East Bali Itinerary: 25 Best Things to Do in Eastern Bali, Indonesia
If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience in Bali, then east Bali (and north Bali) is the place for you! While the beaches and party vibe of the southern tourist areas are certainly appealing, they can often be overcrowded and overwhelming. As in touristy enough, you may even forget you are still in Indonesia.
Often overlooked by most on a Bali itinerary, this less touristy region of the island offers visitors a chance to see Bali as it once was – unspoiled and authentic.
Cultural Landmarks of East Bali Tour
Best East Bali Cultural Highlights Tour
Is East Bali worth visiting?
Absolutely. Perfect for divers and photographers, I spent two weeks in north and east Bali and still had more on my to do list.
If you’re looking for a more genuine Bali, there are plenty of things to do on an east Bali tour, from exploring its incredible waterfalls and volcano treks to visiting ancient temples and learning about Balinese culture. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know on an East Bali itinerary – from what to see and do, to where to stay and eat.
Sample 4 Day East Bali Itinerary
Note that the below is just a sample itinerary, a very tightly-packed, activity-filled schedule – there is SO much to do in the east coast of Bali that you could easily a week here, but here are the highlights!
Day 1
- Start from Ubud or South Bali, making the famous rice fields Tegallalang your first stop.
- Soak in the holy spring waters of Pura Titra Empul, then for a quick view of nearby Gurung Kawi Temple.
- Walk through the canyon of elegant Tukad Cepung Waterfall.
- Feel the spiritual energy at the Mother Temple, Pura Besakih, the grandest, oldest temple in Bali.
- If you have time: stop by the edelweiss and marigold fields just behind Besakih.
- Stroll through the lush green rice fields and across the yellow bridge in the peaceful village of Sideman before ending your day there.
Day 2
- Start the day visiting a sacred temple built within a bat cave, Pura Goa Lawah Temple.
- Watch as Natural Salt Makers show you the manual process of extracting salt from the ocean.
- Visit the ancient Tenganan Village.
- If you have time: stop on the coastline of east Bali for a beach break line-fishing at Virgin Beach or Blue Lagoon in Padang Pai (also a ferry port for Nusa Penida).
- Feed the fish at the gardens of Tirta Gangga Water Palace.
- Watch the sunset (while doing yoga) in Amed/Jemekula, where you will spend the night.
Day 3
- Wake up for the sunrise at Lempuyang Temple, the Gates of Heaven, to avoid the photo line (like be there at 6am).
- Continue on the bumpy road to the best viewpoint of Mount Agung at Lahangan Sweet.
- For divers, go to Tulamben to dive the impressive cargo wreck USS Liberty. For snorkelers, return to the Amed area to dive or snorkel the underwater shrine or the Japanese shipwreck.
- Try to make the long drive to Mt. Batur before sunset to watch the sunset on the Caldera’s rim.
- On the way down to sleep at Kintamani, watch the bats fly out from the Bat Cave.
Day 4
- Hike the 2 hour steep trek up Mount Batur for the sunrise, or alternatively hike the 20 minutes up Munduk Bunbulan for a nearby viewpoint.
- Soak in a hot spring with a view of the volcano and the Batur lake
- Snap a picture as you drive by the lava fields.
- Have lunch at Caldera Coffee with beautiful views of the Lake and Mount Batur’s three craters and lava field.
- Head back to Ubud after these tiring, activity-filled days.
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Best East Bali Cultural Highlights Tour
▶︎ Discover the Culture Landmarks of East Bali
Things to Do on an East Bali Itinerary
Entrance Fee Tip: nearly all attractions in Indonesia have an entrance fee. All the best things to do in the East of Bali range in price from around 10,000 IDR (0.70 USD) to 50,000 IDR (3.50 USD).
Appropriate Dress Tip: For all cultural and temple visits, men and especially women, will need to cover their shoulders and usually rent out a sarong. Some attractions are more strict on the dress code, not even allowing pants. Most places will offer sarong rentals for a small fee right by the entrance fee booth.
1. Tegallalang Rice Field
You shouldn’t leave Bali without a visit to beautiful terraced rice fields; Tegallalang Rice Fields just happens to be a popular location and makes for an excellent day trip just north of Ubud.
These rice terraces are some of the most well-known in all of Bali. It’s easy to see why – they’re gorgeous (and easily accessible). But, I personally think it is overdeveloped and too touristy to be enjoyed.
Pay a small entrance fee to wander along the rice field edges down the hills, passing by the famous Bali swings. Lined along the roadside are plenty of cafes and places to eat, with one offering an infinity pool view over the fields.
👉Combine the best of Ubud, including Tegallalang Rice Fields, all in one day trip with a professional guide and driver here
Related Post: See why I think you should skip Tegallalang and these other overrated Bali places and where you should visit instead.
