10 Adventurous Things to Do in Bali

These adventurous things to do in Bali can add more thrills to your vacation, particularly if you prefer the great outdoors over the confines of a hotel. There’s a great variety of landscapes just waiting to be discovered: lush mountain valleys and scenic lakes, challenging whitewater rapids, and remote villages where ancient traditions thrive.

We’ve handpicked some activities that show you the beauty of Bali’s less-traveled areas, which mostly take you well off the beaten track. Longer excursions allow you to enjoy the island’s natural beauty, from rice field treks for a closer view of Bali’s agricultural heritage, to climbing some of the island’s taller peaks in time for the dramatic first light of day.

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1. Full-day private Trunyan expedition

A picturesque lakeside village with fascinating rituals

Good for: Photo, Adventure

Trunyan, also known as Terunyan, is one of Bali’s earliest inhabited places and this scenic lakeside village evokes awe and wonder through its unique rituals and customs. The village is located on the eastern side of Lake Batur.

One of Trunyan’s most interesting features is its historical burial rites where deceased villagers are wrapped and brought by boat to a dedicated burial ground. They are then laid out around a large old tree that is believed to only grow here. The tree’s fragrance miraculously neutralizes any odor from the decomposing bodies. It’s a truly unique (and somewhat macabre) cultural spectacle that provides insight into traditional Balinese life. The tour takes about 8.5 hours.

Location: Trunyan, Kintamani, Bangli, Bali, Indonesia

2. Whitewater rafting

Thrilling, super soaked adventures through the rapids

Good for: Adventure, Couples

You can enjoy challenging whitewater rafting on the Ayung River near Ubud. The river has Bali’s longest and largest rapids. The action and thrills start as soon as you board your rafts and start working together as a team on paddling and steering through the Grade 2 and Grade 3 course. A team of professional rafting guides assist you and provide the necessary safety equipment.

Vortexes of swirling foamy water, natural ramps, glittering waterfalls, and sudden drops are all part of this beautiful rollercoaster of nature. After your soggy joyride, dry off and head into town to enjoy a much-needed lunch at one of the many quality eateries nearby. Allow up to 5 hours to enjoy this adventure.

Location: Jl. Raya Bunutan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Open: Daily from 9 am to 2 pm

Phone: +62 822 3780 6199

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3. Antungan Village & Blangsinga Waterfall Tour

Local markets, rice fields, and dramatic waterfalls

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

Both adventurous and accessible, this great Bali excursion packs a market, nature trek, and waterfall into a fun day out in central Bali. The tour takes place around the lush Balinese village of Blahbatuh in the Gianyar regency, with walks through the picturesque rice paddies of Antungan where you can refresh mid-journey with a tasty local lunch.

The ensuing ascent up a narrow forest trail leads you to the stunning waterfalls of Blangsinga. After this forest hike, you can reward yourself with a cool dip and take some time to admire the views and luscious scenery all around. Allow up to 8 hours to enjoy this tour.

Location: Banjar Blangsinga, Jl. Raya Blangsinga, Saba, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80581, Indonesia

Open: Daily from 7 am to 6 pm

Phone: +62 819 1720 3557

4. Private sunrise volcano hike with hot spring bath

A breakfast cooked by volcano

Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual

A climb up Mount Batur allows you to fully take in the magical sunrise over the vast caldera lake. At the peak, enjoy a unique breakfast, often consisting of eggs and banana, cooked over the hot steam emitted from the volcano itself. Your hike down the slope traverses attractive plantations where you’ll discover fresh local produce.

You can also taste many different coffee brews available, including the world-famous civet-cat coffee, known as kopi luwak. Finally, take a soothing dip in a hot spring at the western side of the lake, where the 40°C water acts as a warming elixir to rejuvenate tired muscles. Allow up to 10 hours to enjoy the full adventure.

Location: South Batur, Kintamani, Bangli, Bali, Indonesia

5. Jatiluwih and Batukaru Mountain full-day tour

A sea of stunning green flowing down the mountainside

Good for: Adventure, Photo

The picturesque Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are often nicknamed Bali’s “sea of green”. This calm and cool highland countryside offers one of the most scenic panoramas on the island, thanks to the expanses of deep emerald rice terraces flowing down the hillside.

