Bali to Komodo: 10-Day Eastern Indonesia Adventure

The route from Bali to Komodo traces one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding travel corridors — each island distinct in character, connected by fast boats and one short flight. You start with Bali’s temple culture, cross to Lombok’s quieter coast, stop in the car-free Gili Islands for diving and snorkelling, then fly east to the volcanic landscape of Flores and the prehistoric world of Komodo National Park.

Route overview: Bali (3 nights) → fast boat to Lombok (2 nights) → boat to Gili Islands (2 nights) → fly Lombok to Labuan Bajo (1 night) → Komodo boat trip (2 nights).

Key transport costs: Bali to Lombok fast boat IDR 350,000–500,000, Gili to Lombok IDR 15,000–35,000, Lombok to Labuan Bajo flight from IDR 600,000. All one-way, as of 2026.

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Days 1–3: Bali

Day 1: Ubud

Fly into Ngurah Rai Airport and transfer directly to Ubud (90 minutes, IDR 300,000–400,000 by private car). Afternoon: Campuhan Ridge Walk (free, 30 minutes each way) for valley and palm grove views. Visit the Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni, open 8am–5pm) for handicrafts and textiles — prices are negotiable, starting around IDR 50,000 for small items.

Dinner: Hujan Locale — refined Indonesian cuisine in a restored colonial house, mains IDR 95,000–185,000. Budget: Warung Biah Biah on Jalan Suweta — Balinese rice plates, IDR 25,000–40,000.

Day 2: Temples and Rice Terraces

Full day with a private driver (IDR 500,000). Morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces (entry IDR 15,000) — arrive by 8am for the best light and fewest crowds. Continue to Tirta Empul Temple (entry IDR 50,000) for the spring-fed purification pools.

Afternoon: Gunung Kawi (entry IDR 50,000) — 10th-century rock-carved shrines reached by 300 steps down through a river gorge. The scale and setting are more impressive than photographs suggest. Allow 90 minutes for the visit.

Lunch: Teras Padi Cafe overlooking Tegallalang — Indonesian and Western, IDR 50,000–90,000. Dinner: Mozaic — French-Indonesian tasting menu from IDR 850,000. Mid-range: Room4Dessert — dinner and dessert tasting menu, from IDR 600,000.

Day 3: Uluwatu and South Bali

Drive south (2 hours from Ubud). Uluwatu Temple cliff walk (entry IDR 50,000), then beach time at Thomas Beach or Padang Padang (entry IDR 15,000). Catch the 6pm Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu (IDR 150,000).

Lunch: Single Fin at Suluban — cliff-edge pizzas and cocktails, IDR 75,000–150,000. Dinner: Move to Sanur (east coast) to position yourself for the morning boat crossing. Warung Mak Beng in Sanur — legendary fried fish set meal, IDR 55,000 fixed price.

Where to Stay: Bali

Ubud (Nights 1–2):

• Budget: Pondok Pundi Village Inn — rice field setting, from IDR 350,000 (approximately USD 22) per night
• Mid-range: Bisma Eight — valley-edge pool, from IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 75) per night
• Luxury: Four Seasons Sayan — riverside, from IDR 8,000,000 (approximately USD 500) per night

Sanur (Night 3):

• Budget: Flashpacks Sanur — social hostel, dorms from IDR 150,000 per night
• Mid-range: Tandjung Sari — Sanur’s original boutique hotel, from IDR 1,200,000 per night
• Luxury: Hyatt Regency Bali — beachfront, from IDR 2,500,000 per night

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Days 4–5: Lombok

Getting There

Fast boat from Padang Bai harbour (45 minutes east of Sanur) to Lembar or Teluk Nare on Lombok’s west coast. Operators: BlueWater Express, Eka Jaya — IDR 350,000–500,000 one-way, approximately 2 hours. Depart by 9am.

Day 4: South Lombok Beaches

From the harbour, hire a car with driver for the day (IDR 400,000–500,000) to head south. The drive takes approximately 2 hours to reach Kuta Lombok — not to be confused with Bali’s Kuta; this is an entirely different experience of empty white-sand beaches and dry hills.

Stop at Tanjung Aan — a crescent bay split by a headland into two beaches, one with fine white sand, the other with larger grain “pepper” sand. Then Mawun Beach — a sheltered cove between two headlands with turquoise water and almost no development.

Lunch: Ashtari above Kuta Lombok — panoramic hilltop restaurant, healthy bowls and Indonesian plates, IDR 50,000–90,000. Dinner: El Bazar Cafe in Kuta — Mediterranean-Indonesian, mains IDR 65,000–120,000.

Day 5: Selong Belanak and Sasak Culture

Morning: Selong Belanak Beach — a long, gentle crescent perfect for beginner surfing. Board rental IDR 50,000 per hour, lessons from IDR 250,000 for 2 hours with local instructors on the beach.