2. Bali Swing
For that famous Instagram photo, feel the rush of air as you swing on one of north Bali’s many “Bali Swings.” These swings are set up with breathtaking views of rice fields, rivers, or waterfalls in the jungle. Of course, there is always a price for that perfect photo, which is pretty hefty for Indonesian standards, usually priced at around 200,000 IDR ($13 USD).
No fear for those who left their room in a raggedy t-shirt; I’ve heard that you can even rent a dress at some swings.
Although I still have reservations about this activity, I’ve heard feedback from two fellow travelers that it was actually fun.
🏞️ Adrenaline lover? Book a combined trip white water rafting and Bali swinging in the rice fields
3. Pura Titra Empul
Pura Tirta Empul is a Hindu Balinese water temple located in the town of Tampaksiring, northeast of Ubud. The temple compound consists of a large bathing pool, numerous stone carvings, and statues.
The main attraction here is the holy spring water which is said to have medicinal and curative properties. The spring water flows into the purification baths through 13 different stone dragon faucets, which Balinese Hindus use for ritual purification.
Even if you’re not Hindu, you can still enjoy dipping in the waters and taking in the atmosphere of the temple complex. On special holy days, like in my picture, worshippers flock to Pura Titra Empul, making for long waits and questionable waters.
4. Gurung Kawi
Gurung Kawi is an ancient temple complex set in a lush river valley right around the corner from Pura Titra Empul. The main attraction here is the rock-cut candi (shrines) which date back to the 11th century, standing 7 meters tall.
Chase Waterfalls
Carve out at least a day on the island of Bali to discover some of the astounding numbers of waterfalls. Listing the best waterfalls deserves a post of its own, but for an East Bali itinerary, visit these two outstanding options.
👉 Discover my favorite waterfalls and two hidden ones: Book to visit these amazing Bali waterfalls in one day here!
6. Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Cascading down into a natural amphitheater, Tukad Cepung waterfall is one of the more unique falls as it’s entirely surrounded by cliff walls on all sides.
A short 15 minute walk leads you down a pair of stairs into a mossy green canyon. Turn left for the beautiful falls tucked behind wall openings. Turn right for a smaller waterfall.
Note: Tukad Cepung doesn’t have a pool for you to swim in. Also, when it rains, the central falls can turn a muddy brown color, so good weather is ideal for Tukad Cepung.
7. Kanto Lampo
For those looking for an epic waterfall with a swimming hole, Kanto Lampo is the place for you. Located in north Bali, east of Ubud, this waterfall is one of the lesser-known ones and, as such, sees much smaller crowds than some of the more popular falls.
A series of staircases lead you down to several different levels where you can swim in natural pools beneath the wall of cascading waterfalls.
Read More: If you’re going to neighboring Lombok, check out this list of the best waterfalls there.
8. Pura Besakih “Mother Temple”
If you were to only go to one temple in Bali, go to Besakih Temple. Set on the slopes of Mount Agung, The Besakih Temple, also known as the “Mother Temple,” is the largest Hindu temple complex in Bali, comprising at least 86 temples. The most important, Pura Penataran Agung, dates back more than 1,000 years!
Included in the entrance fee of 60,000 IDR is a local guide who will take you around the complex for around an hour, sharing the meaning of every structure. The temple complex is made up of seven terraces, with the highest and most sacred being at the top. However, usually, the inner terraces are not open to foreigners.
For how impressive Besakih is, my guide told me that on the day I visited, only around 20 people had been there! I was there at 4pm.
🛕 Besakih is the “can’t miss” temple in Bali: Experience Bali’s ancient culture here
9. Edelweiss (and Marigold) Fields
Just behind Besakih temple, stop for a quick detour at Taman Edelweiss, which also serves as a starting point for a hike up Mount Agung. Rows of edelweiss are neatly staged in a beautiful garden, of course, incomplete without the typical selfie spot props.
On the way over, try searching for fields of Marigold, an orange bloom typically used in the locals’ daily offerings. However, the Marigold fields become sparse after being heavily used during Bali’s twice-a-year large ceremonies.
10. Hike Bali’s Highest Mountain, Mount Agung (Gunung Agung)
I’ll admit, I didn’t do this hike. It’s a bit more advanced and takes around four hours to complete on the shorter route. Most start at around midnight to start the drive to make it for the sunrise. The reward is stunning views of the crater at the top and the beautiful scenery of Bali stretching out below you.
11. Sideman
Sold to me as the Ubud from 30 years ago, this peaceful village attracts more families and travelers looking for a quieter stay in its rice terraces and lush valley views.
Already set up for tourism, book a room at one of the charming guesthouses or relaxed homestays in Sideman. The surrounding area is ripe for discovering beautiful rice fields and jungle-covered mountains. Cross through their version of The Yellow Bridge, a smaller rendition of the famous thing to do on Nusa Lembongan.
