In this artistic and spiritual town of Ubud, find the green heart of Bali, wherein a rich cultural tapestry and dense jungle interweave as one entity. Actually, the heart of Bali is more about a state of being than a place called Ubud. Together with surreal landscapes and relaxed atmosphere, it concerns the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, close enough to what every tourist wants in tranquility and immersion in the locals’ culture.
Going way back in time, Ubud has been relished as a hotbed of cultural happening in Bali, where the pulse of an ancient Balinese culture reverberates and artists and seekers come from all four corners of the globe. Be it strolling along the busy streets, exploring old temples, or simply appreciating the marvelous scenery, Ubuda promises an unforgettable getaway. Get ready for this brilliant 3-day itinerary in Ubud, full of great things to do from within the city-mystic early morning walks down to engrossing experiences in food and traditional dances.
Day 1: Ubud: Natural and Cultural Highlights
Morning activities
Kuhan Ridge Walk Start your Ubud morning with a very early visit to the Kuhan Ridge for a relaxing walk surrounded by beautiful rice fields and tropical greenery. Get to the trailhead-behind the Warwick EBA luxury villas-by the time the sun rises to avoid the midday heat and enjoy a peaceful Ubud in the soft morning light. This scenic track leads into some breathtaking valley views, ideal for both the photo enthusiast and nature lovers alike. The walk is about 1.2 kilometers long and free; this will be a perfect way to quietly ease into the day.
Lazy Cats Cafe Just after your refreshing walk, this Lazy Cats Cafe is located just further down the road from the entrance to the ridge walk. Unique not only with healthy menus targeted at vegans and vegetarians, not to say those who just need a healthy start to the day, but with its atmosphere:. Being a place where great works of art are offered while second-hand furniture is seldom found in restaurants, this is the spot after your morning hike. Treat your taste buds with their variety of refreshments at affordable costs, about $5 for a full meal breakfast.
Mid-Morning excursion
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary The following day will be spent in nature as well as by the lover of animals in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. At the very heart of Ubud, this forms one of the most active places in culture but also a natural habitat for hundreds of friendly long-tailed macaques. Take a casual walk through this millennia-old forest amongst temple ruins, filled with these interesting animals. Entry fees are $5.50 weekdays and $6.20 weekends. It would now take up to 1.5 to 2 hours, savoring all views of the wildlife amidst such marvelous temple architecture.
Afternoon exploration
UBUD PALACE and SARASWATI TEMPLE Ubud Palace lies right in the center of the town. This historic palace has a rich royal history showcasing the best of Balinese architecture. Entry into the palace is free and without any reservations; you are able to see intricate carvings, sprawling courtyards, and so much more. Next to this palace is a temple dedicated to Saraswati, which boasts a beautiful lotus pond and classical Balinese temple architecture. Entry into this place is also free, but it has a great appeal to both the photographer and historian alike.
Ubud Art Market Round off your afternoon with this art market that lies beside the royal palace and is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. It sells all types of handicrafts: silver, handmade jewelry, traditional Balinese cloth, and many more other souvenir trinkets. This is bargaining territory and reasonable prices are usually achieved if your initial prices are at about half the asking price. It’s quite a vibrant market to expose the rich, hidden artistic talents in the communities.
Evening Activity
Balinese Cooking Class: Round off your day with a cooking class in Bali for an in-depth look at its flavors. From about US$30, including a market tour to select ingredients and hands-on cooking instruction, this program will serve to teach not only how to make some traditional dishes but also give an opportunity to learn about the culture of Bali through these recipes. Since most cooking schools do afternoon and evening sessions, this could even be a flexible option for your first day in Ubud.
Day 2: Discover the Wonders of Balinese Nature
Morning: Waterfall Tour
Spend the first half of your second day in Ubud on a waterfall tour – the real signature BALI thing to do in Balinese-famous natural beauty. With Ubud strategically positioned, the town will be a good base of exploration and catch some of the best-looking waterfalls in Bali. Take a guided tour that can give services such as hotel pickups, entrance fees, and local guides for about $30.