Afternoon: Sasak Sade Village — a traditional Sasak community near Kuta Lombok. Residents maintain hand-built thatched houses and demonstrate traditional weaving on backstrap looms. Free to visit; guides expect a donation of IDR 20,000–50,000. The textiles are for sale — handwoven ikat sarongs from IDR 150,000.

Alternatively, hike Bukit Merese — a grassy headland east of Tanjung Aan with 360-degree coastal views. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes from the car park (free).

Where to Stay: Kuta Lombok (Nights 4–5)

• Budget: Pipes Hostel — surf vibe, dorms from IDR 120,000 (approximately USD 8) per night
• Mid-range: Novotel Lombok Resort — beachfront, pool, from IDR 1,000,000 (approximately USD 63) per night
• Luxury: The Lombok Lodge — eco-luxury hilltop, from IDR 2,800,000 (approximately USD 175) per night

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Days 6–7: Gili Islands

Getting There

From Kuta Lombok, drive north to Bangsal Harbour (approximately 2.5 hours, IDR 250,000–350,000 by Grab). Public boat to Gili Trawangan (IDR 15,000, 30 minutes — departures every 30 minutes when full). Alternatively, fast boat from Teluk Nare (IDR 85,000, 15 minutes).

Day 6: Gili Trawangan

No motorised vehicles on any of the Gili Islands — transport is by bicycle (rental IDR 50,000 per day), walking, or cidomo horse cart. Circle Gili T by bike in 90 minutes.

Morning: Snorkel off the northeast beach where sea turtles feed on seagrass beds. No guide needed — wade in from the beach and swim 20–30 metres out. Bring or rent a mask (IDR 30,000 from beach vendors).

Afternoon: Guided snorkelling trip to the underwater statues (Nest Gili) and turtle points — from IDR 250,000 per person with operators like Blue Marlin Dive or Gili Divers. The trip covers two or three stops including coral gardens between the islands.

Lunch: Kayu Cafe — wood-fired pizzas and Indonesian salads, IDR 60,000–110,000. Dinner: Pearl Beach Lounge — seafood grill on the sand, mains IDR 80,000–180,000. Sunset drinks at Exile on the west coast.

Day 7: Diving or Gili Air

Diving option: The Gili Islands offer some of the Lombok Strait’s best dive sites. PADI Open Water courses: approximately IDR 5,500,000 (approximately USD 345) over 3 days with Manta Dive or Trawangan Dive. Certified divers: 2 fun dives from IDR 1,000,000. Key sites: Shark Point (black and white-tip reef sharks), Halik Reef (wall dive with turtles), Deep Turbo (schooling fish and occasional manta).

Gili Air option: Public boat (IDR 35,000, 10 minutes). Gili Air has a quieter character — yoga retreats, beachfront cafes, and excellent snorkelling off the southeast beach. Lunch at Mowie’s Bar (IDR 50,000–90,000), afternoon on the beach.

Where to Stay: Gili Trawangan (Nights 6–7)

• Budget: Gili Castle Hostel — dorms from IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 9) per night
• Mid-range: Aston Sunset Beach Resort — bungalows, from IDR 900,000 (approximately USD 56) per night
• Luxury: Pondok Santi Estate — private pool villas, from IDR 3,500,000 (approximately USD 219) per night

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Day 8: Fly to Labuan Bajo

Getting There

Public boat from Gili T to Bangsal (IDR 15,000, 30 minutes), then Grab or driver to Lombok International Airport in Praya (approximately 2 hours, IDR 200,000–300,000). Fly to Labuan Bajo (1 hour, from IDR 600,000 with Wings Air or NAM Air as of 2026). Afternoon flights are more common — check schedules.

Labuan Bajo Afternoon

Walk the waterfront, browse the small fish market, and arrange your Komodo boat trip for the next two days. Most tour operators have offices along the main harbour road — compare group trip prices (from IDR 1,500,000 per person per day) and check what is included (meals, snorkelling gear, ranger fees, park entry).

Sunset: Boat trip to Kalong Island — thousands of flying foxes streaming out at dusk. Short trips from the harbour cost IDR 100,000–150,000 per person.

Dinner: Made in Italy on the waterfront — wood-fired pizza and pasta, mains IDR 80,000–160,000. Budget: Happy Banana — Indonesian staples, IDR 35,000–70,000. The harbour-side night market has grilled fish from IDR 25,000.

