We tested a 3-week itinerary in Bali, Lombok and Gilis in 8 unforgettable stages. An ideal tour for a first dream trip to Bali. We detail here all the steps of the tour to help you organize your future trip to Bali and the budget to plan. A paradise where we have already been 4 times since 2011. This itinerary in Bali has been built and tested from our first 5 weeks trip in South East Asia. All the practical advice and our other itineraries are available in this blog post dedicated to Bali and Indonesia.
A trip to Bali is an unforgettable experience.
From the lively atmosphere of Kuta Bali to the quietness of the rice fields of Ubud, passing by the typical villages of Munduk and Amed, from the paradisiacal beaches of South Lombok to the unique charm of the Gili islandsFrom the rice fields of Ubud, through the typical villages of Munduk and Amed, from the paradisiacal beaches of southern Lombok to the unique charm of the Gili Islands, this itinerary combines the discovery of sumptuous landscapes with an immersion in local culture.
Browse this 3 week itinerary to Bali and its region with information, photos and videos for each stage.
We have since returned to Bali with a brand new itinerary which you can view here: 3 weeks in Bali, Java, Gili Meno and Gili Asahan in 5 dream stages (2017)
It's here for all the practical information and our advice for travel to Bali and Indonesia (visa, health, transport, safety, excursions, etc.). Everything you need to know before leaving and once there. Full of ideas for itineraries. A big file to keep on hand to organize your trip. (2017)
Interactive map of this 3-week trip to Bali, Lombok and Gilis
And if, like us, you have fallen in love with Indonesia and are looking to explore another dream island, check out our special Indonesia page dedicated to this country that has become our favourite playground. On the agenda: Bali and Lombok of course but also Flores and Sulawesitwo dream destinations off the beaten track.
The INDISPENSABLE flagship article gathering all our tips for travelling to Bali and Indonesia are gathered in a single guide published in October 2017.
Bali, Lombok and the Gilis 3 week itinerary in video
We highly recommend that you watch our video describing our 3 week Bali tour in 1 minute, before checking out each stage of the trip. (video from 2011)
Did you like the teasing?
Check out our Indonesia playlist: From Bali to Lombok 17 episodes filmed in 2011 retracing our 6-week trip between Bali, Lombok and the Gilis, but also all our other itineraries.
Itinerary in Bali, Lombok and the Gilis of 3 weeks step by step:
Stage 1: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu or South Bali (2 days)
Stage 2: Ubud or the must-see stage of a 3-week Bali itinerary (4 days)
Stage 3: Visit Munduk between waterfalls and rice fields (2 days)
Stage 5: The coral atolls of the Gili islands: Trawangan, Air and Meno (4 days)
Stage 6 : Stay in Kuta, south of Lombok, between jungle and heavenly beaches (3 d)
Stage 7 : Sidemen or stay in an authentic village in the interior of Bali (2 days)
What is the budget for travelling to Bali?
Exchange rate : As of 14/03/2019 : 1€ = 16116 Rp
Plane tickets
We arrive in Bali via Denpasar International Airport. There are no direct flights from France but from London recently. Otherwise, the best stopovers to get a good price are generally Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai or Singapore. Read our tips on how to to find cheap airline tickets on the internet.
The comparator that we use first is skyscanner to find cheap airline tickets to Bali.
Price of return tickets Paris-Denpasar (Bali)
Exceptional price: 514 €.
Good price: 635 €.
Average price: €750
The budget question
The prices are given as an indication for 2 people for 3 weeks of travel excluding airfare
Small budget: €560
Accommodation on the basis of a double room: 15€/day
Meals: 5€/day/person
Transport: 3€/day (public transport)
Activities: Free activities only
Average budget: €1320
Accommodation based on a double room: 32€/day
Meals: 12€/day/person
Transport: 5€/day
Activities: 5€/day
High budget: 2600 €.
Accommodation based on a double room: 80€/day minimum
Meals: 16€/day/person
Transport: 8€/day
Activities: 10€/day
All you need to know about travelling to Bali and Indonesia
Stage 1: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu or South Bali (2 days)
Experience the madness of Kuta and dive into the more upscale atmosphere of its little sisters, Legian and Seminyak. Visit Tanah Lot, the most famous temple on the island of Bali. Discover the Bukit Peninsula, further south, with the temple of Uluwatu and the world-famous surf spot, Uluwatu Beach. Some of the must-see places when travelling to Bali.
