By Tarang Bansal 
An 8-day, 8-night Bali and East Java itinerary covering Canggu, Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen — complete with a real cost breakdown, visa details, and honest ratings for every stop, from a group trip of eight friends.
Why Bali Still Surprises First-Timers
This Bali itinerary came together almost by accident. I’ve never heard of anyone coming back from Bali without having an incredible time — and now I know why. The island has a certain magic that makes you instantly fall in love with it. From sipping cocktails and dancing the night away to exploring lush nature and feeling the warmth of Balinese hospitality, every moment feels unforgettable.
Bali truly has it all: world-class beach clubs, stunning temples, vegan-friendly cafés, and endless stretches of golden sand. We were a group of eight friends who set off to explore this tropical paradise in May — and what followed was pure joy, one volcano hike, and a fair amount of sleep deprivation.
| Date & Day | When awoke | Night at |
|---|---|---|
| 5th May, Fri | Flew to Bali | Flight & KL Airport |
| 6th May, Sat | Canggu & Kuta | Canggu |
| 7th May, Sun | North Bali | Ubud |
| 8th May, Mon | East Bali | Ubud |
| 9th May, Tue | Ubud & flew to Java | Mt Bromo Base |
| 10th May, Wed | Mt Bromo hike | Mt Ijen Base |
| 11th May, Thu | Mt Ijen hike | Uluwatu |
| 12th May, Fri | Uluwatu | Uluwatu |
| 13th May, Sat | Nusa Penida | Uluwatu |
| 14th May, Sun | Fly back to India | — |
If you want the bigger picture of Indonesia before diving into Bali specifically, read our complete Indonesia guide here.
About Bali & East Java — What to Know Before You Go
Before diving into our Bali adventures, here’s a bit about the place and some practical tips.
Bali, part of Indonesia, lies just east of Java and is one of the country’s thousands of islands. Interestingly, though Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, Bali itself is predominantly Hindu. You’ll see temples at every turn, offerings placed outside doorsteps, and locals dressed in colourful traditional attire — yet it’s also incredibly open-minded and welcoming. Tourists can wear what they like, though modest dressing is appreciated in smaller towns.
A universal travel adapter is a must since Indian plugs don’t fit local sockets, and a power bank will be your best friend during long beach days or hikes.
Bali’s weather stays hot year-round thanks to its proximity to the equator. Pack light — T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, sunscreen and flip-flops. Carrying a Priority Pass or Diners Club card can be handy for airport lounge access along the way. Bring enough US Dollars from India too, as cash is king in many places and ATMs often charge high withdrawal fees. When exchanging money, don’t blindly trust the display rate — there’s usually room to negotiate. Avoid smaller roadside outlets; they are known for scamming tourists.
The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and the denominations run large — it’s common to drop the last three zeros for easy understanding. Roughly, ₹100 equals about 20,000 IDR. Overall, Bali and much of Indonesia work out about 1.3 times costlier than India.
The local language is Bahasa Indonesia, though English works reasonably well in touristy areas. You’ll find convenience stores like Indomaret and MiniMart nearly everywhere — almost open 24/7, selling snacks, drinks, and even basic meals. Vegetarian options are limited outside the main tourist belts.
Visa & Flights for Indians
Getting to Bali from India is easier than ever. Air India operates a direct flight from Delhi, while IndiGo connects Bali directly with Bengaluru. For everyone else, there are plenty of convenient one-stop options — most major Indian cities have frequent flights to hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, all of which offer multiple daily connections onward to Bali.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Search & Compare Flights to Bali from India])
If your city has an international airport, you can reach Bali with just one quick layover. Keep in mind that low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Scoot don’t include checked baggage in their base fare — double-check your booking to avoid surprises at the airport.
The great news for Indians: visa-on-arrival is available without any pre-approval or e-permits. All you need is a valid passport and 30 USD. You can also prepay online through the e-visa option. At the airport counter, payment is accepted in either Indonesian Rupiah or US Dollars.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Indonesia e-Visa & Travel Insurance for Indians])
For the full step-by-step visa process, read our Indonesia Visa Guide for Indians.
Cost of the Trip — Full Breakdown
| Category | Cost (INR) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 40,000 | Air Asia via KL |
| Visa, SIM, Insurance | 4,000 | 30$ Visa, ₹1,000 SIM |
| Internal Movement | 3,000 | 2 Innovas for Ubud trips |
| East Java Trip | 15,000 | Flight to Surabaya, road journey to Ijen & Bromo, road back to Bali with ferry |
| Food & Drinks | 12,000 | 2 big meals, 1 small, with plenty of drinks |
| Nusa Penida Trip | 8,000 | Full-day trip with snorkelling |
| Stay | 16,000 | ₹2,000 per person per day, budget |
| Miscellaneous | 2,000 | — |
| Total | 1,00,000 | — |
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Book Villas, Homestays & Airbnbs in Bali])
For a full breakdown across every budget range — from backpacker to luxury — read our Indonesia Trip Cost Guide for Indians.
