8 Days Bali Gili Honeymoon Tour: Playful Dolphin, Snorkeling

Welcome to Bali, Island of the Gods! Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport, your local driver will meet you and take you on a scenic drive (about 1.5 -2 hours) to Ubud. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a destination where natural beauty, cultural richness, and tropical charm come together. Golden beaches and fiery sunsets set the stage for romance, while emerald rice terraces, hidden waterfalls, and volcanic peaks invite adventure. Ancient temples, vibrant festivals, and daily offerings reveal a deeply spiritual culture found nowhere else in the world.

Arrival Ideas: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport, is Bali’s only international gateway. It’s well connected with direct flights from major cities across Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Tokyo, etc.), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane), the Middle East (Dubai, Doha), and some European hubs.

Today, you will discover the artistic soul of Bali in Ubud, the island’s cultural hub.

Begin your day with a visit to the Ubud Palace, which was once the official residence of the Ubud royal family. Built in the early 19th century, the palace is a fine example of traditional Balinese architecture, with ornate stone carvings, elegant courtyards, and lush gardens that reflect the island’s artistry and cultural heritage. In the evenings, the palace courtyard transforms into a stage for traditional Balinese dance and music performances, making it a vibrant cultural hub.

Next, explore Ubud’s famous art villages, each renowned for its own specialty. Visit Batubulan Village, famous for its traditional batik-making. Watch local artisans demonstrate the intricate process of creating these colorful textiles.

Continue to Celuk Village, renowned for its skilled goldsmiths and silversmiths, where you can observe delicate jewelry being crafted by hand.

Finally, visit Mas Village, a center of woodcarving, and learn how artisans transform wood into intricate sculptures through generations of craftsmanship.

Here you will not only watch artisans at work, but also choose one hands-on workshop - batik, silver, or woodcarving - to create your own piece of Balinese art to take home as a unique souvenir.

After the tour, check into your hotel in Ubud for your stay.

This morning, depart from Ubud and head north to explore Bali’s scenic countryside.

Your first stop is the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, where emerald-green paddies cascade down the hillsides in stunning layers. Here, you can admire the stunning "Subak" irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hand in hand, stroll along the narrow paths, breathe in the fresh morning air, and capture timeless photos of this dreamy landscape.

Nearby, visit Alas Harum, a scenic coffee plantation with sweeping views of the rice fields, famous for its unique Instagram-worthy photo spots. This area is known for its beautifully crafted giant swings, bird nests, and glass floors, offering breathtaking views of terraced rice fields. Here you can capture picture-perfect memories for your honeymoon album. (Note: The entrance fee is included, but some activities inside may require an additional charge.)

Continue your scenic drive north to reach the serene shores of Lovina Beach (approx. 2.5-3 hours). Check in to your hotel, relax by the sea, and get ready for tomorrow’s dolphin-watching.

This morning, drive from Kuta to Uluwatu (about 1 hour). The route follows dramatic cliffside roads carved into limestone, with one side rising into steep rock walls and the other opening to the vast Indian Ocean. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of crashing waves, rugged coastlines, and even sections of road that cut directly through stone cliffs.

Arrive at the dramatic Uluwatu Cliff (often called Lover’s Cliff), where towering cliffs plunge 70 meters into the sea and waves crash far below. Perched right on top is the sacred Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali’s most revered sea temples.

The temple’s cliff-top location makes it one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Bali, especially at sunset, when the horizon glows in shades of gold and crimson. Stroll along the pathways that wind around the temple grounds, take in the sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, and feel the spiritual atmosphere that has drawn pilgrims here for centuries.

As the sun sets, gather in the temple’s open-air amphitheater to watch the Kecak Fire Dance. Pronounced “ket-chak,” this is a traditional Balinese performance accompanied by rhythmic chanting. More than 50 men wearing Balinese sarongs sit in a circle, chanting in unison as dancers re-enact dramatic episodes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. As fire torches light up the stage against the twilight sky, the performance becomes truly unforgettable.

After the show, take a short drive (about 15–30 minutes) to Jimbaran Beach, famous for its golden sands and beachfront seafood dining. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening by the sea.

