Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance

Uluwatu Temple (Monkey Temple)

This sea sanctuary stands on a high, steep cliff at Bali’s southernmost tip. The royal temple was built in 976 AD and is cited in all Hindu scriptures as one of the six most sacred temples. According to legend, the rock on which Pura Uluwatu towers is a petrified ship of the sea and lake goddess Dewi Danu, who is said to have sailed to Bali to settle and rule the island.

The temple is home to a troop of mischievous monkeys, always ready to be fed by visitors. You can enjoy the silhouette of the temple against a colorful sunset — an extraordinary and unique spectacle.

Kecak Dance

The evening performance of the traditional Kecak dance features a chorus of about one hundred men and is unique in that it uses no musical instruments. The dance depicts the story of the abduction of Princess Sita by the evil King Ravana of Lanka, and her eventual rescue by her husband Prince Rama, aided by the monkey general Hanuman. The waves of the Indian Ocean gently splash in the background as you become immersed in the ancient tale of love between Rama and Sita.

The show is followed by a famous fire dance, during which a man, entering a trance-like state, dances barefoot on glowing or burning coconut husks. For European visitors, this is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The journey to the temple from Kubu takes approximately three hours, so we recommend combining it with your transfer to the airport, ideally on the day of departure.

Afterwards, you can explore the nighttime beauty of Denpasar.

Sea Temple Pura Tanah Lot

Located 30 km from Denpasar is the most famous of Bali’s seven sea temples — Tanah Lot. The main temple sits on an inaccessible offshore rock, while a smaller temple is connected to the mainland by a natural stone bridge. We recommend visiting either early in the morning or at sunset, when the views are truly breathtaking.