your morning snorkelling and diving as you explore these wonders.
Next, go on a trek through West Bali National Park. Home to over a hundred species of wildlife, the national park is best known as the sanctuary of the exotic Bali myna, an endemic and iconic island bird. The habitat is varied, with rainforests, dry savannas, acacia scrubs and lowland forests found here, as well as montane forests in the higher region. There are also some pockets of dense mangrove forests. Some of the fauna of this park include wild bulls, barn swallows, black-naped orioles, racket-tailed treepies, crested serpent eagles, Oriental dollarbirds, leopard cats and long-tailed shrikes.
Relax on Pemuteran Beach’s gleaming black volcanic sandy beaches and soak in the enchanting scenery of green hills in the background. The place emphasises tranquillity rather than a vibrant nightlife so that visitors can solemnly meditate, gaze at the sunset or just fully retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can snorkel and dive here if you wish.
On your final morning in Bali, cycle through the rice terraces and roadside villages near Candidasa. With a few stark uphills and plenty of sloping downhills, the ride can be tackled by anyone keen on exploring the area at a slower pace. Stop frequently at the plentiful beaches to drink, eat and relax. Don’t miss out on a tour of Bugbug Village, whose traditional Balinese homes are made of natural materials like bamboo, wood and stone.
The allure of Sidemen, a rural village in East Bali, lies beyond its sprawling collection of small village homes situated around the vast valley or the direct views of Mount Agung. While it boasts guesthouses with Wi-Fi and plenty of restaurants and cafés, it is the interconnected village life that truly makes it worth a visit. To get a true welcome and taste of the village, book a local guide who will take you rice paddy trekking, mountain climbing or village wandering.
If possible, catch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple. Kecak is a Balinese dance and rhythmic chant performance that depicts the battle from the Hindu epic “Ramayana” in which Rama fights the demonic king Ravana with the help of the monkey god Hanuman. Let yourself be hypnotised by the swirling flames combined with the vibrant traditional attire of the performers as they take you on a journey through Balinese Hinduism. The show is scheduled to coincide with the sunset, so you can be sure of the good views during your time in Uluwatu.
There are direct flights from Bengaluru and Delhi to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar International Airport.
