After checking in and dropping your bags, start gently in central Ubud. Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) is right on the busy main road; allow about 45 minutes to wander the public courtyard and take in its carved gates and traditional architecture. It’s generally open during the day and free to enter, though access can change around ceremonies. From here, Pura Taman Saraswati is only a few minutes’ walk along Jalan Kajeng. Spend around 45 minutes admiring the lotus ponds and temple façade; entry is usually free, but dress modestly and follow any signs restricting access to the inner temple.
Continue on foot to Ubud Art Market, across from the palace. Browse the textiles, baskets, and souvenirs for about an hour; many stalls begin packing up around dusk, so this is a good time to visit. Prices are often negotiable—keep it friendly, and compare a couple of stalls before buying. Finish at Café Lotus, beside the temple’s lotus pond, for Balinese and Indonesian dishes. Budget roughly IDR 100,000–250,000 per person, and check whether there’s a cover charge or performance seating when you arrive. Central Ubud traffic can crawl, so walking between these stops is usually easier than calling a car; take it unhurriedly after your journey and save the rest of the evening for settling in.
Head to Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal when it opens, usually around 9am; allow about two hours for the shaded paths and temple grounds. Entry is roughly IDR 100,000–120,000 for international adults, but check the current rate at the gate. Keep food tucked away, secure sunglasses and loose belongings, and don’t touch or feed the monkeys. From central Ubud, it’s an easy 10–20-minute walk or a short ride, depending on where you’re staying.
Stay in Padangtegal for lunch at Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner), a short walk from the sanctuary. The signature crispy duck is the classic order, and the leafy garden makes this a good place to linger; budget around IDR 150,000–300,000 per person. After lunch, take a break back at your hotel or in a nearby café—the ridge is mostly exposed, so walking it in the strongest midday sun isn’t much fun.
Around 4pm, head to Campuhan Ridge Walk. Start near the Campuhan bridge and follow the paved ridge path; it’s a scenic out-and-back walk, usually about 1.5 hours at an unhurried pace. Bring water and sun protection, and turn around whenever you’ve had enough—the trail is exposed and there’s little shade. A short ride from Padangtegal takes roughly 10–15 minutes, though central Ubud traffic can add time. Afterward, unwind at Bali Botanica Day Spa in Campuhan with a Balinese massage; treatments are roughly IDR 200,000–500,000, and booking ahead is wise, especially for an early-evening slot.
Leave central Ubud around 7:30am with a driver or scooter for Tegallalang Rice Terraces; allow roughly 30–45 minutes, though traffic can stretch that. The terraces are best before the heat and tour groups build. Spend about 1½ hours on the steep, sometimes muddy paths; expect an entrance or local-maintenance fee of roughly IDR 25,000–50,000, with swings and photo platforms charged separately. Wear shoes with grip and bring water.
Continue north to Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring, around 20–30 minutes by road. Set aside about 1½ hours; the temple usually opens from around 8am, and admission is commonly about IDR 50,000, but confirm at the gate. Cover shoulders and knees—sarongs are generally available to borrow or rent. The bathing pools are for worshippers and visitors who choose to take part in the purification ritual; follow staff guidance and keep clear of prayer areas if you’re only observing.
From Tirta Empul, it’s a short drive to Gunung Kawi. Allow about 1½ hours for the complex, including the long stairway down to the riverside shrines and back up; it’s a strenuous climb in the midday warmth, so take it slowly. Admission is typically around IDR 50,000, with sarong arrangements at the entrance. Then head back toward Ubud for a relaxed late lunch at Sari Organik, known for its rice-field setting; budget about IDR 100,000–250,000 per person and check that it’s open before setting out. The final approach is on foot along a narrow path, so ask your driver where best to drop you rather than expecting to reach the restaurant by car.
Leave central Ubud around 8:00am for Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) in Bedulu; it’s about a 15–20-minute drive, though Sunday traffic can add time. Give yourself roughly 1½ hours to see the cave entrance, bathing pools and leafy grounds. The site generally opens around 8:00am, and entry is usually about IDR 50,000–75,000 per adult; bring a sarong or use one provided at the entrance, and dress modestly around the sacred areas.
It’s a short drive to Yeh Pulu, a quieter archaeological site with a remarkable carved relief stretching along a rock face. Allow about an hour, and bring small cash for the modest entrance fee. From there, continue to Paon Bali Cooking Class in Laplapan—check your booking for the exact start time and pickup arrangements, as classes often include market or ingredient introductions and run for 3–4 hours. Expect around IDR 400,000–700,000 per person, usually with the meal you prepare included; arrange a driver for the day or use a local taxi between stops rather than trying to find rides at each site.
Head back into central Ubud for dinner at Hujan Locale, a lively spot for Indonesian-inspired regional dishes. Book ahead for Sunday evening if you can, and budget roughly IDR 200,000–450,000 per person depending on drinks and how many dishes you share. The cooking class may leave you full, so order lightly—or make this a late, relaxed dinner rather than rushing straight from Laplapan.
After checking out, ask your hotel to hold your bags and keep your onward ride flexible until you know your departure time. Start at Museum Puri Lukisan, which usually opens around 9am; allow about 1½ hours for its gardens and collection of Balinese paintings and woodcarving. Admission is typically around IDR 100,000, but check at the entrance for the current rate. From there, it’s an easy walk through central Ubud to Threads of Life. Give yourself about 45 minutes to browse its carefully sourced textiles and learn about traditional weaving and natural dyes; opening hours can vary, so check ahead.
Walk or take a short ride to Seniman Coffee Studio for a relaxed coffee stop—budget around IDR 40,000–100,000 per person, depending on what you order. Then continue to Warung Biah Biah for an early Indonesian lunch of small plates; allow about an hour and roughly IDR 50,000–120,000 per person. Goutama Street can be busy around lunchtime, so walking is often easier than trying to find a car drop-off right by the warung.
Return to your hotel for your luggage and leave a generous buffer for the onward journey: traffic leaving Ubud can be unpredictable, especially if you’re heading south. Arrange a driver or pickup in advance, and confirm the collection point with your accommodation rather than counting on a quick last-minute ride.
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