7 Days in Bali: From Tanah Lot Temple to Paon Bali Cooking Class

Wander through this lush, spiritual sanctuary home to hundreds of playful long-tailed macaques, ancient temples, and towering trees. A unique blend of nature and spiritual wonder, offering a peaceful escape.

"I visited the Monkey Forest on a warm Saturday morning with my husband while exploring Ubud. The staff were friendly and helpful, providing safe interactions with the monkeys and the lush and beautiful temples made it even more of a beautiful experience. With so much to see, you want to get there early as it can get very busy and since we got there early, we were able to observe the Monkeys get a little edgy when larger crowds were present. The monkeys were playful and were so fun to see how they interact with one another in their habitat. As long as you have boundaries and respect for wildlife, they will stay out of your way. Don’t look at them in the eye and if they jump on you just let them be and stay calm. Hide your glasses, keys, phone or anything important because they will take it. They know how to unzip your purse so keep it close to you. Wear comfort clothes and enjoy!"— Liz

Visit the beautiful Water Palace dedicated to the Hindu goddess Saraswati, featuring stunning lotus ponds, intricate stone carvings, and traditional Balinese architecture. A serene spot for reflection and photography, perfect for a romantic stroll.

"Saraswati Temple in Ubud is a beautiful and peaceful place dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, and the arts. The temple is known for its classic Balinese architecture, intricate stone carvings, traditional split gates, and the stunning lotus flower ponds that create a serene atmosphere right in the center of Ubud. As a solo traveler, I had a wonderful experience here. It felt very calming and grounding. This temple holds strong cultural and spiritual significance for the Balinese people, so please respect the culture while visiting. There is a dress code at the entrance where shoulders and legs must be covered, and sarongs are provided if needed. A lovely stop for anyone looking to experience Bali beyond just sightseeing 🌿✨"— Preeti K

Browse the vibrant stalls of the Ubud Art Market, offering a wide array of handmade crafts, textiles, paintings, and souvenirs. It's a fantastic place to soak in local culture and observe artisans (no purchase required).

"two different places UBUD MARKET WHICH IS A BUILDING WITH TWO FLOORS IN THE MAIN ROAD OF UBUD. UBUD ART MARKET which i think is small street opening to other streets where locals have small businesses. Ubud Art Market is a lively and colorful place right in the center of Ubud. You’ll find a huge variety of souvenirs such as dream catchers, magnets, T-shirts, bags, wooden crafts, paintings, and handmade decorations. Many stalls sell similar items, but if you take your time, you can find nice pieces at good prices. The atmosphere is vibrant and full of life, especially in the morning. Bargaining is expected, so don’t hesitate to negotiate politely. Prices usually start high but can go down a lot. It can get crowded and warm during the day, but that’s part of the experience. A great spot to buy souvenirs and feel the local market vibe while visiting Ubud."— Labadi Mongi

Begin your day amidst the breathtaking tiered landscapes of Tegallalang Rice Terrace, offering stunning views and photo opportunities of the iconic Balinese paddies.

"A very beautiful and peaceful place with stunning views of the rice terraces 🌿 The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and feels truly special, especially in the morning. What makes this place even better is the variety of cozy cafés and spots around the terraces, where you can relax, enjoy a coffee or lunch, and take in the view. Some places even offer swimming pools overlooking the rice fields — swimming with such a view is an amazing experience. Well worth a visit if you’re in Bali. Perfect for photos, relaxing, and enjoying nature at its best. Highly recommended 👍"— Piotr Kupiec

Explore the historical royal palace, an important cultural landmark in the heart of Ubud, admiring its traditional Balinese architecture and serene courtyards.

"Pro tip come around 7 to take good spots when dancing starts. Or wait till mid way of performance as some of people start leaving. I liked the costumes, make up and choreography although it is somewhat repetitive and show is around 2 hours so kinda get bored closer to the end. Nevertheless highly recommend."— Timur Chepiga

Take a gentle stroll along the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk, enjoying the lush greenery and panoramic valley views, especially magical as the sun begins to set.

