Ubud, Gili Air and the Cliffs
Two nights in Ubud, two nights of snorkeling on Gili Air after a fast-boat ride, then back to Bali, staying in Uluwatu to finish with a sunset.
This compresses the popular Bali-and-Gili-islands route into one week. Start in Ubud for rice terraces and temples, then take a fast boat from Padangbai to car-free Gili Air. Snorkel to see sea turtles and hop between Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan before heading straight to Uluwatu. The trip involves three hotel changes and a tight pace, so it suits travelers who don't mind boats and want both culture and island time. The northern lake region and Nusa Penida are left out.
Strong winds and waves in the rainy season often delay fast boats, so don't schedule tight flights for the return day.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Ubud
South & Central Bali（Ubud Palace & Ubud Art Market）
A private car from the airport to Ubud takes about 1.5 hours. In the evening, walk around Ubud Palace and the market.
Stay: Ubud
Day 2 · Rice Terraces, Holy Spring and Monkey Forest
South & Central Bali（Tegallalang Rice Terraces、Tirta Empul Temple、Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary）
Hire a car for a half-day trip north: about 30 minutes to Tegallalang, then about 20 minutes to Tirta Empul Temple. Return to Ubud in the afternoon for the Monkey Forest.
Stay: Ubud
Day 3 · Fast Boat to Gili Air
Lombok & Gili Islands（Gili Air）
A boat company shuttle from Ubud to Padangbai takes about 1–1.5 hours. The fast boat to Gili Air takes about 1.5–2.5 hours. On the island, walk or cycle.
There are no motor vehicles on the island. Luggage is carried by horse-drawn cart, so pack light.
Stay: Gili Air
Day 4 · Island-Hopping Snorkeling and Sea Turtles
Lombok & Gili Islands（Gili Meno、Nest Underwater Sculptures、Gili Trawangan）
Join an island-hopping snorkeling boat trip to Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, about 4–5 hours in total. Return to Gili Air in the evening.
Wear sunscreen, and don't step on the coral reefs.
Stay: Gili Air
Day 5 · Back to Bali for the Cliff Sunset
South & Central Bali（Uluwatu Temple）
A morning fast boat returns to Padangbai in about 1.5–2 hours, then a private car takes about 1.5 hours to Uluwatu to catch the sunset at the temple.
Boat schedules are often delayed. If you miss the Kecak dance, you can move it to Day 6.
Stay: Uluwatu
Day 6 · Southern Beaches and Seafood Dinner
South & Central Bali（Melasti Beach、Padang Padang Beach、Jimbaran Beach）
Hire a car within the peninsula. Melasti and Padang Padang beaches are each about 15–20 minutes away, and Jimbaran is about 30 minutes in the evening for dinner.
Stay: Uluwatu
Day 7 · Leaving Bali
South & Central Bali（Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park）
Uluwatu to the airport takes about 40–60 minutes. Leave enough buffer for traffic based on your flight time.
GWK Cultural Park is on the way to the airport, so stop there if your flight is late.