6th May, Saturday: Landing in Canggu — Finn’s Beach Club & La Favela
We touched down at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) after a long layover in Kuala Lumpur. We had pre-booked two cabs for our group of eight to take us straight to our stay — a lively party hostel in Canggu called Lushy. Since it was a Saturday, we figured there was no better way to start the trip than with some good music, drinks, and that unmistakable Bali vibe.
On the way, our drivers helped us buy local SIM cards — we picked the 18 GB plan, around ₹1,200. One heads-up: Bali SIM cards have hotspot sharing disabled, so it’s safer for everyone in the group to have their own SIM rather than relying on shared data.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Bali SIM Card & eSIM Options for Indian Travelers])
The next stop was currency exchange. There are dozens of money changers everywhere, but choose the established ones even if their rates are slightly worse — small roadside outlets are notorious for sleight-of-hand scams. I learned this the hard way when a vendor quietly slipped a thick bundle back into his drawer during counting; I caught it just in time.
After checking into Lushy Hostel and freshening up, a few shots at the hostel bar later, we headed out to Finn’s Beach Club — the most famous one on the island. It’s usually best to go during the day when you can rent a bed, swim and watch the sunset, but since we arrived at night, we skipped the minimum spend tables and just enjoyed drinks, snacks and great music by the pool.
Bali’s beach clubs can be pricey, so it’s smart to pre-game or have your drinks at smaller local bars first.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Beach Club Passes & Reservations in Bali])
From there, it was a classic Canggu night — bar-hopping, lots of laughter, and eventually La Favela, a multi-floor club with vibrant energy and Western music, packed with young travellers dancing till late under neon lights.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Finn’s Beach Club — +2 · La Favela — +2.5
7th May, Sunday: North Bali — Wanagiri Hills, Ulun Danu & Leke Leke Waterfall
We checked out of Canggu on Sunday morning and headed north in two private cars hired for the next two days, leaving the party vibe behind to explore the quieter, greener side of Bali. First stop: the scenic Wanagiri Hills area near the Twin Lakes — classic photo spots overlooking lakes and mountains, very Instagram-friendly.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Private Car Hire & Day Tours in North Bali])
On the way, we stopped at the famous Handara Gate, another Instagram hotspot — but the queue for the iconic photo was over an hour long, which is normal at most popular photo spots in Bali. We skipped it. A useful reminder: many “Instagrammable” points in Bali cost both money and a lot of waiting, so pick your battles.
Our next stop was the beautiful Ulun Danu Beratan Temple — manicured gardens, calm waters, cool mountain air, genuinely worth an hour of your time.
Post-lunch, we drove to Leke Leke Waterfall, the highlight of the day. Last entry is around 5 pm, closing around 6 pm. We entered right at 5 pm and had the entire place to ourselves. It’s about a 15-minute walk down from the parking area through lush greenery — a tall, narrow waterfall dropping into a small pool, surrounded by jungle. There are no proper changing rooms, so be prepared to change behind rocks or trees if you plan to get in the water.
From there, dinner, then our Airbnb villa amid paddy fields with a private pool. If you start earlier, you can extend this route further north to waterfalls like Aling-Aling or Gitgit for cliff jumping and natural slides.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Villas & Airbnbs Near Ubud with Private Pool])
Our rating (-5 to +5): Wanagiri Hills — +1 · Ulun Danu — +2 · Leke Leke Waterfall — +3.5
8th May, Monday: East Bali — Cepung Waterfall & Cretya Beach Club
We headed east from our villa towards some of Bali’s hidden gems. First: Cepung Waterfall, a stunning cave waterfall where sunlight streams through the opening, creating a fan-like veil of water. Reaching it takes about 40 minutes of walking and some stairs down into the cave — real effort, no wheelchair access or drive-up view.
Next was Cretya Beach Club — bar, restaurant and infinity pools open to all, with water spilling from one pool to the next, surrounded by paddy fields. Iconic Balinese swings included for photos. You can upgrade to private tables with minimum spends if you want VIP vibes.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Beach Club Day Passes Near Ubud])
We lounged in the infinity pools until sunset, then dinner and back to the villa. A quick note: we skipped far-east spots like Lempuyang Temple and the water palaces of Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung — too much of a haul for our tight schedule. In hindsight, we could have squeezed in Ubud’s famous ATV rides through rice fields and waterfalls too.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — ATV & Rice Field Adventure Tours in Ubud])
Our rating (-5 to +5): Cepung Waterfall — +2.5 · Cretya Beach Club — +3
9th May, Tuesday: Ubud’s Monkey Forest & the Flight to Java
We started later, thanks to a late night by the villa’s private pool. First stop: the iconic Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud — a 12.5-hectare jungle reserve with over 1,000 long-tailed macaques, ancient temples, bridges and mossy stone paths. It was raining, so many monkeys were hiding in the trees, but the place is large enough to explore anyway.
