What to see in Northern India

in three weeks

Overview

Hello there! What you will find below is a recap of the itinerary we have followed for our 3 weeks trip in Northern India back in August 2023. We hope that it will inspire you to create your own exploration plan!

• Duration: 3 weeks
• Period: August
• Year: 2023
• Cost: approx. 50€/day per person (accommodation, food, visits & transports)

Highlights

Natural sites ⛰️

• Lake Pichola
• Thar Desert

Cities 🏙️

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Jodhpur
• Udaipur
• Pushkar
• Jaisalmer
• Jodhpur
• Varanasi

Temples & Palaces 🛕

• Akshardham Temple
• Taj Mahal
• Lotus temple

Days 1 & 2 - New Delhi

Be prepared to experience the restless movement of India. Bustling markets, the chaotic but somehow ordered traffic, the calls of vendors, the pungent smells of sizzling street food...welcome to New Delhi! New Delhi is the capital city of India and one of the most populated cities of the world. It is located in the Uttar Pradesh state. A city full of history, culture and stories to be told. You will end up either loving or hating New Delhi, but in any case it will be an unforgettable experience.
New Delhi is in our opinion a great first place to start to immerse yourselves in this country and to get used to its rythms while still having the comforts of a big city. 2 days should be enough to explore it and below are our suggestions.

What to see in New Delhi

• India Gate: located in the city centre, this 42 metres archway commemorates Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting during the World War I.
• Akshardham Temple: the World’s largest Hindu temple
• Humayun's tomb: this is a garden tomb site where you will find several graves of Mughal rulers. The architecture of the site is amazing.
• Jantar Mantar: Maharajah Sawaii Jai Singh II of Jaipur commissioned the construction of five different astronomical observatories (Jantar Mantars) and this is one of them. These are sites with different buildings and each of those served a specific function in astronomical observations. There is an entry fee for the Jantar Mantar.
  Information about opening hours and tickets here.
• Lotus Temple:

Days 3 & 4 - Agra

After some time on Java, it was time head to Bali. Bali is certainly the most well known and touristic island in Indonesia, often chosen by tourist choose as their unique destination for their travels to Indonesia. It is also a common destination for surfers and digital nomads. Bali is quite huge and offers many neighborhood and villages which can suit different vibes, from more relaxed places to more dynamic and party-friendly ones. We chose a quieter and relaxed area, Jimbaran. Jimbaran village is one of the many well known tourist destinations in southern Bali. We decided to stay here for some relax and for exploring its surroundings. As mentioned, Jimbaran is quite touristic so you will find all the necessary comforts to relax and you will be able to enjoy some beach life. We highly recommend grabbing some drinks and having an amazing dinner experience with your feet in the sand on the main Jimbaran beach, while enjoying a stunning sunset. At the Jimbaran beach there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from (Jimbaran is well known for its seafood!)

How to reach Bali from Yogyakarta?

What to see in Agra

• Agra Fort:
• Taj Mahal:
• Fatehpur Sikri:
• Sheroes Café:

Days 5 & 6 - South Bali

The southern part of the island is definitely a place that you need to add to your itinerary and here are some ideas:

• Honeymoon beach: This is not a place that you will find in many guides of the area since it is not very well known by tourists, but it is definitely worth it. Here you will have a very nice view of the ocean from the cliffs. If you follow google maps directions by car you will be automatically directed to the wrong destination. To avoid that, we recommend following this directions here. Once there you will find a small unbeaten road that will lead you to the beach. It might be a bit scary to proceed by scooter, so we suggest leaving the scooter wherever you feel comfortable with and proceed on foot (5 minutes to the beach). We do not suggest swimming here because of the rocks close and being this a cliff it is quite difficult to get to the water. There are no entrance fees (as of August 2022).
• Balangan beach: Balangan is a little jem! This beach is not that big for sunbathing but it is full of different warungs where you can drink and eat with an amazing view of the sea. We do not suggest swimming here because of the rocks close to the shore. There are no entrance fees (as of August 2022).
• Padand padang beach: This is one of the most beatiful beaches in Southern Bali, and tourists know it! To get to Padang Padang you will need to go through a unique entrance and ticket office and then, after some steps, you will get to the beach. The beach can be really crowded (especially at sunset time), so try to plan your visit strategically. You will find here some small “street” shops selling drinks and snacks. We do not suggest swimming here because of the rocks close to the shore and because of the swirls. If you take a very brief walk in the North-East direction from the main spot, you will find a beautiful and less crowded rocky area. There is an entrance fee (as of August 2022).
• Uluwatu beach: Uluwatu is a real paradise for surfers. Here you will not find wide sandy beaches, but you will get a glimpse of the surf vibes, which attracts people from all over the world. We are not surfers but we still enjoyed grabbing a drink in one of the many bars here while spotting the waves full of coloured boards. There are no entrance fees (as of August 2022).
• Uluwatu temple: The Uluwatu temple was definitely a highlight of our tour in Southern Bali. It stands on a high cliff which makes the view from there stunning. Some people choose to stay at the temple to see the traditional Kecak dance. Unfortunately we could not get the tickets on place since they were sold out. We suggest booking them in advance (check here). There is an entrance fee (as of August 2022).
  
