Ubud Story Walks

13 Unique Excursions from Ubud You Need to Check Out

13 Unique Excursions from Ubud You Need to Check Out

It is beyond yoga retreats and art markets that Ubud has to offer. It is a great starting point for some of the most beautiful and culturally significant places in Bali. It does not matter if you are an adventurer or a nature lover or if you are interested in history, there is much to do in Ubud. 

Now let’s take a closer look at 13 breathtaking day tours you can go through from Ubud!

1. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are one of Bali’s most famous tourist attractions. These green fields looking like steps are quite magnificent. Apart from aesthetics, they have social-religious functions as well.

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2. Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple is one of the religious destinations which is located about 30 30-minute drive from Ubud. This is a temple that was famous for its sacred spring, and which has provided the community with purification for more than a millennium. 

It is quite suitable to engage in meditation even if one is not part of the religious activities afoot. A sarong is necessary, but do not fret; you can hire them at the entrance to the site. 

3. Campuhan Ridge Walk

Try to take a break from the chaos of the Ubud and stroll along the Campuhan Ridge. This trail provides a splendid view of greenish valleys and undulating hills making it one of the most beautiful areas around Ubud.

The walk is fairly flat and can be completed by people of all fitness levels. It is most effective when taken in the morning before midday sun or in the evening after the sun has begun to set.

4. Tegenungan Waterfall

Doing tours in Ubud, For those who have a passion for waterfalls, Tegenungan Waterfall should be on your list. This one is a few kilometers from Ubud and can be used for swimming, taking excellent pictures or just admiring Balinese nature.

The trail to the waterfall is quite steep, but you do not need to be very fit to make it to the bottom.

5. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

Adrenaline chasers should not miss the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek. It’s better to begin your hike early in the morning so that you can reach the summit before the sun rises.

The trek is not very difficult but still, there are organizers who can accompany you on the trip. If you go hiking, don’t miss an opportunity to have breakfast cooked with steam from the volcano. 

6. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

The site is also called Elephant Cave and is an important spiritual location that was constructed in the 9th century. The entrance to the cave is also covered in carvings of Balinese mythological beasts, which prepare one for the enigmatic interior.

If you take a closer look at the interior, you can see peculiarities that suggest that the cave was sacred: there are small shrines and other objects. 

7. Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest is not only a place to view monkeys but also a cultural-natural site. In addition to being rich in several long-tailed macaques, the forest is also a sacred and a conservation site.

Take a walk through the green trails and look at the many temples which are located in the forest area. The monkeys are friendly and playful but do not leave your food or sunglasses unattended because they love stealing them. 

8. Bali Swing Adventure

Feeling that you need a little more excitement in your life? The Bali Swing is one of the attractive attractions that allow you to fly high over the jungle. 

Swing options are quite vast and can be classified from simple to crazily extreme. Several swing sites can also provide meal options as well as other attractions such as bird’s nest photo zones. 

9. Ubud Art Villages

Learn more about the art of Bali by going to the art villages near the area. Every one of these villages is devoted to a certain type of handicraft. Celuk is famous for its silver crafts.

Here you can see locals at work, and get acquainted with the secrets of ancient crafts still in use today. Almost every workshop is also a small store where you can buy souvenirs, so you have the chance to get some very special ones.

10. Kintamani Village as well as Coffee Plantation

Kintamani gives the best shots of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. This is a cool and quiet village for those who want to get out of the hot lowlands.

When in Kintamani, make sure to pay a visit to some of the coffee plantations for the Luwak coffee and other traditional foods of Bali, one of the most expensive in the world. 

11. Penglipuran Traditional Village:

Penglipuran village is the best-kept secret that offers an authentic Balinese village experience. The is a beautiful village filled with clean and well-maintained streets with different architectural designs. 

The people are hospitable and sometimes encourage the tourists to go deeper into their culture. Sometimes you may have the chance to witness some of the traditional ceremonial or festival events.

12. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Jatiluwih is a world heritage site that offers tourists an opportunity to see the expansive unspoiled rice fields. This place is less crowded and larger in comparison with Tegallalang.

One can only walk through the terraces or take a bicycle ride through the green fields, around the terraces. 

13. Nusa Penida Day Trip

Traveling to Nusa Penida is ideal for tourists who want to see the coastal scenery of Bali. 