The region offers a combination of plantations and rice fields, alongside thick tropical forests around the slopes of Mount Batukaru. The mountain is also home to the beautiful and ancient Batukaru Temple, which is included as a stop on this tour. The whole journey to this western part of the island takes up to 8 hours.

Location: Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia

6. Tenganan native Balinese village trekking

Ancient culture and traditions still thriving

Good for: Photo, Adventure

The village of Tenganan Pegringsingan in Eastern Bali is one of the island’s oldest civilizations. It’s where ancient traditions and ways of life still live on to this day. The village is also famous for some of the world’s rarest tie-dye cloths, known as “gringsing,” which give the village its name.

This tour takes you to the heritage site where you can actively observe villagers upholding their ancient traditions. Besides admiring the exquisite fabrics, you can also taste locally produced palm wine and marvel at masterful handcrafted items. This full-day adventure ends on the golden sands of Virgin Beach in the coastal village of Perasi. Allow up to 8 hours to enjoy the tour.

Location: Tenganan, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia

Open: Daily from 7 am to 6 pm

7. Quad or buggy driving adventure and tubing excursion

Action-packed adventure for adrenaline lovers

Good for: Adventure, Unusual

This adventure is great for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies visiting Bali. You’ll whizz along exciting zip lines through a highland forest and along plantation trails around the village of Payangan in the central highlands, north of Ubud. You can also ride ATVs (quad bikes) or specially designed dirt buggies.

The action-packed adventure concludes with a unique thrill to cool down, cruising along the Siap River rapids in large inflatable tubes. Wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets, and safety harnesses, as well as a delicious Balinese lunch, are all included. The thrilling rides and river adventure takes up to 7 hours.

Location: Payangan, Kecamatan Payangan, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

8. Bali Wakaland Cruise Jeep tour

Discovering Bali’s heartlands in an all-terrain vehicle

Good for: Adventure, Food

Journey into Bali’s rugged interior on a 4x4 Jeep ride and enjoy a wealth of sights ranging from rice paddies and ancient quarries to high mountain peaks. This tour allows you to discover Bali’s central heartland and its spectacular landscapes. The trip starts in the morning with a layover at an old Balinese village with an ancient sandstone quarry where life-size masterpieces are carved by skilled artisans.

You can trek through lush countryside and learn to make Balinese flower offerings, “canang sari”, before going up into the mountains via the rice fields of Jatiluwih. Lunch with Balinese delights and coffees is served as part of the trip. Allow up to 8.5 hours to enjoy the tour.

Location: Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia

9. Hidden rice terraces small-group tour

A quick and convenient escape from the crowds

Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual

For a short and simple excursion to experience Bali’s green countryside, this tour is just right. Located close to the popular southern resort areas of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, you can explore the rice paddies of the Kerobokan area where expanses of green and verdant farmland can still be found.

This pleasant trip is super convenient for those staying in the tourist-heavy areas, while also providing an off-the-beaten-track experience. The guided trek through rice fields reveals plenty of insights and includes a detour to an eclectic warehouse packed with unusual antiques. You’ll also stop-off at a local traditional market. The short tour requires only 3 hours.

Location: Kerobokan, Kuta Utara, Badung, Bali, Indonesia

10. Fishing Boat Trips

Exciting marine trips to score a big catch

Good for: Adventure, Food

Fishing boat trips are a great way to have fun around Bali’s beautiful coasts, all while admiring the views of the island from a different perspective. Fishing tours and charters are provided by various marine adventure and water sports companies in Bali and are usually an option that’s available to complement dive tours.

The boat captain and crew take you out on a half-day cruise to wonderful locations, with fishing rods at the stern and lures and lines in tow. The waters around Bali’s coasts are teeming with big-game fish. The boat ride is often part of the thrill, all topped with your successful strike as you reel in your prized mahi-mahi, wahoo, barracuda, or even blue marlin. Read more

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