Bali & Bangkok – 8 Days from Legian and Ubud to the Chao Phraya

An early start for the harbour and the speedboat across to Nusa Penida, around 45 minutes. This is a guided group tour with shared transfers, and it covers the dramatic west coast of the island, where limestone cliffs drop straight into turquoise water.

Kelingking Beach is the star, a headland shaped like a T-Rex with a white beach far below. Broken Beach is a natural arch with the sea flowing in underneath, and Angel's Billabong is a clear rock pool on the edge of the ocean. The island roads are narrow and bumpy, so the day is long, around ten hours door to door, and you are back in South Bali by evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs on the island · Travel: ~1.5 hrs by speedboat, ~2 hrs by road · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 6:30–7:00 AM): Early breakfast and pickup by shared transfer to the harbour, about 45 min–1 hr.

• Morning: Speedboat to Nusa Penida, about 45 min. Meet your guide at the jetty.

• Late morning: Kelingking Beach viewpoint, allow about 1 hr. The tour stops at the top; the steep path down to the beach is not part of it.

• Noon: Lunch break on the island.

• Afternoon: Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong, about 1–1.5 hrs for both, with photo stops on the way.

• Evening: Speedboat back to Bali and shared transfer to your hotel, arriving around 6:00–7:00 PM.

• Night: Free. Dinner near the hotel (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Legian → harbour ~45 min–1 hr by shared transfer, harbour → Nusa Penida ~45 min by speedboat, and the same back.

• Island roads are narrow; drives between stops take 30–60 min each.

Tips & what to carry

• Carry swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap. There is little shade at the viewpoints.

• Wear shoes with good grip; the cliff paths are uneven and dusty.

• Take a seasickness tablet before the speedboat if you need one. The crossing can be choppy.

• At Angel's Billabong, stay out of the water when the waves are high and follow your guide.

Included today

• Shared transfers, Speedboat tickets, Guided tour, Entry tickets

Overnight: Legian (South Bali)

After breakfast you check out and set off with your private driver on a full day through the middle of the island. The road climbs to Kintamani, a ridge looking out over Mount Batur, an active volcano, and the caldera lake beside it. The air is cooler here and the views are clearest in the morning.

Next is the Aloha Ubud Swing, swinging out over jungle valleys and rice terraces, which is as much about the photographs as the ride. In the afternoon you stop at Tegenungan Waterfall, a wide fall in a green gorge with steps down to the pool, before driving on to your resort in Ubud for the next two nights.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~4 hrs driving in total · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:00 AM): Breakfast, check out and drive to Kintamani, about 2–2.5 hrs.

• Late morning: Kintamani viewpoint over Mount Batur and the caldera lake, allow about 1 hr.

• Noon: Lunch with volcano views (own cost), about 1 hr.

• Afternoon: Aloha Ubud Swing, allow about 1.5 hrs, then Tegenungan Waterfall, about 1–1.5 hrs including the steps.

• Evening: Drive to your resort in Ubud and check in.

• Night: Dinner in Ubud (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Legian → Kintamani ~2–2.5 hrs, Kintamani → Aloha Swing ~1 hr, Swing → Tegenungan ~30 min, Tegenungan → Ubud ~30 min, by private car.

Tips & what to carry

• Carry a light jacket for Kintamani, which can be much cooler than the coast.

• Tegenungan has a long flight of steps down and back up. Wear shoes with grip and carry water.

• For the swing, flowing dresses and bright colours photograph best; follow the harness instructions.

• All sightseeing is subject to weather and road conditions.

Included today

• Meal Plan: Breakfast

• Private Transfers

• Kintamani & Mt Batur View Visit

• Aloha Ubud Swing Package

• Tegenungan Waterfall Visit

Overnight: Ubud

A guided day in and around Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Start at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, where the paddies step down a steep valley in curves, still watered by the old subak irrigation system. Go early and you have the paths and the light to yourself; later in the day it fills with visitors and photo stalls.

In the afternoon your guide takes you to Ubud Palace, the home of the old royal family, with its carved gates and courtyards, and then into the local market opposite, the place for sarongs, wood carvings, baskets and silver. The guide explains the Balinese art, crafts and daily offerings as you go, and the evening is free for Ubud's cafés.

At a glance: Time needed: ~5 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~1.5 hrs driving in total · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:30 AM): Breakfast, then drive to Tegallalang, about 20–30 min.

• Late morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces, allow about 1.5–2 hrs. The walk down into the terraces and back is steep in parts.

• Noon: Lunch at a café overlooking the rice fields (own cost).

• Afternoon: Ubud Palace, about 45 min, then the Ubud Art Market and local shops, about 1.5 hrs.

• Evening: Free in Ubud. Return to your resort.

• Optional: Legong or Kecak dance performance at Ubud Palace in the evening, about 1.5 hrs (tickets paid locally).

• Night: Dinner in Ubud (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Ubud resort → Tegallalang ~20–30 min, Tegallalang → Ubud centre ~20–30 min, by private car.

Tips & what to carry

• Some farmers ask for a small donation at the terrace paths. Keep small rupiah notes.

• Ubud Palace asks for covered shoulders and knees.

• Bargaining is normal at the Art Market; start well below the first price.

• Mosquitoes are more common in the hills; carry repellent for the evening.

Included today

• Private transfers, Entry tickets, Guided sightseeing

Overnight: Ubud

After breakfast you check out and your driver takes you to Ngurah Rai International Airport for your flight to Bangkok. Allow around one and a half to two hours for the drive from Ubud.

On arrival at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airport, clear immigration, collect your luggage and meet your driver for the private transfer to your hotel. Check in and rest after the journey, then spend the evening exploring the markets, cafés or shopping areas near the hotel.

