Cultural Tours in Indonesia

If you’re in search of a cultural experience, you can’t go past an exploration of Balinese Hinduism, with its peaceful Buddhist influences. The Balinese have a stunningly vibrant and kind way of living and welcome curious travelers into the fold. You can participate in ceremonies, learn traditional arts and crafts, or explore the history of Indonesia at a variety of cultural sites that you’ll find are home to both stunning architecture and hand carved stone deities.

Plan my TripPlanned with a local insider, takes just 2 minutes.
2,600+ Verified Reviews
Tours & Activities

Cultural in Indonesia

Fascinating Ubud

Take a trekking tour through small, hidden paths through the rice paddies and coconut plantations. You’ll stop by the home of a local, where your host will serve you some fresh coconut and Balinese cakes.

From $70

Bali Midlands Tour

Bali’s midlands are rich with natural beauty and fascinating ancient relics. You’ll get to visit the ancient capital of Mengwi, as well as the famous water temple of Pura Taman Ayun.

From $63

Amazing Bali

This tour takes you to some of the most breathtaking views in Bali. Sign up to ensure you get some of the best views in Indonesia as backdrops for your vacation photos. The tour begins at 8:30 AM, which gives you plenty of time to fit all the sights in. Make sure to have eaten breakfast before you set out and be ready for a full morning and afternoon.

From $68

Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Dance

Experience an incredible combination of culture and beautiful landscape on this tour to the Uluwatu Temple, which sits on a cliff 230 feet (70 m) above the Indian Ocean. You’ll get to watch a Kecak dance performance in the warm glow of the setting sun.

From $35

Brahman Blessing & Elephant Cave Tour

On this tour, you’ll visit the ancient elephant temple called Goa Gajah, which is one of Bali’s oldest sacred spaces. Your guide will talk you through the complexities of Balinese culture. This ancient temple is surrounded with beautiful rice fields and small streams that lead to the Petanu River – another natural site intertwined with local legends. Enjoy a stroll through the temple and the neighboring rice fields and jungle. After this you will visit a Balinese compound and will be introduced a well-known priest to take a part in an astrology session and purification ceremony.

From $152

Art Village Tour

Take this tour to get to get a sense of Balinese village life and local handicrafts. You’ll also stop by some of the highlights of Ubud, including the market and the monkey forest.

From $36

Balinese Society Snapshot

Discover the beauty of Bali, Indonesia on both a natural and artistic level when you go on this fun and engaging tour. Explore traditional painting methods and wood carving. Then visit a turtle conservation center; the island and her animals are such an inspiration that they must be preserved. Learn about traditional artistry in Ubud and take more than a memory back with you — purchase an original piece from a studio or workshop!

From $67

Balinese Culinary Experience

Discover the flavors of Bali with this immersive tour that’s part cultural exchange, part culinary delight. You’ll learn about the origins behind some of Bali, Indonesia’s most popular dishes; how local horticulture and agriculture influences cuisine; and how tradition merges with modern cooking techniques. The best part? Since you’ll be creating these dishes, you’ll be able to conjure up ‘a taste of Bali’ whenever the mood strikes, back home. Yes, you will get to sample the fruits of your labor.

From $176

Tirtagangga and East Bali Trekking

Your day starts with a 2.5-hour downhill trek to the Tenganan Pagringsingan village. Your guide will show you around and explain how traditional life works. Only people born in the village can live here and be full members of the community, which has existed in this part of Bali dating back to at least the 13th century. Villagers follow a strict set of rules when it comes to the wildlife surrounding their village — for example, a member cannot chop down a tree without permission from the community. From the village, you’ll have tremendous view of the mountain and farmers working in the rice fields.

From $108

Cultural Ubud

This all-day tour takes you to some of the country’s most popular museums. You’ll learn a lot about the history of the country as well as taken in by breathtaking, colorful works of art, as well as archeological artifacts.

From $51

East Bali Exploration

When you think of a tropical island, you might think that the whole region has the same landscape, but in Bali's instance, nothing could be further from the truth. The East Bali Highlights tour helps you explore a very specific part of this Indonesian island. During your tour, you'll see both the everyday and the extraordinary. From traditional architecture to mountains and temples, this is your chance to discover the best of Eastern Bali.

From $55

Skulls and Bones Tours

This half-day tour introduces you to one of the oldest cultures on Bali. Trunyan sits on the edge of Lake Batur and serves as home to the Bali Aga tribe, which has lived here since the 10th century. In addition to an up-close look at Balinese history, as well as a dramatic landscape.

From $89

Balinese Herb Class and Nature Walk

Take a 3-hour guided walk to learn more about the medicinal use of herbs in Balinese culture, followed by a lesson on how to make some of these concoctions yourself. Your guide will show you which herbs go into the local’s authentic beauty treatments and health-giving drinks.

