Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple
3.3
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Over a thousand years old, Besakih Temple is known as the "Mother Temple of Bali". Perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, at a lofty 1000 metres (3000 feet)Pura Besakih is the paramount Hindu temple on Bali. Located high on the slopes of the volcano Mt. Agung, it has developed over more than a thousand years into a great complex of 22 separate temples, the largest and central being Pura Penataran Agung. The annual cycle of more than 70 rituals, which symbolically link the temples into a whole, culminates in the centenary ceremony called Ekadasa Rudra, last held in 1979. The temple complex, state-supported since the 15th century, has undergone a series of architectural and ritual changes.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Compass37015908663
1 contribution
May 2024 • Solo
I went there alone on 5/6/2024 using a KKday taxi charter.
In advance, I asked the Japanese taxi guide if it was a dangerous place where you could be ripped off with guide fees, etc., and he said that it used to be the case, but now the rules have been improved and are stricter, so it's okay.
I thought the entrance fee was Rp60,000, but when I went to the ticket office, I was told that it had gone up to Rp150,000.
The ticket price includes salon rental, a specialized local guide needed to enter the temple, and a one-way minibus ride up the slope from the ticket office to the temple. (It's a souvenir street about 1 km long, and you walk downhill on the way back.)
Maybe the parking fee is also included.
When I got off the minibus right in front of the temple gate, as I had heard, a bunch of old ladies selling offerings came over to me.
Today is a ceremony, so we need offerings! They said that. lol
Of course, you can ignore them and head to the temple. If you are worried, just pretend not to understand English and head straight to the temple.
The guide who accompanied us also pretended not to notice.
Inside the temple, there are a few old ladies who want to sell souvenir postcards, which are common everywhere, and they will talk to you and get in the way of taking photos, but if you refuse and ignore them, there is no problem.
I refused, saying, "Don't get in my way because I'm listening to the guide and taking photos!" lol
The guide is English-speaking, but when you actually enter the temple, the guide will explain various things, such as this is a family temple, this is a temple for farmers, etc.
He asked me if I wanted to take photos here, and took a lot of photos for me.
While listening to the guide, we walked around the main hall, and although we couldn't enter the grounds, we were able to see the inside of the main hall from near the entrance.
When we were given an explanation of the Vishnu temple near the main hall, the guide asked us if we wanted to pray.
Of course, a donation is required for that, so if you don't want to pay the extra fee, you can refuse.
I wanted to go inside the temple and was interested, so I said I'd like to pray, and was allowed into the grounds of the Vishnu temple.
To buy offerings for prayers, you need to pay a small tip, although there seems to be no set amount.
I gave about Rp50,000.
The guide stood next to me and showed me how to pray using grass and flowers, and the words to use.
When we were leaving after the tour, the guide asked me if I had enjoyed myself, and when I answered yes, he asked if I could give him a small tip.
The guide was not bad, but the ticket price was quite high, so I refused, saying that everything and your tip should be included in the ticket price, and he did not force me to do so.
Besakih Temple itself is a very beautiful temple, and since it is higher than the city, the air was good, so I'm glad I went.
In advance, I asked the Japanese taxi guide if it was a dangerous place where you could be ripped off with guide fees, etc., and he said that it used to be the case, but now the rules have been improved and are stricter, so it's okay.
I thought the entrance fee was Rp60,000, but when I went to the ticket office, I was told that it had gone up to Rp150,000.
The ticket price includes salon rental, a specialized local guide needed to enter the temple, and a one-way minibus ride up the slope from the ticket office to the temple. (It's a souvenir street about 1 km long, and you walk downhill on the way back.)
Maybe the parking fee is also included.
When I got off the minibus right in front of the temple gate, as I had heard, a bunch of old ladies selling offerings came over to me.
Today is a ceremony, so we need offerings! They said that. lol
Of course, you can ignore them and head to the temple. If you are worried, just pretend not to understand English and head straight to the temple.
