Bali Ubud Tour, Indonesia

Tour of popular tourist areas near Bali Ubud

I used a group tour company to visit popular tourist areas near Ubud. It was a full-day tour. Unlike group tours in other countries, the Bali group tours I went on only had one to three people in a regular sedan.

The first visited area was Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known as the Ubud Monkey Forest, is a popular destination in Ubud, Bali. It is a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex that is home to over 700 Balinese long-tailed monkeys.

A monkey jumped onto the tourist’s backpack.

The sanctuary covers about 12.5 hectares and includes lush jungle trails, rivers, and ancient temples. It’s not only a place to see wildlife but also a cultural and spiritual site, with three sacred temples dating back to the 14th century: Pura Dalem Agung (the main temple), the Holy Spring Temple, and the Prajapati Temple.

The next area we visited was one of the outdoor markets.

Behind these stores are these residence houses.  Perhaps this was a residential area a long time ago but became a market.

This house has expensive-looking Balenian structures.  This area must have been a wealthy residential area.

The third destination was the Ubud Palace. I had been here before this tour and posted about this area in a previous blog.

An painting store

Looked at another house behind a store in this area

After visiting these three previous areas, we drove a bit away from the center of Ubud to this area called Tegallalang Rice Terrace.

This is a panoramic view of the area.  Many pictures of the rice terrace are posted here, making the place seem very big.  However, it is the same areas pictured from slightly different positions.

Another panoramic view of the same area from different positions.

Another panoramic picture of the same area

More panoramic view of the same area from another position

After the rice field, we went to this area with a waterfall next

The name of the fall is Bayad Waterfall.

Most people who swim here do it only for a short time, usually for taking pictures.

Going back

The last stop of the tour was the Pura Tirta Empul.  Although I have been to other Bali Hindu temples, this one was the most lively because many people were there.

Pura Tirta Empul, also known as the Tirta Empul Temple, is one of Bali’s most significant Hindu water temples. It is located in the village of Tampaksiring, about 30 minutes north of Ubud. The temple is famous for its sacred spring water, where Balinese Hindus and visitors partake in ritual purification.

The temple was founded in 962 A.D. during the rule of the Warmadewa dynasty. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, who is associated with water, which is considered to have purifying powers in Balinese Hinduism.

The name “Tirta Empul” means “holy spring,” and the site is built around a sacred spring that feeds purification baths, pools, and fish ponds.

The temple’s main attraction is the rectangular purification pool, fed by a series of 13 sculpted spouts through which fresh spring water flows continuously.

Balinese Hindus come here to perform a melukat purification ritual, which involves bathing in the sacred water as a form of cleansing the body, mind, and spirit.

Visitors are welcome to participate in this ritual, although it’s important to do so respectfully and with an understanding of its spiritual significance. Sarongs are required for entering the temple and bathing in the water, and they are usually available for rent or provided on-site.

The water used in this temple comes from the ground and is gathered in this pool area before it is used in the temple.

Walked in the temple area