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Caving

Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016

Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) of Ubud

Hours: Mon – Sun, 8:00am - 16:00pm
Admission Fee: adult IDR 15k, child IDR 7.5k
GPS waypoint: 8°31'24.4"S 115°17'13.8"E Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave in Bali
Location: Bedulu Village, Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, Ubud, Bali

Where are the Elephants?
There are no elephants and the cave is shallow! But the surrounding landscape is manicured on a hilly terrain with a river running through it. As late as 1954, they discovered more structures (the pool and fountain) which give rise to other mysteries that may yet to be uncovered.

Brief History

  • 11th century - speculated built-date of the cave based on wall writing
  • 1923 - the cave was discovered by Dutch archaeologists
  • 1954 - the pool and the fountains were discovered and excavated
  • 1995 - added to the UNESCO World Heritage list
Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)
Ganesh idol inside the Elephant Cave

Park Grounds
The grounds are on a landscaped hilly slope with a few structures at the base below. There are walkways and footpaths, bridges, a mini waterfall, pond, temples and shrine and lots of greenery. The place makes for a great stroll in the park. Instead of the misleading Elephant Cave name, it could simply have been called "Ganesh Park".

Cave
The cave entrance has a menacing look with a fierce-looking demon-guard ornately carved out of the surrounding rocks. The cave seems man-made as a spiritual meditation center with the deity, Ganesh (the elephant god) on one end of the T-shaped cave and some stone idols on the other end.

Ending Thoughts
Ok, there are no elephants and the cave itself doesn't go far, but even without the cave, the place is beautiful that it's worth the trip if you are already in Ubud. Besides, the admission fee of IDR 15k doesn't hurt either. The setting can be a bit romantic, so feel free to bring a date :)

--- TheLoneRider

a concrete elephant is as close as it gets to an elephant at the Elephant Cave Elephant Cave entrance grounds Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave Ganesh and Buddha merchandising
more souvenir shops at the Elephant Cave grounds...many temple structures not sure what these stacked rocks mean this pool area was discovered and dug up in 1954
another angle by the cave entrance outdoor Ganesh shrine cave entrance has an ornate rock carving
more covered structures within the grounds the most imposing tree in the area entering the cave Ganesh statue inside the cave
3 stone idols on the other end of the T-shaped cave rest stop on a gazebo like hut more covered structures an open space with no one around is my cue for my signature 'peeing on the hydrant'
more tourists arriving it's only in Indonesia I see a Weeping Buddha the grounds is hilly with manicured landscaping Medusa comes to mind
pond with Koi more landscaping looks like an excavated tomb inside a painting souvenir shop

How to Get to Elephant Cave from Ubud City Center

  • go south on Jalan Hanuman and make a left on the petrol station. From this corner, follow that paved road about 2.6 kilometers. It's on your right side. There are no big visible signs on the street except for a guard controlling traffic to the entrance.

Google Map Bali, Indonesia

tourist attractions in Bali tourist attractions
  • Pasar Seni Ubud (market) in Bali Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
  • Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave in Bali Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
  • Jalan Kajeng in Bali Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
  • Nyuh Kuning in Bali Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
  • Ubud Royal Palace in Bali Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
  • Campuhan Ridge Walk in Bali Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E
hotels in Bali - hotel
  • Ubud Backpackers Room Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
    Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E
  • Nando House Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
    Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
yoga in Ubud, Bali yoga
  • The Yoga Barn The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
    PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
    8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
  • Ubud Yoga House Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
    Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
    8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058
  • Taman Hati Yoga Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
    Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
    8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
  • Ubud Yoga Centre Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
    Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com
  • Intuitive Flow Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
    Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
    8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com
  • Ambar Ashram Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
    Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E
  • Radiantly Alive Yoga Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
    Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
    +62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E
  • White Lotus Yoga & Meditation Centre White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
    JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    +62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E
  • ONEWORLD retreats ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
    Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
    +62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com
restaurant in Bali - restaurant
  • Warung Eateries warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
    across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E
  • Nando's Warung Resto Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
    Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
motorcycle rental in Bali - motorcycle rental
  • D&D Rental D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
    Pengosikan Street, Ubud

Ubud FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is concentrated within the rectangular area covered by Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanuman and Jalan Monkey Forest. Best to book your hotel within this area

How to Get to Ubud from Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport)

  1. best, cheapest, fastest and most comfortable (this is what I did for Ubud and in Singapore) - at the airport, talk to other white travelers waiting on the same gate if they are going to Ubud. Arrange for a taxi pool. With 3 guys, you split the taxi fare (usually IDR 200k + IDR 5k for airport entrance) three-ways. You end up paying just slightly more (IDR 68k) than roughing it through a series of bemos and vans.
  2. take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)

Ubud Cost Index

(US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah IDR 13,140 = Philippines Php 47.00 as of July 1, 2016)
  • IDR 30-35k one small bottle beer with live band
  • IDR 4.5k 1.5 liter drinking water
  • IDR 70k one hour massage
  • IDR 15k warung food in hawker style food cart
  • IDR 15 coffee in trendy cafes
  • IDR 35k bicycle rental
  • IDR 20k per kilo or IDR 2k/piece laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
  • IDR 60k shuttle to airport
  • IDR 130k bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
  • IDR 8k internet cafe
  • IDR 50k haircut
  • IDR 80k cultural performances
  • IDR 130k standard drop-in yoga class
Currency Converter

Indonesia Blogs by TheLoneRider

    Jakarta, Java

  1. A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016
  2. Bandung, Java

  3. Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016
  4. Bogor, Java

  5. Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016
  6. UBUD, BALI

  7. 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
  8. Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
  9. Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
  10. Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
  11. Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
  12. Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
  13. Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
  14. Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
  15. Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
  16. Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
  17. Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
  18. Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
  19. Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
  20. Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
  21. Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
  22. Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
  23. Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
  24. Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
  25. Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
  26. Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
  27. Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
  28. Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
  29. The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016



Facebook Users
July 9, 2016

»» next story: Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio
»» next Caving story: Exploring Maanghit Cave, Ati Cave and Bungan-Bungan Spring in Libertad
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Ubud Hotels

Hotels

Ubud Backpackers Room, Ubud, Indonesia
Ubud Backpackers Room
backpacker dorm beds
Jalan Nyuh Kuning
Ubud, Indonesia

Bicycle Rental

Dayu motorcycle rental, Ubud, Indonesia
Dayu Rental
motorbike, bicycle, car rental
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Indonesia

Yoga

Taman Hati Yoga Ashram, Ubud, Indonesia
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Pranawayu Yoga
Jl. Nyuh Gading #7
Ubud, Indonesia






Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Hotels
Ubud Backpackers Room, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Ubud Backpackers Room
dorm beds
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Bali

Yoga
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Pranawayu Yoga
Jl. Nyuh Gading #7
Ubud, Bali

Rentals
Dayu Rental, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Dayu Rental
car bike motorbike
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Bali




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