This morning, drive from Kuta to Uluwatu (about 1 hour). The route follows dramatic cliffside roads carved into limestone, with one side rising into steep rock walls and the other opening to the vast Indian Ocean. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of crashing waves, rugged coastlines, and even sections of road that cut directly through stone cliffs.

Arrive at the dramatic Uluwatu Cliff (often called Lover’s Cliff), where towering cliffs plunge 70 meters into the sea and waves crash far below. Perched right on top is the sacred Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali’s most revered sea temples.

The temple’s cliff-top location makes it one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Bali, especially at sunset, when the horizon glows in shades of gold and crimson. Stroll along the pathways that wind around the temple grounds, take in the sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, and feel the spiritual atmosphere that has drawn pilgrims here for centuries.

As the sun sets, gather in the temple’s open-air amphitheater to watch the Kecak Fire Dance. Pronounced “ket-chak,” this is a traditional Balinese performance accompanied by rhythmic chanting. More than 50 men wearing Balinese sarongs sit in a circle, chanting in unison as dancers re-enact dramatic episodes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. As fire torches light up the stage against the twilight sky, the performance becomes truly unforgettable.

After the show, take a short drive (about 15–30 minutes) to Jimbaran Beach, famous for its golden sands and beachfront seafood dining. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening by the sea.

Today, start your Gili island hopping tour. Gili Islands are three small islands off the northwestern coast of Lombok: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. They are one of Indonesia's most popular island-hopping paradises, famous for having no motor vehicles, white sand, crystal-clear water, sea turtle snorkeling, and a slow pace of life. For the next three days of your honeymoon, you'll enjoy Gili Trawangan and go snorkeling at the other two islands.

Take a 3.5-hour fast boat from Sanur Port to Gili Trawangan. After hotel check-in, you can ride a bicycle around the island in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Since motorized vehicles are prohibited, transportation is by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage, giving the atmosphere a free and lively feel. When you find a beach you like, you can just find a spot to relax and sunbathe or swim. As far as the eye can see, there is jelly-like water, white sand, and abundant coral reefs.

As the sun begins to set, find a beach club to watch it, or you can watch it on horseback (optional). At night, the beach bars are brightly lit, offering both the tranquility of a tropical island and the excitement of a vibrant nightlife.

Enjoy a free day in Gili Trawangan. Spend your time relaxing on beach or try our optional yoga or cooking class.

Optional Activities:

1. Yoga: The island has several professional yoga studios. Classes are often held right on the beach or on an open-air platform. Accompanied by the sound of waves and a gentle breeze, the environment is peaceful and full of energy.

2. Cooking Class: The island's cooking schools offer an interactive experience. Class typically starts by sourcing fresh ingredients from a local market and learning to identify spices. Then, with the guidance of a chef, you get to make classic Indonesian dishes like satay and nasi goreng with your own hands. It's a nice way to learn how to cook some local-style food.

Today, you’ll explore snorkeling around Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Gili Air and Gili Meno are neighbors to the lively Gili Trawangan but have a much quieter atmosphere. The three islands are very close, so it only takes a few minutes by boat to get to a snorkeling spot.

You'll first snorkel at a statue or shipwreck site near Gili Trawangan, then head to a turtle point near Gili Meno, and finally to a fish park near Gili Air.

Gili Trawangan: Here, the water is incredibly clear, glass-like, with a green tint. The highlight is a ring of ancient statues arranged in a perfect circle. The snorkeling spot is about 1 meter deep.

Gili Meno: The water is a bit deeper here and a beautiful, deep blue—like the color of a glass marble. It's a complete spiritual cleansing. You'll mainly see turtles, small fish, corals, and statues. There are more fish and corals here than at Gili Trawangan.

Gili Air: This island has the best snorkeling! The schools of fish are the most abundant and diverse, and the corals are brightly colored. You'll see so many fish you didn't see at the other islands! It's so fascinating you'll want to stay forever.

After tour, take fast boat back to Bali for departure. It is time to end your unforgettable 9 Days Bali Gili Island Honeymoon Tour. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) for your departure flight. Safe travels!

Trip Extension: If you'd like to extend your trip in Indonesia, consider exploring other popular destinations like Yogyakarta, Komodo National Park, Lombok, Jakarta, etc.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your tour of Asia. We are dedicated to enhancing your travel experiences and look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure in Asia. Have a safe journey home!