  Tip: beware of the monkeys! Many monkeys are let free to wander around in the Uluwatu temple. Little did we know that these little animals can be quite aggressive in some situations! Our recommendation is ideally not to bring any food with you (or at least not to take it out from your bags) and also to be very careful with objects such as sunglasses and hats. Monkeys apparently like to steal those from unaware tourists.

Suggested one-day itinerary 🛵

Days 7 & 8 - Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida was definitely one of the top places of our entire trip in Indonesia. This island, facing the south-eastern coast of mainland Bali. has been fairly recently discovered by visitors so it still holds its natural beauty without the negative effects of mass tourism.

How to get to Nusa Penida?

What to see in Nusa Penida

• Kelingking Beach: You might have seen this beach on your instagram feed! This is also known as the T-rex cliff. It is one of the most famous places on the island. Here you will find the perfect spot for an iconic photo! It is possible to admire the cliff from the top (entrance is there) but also to descend closer to the beach via a quite steep wooden staircase. There is an entrance fee to enter the area (as of August 2022).
• Angel’s Billagong & Broken Beach: This is a nice place which is not among the super touristic ones. It is ideal to spend some time admiring the waves crashing into the rocks! There are no entrance fees (as of August 2022).
• Tembeling beach & forest: Tembeling is a really nice spot if you are up for a relatively easy trek with an amazing view at your destination. The beach and the view are really stunning and they are not usually packed with tourists, which makes the experience even more awesome. The trek takes a little less than 1 hour to go down but the way back up might take some more time (it is steep!).
  Tips: you will find a parking before entering the main path to the beach. Some locals might offer to bring you down by motorbike in exchange of a small fee. However, we did not feel safe at all in doing that since the path is very steep. Also we highly discourage trying the descent by motorbike on your own!
• Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach: Diamond beach is another iconic place in Nusa Penida. Its name is taken from the shape of the many rocks emerging from the sea. You will find an amazing view from the top but it is worth also descending to the beach itself. Keep in mind that you might need a decent fitness level and proper shoes to go down, so be prepared! The descent for the first part follows a pretty easy path with rocky steps but close to the final part the path gets a bit steep and you might need some ropes (placed there, fixed to the rocks) to support you. Also a factor that makes it a little more difficult is the presence of many tourist going in your as well as in the opposite direction. We do not recommend swimming here because of the waves. At the top, opposite to Diamond Beach, you will also be able to reach Atuh Beach. The latter is less magnificent than Diamond Beach, but it is less crowded and it is a nice spot to relax on the beach. The descent to Atuh Beach is way less difficult than the one to Diamond Beach and can be easily done by anyone. Here you will find many warungs to get food and drinks. At Atuh Beach you can also take a really nice swim!
• Teletubbies hill: This is a hill that is said to remind the one from the Teletubbies kid show. Don’t expect to spend much time here, but you can have a quick stop for some nice pictures (especially at sunset time).
• Cristal Bay: In Cristal Bay you will find nice beaches to relax! This place can be quite crowded (also because many boats stop here for day trips) but you can still find some nice spots.

Tips ✔️

• Keep in mind that in Nusa Penida you will not find all the services as easily as in other parts of Indonesia. For instance, there are only a few ATMs on the whole island and they are all located in the same area (only in the northern part of the island near the main harbour). So make sure to bring enough cash!

Days 9 to 16 - Ubud, Bali

Ubud is considered to be the artistic and cultural centre of Bali. It is a little but very vibrant town where you will find many activities to do and spots to explore. The vibe there is the result of a mix between tradition & history as well as of modernity. Ubud in the past years has been growingly adapting to the needs and tastes of international tourists while at the same time preserving its authenticity. Also Ubud, given its central position on the island, can be used as a strategic base camp to visit Bali.

