We spent 12 nights in Bali this March for our honeymoon, and this is the exact plan we followed. The logic was simple: jungle and parties first, mountains next, then slow island days, and finally the cliffs near the airport so the last day is easy.
If you are planning your own trip, feel free to copy this as-is.
When we went: March 6 to March 18
Route: Ubud (3 nights) - Munduk (3 nights) - Nusa Lembongan (3 nights) - Uluwatu (3 nights)
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Vegetarian? So are we.
We documented everything we ate on this trip - what to order and where to find it.
Three nights of jungle views, high-energy activities and shopping.
Day 1 (Mar 6): Arrival
1:30 PM: Landed at DPS airport, cleared immigration.
3:00 PM: Airport pickup, pre-booked on Klook (it was cheaper than Grab). Transfer to Ubud takes about 1.5 hours.
Evening: Check in and book a spa session at your villa or somewhere nearby - after the flight and the drive, you will want it. For dinner, we walked to a warung close to the villa. Some of the best local food we had all trip.
Day 2 (Mar 7): Art, shopping and the big night out
10:00 AM: Silver jewelry workshop. Pre-book one near Jl. Hanoman - you make your own ring or pendant and keep it.
1:00 PM: Shopping at Ubud Art Market - woven bags, macrame, wood carvings, textiles. Bargain, and take your time.
4:00 PM: Back to the villa for a nap. You will need it.
6:00 PM: Transfer to Canggu (1.5 hours).
The party: dinner at The Beach Love, then drinks and a lot of fun at Mexicola, Old Man’s after that, and late night at Sandbar.
2:00 AM: Driver takes you back to Ubud. You sleep in the car. Worth it.
Day 3 (Mar 8): Recovery and jungle mud
Morning: Sleep in. No alarms.
2:00 PM: ATV ride through the jungle around Tegallalang. Fun, muddy, and zero effort required, which is exactly what you want today.
Sunset: Head to Finns Beach Club for sunset and drinks.
Night: Back to the villa, pack your bags, and sleep as early as you can. Tomorrow starts at 2 AM.
Phase 2: Munduk - the misty mountains
Cooler air, waterfalls, and the quietest part of the trip.
Day 4 (Mar 9): The volcano and the move
2:00 AM: Pickup for the Mount Batur sunrise trek.
6:00 AM: Sunrise from the summit, breakfast at the top.
10:00 AM: Back at the Ubud villa. Shower, second breakfast, pack.
12:30 PM: Check out and drive to Munduk (2.5 hours).
3:30 PM: Check in and do nothing except sit by the infinity pool. The trek has earned you this.
Day 5 (Mar 10): The silent lake
Morning: Tamblingan Lake canoe tour - a private traditional canoe on a still lake, usually with mist. One of the most peaceful things we did all trip.
Afternoon: Red Coral Waterfall. An easy 15-minute walk, not a trek.
Day 6 (Mar 11): Dolphins at dawn
5:00 AM: Drive to Lovina (45 minutes).
6:00 AM: Dolphin watching on a private boat.
10:00 AM: Back in Munduk. Rest of the day is completely free.
Phase 3: Nusa Lembongan - island bliss
White sand, blue water, no agenda.
Day 7 (Mar 12): The ocean transfer
9:00 AM: Drive from Munduk to Sanur harbour (3 hours).
1:30 PM: Fast boat to Nusa Lembongan (30 minutes).
Sunset: Cocktails at The Deck or Ohana’s.
Day 8 (Mar 13): Manta rays and lagoons
Morning: Private boat to Manta Bay to snorkel with manta rays. Book this - it is the highlight of the island leg.
Afternoon: Rent a scooter or buggy, cross the Yellow Bridge, and visit the Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan.
Day 9 (Mar 14): Total relaxation
All day: Sandy Bay Beach Club or Mushroom Bay. No plans, no timings. This day exists so the trip does not feel like a checklist.
Phase 4: Uluwatu - cliffs and the finale
Dramatic sunsets, surf culture, and an easy exit to the airport.
Day 10 (Mar 15): Southbound Sunday
11:00 AM: Boat back to Sanur, then Grab or Gojek to Uluwatu (1 hour).
Evening: Sunday sunset at Single Fin - the iconic cliff bar. Go early for a good spot.
Day 11 (Mar 16): Hidden beaches
Day: Thomas Beach (much quieter than Padang Padang) or Melasti Beach.
Dinner: Seafood BBQ at Jimbaran Bay, or a clifftop restaurant if you want to dress up once.
Day 12 (Mar 17): The cultural send-off
4:30 PM: Head to Uluwatu Temple.
6:00 PM: Kecak Fire Dance at sunset. Touristy, yes. Skippable, no.
Night: Farewell dinner.
Day 13 (Mar 18): Flight home
Morning: Sleep in, late brunch.
11:30 AM: Check out, Grab to the airport.
3:00 PM: Flight home.
The logistics that made it work
Transport
Airport pickup: Pre-book it on Klook. It worked out cheaper than Grab for us.
Long transfers: Pre-book a private driver for Ubud to Munduk and Munduk to Sanur. Expect around IDR 600k to 800k per day.
Short trips in Uluwatu and Sanur: Grab and Gojek work fine and cost a fraction of hotel taxis.
On the islands: Walk, rent a scooter, or take a golf cart buggy.
Boats
Sanur to Lembongan and back: book with Rocky Fast Cruise or D’Camel. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.
SIM and internet
Get your eSIM delivered to your hotel instead of buying an overpriced SIM at the airport. The airport wifi is good enough to book your cab and message the hotel, so you are covered until you check in.
Apps to download before you fly
Gojek / Grab for taxis and food delivery
Klook for the airport pickup and activity bookings
WhatsApp - every driver and hotel in Bali runs on it
Google Maps - download the offline map of Bali before your flight
One packing tip
Leave half a suitcase empty. Between the wood carvings from Ubud and everything else you pick up along the way, you will fill it. We speak from experience.
Questions about any leg of this route? Ask us on Instagram - we reply to every DM about Bali.