Restaurant Shoutout: Check out the restaurant Warung Dewa and ask them for their specialty, a type of smoked chicken, unlike any other warung food I’d had in Indonesia.
12. Goa Lawah (Bat Cave) Temple
Before you see the bats, the smell of guano and the sound of chittering rings into your senses. Goa Lawah Temple is one of Bali’s most important temples as it’s said to guard Bali against the evil spirits of the ocean. The entrance to the temple is marked by a giant “gate” made entirely out of millions of bats, which is also why it’s commonly referred to as the Bat Cave Temple.
13. Natural Salt Maker
East of Goa Lawah is a few families that still use traditional methods to make salt from the ocean water. Walk along the black volcanic sand and watch as men and women carry baskets of seawater up to large clay pots where it will evaporate and crystallize into salt.
You can buy some of this natural salt to take home with you if you want.
14. Tenganan Pegeringsingan Village
This traditional Balinese village is one of the only places in the world where you can find double ikat weaving – an extremely intricate and time-consuming process that results in beautiful fabrics. The women of Tenganan Pegeringsingan are some of the only people who still practice this ancient craft, which has been passed down through generations.
Visitors are able to watch the women weave, as well as purchase some of their beautiful creations. The village is also home to a number of temples, and you can learn about the unique culture and traditions of the people who live here.
15. Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Hop across the stones to feed the fish ponds in the royal gardens of Tirta Gangga water palace. The palace was built in 1946 by the King of Karangasem. It was basically destroyed by the destructive 1963 eruption of Mount Agung.
Hotel Shoutout: Eat complimentary breakfast with a view of the garden at budget accommodation option Dhangin Taman, hugging the Tirta Gangga Water Palace. Having gone just because I was too tired to make it to Amed, it was a pleasant surprise in the morning to see such beauty right beside me.
✅ Book your stay at Dhangin Taman Here
16. Watch the Sunset from Jemeluk’s Blue Earth Village Restaurant
With a perfect elevated view of the seaside and Mount Agung, Blue Earth Village is a popular place to watch the sun disappear over the horizon. Every minute brings about shifting tones from that soft orange to fierce red rays that split the sky.
Blue Earth Village also offers sunset yoga, as well as just some awesome food and even a coworking space! If you are coming with a group for the sunset, call ahead to reserve a table to get the best spots in the house.
17. Pura Lempuyang Temple
Perched high on Mount Lempuyang, Lempuyang Temple, also known as the “Gateway to Heaven,” is one of Indonesia’s most sacred religious landmarks. Reachable by a long and very, very steep road, then a short steep stair climb, you might be tempted to take a breather (or five) on the way up.
The temple complex actually contains seven different temples, the first being the most popular and often photographed – the one with the staircase leading up to a gate adorned with Hindu deities. The others require a series of stairways that would take around 4 hours to see.
Related Post: For a full guide to Lempuyang Temple, check it out here
Insider Tip #1: Come early to take that famous Instagram picture. Lempuyang opens at 6am, and if I were to do it again, I would come then. I arrived at 7:15am and already needed to wait one hour, with peak hours taking 2-3 hours.
The water pool in those Instagram pictures is also a mirage. From a low angle, a smooth black stone is put at the base of your phone to give the illusion of a mirror, but you can’t argue that it makes for a great shot.
Insider Tip #2: Coming from the direction of Tirta Gangga, visitors must pay 50,000 IDR for the shuttle bus that takes them to the Lempuyang entrance fee of 50,000 IDR. If you are staying near Amed, a back road from the north takes you straight to the entrance fee, avoiding the extra cost of the shuttle fee.
👉 Pura Lempuyang is one of Bali’s most instagrammable locations! Book this tour to visit this beautiful temple and many other instagrammable places around Bali.
18. Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint
Get your cameras ready for the best view of Mount Agung on all of Bali. For those who want to avoid the crowds at Lempuyang or go for another nearby viewpoint, Lahangan Sweet is also a great place to catch the sunrise.
The last section of the road makes for a steep, bumpy ride.
Related Post: For a full guide to Lahangan Sweet, click here.
19. Dive USS Liberty in Tulamban
For those who want an adventure that takes them below the surface, head to Tulamben to dive the USS Liberty Wreck – a World War II cargo ship that was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1942.
The shipwreck is now covered in coral and home to a plethora of marine life, making it one of the top diving sites in the world. Even without a wreck certificate, divers can enter one of the spacious holding rooms and exit through “the window.”
🤿 If you’ve ever thought of getting your open water diving license, Tulamben and Amed is as good a time as any. Book here to get certified!
