Tag: bali

Asia & PacificGate 1 ConnectionsUncategorized

Bali: A Guide to Ubud, Benoa, and Beyond

on March 19, 2025

Bali offers an incredible mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation. From the artistic heart of Ubud to the stunning beaches of Benoa and beyond, these sights and experiences will make your time in this paradise unforgettable!

Ubud24

Ubud: The Cultural Heart of Bali

Ubud is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the traditional side of Bali. Known for its lush landscapes, vibrant arts scene, and spiritual energy, Ubud is a peaceful haven for those looking to connect with the island’s culture. Travelers on our 15 Day Indonesia: Java & Bali Small Group Discovery Tour will get a truly immersive experience in this cultural hub.

Monkey Forest

Just a short walk from central Ubud, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a unique blend of nature, wildlife, and spirituality. The lush sanctuary is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. The forest is filled with ancient temples, dense jungle, and stone statues. Get a glimpse into Bali’s spiritual connection with nature and make some new monkey friends!

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Tegalalang Rice Terraces

The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are among the most iconic landscapes in Bali, offering a stunning view of the island’s lush greenery, with the rice paddies cascading down the slopes of the hillside. Take a leisurely walk through the terraces or snap some pictures in front of the scenic backdrop. It’s a perfect spot for some Instagram-worthy moments!

Agung Rai Museum of Art

The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) showcases an impressive collection of Balinese and Indonesian art. With both traditional and contemporary pieces, it offers insight into the rich artistic heritage of Bali. Explore exhibitions and a stroll through the beautiful gardens that surround the museum.

Tirta-Empul24

Tirta Empul Temple

For a truly spiritual experience, visit the Tirta Empul Temple in central Bali, renowned for its holy spring water. Locals come here to perform a ritual called melukat, a cleansing ceremony that purifies both body and spirit. Visitors are welcome to participate in the ritual. It’s a deeply moving and rejuvenating experience.

Mas Village

Just a short drive from Ubud, Mas Village is known for its stunning wood carvings. If you’re a fan of traditional arts and crafts, this village is a must-visit. You can see artisans at work and purchase beautiful hand-carved sculptures to bring home as a unique keepsake.

Tegenungan Waterfall

The Tegenungan Waterfall is one of many beautiful natural attractions in the Ubud area. The waterfall cascades into a clear pool, surrounded by tropical foliage. Hike down to the base for a closer view or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings from the observation decks.

Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana

Benoa: Sun, Sea, and Adventure

Benoa, a beautiful coastal area in Bali, is known for its vibrant beaches, water sports, and resorts. It’s the ideal place to relax by the ocean or dive into thrilling activities. Get to know this beautiful region when you unpack and stay awhile with our 9 Day Tastes of Bali, Indonesia Stay & Explore package. With five days and four nights in this coastal town, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and take in all the local sights, experiences, and flavors.

Nusa Lembongan Island

Take a short boat ride from Benoa to Nusa Lembongan Island, a serene getaway that makes for a perfect day trip. Spend the day taking in the beautiful sights of crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, diving, or exploring the island’s hidden beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs.

Must-See Landmarks and Cultural Experiences

These unforgettable opportunities capture the island’s cultural and spiritual essence.

Devdan Show

For an evening of cultural entertainment, head to the Devdan Show in Nusa Dua. This stunning performance combines dance, music, and acrobatics, showcasing the diverse cultures of Indonesia. With elaborate costumes, impressive stage effects, and captivating choreography, it’s a fantastic way to experience the richness of Indonesia’s traditions in one unforgettable show.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

One of Bali’s most iconic landmarks is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park. The centerpiece of the park is a towering statue of Lord Vishnu riding the mythical Garuda bird, one of the tallest statues in the world.

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Barong Dance

Experience Bali’s rich mythology through the Barong Dance, a traditional Balinese performance that depicts the battle between good and evil. The dance is an engaging blend of storytelling, music, and costumes. Look for opportunities to see performances in Ubud, Benoa, and other towns and cities throughout the island.

Tanah Lot Temple

No visit to Bali is complete without seeing Tanah Lot Temple, one of the island’s most iconic landmarks. This sea temple is dedicated to the Balinese sea gods and holds significant spiritual importance, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in Bali’s history and culture.