The guide who accompanied us also pretended not to notice.
Inside the temple, there are a few old ladies who want to sell souvenir postcards, which are common everywhere, and they will talk to you and get in the way of taking photos, but if you refuse and ignore them, there is no problem.
I refused, saying, "Don't get in my way because I'm listening to the guide and taking photos!" lol
The guide is English-speaking, but when you actually enter the temple, the guide will explain various things, such as this is a family temple, this is a temple for farmers, etc.
He asked me if I wanted to take photos here, and took a lot of photos for me.
While listening to the guide, we walked around the main hall, and although we couldn't enter the grounds, we were able to see the inside of the main hall from near the entrance.
When we were given an explanation of the Vishnu temple near the main hall, the guide asked us if we wanted to pray.
Of course, a donation is required for that, so if you don't want to pay the extra fee, you can refuse.
I wanted to go inside the temple and was interested, so I said I'd like to pray, and was allowed into the grounds of the Vishnu temple.
To buy offerings for prayers, you need to pay a small tip, although there seems to be no set amount.
I gave about Rp50,000.
The guide stood next to me and showed me how to pray using grass and flowers, and the words to use.
When we were leaving after the tour, the guide asked me if I had enjoyed myself, and when I answered yes, he asked if I could give him a small tip.
The guide was not bad, but the ticket price was quite high, so I refused, saying that everything and your tip should be included in the ticket price, and he did not force me to do so.
Besakih Temple itself is a very beautiful temple, and since it is higher than the city, the air was good, so I'm glad I went.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🍍🍍
Newport, RI258 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
It's unfortunate that the most sacred & important temple in Bali has been reduced to a tourist trap, but evidently some actions by poor tourists in the past prompted the Indonesian government to apply new visitation rules rather than close the complex entirely to visitors
You'll be brought to a central area to pay the IDR 150k per person.
You are provided a sarong & assigned a local guide, which is mandatory then board a golf cart shuttle bus.
Yes, upon leaving the shuttle bus you will be swarmed by vendors demanding that you must purchase an offering. This is not necessary & politely decline & keep moving.
Based on previous reviews. I guess it depends on the time of year & the guide you get.
For us, visiting in the morning during the rainy season, it was very quiet. Only a couple other tourists.
Our guide was polite & patient & allowed us to move at our own speed so we were fortunate.
Due to the layout, you are very limited in what you can actually see. Most is around the perimeter of the complex with the majority of the interior closed off.
Plan for about 45 mins.
A commercialized experience but if managed correctly is OK.
Just be aware of what to expect & be polite.
You'll be brought to a central area to pay the IDR 150k per person.
You are provided a sarong & assigned a local guide, which is mandatory then board a golf cart shuttle bus.
Yes, upon leaving the shuttle bus you will be swarmed by vendors demanding that you must purchase an offering. This is not necessary & politely decline & keep moving.
Based on previous reviews. I guess it depends on the time of year & the guide you get.
For us, visiting in the morning during the rainy season, it was very quiet. Only a couple other tourists.
Our guide was polite & patient & allowed us to move at our own speed so we were fortunate.
Due to the layout, you are very limited in what you can actually see. Most is around the perimeter of the complex with the majority of the interior closed off.
Plan for about 45 mins.
A commercialized experience but if managed correctly is OK.
Just be aware of what to expect & be polite.
Written January 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendie Poncet
Indonesia3 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Unfortunately, I will largely repeat what has been said in many previous comments: quite expensive entry for a Balinese attraction (120k). Obviously the prices are not displayed at the entrance and I for my part paid more than the 90k announced in the other comments, the prices are up to the customer (nothing surprising for Bali though). No option without a guide and without a shuttle.
