UKH

I will be traveling through SEA for work in ten days' time, ending with a conference in Bali. I have all the logistics sorted and will be staying in Seminyak‎. 

Because of work, I will only have one full day for exploring Bali and would like to make the most of it. My current plan is to hire a private driver and take me to various sites to maximize on time. 

The company I have found says I can either travel in 1) Ubud or 2) Uluwatu, Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. They ask me what I wish to see, though. 

Any recommendations for an itinerary? What are the must-sees? I enjoy nature photography and cultural stuff (like temples). Not too interested in spending time on beaches (unless really spectacular for photos) and shopping. 

In reply to StefanB:

just giving this bump. Any suggestions? Must-sees?

In reply to StefanB: it’s an awfully long time since I was there but have fond memories of Ubud - cultural, crafty.  Kuta was was the Aussie party resort.  However I imagine it’s all changed massively. 

In reply to StefanB:

If it's just a choice of those two, then Ubud.  Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu are the party/beach scene.

If you pm me I will scan and send you the "one day tour" in the Lonely Planet guide

In reply to StefanB:

It's nearly 30 years since I was in Bali, but if you're looking for cultural stuff rather than beaches, it sounds like the Ubud trip is more what you're looking for.

Ubud has the tiered rice paddies, the monkey forest, the temples and I seem to remember it had an arts scene. The monkey forest might be a bit commercialised, but it was a beautiful area, Most of the places on your other list are beaches, some fabulous beaches, but it looks like you'll be staying by a pretty nice beach anyway. Kuta definitely was the Aussie party resort and all the good and bad that that entails.

In reply to StefanB:

From what you say, and my experience of Bali (1983, 1992, 1999, 2016) undoubtedly Ubud. Seminyak is basically a slightly upmarket Kuta ie a beach resort with shopping. Nusa Dua is more upmarket than that, it is a sort of “exclusive” resort, where people with cash to splash would stay. I have not been there as far as I can recall. Uluwatu is a lovely temple on dramatic cliff tops, with yet more expensive tourism built around it, and I don’t say this as a bad thing in particular.... but to do all four in a day sounds like just hopping through posh hotels, beaches and shopping centres!

Ubud will give you an interesting scenic drive and an interesting time up there, you’ll get vistas of Rice paddy terraces en route,, visit the palace (not thrilling to be honest but better than beaches!) and oh all sorts! I didn’t go there on my most recent trip but I hope to get there next year 

In reply to StefanB:

Tanah Lot temple is a nice temple on the coast.  Uluwatu has one of the best waves off it and the interesting paddle out through the cave, good to see but very developed with posh hotels now as are all the tourist spots.  Ubud has monkeys which will find food on you in a second!

In reply to StefanB:

Ubud is pleasant but inevitably touristy.  The fields surrounding it are lovely and the monkey forest is fun. I'd opt for white water rafting though - I'd had a operation on a broken collar bone and couldn't play, but the rest of the family had a great time.  Warm white water in the jungle - what's not to like?  Or go up the volcano - road around the rim and endless restaurants but desolate in the middle.  Big contrast to the rest.

In reply to Guy:

Food, hats, sunglasses, items in open handbags....

In reply to StefanB:

If you dont mind using pedal power then I'd really suggest one of the "tours" that Infinity Mountain Biking offer. We did one that started in the mountains to the north of Ubud, came down through forests and into rice paddies then over the ridge walk into Ubud. You can then mooch about and have a look at what Ubud has to offer at the end. Was one of our best days on Bali and got a real sense of the real Bali, not just the touristy parts.

In reply to CIngramUK:

Thanks, I'll bear this in mind next year (family holiday)

The traffic is pretty terrible, and you'd easily lose your day to the back of a Toyota Avanza if you are too ambitious with your plans.

I'd consider going across to Sanur and getting a boat to Nusa penida, at this time of the year the East coast is generally better (cleaner). That would be a nice day out with perhaps only 2 hours in the car.

My hot take:

Uluwatu - nice temple and sunset views

Ubud - cultural tourist trap

Kuta - aussie party tourist trap (the worst of bali IMO)

Seminyak - fancy shopping tt

Nusa Dua - tt for tourists that prefer not to leave the hotel and private beach

In reply to sails_ol:

True about traffic. Seminyak to Ubud could easily take 3 hours getting direct to the centre of Ubud not including scenic stop-offs. Depends on Steff’s itinerary; if he can travel to Ubud in the evening and stay there and start a fresh day already there, it could be nice 

Thanks for the great suggestions! A lot to chose from, but really helpful. 

I have looked at some of the organized tours on trip advisor. They all seem extremely packed, rushing from one site to another. The "Instagram Tour" sounds dreadful.