Exploring Ubud in 5 Days
Ubud isn’t just the cultural heart of Bali. It’s a living tapestry where jungle temples hum with the gentle rhythms of gamelan, waterfalls cascade through hidden ravines, and rice terraces shimmer in shifting shades of green as the light changes. Here, every path invites discovery, whether it’s the thrill of an adrenaline-fuelled hike, the serenity of a temple purification ritual, or the joy of creating something with your own hands alongside skilled local artisans.
This 5-day itinerary is designed to immerse you in every facet of Ubud, balancing culture, adventure, and relaxation. Each day offers two thoughtfully planned options so you can move at your own pace, whether you prefer early-morning treks, leisurely afternoons exploring markets, or tranquil evenings in nature. The mornings, afternoons, and evenings flow seamlessly, ensuring you make the most of your time without backtracking, while leaving space for spontaneous moments that make travel unforgettable.
Quick Overview
- Day 1 –Central Ubud Exploration
Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Saraswati Temple, Ubud Art Market, Goa Gajah, and Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
- Day 2 –Waterfall Adventures
Tegenungan, Tibumana, Goa Rang Reng, Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung, and Sumampan Waterfalls.
- Day 3 –Temple Journeys
Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Mengening, Gunung Kawi, Saraswati Temple, and evening sound healing.
- Day 4 –Mountain & River Adventures
Mount Batur sunrise hike with Toya Bungkah hot springs, Tegalalang Rice Terraces at sunset, or Ayung River kayaking.
- Day 5 –Culture & Creativity
Balinese cooking experience, Ubud’s artisan streets, coffee plantation, jungle swing, and silver jewelry workshop.
TRAVEL
Day 1 –Central Ubud Exploration
Option A – Monkey Forest & Cultural Sights
Morning: Step into the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a jungle temple complex draped in banyan roots and moss-covered bridges. The moment you walk in, the cool air hits your skin, the canopy blocks the sun, and the macaques make their presence known, swinging from trees, grooming each other, and occasionally stealing a tourist’s snack. Explore the three ancient temples inside, each wrapped in intricate carvings and jungle vines.
Afternoon: Walk up to Ubud Palace to admire its golden gates and detailed stonework, then cross over to Saraswati Temple, where lotus blooms float in still ponds, reflecting ornate shrines.
Evening: Wander through Ubud Art Market, a treasure trove of batik textiles, carved masks, and woven baskets. Let the scents of incense and street food guide you through its maze of stalls before ending your evening in one of the cafés lining Jalan Raya Ubud.
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Hi, I’m Nitisha. I grew up in a world that told me to follow the script, but somewhere along the way I traded the script for a compass. These days, I follow where my feet and heart lead, from sleepy towns to saltwater coves, capturing stories that feel like home even when I’m far from it.
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Option B – Goa Gajah & Rice Terraces
Morning: Explore Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), an archaeological site dating back to the 9th century. Its iconic cave entrance with its gaping mouth carved into stone feels like a portal to another world. Wander through bathing pools and ancient courtyards surrounded by rainforest.
Afternoon: Drive north to Tegalalang Rice Terraces, where perfectly sculpted paddies cascade down the hillsides. Walk the narrow trails between the terraces or sip coffee from a cliffside café while farmers tend to the fields below.
Evening: Head back into Ubud and stroll along Jalan Raya, browsing boutique shops and art galleries
before dinner.
DAY 2 - Waterfall Adventures
Option A – Mid-Level Adventure
Morning: Begin your day at Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali’s most photogenic and accessible cascades. Arrive early to avoid the midday crowds and watch as the morning light hits the plunging water. The roar is deafening, the air cool with mist, and the pool below is perfect for a refreshing swim.
Afternoon: Continue on to Tibumana Waterfall, a serene single-drop fall hidden deep in the jungle. The short trail leading there winds through lush greenery and over bamboo bridges. This is one of Bali’s quieter waterfalls, with crystal-clear water and a sense of calm that makes it perfect for a lazy float or a meditative moment by the shore.
Evening: End your day at Goa Rang Reng Waterfall, where water tumbles over moss-covered rocks in gentle, tiered streams. The shallow pools here invite a final dip before you head back to Ubud, with the last rays of the sun filtering through the trees.
Option B – Advanced Adrenaline Rush
Morning: Kick off with Kanto Lampo Waterfall, a stepped rock cascade where the water rushes over wide, slippery ledges. This is a playground for photographers and thrill-seekers, as you can climb right into the flow for a truly immersive experience.
