Ubud in a Day: Tirta Empul from 960 AD, Tegalalang's Eighth-Century Terraces

A private day out of your hotel, and most of the stops are older than they look. Tegenungan is part of the Petanu river, running past the village of Kemenuh. The fall drops up to 20 m, close enough that the sound carries, and there are stalls at the first viewpoint. Tirta Empul, at Manukaya, was built in 960 AD, under the Warmadewa dynasty, and its spring is where Balinese Hindus come for purification. The temple is a national cultural heritage site and the setting of an old story about good and evil. On the hill nearby stands Istana Tampaksiring, the presidential palace built in Soekarno's time. Lunch is at Kintamani, at a restaurant facing Mount Batur and its lake. The crater there measures about 13 square km, with the lake filling much of it, and the road winds along the shore towards Toya Bungkah, Pura Ulun Danu Batur and the hot springs. Tegalalang was handed down by the holy man Rsi Markandeya in the eighth century. It is one of three terraced landscapes in the Ubud area, with Pejeng and Campuhan, and the roadside spot is high, cool and open across the valley. The Monkey Forest, Wanara Wana in Balinese, is a small rainforest with grey macaques living among the temples and the gorge, kept by the local community. Ubud Palace, Puri Saren, was built under Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel between 1800 and 1823 and is still held by his heirs. The Art Market next to it sells wood and rattan work, paintings and silver, with each shop stocking something different. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.