Bali is not just serene beaches and wild nightlife; there’s so much more than that to it. The Indonesian heavenly island has an even wilder side to offer, the jungle side. In my previous post about Bali, I told you all about the itinerary I put together for the Southern part of the island. In this post, I’ll tell you about the rest of my trip and the best things to do in Ubud.
Things to Do in Ubud: What to Expect
Ubud’s is quite different from the South of Bali. It’s more traditional and laid-back, but the views are not any less attractive; however, it’s less blues and more greens. Expect more terraced rice paddies, temples and shrines, and an overall jungle-like vibe there. So, if you’re looking forward to get to know the core of the Balinese culture, as well as unwind and relax, Ubud’s your go-to.
Things to Do in Ubud: My Itinerary
Let’s pick up where we left off, shall we? Starting day 6, we’ll delve deeper into the island where the grass is greener and everything is more peaceful.
Day 6
So, with a scooter rather than the ride-hailing apps (since taxi drivers in Ubud take this too seriously) I headed to my first destination, Bali Swing. There, I tried the Instagrammable swings that Bali is super famous for. When I went, the place had over 12 swings and cute nests for love birds!
The swings had safety nets below them and belt-like ropes to guarantee security. The moment I stepped foot inside, I was a bit scared; I can’t deny that. So, I headed to the queue that leads to the swing that seemed the most secure one. It had two safety nets instead of one and a harness rather than just a rope. Little did I know this looked like it was the safest only because it was the craziest! It made the rest seem much easier though.
I tried several swings here and there, took photos in a couple of nests, and posed on top of the unique rock formation that reads “Bali Swing”. The entry cost me IDR 690,100; that included access to all the previously mentioned things, lockers, open buffet lunch, and included USD10 for professional photos. They tied a red ribbon around my wrist so that professional photographers would spot me and work their magic. The deal was that I’d pick 25 photos; however, I took all the 60+ photos that were taken of me before I left! My Instagram account thanked me for it later!
Next, I headed to Mason Elephant Park where I crossed one more thing off my childhood bucket list and met my second favorite animal! I’ve always had a thing for elephants and meeting Fati, this cute friendly girl, was a dream come true!
I went with the general admission entry ticket that cost me IDR 330,000. There are other tickets available where you get to have a hand washing experience with the elephants or even swim and bathe with them! You can check out the official website for more information about that. There’s even a lodging facility, as well as a souvenir shop.
As I personally care about animal rights, I made sure the park was a safe place for the elephants. They’re being constantly cared for, monitored by vets, given two baths per day, and are being trained with a system of repetition and reward.
On my way out, I passed by Mason Gourmet Chocolate store. I got their exclusive Indonesian archipelago ‘tropical blend’ chocolate, as well as a bag of fine white chocolate tablets. Indonesian cocoa beans are definitely worth melting on your taste buds.
Then, I went to the most popular of Bali’s Instagram-famous rice fields, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Ubud’s rice paddies are one of the main highlights of the island that you shouldn’t miss. Enjoy the picturesque hike up there and remember not to step on the crops!
Day 7
On day 7, I decided to cover another must-visit destination in Bali, the iconic Lempuyang Temple. Located a two-hour ride away from Ubud, Pura Lempuyang is an ancient mountain temple in the Eastern side of the island. Ever stumbled upon the popular picture of the so-called ‘gates of heaven’? Well, that’s it! The view is surely heavenly for real, and it was the never-ending queue just to get my pictures taken.
To get inside any temple in Bali, you must rent a Sarong, a traditional Balinese garment that you use to cover your legs. I made sure to go with my legs covered; however, they insisted I should rent one. I’m not sure whether it was for cultural/traditional purposes as they claimed or if it’s to get paid for it. Anyways, it didn’t cost much, it was for IDR 10,000 only; they also gave me a light shawl in case it was breezy up there.
When I went back to Ubud, I had dinner at a super nice restaurant near my hotel called Siam Sally. The place serves Thai cuisine and it offers daily live music; if you know me quite well, you’d know how much I love live music. For IDR 205,590, I had a decent meal; a sumptuous tenderloin cut steak with black pepper sauce (my favorite) along with green beans and mashed potatoes.
Day 8
Day 8 was a bit more laid-back. I walked to Ubud’s renowned Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and paid IDR 50,000 to enter the mystic jungle, embracing wildlife in the heart of the town. As you walk past the monkeys, make sure to avoid direct eye contact so they wouldn’t feel threatened; that’s if you decide to go, though. I honestly didn’t enjoy it; thus, I wouldn’t really recommend it. I personally found it super boring; it was just a cool backdrop for nice photos.
Relevant Reads:
Later that night, as I was trying out a cool vintage shirt (that I got eventually) when I heard live music. We all know what that means, right? They played Oasis, for God’s sake! Anyways, if you stumble upon The Onion Co, go for it!
Day 9
I couldn’t kiss Bali goodbye without embarking on one final adventure, something more challenging, like a hike maybe? I woke up super early to hike Bali’s famed volcano, Mount Batur. I’ve covered everything about this adventure in a previous post. So, if you’re an avid hiker, better not miss it.
Relevant Reads:
After this one hell of a hike, my body needed rest, that’s for sure. But I was fine with just a nap because I couldn’t just miss the breathtaking Tegenungan Waterfall! The entry ticket was for IDR 15,000; you get to explore, swim and take pictures all you want.
I then went to Goa
Day 10
On my last day in Bali, I woke up early,
The place offers a variety of classes and workshops, as well as perfect retreats for yogis and anyone looking for relaxation. It even has a café, spa, and accommodation options. Check out the official website for more details.
As I was so in love with the South of Bali, I headed back there again before catching my flight back home. Make sure you check out my South of Bali itinerary in case you missed it:
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
