For many travellers, Bali is a dream destination, a small island with everything from beaches, to forests, waterfalls to mountains, temples, and rice fields,  all of which are reachable within a relatively short distance. But too often, people get stuck when it comes to places to go, with Canggu and Tegalalang rice terrace always at the top of their list.
 
At Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, we offer a personalised half- and full-day tour program with a comfortable private car, a dedicated driver. Upon booking, our butler is happy to recommend a few tour itineraries, based on the dedicated tour duration. While a half-day tour would cover destinations around Ubud or Gianyar area, a full-day tour gives guests access to areas further afield.
 
What sets our day tour apart from others is that our driver will not only explain the story about each destination but also they go an extra mile to share about their daily life. This personal touch is what our guests normally find the most valuable.
 
Below are several destinations from our curated list of tourist destinations in Bali:
 

Image: Bedugul Botanical Garden

 
Bedugul (Botanical Garden)
Drive to the central highlands of Bali, the mountain resort of Bedugul where a tranquil lake fills an ancient crater. Visit Bali’s Largest Botanical Gardens of “Kebun Raya Bedugul”, the local fruits and flower market of “Candi Kuning” and Ulun Danu Temple by Lake Bratan, Bali’s second largest lake after Lake Batur. 
 
Besakih “The Mother Temple” of Bali.
Besakih is considered to be the largest and one of the oldest temples in Bali.
 
Banjar Hot Spring
Indulge yourself in Banjar Hot Spring, where you can select the fountains of hot spring water or just sink your body into the warm pools. The locals believe the sacred and sulphur-rich hot spring water can cure all kinds of skin diseases.
 

Image: Besakih Temple

 
Batubulan
The village of Batubulan is the centre of sandstone handicrafts. It is also well known for being a home of traditional weaving and the hand-painted garment “Batik” where fine fabric and clothing are produced.
 
Coffee Plantation
Make a stop at an organic coffee plantation to enjoy a selection of Balinese coffee. For non-coffee drinkers, there are also exotic teas or chocolate beverages available, all of which are infused with a blend of Indonesian spices.
 
Tanah Lot
Witness the stunning sunset at Tanah Lot Temple on the southwest coast of Bali. Being built on a rock away from the mainland, the temple offers one of the most spectacular sunset views on the island.
 

Image: Tanah Lot

Gunung Kawi
Dating back to the 11th century, Pura Gunung Kawi offers its visitors a beautiful view of rice terraces as well as a sweeping outlook over the Pakerisan river. The temple has a very sweet story. A Balinese King named Anak Wungsu carved large shrines on the cliff faces of a mountain dedicated to his deceased family members. King Anak Wungsu was also known as a king who was full of compassion for his people. He succeeded in creating a country that was safe, peaceful and prosperous under his reign. Because of his deeds and compassion, his people considered him an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
 
Goa Gajah
Built-in the 11th century, Goa Gajah used to be a park. It was a place of retreat for Shiva Priests and Buddhist monks. This cave was built where two rivers, named Pangkung and Petanu, met. Balinese believe that the meeting place of two rivers is an auspicious, powerful spot. You can follow the pathway down to another area which contains the ruins of another former Buddhist temple.
 
Gitgit Waterfall
Located within Singaraja regency, Gitgit waterfall claims to be the biggest and tallest waterfall in Bali.
 
Goa Garba at Pengukur-Ukuran Temple
Dating back to around the 12th century, Goa Garba is recognized as a temple for a giant. It is believed that the temple is related to a famous Balinese legend of an ancient Balinese Hindu military leader named Kebo Iwa. Locals would tell the story that as a baby, Kebo Iwa had an insatiable appetite and grew into a giant who had a kind-hearted nature and promised the King of Bali to protect the island from the neighbouring kingdom of Java named Majapahit. During his life, Goa Garba temple was a place where Kebo Iwa would meditate, as well as develop his spiritual powers and battle skills. At the temple today, you may see a large footprint, believed to have been left by the giant himself.
 

Image: Gitgit Waterfall

Iseh
Located on the steep slopes of Mount Agung – the biggest and most holy mountain in Bali - and surrounded by lush green rice terraces and the great beauty of the river valley, Sidemen Village offers an exotic panorama with beautiful views. The village is well-known for traditionally woven Endek and Songket used for Balinese ceremonies. You will stop by one of the family-run weaving factories to see the process.
 
Mas Village
The village of Mas is known for its wood carvings. Along the road of Mas Village, you will encounter wood carvings shops and galleries. Some Balinese maestros in wood carvings live or have built galleries in Mas.
 
Pura Penataran Sasih
Pejeng is home to a number of ancient shrines. Pura Penataran Sasih was built in the 13th century. The moon of Pejeng is actually a 2,000-year-old bronze kettle drum that is kept safe on a tower within the temple grounds. It is believed that the drum is the largest drum cast out of a single piece of metal, in the world. Experts still debate as to whether it originates from Indonesia or somewhere like Vietnam, where such drums are more common.
 
Tirta Empul
This temple dates back to the 10th century. This is the most renowned and popular site on the list. It is said that Pura Tirta Empul is the source of the Pakerisan river which flows downstream through Pura Gunung Kawi, and further down to Goa Gajah. The birth of Tirta Empul Temple was derived from an ancient legend.
 
The story goes that there was a king named Mayadenawa who once ruled the island. This malevolent monarch was said to possess great powers and had forbidden any Hindu worship within his kingdom – coming from a Mahayana Buddhist background. A local priest named Mpu Kul Putih was determined to put a stop to Mayadenawa’s reign of terror, and summoned Indra, the King of the Gods, for help. Soon, a great war between Mayadenawa’s and Indra’s troops ensued. At some point during the fighting, Mayadenawa poisoned the water near where Indra’s troops were sleeping. Indra’s troops were poisoned thanks to Mayadenawa’s scheme, so the King of the Gods drove a stick deep into the ground, out of which sprung special healing water. His troops recovered after drinking the special water and this is the very site where Tirta Empul exists today.
 
Simply reach out to us should you wish to organize your day tour with Tanah Gajah Ubud. For those seeking for a half-day tour with a twist, check out ‘The Art of Discovery Tour’.