Goya Experiences

bud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, is one of Ubud's most popular attractions; a natural forest sanctuary home to a horde of grey long-tailed macaques. The forest offers cool walks along paved pathways through a leafy forest with beautiful ancient temples with guardian statues covered in moss.

The Ubud palace, also known as Puri Saren, was the official residence of the royal family of Ubud and is one of the most prominent places right in the heart of Ubud. The palace has well-preserved Balinese architecture in a charming garden setting. It is also known as one of the main sites to view traditional evening dance performances.

The Ubud Art Market, locally known as Pasar Seni Ubud, is a traditional market located in the heart of Ubud, opposite of the Ubud Palace. This place offers a wide range of souvenirs made by local Balinese, such as handmade bags, baskets, statues, kites, silk scarves, and many other handcraft goods.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is for those who would like to escape the hustle and bustle of Ubud and take a relaxing walk through a gorgeous hillside vista. The entire walk spans about nine kilometres, passing through the lush valley of the river Sungai Wos. The path winds through tall grass along a ridge, before reaching the rice paddies of the small village of Bangkiang Sidem.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum, located on a hilltop overlooking the lush valley of Campuhan, was the house and studio of the late flamboyant Philippine-born maestro, Don Antonio Blanco. It houses paintings, illustrated poetry and lithographic artworks of his favourite subject, nude Balinese women, as well as paintings of his son Mario.

The Ayung River is the widest and longest river on Bali, stretching 75 kilometres from the northern mountains area all the way to the Badung Strait at Sanur. The river is famous for white water rafting and gives visitors of all ages the right level of excitement.

Goa Gajah is an archaeological site of significant historical value and dates back to the 11th century, built as a spiritual place for meditation, with a relic-filled courtyard, rock-wall carvings, a central meditational cave, bathing pools and fountains. The complex contains both Hindu and Buddhist imagery, as the cave contains lingam and yoni, symbol of Shiva, and the image of Ganesha, while by the river there are carved images of stupas and chattra, imagery of Buddhism. The cave was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923, but the fountains and bathing pool were not discovered until 1954.

Bali Zoo, locally referred to as 'Kebun Binatang Bali', is set over 8 hectares of lush tropical gardens in the village of Singapadu and is home to various tropical plants and an extensive collection of fauna ranging from mammals, birds and reptiles. The zoo is shady and pleasant to walk through and also features a range of experiences, such as elephant and pony rides, photo sessions with animals, as well as outbound adventures.

Tirta Empul, meaning 'holy water spring', is actually the name of a water source located within the temple. This spring feeds various purification baths, pools and fish ponds surrounding the temple's outer perimeter. The complex was built circa 960 AD.

The Bali Swing is a fairly new playground boasting a number of giant swings—some going up to as high as 78 metres above ground—that not only makes for one heck of a heart-pumping joyride, but gives visitors a spectacular view of the forest and coursing river directly below it. If you're not a fan of heights there are plenty of other attractions, such as giant overhanging pods modelled after bird nests that you can sit in and admire the spectacular views of the river, tropical greenery and a waterfall.

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are famous for its beautiful scenery of rice paddies and traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system, called subak. It's a popular stop for photos and a little walk through the valley, while numerous art kiosks and cafes near the ledge offer their ware.

Around 23,000 BC a volcanic explosion of incredible magnitude formed the gigantic Batur caldera which today has a diameter of ca. 13 km – one of the largest and most impressive in the world. Lake Batur formed inside the caldera, flanked by a new active volcano, Mount Batur, and Mount Abang, the highest peak of the caldera rim.