Goa Garba, Pejeng: Ancient Hermit Caves Above the Pakerisan

A few kilometres east of Ubud, in Banjar Sema Gunung, Pejeng village (Tampaksiring district, Gianyar), a stone stairway drops steeply into the Pakerisan River valley. At the bottom sits Goa Garba: an archaeological site of hermit niches carved into the sandstone cliff, directly below Pura Pengukur-ukuran. The site covers barely 200 square metres, yet an inscription in the temple complex above bears the year 1116 Saka (around 1194 CE) — a trace of the Old Balinese period. While Tirta Empul fills with tour buses, here you are often alone with the sound of water.

What You Can See in the Valley

• Meditation niches — shallow rectangular recesses cut into the rock face, believed to have been used for meditation.
• A footprint in the steps — a foot-shaped hollow that locals link to Kebo Iwa, chief minister of the Bedahulu kingdom; it is now fenced with iron to prevent wear.
• Spring and holy water — a small water source still used for purification.
• The Pakerisan valley — mossy cliffs and the same river that runs past other Old Balinese sites along this corridor.

Why It Stays Quiet

There is no grand gateway, no souvenir stalls, no big road sign — just a narrow lane beside the temple and a fairly steep stone stairway. Some steps turn slippery with moss after rain, so come in the morning and wear shoes with grip.

Practical Info & Visiting

• Location: Banjar Sema Gunung, Pejeng village, Tampaksiring district, Gianyar — roughly a 20–25 minute drive from central Ubud. View on Google Maps
• Hours & cost: visit in daylight (roughly 08.00–17.00); the valley has no lighting. Most visitors simply drop a voluntary donation in the temple box, around IDR 10,000–20,000; the official Gianyar regency ticket portal lists a foreign-visitor fee in the IDR 15,000–30,000 range. Bring small cash.
• Access: scooters and small cars can get close, with informal parking along the village road. From parking it is a 5–10 minute walk down the stone steps. Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
• Etiquette: this is a sacred area — bring and wear a sarong and sash, cover your shoulders, do not climb into the niches or onto temple structures, do not take water without the pemangku's permission, and ask before photographing people praying or any ceremony in progress.
• More info: recent photos and trail conditions are easiest to check through visitor posts — search on Instagram.

Staying near Ubud lets you reach a site this quiet early in the morning; check AccessiaPass hotel vouchers to keep your accommodation costs light.