From there, straight to the airport for our evening flight to Surabaya, about an hour, departing around 6 PM. We’d pre-booked a private tour for Mount Bromo and Ijen, so a cab was waiting at Surabaya Airport to take us to our homestay near Mount Bromo.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Mount Bromo & Ijen Private Tour Packages])
One big culture shock: while Bali has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options thanks to tourism, Surabaya and mainland Java are much meatier — finding vegetarian food late at night was a real struggle. We ended up at a Pizza Hut for safe cheese pizzas.
Had we started earlier, we could have squeezed in Ubud’s bustling market, Saraswati Temple, or the Tegallalang Rice Terraces — saved for next time.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Sacred Monkey Forest — +1.5
10th May, Wednesday: Mount Bromo — The Toughest Day of the Trip
This was hands-down the toughest day of the trip — a relentless test of endurance after flying into Surabaya the night before and crashing briefly at our Bromo homestay. We were up at 3 AM for the sunrise tour, hopping into jeeps for a 50-minute ride across the otherworldly “Sea of Sand” — the vast expanse of volcanic ash and black soil surrounding Mount Bromo’s smoking crater.
The sunrise point is a climb of under 30 minutes up the hill, where the cold pre-dawn wind hits hard — pack extra layers. As the sun rose, we got panoramic shots of Mount Bromo in the foreground, flanked by Mount Batok and the massive Mount Semeru glowing in the distance.
No real hike needed; jeeps handle most of it. After sunrise, a quick bath and breakfast at the homestay before the real ordeal — an 8-hour drive east to our Ijen base, far longer than most route estimates suggest, thanks to curvy hill roads after the highway.
Exhausted from the 3 AM start, we barely made it to Ijen before collapsing, only to face another early wake-up the next day.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Mount Bromo — -1.5
11th May, Thursday: Mount Ijen & the Ferry Back to Bali
Another brutal 3 AM wake-up, this time for the Mount Ijen hike — a challenging 90-minute uphill trek through pitch-black jungle paths to the crater rim. Steep and demanding, but manageable, especially as sunrise lit the trail midway, turning the misty forests golden.
At the top, the intense sulfur stench from the steaming turquoise acid lake below hits immediately — one of the world’s largest. Gas masks are usually provided for the fumes, though mostly for photo ops. Most visitors can’t descend deep into the crater for safety, so no “blue fire” for us — that’s a nighttime, deeper-access phenomenon — but the views and sunrise were still worthwhile.
From Ijen, we took the smarter route: a short drive to Ketapang Port, then a 15-minute ferry to Gilimanuk Port in western Bali, running every 15–30 minutes, 24/7. A pre-booked car met us there and drove us to Pura Tanah Lot — the iconic sea temple on a rocky outcrop, best at sunset. We arrived post-sunset, so views were dim, but the clifftop paths and souvenir market outside are worth a wander. Note: the inner temple isn’t accessible to non-Hindus.
Finally, our Airbnb in Uluwatu — a peaceful spot with private pools and gardens amid the cliffs. We crashed hard.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — Villas & Airbnbs in Uluwatu])
On a scale of -5 to +5: Mount Ijen — -2, Tanah Lot — -0.5, Java to Bali ferry transfer — +0.5
12th May, Friday: Uluwatu — Scooters, Temples & Beach Clubs
Based in Uluwatu, we rented scooters for about ₹450/day plus petrol — cheap, common, and no passport deposit required, though rental spots are largely unorganised, so negotiate and note your location.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Scooter & Bike Rentals in Uluwatu])
First stop: Padang Padang Beach, a small crystal-clear cove accessed via a narrow cave tunnel. Crowded for its size, but walk along the cliffs and you’ll find secluded sandy pockets.
Next: Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), perched on dramatic 70m cliffs with pounding ocean waves below. Monkeys here are notorious for snatching phones and glasses, only returning them for snacks. We missed the evening Kecak fire dance (staged around 6–8 PM), but the cliffside views alone are magical — arguably the most beautiful site in Bali.
Post-lunch, we headed to White Rock Beach Club down a steep hill nearby. The beach is shallow and wide, ideal for wading. Skip the pricier clubs and rent a local cabana instead.
Back at the Airbnb, we explored Uluwatu’s low-key nightlife — small LGBT-friendly clubs with drag shows and cocktails, alongside more upscale day clubs like Rock Bar and Savaya.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Scooter riding — +2.5 · Padang Padang Beach — +1.5 · Uluwatu Temple — +3.5 · White Rock Beach — +4
13th May, Saturday: Nusa Penida — Cliffs, Snorkelling & Motel Mexicola
Our last full day: a pre-booked Nusa Penida day trip with snorkelling, starting at 6 AM from Sanur Port. The 45-minute fast boat to Toyapakeh Port is smooth, with a car waiting for the west coast highlights.