More about Kuta, Legian and Seminyak
Stage 2: Ubud or the must-see stage of a 3-week Bali itinerary (4 days)
After the hustle and bustle of Kuta, Ubud is an invitation to serenity and immersion in Balinese culture.
Between hiking in the surrounding rice fields, discovering ancient temples, rafting and traditional dance performances, there is no shortage of activities! Ubud is the tourist village that allows you to explore Bali.
A stay in Ubud is always an opportunity to discover the culture and traditions of the island of the Gods.
More about Ubud
Stage 3: Visit Munduk between waterfalls and rice fields (2 days)
Munduk is a typical village perched in the hills covered with jungles and rice fields.
Munduk has a unique charm with the colonial architecture of its old Dutch buildings against a backdrop of green mountains.
Hiking and communion with nature are on the agenda.
During a stay in Bali, it is the stage out of the beaten track which makes it possible to move away a little more from the mass tourism in Bali even if with the years, Munduk is increasingly attended but all remains between on the scale of a mountain village.
More about Munduk
Stage 4: Amed, its beach and seabed (2 days)
We leave the green Munduk and its mountains. It will take you at least 4 hours to reach the eastern tip of Bali and thus Amed.
Amed has a Mediterranean atmosphere.
The coast is cut into a multitude of coves and dotted with fishing villages. Diving, snorkelling and sunbathing are on the agenda during our 3 weeks in Bali! During a Bali itinerary, this is thetranquility and beach stage of a holiday.
More about Amed
Stage 5: The coral atolls of the Gili islands: Trawangan, Air and Meno (4 days)
We set down our backpacks on Gili Trawangan, a heavenly island accessible by boat from Lombok and Bali.
This small piece of land of 2 km long is bordered by white sand beaches. If you are going to Bali for 3 weeks like us, we strongly recommend you to go on a trip to the Gili Islands for a few days, where you can dive, snorkel and relax. You'll quickly find your way back to the beautiful postcard beaches here, especially if you were disappointed by them in Bali.
And don't get the wrong Gili!
We have been back to the Gilis several times since 2011. In 2017, we compared in an article entitled " Which Gili island to choose?" Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air and a secret island we found on our last trip which is located a little further south, Gili Asahan. Gili Asahan, a coral atoll off the beaten track where you only think of one thing once you arrive, stay there ^^
See our complete file : Which Gili to choose?
Access to the article on the Gili islands
Step 6 : Staying in Kuta, south of Lombok, between jungle and heavenly beaches (3 days)
Kuta Lombok is located in the south of Lombok island, 70km from the Gili islands. It takes about 2 hours of driving through villages, plantations and palm groves to reach the famous Kuta Bay.
If you're looking for deserted paradise beaches, you've found the place to put your bags!
Still unknown to most tourists who stay in Bali, don't miss the beauty of the landscapes of southern Lombok. This is one stop you can add to a 3 week tour of Bali and Indonesia, as we did.
More about Kuta Lombok
Stage 7: Sidemen or staying in an authentic village in the interior of Bali (2 days)
Sidemen is a tiny village located in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of the island of Bali.
Mount Agung dominates the valley.
Surrounded by mountains and rice fields, the village is a cultural and artistic centre. Immersion far from mass tourism guaranteed. We recommend this small village lost in the middle of rice fields and surrounded by lush vegetation.
To know more about Sidemen
Stage 8: Sanur and Nusa Lembongan (2 days)
Nusa Lembongan is an island 6km long and 3km wide. You can explore this little piece of paradise on foot, by bicycle, scooter or by car with driver.
On Lembongan Island, beaches, seaweed farming and mangroves are on the agenda. Why miss out?
Good to know: A one-day trip to Lembongan Island is possible from Sanur on a 3-week Bali tour.
By the way, if you are planning your next itinerary in Bali and are hesitating to rent a scooter, here are all our practical tips on riding a 2-wheeled vehicle in Bali with our video on touring the island by scooter in our article 5 tips for scooter travellers in Bali.
Learn more about Sanur and Nusa Lembongan
It's here for all the practical information and tips for travel to Bali and Indonesia (visa, health, transport, safety, excursions, budget, etc.). Everything you need to know before leaving and once you're there. Full of ideas for itineraries too. A big file to keep on hand to organize your trip. (2017)
Have you ever been on holiday in Bali or perhaps on other islands in Indonesia? Tell us about your adventure in comments.