Kick off with Tanungin Waterfall, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Ubud, for an entrance fee of just $1.30. It is one of the best places for an early morning swim in the large basin at the foot of the falls. Very early-6:30 AM-when less people come, it’s very serene.
Mid-Morning: Further Waterfall Exploration
From there, head to Kanto Lampo Waterfall, which is on a rock face cascading down to a terrace, affording an excellent site for photo opportunities and a refreshing swim. Entry is super cheap at about US$1.30. Wear water shoes since the rocks are really slippery. It is such a visit in which natural beauty provides an opportunity to cool down in a less-crowded environment.
Afternoon: Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) and free time
After your morning of adventuring, head to Goa Gajah-otherwise known as the Elephant Cave-dated back to the 9th century. This extremely historical archeological site brings together Hindu and Buddhist history, and is just a quick drive from the waterfalls. Entrance is about $3.30. Spend an hour or so exploring the cave and its relic-filled courtyard.
Late afternoon at leisure at your hotel or visit one of the many spas in Ubud. Most massages and spa treatments fall in the $10-$25 range and offer a nice conclusion to an active day of discovery.
Evening: Food Delights
Cap off the day by dining in one of the many restaurants in Ubud offering local dishes like Babi Guling in relatively reasonable prices of 5-15 dollars for a portion of the complete course of the meal. Feel free to ask what restaurants have dinner time dance performances to save you from killing two birds with one stone.
Day 3: Holy Temples and Greenary OUT
Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Morning
On your last day in Ubud, head to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces for a great example of Bali’s famous stepped rice fields. Go early, as it does get pretty crowded-not to mention that the light is softer and far superior before 10:00 AM. Entrance is about $0.70, but further donations besides that will take you to even more secluded areas.
Take a few hours to have a laid-back walk among these terraces, get good shots, and maybe fly over on one of the Bali swings right nearby for $10-14.
Mid-Morning: Tirta Empul Temple
Head to the Tirta Empul Temple, which is famous for its holy springs; locals come here for ritual purifications. Entrance: approximately $3.30. Your purification ritual for an additional $1.70-including robe rental and use of lockers-is a spiritually commanding experience that gives one an understanding of a few of the ways of Balinese Hindus, and it’s a quiet, contemplative environment to rejuvenate your spirit.
Afternoon: Pura Gunung Kawi
Pay a visit to Pura Gunung Kawi, a 11th-century temple-cum-funeral complex, which rests on the floor of the river valley. A photographer’s dream of shrines and lavish water features, entry is a mere US$3.30. The serenity of the temple, along with its large stone carvings, will provide a great insight into the background of Bali.
Late afternoon : BALI PULINA COFFEE PLANTATION
On your way back to Ubud, stop at Bali Pulina, a plantation, where you’ll get a look at how Kopi Luwak-the most preposterously processed coffee in the world-is made. You’ll take a guided tour; tastings of a few flavors of their coffee are free with admission; if you want to try the Kopi Luwak, you’ll need to add an additional $33.30 per cup.
Evenings: Classical Balinese dance show
Save the best for last: just end this trip to Ubud by watching one of the traditional Balinese dances in the Ubud Palace. Ticket: About $6.50 for watching the intricately choreographed, colorfully costumed Legong dance. That would be one fine way to wrap up three days in Ubud with especially strong impressions of its artistic and spiritual sides.
Conclusion
Three days in Ubud is about right, as Bali gets encapsulated into one single package-immersive cultural experiences and most striking landscapes. Hence, the mornings spent far away in Kuhan Ridge and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary find their spiritual cores at Tirta Empul, evening brightened by traditional Balinese dances-truly an engrossing escape to a world where tradition and nature go hand in glove. To broaden this knowledge, some time around rice terraces, waterfalls, and temples in Ubud-all costing a few dollars-enrich the understanding of Balinese culture. From eating at local eateries to cookery classes in Ubud, varied food scenes keep enhancing this experience, making every meal a flavor to discover. Leave Ubud with much more than souvenirs; take memories, potent contact with this extraordinary tapestry of life that only Bali can offer. Now, go out there and spread the word, letting one and all know how this combination of peace, spirituality, and community awaits them in Ubud.
