Experience Bali.
Newsflash! Bali is not only Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and the southern coast. Once you get out of these dense and touristy areas, there are places just waiting for adventurous souls to discover – some of them really off the beaten tracks, with pristine and unspoiled landscapes you won’t find elsewhere on the island.
Explore the world your way
Most Popular Packages
What you need to know before you go
Visit Bali
Newsflash! Bali is not only Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and the southern coast. Once you get out of these dense and touristy areas, there are places just waiting for adventurous souls to discover – some of them really off the beaten tracks, with pristine and unspoiled landscapes you won’t find elsewhere on the island.
You’ll certainly find your own piece of heaven if you look beyond Bali’s main beach areas. Take a boat ride and escape the mainland to the Nusa islands, or venture to the central highlands for scenic treats and to be close with nature. Coincidentally, these are also popular places for backpackers in Bali. Here are some of our favourite places in Bali to escape the crowds.
Fact Sheet
Bali Tourism
Bali attracts the adventure souls from all around the globe towards itself. So, whether you are a backpacker, surfing enthusiast, diver or simply looking to indulge in an adventure of your lifetime, Bali is the place for you. From so many options to choose from, the Island wont disappoint you. What makes Bali a unique Island is the hippy and spiritual vibe associated with it. Home to many mystical monasteries and temples, Bali is a haven for those seeking spirituality and finding themselves. Take a break from the dreaded, hectic lifestyle and soothe your senses amidst the turquoise oceans and calm ambience. This factor has given Bali tourism a boost since the 20th century. Bali is adorned with beautiful temples. For a peaceful and meditative session, visit the temples of Saraswati, Tanah Lot, and the Besakih Temple.
Bali has a tropical climate almost throughout the year. The best time to visit Bali is around May, June and July. Tourists keep pouring in all year round. This is solely because the weather is pleasant throughout. With so many activities flourishing in this area, people do not want to miss out on the same. Holidaying in Bali is as pocket-friendly as it could get being an international hot-spot. It is cheap and offers the same exotic experience as any other beach destination. Bali offers visa-on-arrival, but you can book for a prior visa. You can find numerous flights that will take you to Bali. These flights can be found at every airport throughout India and are easily accessible. You will land at Ngurah Rai International Airport which is about 13 kilometres away from Denpasar, the capital of Bali and the main gateway into the island of Bali. Some of the most economical and comfortable flights are offered by HolidayMonk that are covered in Bali holiday packages.
There are tremendous options for things to do in Bali and the places you can visit to make the most of your Bali holiday. Apart from temple hopping that is a part of many Bali holiday packages, never miss the magical sightseeing offered by Bali. Breathtaking sunrise or sunset from atop any of the four volcanic mountains that Bali houses are a treat to the eyes. The tranquillity will take over all your worries. Mount Batur, Mount Agung, Mount Bratan and Mount Merbuk are the four volcanic mountains, and all of them offer breathtaking views. Head for an adventurous motorbike ride along the rice terraces and rugged trails. They are so green that you’ll be seeing green for the rest of the day. Ubud and Tegalalang hail the most popular rice terraces and we recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowd and enjoy the lush greenery. The beautiful views will be the high point of your relaxing Bali holidays.
If you are not a fan of motorbikes and exploring the island through its edgy lanes, dive in the marine heaven. Considered as a surfer’s paradise, Bali is an ideal destination that serves perfect surfing conditions such as right wind speed, excellent waves. Beach bumming is an incredible way to relax in the glimmering shores and discovering a whole new world of exotic underwater life. If you are an amateur, you can opt for surfing classes under professional supervision. Apart from surfing, you can snorkel. Swim and end it all with a fun-filled cruise trip. Bali is considered as a surfer’s paradise, mostly because of the excellent waves which are ideal for surfing. Many Bali packages include surfing lessons and cruise trips, choose according to your preference. So there we have it. Get your tickets and get going to Bali, a beautifully diverse island. Bali holiday packages are a rage, and you can even customize yours that just suits your needs. So, pack your bags and get set go for a cherishable trip.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is among the island’s most iconic temples, positioned on top of a rock and surrounded by the waves of the open sea that constantly crash against its base. The temple is scenic by day against the blue ocean and sky, but the scene is most dramatic during sunsets with its silhouette creating one of Bali’s picture postcard images.
Tanah Lot pays homage to the guardian spirits of the sea, and it’s also among Bali’s key sea temples. The onshore site is dotted with smaller shrines and visitors’ leisure facilities such as shops, a cultural park where regular dance performances are shown regularly, restaurants where you can enjoy a sunset dinner with the memorable view.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu is one of Bali’s most important sea temples, positioned on a tall cliff edge on the island’s southwestern Bukit peninsula. By day, you can take in the picturesque seascape from over the temple’s walls and cliff borders and occasionally spot grey long-tailed macaques that inhabit the surrounding forests.
