Sunrise walks and adventure activities in the Ubud area

Ubud is wonderful place to walk aorund on foot, enjoying the local warungs, restaurants, art shops and funky stuff you’ll find. If downtown isn’t enough for energetic travelers there are other activities that can be easily arranged in Ubud.

Ornithologists or just people who enjoy great scenery will love Victor Mason’s Bali Bird Walks. The walks happen on Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun at 9am and are $33 including lunch. Mr. Mason is an expert who will guide you through the Campuhan countryside, spotting many indigenous bird species with the aid of binoculars. Mr. Mason maybe contacted from 8am-4pm (0361)975009 (su_birdwalk@yahoo.com).

Cultural & ecological walks are provided by Keep Walking Tours (0361)970992, located on Jl.Hanoman 44. You need to have at least 2 people for the walk, which focuses on local interaction and cultural understanding during village visits. Prices are around 85,000rp.

Bali Sunrise 2001 (0818 552669) located on Jl.Raya Sanginggan can arrange sunrise treks up Gunung Batur at $45 a head or Gunung Agung for $100 per head.

Bali Adventure Tours (0361)721480 located in Taro, north of ubud operates one of the best white water rafting and kayaking operations in Bali. To the west of Ubud is the Ayung river, the favourite stretch of white water in Central Bali, featuring Class 2 & 3 white water.

Sobek (0361)287059 is another reputable compnay in the Ubud area providing rafting and kayaking at around $80 per person for a 2 hour session including professional guides, all equipment, lunch and transportation from your hotel. Many tour decks in Ubud will offer rafting with these and other companies.

Bali Adventures Tours also provides elephant rides, a great day out for the family at Taro, 13kms north of Ubud. The trip to Taro takes you through some great village scenery, whichever way you go so make sure you bring your camera. Look out for signs for Elephant Safari Park.

Cycling tours from the Ubud area can be arranged through Ary’s Business & Travel Service (0361)973130 or Bali Budaya Tours (0361)975557, both in the Ubud area. The price is around $40 and includes lunch. The tours use mountain bikes to cruise the quiter village roads from Kintamani back down to Ubud. Bali Adventure Tours & Sobek also do guided bike trips around the Monkey Forest at Sangeh to the west of Ubud, Gunung Batur and Gunung Batukaru.

For those inclined to guide themselves, a Bali Pathfinder map may come in handy. Any road heading northwards from Jl. Raya Ubud will take you through lovely scenery. Heading up to Tegallang, whether east or west of them main road you’ll see National Geographic images all the way.