First big downside, I was literally jumped on when leaving the shuttle by several women who gave me a bag of offerings and a piece of fabric before telling me that it was going to cost me 200k. Being a young solo traveler certainly made me easy prey... After arguing with them for several minutes to make them understand that I was not interested, I can finally start the visit (knowing that my guide is remained stoic and did not intervene at any time during the altercation). However, he is very friendly and answers all my questions, I learn a lot about the Hindu religion. The temples are indeed very pretty, but it is forbidden to enter them so we are limited in terms of discovery.
Without forgetting the behind the scenes: waste and ruins just behind the temples, souvenir shops everywhere, young girls who follow you for several dozen meters to try to sell you a postcard...
The big plus of the visit, the guide introduced me to their prayer ritual with offerings and incense, until the “holy man” at the end asked for a “gift for the gods”. Finally, after walking back down to the main entrance, the guide asks for a final tip... I feel like I spent more time reaching into my wallet than actually enjoying a calming place.
In summary, yes the place is majestic and photogenic, and yes the guides are mostly kind and interesting. But we feel a little uncomfortable to see to what extent the place has become a tourist trap, in a place that claims to be sacred. I wouldn't say that the place is to be avoided, but go there knowingly.
First big downside, I was literally jumped on when leaving the shuttle by several women who gave me a bag of offerings and a piece of fabric before telling me that it was going to cost me 200k. Being a young solo traveler certainly made me easy prey... After arguing with them for several minutes to make them understand that I was not interested, I can finally start the visit (knowing that my guide is remained stoic and did not intervene at any time during the altercation). However, he is very friendly and answers all my questions, I learn a lot about the Hindu religion. The temples are indeed very pretty, but it is forbidden to enter them so we are limited in terms of discovery.
Without forgetting the behind the scenes: waste and ruins just behind the temples, souvenir shops everywhere, young girls who follow you for several dozen meters to try to sell you a postcard...
The big plus of the visit, the guide introduced me to their prayer ritual with offerings and incense, until the “holy man” at the end asked for a “gift for the gods”. Finally, after walking back down to the main entrance, the guide asks for a final tip... I feel like I spent more time reaching into my wallet than actually enjoying a calming place.
In summary, yes the place is majestic and photogenic, and yes the guides are mostly kind and interesting. But we feel a little uncomfortable to see to what extent the place has become a tourist trap, in a place that claims to be sacred. I wouldn't say that the place is to be avoided, but go there knowingly.
Written May 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZR
4 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
You cannot enjoy the true history of this place. It has become a tourist trap. The ticket price includes a sarong, guide and one way shuttle up the hill. Yet, the guide, who basically does nothing, asks you for a tip at the end. We paid 10,000 IDR and he said that’s it? And we said yes and left. I wish we paid nothing. Be firm and don’t let them bully you. The less people pay, the more they hopefully realise this scam won’t work anymore. There are so many people shoving items in your face expecting you to buy. Just say no to it all (ten suksma in Balinese). I would not recommend this place and this was the worst experience in Bali. It’s a shame as the rest of the Balinese people are so friendly and kind and this temple tarnishes that. I don’t know how they don’t fine it disrespectful to be so shameless at such a sacred place.
Written May 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy M
Sydney, Australia626 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Besakih is the mother temple for Bali, and somewhere that all Balinese Hindus should visit at certain times for ceremony. It's at the base of Mount Agung and a couple of hours' drive to the east from Kuta, Seminyak etc. Besakih isn't as photogenic as some of the Balinese temples but it's important and in constant use by locals. Your entry fee includes a sarong and sash, and your individual guide. You don't need to pay extra for these, or for offerings, and your guide has been paid. Tipping is optional. Over several visits, my experience has been that some guides are a bit pushy about getting tips and will tell you you haven't given them enough (when none is required), others are much more pleasant. There's an electric bus to take you up the road to the base of the temple, then there are still a lot of stairs once you start the visit. If you want to return back down the hill by electric bus, you have to pay for the return ticket as the same time as the entry. Otherwise, there are usually local woman waiting by the top bus stop offering lifts down the hill on their motorbikes for an extra fee.