Afternoon: Hike to Tukad Cepung Waterfall, a mystical spot hidden inside a cave. As you step into the dark opening, sunlight pours through a gap in the rock above, casting a golden spotlight on the falls. It’s one of Bali’s most magical sights, especially when visited before the crowds arrive.
Evening: Conclude at Sumampan Waterfall, a rugged, lesser-known gem framed by rock formations carved by the river over centuries. The raw, untamed setting makes it a dream for adventurous photographers and those seeking Bali’s wilder side.
DAY 3 - Temple Journeys
Option A – Temple Immersion & Rituals
Morning: Begin at Pura Tirta Empul, Bali’s most famous water temple. Here, crystal-clear springs feed a series of purification pools, where locals and pilgrims stand in line to perform melukat, the traditional cleansing ritual. Join the ceremony if you wish, moving from spout to spout as prayers are whispered and offerings float gently downstream. Even if you don’t participate, watching the devotion and care in each gesture is moving in itself.
Afternoon: Continue to Pura Mengening, a lesser-known but equally sacred temple tucked deep in a lush forest. The sound of running water is constant here, as it flows through moss-covered stone baths and trickles down from the hillside. With fewer visitors, it’s a perfect spot for quiet contemplation or a moment to journal in the shade of ancient trees.
Evening: End the day at Gunung Kawi, where the cliff faces are carved with monumental shrines, believed to honor Balinese royalty. Surrounded by emerald rice terraces and reached via a steep stone stairway, the site feels like stepping into another time. As the sun dips lower, the golden light paints the carvings in warm tones, adding to the mystique.
Option B – Temple Leisure & Sound Healing
Morning: Start with a slow visit to Pura Mengening, taking your time to explore the bathing pools and shaded forest paths. If you wish, join a gentle water purification ritual, an intimate and restorative alternative to busier temple ceremonies.
Afternoon: Return to central Ubud and step into Ubud Palace, where ornate pavilions and intricate woodwork showcase classic Balinese royal architecture. Just across the street, Saraswati Temple awaits, its lotus ponds reflecting delicate stone gates and frangipani trees.
Evening: Conclude the day with a sound bath therapy session, where the deep resonance of gongs and singing bowls seems to vibrate through every cell. As the tones fade into silence, you’ll leave feeling grounded, restored, and deeply at peace.
DAY 4 - Mountain & River Adventures
Option A – Mount Batur Sunrise & Evening Rice Terraces
Morning: For early risers, the Mount Batur sunrise hike offers an unforgettable view, though the real magic isn’t just the summit. The pre-dawn journey winds through quiet villages and farmland, where you can hear roosters crowing and smell woodsmoke from morning fires. The climb takes you through shifting terrain, rocky paths, volcanic gravel, and warm steam vents, before opening up to views of Lake Batur glistening below.
Afternoon: Instead of heading straight back to your hotel, stop at Toya Bungkah hot springs, nestled by the lake’s edge. Soaking in the warm mineral water while surrounded by mountain views is gentle reward for the morning’s effort. Back in Ubud, treat yourself to a slow Balinese lunch, perhaps nasi campur or a fragrant vegetable curry. Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing art galleries or enjoying a calming spa treatment.
Evening: Arrive at Tegalalang Rice Terraces in the late afternoon, when the golden light sweeps over the paddies. Take your time exploring the narrow paths, stopping at small cafés overlooking the terraces for a fresh coconut or ginger tea.
Option B – Ayung River Kayaking & Evening Rice Terraces
Morning: Glide along the Ayung River, paddling between jungle-draped cliffs and waterfalls. Along the way, you might spot colourful birds, local fishermen, and hand-carved stone reliefs set into the riverbanks. The gentle rapids keep the journey exciting without being overly strenuous.
Afternoon: After your river adventure, enjoy a long, lazy lunch at a riverside restaurant. Return to Ubud for a brief rest or wander through craft shops selling silver jewelry, handwoven bags, and batik fabrics.
Evening: Head to Tegalalang Rice Terraces just before sunset. The combination of soft evening light, distant chatter of farmers, and the rustling of rice stalks in the breeze creates a peaceful, almost cinematic end to your day.
DAY 5 - Culture & Creativity
Option A – Mind & Soul Reset
Morning: Begin with a short Balinese cooking experience, where you’ll get hands-on with simple techniques such as grinding spices in a mortar and pestle or folding banana leaves for steaming. It’s less about the full course and more about the aromas of fresh lemongrass, galangal, and turmeric filling the air. After preparing a couple of dishes, enjoy a light tasting before heading back out.
