Bali

First established in the 17th century, Pura Batur is one of Bali’s most venerated temples, second only to Pura Besakih on the sacred slopes of Mount Agung. Perched at roughly 900 metres above sea level, this mountain sanctuary overlooks the dramatic caldera of Mount Batur, an active volcano steeped in myth and raw geological power.

Nestled within the jungle landscapes of Gianyar Regency, Goa Rang Reng Waterfall offers an harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural significance. Unlike Bali's more frequented falls, this secluded spot remains a hidden gem, for now. Located roughly 30 minutes from downtown Ubud, the journey to these falls meanders through traditional villages and lush rice paddies.

The origins of Pura Besakih are veiled in ancient legend, its story whispered through centuries beyond recorded memory. For more than a thousand years, this sprawling temple complex has stood as the spiritual heart and the “Mother Temple” of the whole island. Perched nearly a kilometre above the sea, on the jagged southwestern flank of Mount Agung, it commands a breathtaking view and an air of sacred power.

Carved into a rugged cliff above the sacred Pakerisan River, this ancient hermitage and unique archaeological site offers a rare glimpse into Bali’s pre Hindu past. Hidden from view, it shelters mysterious megaliths, silent echoes of a time long before Hindu-Buddhist influence shaped the island.

Rising from the heart of Ubud, Gunung Lebah Temple was founded in the 8th century by the Indian priest Rsi Markandeya as a sanctuary for meditation and spiritual retreat. Nestled at the confluence of the Wos and Pakerisan rivers, where their waters merge to form the sacred Campuhan, the site hums with serene energy, surrounded by forests rich with medicinal plants believed to heal both body and soul.

Hanuman, the fierce Monkey King, prowls through the shadowed corners of Balinese myth, a figure both revered and feared. Far beyond a mere symbol of strength, he embodies a primal force, wild, untamed and relentless in his pursuit of justice. In Bali’s ancient Hindu-Buddhist tapestry, Hanuman’s presence evokes a raw energy, one that bridges the mortal world with darker realms where gods and demons wage eternal war.

Tucked away in the lush jungles of central Bali, Tibumana Waterfall is a serene escape that feels like stepping into a forgotten world. Unlike the more famous waterfalls of Bali, this hidden gem near Ubud remains relatively untouched, offering visitors a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature’s raw beauty.

Protected by steep, jungled slopes, the remote mountain village of Trunyan rests on the eastern shores of the vast Batur crater lake, at the foot of Mount Abang. The people of Trunyan practice unique and ancient rituals of Animism found nowhere else in Bali, which predates the arrival of Hinduism or Buddhism on the Island of the Gods.

The village of Jatiluwih offers a living testament to the ancient harmony between humans, nature and the divine. Overlooked by the brooding silhouette of Mount Batukaru, Bali’s second-highest volcano and a sacred site in its own right, Jatiluwih’s name translates to "truly beautiful," a title it lives up to with dramatic sweeps of emerald-green rice terraces that ripple across the landscape.

In the black veins of Balinese and Javanese mythos, no figure evokes more dread than Calon Arang. Her story isn’t just about sorcery, it’s about what happens when society pushes a woman too far and she decides to burn the world down rather than be erased by it. She was no mere witch, she became the storm of death incarnate. The widow of Girah and the devourer of life.

Founded in 962AD during the Warmadewa dynasty, Tirta Empul is one of Bali’s most sacred temples, located in the cool highlands of Tampaksiring near Manukaya village. Its name, which means "holy water spring," is derived from a natural spring that bubbles up into the temple’s central pool and continues to feed the nearby Pakerisan River. This revered site is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu God of Water and Preservation

The Ayung River is Bali’s longest waterway, stretching 68.5 km's from the lush northern highlands down to the southern coast at Sanur. It snakes its way through deep gorges, remote jungles, rice terraces and traditional villages, making it one of the island’s most scenic natural features. Despite its size, the Ayung maintains a gentle flow for much of its length, making it ideal for outdoor activities like rafting and river trekking.

Garuda, the colossal bird being of Hindu myth, soars through Balinese religious imagination not as a gentle guardian but as a relentless force cutting across the realms of gods, demons and mortals. His wings are said to darken the sky when spread, the violent wind from their beat capable of stripping the leaves from the forests.

Perched on a ridge above Ubud’s sacred Campuhan River lies one of Bali’s most curious artistic enclaves, the Blanco Renaissance Museum, once the home and studio of the flamboyant artist Don Antonio Blanco. Often called the “Dali of Bali,” Blanco's vibrant persona and sensual art helped solidify his reputation as one of the island's most celebrated foreign creatives.

Just 12 kilometres off the southeast coast of Bali lies Nusa Lembongan, a compact gem in a trio of islands that make up part of the Lesser Sunda chain, born from volcanic origins. Though it spans only 8 square km's, the island is a place of striking contrasts and natural beauty. Bright coral reefs encircle the island, while soft white beaches and weathered limestone cliffs shape its edges.

Dewi Danu rules the highland lakes while Dewi Sri dwells in the fertile lowlands, yet their powers meet within Bali’s sacred subak system. Waters from the mountains descend through canals to the rice fields, where temples serve as ritual gateways, transforming the flow of water and the growth of grain into a divine exchange between earth and goddess.

On Bali’s southeastern coast, Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple stands out as a powerful spiritual site where myth and nature collide. With thousands of bats roosting above its shrines, this atmospheric temple offers a raw glimpse into the island’s ancient traditions.

Shaped by both chance and design, one of Bali’s most unexpected natural wonders is Kanto Lampo Waterfall. Unlike the island’s ancient cascades that have poured down jungle cliffs for centuries, this waterfall is a relatively recent creation. In the early 2010s, adjustments to a local irrigation system redirected water across a rocky cliffside and over time the flow carved its way over volcanic stone, giving rise to the unique cascade we see today.

Built in honour of its namesake Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning, Pura Taman Saraswati is a graceful water temple nestled in the heart of downtown Ubud. This sacred site blends spiritual reverence with classical Balinese aesthetics, offering a peaceful retreat just steps away from the town’s busy centre.

Nestled in the eastern highlands of Bali, in the quiet village of Ababi at the foot of Mount Agung, Tirta Gangga is a royal water palace steeped in beauty and spiritual reverence. Commissioned by the last Raja of Karangasem in 1946, this sacred estate pays homage to Balinese Hindu devotion. Its name, meaning “blessed water from the Ganges,” reflects its role as both a royal retreat and a site for spiritual purification and ceremonial bathing.