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Map of Essential Bali & Gili Islands including Indonesia

Tone it down then turn it up on this Balinese adventure.

From the patchouli-infused spiritual digs of Ubud and Seminyak’s beach clubs to traipsing up a volcano in Mt Batur and island life on Gili Trawangan, see the best bits of Bali by bus, boat, bike and, errr, foot. Cycle through rice paddies, snorkel over reefs, snap a few sunsets, hike some mountains then throw down some beers.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Over 29? We’ve got over 900 other great adventures to choose from for solo travellers, friends, families, food lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and more.

Start
Ubud, Indonesia
Finish
Seminyak, Indonesia
Destination
Indonesia
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
TIYB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Float in the ocean, bake on the beach, and conquer a volcano: the island landscapes of Bali and Gili T are epic.

  • Your leader will reveal the best of Gili Trawangan on a bike tour of the island, giving you insider info on the best nightlife and snorkeling spots.

  • There's nothing like waking up at 3 am to climb a mountain, eh? Watching the sunrise from Mt Batur is worth every minute of sleep you lose.

  • Let a local show you their favourite dishes, from nasi campur to all kinds of other delicacies during a street food tasting in Seminyak. We know you didn’t come all the way to Bali to eat spaghetti.

  • Make like a sponge and soak up every drop of Ubud's relaxed atmosphere. A walk among the bright green rice fields is as Bali as it gets.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Part of what makes this part of the world so appealing is the warm weather, so it probably won’t come as a surprise that Bali can be extremely hot and humid. It’s also important to note that the temperature can drop in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

  • Climbing Mt Batur on Day 4 to watch the sunrise from the top of the volcano is one of the highlights of this trip, just be aware this will involve starting the hike at 3 am. The climb takes around 2 hours and requires a good level of fitness.

  • This trip affords lots of free time so that you're able to experience Bali the way you imagined. If you're in need of activity options, your leader will be on hand to help.

  • This is a trip designed for travellers aged 18 to 29; full of fun, flexibility and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.

indonesia gili island trawangan girls swing sunset
indonesia gili islands girl snorkelling
Seminyak beach club in Bali
Sample some local produce from one of the many roadside markets in Bali
Experience sunrise on Mt Batur with Intrepid Travel
Explore Bali with Intrepid Travel
Witness Bali Roadside Markets with Intrepid Travel

Itinerary
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Salamat Datang! Welcome to Bali. Our adventure will begin in the rice paddy lined oasis of Ubud, in the mountains of Bali. You're free to arrive whenever you like today as there's nothing planned until your meeting this evening at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, feel free to stroll around town, soak up the vibe and prepare yourself to go full Eat Pray Love – there’s a reason Bali is such a popular destination. After the meeting, go out for an optional group dinner or find a feed on your own accord.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you have prebooked an airport arrival transfer upon arrival at Bali please make your way to the Golden Bird Lounge after clearing immigration. After you exit customs walk to the Golden Bird Lounge which is on the right side (around 50 meters from where you exit customs). The Golden Bird lounge is before the area where all the drivers are waiting.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today is free to explore the temples, wander through the rice paddy fields or visit the famous art and craft markets in the centre of town. Maybe use your free time to join in some optional activities like a cycling tour, white-water rafting or a cooking class, just keep in mind these things cost extra. If you'd prefer to freewheel it, then just hire a bike and ride around Ubud's lush countryside. Our top tip? Try the Balinese specialty – Babi Guling, the Indonesian version of roast pork. There’s a warung in town that’s said to whip up some of the best, Ibu Oka. Ask your group leader for directions and recommendations before you head out. The evening is yours to do as you'd please.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Ubud - Cooking class - IDR350000
  • Ubud - Saraswati Temple Lotus Garden - Free
  • Ubud - Bali Cycling Tour - IDR700000
  • Ubud - Whitewater rafting - IDR740000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart Ubud for Batur this morning, visiting the Tirta Empul Water Temple en route. Tirta Empul, translating as holy water spring, was built in the 10th century as a place of ritual purification for Balinese Hindus and is still very much in use. This is the real deal, and you’ll see the local Balinese come here to bathe in the pools and purify themselves under the waterspouts. Next, head to the stunning rice terraces at Tegalalang to take a stroll. It’s a great place to take that perfect photo of beautiful Bali. Continue to Batur and aim for an early night, as tomorrow is jam-packed.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ubud - Tirta Empul Water Temple
  • Tegalalang - Rice Terraces
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Your accommodation at the base of Mt Batur is a basic hotel with a restaurant. This is a great location at which to start tomorrow's early morning trek without extra travelling time.

Rise and shine early birds (3 am!), it's time for a good ol' fashioned crater hike. On your included walk, you'll be just in time to witness the sunrise over the valleys of Bali. At 1717 metres high, Mt Batur sits inside a spectacular caldera along with Lake Batur, which is an awesome sight to see. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many of the villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. It's important to note that this climb takes around 1.5—2 hours, and since it's all uphill so a decent level of fitness is required to enjoy it. On a clear morning, it's possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peaks of Mt Rinjani. After descending the volcano, there may be an option to soak in hot springs with great views over the lake and caldera, time depending. Later in the afternoon, head southwest to beachside Candidasa. You're gonna love having a free evening after today's climb to chill out by the beach.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Batur - Sunrise volcano climb
Optional Activities
  • Mt Batur - Hot springs - IDR300000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The summit trail starts easily, while heading to the crater it climbs steeply with switchbacks over volcanic rocks and gravel. A good level of fitness is required. The path can be slippery, particularly after rain so good shoes are essential. Please bring your headtorch and a warm layer to wear at the summit. The climb may be cancelled during heavy rain and unsafe conditions.