Conclusion

Bali is a destination that offers a little bit of everything—natural beauty, spiritual experiences, rich culture, and exciting adventures. Whether you’re exploring the art scene in Ubud, soaking up the sun in Benoa, or marveling at ancient temples and breathtaking landscapes, Bali will leave you with unforgettable memories. With a variety of travel styles and packages available, Gate 1 is ready to help you get your trip to Bali and Indonesia booked today!

Indonesia
Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Indonesia: Where Two Worlds Meet

on May 22, 2017

Natural Wonders of Java and Bali Have a Mystical Side

If there’s one thing that stands supreme amidst all of Indonesia’s sumptuous beauty, it’s the volcano. Indonesia, after all, is its volcanoes. Lush rainforest, vast seas of sand, dense woodland, and the remarkable variety of wildlife … they were all borne from lava and ash. Indonesia’s islands – abundant, luxuriant, verdant, and so very respectful of their own beauty – are lucky and beautiful children.

Tanah Lot Indonesia

On Java and Bali – the two islands you’ll visit during Gate 1’s 15 Day Indonesia: Java & Bali guided tour – towering peaks form a spine near each island’s center. From these heights, green blankets of land flow to the sea, cradling tiny villages, vibrant cities, and oceanside havens along the way. It makes for a magnificent setting, and a rich lesson in how Javanese and Balinese people nurture their relationship with their Indian Ocean islands.

Calming the Spirits

To understand the Indonesians’ connection to their natural world, you need to know only one thing: many Balinese people (and many older tribes on Java) believe that objects in the natural world such as animals, plants, and mountains carry a spiritual essence. All things, therefore, possess their own power which can be used for good or for evil.

Lake Butar Indonesia

Nowhere is this spiritual notion more apparent than in the history of Indonesians’ relationships to the volcanoes. Sacrifices have long thought to appease the mountain gods that spew smoke from their crowns. Stories of human sacrifice are merely the stuff of legend, though devout locals do participate in pre-dawn hikes to craters so that they may sacrifice fruit, vegetables, rice, and livestock into the calderas.

Crops of the Gods

Volcanic soil makes for some of the most prolific farming. Certainly, Java and Bali have a huge bounty to show for their fortunate locale amidst this agricultural gold mine. Their economy in fact relies on this fertility; agriculture is the country’s second largest profit-maker after tourism. Throughout the countryside, farming terraces climb steep slopes and everywhere farmers work their land.

Indonesia Farming

But in many regions, it’s not the farmers who regulate irrigation to their terraces and paddy fields. It’s the priests. Crops here are fed by a water management system known as Subak, which is based on a Hindu philosophy of “Tri Hita Karana” that fosters a good relationship with God, with other people, and with the environment. Put simply, this system creates an intimate tie among farmers, communities, and their temples.

Though it might sound odd for a priest to regulate water distribution in a land with plenty of water, it’s helpful to remember that the infinite elements of nature – trees, fields, crops, even water itself – are spiritual beings. So who is better suited to negotiate the needs of the spirit world with the needs of the people? Subak remains a crucial part of Indonesia; because of it, the resulting cultural landscape on Bali has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Asia’s Amazon

For its natural beauty and rich wildlife, Indonesia is an unsung giant. It hails as the second most bio-diverse country on the planet, after Brazil. Dense forest covers about 60% of its land, much of it thriving with natural flora and fauna thanks to a combination of nutrient-rich earth and tropical climate. Its many islands – 17,508 of them, 11,500 of which are uninhabited by humans – further bolster a rich variety of species. As you might imagine, a healthy mix of Asian plants grow here, too, as Java and Bali were once connected to the mainland. We’re sure to spot some of them throughout our journey. However, more than a third of its 1,531 bird species and its 515 mammal species are endemic to these islands. Only Australia can claim a larger percentage than this.

Ubud Bali Indonesia

With 50,000 miles of coastline in this archipelago nation, natural diversity also takes to the waters. Varied ecosystems – beach, sand dune, mangrove, coral reef, and others – support more than 1,650 species of coral reef fish. This is one of the greatest varieties on the planet, and it earned Indonesia membership in the Coral Triangle, sometimes known as the “Amazon of the Seas.”

Paradise on earth. It’s a phrase often used to describe Java and Bali. But their magnificent beauty goes deeper than this. In Indonesia, the natural world is also the spirit world, and vice versa. And the real beauty lies in the people’s respect for them both, and in what passes between them. Our Discovery Tours small groups bring you close enough to experience it all firsthand.

You can learn more about our Gate 1’s 15 Day Indonesia: Java & Bali guided tour here. To browse Gate 1’s Southeast Asia itinerary, click here.