Bali: 5-day backpacker plan (from India)

I planned this as a low-cost, walk + local-transport trip (Kuta base → Ubud → Mount Batur → Nusa Penida day → South coast). Prices are estimates (converted to INR using ~₹0.0053 per IDR). I cite the main sources at the end. Ready? Let’s go!

Quick budgeting summary (estimated for 5 days, excluding international flight)

Accommodation (5 nights, dorm hostel avg): IDR 750,000 ≈ ₹3,975.
Food (veg, budget, 5 days): IDR 400,000 ≈ ₹2,120.
Local transport (rides / buses / short transfers): IDR 250,000 ≈ ₹1,325.
Activities & tours (Mount Batur sunrise + Nusa Penida full day + temple entries): IDR 1,585,000 ≈ ₹8,401.
Contingency / extras: IDR 150,000 ≈ ₹795.
Total ≈ IDR 3,135,000 ≈ ₹16,615 (backpacker / budget estimate).
(Details & assumptions below.) (Wise)

Where to stay (cheap hostels / zostel picks)

Pick Kuta / Legian for nights 1–2 (close to airport & beaches), Ubud nights 3–4 (culture, rice terraces), then back to south (Seminyak/Legian) night 5 if you like nightlife / easy airport access.

Suggested booking sites: Hostelworld / Agoda for best dorm deals. Typical dorm price range: IDR 100k–250k per night (~₹530–₹1,325). (Hostelworld)

Examples (search exact names on Hostelworld / Agoda):

Kuta: look for “Big Pineapple Backpackers”, “Kosta Hostel / D’beds Legian”.
Ubud: “Puri Garden Hostel”, budget guesthouses near Monkey Forest.
Seminyak/Canggu: small hostels or budget guesthouses (compare reviews).

Food & daily veg budget

Street warung / local vegetarian options: IDR 30k–80k per meal; budget IDR 80k/day for modest vegetarian meals (breakfast + lunch + light dinner) → IDR 400k for 5 days ≈ ₹2,120. For restaurants, costs rise. (Apéritif Restaurant)

Transport basics & how you’ll get around

Short trips: Gojek / Grab (ojek & car) — cheapest door-to-door on-demand.
Inter-area shuttles: Kura-Kura / Perama / Perama shuttle for set tourist routes. Good for island hops and pre-booked journeys.
Nusa Penida: fast-boat from Sanur (IDR 150k–300k one way) or public ferry (cheaper but slower). (Bali Holiday Secrets)

Pro tip: use Google Maps + Grab to estimate times & fares in real time.

Day-by-day itinerary (5 days)

Day 0 — Arrival (night)

Arrive Ngurah Rai (Denpasar). Take a taxi / Grab to Kuta/Legian (25–45 min depending on traffic).
Check into hostel, short walk to Kuta Beach for sunset and street food.

Why: acclimatize, recover from flight, easy walking area.

Day 1 — Kuta / Seminyak loop + Tanah Lot sunset

Morning: walk Kuta Beach (surf schools if you want).
Midday: Seminyak markets / beach clubs (walk or Grab 15–30 min).
Late afternoon: head west to Tanah Lot for sunset (entrance varies; small fee).
- Travel: Grab/taxi (about 45–60 min from Kuta depending on traffic).
- Entry assumed IDR 50k–75k (varies by updated fee). (baliindotour.com)

Tip: keep water & sunscreen; Tanah Lot is very photogenic at sunset.

Day 2 — Transfer to Ubud + Ubud loop

Morning: Grab / shuttle to Ubud (approx 1–1.5 hrs). Drop luggage at hostel.
Afternoon: Ubud Monkey Forest (entry ≈ IDR 50k–80k) → Ubud Palace → Ubud Market.
Evening: short walk to local vegetarian restaurants / cafes.

