Day trip · from Ubud
Around Ubud in a day: Campuhan, Tegallalang and Gunung Kawi
Three Ubud classics in the right order: the Campuhan ridge at sunrise, the Tegallalang rice fields before the coaches, then the shrines carved into the cliff at Gunung Kawi. Everything happens in the morning; the afternoon stays free, on purpose. The times given here are indicative.
- Updated on
- 4 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
You walk the Campuhan ridge at sunrise, starting from the centre of Ubud, with a break for breakfast afterwards. You then drive or ride to Tegallalang, ahead of the coaches, then Gunung Kawi mid-morning. You are back in Ubud for lunch, before the hottest hours.
Contents
Key points
- Indicative times: they follow sunrise and the arrival of the coaches at Tegallalang.
- Campuhan at sunrise, Tegallalang before 9 am: after that, heat and crowds spoil both.
- Gunung Kawi means a long staircase and covered clothing; a sarong is lent at the entrance.
- The day ends in the early afternoon: the heat makes visits hard going after that.
Ubud is in the centre of Bali, among rice fields and valleys. The three places of the day are close together: Campuhan on foot from the centre, Tegallalang to the north, Gunung Kawi further north-east, at Tampaksiring.
On the programme: the Campuhan ridge, the Tegallalang rice fields and Gunung Kawi. To get to Ubud, see airport to Ubud.
The day, indicative times
- 5:45 amWalk from central Ubud to the Campuhan bridge.
- 6 amCampuhan ridge: the walk at sunrise.
- 7:15 amBreakfast, then off north by scooter or with a driver.
- 8 amTegallalang rice fields: the view and the paths, ahead of the coaches.
- 9:30 amRoad to Tampaksiring.
- 10 amGunung Kawi: the staircase, the shrines and the river.
- 12 pmBack in Ubud for lunch; afternoon free.
How the day runs
You walk the Campuhan ridge at sunrise, starting from the centre of Ubud, with a break for breakfast afterwards. You then drive or ride to Tegallalang, ahead of the coaches, then Gunung Kawi mid-morning. You are back in Ubud for lunch, before the hottest hours.
It is the shortest and easiest day on the site. It suits a first day in Ubud, or a family that wants short visits broken up by rest stops. Together, the three visits add up to a few kilometres on foot, stairs included: comfortable shoes rather than sandals.
Who it suits
- Families: short walks, short distances, back for a nap.
- Travellers discovering Ubud who want its classics without the crowd.
Who it does not suit
- Anyone unwilling to get up before dawn: the day loses its point.
- People who cannot climb a long staircase, at Gunung Kawi.
- Those looking for rice fields with no visitors at all: see Sidemen instead.
Getting there: on foot, then north of Ubud
Campuhan is reached on foot from the centre of Ubud, along the main street to the bridge. Tegallalang and Gunung Kawi are to the north, on village roads. No travel time is published on this site for these stretches; they are short but slow, especially on the Tegallalang road, congested from mid-morning.
- Scooter: handy for experienced riders, narrow roads and heavy traffic.
- Driver for the half-day: the easiest with children.
- From the airport, Ubud is roughly 1 h 15 to 1 h 45: do not do this day on arrival day.
What you see
A paved walk along a ridge between two valleys at Campuhan, the famous view over the Tegallalang terraces, and the ten shrines carved into the rock at Gunung Kawi, on either side of the Pakrisan river. Tirta Empul, next to Gunung Kawi, can be added if you still have the energy.
Campuhan ridge
About 2 km there and back, free access, almost no shade.
Tegallalang rice fields
The postcard view, best before 9 am.
Gunung Kawi
Ten candi carved into the cliff, at the bottom of a long staircase.
Tegallalang and Gunung Kawi show two sides of the same landscape: the subak irrigation culture that shapes the terraces, and the ancient shrines on the Pakrisan river, whose valley is part of this cultural landscape. The background is in the sources below.
What you pay for, and what you do not
The Campuhan ridge is free. Tegallalang has an entry fee at the main access, and farmers ask for a contribution on some paths. Gunung Kawi has a price displayed at the entrance, sarong included. Add the scooter or the driver and parking. All prices are paid on site.
| Item | Paid? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Campuhan ridge | No | Free access |
| Tegallalang entry | Yes | At the main access; contributions on some paths |
| Swings and photo nests at Tegallalang | Optional | Private businesses, unrelated to the rice field |
| Gunung Kawi entry | Yes | Price displayed, sarong lent |
| Scooter or driver | Yes | By the half-day |
Mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is the reverse order: Gunung Kawi first, then Tegallalang at midday, among the coaches. Others: paying for a swing thinking it is the rice-field entry, climbing the Gunung Kawi stairs in the hot hours, and setting off on the Campuhan ridge without water.
- Keep the order: Campuhan, Tegallalang, Gunung Kawi.
- At Tegallalang, the official entry is at the main access; the rest is commercial.
- Shoulders and knees covered for Gunung Kawi.
- Water and a hat for Campuhan, even at sunrise.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need to leave at sunrise?
Yes: it is the only quiet, cool moment on the Campuhan ridge, and Tegallalang fills up from 9 am.
Can you do these visits on foot?
Campuhan yes, from the centre of Ubud. Tegallalang and Gunung Kawi need a scooter or a driver.
Is this day trip suitable for children?
Yes: the visits are short and close together. The most demanding part is the Gunung Kawi staircase, both down and back up.
Can you add Tirta Empul?
Yes, it is next to Gunung Kawi. You will then get back to Ubud later, in the hot hours.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