Afternoon: Wander along Ubud’s famed art streets, such as Jalan Raya, Jalan Hanoman, and the lanes branching off them. Each turn reveals something different. The vibrant batik fabrics swaying in the breeze, delicately carved wooden masks, shimmering silver jewelry displayed like tiny sculptures, and woven baskets stacked in warm, earthy tones. Take your time to talk with artisans, many of whom have been perfecting their craft for generations.
Evening: Step into a tranquil studio for a sound bath therapy session. As the lights dim, the deep vibrations of gongs, crystal bowls, and chimes create an immersive soundscape. The tones wash through the body, slowing your breath and leaving you deeply relaxed, a meditative close to your day.
Option B – Playful & Hands-On
Morning: Head to a coffee plantation nestled in the hills, where you can stroll between coffee trees, learn about the harvesting and roasting process, and sample robust Balinese coffee alongside fragrant herbal teas like ginger, pandan, and rosella.
Afternoon: Feel the rush on a jungle swing, soaring high above the palm forests and terraced valleys. It’s both a thrill and a photographer’s dream, with sweeping panoramas stretching out in all directions.
Evening: End your trip in the warm glow of a silver jewelry workshop, shaping, soldering, and polishing your own unique piece. As you hold your finished creation, it becomes more than just a souvenir. It’s a personal keepsake forged in Bali’s creative heart.
Ethical Travel Tip: Visiting Ubud’s Temples With Respect
Ubud’s temples aren’t just beautiful landmarks. They’re active places of worship where locals come to pray, make offerings, and connect with their spiritual traditions. Whether you’re stepping into the serene courtyards of Saraswati Temple, joining a purification ritual at Tirta Empul, or wandering the forest paths to Pura Mengening, it’s important to remember you’re entering a sacred space, not a tourist attraction.
Why It Matters
- Temples are living cultural sites, not museum displays. Disrespectful behavior disrupts religious practices.
- Wearing revealing clothing or ignoring dress codes can be seen as offensive to the Balinese Hindu community.
- Stepping onto shrines or moving offerings for photos can damage sacred items and offend worshippers.
- Flash photography during ceremonies can intrude on deeply personal moments.
Better Ways to Experience Ubud’s Temples Respectfully
- Dress Modestly
Wear a sarong and sash (often provided at the entrance). Cover shoulders and knees.
- Photograph With Care
Avoid blocking pathways or photographing worshippers without permission.
- Leave Offerings Untouched
If you see small woven baskets with flowers, incense, or rice, admire them from a distance. They’re an important part of daily rituals.
- Observe Before Participating
If invited to join a ceremony, follow the lead of locals and ask your guide for etiquette tips.
- Learn From Locals
Many temple caretakers and guides are happy to share the history and meaning of each site, as listening deepens the experience.
Pro Tip:
Visit early in the morning when temples are quieter. You’ll get soft, golden light for photography and a more peaceful atmosphere to take in the beauty and spirituality of the space.
Location:
Ubud, Bali — the island’s cultural heart, surrounded by emerald rice terraces, lush jungles, hidden waterfalls, and centuries-old temples. A haven for artists, healers, and travellers seeking both
adventure and tranquillity.
How to Reach Ubud
- From Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar): Roughly 1–1.5 hours by car depending on traffic.
- By Private Driver: Most comfortable and flexible. Cost ranges from IDR 300k–500k one way. Drivers often double as informal guides.
- By Scooter: Best for confident riders. Allows freedom to explore nearby villages, but not ideal with heavy luggage.
- By Shuttle Bus: Budget option with fixed routes from popular hubs like Kuta, Canggu, and Sanur.
Best Time to Visit:
- April to September: Dry season—ideal for outdoor adventures, temple visits, and photography.
- October to March: Rainy season—lush landscapes, fewer tourists, but afternoon showers are common.
Ideal Duration in Ubud: 4–6 Days
- Perfect to explore waterfalls, temples, markets, and nearby nature without rushing.
Hidden Photography Gems:
- Campuhan Ridge at sunrise for golden light over the valley.
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces in late afternoon for deep shadows and texture.
- Saraswati Temple’s lotus pond at dusk.
- Tibumana and Tukad Cepung waterfalls for jungle mood shots.
Pro Travel Tips:
- Start outdoor activities early to avoid heat and crowds.
- Always carry a sarong for temple visits.
- Book popular workshops (cooking, silver jewelry, yoga) in advance.
- Wear sturdy sandals or sneakers for mixed terrain walks.
- Keep small cash for entrance fees and local cafés.
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Hi, I’m Nitisha. I grew up in a world that told me to follow the script, but somewhere along the way I traded the script for a compass. These days, I follow where my feet and heart lead, from sleepy towns to saltwater coves, capturing stories that feel like home even when I’m far from it.