(→ [INSERT AFFILIATE LINK — GetYourGuide / Viator / Klook — Nusa Penida Day Trip & Snorkelling Tour])
Kelingking Beach: the T-Rex-shaped cliff is Instagram gold, though the 500+ steep stairs down deterred us. Angel’s Billabong: a natural infinity rock pool, gorgeous but risky currents keep it for photos only. Broken Beach: a dramatic natural rock arch, viewed from the cliffs — no beach access.
We chilled at Crystal Bay before snorkelling at Manta Point and around vibrant coral spots — gear included, water world-class.
Post-massage, we hit Motel Mexicola in Seminyak — Bali’s ultimate party spot, Mexican vibes, killer cocktails, and non-stop dancing till late.
Nusa Penida’s scenic but overhyped; save the east coast (Diamond Beach) for a 2-day stay with scuba at Manta areas.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Kelingking Beach — +1.5 · Angel’s Billabong — -2 · Broken Beach — -1 · Nusa Penida snorkelling — +3
14th May, Sunday: Jimbaran Beach & Flying Home
A chill send-off before flying home. Staying near the airport made it easy — we hit Jimbaran Beach early, a long golden stretch, for one last beach morning, breakfast beachside, then check-out.
We flew back to India via Kuala Lumpur. Bali delivered magic, beaches, volcanoes, and vibes.
Our rating (-5 to +5): Jimbaran Beach — +3
Quick Reference — Our Honest Ratings
| Stop | Rating (-5 to +5) |
|---|---|
| Finn’s Beach Club | +2 |
| La Favela | +2.5 |
| Wanagiri Hills | +1 |
| Ulun Danu Temple | +2 |
| Leke Leke Waterfall | +3.5 |
| Cepung Waterfall | +2.5 |
| Cretya Beach Club | +3 |
| Sacred Monkey Forest | +1.5 |
| Mount Bromo | -1.5 |
| Mount Ijen | -2 |
| Tanah Lot | -0.5 |
| Padang Padang Beach | +1.5 |
| Uluwatu Temple | +3.5 |
| White Rock Beach | +4 |
| Nusa Penida (snorkelling) | +3 |
| Kelingking Beach | +1.5 |
| Jimbaran Beach | +3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many days do you need for Bali and East Java together? Our itinerary covered 9 days and 8 nights, which comfortably fits Bali’s south, north and east regions plus a side trip to Mount Bromo and Ijen in East Java. For Bali alone, 6–7 days is enough to cover the highlights without rushing.
Q: Is Mount Bromo and Ijen worth the extra effort? Mount Bromo is genuinely spectacular and worth it despite the brutal early start and long drive. Mount Ijen, in our experience, is a tougher call — stunning sunrise views, but the hike and logistics may not be worth it for every traveler. Many visitors choose to skip Ijen and stay longer in Bali instead.
Q: What is the best area to stay in Bali for a group trip? Canggu is best for nightlife and a young, social crowd. Ubud suits culture and nature lovers. Uluwatu offers the best beaches and beach clubs with a slightly more relaxed vibe. Most group trips benefit from splitting time across two or three areas.
Q: Do Indians need a visa for Bali? No advance visa is required. Visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders for 30 USD, or you can prepay online through the e-visa option before you travel.
Q: How much does a Bali trip cost for a group from India? Our group of eight spent approximately ₹1,00,000 per person for a 9-day trip covering Bali and East Java, including flights, stay, food, internal travel and activities. A Bali-only trip without the Java extension can be done for less.
Q: Is Nusa Penida worth a day trip or should you stay overnight? A day trip covers the main west coast highlights — Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach and snorkelling. If you want to explore the east coast, including Diamond Beach, or want more time for scuba diving around the Manta areas, a 2-day stay is worth considering.
Final Word
Nine days, two islands, one volcano that nearly broke us, and more sunsets than we could count — Bali and East Java gave us exactly what we came for, and a few things we didn’t expect. If you’re planning a group trip to Indonesia, this itinerary should give you a realistic sense of what to prioritise, what to skip, and what’s genuinely worth the exhaustion.
For the complete Indonesia picture beyond Bali, read our full Indonesia guide here.
Suggested Tags: Bali itinerary, Bali trip cost India, Bali group trip, Bali visa for Indians, Nusa Penida day trip, Mount Bromo Ijen tour, Uluwatu Bali guide, Canggu nightlife, East Java travel, Bali Airbnb villas, Bali travel guide India
Suggested Categories: Indonesia, Bali, Travel Itineraries, Group Travel, Adventure Travel