In the late afternoon, you can wait for the dramatic sunsets, or book early for a spot at the open-air amphitheatre nearby, where Kecak fire dances are performed with the sunset and ocean as an exotic backdrop. The waves below the cliff and the temple are hailed as among Bali’s best and internationally-known surf spots.
Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple, the ‘mother temple’ of Bali, sits on the south-western slope of Mount Agung – Bali’s tallest peak. Besakih is the largest of all temple complexes in Bali, comprising 18 separate sanctuaries that each belong to different caste groups. They surround a central complex with 3 main temples that are dedicated to the Hindu trinity, namely Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.
Besakih was nominated as a World Heritage Site in 1995, but as yet remains unvested. There are at least 70 ceremonies or religious celebrations held each year here, as each shrine has its own anniversary. The best visiting times are in the early mornings and in the evenings when the temple complex is much quieter.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The rice terraces of Tegallalang offer one of the best views that you can take in while up in Ubud. The village of Tegallalang is just up north from the main Ubud centre. Along the main road of Jalan Raya Tegallalang, there are roadside stalls and art shops offering items and curios of all kinds, together with small restaurants offering lunch or dinner with the great view over the deep and lush valley.
The Tegallalang rice terraces spread down below and to the far opposite side of the valley. Besides enjoying the view from up high, you can also go down and follow the trail through the rice fields to greet farmers and enjoy the paddies from up close.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest is a natural forest sanctuary that’s home to a horde of grey long-tailed macaques. Officially the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, it is one of Ubud’s most popular attractions and the site is well-preserved thanks to a community-based management program. The forest is within easy walking distance from Ubud’s town centre.
Besides watching playful monkeys in their natural habitat, swinging through canopies, lazing along pathways or feeding on bananas, you can take cool walks along paved pathways through the leafy nutmeg forest. Beautiful ancient temples with eerie guardian statues covered in moss also call the monkey forest their home.
Ubud Art Market
Ubud Art Market is one of the landmarks in central Ubud, conveniently just across the road from the Ubud Royal Palace. The market has countless small shops that are run by local vendors who sell a wide range of items such as beautiful silk scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets and hats, statues, kites and many other locally sourced and handcrafted goods.
Most of the goods found at the Ubud Market are made in the neighbouring villages of Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan and Peliatan. Naturally, bargaining is essential. The Ubud market starred briefly in the Hollywood movie Eat Pray Love, which shows a scene with actress Julia Roberts strolling through the stalls which are bustling with activity in real life.
Kintamani
Kintamani is a mountain village in central Bali that’s home to Mount Batur, which is Bali’s second tallest peak, and the Batur caldera lake. The village is located in the Karangasem regency in east Bali and is a popular spot for sightseeing thanks to vantage points such as Penelokan, which aptly means ‘scenic stopover’. Penelokan is the best site for panoramic views, with Batur’s rugged features of dark lava slopes and black molten rocks in view.
The still-active Mount Batur volcano erupted about 24 times since 1800, each time reshaping the surrounding landscape. It’s popular among mountain hikers, with the early sunrises from the ridges being its highlight.
Bali Safari and Marine Park
Bali Safari & Marine Park is Bali’s largest animal theme park, home to over 60 species roaming within enclosures that closely mimic their natural habitats. Bus safaris take visitors on tours ‘around the world’ with animals from different continents, and there are animal talent shows held regularly in an open stage. A different section is dedicated to aquatic animals, with aquariums holding exotic fish specimens such as piranhas.
After enjoying the safari bus rides, families travelling with children can have a blast together at an adjacent water park and a park filled with a variety of amusement park rides. The park is also home to Bali Theatre, which shows the modern Bali Agung shows at scheduled showtimes.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
The Jatiluwih rice terraces offer one of the island’s most famous rice field landscapes. The vast fields make up a considerable area of the cool highland village of the same name in the Tabanan Regency and can be a soothing retreat away from the common crowds of the island’s southern beach resort areas.
Once a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site candidate, the Jatiluwih rice terraces cover 600 hectares following the flowing topography of the Batukaru mountain range. They are maintained by a traditional water management cooperative known as subak, which dates back to the 9th century. The cooperative itself was a top reason for Bali’s ‘cultural landscape’ entry on the heritage list.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah is one of Bali’s most significant archaeological sites. Believed to be a former hermitage, the complex features a stone relic-filled courtyard before a temple and the focal attraction of a central meditational cave. The courtyard also has exotic bathing pools and sculpted fountains. To the unknowing, Goa Gajah’s name which translates to ‘Elephant Cave’ can be slightly misleading – there are no pachyderms here.
