Never get bored in Ubud

Activities in Ubud

While Ubud is known as the cultural capital of Bali, it also offers a range of outdoor activities. Its rivers, valleys, rice fields and hills provide a stimulating landscape for the adventurous tourist.

Tour operators offer white-water rafting, cycling, trekking, bird watching, elephant rides, kayaking, as well as other activities. Rafting provides an excellent opportunity to check out the natural scenery and wildlife of Ubud.

Our art village has become a favourite place for people seeking to rejuvenate their mental and physical well-being through various activities such as yoga, pilates and martial arts.In addition to being environmentally friendly, getting around by bike is a great way to experience Ubud.

Cooking classes

Plenty of restaurants in all prices ranges and classes are located in Ubud. For those who enjoy the local food, a walking tour of the traditional markets and herb gardens around Ubud provides clear explanations of the essential ingredients in Indonesian cooking. Combine this with a cooking class and you will learn how to recreate Ubud at home. Much recommended! Advanced booking is essential!

Walking

Just go! There are many wonderful walks in every direction from Ubud, through villages, rice terraces, jungle gorges, and grassy hilltops. Don't be afraid. Just strike out in any direction. You can walk anywhere you like, without "trespassing." Don't be shy, just be courteous. The best of the Ubud area is off the roads, so grab a map, or just go rambling without one, Often the best discoveries are purely coincidental and can't be found in any guidebook.
If you prefer to follow a good leader for the art and cultural highlights of the city, follow the guides which lead walking tours in the Ubud area, focusing on historic Pejeng, and the hills and villages North of Campuan.

Jogging

Plenty of small pathes through the countryside to use your Nikees and no need for an iPod, here the nature plays the music. One of the most popular trails starts just outside of the Ladybamboo entrance, so you up on the trail in no time. For those, who like to run in bigger parties: The Hash House Harriers is a world-wide organisation of people who like to trot cross-country together, then sit back and have a good laugh afterwards. The Bali chapter runs on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

BirdWatching

Bali Bird Walks are light-hearted explorations of the Ubud area, seeking ornithological oddities. The program was started by Victor Mason, a famous local character and the former publican at the Beggar's Bush in Campuan. Please contact us early as advanced booking is essential! And if it's plants your after we can call Lilir (t - 974865) to allow you to join a Bali Herb Walk, and learn about the many fragrant, edible and medicinal plants that surround you.

Biking

The early morning hours are best, when it's still cool. You can peddle sedately along back-roads, or take a mountain bike and bash your way down precipitous gorges, along slippery rice terrace dikes, or through rough village byways pocked with craters. Once you're on your way, try hard to avoid the main roads because traffic is horrendous, except at the crack of dawn. All of the back roads are negotiable by bicycle and are only steep where they cross a river gorge (east to west). Otherwise, they generally run uphill gently from south to north. We recommend you ride north first, until you've had enough, then coast back downhill.
Rental Bikes are available for about 2.50 Dollar per day.

Bike Tours

Another way to go is to use a tour operator who lead biking tours suitable for the whole family, with perfect organisation from the pick-up at the LadyBamboo Villa till the return in the afternoon. Two choices of routing available, cross country and a truly glorious ride starts in Kintamani on the crater of Mt.Batur. You glide effortlessly back downhill to Ubud through a chain of traditional villages dotted with craft studios and cafes. This trip beeing the favourite choice of our guests. Prices range from US$ 25 to US$ 50 per day/person including lunch and full insurence coverage (!!).

Rafting

The rivers around Ubud provide pleasant rafting conditions year round--- with enough rapids to make the ride fun, but still mild enough for those who tend to be timid when it comes to white-water. Rafting also provides an unrivalled way to check out the natural scenery, wildlife and exotic plants of Bali, while sitting happily on your rear end! And it's a good way to cool off if the tropical heat gets oppressive. We can book rafting for you, and you will be picked up directly at the Ladybamboo Villa. Prices for a half day river trip are about US$68.

Elephant Trekking is now available in the village of Taro, twenty minutes north of Ubud. You can ride an elephant, then feed it and give it a bath.

Fishing Eel-fishing in the rice fields at night is a popular pastime. Fishing for shrimp, freshwater crab, and small fingerlings in the rivers upstream from Ubud is also popular.

Athletics

Badminton Indonesians as a rule are keen on badminton. Ubudians are no exception. Most afternoons, around 5:00 or so, men get together to play in the bale banjar in every community in the area. Foreigners have often joined in, and been welcome to do so. The standard of play is generally quite high.

Volleyball Volleyball is popular in Indonesia. There are community courts, often near bale banjars, and men get together to play, usually in the afternoon. Listen for shouting, and see if they can rotate you in.

Swimming Our hotel pools is a bit too small for a serious workout, but its fun. You can swim in the Wos and Ayung Rivers. Just find a good place and go for it.

Workouts There's is an aerobics studio in Ubud. Some of the banjars, for example Nyuh Kuning, have aerobics workouts in their bale banjar. Dress is modest, and routines are very straightforward and not too strenuous.

Golf, Tennis No golf yet, but there are rumours of a golf course development in the Kedewatan area, north of Sayan. The only tennis courts we know about in the area is at the Hotel Tjampuan and at the Maya Resort.

Football/Soccer There are a number of temporary and permanent teams that play around Ubud.

Activities