Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route - Roundtrip from Ubud to Jatiluwih

Our next favorite route is the Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route that takes you from our starting point Ubud to Sangeh, Mengwi, Tabanan, Wanasari, Wangayagede, Jatiluwih, Pacung and back to Ubud.

Ubud Bali
The best time to leave for the Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route is early in the morning when the air is still fresh and cool.

You'll find out that you are not the only one awake this early in the morning since many Balinese come and go at the Ubud market to buy their chickens and vegetables before it turns into the tourist market at the end of the morning.

 

Early in the morning at Ubud Market

 

Have a look, make a couple of pictures and don't forget to buy one of those delicious sweet cakes as a snack for the route.

From Ubud market you turn right into Jalan Hanoman which goes into Jalan Raya Pengosekan, past the Pertamina Petrol Station and around 200 meters you'll find a crossing where you take a turn right.

Now you're on your way to Mambalkajanan for our next stop in Sangeh.

Sangeh
The village of Sangeh is famous for its group of macaques, which the Balinese believe are sacred descendants from the Monkey King Hanuman and his army depicted in one of the most important Hindu epics the Ramayana.

 

High maintenance in Sangeh Monkey Forest Bali

 

They roam freely in this nutmeg forest and do as they please so take care of your sunglasses or bottles of water because before you know it they've snatched it.

In the center of the forest you can find the Pura Bukit Sari temple which has been build by the royal family from Mengwi in the 17th century. They build it to honor the god Vishnu and it was used as a place for meditation.

From Sangeh the road leads us back to where we came from and now at the crossroad you make a turn right to Kedempal and Mengwi to continue our Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route.

 

You'll see great things during the Jatiluwih Bali Sighseeing tour

 

Pura Taman Ayun
This temple complex in Mengwi is one of Bali's biggest and eye-catching temple complexes since it has been build on an island surrounded by lotus ponds.

The temple is divided into several courtyards and you are only allowed to enter the first two courtyards. You can have a look over the wall to see the other courtyard though.

Here you can see several shrines with different temple roofs. The more temple roofs it has the more important they are to the Balinese.

If you like to visit this temple there's a small entrance fee to pay.

 

Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi

 

Our Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route continues and at the crossing in Mengwi you turn left to Denpasar.

After 3 kilometers you'll end up at the main road which goes from Denpasar Bali all the way to Gilimanuk. Here you follow the main road to Tabanan.

Tabanan
Tabanan is the capital of the Tabanan Regency but there's isn't much to see here except when you're there in June because then there's the annual art festival with dance and other forms of art.

One of Bali's most famous dancers, I Ketut Maria who invented the kebyar dance, was from Tabanan and if you like you can have a look at the art complex across the ruins of the palace which holds his name.

 

On the road from Tabanan to Jatiluwih

 

From Tabanan the route continues higher and higher to Pura Luhur Batukau. This road leads you along traditional Balinese villages such as Penatahan.

Here you can take a dip in the Yeh Panas hot springs before jumping on your motor bike again to Wangayede.

At Wangayede village you can drive straight another 3 kilometer to Pura Luhur Batukau temple or turn right towards the highlight of our Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route: the magnificent rice terraces of Jatiluwih.

Jatiluwih
Once you enter the Jatiluwih area you have to pay a small entrance fee and continue to drive to see what looks like a painting...

...verdant rice terraces as far as the eye can see. Some call these rice terraces the most beautiful in Bali and it's easy to see why.

 

The highlight of the Jatiluwih Bali Sightseeing route

 

It's hard to imagine that these rice fields are made by hand. They were created in this way because land became scarce and the Balinese were urged to divide land into several patches of land leading into a close organization among the farmers called the "subak".

 

Amazing ricefield landscapes at Jatiluwih

 

We continue our trip and the scenic route here winds around the many rice terraces, through Gunungsari, Apuan, Bangah and follows all the way to Pacung.

Pacung
There isn't anything special to visit in Pacung but this is a good place to have lunch and enjoy the stunning scenery.

 

 

The view is far better than the food...

 

Along the route you'll see the Coca Cola factory and here you have to pay attention because not far from here you have to make a turn left to Mengwi. If you miss this turn you'll end up in Denpasar.

After lunch we follow the Jatiluwih Bali sightseeing route back to Ubud via villages such as Luwus, Kukup, Sembung, Sayan, Denkayu and Mengwi.

 

On the road back to Ubud

 

Along the route you'll see the Coca Cola factory and here you have to pay attention because not far from here you have to make a turn left to Mengwi. If you miss this turn you'll end up in Denpasar.

From Mengwi to Ubud it's easy, it's the same road like the one this morning. You'll pass Pura Taman Ayun again, Mambalkajanan until you arrive at the finish in Ubud.