Anyone who knows Bali will know that a top 4 list doesn’t come close to capturing all that Bali has to offer. In fact, a top 100 would still require a lot of pruning. But this is not a list of things to do in Bali, this is your 4 MUST DO things in Bali! – Big difference! Huge. So, sit back, relax, and join us on this tantalising journey which will be sure to add 4 new activities to your bucket list.
1 – Mt Batur sunrise walk
Ok. Picture the scene; it’s 2 am and your alarm wakes you. Outside a taxi is waiting but instead of grabbing your sunnies and your surfboard, you reach for your trainers, jacket, and trousers. Why? Because you’re about to witness the sunrise of your lifetime. That’s why.
You’ll begin your ascent at the base of Mount Batur In the early morning, savouring the pristine night sky away from city lights as you hike. If you’re lucky you might even get the famous guide who hikes barefoot, playing his guitar! After a 3-hour hike, you’ll begin to peak and get rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise you’re ever likely to see with views capturing all of Bali’s beauty. Look north for ocean views and capture the morning light penetrating the ocean, look west and you’ll see Bali’s largest volcano, Mt Agung as the night’s shadow gives way to dawn. Sit and have breakfast and thank your lucky stars you read this and decided to take on this adventure of a lifetime. The fun is not over there though, the hike back is just as breathtaking, stop in Lake Batur or visit the lava flow, either way, you’re not going to be disappointed.
Highlights:
- Watch the sunrise from above the clouds at Mount Batur’s summit
- Get unrivalled panoramic views over Bali, the ocean and volcanic landscapes in nearby Lombok island
- Explore the natural landscape on a private trek with a local expert guide from the area
- Enjoy perks such as included breakfast, tea, coffee and accommodation transfers
- Visit a local coffee plantation and try the famed Luwak coffee
2 – Swimming with dolphins in their natural environment in Lovina
It’s another early start I’m afraid. But they do say ‘the early bird catches the worm’ well in this case the early bird finds the dolphins. You’ll want to stay the night in Lovina the night before to ensure you can be at the pier at 6 am to meet your local guide and boat. TOP TIP – find a guide whose boat has poles on the side for you to hold onto whilst scuba diving, more on this soon.
Now it’s a hopeful waiting game, put faith in your guide to head out to sea to find a school of dolphins whilst you sit back and enjoy the sunrise gradually illuminating the ocean. Nothing is a given in life, including finding a pod on your first try. Most guides will average 4/5 days, so the odds are in your favour and the chance of missing out just adds to the wonder. Right?
In the lucky 80%? Then this is what to expect…
Dolphins love human interaction and will sing and play alongside the boat, jumping 10 feet from the water thrashing on their backs whilst you look on in wonder. Remember that pole I mentioned? You can hold on to this, put on a snorkel and goggles and be gently towed along with your face under the water whilst the dolphins swim below you. You’ll hear them singing and talking to one another like you never have before. Truly this is a magical moment and an absolute must when you’re in Bali.
3 – Blessed by monks at Uluwatu temple
Uluwatu Temple locally known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu (with Luhur meaning “something of divine origin”).
This is one of Bali’s nine key directional temples and one of the most spectacular ones in the entire island, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above sea level. Uluwatu Temple has a unique architecture with a palm-frond black roof stacked into the black.
The most impressive thing is the prime location, precariously between heaven and earth. Giving it a majestic beauty, the virtual maze, bobbing between the floors clouds overhead and the waves lapping against the cliffs at the foot of white foam.
As mentioned above the name Luhur means “something of divine origin” and ulu the “land’s end” and watu the “rock” in the old language. The name itself had aptly described what this special temple is all about.
The two entrances to the temple area are split gates with leaves and flowers carvings. In front of each of them are a couple of sculptures shaped like a human body with an elephant head.
A heritage of the 10th century is the one-piece winged stone gate to the inside courtyard of Pura Uluwatu. Winged gates are not commonly found on the island.
Take the time to meet the monk and pay a donation to be blessed in the traditional Balinese ceremony. A once in a lifetime moment.
Watch out for monkeys though as they have learnt to be quite the businessmen, quickly snatching phones and sunglasses to be traded back with fruit! TOP TIP, if it can be easily removed, leave it in the car!
4 – Stroll in the world’s most beautiful rice paddies
If you’ve seen any photos of Bali online you will most likely recognise the shot below of lush green terraced rice fields. Does it look familiar?
This is the iconic Tegalalang rice terrace, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Ubud. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, you have to add a visit to the rice fields of Ubud to your itinerary.
What is the Tegalalang rice terrace?
Tegalalang rice fields is a series of rice paddies located close to Ubud, in the centre of Bali, famous for its terraced layout. This is a traditional Balinese irrigation system known as subak. Positioned in a valley the Tegalalang rice terraces offer extremely scenic lookouts over the rice fields and surrounding green landscape. It’s a very popular tourist hotspot in Bali and a must-see in many Bali itineraries.
As you arrive from the road you will then follow the main path that will take you to see the rice fields. Dotted along this path you will find small wooden shacks where locals will ask you for a donation to enter the rice paddies.
This isn’t an entry fee per se, if you were to visit super early in the morning before any of the locals get there you wouldn’t have to pay access, but considering the donations they ask for are small and it’s their livelihood, I wouldn’t try to get around them.
You can’t come to Bali and not visit this iconic spot. It’s illegal. Probably.