At the complex’s southern end are beautiful rice fields and small streams that lead to the Petanu River – another site entwined in local legends and where you can find more interesting stone relics submerged in the water. You can reach Goa Gajah west of Bedulu village and about 6 km east from central Ubud.
Bunut Bolong in Jembrana
Bunut Bolong is a unique natural landmark in the form of a giant hollow banyan tree in Jembrana, West Bali. This old, giant banyan tree is considered sacred by the Manggisari villagers who say that the tree is centuries old – tales are told of people who met their demise trying to chop it down to remove it.
The giant tree has a large hollow at its base, which formed naturally, and is as wide as the main road that runs through it. There are temple shrines adorned in yellow and white at both ends of the banyan tree’s straddling trunks.
Surfing in Bali
Surfing in Bali is one of the scenes that helped develop tourism on the island. It started along the island’s southern shores, where rolling waves and quiet, beautiful beaches evolved into the popular wave riders’ playgrounds we know today. The island’s first wave-riders discovered the incredible surf back in the 1930s, and more have flown in ever since. Bali’s surfer crowd comprises experienced riders and beginners who want a piece of the action. Pros can head to the outer reef breaks of the southern Bukit Peninsula, while newbies can try smaller waves in the lagoons. Bali is a great place to pick up the sport, with board rentals and surf schools widely available.Bali seafood and sunset dining
Sunset and seafood dining go in good tandem in Bali, particularly on the western coasts. While the restaurants at Tanah Lot Temple offer memorable dining with a view, Jimbaran Bay and its small group of so-called seafood cafes is also a great spot in Bali for memorable sunsets together with grilled snapper served with local sambal chilli sauce. Kedonganan is a coastal village just up north from Jimbaran Bay and south from the airport’s runway in Tuban. The restaurants here tend to be slightly more upscale, with setups that allow you to dine with ocean views and your feet in the sand. Most venues open from afternoon until late, sometimes with live traditional Balinese dance performances added for good measure.Partying in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak
Bali’s nightlife scenes are mostly focused around the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak strip and which cater to a wide range of crowds, styles and budgets. There are beach clubs to chill-out at sunset and well into the wee hours, night clubs to get loose with live DJs, rooftop bars, theatre shows, or simply an easygoing sunset dinner cruise, all prove that you can enjoy life after dark in Bali. These 3 closely-knit beach resort areas in Bali have long been the epicentre for drinking, dining and dancing after sunset, thanks to its rows of bars, pubs and nightclubs that each offer their own set of specialties in attracting their steady flow of late-night revellers.Explore Bali’s beaches
Bali has a rich assortment of beaches, each of which is a favourite destination on its own. Bali beaches range from palm-fringed white sand coasts on the island’s south such as Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur, to the cliff-guarded ‘hidden’ shores of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Dreamland and Bingin. Bali beaches also comprise striking black sands on the north and western shorelines, with sleepy undisturbed coves in-between. Once the haunt of surfers, Bali’s beaches now welcome visitors in search of paradise with superb hotels and excellent facilities. You might as well discover your own favourite coast in Bali – there are some ‘secret’ and ‘hidden’ beaches around the southern Bukit peninsula just waiting for you to explore.Barong and Kris dance in Bali
The Barong and Kris dance is one of the island’s most iconic dance-dramas which depicts the 12th-century classic tale of good versus evil. The Barong is a benevolent spirit in beast form who sets out to protect a kingdom against the vengeful wrath of the widow and witch queen, Rangda. Two male performers work out the movements of the heavily ornate Barong costume while supporting dancers portray monkeys, priests and village men. Daily shows are offered at various village theatres throughout the island – the most popular being Batubulan in Gianyar and the Denpasar suburbs. Shows are locally managed locally, and dances are performed by villagers themselves with live gamelan orchestra accompanying the full length of the show.Legong Dance in Bali
The legong is one of Bali’s most visually alluring royal court performances. The dance is considered one of the island’s most revered classical pieces, known for its physically demanding postures and fast-paced movements which require a significant level of flexibility among its generally young female performers. Choreographed to a set pattern with the finest detail, the dance has been well-preserved through generations. There are several places where you can watch a legong dance performance in Bali. Among the most popular venues are the Puri Saren Royal Palace, otherwise known as the Ubud Royal Palace, the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), and the Pura Saraswati Temple in Ubud.When To Go To Bali
- Best Time for Good Weather in Bali: Bali has good weather during the dry season of April to October. This is when the island has the least rain, the most sun, and the lowest humidity. However, Bali is a good destination any time of year. There is more rainfall from November to March but rain is often followed by sunny clear skies.
- Best Time for Beaches, Swimming, and Suntanning: April to October are the sunniest driest months with lots of sun. But you can get good beach weather any month of the year.
