Bali ONE day tour – Best Things to do Guide (Map Included)

Bali is a fascinating place. From pristine beaches & majestic waterfalls to volcanic mountains & lush green forests, this place has it all. But when on a schedule, trying to see all of it is not always possible. So we, here at Trot.World, have created a custom Google Maps route for our tribe, which you can save and use on the go while in Bali. This Bali-in-a-day route will take you to as much of an assortment of riches as possible which Bali has to offer, in a single day. So sit back, relax, strap in your seatbelts, get your travel playlist going and let us guide you to the best things to do through this Bali one day tour itinerary.

You can either rent your own car/scooter (if you are comfortable driving through some tricky roads) or rent a private guide driven car which is what we recommend. This total (not per person) cost of the Bali day trip private tour for about 10 hours or so is approximately between 500K-800K IDR (35-57 USD) subjective to change. Negotiate for best prices and remember to establish the places of interest you would like to see during the negotiation process prior to finalising your deal.

Finally, let’s begin this ride of taking you through the best of Bali through this customised one day tour!

1. Seminyak Beach
2. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
3. Red Coral/Munduk Waterfall
4. Coffee Plantation & Civets Sanctuary
5. Twin Lake Panoramic View
6. Wanagiri Hidden Hills (Instaworthy spot)
7. Gates of Handara
8. Ulun Danu temple
9. Tanah Lot temple tour at sunset
10. Back to Seminyak

Seminyak Beach

•    Ideal time to arrive: 7 am          
•    Ideal time to spend: 1/2 hour
•    Cost/Entry fee: Just your café bill         

If you are staying right at the Seminyak beach then heading out for a morning at the beach is the perfect way to start your day in Bali and set the tone for this one day tour. Seminyak beach is possibly the most popular beach in Bali & quite central to the rest of the province. Indulge yourself with a hearty breakfast, a nutrient packed acai bowl or pick up some coffee & sandwiches from one of the countless cozy coffee shops or beach shacks in the area, because you’re up for a long day ahead. Once you’ve taken in the morning beach vibes and sea breeze at Seminyak, we can officially set off on our journey.

If you are a bit away from the beach, just relax and enjoy breakfast at your villa/hotel.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

•      Ideal time to arrive: 8:30 am
  • (Sanctuary timings: 8:30am-6pm)                                        
•    Ideal time to spend: 1 hour
•    Entry fee: As of 2020
  • Adults: 80000 IDR (5.68 USD)
  • Kids: 3-12 years 60000 IDR (4.26 USD)      

An hour’s drive to the heart of Bali from Seminyak leads us to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Home to more than 700 macques, this monkey forest in Ubud is a sight filled with visual treats which seems straight out of the sets of Indiana Jones.

This sanctuary has more to it than just these cheeky monkeys swinging from canopies of century old trees. A hotspot for tourists but a spiritual complex for locals, this place hosts ancient temples nestled in this dense forest where the rays of the tropical sun peek in through the lush green and onto the Moss covered traditional statues with typical intricate Balinese carvings on them.

There are also stores selling traditional Balinese masks crafted for tourists to take back as souvenirs & be reminded of the rich Balinese culture & traditions.

Monkey forest in Bali with its picturesque walkways and corners is truly a visual treat but here are our three favourite sights that kept us hooked for longer. The Pura Dalem Agung aka the main temple, Dragon bridge and the 100 year old banyan tree the canopies of which are a playing ground for the inhabitants.

So don’t miss out on this place for the fresh crisp air, the smell & sound of nature, wildlife around you, ancient temples with mysterious moss covered sculptures for they are sure to leave you awestruck & make you feel as if you have entered a different dimension altogether.

Here’s another one of our favorite spots in Ubud, a jungle pool club, set right in between the lush jungle that you shouldn’t miss out on.

***BONUS***

Bali Rice Terraces

•    Ideal time to arrive: A stopover in between                           
•    Ideal time to spend: A couple of minutes
•    Entry fee: Free

As if the Indiana Jones vibes weren’t enough to sooth our nature/adventure lover souls, this route has plenty more surprises and treats for those eyes as your go from one ‘best things to do in Bali’ to the other on this one day tour. This route has plenty scenic vistas so keep your eyes out as they are bound to catch a glimpse of these lush rice paddies that line the route. So don’t shy away from stopping over and treating your eyes to those bright green shades and breathing in the crisp cool air of the mountainous Bedugul region. 

Red Coral/Munduk Waterfall

•    Ideal time to arrive: 11 am                     
•    Ideal time to spend: 1 hour
•    Entry fee: 20000 IDR (1.42 USD) 

Just like temples, there is no shortage of waterfalls in Bali. We love nature and our one on one time with it and when we are surrounded by it, all we like is the sound of nature over the chatter of crowds and Munduk waterfall gave us just that. There was no one standing between (or around) us and this majestic strong gushing single stream waterfall. Other than not being crowded, this waterfall is a short and easy 20 minute hike down from the road across the parking lot. A combination of dirt path and stairs and a not too risky bamboo bridge plank is all it takes to enter this serene space.

