Alas Kedaton, Tabanan: Monkey Forest With a Flying Fox Colony

About 40 minutes from Ubud, in Kukuh village, Marga district, Tabanan, lies an old nutmeg forest called Alas Kedaton. The canopy is dense, the path is short and flat, and the residents are not only monkeys — that is what sets it apart from Bali's far busier monkey forests.

Long-Tailed Macaques and a Flying Fox Colony

Hundreds of long-tailed macaques race across the forest floor and climb the fences. High overhead, a colony of kalong — large fruit bats — hangs upside down from the tallest branches all day long, a silhouette you rarely get to see this close.

• Best time: morning, 09.00–11.00, when the monkeys are most active and the forest is still quiet.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes at a relaxed pace; the trail is flat and child-friendly.
• Bring: drinking water, closed shoes and a camera strap.

The Unusual Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton

At the heart of the forest stands an ancient temple with rare customary rules: prayers here are offered without incense, without kwangen and without penjor — believed to keep embers from being carried into the forest by monkeys. Its layout is inverted too: the Utama Mandala sits lower than the Madya Mandala, with several entrances instead of one main gate. Wear a sarong if you approach the sacred area.

Staying Safe Around the Monkeys

• Take off glasses, hats and earrings; keep your phone in a closed bag.
• Never carry open food or drinks — it is a direct invitation.
• Avoid eye contact and baring your teeth; both read as a threat.
• Local guides and souvenir sellers can be persuasive — agree on a price upfront or decline politely.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Jalan Raya Alas Kedaton, Kukuh, Marga, Tabanan — View on Google Maps.
• Hours & tickets: open daily around 09.00–17.00; entry roughly Rp 20,000–30,000 per adult (higher rate for foreign visitors), parking Rp 2,000–5,000.
• Getting there: about 40 minutes from Ubud, 30 minutes from Canggu; no booking needed, buy tickets at the gate. A car with driver is the easiest option.
• Combine with: Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Tanah Lot at sunset — all three sit on one route.
• Latest updates: search on Instagram.

This trip works best as a half-day out from a base in Canggu, Seminyak or Ubud. Compare rates and book your stay voucher on AccessiaPass so more of your budget is left for the days ahead.