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Western Bali Temple Tour: Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot - Indonesia

Bradley

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Destinations > Asia > Indonesia > Western Bali Temple Tour: Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot

Many tours are designed around seeing things in one general area for good reason, it allows you to see more in a single day! This is also true with the Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot Tour, which brings you to the Western Bali Temples. The Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest - where the monkeys are the guardians of the Temple, the Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi - known as the former Royal Temple, and finally to the breathtaking and picturesque Ocean Temple of Tanah Lot.

These are just some of the amazing places to see in Bali, but we’ve provided a list of the best places to see in Bali near the bottom of this article. Some of which you’ll see or hear about in the many films and books that were written about Bali, including:

You can also learn about Indonesian culture and customs from this book or listen to the music of Bali by adding this album to your travel soundtrack.

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Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

When you arrive, your entrance fee should be covered by the Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot Tour. However, if you go without the tour you'll need to pay 30,000 IDR (~$2.15) per adult and 5,000 IDR per vehicle (~$0.36) to enter. Once you park, a guide will come to your vehicle to escort you around the grounds.

The Temple here is actually quite small and you are unable to enter - however you can take pictures from the gate. The courtyard area in front of the temple contains a few monkey statues, a tall Banyan tree that the monkeys climb on, a few pools that the money's jump in and other structures. We saw about 100 or so monkeys playing in this area.

You'll be guided around the small forested area and past the Temple - while passing even more monkeys as they play and eat sweet potatoes - a common food for them at these monkey forest locations. Once you come around the other side of the forested area, you'll have the chance to take photos in traditional Balinese attire or while holding a snake or a large bat for an additional fee.

Your guide may bring you to their shop afterward and encourage you to purchase some souvenirs. This monkey forest was great for taking photos of monkeys, and it is cheaper but not as exotic as the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud.

Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi

Known as the former Royal Temple, Taman Ayun is a bit longer than it appears. With a full sized garden and fountain in the front - which were featured in the television program Around the World in 80 Gardens - a large forested walkway in the back, and the moat of water on three sides, it demands a little more attention. The Meru Towers in the Main Sanctum are quite impressive!

Be warned, however, that there isn't much shade in the garden and temple areas, so the heat can become fairly unbearable in a short while if you don't escape to the forest in the back of the paths along the water.

The entrance fee is also included in the Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot Tour, but if you are going on your own please note that parking is a fair walk away from the Temple and that the entrance fee is 30,000 IDR per adult (not including the parking fee).

Ocean Temple of Tanah Lot

This temple is the most impressive one on this tour, and the area is far grander in size as well. Tanah Lot is actually the name of the rock formation that sits just off the shore with Pura Tanah Lot sitting atop (the ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple). Tanah, meaning “earth”, and Lot, meaning “sea”, this is perhaps the most magnificent of the 7 Ocean Temples, and one of the most important and sacred temples, in Bali.

One amazing feature here is that you can cross from the shore to Tanah Lot during low tide, where priests at the fountain will bless visitors by sprinkling holy water over their heads at no extra charge! After this blessing, you will be allowed to walk up a few stairs along the side of Pura Tanah Lot, but there is no access to foreigners into the temple itself. It is not possible to cross over during high tide.

“Experience the serenity of the tropical sun slowly disappearing beyond the horizon and the wide open ocean, and listen to the sound of the soothing waves crashing on the shore.”

Onshore, the Penyawang Temple hosts pilgrims when the main offshore temple is inaccessible during high tide. Additionally, Batu Bolong - located just north of Tanah Lot along the paved pathway, is built on a rock arch that goes out into the water. Viewing the arch from all angles as you walk down the pathway is jaw-droppingly beautiful. You can find plenty of places to stop for shade if necessary along the pathways as well, however the pictures during sunset are some of the best on the island - even though it does get quite crowded and traffic can be very bad afterward.

While the Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot Tour includes entry into Tanah Lot, the price for going in without the tour is 60,000 IDR ($4.30) per Adult, 30,000 IDR ($2.15) per child, and 5,000 IDR ($0.36) for parking. Apparently, your ticket also covers insurance against accidents.

Lastly, it is worth noting that there are a number of restaurants, art and souvenir shops, and stalls selling food and drinks here. You can also find toilets (3,000 IDR per use), a tourist information center, and security and safety services if necessary. The parking area is plentiful - but it does start filling up about an hour before sunset.

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Sardine Restaurant - Kuta, Bali

If you’re looking for an amazing upscale seafood restaurant in the Seminyak / Kuta area, look no further than the Sardine Restaurant! We decided to stop here after our Alas Kedaton, Mengwi, and Tanah Lot Tour - even though it was a little ways away and not a part of the tour (we grabbed a taxi just before sunset to beat the traffic). The atmosphere here is unbeatable, the service is outstanding, and the food was prepared exceptionally well. I would say that we were lucky to be able to walk in as reservations are generally required. Please keep in mind that this is not a budget friendly place, it is fine dining and the prices reflect that (our meal came out to over 1,000,000 IDR - roughly $75.00). However, the food was so delicious and the atmosphere was so relaxing that we would certainly go again if we were in Bali.

Best things to do in Bali

Don't forget to check out 14 Important Things to Know Before Visiting Bali!

Also, if you want to explore more of Bali outside of Ubud, check out the tours below. They include all of the best sites and excursions around Bali. You can even hire a driver and customize your own adventure!

BEST DEAL (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): Full Day Charter Without Guide (Bali As You Please)
Pack your day full of the things you choose for one set price. Customize any of the tours below!

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