20. Snorkel/Freedive Amed Beach
Amed is your spot if you’re looking to snorkel on the northeast coast of Bali. This fishing village turned free divers paradise has coral reefs and clear waters that make for perfect snorkeling. Keep an eye out for the underwater shrine in Amed Beach or the small Japanese wreck about 15 minute coastal road drive east of Jeremulak.
Things to Do Around Mount Batur
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| 🌋 Hike to the top of Mount Batur for the sunrise with a professional guide, then a soak in the hot springs. ▶️ BOOK HERE 🌋 Combine a summit hike to Mount Batur followed by cooling down in the best east Bali waterfalls ▶️BOOK HERE 🌋 If you’re short on time, do a jeep tour around the lava formations and the hot springs ▶️ BOOK HERE |
21. Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Wake up before the crack of dawn to make it in time for one of the most beautiful sunrises that should be on your Bali bucket list. The Mount Batur sunrise hike is one of the most popular things to do on the island.
At the highest point of Mount Batur, this active volcano offers a beautiful landscape of the surrounding area shrouded in a light mist in early mornings, all three volcanoes, and the surrounding caldera. The hike itself is not too challenging, taking around two hours to reach the summit.
Most guided trips include transportation and a local guide to assist you on your trek up the 2-hour steep ascent route. A few offer 6 hour hikes that continue past the summit to Mount Batur’s other craters and the black lava field. These trips end at the Lucky Temple, aptly named because it didn’t get caught in the 1974 eruption.
Note: Although climbing Mount Batur without a guide is legal, locals have been reported to hassle visitors for not hiring one.
22. Alternative Sunrise from Munduk Bunbulan
For those who don’t want to go on a full-on hike up Mount Batur, a good alternative is the 20 minute walk up to the Mount Bunbulan viewpoint. At the man-made platform, get the same panorama as you would from Mount Batur, but including Mount Batur!
23. Sunset on the Caldera Rim
For one of the most unique sunset experiences, scooter up the steepest roads (I mean worse than the San Francisco ones) around the caldera rim near Mount Batur. Standing on the rim provides spectacular views of the lake and the volcanoes as the sun dips below the horizon.
24. Bat Watch from the Bat Cave
After watching the sunset from the caldera rim, you may not have noticed that you passed a bat cave. Post sunset is the best time to check out the cave, as it is when the millions of bats that call this cave home start to fly out for their nightly feeding.
25. Hot Springs near Lake Batur
The hot springs around Lake Batur are the perfect way to relax after a long day of exploring. The water is rich in sulfur and is thought to have medicinal properties. You can enjoy the springs in a few different places, ranging from smaller family-run natural pools to full-blown resorts with an entire economy inside.
Note: Many hot springs are on private property and require an entrance fee.
How to Get Around East Bali
Rent a Scooter
To go on an east Bali itinerary, the best way to get around is by renting your own scooter. For 60,000 IDR per day ($4 USD), having your own transportation cuts down on costs dramatically, and gas money is nearly negligible.
Hire a Driver for the Day
Hiring a driver for a private tour may be the easiest way to travel if you have a larger group of people or aren’t comfortable riding a scooter yourself. I will admit there are many roads, like the road to Lempuyang and the Caldera Rim, that raised the hairs on the back of my neck due to its steepness.
Hiring a private car per day typically costs 500,000 IDR per day, and they will wait around for you while you are being a tourist. Hiring for the day is overall cheaper than hiring a driver just for one transport journey, which adds up quickly.
🚗 Hire from this reputable private driver to take you around Bali
Going on Group Tours
Most tours only offer day trips which means you will have to spend a lot of time on the road returning to and from your original destination. Throughout the post, I have included a few tour options for the East Bali highlights that should be on your bucket list.
Where to Stay in East Bali
| 🏘️ WHERE TO STAY IN EAST BALI |
| SIDEMAN Top luxury stay: Wapa di Ume (⭐9.5) Top budget stay: Milla Homestay (⭐9.4) AMED/JEMEKULA Top luxury stay: Shunyata Villas Bali (⭐9.3) Top budget stay: Villa Sky Dancer Bali(⭐9.0) KINTAMANI (MOUNT BATUR) Top luxury stay: Volcano Terrace Bali (⭐9.5) Top budget stay: Latengaya Mount Batur View Bungalow (⭐8.2) |
Bucket List Worthy? Things to Do on an East Bali Itinerary
Exploring the best places on an East Bali Itinerary is a great way to get a genuine feel for Bali, minus the usual mass tourist traps. There are many things to do north of Ubud, and here are a few that should be on your shortlist
- Discover some of the best waterfalls; my favorite is Tekud Cepung
- Pura Besakih Temple
- Sunrise view of Mount Agung at Lempuyang or Lahangan Sweet
- Diving the USS Liberty Wreck at Tulamben
- Literally everything Mount Batur area had to offer
Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.