If you are planning to explore the natural side of Bali, choosing the right route makes a huge difference. The island is filled with waterfalls, rice terraces, volcano viewpoints, jungle temples, quiet valleys, and coastal hills, but many of these places are spread across different regions.
A well planned nature itinerary helps you experience more scenery in one day without spending most of your time in traffic.
The good news is that Bali offers several beautiful nature routes that are easy to combine into realistic travel days, whether you prefer waterfalls in the north, volcano landscapes around Kintamani, peaceful countryside in Sidemen, or rice terrace scenery near Ubud.
Here’s a curated collection of the best Bali nature itinerary ideas you can follow depending on your travel style and the areas you want to explore
Quick Overview of the Best Bali Nature Itinerary Ideas
Bali offers multiple scenic nature routes that can be explored as half day or full day trips depending on where you stay and what type of landscapes you enjoy most.
Here are some of the most recommended Bali nature itinerary ideas travelers love:
- Ubud Nature Route: best for rice terraces, jungle temples, and cultural landscapes close to central Bali
- Kintamani Volcano Route: ideal for Mount Batur views, lake scenery, and cool mountain air experiences
- North Bali Waterfall Route: perfect if you want to visit multiple waterfalls surrounded by forest and highland viewpoints
- Sidemen Countryside Route: great for quiet valleys, traditional village life, and panoramic Mount Agung backdrops
- East Bali Scenic Hills Route: excellent for temple photography spots, royal water gardens, and coastal viewpoints
Best Bali Nature Itinerary Ideas You Can Try During Your Trip
Bali’s natural highlights are spread across different regions of the island, which is why following a well planned route makes your travel day more efficient and enjoyable.
Instead of visiting places randomly, these nature focused itineraries combine landscapes that are naturally connected within the same area, allowing you to experience waterfalls, volcano views, rice terraces, and countryside scenery in a comfortable sequence.
1. Ubud Nature and Rice Terrace Route
If you are staying around Ubud, this route offers one of the easiest ways to experience Bali’s classic jungle and rice terrace landscapes without long driving distances.
The area north and east of Ubud connects several cultural sites and natural valleys that can be explored smoothly within half a day or extended into a relaxed full day trip.
A typical journey through this route naturally follows a sequence like:
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where shaded forest pathways surround historic temple structures in the center of Ubud
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most recognizable countryside landscapes located a short drive north of town
- Tirta Empul Temple, a sacred spring temple set within a green river valley environment
- Gunung Kawi Temple, an archaeological complex carved into cliff walls along a quiet riverside setting
This itinerary suits travelers who want a balanced introduction to Bali’s nature and culture while staying within easy reach of central Bali.
You may also find this guide helpful: Ubud Full Day Private Tour with Marina Bali Tours: A Seamless One Day Experience
2. Kintamani Volcano Scenic Route
The highland region around Kintamani presents a completely different landscape compared to southern Bali. Here, the scenery opens into wide volcanic viewpoints overlooking Mount Batur and Lake Batur, creating one of the island’s most impressive nature drives.
Travelers usually approach this region gradually through hillside villages and plantation areas before reaching the crater rim viewpoints, then continue along the caldera road toward lakeside scenery.
A comfortable route through the Kintamani highlands often includes:
- scenic roadside stops at traditional coffee plantations along the upland route
- panoramic viewpoints facing Mount Batur from the crater rim
- lakeside views near Lake Batur
- a return stop at Tirta Empul Temple on the way back toward Ubud
This route is especially suitable for travelers who enjoy open mountain scenery, cooler temperatures, and panoramic viewpoints rather than dense forest environments.
You may also find this guide helpful: Kintamani Sunrise and Sunset in One Day
3. North Bali Waterfall Route
Northern Bali offers some of the island’s most dramatic waterfall landscapes, supported by cooler mountain air and forested highland scenery. Because this region lies further from the southern resort areas, it is best explored as a full day trip following a route that gradually climbs into the central highlands before continuing north toward the waterfall valleys.
The journey typically develops in a natural progression through the Bedugul area and twin lake viewpoints before reaching the waterfall region itself.
Along the way, the route commonly includes:
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple beside Lake Beratan in the Bedugul highlands
- viewpoints near Wanagiri Hidden Hills overlooking Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan
- Banyumala Twin Waterfalls located within a quiet forest setting suitable for swimming
- Sekumpul Waterfall, widely considered one of Bali’s most impressive multi tiered waterfall landscapes
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want a deeper nature focused experience centered around waterfalls and mountain scenery.
4. Sidemen Countryside Nature Route
The countryside surrounding Sidemen provides one of the most peaceful landscape experiences in Bali. Instead of dramatic viewpoints or busy attractions, this region is known for its layered rice terraces, traditional farming villages, and uninterrupted views toward Mount Agung.