- Best Time for Sightseeing and Outdoor Activities: May to September offers the driest weather when the interior of the island is easiest to explore.
- Best Time for Diving: April to June (good), September to November (best).
- Best Time for Saving Money: The best time for deals and discounts on hotels is February to early June and late September to early December when there are fewer tourists on the island. The price of food and transportation doesn’t change much in low season.
- High Season (July, August, late December, early January): The busiest time of year. Book hotels months in advance.
- Shoulder Season (February, June, September, October, November, early December): Great deals to be found on hotels if book early. The island is slower than the peak season but there’s still plenty of life if you’re looking for nightlife and busy restaurants.
- Low Season (March, April, May): The quietest months on the island and when you’ll find the cheapest rates on hotels.
- Best Time for Surfing on Bali: The best time to surf on Bali is during the dry season which usually runs from April to September. This is when the waves at the western beaches are at their best. During the wet season of November to March the winds switch direction and the best breaks are at the less impressive eastern beaches.
Adventure Activities In Bali
1. Surf the massive waves of the Balinese coast
Bali is an ideal place to learn to ride the waves regardless of your experience. With great weather and the right water temperature all year round, Bali is a favourite place for surfers.
The Southern tip of Bali (Bukit peninsula) has world-famous surfing spots like Balangan, Dreamland, Bingin, Impossibles, Padang-Padang, and Uluwatu in the peninsula’s west. Beginners can check out Kuta beach, where many surf schools have sprung up. Make sure to carry your surfboard and ride the ocean swells!
2. Zipline between rocky cliffs over the ocean.
Does the thought of dangling over crashing waves of the sea make your heart skip a beat? Then don’t miss out on trying the Abyss Zipline. Zoom from one rocky cliff to another while being suspended high over the ocean. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, you also get to cool off in an infinity pool while overlooking the bay you flew over.
3. Enjoy white water rafting on the Ayung river
Rafting in Bali became popular after it was featured in the Julia Roberts starrer ‘Eat, Pray, and Love. Sweating it out to battle wild rapids and attempt a 5-foot drop in the frothing waters of the Ayung River, is sure to make everyone on the raft scream.
Besides, the river meanders around verdant rainforests, ricefields, and waterfalls to give you a view to gush over.
4. Hike craggy steps near the ocean to discover a hidden waterfall
Not your ordinary gushing waterfall, Peguyangan is a series of small cascading springs falling over narrow ledges. They form natural pools which eventually trickle down into the ocean. No doubt a beauty, the real adventure here lies in getting to the waterfall.
It’s a thrilling descent over 460 steps that cling to the rocky cliffs, with a massive drop to the ocean on one side. As you reach the top, you are rewarded with shallow pools where you can enjoy a natural spa in complete solitude.
5. Paraglide over the deep blue sea along Timbis beach
Indulge in an adventurous paragliding session along Timbis beach to soar above rocky cliffs and the vast ocean. It’s a beautiful 12 km ride in the sky from Nusa Dua to Uluwatu. Take that leap off the cliff and get a bird’s eye view of cliffside resorts, beaches, and waves crashing along the coast. Don’t forget to capture the flight. It sure makes for a cool video to show off later.
6. Rappel down canyons under the relentless onslaught of flowing water
If you’re the one for exploring a river’s depths, don’t miss canyoning in Bali! Not meant for the faint-hearted, this sport involves hiking through gorges, wading in waterfalls, and rappelling through deep cracks. Some of these cracks can be more than 100 feet deep and as you rappel down to the belly of the gorge, you end up in azure blue pools. End with a cliff dive into these natural pools and take your adventure to the next level. A day filled with adrenaline indeed!
7. Climb Atop Mount Batur To Witness A Beautiful Sunrise
In the mood to experience a thrilling climb atop an active volcano? Don’t be perturbed, Mount Batur isn’t likely to erupt anytime soon! The trek starts in the dead of the night and takes close to 3 hours to reach the top. Head for the crater’s rim to witness an extraordinary sunrise.
The hike can get a tad challenging as volcanoes are steep. But the view of the sun rising over a sea of clouds on a chilly morning is every bit worth the effort.
8. Zoom through rugged tracks on a quad bike
Bali has a charming countryside and there’s no better way to explore it than on Quad bikes. Ride on paths that wind through lovely plantations, bamboo forests, and quaint local villages by riding your ATV at full throttle.
Where: Ubud
24/7 Support
Get a Quote
Office Location
INDIA
Karnataka
#56, Second Floor, 21st ‘A’ Main,
Marenahalli, J.P Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore 560078
Phone
+91 888 456 1010
+91 959 13 9 1010
info@holidaymonk.com