The temple is in 3 parts, for Brahma (red, creation, fire), Shiva (white & yellow, destroyer, wind) and Vishnu (black, protection, holy water) but the majority of your visit will be in the busier central section belonging to Shiva. If you want to make an offering, non-Hindus usually do this is Vishnu's section. Shiva's section is the busiest. with lots of interesting buildings and courtyards. This is a temple that I feel all visitors to Bali should visit at some point in order to help better understand the culture of this beautiful island we have the privilege to visit.
Carry water, and make sure you have a decent hat pr an umbrella as there are a lot of steps and limited shade.
The temple is in 3 parts, for Brahma (red, creation, fire), Shiva (white & yellow, destroyer, wind) and Vishnu (black, protection, holy water) but the majority of your visit will be in the busier central section belonging to Shiva. If you want to make an offering, non-Hindus usually do this is Vishnu's section. Shiva's section is the busiest. with lots of interesting buildings and courtyards. This is a temple that I feel all visitors to Bali should visit at some point in order to help better understand the culture of this beautiful island we have the privilege to visit.
Carry water, and make sure you have a decent hat pr an umbrella as there are a lot of steps and limited shade.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoloJoe
New York City, NY632 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
Too many fees and touts . Not crowded(4:30pm)
Motorbike parking 5k pp
Entrance : 150k pp
Assigned a tour guide(included)
Mandatory to wear a sarong(provided free) before entering
Waited for guide to drive you to the top
No transport on the return. Walking 10 minutes
Arrived at the top. Bombarded by touts trying to convince and guilt you into buying their items 👎
Extra 30k for your tour guide to take your photos
Extra 20k pp for his services after the tour
Beautiful surrounding . Lots of history, but felt all the locals were out to hustle you. Didn’t feel spiritually fore-filled. More of a money for play activity. Very sad 😞😞😞
If this review was helpful please give it 👍
Happy Safe Travels
Motorbike parking 5k pp
Entrance : 150k pp
Assigned a tour guide(included)
Mandatory to wear a sarong(provided free) before entering
Waited for guide to drive you to the top
No transport on the return. Walking 10 minutes
Arrived at the top. Bombarded by touts trying to convince and guilt you into buying their items 👎
Extra 30k for your tour guide to take your photos
Extra 20k pp for his services after the tour
Beautiful surrounding . Lots of history, but felt all the locals were out to hustle you. Didn’t feel spiritually fore-filled. More of a money for play activity. Very sad 😞😞😞
If this review was helpful please give it 👍
Happy Safe Travels
Written July 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glyn J
7 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This is the "Mother Temple" of Bali and I was expecting something spectacular. It is from a distance but I was escorted around the perimeter of the buildings by a "guide" and not allowed anywhere near the interiors. I was also chaperoned when I reached the courtyard of one of the main temples and was told I could walk a few yards into it to take photos but no further. So, after spending hours travelling to get there it was a quick tour around and out. Balinese government are cracking down on behaviour of rogue tourist which spoils the experience for the law abiding and respectful people. Sad!!
Written May 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minowe
Bolzano, Italy1,184 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Very large temple that in summer I think welcomes thousands of visitors a day, given the immense underground parking and an entrance to Disneyland.