Where to Stay: Labuan Bajo (Night 8)

• Budget: Ciao Hostel — harbour views, dorms from IDR 130,000 (approximately USD 8) per night
• Mid-range: Sylvia Resort Komodo — hillside, bay views, from IDR 800,000 (approximately USD 50) per night
• Luxury: Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach — private beach, from IDR 4,500,000 (approximately USD 282) per night

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Days 9–10: Komodo National Park

Day 9: Rinca, Padar and Pink Beach

Full-day group boat trip from Labuan Bajo (from IDR 1,500,000 per person as of 2026, typically including lunch, water, snorkelling gear). The standard route:

Rinca Island — ranger-guided trek (approximately 2 hours) through dry savannah landscape. Komodo dragons are regularly spotted near the ranger station and along the main trail — adults reach 2.5–3 metres in length. Water buffalo, wild boar, and Timor deer share the habitat. Rangers carry forked sticks as a precaution; follow their instructions.

Padar Island — hike to the summit viewpoint (30–45 minutes, moderate difficulty, bring water). The three-bay panorama — each bay a different colour of sand — is one of Indonesia’s most iconic views. Best light: morning.

Pink Beach — coloured by crushed red coral mixed with white sand. Snorkelling directly off the beach is excellent — clear water, soft and hard coral gardens, and abundant reef fish.

Park entry fees: IDR 350,000 per foreign visitor on weekdays, IDR 500,000 on weekends, as of 2026. These fees have changed frequently — verify before budgeting.

Day 10: Manta Point and Departure

Morning boat trip to Manta Point — where oceanic manta rays (wingspan up to 5 metres) feed on plankton in the channel between Komodo and Flores. Snorkelling here is world-class but currents can be strong — suitable for confident swimmers. Your boat captain will assess conditions.

Afternoon option: Kanawa Island (entry IDR 150,000) — a small island with a pristine surrounding reef, calm water, and simple beachside facilities. Good for a final relaxed snorkel before departure.

Return to Labuan Bajo for an evening flight to Bali (1 hour 45 minutes, from IDR 700,000) or Jakarta, or stay another night.

Where to Stay: Labuan Bajo (Nights 9–10)

Same options as Night 8. For the 2-day Komodo trip, some travellers book a liveaboard instead — sleeping on the boat between islands. Shared cabin liveaboards start from approximately IDR 3,500,000 per person for 2 days/1 night, including meals, snorkelling, and park fees.

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Budget Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation (10 nights)	IDR 2,200,000 (USD 138)	IDR 10,000,000 (USD 625)	IDR 35,000,000+ (USD 2,188+)
Food (10 days)	IDR 900,000 (USD 56)	IDR 2,800,000 (USD 175)	IDR 7,000,000+ (USD 438+)
Domestic flights (1)	IDR 600,000 (USD 38)	IDR 800,000 (USD 50)	IDR 1,500,000 (USD 94)
Fast boats & ferries	IDR 1,200,000 (USD 75)	IDR 1,500,000 (USD 94)	IDR 2,500,000 (USD 156)
Komodo trips (2 days)	IDR 3,000,000 (USD 188)	IDR 4,500,000 (USD 281)	IDR 10,000,000+ (USD 625+)
Other activities	IDR 1,000,000 (USD 63)	IDR 2,000,000 (USD 125)	IDR 4,000,000+ (USD 250+)
Local transport	IDR 800,000 (USD 50)	IDR 2,500,000 (USD 156)	IDR 4,000,000+ (USD 250+)
Total (10 days)	USD 608–650	USD 1,500–1,600	USD 4,000+

All prices approximate as of 2026.

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Practical Tips

• Boat cancellations: Fast boats and Komodo day trips can cancel in rough weather, particularly November–March. Keep your schedule flexible — having one buffer day in Labuan Bajo prevents a missed flight if your Komodo trip shifts.
• Sunscreen and reef: Use reef-safe sunscreen throughout this trip. Komodo National Park and the Gili Islands have coral ecosystems that are directly harmed by oxybenzone and octinoxate-based sunscreens.
• Komodo alternatives: If budget is tight, a half-day trip to Rinca only (skipping Padar and Pink Beach) costs from IDR 800,000 per person and still guarantees dragon sightings.
• Water: Carry a refillable bottle. Labuan Bajo and the Gili Islands have refill stations at hostels and dive shops — reducing plastic waste in areas with limited waste management.

Booking a guided day tour on arrival lets you get oriented quickly before exploring independently — most operators include hotel pickup. Bookaway covers inter-island ferries, buses, and trains — search your route, compare departure times, and get tickets confirmed instantly. Before you travel, sort travel insurance for Indonesia — medical evacuation cover is important given the archipelago’s geography and remoteness of some destinations.

See Also

• Komodo Island guide — Komodo National Park in full: dragons, dive sites, Pink Beach, and boat tours
• Komodo boat trips guide — day tours, overnight boats, and liveaboard options from Labuan Bajo
• Komodo dragon facts — the biology and behaviour of the world’s largest lizard
• Komodo diving guide — the best dive sites and manta ray season in the national park
• Labuan Bajo travel guide — the gateway town: where to stay, eat, and arrange tours