Bali is bursting with religious monuments and sacred shrines. On this private tour, you'll visit one of the most photogenic of them all – Uluwatu Temple. Visit this clifftop spot at sunset and watch a traditional Balinese dance performance. Gede, one of our local guides, says, ‘The magic of this place is all in the name. In old Balinese, Ulu means “land's end” and Watu means “rock”. Legend says that the many long-tailed macaque monkeys living in Uluwatu were once brave soldiers who protected the Hindu high priest who built the temple. They're still here, protecting his shrine.'
Uluwatu Temple is among Bali's six most important shrines, thought to have been built in the 11th century by a monk called Mpu Kunturan. He chose his spot well – the setting is nothing short of spectacular. High on a rocky bluff surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean, the sacred temple is one of the best places in Bali to see the sun go down. Your guide will point out all the best vantage points around this important Hindu shrine. Snaps of the three-tiered meru tower silhouetted against the sunset are pure wow-factor.
Then, as the sun sinks towards the horizon, you're treated to a kecak dance show. It's a mix of powerful chanting, intricate costumes and complex moves that recounts a tale from the Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit text. The monkeys are all part of the story – look out for Hanuman, the white monkey warrior.