These are Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Broken Beach. Other common ways to move around the island are scooter rentals.

Follow Ubud Story Walks!

Ubud and its excursions played a vital role in Bali’s rich history and cultural heritage. 

From ancient temples to modern resorts, Ubud has been an integral part of Bali’s historical places.

Interested in learning more about Bali’s cultural history and traditions? Follow Ubud Story Walks on Instagram! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The best time is during the morning to reduce the number of people around as well as the heat.

Yes! Most of the tours are suitable for children; for example, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and the Monkey Forest.

There are several places where you can wander aimlessly, however, a guide can make it more interesting by teaching you about the area.

Mount Batur is approximately 1.5 hours by car, so it is an excellent morning trip.

Absolutely! Most of them, for instance, Tirta Empul and Tegallalang are located within a relatively short distance that can easily be covered in one visit.

Kelly Williams
Kelly Williams

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Read what people say about Ubud Story Walks...

Excellent
Based on 163 reviews
Vicky Ilankovan
Vicky Ilankovan
2024-12-13
A great way to get to know Ubud, past and present. Win and Kelly were fantastic tour guide: knowledgeable, friendly, and open. I’d just landed in the country and this was the best welcome to immerse myself in some of the culture and historic as well as get a bit of a lay of the land. It was great to visit historic sites as well as the museum, and here fun stories. Bonus points for traditional sweets! Many thanks to both. Would definitely recommend this walking tour
LH Sim
LH Sim
2024-12-10
Joe was our guide for the Ubud Story Walk Tour : Past To Present. He is very professional and knowledgeable who has many interesting stories to share. During the tour, he showed pictures related to the history for our better understanding. Besides pictures, he also showed us coins that were used in the past. Apart from being proficient in conducting the tour, he is also a very caring guide as he offered us sunscreen, mosquito repellent prior to his tour and brought us snacks and water when we had our short break during the tour. Thank you Joe for the excellent commentary. Will definitely join the other Ubud Story Walks on my next trip to Bali.
Jessica HĂĽbner
Jessica HĂĽbner
2024-12-05
Ubud story walk past to presents was one of our favorite things to do in Ubud. Our guide Joe was super fun and very informative! Thank you Joe for the great time we had. I highly recommend this tour
Andrea Slosar
Andrea Slosar
2024-12-03
I was on two tours and I really liked them. They are beautifully and comprehensively designed. Old black and white photos are an interesting addition. I was especially impressed by Windari with her communication skills and knowledge of the English language and Balinese culture. I wish the whole team much success in their future business and on discovering and solving pieces of the puzzle of Balinese culture.
Neeraj Goswami
Neeraj Goswami
2024-12-01
I went on two walking tours, loved both! The guides Ira and Win shared excellent insights on Balinese culture, history and traditions - helping me understand local context, beyond the usual pics on social media. I hope they add many more such interesting tours in the future!
Vinay Kashyap
Vinay Kashyap
2024-11-26
It's an essential part of a traveller's journey to know the history of a place he visits and my decision to choose Ubud Story walks was a good one. Joe, the guide took us through Ubud, the past to present and the walk was very informative. Its a good initiative done by a small team and I am happy to learn the efforts that the team is putting. Those who are coming to Ubud must consider opting for their guided tour.
tamara fields
tamara fields
2024-11-26
Enjoy a lovely morning with Ira as she expland the story of Bali, Ubud, Hinduism, the style of the houses and much more. Would recommend this walk to anyone that is interested in connected with the history and culture of bali while having someone who can answer your questions to have a deeper look into the life of the people living here.
David Hodgins
David Hodgins
2024-11-25
We had a lovely and informative morning walk with Win. Her perfect pace, both physically and with information sharing , provided us with a rich understanding of Bali’s history and culture
Jill Boulter
Jill Boulter
2024-11-22
Great walking tour of Ubud. Ira was very knowledgable and spoke good English. Nice places to stop, little alleyways and quieter parts of Ubud. Very well looked after. Would recommend đź‘Ť.
Shafiga Elshan
Shafiga Elshan
2024-11-15
It was an amazing experience to learn more about Bali's history and culture. Our guide, Ira, was incredibly knowledgeable, positive, and caring. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!