Why: Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart — easy walking and cheap local food. (Tripadvisor)

Day 3 — Rice terraces & waterfalls (Ubud area)

Morning: Tegalalang rice terraces (photo spot, bowls/ swings optional — some attractions have separate fees; Bali Swing photo spots charge ~IDR 200k if you want swings).
Midday: Tegenungan or Tukad Cepung waterfall (small entry fees).
Evening: back to Ubud; relax.

Route: Ubud center → Tegalalang (20–40 min by Grab) → waterfalls (short drive). Use driver/shuttle for the day or book a local half-day tour.

Day 4 — Mount Batur sunrise trek (early) + hot springs

Very early start: pickup ~1:30–2:00 AM, trek sunrise at Mount Batur (guided trek).
- Typical group tour price: IDR 350k–700k per person depending on provider (includes guide, light breakfast, pickup). (30 Sundays)
After trek: optional hot springs near Toya Devasya (extra).
Afternoon: rest in Ubud / travel back toward south if you prefer to be closer to Sanur for Nusa Penida next day.

Note: Mount Batur is a must for sunrise lovers; book a reputable operator and check safety/fitness needs.

Day 5 — Nusa Penida day trip (full day)

Early: transfer to Sanur port → fast boat to Nusa Penida (30–45 min).
Day tour: Kelingking viewpoint, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay. Full-day all-inclusive day tours commonly cost IDR 800k–1,200k per person (boat + land transport + lunch). (nusamarinawisata.com)
Return to Bali evening. If flight next night, return to Kuta/Legian for easy airport access.

Entrance / activity price checklist (estimates)

Tanah Lot: IDR 50k–75k. (baliindotour.com)
Ubud Monkey Forest: IDR ~50k–80k. (Tripadvisor)
Mount Batur sunrise trek (guided): IDR 350k–700k. (30 Sundays)
Nusa Penida full-day (boat + tour): IDR 800k–1,200k (can be cheaper if you join group). (nusamarinawisata.com)

How to travel the routes (right way / path)

Use this approach:

Install Grab + Google Maps on arrival. For scooters/ojek and cars, Grab gives live fares. For longer inter-area routes, compare Perama / Kura-Kura shuttle vs Grab; shuttles sometimes cheaper for fixed routes. (Bali Holiday Secrets)
For Nusa Penida: head to Sanur port early (book fast boat in advance for cheaper rate). For Mount Batur: prebook a sunrise tour (pickup from your hostel).

Safety & tips

Bali traffic can be slow; allow extra travel time.
Keep small cash for temple entries & warungs.
Wear modest clothing for temple visits (sarong/shoulders covered).
Book Mount Batur and Nusa Penida tours through reputable operators or platforms (Klook/Viator/Tripadvisor). (Klook Travel)

Full cost breakdown I used (converted at ₹0.0053/IDR)

Accommodation (IDR 150k × 5) = IDR 750,000 → ₹3,975.
Food (IDR 80k × 5) = IDR 400,000 → ₹2,120.
Local transport (IDR 50k × 5) = IDR 250,000 → ₹1,325.
Activities (Mount Batur IDR 450k + Nusa Penida IDR 950k + temples/wildcards IDR 185k) = IDR 1,585,000 → ₹8,401.
Contingency = IDR 150,000 → ₹795.
TOTAL ≈ ₹16,615.

Quick booking checklist (before you go)

Hostel nights (Hostelworld / Agoda). (Hostelworld)
Mount Batur sunrise tour (book 1–2 weeks ahead). (Klook Travel)
Nusa Penida fast-boat + day tour (book early on busy season). (GetYourGuide)
Install Grab + Google Maps; get small IDR cash on arrival. (Bali Holiday Secrets)

Sources (main ones used for prices & transport)

Exchange rate / IDR→INR snapshot (used for conversions). (Wise)
Hostel listings & prices (Hostelworld, Agoda). (Hostelworld)
Getting around Bali (Gojek/Grab/Kura-Kura bus info). (Bali Holiday Secrets)
Bali entrance fees list (temples, waterfalls). (baliindotour.com)
Mount Batur & Nusa Penida tour pricing (Klook, TripAdvisor, local operators). (Klook Travel)