Sight guide · Ubud · Indonesia
Visiting Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
About 4 km east of Ubud, a cave entrance carved with a demonic face leads into a small chamber with Hindu shrines, believed to date from around the 11th century.
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Quick answer
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is a historic site in Bedulu, Ubud. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Bedulu
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, nature and photo spot
- Best months
- July–September
About Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
About 4 km east of Ubud, a cave entrance carved with a demonic face leads into a small chamber with Hindu shrines, believed to date from around the 11th century. Below it are ancient bathing pools with water-spouting figures, and a path leads down to Buddhist relics by a stream in the jungle.
Tip: Sarongs are lent at the entrance; walk the steps down to the stream, which most groups skip.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Bedulu.
Best time to visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- August: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- July: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- September: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Ubud has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
- No. 9 of the 19 sights in our Ubud things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Ubud.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Ubud.
If you like Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — Padangtegal, 1–1.5 hours
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces — Tegallalang, 1.5–2 hours
- Tirta Empul — Tampaksiring, 1–1.5 hours
- Gunung Kawi — Tampaksiring, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Where to stay in Ubud compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)?
Plan 1 hour.
+Is Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Sarongs are lent at the entrance; walk the steps down to the stream, which most groups skip.
+Do I need to book Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.