Bali, Nusa Penida, Gili Meno and Lombok in 14 days
Four islands, four moods: Ubud’s culture and rice fields, Nusa Penida’s cliffs, Gili Meno’s calm and Kuta Lombok’s surf. Follow the direction of our island crossings, with a private car on arrival in Lombok. This 14-day route is a suggested itinerary drawn from our own, sometimes longer, stays. Transfers are included; international flights are not.
14 days4 stops
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01
Days 1–4
Ubud
Ubud is a useful base for central Bali. Group days by area rather than trying to cover the whole island.
Day 1 · Settle in Ubud
Take a booked transfer from Bali airport to Ubud. Keep this first day for a walk and dinner nearby; traffic makes long excursions unappealing after arrival.
Day 2 · Rice fields and small paths
Choose one rice-field area, such as Tegalalang or Jatiluwih, with a driver if needed. Avoid crossing all of Bali in one day: we appreciated slowing down here.
Day 3 · Temples and Balinese culture
Combine a temple visit and a walk, with Wayang Kulit if a performance is scheduled. Galungan and Kuningan shaped our stay, but their dates cannot be fitted into any visit.
Day 4 · A day to breathe
Choose pool time, a massage or Sangeh according to your energy. Arrange the road transfer to Sanur and book tomorrow’s boat. A calm evening beats a poorly planned departure.
Keep Ubud as a base for enjoying your accommodation and restaurants too. Our overnight departure towards Lovina was memorable, but that long return journey cannot slip between two visits: it is not included in this already full plan. Add a proper extra day if you want it.
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Transport · Nusa PenidaCar to Sanur, then fast boat to Nusa Penida
Next stop · Nusa Penida02
Days 5–7
Nusa Penida
Three days let you stay on the island and spread out visits. That is what we chose instead of a day trip from Bali.
Day 5 · Cross to Nusa Penida
Reach Sanur and take a fast boat to Nusa Penida. Settle in before a short walk near your hotel. Journeys on the island take longer than they look on a map.
Day 6 · The western cliffs
Keep a day for Broken Beach and Kelingking viewpoints. Our story favours quieter times. The view from the cliffs is already enough to make this a highlight.
Day 7 · Manta Point or the east coast
Choose a guided Manta Point outing or a day around Diamond Beach. Avoid crossing between both ends of the island. Our manta encounter was wonderful, but sightings are never guaranteed.
We devoted three days to Penida’s manta rays and scenery. Separate time on the water from long island drives. A cliff viewpoint does not promise a swimming stop: enjoying the panorama without making the descent is still a worthwhile visit.
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Transport · Gili MenoFast boat to Gili Meno; stop or change at Gili Trawangan depending on your ticket
Next stop · Gili Meno
03
Days 8–10
Gili Meno
The little island we booked by mistake and ended up loving. Come to slow down, walk and enjoy the water.
Day 8 · Sail into Gili Meno’s calm
Take your booked connection to Gili Meno and check the actual landing point. We travelled via Gili Trawangan; some services now call at Meno directly. Keep the afternoon for exploring on foot.
Day 9 · Snorkelling and turtles
Arrange an outing suited to conditions or ask your accommodation where to enter the water. We loved watching turtles around the island, then enjoying the beach and quiet. Always leave animals space.
Day 10 · Walk around, then leave time free
Walk around the island at your own pace, stopping in the shade. Our booking mistake gave us exactly this: simple days without cars or a packed schedule.
Our booking mistake became a lovely surprise because Meno let us slow down. We snorkelled from the hotel beach and returned to small waterside restaurants. Check your accommodation’s sea access rather than automatically booking a different excursion every day.
Transport · Kuta LombokBoat to Bangsal, then private car to Kuta Lombok
Next stop · Kuta Lombok
04
Days 11–14
Kuta Lombok
Southern Lombok ends the trip with surf, beaches and the guide’s viewpoints. Stay in Kuta to avoid another hotel change.
Day 11 · Reach Kuta Lombok
Take a boat to Bangsal, then continue by road to Kuta in southern Lombok. We booked a private car just for the two of us. Confirm the port and meeting time before leaving Gili Meno.
Day 12 · Surf at your own level
Book a lesson with a local instructor: we loved both our sessions. Stay flexible, as the spot depends on conditions and the group’s level.
Day 13 · Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese
Spend a few hours at Tanjung Aan, then visit Bukit Merese late in the day if weather allows. These two guide recommendations work well together without excessive driving.
Day 14 · One last morning before departure
Arrange transport to Lombok airport. If your long-haul flight leaves from Bali, adapt the plan to sleep there the previous night: a same-day boat crossing is not a comfortable buffer.
Explain your surfing level before choosing a spot: several of our sessions also involved a boat ride. We enjoyed improving and then returning to Kuta’s cafés and friends met again there. Let the session timing follow the conditions.
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Our stories, guides and recommendations help you extend this route or adapt it to your own pace.