Ubud Indonesia – 7 Most Thrilling Things to Do
Trying to keep busy in Ubud is a goal easily achieved. So easily, in fact, that the most common problem in not having enough time. Decision anxiety plagues those lucky enough to be in Ubud – which, when you think about it, seems fair. There should be some balance in the world. I know, its rough. Good luck choosing between jungle waterfalls, long scenic walks, mountain biking through plantations, and banana eating monkeys on your shoulder. We don’t feel sorry for you.
1. Explore the Ubud Monkey Forest
The Ubud Monkey Forest is something that just can’t be missed. Grab whomever you’re with, no matter their age, and plunge yourself into the depths of a habitat where you are no longer the dominant species. Feel your pockets be tugged, your hair be pulled and your every possession inspected for traces of bananas. The experience is filled with nervous and surprised laughter as the abundance of monkeys use your body as a jungle-gym.
2. Swim in the Tengenungan Waterfall
Possibly the most unique waterfall we saw in the whole of Bali is the sensational, moderately daunting, Tengenungan waterfall. As you hop off your bike and may your way through the small set of shops leading to the waterfall, the crashing sound of the tumbling water reverberates through the leaves that surround you. The waterfall holds a special place in your heart from the moment you see it. It offers several vantage points from which to experience it. You should indulge in every one of them. There are a couple of other spots just down the river in which to swim if the water cascading over the rocks doesn’t create the soothing ambience you’re after. Entrance to the waterfall depends on whether you park your bike there, what level of the waterfall you go to and any other random charge you may incur – it’s a bit of a strange place. Expect to pay around 15,000 IDR per person – very reasonable.
3. Admire butterflies in the Kemenuh Butterfly Park
While you’re exploring the area, it’s well worth your time to make a stop at the Kemenuh Butterfly Park. Unlike many other butterfly parks which can be ethically dubious, this park is doing things right. Bring the kids and your camera and spend some time wandering around the small enclosure. The park isn’t cheap, by any means. 100,000 IDR for adults is the going rate, while kids will have to pay half of that.
4. Add some more waterfalls – Tibumana waterfall
Tibumana waterfall, just like Tengenungan, is also just a few kilometres outside of Ubud. It is easily one of our favourites simply because of the ethereal nature of the tiny little cove that you find it in. The waterfall and its tiny pool, if visited at the right time, is a supremely relaxing spot. Head there in the early hours of the morning to enjoy it in all its glory. Entrance to the waterfall is 10, 000 IDR. Trying to get photographs of the scene is harder than catching a conman, so you’re better off putting the camera down and feeling the wind push past your ears, the water collecting on your skin.
5. Mountain biking’s calling for the adventurous souls
The adventurous can get busy with a bit of mountain biking. Key word in the previous sentence being adventurous. The ride starts off as a rather pleasant one. Soon after your brief introduction, you’ll go gallivanting through vegetable gardens where the track is barely wider than the handlebars. This is a bunch of fun for the right person but isn’t a casual ride – so be prepared! The ride can take you through beautiful countryside and along secluded pathways. There is much variation in the offerings from companies where you seem to get what you pay for. Spending a little more will insure a safer, more enjoyable, more informative and more inclusive tour. Two good companies with strong reputations include Mountain Bike Bali and Bali Trailblazers.
6. Try Ayung River white-water rafting
The activities for the adventurous continue – and what a way to do so. The Ayung River is home to the thrilling, wet, and in between it all, scenic white-water rafting. This is a whole day event. As much as it is about the rafting, it is also about lunching, elephant spotting, and if you’re lucky, some chocolate tasting. Various companies offer differing packages with all sorts of inclusions that they won’t be shy to tell you about. In general, the tour will take around two hours, will include some form of lunch, and no doubt, a few unintended tumbles into the depths below. Prices vary largely between companies and the sorts of service they offer you. At the most basic level you can expect to pay around 500, 000 IDR, which isn’t the cheapest day out. If you’re up for it, your best bet is to get onto the early departure when there are less people on the river. Get picked up from your hotel at around 7.00 AM and be back at 10.00 - just in time for a juice, some tempeh, and a slow mid-morning nap.
7. Go local and cook Indonesian food
Cooking classes are a fantastic way to get upclose and familiar with the Balinese way of doing things. While the classes don’t come cheap and you end up making your own food, the experience is priceless. We loved in the intensity of it all: The smells, the flavours, the smoke, the noises, and your sense of hesitancy off put by commitment. Learn about the foundations of the culinary style, learn to make your favourite dishes, and practice making it look easy for when you host a dinner party back home. Prices vary largely with an average cost hovering around 350,000 IDR.
The Campuhan Ridge walk is a great way to explore the countryside without the intensity of the mountain bike trips. Get up close and personal with traditional village life, stare blissfully into the expanses and vistas, and in general, feel connected to the moment and the place that you’re spending it. This is a great activity for families and outdoor folk. The walk is strenuous but not too much and can easily be done with slip slops and a hat. And sunscreen. Always sunscreen. If you get tired, or feel the drag of young one’s whining, you can pop in a taxi an head back to where you came from.
After the walk, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out one of the countless spas and massage parlours. Cheap massages go for around 100,000 IDR, whereas the upper end of things can, of course, get quite expensive. If you’re looking to making a day of it, check out the Warwick Ibah Spa – it’s top notch.
Want something to remember your holiday by? Of course you do. Whether it be a sensitive scab on your leg from an ill-thought out scooter trip, an antique, or piece of jewellery, memorabilia is important and should be taken seriously. The originality of shops in touristy areas can sometimes be lacking, where after the first few shops you feel that you are seeing the same thing repeatedly. Ubud is not exempt from this trend, and as such, you may have to work a little to find something worth taking home. Beyond the copy-cats and near duplicates, there are a handful of stores that produce unique and beautiful items that you’ll cherish in times to come. Included in this list is Puspita, a shop for all things summery and tropical; Nanan, a shop with delicate, pretty jewellery, and a host of rugged leather bags; and Uluwatu, a shop that has come up with a contemporary take on traditional Balinese dress. Wherever it is that you roam, you’ll need to stop for fresh juices and road side snacks – it is, no doubt, a whole day affair. To ensure that you see it all, progress from the Monkey Forest Road to Raya Ubud, to Jalan Hanoman, to the Jalan Dewisita loop.