What to see in Ubud

• Ubud Water Palace: the Water Palace (Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati) is a very pictoresque spot! The water from a temple (visitable only by worshippers) flows into a pond (visitable) full of lotuses in the front of the site.
• Ubud Art Market: the art market is one of the most well known places in Ubud. Here you will find stands selling plenty of different things and artefacts. If you're looking for a nice and traditional souvenir to bring home, this is definitely the right place.
• Monkey forest: this site hosts three different temples and a great number of balinese macaques free to wander. Keep in mind that (just like at Uluwatu temple) monkeys can be quite aggressive and tend to steal things from tourist (like food, sunglasses, scarves, hats). We have personally decided to skip this attraction to avoid getting robbed by monkeys. However this place is recommended by all guides so, in case you do not fear monkeys stealing from you, do not forget to include it in your itinerary.
• Campuhan ridge walk: this is a trek connecting the central part of the town to the rice field area in the northern part. It takes approximately 1 hour or more (one-way) and it is a relatively easy trek (not steep at all). We recommend doing the trek at sunrise since you will find little to no other people and you will enjoy an amazing light!
• Kecak dance: the kecak dance is a traditional event of the balinese culture. It is a performance where a group of men (usually 50-60) dance and chant to narrate a poem of the indonesian epic tradition, withouth the support of any musical instrument (more info here). Usually shows are held at sunset and open air. Kecak dance shows in Uluwatu temple are the most well known. However, there are many places hosting Kecak dance shows in Ubud as well.

What to do in Ubud

• Yoga lessons: Ubud has become one of the top destinations for yoga practictioners. If you are a novice or an experienced yogi, you will be able to find lessons that suit your level.
• Art & crafts worskhops: you can find different workshops around the city ranging from jewelry classes to painting classes.
• Get a balinese massage: after a long day of visit you might want to try a balinese massage. There are different centres in the city.
• Enjoy some local and international food: you will find many restaurants in Ubud which will suit all different tastes.

What to see in Ubud surroundings

• : 20 minutes from Ubud by scooter. Rice terrace landscape is a must-see in Bali and Tegallangan is one of the best places to see it. This is a well known spot so expect some tourists here. If you prefer a less crowded you can opt for Jatiluwih rice terraces, which are a little further (+1h) from Ubud than Tegallangan.
• Pura Gunung Kawi: 20 minutes from Ubud by scooter. One of the largest ancient temple complex on the island, Pura Gunung Kawi is very peculiar. Here you will see many shrines carved in a rock cliff.
• Tirta Empul Temple: 30 minutes from Ubud by scooter. The Holy Water Temple is among the most important and sacred places on the island. Balinese Hindu people come here to bathe in the Temple's pools for purification.
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: +1h from Ubud by scooter.
• Nungnung waterfalls: 1h from Ubud by scooter. With a relatively short hike (with steps), you will get to see an amazing spot with stunning waterfalls surrounded by nature.
• Mount Batur: this deserves a dedicated section! Just jump here below.

Mount Batur 🌋

Mount Batur was certainly the highlight of our stay in Bali. Batur is an active volcano and it is one of the most sacred Hindu sites on the islands. Many torusits decide to visit Mount Batur for the trekking experience and to enjoy a stunning sunrise from the top. It is not recommended to organise visit and the hike to the top on your own: we have been told that guides might discourage (sometimes also aggressively) visitors which are not led by official guides. We, therefore, recommend to book a tour for your visit, you can easily find organised tours online or a tourist agencies in Ubud, or if you prefer you might also ask at your hotel or accommodation if they organise such tours.

Mount Batur tips ✔️

Day 17 to 19 - Gili islands

Gili means small islands in Sasak (the language of the indigenous people in Lombok island). You definitely need to include one of the Gili islands in your itinerary if you are looking for unspoiled beaches and for some relax. Here are some basic info on each island:

• Gili Trawangan: it is the most developed as well as the biggest of the 3 islands. It is usually chosen for its lively nightlife but can suit various needs and types of travellers (e.g. couples, families).
• Gili Meno: the smallest island, Gili Meno is ideal if you want to get away from the crowd and enjoy a peaceful and quiet place. There are limited accommodation options compared to the other islands.
• Gili Air: it can be considered as an in between option among the three in terms of activities and infrastructure available.

Useful Material ℹ️

Check the places on Google Maps