The most beautiful thing is the grand staircase that leads to the prayer part and that is not open to visitors. Beautiful processions with offerings that are brought by the faithful. Tour around the long but interesting temple
The most beautiful thing is the grand staircase that leads to the prayer part and that is not open to visitors. Beautiful processions with offerings that are brought by the faithful. Tour around the long but interesting temple
Automatically translated
Written December 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serge Ydo
Koggenland, The Netherlands15,968 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
After seeing the spectacular Prambanan temple on Java this holiday and then also seeing the beautiful Borobudur Temple on Java, my expectations were high regarding the "Pura Besakih", or the Besakih Temple in Bali. This Hindu temple is located at 1000 meters altitude against the slope of the still active volcano Agung. It is considered to be the largest and most important Hindu temple complex in Bali. The main temple dates from the 13th century, although parts are estimated to be much older. The temple is still used as a place of prayer. The main temple is therefore usually not accessible to non-Hindus. The main temple is flanked by many small "family temples", to follow the expression of the guides. They are usually not temples for one family, but for a clan. These clan temples are also usually old age. The most beautiful thing about the entire temple complex, main temple and small clan temples, is the "pelinggih merus", the high, pagoda-like towers, whose roofs are covered with coconut fibers. The limited accessibility of the main temple, the lack of clarity of the complex due to the many clan temples and the many souvenir shops disappointed me a bit. But worth a visit!
Automatically translated
Written October 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naomi B
Perth, Australia219 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Rp 150,000 when we went. This includes entry, a guide and sarong, plus ride to the entryway. You will notice a difference with this place which locals call the Mother Temple due to the extensive parking and new road in very good condition. Even so it’s a bit disorganised around getting your tickets, guide, sarong but it will all be sorted fairly quickly.
Our guide introduced himself, took us to the beginning of the entry way and then quickly handed us over to another guide which we found suspicious but was probably not uncommon practice. The second guide requested a sub-tip at the end of the tour which i believe is also not uncommon.
The guide also told us it was a maximum of 1 hour, even though there was no mention of a time limit with the ticket purchase so we were left wondering whether this was a real time limit or did guides impose it so they could get back quicker to be paid for the next one. We found the one hour time limit a pain - would’ve liked to walk and look at our own pace.
Supposedly a sacred site, there were vendors all through the temple, plus at the front and back of the temple. Toilets were available at each shop but you had to pay.
The commercial feel of the place detracted from it for us and I think smaller local temples would be a better way to go.
Our guide introduced himself, took us to the beginning of the entry way and then quickly handed us over to another guide which we found suspicious but was probably not uncommon practice. The second guide requested a sub-tip at the end of the tour which i believe is also not uncommon.
The guide also told us it was a maximum of 1 hour, even though there was no mention of a time limit with the ticket purchase so we were left wondering whether this was a real time limit or did guides impose it so they could get back quicker to be paid for the next one. We found the one hour time limit a pain - would’ve liked to walk and look at our own pace.
Supposedly a sacred site, there were vendors all through the temple, plus at the front and back of the temple. Toilets were available at each shop but you had to pay.
The commercial feel of the place detracted from it for us and I think smaller local temples would be a better way to go.
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
60 thousand rupi for ticket...include local guide,sarong,and local transportation drop u from parking area to the temple
Written November 13, 2019
Hi!!! What is the entrance fee for foreigners to this temple? Is it closer to Ubud?
Thanks in advance !!!
Written March 12, 2019
Sorry for this late reaction.
The entrancefee is not so high, you have to be sure that your legs are coverd for the ladies and man. The distance for Ubud to the temple complex is not so far in miles but it takes time you can go with a taxi you have to agocieed about the price. From Sanur to the Besaki about 500000,00 rupia
Written April 7, 2019
Pascaline D
Brussels, Belgium
With the current activity of the vulcano Agnung, is it still possible to visit Besakih?
Written November 26, 2017
is the Temple still closed due to Agung Volcano acitvity?
Written October 29, 2017
Government still set 6-7.5 danger radius from Mount Agung including Besakih...but the danger status has been lowered...
Written October 30, 2017
Hi,
I was told Besakih is closed to tourists because of the volcano activity or land erosions, is that true?
Written October 8, 2017
As far as I know Besakih is closed effectively since September 23, 2017 due to Mount Agung increasing activity.
Written October 10, 2017
May i know how much is the ticket/person? i heard that i will get a guide inlcuded, is that tru?
Written September 24, 2017
The entrance fee is IDR 60.000 per person and includes the guide. Some guides do expect a tip but it is not mandatory.
Written September 24, 2017
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