Compare Essential Bali & Gili Islands by Intrepid Travel vs Bali & Singapore by Ritz Tours

Day 1 Ubud

Salamat Datang! Welcome to Bali. Your adventure begins in the rice paddy-lined oasis of Ubud, in the mountains of Bali. You're free to arrive whenever you like before your welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, maybe 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 and feast on delicious local cuisine.

Day 2 Ubud

Today is a free day to explore the temples, wander through the rice paddy fields or visit the famous art and craft markets in the town centre. Maybe get up early and start your day with a yoga class, then use your free time to join in on some fun optional activities like a cycling tour, white-water rafting or a cooking class. If you'd prefer to freewheel it, you can just hire a bike and ride around Ubud's lush countryside. For lunch, maybe seek out some of the Balinese specialty – Babi Guling (the Indonesian version of roast pork).

Day 3 Mt Batur

Depart Ubud for Batur this morning, visiting the Tirta Empul Water Temple along the way. Tirta Empul, translating to 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. This is a great spot to take that perfect photo of beautiful Bali. When you arrive in Batur, you might want to rest, relax and recharge, ready for a jam-packed day tomorrow.

Day 4 Candidasa

Rise and shine early birds (at 3 am!) – it's time for a good ol' fashioned crater hike. At 1717 m high, Mt Batur sits inside a spectacular caldera along with Lake Batur. The lake supports the local fishing industry, while many villagers work as guides for the volcano climb. It's important to note that this climb takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, and since it's all uphill, a decent level of fitness is required to enjoy it fully. You'll be just in time to witness the sunrise over the valleys of Bali! 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. Later in the afternoon, head southwest to beachside Candidasa. When you arrive, maybe chill out by the beach and let your muscles rest after your glorious hike.

Day 5 Gili Trawangan

Drive to Padangbai this morning and jump on a speedboat to Gili Trawangan, or Gili T – 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 the best beaches to soak up the salt air. Luckily for you, you’ll get access to the resort’s bicycles for the duration of your stay, 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.

Day 6 Gili Trawangan

Enjoy a free day on Gili T. Why not join 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 Southeast Asia for turtle-spotting! If you’d prefer, just kick back with a cocktail and do nothing!

Day 7 Gili Trawangan

Today is just another day in paradise. Maybe jump on another boat for more snorkelling, or take it super easy and set up on the beach with a book, a coconut and a cocktail. 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 cool when you tell your friends that you circumnavigated an island on wheels!

Day 8 Seminyak

Have a leisurely breakfast and one last swim on Gili T before walking back to the port and taking a speedboat to Padangbai. From here, you’ll 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 selfie stick at. When you arrive, 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, veggies and meats) and other local street foods. Continue to a beach club tonight, where you can beat the heat with an included drink.

Day 9 Seminyak

Give today a real Semin-crack with a range of optional activities to fill up your blissful free time. Maybe café hop (the colourful cafes in Seminyak are endless), laze by the beach or get active and take a surf lesson. 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 sun 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.

Day 10 Seminyak

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 – if you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent!

DAY 1: USA - Bali, Indonesia

Board your international flight today and relax as you fly to Denpasar, the capital of Bali, in the Indonesian archipelago.

DAY 2: Arrive Ubud , Indonesia

Arrive at Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport, meet your tour guide and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Ubud. After check in, enjoy the night free at leisure.

DAY 3: Ubud, Indonesia

Relax over a hotel breakfast this morning and later, set off on a half-day guided sightseeing tour around Ubud town and the surrounding countryside. Pay a visit to the delightful Saraswati Temple, an intricately carved Hindu temple that appears to float in a dream-like, lotus-covered lake. Soak in the serene beauty and spirituality of this special place before stopping by Ubud Market for some souvenir shopping. Later tonight enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with a traditional Balinese dance performance.

DAY 4: Ubud - Nusa Dua, Indonesia

Check out of your Ubud hotel after breakfast and journey south to Nusa Dua.  Enjoy the height of luxury during your 3-night stay at the 5-star Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua.  After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day to relax as the mood takes you.  

DAY 5: Nusa Dua

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the 16th-century Hindu shrine of Tanah Lot or ‘Temple on the Rock,’ situated on the island’s southwestern shores.  Walk across the causeway to admire the temple from the exterior, and hear the stories and legends that surround it, including that of the sea snakes said to protect the shrine. After soaking in the evocative scenery, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a transfer back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure.

DAY 6: Nusa Dua

Today brings a full day of relaxation, with the freedom to while away the hours as you please.  Enjoy more well-deserved R&R today: unwinding at the beach or by the hotel pool, and enjoy the amenities at your hotel, all at your own pace.

DAY 7: Nusa Dua - Singapore

Check out this morning and transfer to Denpasar airport to catch your flight to Singapore, situated on the Malay Peninsula’s southern tip. A mix of different Asian influences, this unique city blends modern skyscrapers with Chinese shophouses, British colonial architecture, Hindu shrines, and the incredible three-towered Marina Bay Sands—a hotel topped by a 57-story-high infinity pool. On arrival in this exciting island city-state, meet your local representative for a convenient transfer to your hotel. Depending on the time of your flight arrival, either retire to your comfortable room or enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.  Spend any free time enjoying your hotel’s facilities or head out for your first taste of this vibrant metropolis: perhaps experiencing one of its top-notch restaurants or bustling markets.

DAY 8: Singapore

Following breakfast, experience Singapore’s highlights on a full-day sightseeing tour. Start with a visit to Merlion Park, home to the half-lion, half-fish ‘Merlion’ statue that is Singapore’s mythical symbol; visit the Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay, and behold the bird’s-eye views from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark observatory. Other stops include the Helix Bridge, 19th-century Chijmes shopping complex, the art déco Parkview Square, Little India, and a visit to Singapore’s futuristic Gardens by the Bay—a trio of waterfront gardens boasting plant life from around the world and sci-fi-like cooled Conservatories and Supertree structures. Marvel at the vertical-garden Supertrees from the aerial walkway and delve into the Cloud Forest, a glass-framed world of mountain mists, lush vegetation, and a waterfall.

DAY 9: Singapore

Today is free for you to do as you wish. Perhaps revisit a site from yesterday, dive into the city’s shopping and world-famous eateries, or simply unwind by the hotel pool. Activities could include anything from checking out the triple-towered Marina Bay Sands hotel, strolling through Singapore’s tropical gardens or immersing yourself in the city’s glittering malls or the shops, markets, and restaurants of Chinatown.

DAY 10: Singapore - USA

Bid farewell to Singapore and Southeast Asia today. After checking out of your hotel, enjoy a comfortable transfer to Changi Airport to catch your homeward flight to the US.