Because Sidemen sits on the eastern slopes of the island’s highest volcano, the scenery here feels quieter and more open compared to central Bali.
A relaxed countryside route through this region often includes:
- walking paths across the rice terraces of Sidemen Valley
- visits to traditional weaving communities producing Balinese textiles
- panoramic viewpoints facing Mount Agung
- an optional continuation toward Tirta Gangga in nearby East Bali
This route suits travelers who prefer calm scenery, rural landscapes, and a slower paced nature experience.
5. East Bali Scenic Hills and Temple Route
East Bali combines natural viewpoints, historic water palaces, and coastal hill landscapes into one of the island’s most visually distinctive travel routes. Because the region faces directly toward Mount Agung, many travelers begin early in the morning to enjoy clearer views before continuing through the royal heritage sites of Karangasem.
The route naturally connects several locations that reflect both the natural and historical character of eastern Bali.
A typical journey through this area includes:
- sunrise views from Lempuyang Temple facing Mount Agung
- the royal garden complex at Tirta Gangga
- the coastal water palace landscape of Taman Ujung Water Palace
- ocean facing viewpoints around Bukit Asah
This itinerary works particularly well for travelers interested in scenic drives, photography locations, and landscapes that combine mountains with coastal views.
How to Choose the Right Nature Itinerary for Your Travel Style
Each nature route in Bali offers a different atmosphere. The easiest way to choose the right itinerary is by matching the landscape you want to experience with your travel pace and accommodation location.
Here is a simple way to decide which route fits your trip best:
Choose the Ubud nature route if you:
- stay near Ubud or central Bali
- want rice terraces and jungle temples in one easy route
- prefer a relaxed half day or flexible full day itinerary
Choose the Kintamani volcano route if you:
- want panoramic views of Mount Batur
- enjoy cooler mountain scenery
- like scenic drives with open viewpoints
Choose the North Bali waterfall route if you:
- want to visit multiple waterfalls in one day
- enjoy forest landscapes and mountain lakes
- are comfortable with a full day nature trip
Choose the Sidemen countryside route if you:
- prefer quiet rural scenery
- want views toward Mount Agung
- enjoy slower travel experiences away from busy areas
Choose the East Bali scenic hills route if you:
- want iconic viewpoints like Lempuyang Temple
- enjoy royal water gardens such as Tirta Gangga
- like combining coastal scenery with mountain backdrops
Once you know which landscape interests you most, planning your nature itinerary becomes much easier.
Explore Bali’s Natural Beauty Comfortably with Marina Bali Tours
Planning a nature itinerary in Bali is much easier when your route follows locations that connect naturally within the same region. This helps you spend more time enjoying the scenery and less time managing directions or travel timing.
With Marina Bali Tours, you can explore these nature routes through private Bali day trips designed around your preferred destinations and accommodation area.
You can comfortably experience:
- rice terraces and temple valleys near Ubud
- volcanic landscapes around Kintamani
- waterfall routes in North Bali
- countryside scenery in Sidemen
- scenic heritage routes across East Bali
If you are planning to explore several of these regions during your trip, you can view the available Bali tour packages from Marina Bali Tours and choose an itinerary that matches your travel style and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bali Nature Itinerary Ideas
What is the best nature itinerary in Bali for first time visitors?
The best nature itinerary for first time visitors usually combines rice terraces near Ubud with a scenic drive to Kintamani to see Mount Batur and Lake Batur in one full day. This route offers a balanced introduction to Bali’s landscapes without requiring long travel distances.
How many days do you need to explore Bali’s natural attractions?
Most travelers need at least two to three days to explore Bali’s main nature regions comfortably. One day can cover central Bali around Ubud, another day can focus on waterfalls in North Bali, and a third day can explore East Bali countryside and temple viewpoints.
Which area in Bali has the best waterfalls to include in a nature itinerary?
North Bali has the best concentration of waterfalls for a single itinerary, especially around Sekumpul Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. These locations are surrounded by mountain forest scenery and are ideal for a full day nature route.
Is Sidemen worth adding to a Bali nature itinerary?
Yes, Sidemen is one of the best countryside destinations to include if you want quiet rice terrace scenery and views toward Mount Agung. It is especially suitable for travelers who prefer peaceful landscapes away from busy tourist areas.
Can you visit Bali’s volcano viewpoints without hiking?
Yes, most viewpoints facing Mount Batur can be reached by car through the Kintamani highlands. Hiking is optional and not required to enjoy panoramic crater and lake scenery.
What is the easiest Bali nature itinerary from Ubud?
The easiest nature itinerary from Ubud includes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and nearby river valley temples such as Gunung Kawi Temple, all reachable within a comfortable half day to full day trip.
If you are planning to explore more scenic regions across Bali beyond these nature routes, you can continue discovering our other Bali travel guides below.
