In Bali's Paradise, Find Adventure in Ubud
Follow our two-day itinerary to discover the beauty of Ubud, the less visited inland of Bali—where rice fields grow uninhibited across the landscape, temples hide in the undergrowth and the Balinese move to a much slower tune.
Day1
Check-In
If you think you’ll be parking it at some five-star chain or trendy lifestyle resort, pack away your Prada heels, because this trip is all about getting back to nature. Not ready to part with your Wi-Fi and hot baths yet? Check into Sandat Glamping Tents (glamping = glamorous + camping)—the first of its kind in Bali, featuring luxurious safari-style tents, thatched roofs and canopied bedrooms, all elegantly crafted with bamboo and mahogany.
Situated in utter seclusion in the corner of a quiet rice paddy, you’ll feel as if you’ve pitched your tent on the open fields of Ubud, with the stars visible by day as well as by night, and the only signs of life coming from a stray farmer weaving his way through the neighboring rice paddies. Seek refuge in the infinity-edged plunge pool or bunker down with a book on the hand-carved wooden furniture in your private eco-nest. And when you’re ready for that welcome drink? Reach for the wind chimes on the bedside table (there are no phones here) to ring a member of staff for a refreshing tropical cocktail—the perfect start to your weekend in Ubud.
$2,087 from secret-retreats.com/sandat; includes breakfast. Jalan Subak Sala Banjar Sala, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, (+62) 82-440-81998.
Monkey-ing Around
Seemingly a calm paradise from the outside, deep in Ubud you’ll find a curious bunch of furry long-tailed primates in the 27-acre Sacred Monkey Forest, perhaps one of the best places in the world to get up close and personal with the species. Here you’ll encounter more than 350 monkeys in their natural habitat, undeterred by the tourists that crowd their home each day. The Indiana Jones-like setting is worth seeing in itself, with temple ruins that have been reclaimed by the forest. And the monkeys—well, they’re everywhere: jumping through the branches, screeching loudly at their neighbors, rolling in the fallen leaves and clamoring to grab any shiny object from unsuspecting tourists. These little critters are sneaky and agile, so make sure you hold on tight to your phone.
Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, (+62) 361-971304, www.monkeyforestubud.com