Even though you can’t directly get under the water due to the force or swim here due to the lack of water level on the ground, from all the waterfalls in Bali this one is worth visiting just to be in awe of this single stream beauty gushing down. Flanked with greenery and forest like setting all around, this Bali waterfall will surely take your breath away and leave you energised for the rest of this one day tour.

Coffee Plantation & Civets Sanctuary

•    Ideal time to arrive: 12 noon                 
•    Ideal time to spend: 1 hour
•    Entry fee: Your food bill/any purchases

As avid coffee drinkers we love to try out the local brew of the places we travel to and even bring back a pack or two home to keep the taste of our vacations lingering a bit longer (just our mechanism to cope with those holiday blues). And with so much buzz around the Kopi Luwak aka civet/poop coffee and it being the most expensive coffee in the world, got us very curious to learn more about it & try it for ourselves.

So this coffee is made from coffee beans that are consumed by the civet (luwak), partially digested and then pooped out. The fermentation that happens in the luwak’s stomach is what gives it it’s distinct flavour.

This place “Coffee Plantation & Civets Sanctuary” shown in the pictures has been closed down so instead you can stop over to the one marked on the map that claims to be cruelty free and is called “Wild civet Coffee farm” to try the luwak coffee in Bali and enjoy the magnificent view of the Golden Valley waterfalls. Sipping on the most expensive coffee in the world few inches away from a waterfall certainly sounds like an experience.

They do claim to be cruelty free and eco-friendly, however it’s something we would have to see it for ourselves to believe it.

However, here is our verdict of the Luwak coffee in Bali: As cool and unique as the coffee might sound we wouldn’t recommend it. We didn’t buy any coffee as we usually do and regretted putting money in even for the tour few steps into it when we saw the civets trapped in the cage at “Coffee Plantation & Civets Sanctuary”. World’s most expensive coffee comes at the expense of these creatures and in our opinion should not be encouraged, besides there is plenty of good coffee left in the world to taste.

Twin Lake: Panoramic view

•    Ideal time to arrive: 1:10 pm                 
•    Ideal time to spend: 10 mins
•    Entry fee: Free

Our Bali itinerary is filled with plenty of natural beauty and this particular spot is no exception, a treat to the eyes and truly a work of nature. These panoramic views of the two lakes encircled by dense green forests will leave you awestruck. The twin lakes, Lake Buyan (to the left) and Lake Tamblingan are a part of a caldera formed by the Bedugul volcanic eruptions. This concrete viewpoint that’s jutting out, where you can stand on and see the view, could very well be a part of the extinct volcano! Now isn’t that cool?

Although there is one request, right next to the viewpoint there are some locals standing to make money at the cost of wild creatures. They stand there with wild bats, snakes & reptiles for photo opportunities in exchange of money but PLEASE refrain from that and don’t encourage such cruel activities while on your travels. They are supposed to be out in the wild and not on our arms and shoulders for that one Instagram shot.

Instead go ahead and support the locals on this next stop to get your perfect Bali gram worthy shots.

Hidden Hills Wanagiri (Instaworthy spot)

•    Ideal time to arrive: 1:30 pm                 
•    Ideal time to spend: ½ hour
•    Entry fee: 50K-100K IDR (3-7 USD)        

A little further up with even more clouds rolling in, you can continue to enjoy the breathtaking view of these lakes in an even dreamier settings.

There are plenty of these “Selfie points/Instaworthy spots” along the road so you can choose the set you want for what we like to call is a ‘Postcard from Bali’ shot. But the common ones in most of them are a nest, versions of the famous Bali swing and some bamboo lookouts.

Here are some we chose to convert into a postcard for our friends and family back home.

Gates of Handara

•    Ideal time to arrive: 2:10 pm                 
•    Ideal time to spend: 20 mins
•    Entry fee: 30K IDR (2.13 USD)     

Candi Bentar aka split gates are a classic and important architectural feature, marking the entrances of temples all across Bali. And getting to admire these tall gates with detailed traditional carvings on them from up close is a true treat. The famous one called the Gates of Heaven Bali, on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang is breathtaking but takes hours to reach, even from the popular areas of Seminyak and Ubud.

But here is another reason why we love this route. It provides you with an equally beautiful alternative to the Gates of Heaven and an opportunity to admire the beauty of these traditional gates without wasting time on travelling.

Even though it is in a different setting, Gates of Handara has its own unique charm. A perfectly pre-compositioned scene, a concrete road cutting through the gate leading towards lush green forests as far as your eye can see, with hills in the distance and all this blanketed by soft clouds rolling around the region, giving you a perfect mystic vibe for your yet another postcard shot.