At a glance: Time needed: Travel day · Travel: ~1.5–2 hrs to Bali airport, flight, ~40 min–1 hr to hotel · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Transfer to Ngurah Rai International Airport, about 1.5–2 hrs from Ubud.

• Noon: Flight from Bali to Bangkok.

• Afternoon: Arrive at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, clear immigration and meet your driver. Private transfer to your hotel, about 40 min–1 hr.

• Evening: Free — night markets, cafés or malls near the hotel.

• Night: Dinner in Bangkok (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Ubud → Ngurah Rai Airport ~1.5–2 hrs by car.

• Bali → Bangkok by flight (flight not included).

• Bangkok airport → hotel ~40 min–1 hr by private car, depending on traffic.

Tips & what to carry

• Reach Bali airport at least 3 hours before an international flight.

• Spend or change your remaining rupiah before you leave Bali.

• Carry some Thai baht for the first evening; airport exchange rates are usually poor, so change only a little there.

• Bangkok evening traffic is heavy. The BTS Skytrain and MRT are often faster for getting around.

Included today

• Private airport transfer (Bangkok)

Overnight: Bangkok

A guided day among Bangkok's great temples, all close to the river in the old royal quarter. You start at the Grand Palace, the former royal residence, with its gilded spires and painted galleries, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the same compound, the most sacred temple in Thailand.

Next door is Wat Pho, home of the 46-metre Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, and also the place where traditional Thai massage is taught. A short boat crossing of the Chao Phraya takes you to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, whose tall spire is covered in pieces of porcelain. The heat and the crowds are the main challenges, so start early and drink plenty of water.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~1 hr driving, short river crossing · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:30 AM): Breakfast, then private transfer to the Grand Palace, about 30–45 min.

• Late morning: Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, allow about 2 hrs (the complex usually opens around 8:30 AM and gets very busy by late morning).

• Noon: Lunch near the river (own cost).

• Afternoon: Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha, about 1 hr, then cross the river to Wat Arun, about 1 hr.

• Evening: Return to your hotel. Free for a rooftop bar or a riverside dinner (own cost).

• Optional: A traditional Thai massage at the Wat Pho school, about 1 hr (paid locally).

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Grand Palace ~30–45 min by private car; Wat Pho is walking distance; Wat Arun is a short ferry crossing.

Tips & what to carry

• Strict dress code at the Grand Palace: covered shoulders, no shorts or short skirts, no see-through clothing. Wear trousers or a long skirt.

• Shoes come off inside the temple halls. Slip-on footwear saves time.

• Ignore anyone outside who says the palace is closed today and offers another tour. This is a common scam.

• Carry water, a cap and sunscreen; the courtyards are hot and open.

Included today

• Private transfers, Entry tickets, Guided tour

Overnight: Bangkok

An early drive out of the city, around one and a half to two hours, to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. You go through the canals on a traditional long-tail boat while vendors paddle up beside you selling fruit, noodles, coconut pancakes and souvenirs straight from their boats. It is touristy, but the boat ride along the canals is still a lot of fun.

Later you stop at Maeklong Railway Market, where stalls are laid out right on the train tracks. When the train comes through, vendors fold back their awnings and pull in their baskets, and it passes within inches of the produce, then everything is put back in a minute. Your guide times the visit to a train. You return to Bangkok in the afternoon.

At a glance: Time needed: ~4 hrs at the markets · Travel: ~4 hrs return by shared transfer · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 7:00 AM): Breakfast and pickup by shared transfer, drive to Damnoen Saduak, about 1.5–2 hrs.

• Late morning: Boat ride through the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 1 hr, plus time to walk the market.

• Noon: Maeklong Railway Market, about 1 hr, timed to a train passing (trains run a few times a day).

• Afternoon: Drive back to Bangkok, arriving around 2:00–3:00 PM. Free for shopping.

• Evening: Free — a night market such as Jodd Fairs or the riverside at Asiatique (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Bangkok → Damnoen Saduak ~1.5–2 hrs by shared transfer, Damnoen Saduak → Maeklong ~20–30 min, Maeklong → Bangkok ~1.5 hrs.

Tips & what to carry

• Prices on the floating market are high for visitors. Agree the price before you buy from a boat.

• At Maeklong, stand well back behind the line when the train comes and follow the guide.

• Carry a cap and sunscreen; the boats are open.

• Train timings at Maeklong can change; on some days the visit may not coincide with a train.

Included today

• Shared transfers, Boat ride, Guided tour

Overnight: Bangkok

Your last day is free to spend as you like. Bangkok is one of the best shopping cities in Asia: big malls like Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM, the Pratunam wholesale market for clothes, and street food on every corner. Have lunch at a local place and pick up last souvenirs.

In the evening your driver collects you from the hotel for the private transfer to the airport and your flight home, with memories of both Bali and Thailand.

At a glance: Time needed: Free day, flight permitting · Travel: ~40 min–1 hr airport transfer · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Check out (usually by 12:00 noon; late check-out depends on availability and may be charged).

• Noon: Free for shopping at the malls or Pratunam Market (own cost).

• Afternoon: Free. Street food lunch or a Thai massage (own cost).

• Departure: Private transfer to the airport in the evening, reaching at least 3 hrs before your international flight.

Travel for the day

• Bangkok hotel → airport ~40 min–1 hr by private car; allow more in evening rush hour.

Tips & what to carry

• Leave your bags with the hotel after check-out while you shop.

• Bangkok evening traffic is heavy; do not cut the airport transfer time short.

• Keep receipts if you shop at malls; VAT refunds are claimed at the airport before check-in.

Included today

• Private airport drop