Drive to Padangbai this morning and jump on a speedboat to Gili Trawangan at approximately 9 am. Gili Trawangan, or Gili T as it's referred to, is essentially the Goldilocks of the three Gili islands, striking the perfect balance between Gili Air's hippie vibe and Gili Meno’s low-key honeymoon atmosphere. Check in to your resort, then begin exploring on two wheels during a cycling orientation tour with your leader. Get insider island info on the best places to watch the sunset and best beaches to soak up the salt air from. Luckily for you, you’ll get access to use the resorts bicycles for the duration of your stay here so getting from A to B will be a peddle-powered breeze. After your cycling tour, spend the rest of the night however you like, just remember that bare feet are the basis of the dress code here.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gili Trawangan - Leader-Led Orientation Cycling Trip
  • Gili Trawangan – Bike Hire (3 Days)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.

On arrival into Gili Trawangani your bags will be transferred by horse and cart and you will walk to the resort which is approximately 1.8 kilometres through the center of the island. Your resort is a peaceful oasis on the northern side of the island 150 metres from a quiet beach. For the duration of our stay at the resort you will have free use of the resorts bicycles to explore the island

Enjoy a free day on Gili Trawangan to do, well, absolutely nothing. If that’s what you want. Otherwise, why not spend a little dosh on an optional cooking or yoga class, or go snorkelling in the unbelievably clear waters. You could even head out on a motorised wooden boat around the Gili Islands, jumping straight off the boat and coming face-to-face with marine life including colourful fish, coral reefs and, of course, sea turtles. The Gili Islands are a famous snorkelling destination and probably the best spot in South East Asia, so if we have one piece of advice it’s this: get wet.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Gili Air - Snorkelling - IDR1100000
  • Gili Trawangan - Cooking class - IDR385000
  • Gili Trawangan - Yoga Class - IDR120000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Just another day in paradise and it’s your choice how you’ll spend it. Perhaps jump on another boat for more snorkelling, or maybe take it super easy and post up on the beach with a book, a coconut or a cocktail. Remember the ABCs of Gili T – always be coconutting. You could also grab a bike and go for another ride. All three of the Gili Islands are tiny, but it’ll still sound pretty hardcore when you tell your friends back home you circumnavigated an island.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Have a leisurely breakfast and one last swim on Gili T before walking back to the port (approximately 1.8 kms) and taking a speedboat to Padangbai in Bali, arriving mid afternoon. From here, drive to upmarket Seminyak where the sunsets are legendary, the beaches are plentiful, the nightlife is lively and there are more spas, bars, massages and treatments than you can poke a stick at. On arrival, step out with your leader on an included food tasting. Your leader knows all the best dishes, so unbuckle your belt and try some nasi campur (a mixed plate of rice, veges and meats) and other local street foods. Continue to a beach club where you can beat the heat with an included drink.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Seminyak – Street Food Tasting
  • Seminyak - Beach Club Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Your bags will be transferred by horse and cart on Gili T back to port so you will not have to carry them.

Today’s travel time is approximately 5.5 hours.

Give today a real Semin-crack with a range of optional activities to get involved in. Remember, these may incur an extra cost. Maybe you'll be keen to café hop (the colourful cafes in Seminyak are endless), laze by the beach or get active and take a surf lesson. Whatever your decision, you can’t hit Seminyak without soaking up the sun at another beach club in the afternoon. Ever heard of Potato Head? Cocoon? Ku de Ta? Sit back, listen to the tunes, splash around in the pool and watch the sunset go down with a cocktail or coconut in hand. Toast to the final full day of the trip with your newfound travel companions and dance the night away.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Seminyak - Bali ‘Eat Street’ Local Food Urban Adventure - USD45
  • Legian - Rip Curl Surfing Lesson (includes transport) - IDR750000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your Bali adventure comes to an end today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to Eat, Pray, Love, Swim, Snorkel, Sleep and Tan in the future, be it in Bali or back home.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Boat, Private minibus

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nights), Hotel (8 nights)

Included activities

  • Ubud - Tirta Empul Water Temple
  • Tegalalang - Rice Terraces
  • Mt Batur - Sunrise volcano climb
  • Gili Trawangan - Leader-Led Orientation Cycling Trip
  • Gili Trawangan – Bike Hire (3 Days)
  • Seminyak – Street Food Tasting
  • Seminyak - Beach Club Visit

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Essential Bali & Gili Islands trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 & Day 4 (Batur & Candidasa) where there is no availability.Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please be advised that you’ll be required to take a test (RAT or PCR) depending on the number of your vaccination doses before taking the ferry between Bali and Gili (no test required if you’ve received 3 doses that’s shown on your vaccination certificate). This is enacted starting from 17 Jul. Please find more details about this regulation at https://www.indonesia.travel/th/en/news/here-are-the-newest-regulations-.... The cost of the test will range from about 5 USD for a RAT test to about 20 USD for a PCR test. Your tour leader will help you organize the necessary test depending on your vaccination status.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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