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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 
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
 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
- 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.
 Bali, Indonesia
 tourist attractions
Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for-
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
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
 - hotel
 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 - 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
 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 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 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 - 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 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 - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
+62 361 289752 info@oneworldretreats.com
 - restaurant
 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 - 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
 D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
Pengosikan Street, Ubud
- 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
- 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.
- take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)
(US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah IDR 13,140 = Philippines Php 47.00 as of July 1, 2016)
- one small bottle beer with live band
- 1.5 liter drinking water
- one hour massage
- warung food in hawker style food cart
- coffee in trendy cafes
- bicycle rental
- laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
- shuttle to airport
- bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
- internet cafe
- haircut
- cultural performances
- standard drop-in yoga class
Currency Converter
Jakarta, Java
- A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016
Bandung, Java
- Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016
Bogor, Java
- Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016
UBUD, BALI
- 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
- Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
- Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
- Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
- Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
- Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
- Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
- Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
- Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
- Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
- Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
- Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
- Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
- Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
- Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
- Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
- Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
- Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
- Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
- Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
- The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016
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
»» back to Caving
»» back to Homepage
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