This 16-day itinerary focuses on Bali and the nearby Gili Islands, offering a mix of culture, outdoor adventure, and relaxing beach time—without the longer travel days required to reach more remote islands.
From exploring rice terraces and volcano landscapes in Ubud to enjoying beach time in Southern Bali and unwinding on the car-free island of Gili Trawangan, this route keeps travel manageable while still showcasing some of Indonesia’s most memorable experiences.
Day 1: Arrive in Denpasar, Bali
After arriving in Denpasar, travel to Ubud for your first stop (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours).
Days 2–5: Ubud, Bali
Ubud offers a mix of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Highlights included cycling around Mount Batur’s lava fields, walking through the Tegallalang Rice Terraces—some of the most memorable scenery of our time in Southeast Asia—and a hands-on rice farming experience that the boys especially loved. In the evenings, we slowed things down with a traditional Balinese dance performance and time to enjoy the local cuisine.
Days 6–9: Southern Bali
Southern Bali is known for its beaches, resorts, and surf culture. Unfortunately, this was a low point of our trip, as we fell ill shortly after arriving and spent most of our time recovering.
When we were able to explore, we found Kuta crowded and more suited to nightlife and backpackers than families.
If you’re planning to stay in this area, we’d recommend looking into these more family-friendly alternatives (we didn’t visit them ourselves, but they came up consistently in our research):
- Sanur (25 min from airport)
- Jimbaran (40 min from airport)
Day 10: Ferry to Gili Trawangan
From Padang Bai, we took the Gili-Gili Fast Boat, (about 1.5 hours) to Gili Trawangan. The boat trip can be rough, especially on windy days.
Note: Padang Bai is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Kuta, though travel times can be longer than expected due to traffic. Ferries depart early in the morning, so you can either leave very early or stay overnight closer to the harbour. We chose to spend the night near Padang Bai to avoid the stress of a rushed morning.
Days 11–14: Gili Trawangan
After a busy few weeks, Gili Trawangan was the perfect place to slow down. With white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, and no motorized vehicles, it’s incredibly family-friendly.
Highlights of our time included snorkelling with turtles, kayaking to the famous underwater Bask Nest statue, and cycling around the island.
Learn More: Fun Things to Do with Kids on Gili Island, Indonesia
Day 15: Return to Bali
Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to return to Denpasar the same day. We prefer to leave a buffer day in case of travel mishaps.
Day 16: Depart Indonesia
Looking Back on Our Time in Bali
Our time in Bali left us wanting more. From the cultural heart of Ubud to the beaches of Southern Bali and the relaxed island feel of the Gili Islands, each day brought something new and created lasting memories.
Ready to Explore Indonesia?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• 4-Week Indonesia Itinerary with Kids
• Deep in the Sumatra Jungle: A Family Orangutan Trek in Indonesia
• A One-Day Family Adventure in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
• Fun Things to Do with Kids on Gili Island, Indonesia
• 3-Day Ubud Itinerary with Kids
• Fun Things to do with Kids in Ubud, Bali
• Learning to Rice Farm: A Family Experience in Ubud, Bali
• Biking Mount Batur, Bali: A Family Adventure