Also behold if you think there is a temple nestled somewhere behind the gate in the lush forest then you are wrong. In fact what lies behind is a Golf Course and a resort. This is why we love this one: time saver, en route and a perfect blend of tradition and the modern world.

The reason we love and recommend this route and this particular day tour is because it captures the essence of Bali quite well. From sacred grounds to magical architectures, oozing history & culture to endless nature. So let’s soak in some more beauty of this region.

Ulun Danu temple

•    Ideal time to arrive: 2:35 pm                 
•    Ideal time to spend: 45 mins
•    Entry fee: Adult 50K-75K IDR (4-5 USD); Child 25K-50K IDR (2-4 USD) +5K IDR (1USD) Car parking fee        

If learning about the culture & witnessing places of worship is on your itinerary then you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one. Bali being the land of Gods and so rich in nature, there is no shortage of temples set in magical surroundings and one such Hindu temple and our favourite is the Pura Ulun Danu.

Floating on the second largest lake of Beratan in Bali, 1200 metres above sea level with Mount Bratan as it’s backdrop, with ceremonies happening around you this temple will truly leave you spellbounded.

 As if these views were not magical enough, the mist that often rises from the lake hugs the temple and the surroundings in a layer of fog making it all the more mystical. So go on ahead and walk around to soak in the beauty of this place for this is one temple that truly captures the essence of Bali quite well and is a perfect blend of culture & nature.

Tanah Lot temple tour at Sunset

•    Ideal time to arrive: 5 pm          
•    Ideal time to spend: 1 hour until sunset
•    Entry fee: Adult 60K IDR (4.26 USD); Child 30K IDR (2.13 USD)       

And here we are to the end of this “Bali in a day” journey and we couldn’t have ended this day tour anywhere else but here. This is the most iconic landmark in Bali so evidently a tourist hot spot. We usually like to avoid such heavily crowded places but we are so glad we didn’t miss out on this one. Bali is a land of Gods and oozing with traditions, so we thought of combining the local with one of our own travel traditions, which is chasing sunsets together everywhere we go.

Now as the sun began slowly dipping in the water, we realised why this spot was so popular. This beautiful temple set out on a rock, surrounded on three sides by the rough sea with waves crashing in on it from all sides. Set against a backdrop of magical colors painting the sky as the sun bids goodbye to the day and slowly begins to bathe in those deep blues of the endless Bali sea.

This one’s so different from Ulun Danu, which is on top of a calm still lake with soft breeze, this one glows under magical colors with strong winds perched on a rock with strong waves of the sea crashing against it. Contrasting but equally beautiful.

Also it was such a captivating scene to watch this unique fusion of the influx of awestruck touristy eyes from different parts of the world discovering this beauty for the first time, combined with the spiritual and routinely Balinese paying their respects & performing their prayers.

While here, don’t miss out on shifting your glance to the right of Tanah Lot for another glorious view of the Pura Batu Balong temple, comparatively less crowded but equally beautiful dazzling under the same fiery sky. Plus seeing this hollow bridge like structure took our minds back to one of our other favourite water destination filled with such scenic wonders.

Back to Seminyak

Our Bali one day tour ended with the sun’s magical glow & we headed back to Seminyak for a hearty meal on the colourful bean bags on the beach under the stars! There are several shacks lined up and you could choose the one’s menu and prices you like. Or you can also spend time at some of the famous beach clubs in the area.

With a satisfied belly, a happy heart & a content soul we were then ready to just kick back in our pool villa, sip a cup of chamomile tea & enter into the most relaxing sleep ever in our cocoon surrounded by fragrant flowers and a canopy over us.

We hope you enjoyed this virtual visual ride through Bali’s picturesque spots and cultural experiences along with us and are now all set to soak in the charm of this place for yourselves. Believe us when we say this, even though through this one day tour you would have experienced different shades of Bali, you would still want to stay longer and go back to uncover some more, we know we do.

Also from the pictures you must have noticed the weather wasn’t the most ideal one to go out touring a place. We went in June, a dry season, and all our days in Bali we were bestowed with the warmth of its tropical sun. On the other hand, the day we were set out to explore the place more, the rain gods were not having it and wanted to shower us with some love too. The sun began playing hide & seek and kept up with the game throughout and the heavens unleashed on us even before we could get into the car. The rain gods literally rained in on our parade & got us bummed out, we thought we couldn’t possibly see Bali’s beauty in all its glory gleaming in the sunlight. But we were totally wrong, Bali looked prettier drenched in rain, the greens looked greener, the blanket of clouds & fog made Bali look dreamier than ever, and the crowds disappeared seeking shade, giving us the perfect opportunity to experience the serenity of some of the most iconic and otherwise busy spots.

And at the end of it all, the rainbow we were left with was truly a metaphorical representation of our day having seen the different colors of Bali in the best most magical way. This time we even found the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow which was in the form of everlasting postcard like memories that will forever be etched in our hearts and have us coming back for more.

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