Nidhi’s Bali Review: A 10-Day Island Escape Planned by Thrillophilia

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PNR: BKDQCKBYVON
Rating: ★★★★★
Traveller: Nidhi Madhukar
Trip Duration: 10 Days
Travel Duration: 07 Mar 2024 to 16 Mar 2024
Destination: Bali
Region: Bali Tours

Some holidays are destinations in themselves. One day you are looking out over volcanic mountains, the next you are standing beside an ancient temple, and a few days later you are crossing the sea towards an island of dramatic cliffs and turquoise water.

For Nidhi Madhukar, ten days in Bali brought together exactly that kind of variety. The journey moved from the adventure of Benoa's watersports and the sunset cliffs of Uluwatu to the temples of East Bali, the green landscapes around Ubud and, eventually, two full days exploring the very different sides of Nusa Penida.

There was time for adventure, sightseeing and slower moments too. With a day kept aside for leisure, the trip had enough breathing room to enjoy Bali rather than simply race through it.

By the time the journey came to an end, Nidhi's review summed up the experience in just one line.

“Thanks for making our trip so seamless 😊❤️.”

Bali Started With Adrenaline

Nidhi's first full day in Bali began in the waters around Benoa, where the holiday immediately shifted into adventure mode.

The watersports experience brought together a banana boat ride, couple parasailing and jet skiing, giving her three completely different ways to experience Bali's coastline. The banana boat brought the fun of being out on the water with others, while parasailing offered a completely different perspective from above. Jet skiing added another burst of speed to the morning.

It was an energetic introduction to Bali, but the island had something completely different waiting for the afternoon.

Sunset at Uluwatu Had a Different Energy

From the waters of Benoa, the journey moved towards the southern coast, where Padang Padang Beach offered a slower beachside experience before the evening unfolded around Uluwatu.

Perched dramatically above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali's most recognisable coastal landmarks. The setting becomes even more striking towards sunset, when the cliffs, ocean and temple come together in a single landscape.

As the sky changed colour, Nidhi experienced the Kecak Fire Dance, a traditional Balinese performance known for its distinctive chorus of voices and dramatic storytelling. Performed in an open-air setting overlooking the sea, it brought together Bali's cultural traditions and its spectacular coastal scenery in one evening.

East Bali Was All About Temples and Landscapes

The next stretch of the journey took Nidhi towards some of Bali's most distinctive eastern landscapes.

At Lempuyang Temple, the famous Gate of Heaven created one of the trip's most recognisable settings, with its split-gate architecture opening towards the mountains. From there, the journey continued to Tirta Gangga, the former royal water palace known for its pools, fountains and landscaped gardens.

The scenery then shifted towards the coast. Black Sand Beach offered a glimpse of Bali's volcanic character before the final stop at Goa Lawah Temple, also known as the Bat Cave Temple.

The experience brought together four very different settings in one journey, from highland temples to royal gardens, volcanic coastline and one of Bali's historic cave temples.

From Mountain Gates to an Ocean Sunset

Bali's landscapes changed again as Nidhi explored the island's central and western highlights.

Handara Gate, surrounded by the lush highlands of Bedugul, offered a striking introduction to the region. Its traditional Balinese split-gate architecture framed the greenery and mountains beyond.

The journey continued to Ulun Danu Beratan, the famous temple complex beside Lake Bratan. With its distinctive shrines rising beside the water and the surrounding highlands creating a cool, misty backdrop, the temple offered a completely different atmosphere from the coastal destinations.

By evening, Nidhi had reached Tanah Lot, where the day's mountain and lakeside landscapes gave way to the ocean. The temple's position against the sea made sunset the natural highlight, with the silhouette becoming increasingly dramatic as the light faded.

Bali’s Green Heart Came Alive Around Ubud

The landscapes around central Bali brought yet another change in pace.

At Kintamani, Nidhi could take in views of Lake Batur and Mount Batur, surrounded by the volcanic landscape that gives this part of Bali its character. A stop at a coffee plantation followed, introducing the island's coffee and spice-growing traditions.

Further into the countryside, the Tegalalang Rice Terrace offered one of Bali's classic green landscapes, with layered rice fields covering the hillsides. Tegenungan Waterfall added another tropical setting before the experience became more playful at the Bali Jungle Swing.

With multiple swings and photo nests surrounded by greenery, the attraction offered plenty of ways to enjoy the landscape from a different perspective. The experience also included a local lunch, making it an easy place to slow down and enjoy the surroundings before continuing the journey.

Two Days, Two Sides of Nusa Penida

The biggest adventure came towards the end of the trip, when Nidhi headed across the water to Nusa Penida.

The western side brought some of the island's most dramatic coastal landscapes. Kelingking Beach was the standout, with its famous cliff formation dropping towards bright blue water. The route continued through Angel's Billabong, Broken Bay and Crystal Bay, creating a day filled with limestone cliffs, rugged coastlines and ocean views.

There was also time for complimentary snorkelling, bringing Nidhi closer to the waters surrounding the island. The following day revealed a completely different side of Nusa Penida. The eastern route led to Diamond Beach, where towering cliffs surround a brilliant stretch of sand, followed by Atuh Beach and the famous Tree House Molenteng.

Together, the two excursions showed why Nusa Penida deserves more than a quick stop. Its western coastline offered dramatic viewpoints and rugged formations, while the eastern side brought quieter beaches and striking cliffside scenery.

Why Nidhi Chose Thrillophilia

A ten-day Bali holiday covering mainland sightseeing, watersports, multiple temple circuits and two separate Nusa Penida excursions involves plenty of moving parts. Nidhi's one-line review highlights the quality that tied all of it together for her.

“Thanks for making our trip so seamless 😊❤️.”

Anisha Ashwani, Thrillophilia's Bali Destination Expert, played a key role in planning and coordinating the holiday, bringing together the different experiences across Bali and Nusa Penida while leaving room for a full leisure day.

For Nidhi, the result was exactly what a well-planned holiday should feel like: seamless enough to enjoy every destination, with enough variety to make ten days on the island feel completely different from one day to the next.

Also Read: Swikriti and Rakesh's Bali Trip with Thrillophilia