What to expect at Ulun Danu Temple

Visiting the Ulun Danu Temple, also known as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, offers a rich cultural experience set against stunning natural scenery. Here’s what to expect during your tour:

• Scenic Views: Located on the shores of Lake Bratan in Bedugul, the temple provides breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains, especially in the early morning when mist rises from the water.
• Temple Architecture: Marvel at the beautiful traditional Balinese architecture. The temple features multiple tiers of pagoda-like structures called “merus,” dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water.
• Cultural Insights: Learn about the significance of the temple in Balinese Hindu culture. It serves as a vital water temple, controlling irrigation for the surrounding rice fields.
• Photography Opportunities: The picturesque setting and unique architecture make it a perfect spot for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset.
• Accessibility: The site is easily accessible from popular tourist areas like Ubud, making it a popular day trip destination.

The Ulun Danu Temple tour combines spiritual and scenic experiences, making it a must-visit in Bali.

Nearby spots to Ulun Danu Temple

When visiting Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, there are several nearby attractions worth exploring:

• Lake Bratan: The temple is located on the serene shores of Lake Bratan, where you can enjoy boating and stunning views.

• Bedugul Botanical Garden: A short drive away, this expansive garden features beautiful flowers, walking paths, and a variety of plants native to Bali.

• Bali Treetop Adventure Park: Located within the Botanical Gardens, this adventure park offers zip-lining and treetop activities for thrill-seekers.

• Nungnung Waterfall: About a 30-minute drive from the temple, this picturesque waterfall is set in lush greenery and provides an excellent spot for photography and relaxation.

• Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: A UNESCO World Heritage site, these stunning rice paddies are located a bit farther away but are definitely worth the visit for their scenic beauty.

These spots provide a mix of natural beauty and cultural experiences, making your trip to Ulun Danu even more enriching.

Ulun danu temple tour

extra information

During your Ulun Danu Temple Tour, your safety and convenience come first. Our vehicles are comfortable, air conditioned and we offer many extras to make your tour perfect. During our tours we provide sarongs for the visit to the temples and we have water bottles available. Our drivers are experienced and know Bali like the back of their hand.

All our tours are customizable to your personal needs and you can also hire one of our local drivers for a fully customized tour. Our drivers go to great lengths to give you the experience you’re looking for.

Sit back and enjoy your Balinese experience with a local safe driver.

Sama sama tours is a local family business with over 20 years’ experience. We have the best drivers who know all the hidden gems and can drive you safely around our beautiful island.

• Family owned business
• Safe drivers
• Honest drivers, transparent fees
• Airport transfers
• Half day tours
• Full day tours
• Customize tours

We are looking forward to show you the beauty of our island!

Ulun Danu Temple tour

dresscode & etiquette

Bali is known for its many beautiful temples. Most tourists will therefore visit various temples in Bali. The beauty of visiting the temples is the combination of culture, history and the beautiful sculptures and architecture. Each temple is more beautiful than the next, with impressive designs and beautiful details.

When visiting the temples, it is good to follow local etiquette. An important part of this is the dress code. A number of general rules apply to the dress code of the temples.

dresscode bali temples

Make sure your shoulders are covered and preferably wear long-sleeved clothing
For example, a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, or a scarf around your shoulders and arms (selendang). It is not allowed to wear spaghetti strap clothes and sleeveless tops when entering a temple. In addition, a low cleavage is also not done. The clothing should not be translucent and should not have holes.

Make sure your knees are covered
Sarong or clothing that covers the knees. In many temples a sarong is mandatory, which you can often rent at the entrance. It is not allowed to wear shorts, short skirts, leggings, denim and sportswear. Again, the clothing must not be translucent and must not contain any holes.

Dressing advice for temple visits for women
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved top and/or a scarf that neatly covers your shoulders and arms. When a sarong is not required, you can wear a maxi dress or jumpsuit, for example – as long as you make sure your shoulders are covered and the clothing is not revealing.

Dressing advice for temple visits for men
Wear a sarong with a non-revealing long-sleeved shirt. For men, the shoulders and legs must also be covered up to at least the knees. Where a sarong is not obligatory, a neat shirt that covers the knees will suffice in combination with a neat shirt that covers the shoulders.

Footwear
Sandals or closed shoes are sometimes allowed, but you may also be asked to enter the temple barefoot. As you will notice, the footwear is also often taken off when entering shops and homes.

Accessories
It is not proper to wear a hat and sunglasses when entering a temple. Turn it off as soon as you enter the temple.

etiquette bali temples

Other Bali Temple etiquettes
The Balinese temples are very sacred places for the local people and so it is important to respect their rules. In addition to the dress code, there are a number of important things when entering these sacred temples:

Taking pictures
It is allowed to take pictures at most temples, however it is not appreciated if you take pictures directly in front of or near the worshippers. When the Balinese are engaged in a ceremony, an appropriate distance is appreciated. Drones are not welcome.

Offerings
In many places in Bali, including at the temples, small offerings (canang sari) are placed. Much attention is paid to these offerings and they are very important to the Balinese Hindu community. You will also see that the offerings are made by Balinese in the traditional attire. You are not supposed to step on these sacrifices or walk over them. Make sure to walk around the offerings at a decent distance.

Menstruating
Something that is also important in the Balinese Hindu culture is that a woman who is menstruating is not allowed to enter a temple. Of course this is not easy to control, but if you want to respect the Balinese culture, women who are menstruating should not enter the temple.

Feet
Feet are considered unclean in the Balinese Hindu community. Therefore, according to the culture, it is important that the feet do not point to the altar and are not held high in the air.

Respect the Balinese culture
The Balinese temples are very important and are used extensively for ceremonies and prayers. Give space to the locals and make sure you don’t cause a nuisance. Show respect, don’t swear, do not enter areas closed to tourists and do not make noise in these sacred places. General matters as they apply worldwide in holy places include: not standing/climbing/sitting on the religious monuments, not disturbing the ceremonies and avoiding expressions of affection (kissing etc)

Learn more about the Besakih temple on Wikipedia.