"Had an enjoyable walk on the Campuhan Ridge today. It’s a relatively short trail, with quite some climb in the beginning, but the views make it worth it — especially near the top, where you get wide open panoramas of the lush green hills and valleys. It’s peaceful, scenic, and a nice escape from the busier streets of Ubud. I went around noon on a cloudy, cooler February day, after some rain, and it turned out to be a great choice. The temperature was quite pleasant and the light was good for photos. I wouldn’t recommend doing it at noon on a sunny day though — there’s little shade and it can get quite hot. The path is well paved and easy to follow, making it suitable for most fitness levels. I recommend wearing sneakers rather than flip-flops, though. At the end of the trail, I stopped at Karsa Café for a fresh coconut drink — the perfect way to relax after the walk. Sitting there overlooking the rice fields was a great finish to the experience. Afterwards, I took a Grab bike back to town, which is an easy option if you don’t feel like walking the same route back. Overall, a simple but beautiful walk. Highly recommended if you’re in Ubud and want something scenic without committing to a long hike."— Sorin Kertesz

Experience a traditional Balinese purification ritual at the sacred Tirta Empul water temple, known for its holy spring water where Balinese Hindus go for ritual purification. Participate in the cleansing ceremony if you wish, or observe the profound spiritual practices.

"Extremely serene,peaceful and calm, this powerful Hindu temple provides soothing experience. Ample car parking and shops all around, entry ticket needed for foreign nationals. They provide a sarong to be worn for entry to the temple. The complex is excellent Balinese architecture with a rich ancient culture and lots of temples inside.The sacred holy spring is mesmerising to watch .Also the sacred and important purification ritual is elaborate and meant to alleviate devotees from any issues. Medicinal and healing benefits of the purification ritual is well known alongwith providing purification of mind and heart. A serene lake with colourful filled beautiful koi fishes is an added attraction and not to be missed. A must visit powerful temple in Bali."— Deepak

Explore the impressive 11th-century 'candi' (shrine reliefs) carved into the rock face of the Pakerisan River valley. This ancient archaeological site offers a unique blend of spiritual history and natural beauty, reached by descending many steps through lush rice fields.

"This gorgeous temple complex is one of the oldest in Bali (from the 11th century) and contains many rock carvings and temples that are fascinating to see. The place itself is reachable via cab, but be prepared for a LOT of climbing on the way back. The path down is beautiful to descend and filled with vendors selling different sorts of trinkets and memorabilia (beware when negotiating with them, they strike a hard bargain), but you have to be prepared with hydration and sun shielding for the way up - it gets taxing on a hot summers day. The temple also mamdatorily needs a Sarong which you can buy just outside the temple."— Sreeram N R

Immerse yourself in Balinese cuisine with a hands-on cooking class. Learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh local ingredients, starting with a market visit (optional, depending on class provider and timing).

"I can’t say enough good things about this experience! It’s a must if you are in the Ubud area! I did a private morning class, which included a tour of the fruit and vegetable market with lots of sampling of local fruits (it closes by 9am and has no other tourists—worth a visit on its own). Then I went to Sang Made’s gorgeous home and compound, where I did a bit of cooking while also hearing quite a bit about Bali history, culture, and the importance of offerings to the Hindu gods. The food was outstanding—so delicious! And everything was incredibly clean, just in case anyone is concerned about food preparation or risk of contamination. You shouldn’t be! Made and his family are professionals and are also so warm and friendly. Highly recommend!"— Susan Rohol

Visit the picturesque Tibumana Waterfall, known for its tranquil natural pool and lush surroundings. Enjoy a refreshing swim and capture beautiful photos.

"This is a nice waterfall and nature area that we recently visited as part of a half day trip with Ubud Area Tours. Entry into the falls area is IDR25,000 per person while the open hours are from around 7am to 6pm daily. There are a few casual eateries lining the paved walkway from the main carpark to the pathway leaving down into a lush valley that includes several quaint stream crossings until you reach the falls and pool where some like to swim. There is a changing room at the falls. The Tibumana Falls is single 20-metre falls that is quite photogenic. The water was fairly murky on the day we visited but the surrounding environs were beautiful, making for nice photographs. Note: Swimming seemed better at nearby Taman Sari Waterfall which we also visited on the day. That falls was closer to the entrance and carpark and had clear and clean blue water on the day. Both were nice to visit during the morning as part of our half day visit from Ubud."— BradinHK

Explore the ancient Goa Gajah, a historical and spiritual site featuring a cave adorned with intricate carvings of mythological creatures and a meditation area. Discover the bathing pools with holy springs.