From $85

R.O.L.E Community Skills Center

Take a Think Global, Act Local interactive tour at the R.O.L.E. center. This tour looks to the future as its celebrates the past – while you’re here, you’ll learn about the center’s efforts to teach sustainable job skills to marginalized women, as well as some of the crafting traditions that they’re helping preserve.

From $51

Morning Adventure at Tanah Lot

The legend of this holy rock and its blessed water is intriguing. Let the beauty and magic of Bali surround you when you make your pilgrimage to Tanah Lot. Utterly breathtaking, and touted as one of Bali's most important, and most photographed, landmarks. Your visit to Indonesia is simply incomplete if you don't add this destination to your itinerary.

From $29

A Day in The Life of a Balinese Farmer

Escape the everyday in Bali, Indonesia and live your best life in a big way. Experience both luxury and simplicity with one amazing tour. A Day in The Life of a Balinese Farmer provides you with guided walks, picnic breakfasts and lunches, interaction with local farmers, and spa treatments — all in the span of a single adventure. Because you'll be enjoying the expertise of the Four Seasons, you can rest assured that every element of your tour will be exceptional.

From $303

Tirta Gangga Water Palace Tour

On this tour, you’ll see the three complexes that make up the mystical grounds of the Tirta Gangga Palace. Built in the 19th century, this historic palace blends Chinese and Balinese influences, in a series of pools, fountains, and statues that synthesize art and spirituality in one tranquil site.

From $54

Silver Workshop

At Balinese museums, you’ll see ancient examples of silver relief used to decorate temples, as well as sacred tools used in temple offerings. This 3-hour workshop introduces you to some of the intense techniques that make it possible to bend and pound silver into an intricate pattern. Come with a few ideas, as you’ll be making your own design.

From $99

Ubud Cultural Dance Performance

Visit the Ubud Palace to see a traditional legong dance at Ubud Palace – a lively introduction to Indonesian art and history. This historical palace is in the Ubud city center, making it easy to include in most Bali itineraries. It was built in the early 19th century and served as the royal residence for many years, and retains much of the grandeur of its heyday.

From $10

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Explore one of Bali's most fascinating sacred spaces where the grounds of three (3) temples is also the home of several monkey communities. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the dwelling of some 900 Balinese Long-Tail Macaque Monkeys. This unique outing lets you observe the architectural beauty of ancient temples, a luscious forest, and the finer points of primate societies.

From $35
Trips to Inspire

Indonesia itineraries from local insiders

Explore hand-picked Indonesia itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.

10 daysInquire

Me and My Besties in Bali

Time for you and your friends to go on the best vacation ever! Bali is a tropical paradise that offers something for everyone. Adventure, excitement, and beauty await.

Me and My Besties in Bali

Indonesia

8 daysFrom $1,434 per person

Arrive Curious, Leave Knowledgeable

Take a break from the everyday and live an extraordinary life when you find yourself exploring beautiful Bali, Indonesia. Adventure awaits your family on land and in the sea.

Arrive Curious, Leave Knowledgeable

Indonesia

9 daysFrom $1,196 per person

Little Island. Big Trip.

This family vacation, skip standing in the hot sun at a theme park and choose the breathtaking beauty of Bali, Indonesia. Soft sand, aquamarine oceans, and the beauty of nature.

Little Island. Big Trip.

Indonesia

9 daysFrom $1,997 per person

Family Tales & Cultural Adventures

Be the family that tells amazing stories when you enjoy nature excursions, cultural exchanges, and visit sacred sites all in the span of one family vacation.

Family Tales & Cultural Adventures

Indonesia

8 daysInquire

Find Yourself in Bali

Escape the digital world and connect to something greater than yourself and your screen through yoga, surfing, cultural exchanges, and sacred blessings in Bali.

Find Yourself in Bali

Indonesia

9 daysInquire

Bonding Your Souls in Bali

Whether it’s your honeymoon, anniversary, or simply an overdue romantic getaway, reconnect with your sense of adventure and each other in Bali, Indonesia.

Bonding Your Souls in Bali

Indonesia

7 daysInquire

A Blessed Union in Bali

Make this romantic getaway something truly special when you go on adventures, participate in spiritual ceremonies, and reconnect to nature on the island of Bali, Indonesia.

A Blessed Union in Bali

Indonesia

7 daysInquire

Our Love in Bali & Beyond!

Make a lasting memory when you unplug from the digital world and tune into nature and each other. Island hop your way to happiness and a deeper connection.

Our Love in Bali & Beyond!

Indonesia

Belong Anywhere

In their words