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7 Unique Tours in Ubud to Check Out
7 Unique Tours in Ubud to Check Out
There are plenty of tours in Ubud, however, to avoid the tourist traps and see Ubud through a local lens, you need to be careful.
In this guide, we we have compiled a list of 7 unique tours that take you beyond typical tourist routes in Ubud:
Check Out: 15 Best Activities in Ubud [Things to Do]
Tour 1 - Ubud: Past to Present Tour
Through this tour, take a journey back in time and see how Ubud transformed from a quiet village into the cultural heart of Bali. With local-led expert guides, you’ll uncover hidden stories and visit iconic spots that most tourists overlook.
This tour also includes museum access and a delicious Balinese snack—letting you experience both the island’s history and its unique flavors.
Tour 2 - Lempad’s Legacy & High TeaTour
With this tour, you step into the world of I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the artistic legend who continues to influence Bali’s art scene.
Explore his remarkable works at the Royal Palace and Saraswati Temple, where each sculpture reveals stories of divine inspiration and Bali’s rich culture. As you walk through his masterpieces, you’ll also hear fascinating tales of Lempad’s life, including his remarkable choice to decide his own time of death at the age of 116.
After immersing yourself in art and history, relax with a luxurious high tea at Ibah Villas. Sip on fine teas, enjoy delectable pastries, and take in the peaceful beauty of your surroundings.
Tour 3 - The Myth of Pejeng Tour
This tour explores Bali’s ancient Buddhist-Hindu heritage on a journey through sacred temples, hidden burial sites, and the Archaeology Museum. In this tour, you’ll also witness the largest bronze vessel in Southeast Asia—a stunning relic that offers a glimpse into the island’s ancient past.
Furthermore, you will also learn about Bali’s first rulers, the Majapahit kingdom, and discover the secrets of the Temple of the Crazy Buffalo and the largest bronze vessel in Southeast Asia—an awe-inspiring relic of the island’s ancient past.
Tour 4 - Sacred Water Temples & Cleansing Ritual Tour
Experience a spiritual journey at the Tirta Empul Temple, where you can partake in a traditional purification ritual under the guidance of a Balinese priest.
After the cleansing ceremony, you’ll visit other lesser-known water temples around Ubud, learning about their history and cultural significance. This tour is perfect for those interested in the spiritual side of Balinese culture.
Useful Resource: Ubud Travel Tips and Checklist
Tour 5 - Bali Night Safari & Stargazing Adventure
Escape the usual tourist spots for a night adventure through Bali’s wilderness. This guided night safari in the forests around Ubud introduces you to Bali’s nocturnal wildlife, from civet cats to night-blooming flowers.
The tour wraps up with a stargazing session in a quiet, open area, where you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of Bali’s night sky away from city lights.
Check Out: 13 Best Places to Hike in Bali
Tour 6 - Ubud Village Life Tour
Experience authentic Balinese village life by joining a family in their home and participating in daily activities. From traditional farming practices to cooking local dishes and making offerings, this tour gives you a rare glimpse into the rhythm of rural life in Ubud.
Additionally, you’ll also get a hands-on lesson in crafting ceremonial items, making this an enriching cultural immersion.
Tour 7 - Eco-Friendly Rice Terrace Trek & Farm Tour
Join this sustainable tour through Ubud’s iconic rice terraces, led by farmers who share their knowledge of traditional Balinese agricultural practices.
In this tour, you will learn about subak, the ancient water irrigation system, and try your hand at rice planting or harvesting, depending on the season. The tour concludes with a farm-to-table lunch made with fresh ingredients sourced from the farm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can book each tour directly through the provided links or contact the tour operator for more details on availability, pricing, and customization options. You can book 3 of the 7 tours mentioned above here.
It’s recommended to bring comfortable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), and a reusable water bottle. For water temple tours, modest clothing is appreciated, and sarongs may be provided.
Yes, many of these tours are family-friendly. However, it’s best to check with the tour operator for any specific age restrictions or accommodations for children.
All tours offered by Ubud Story Walks offer English-speaking guides to ensure you have a meaningful and engaging experience.
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Read what people say about Ubud Story Walks...
Ubud Story Walks is something different. It’s a fun, entertaining and refreshing way to delve into Ubud’s past. The knowledgeable guides place as much emphasis on how they tell a story as they do on what they’re sharing, which means all sorts of magical and mystifying details are revealed. I believe the best way to get to know a place is to walk its streets, which makes Ubud Story Walks one of the best ways to get to know Ubud.
Julia Winterflood
We had a fantastic time walking around the historical centre of Ubud! Even though we've been based in Bali for a few years, we'd never had an actual tour of some of Bali's most iconic landmarks and learning about the history was fascinating. Our guide was hilarious and full of information and it was a lovely and relaxing way to learn so much. The tour was early in the morning which was perfect timing as the temperature was still cool and we were able to witness the morning bustle of Ubud's famous markets. 10/10 would recommend!
Rahima Saikal
Vicky Ilankovan2024-12-13A 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 Sim2024-12-10Joe 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 Hübner2024-12-05Ubud 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 Slosar2024-12-03I 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 Goswami2024-12-01I 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 Kashyap2024-11-26It'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 fields2024-11-26Enjoy 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 Hodgins2024-11-25We 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 Boulter2024-11-22Great 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 👍.
Shafiga Elshan2024-11-15It 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!