"Beautiful, ancient temple with a lot of history. Reasonable entrance price, but you can only pay cash and they don’t have an ATM, so you have to walk 10 mins to the closest one. At the entrance/parking lot the vendors are really pushy and annoying, they’re forcefully trying to sell sarongs to you claiming that you’re going to need it to enter, but you can get them for free when you step on the terrein of the facility. A self-appointed local guide started to walk with us (without us asking for guidance) and showed the whole temple around, while explaining everything “for free as he works for a non-profit organisation as a voluntary religious coach”. He did a decent job explaining many things, but in the end he charged us “minimum 150k IDR” out of the blue for his service. This isn’t particularly a negative remark, but be aware that if they start talking to you, that’s going to be a pricey conversation."— Kinga Z. Birkl

Visit Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Ubud's most accessible and beautiful waterfalls. Enjoy the lush green surroundings and the powerful cascade, with opportunities for photos and a refreshing dip.

"The visual experience of this particular body of water was truly remarkable, especially considering the substantial flow observed in January. It is important to note that this was a ticketed event, with admission available for purchase at the point of entry. The descent from the parking area to the water's edge involved a downhill trek, which was manageable in difficulty."— Andrew Le

Experience the grace and intricate beauty of a traditional Balinese Legong Dance performance at the historic Pura Dalem Ubud, a mesmerizing cultural spectacle.

"⭐️ 5/5 stars Captivated by the magic of Bali’s culture! 🎨✨ Attended the *Legong Dance Show* at *Ubud Palace* today, and it was a breathtaking experience. The palace’s open-air courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery and historic architecture, set the perfect mood for this traditional masterpiece. Highlights: - The Performance: Graceful movements, vibrant costumes, and the Gamelan orchestra transported me to a mystical world. The story of the _Krasak Legong_ (a royal dance) was enchanting. - Seating: We sat on the *floor* (mat provided), but *reserved chairs* are available in some rows (worth upgrading if you need comfort). Arrive early to secure a spot. - Ambiance: Dusk fell as the show began – the blend of twilight, lanterns, and art was pure magic. Tips: - Arrive 30 mins early for a good seat. - Respect local customs: Dress modestly, no flash photography. - Duration: 1:30 hour (on Friday) - Local price: Per Person IDR 100,000 (INR ~₹525-540). - Location: Ubud Palace, Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud, Bali. Tips: Bring your own water bottles although water bottles and beer were available at a higher cost and were sold by local women. So, if you want to contribute, you may choose to buy from them and, they will generously show you the sitting area. A must-see for culture lovers! 🙏💃 Highly recommend- ***** (Five stars) #UbudPalace #LegongDance #BaliCulture #Travel #MustVisit"— Raajeev Narayann

Explore a renowned museum showcasing a comprehensive collection of Balinese art, providing insight into the island's artistic heritage and spiritual themes.

"Wanted to visit this place since my research showed that there was a forge here to demonstrate forging a keris. Walking in here piqued my wife's and my interest from the start. The intricate wooden carvings and old school paintings. My wife and I didn't have much interest in the modern section so we skipped those parts. The highlight for this trip were the 2 halls full of keris's. As a maker myself, the attention to detail and references was out of this world. This itself made the trip worth it. You'll have to book the forging demonstration in advance for the blacksmiths to prepare. I was unfortunate enough to have missed that detail but at least I got to have a look at the forging area."— Nigel K

Visit the ancient Pura Gunung Lebah temple, nestled at the confluence of two rivers, providing a tranquil setting for spiritual contemplation and appreciating traditional Balinese architecture.

"Not possible to enter the temple. But it seems to be very pretty from the outside wall. The path around the temple leads to a small traill paved with stone. Some rice fields in the end."— Nuno Alves

Travel by private transfer from Ubud to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) for your flight home to New York, NY, allowing ample time for check-in and security for your international departure.

"I Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport is the most important airport in Bali with major arrivals and departures. The airport arrivals and departures are very artistic with a bold display of their rich culture and traditions .Unique paintings, idols,etc; showcasing Bali's rich religious culture is very attractive and mesmerizing. Arrival immigration gates are under staffed resulting in a long queue.Evisa options prior to arrival is good but be aware that Evisa gates doesn't work for passports without e-chip,resulting inong queues despite procuring an e-visa in advance. Visa on arrival at the gates seem to be much quicker though. The arrival bay is like a market with esim sellers and taxi operators loudly shouting all around. Exit needs a walk to the cab bay. Departure bay has a decent spread of duty free shops and cafes. Overall a good airport for visiting Bali."— Deepak