Things To Do

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest is one of Bali’s several grey long-tailed macaque-inhabited forests, and perhaps the best known among the rest due to its community-based management, location and ease of access. It lies on the fringes of the Ubud main centre, and is overseen by the Padangtegal village. Sacred Monkey Forest is a place of scientific research as well as a site of spiritual and cultural aspects with temples sanctified by the local villagers deep within its grounds. The Sacred Monkey Forest has over 700 monkeys and 186 different species of trees.

Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’

Goa Gajah is one of the island’s most impressive archaeological sites, located south of the Bedulu village, a region famous for its collection of historical sites. The temple complex is within a six-kilometre drive south of central Ubud and an hour’s drive northeast from the provincial capital of Denpasar. Down a flight of stairs, you will discover a relic-filled courtyard and the main 11th century ‘cave’ in which you can enter to view rock-wall carvings and a meditational site, while out on the perimeter are a Hindu temple and an impressive bathing pool with fountains, excavated back in 1954.

Ceremonies

Bali is renowned for its bright and richly cultural ceremonies, and any visitor who spends more than a few days on the island will be certain to see some kind of temple festival, colourful procession, or ritual. There are also numerous island-wide religious festivals to mark sacred days according to the Balinese calendar, together with family rituals such as birth celebrations, tooth filing ceremonies, weddings and cremations.

The Balinese are usually willing to allow respectful foreign guests to witness their ceremonies. Ask the staff about a ceremonie to visit.

Tirta Gangga Royal Water Garden

The Tirta Gangga royal water garden is a favourite retreat in the regency of Karangasem, east Bali. Entering the site, the first thing that comes into view is a pond where rows of guardian figures holding cudgels are neatly arranged. Also, polygonal stepping stones which enable visitors to ‘tour’ the pond are set out in order. This allows viewing the old and relatively large golden carp from up close in the clear and shallow ponds. Behind the first pond is the central towering fountain, again featuring guardian statues at its base.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is both a famous picturesque landmark and a significant temple complex located on the western side of the Beratan Lake in Bedugul, central Bali. The whole Bedugul area is actually a favorite cool upland weekend and holiday retreat for locals and island visitors alike from the southern and urban areas, as it is strategically located, connecting the island’s north and south. Ulun Danu Beratan, literally ‘the source temple of Lake Beratan’, is easily the island’s most iconic sanctuary sharing the scenic qualities with the seaside temples of Uluwatu and Tanah Lot.

Waterfalls

Bali isn’t only about beautiful beaches and sunset cocktails (though we LOVE those). This paradise island is home to stunning waterfalls too. And luckily for us adventurous souls, Bali is home to more than 14 of these hidden treasures, many of which are off the beaten track and unbeknownst to the tourist crowds. Especially in the north of Bali you will find the most and impressive waterfalls.

Famous and very touristic is the Git Git waterfall but your driver will also know a lot of other (hidden) waterfalls.