Start the day by checking off the heart of Ubud. Explore the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, with its rambling bridges, jungle, gorge, and cheeky grey macaques. Tour Ubud Palace, home of the town’s royal family, then soak up the arts, crafts, and culture on display at Ubud Market.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ubud’s rice fields date back around 1,000 years. On a tour, you’ll learn about their ancient cultivation system, and capture timeless images as you hike, bike, or e-bike through the terraces, stopping at temples such as Tirta Empul along the way.

Relying heavily on fresh herbs and spices, Bali’s tangy, flavor-packed cuisine is a revelation. Treat your palate to a cooking class—perhaps with a local family in their traditional compound home—a food tour, or a multicourse feast overlooking one of Ubud’s beautiful rivers.

With a second day in Ubud, you have time for a full-day adventure. Climb Mt. Batur volcano at sunrise, followed by a relaxing lounge in its hot springs. Alternatively, take a whitewater rafting trip down the Ayung River or an ATV ride through forest, jungle, and rice paddies.

Spend the afternoon taking stunning photos, perhaps under the tumbling torrent of Tegenungan Waterfall, or soaring high above the green landscape on the Bali Swing. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about coffee, a famous Balinese crop, at one of the area’s plantations.

Wrap your two days in Ubud up in style with a pampering session at a classic Balinese spa. Let gentle gamelan music enfold you as your therapist kneads the knots away, or discover classic Balinese rituals such as a bath in tropical flowers or a “lulur” body scrub session.