Ubud's best organised experiences focus on food, nature and craft rather than sightseeing coaches. Cooking classes are the most popular: Paon Bali in Laplapan village combines a market visit, a walk through the rice fields and a hands-on lesson in Balinese spice pastes, while Casa Luna Cooking School, founded in 1992, runs themed classes in the gardens of Honeymoon Guesthouse on Jalan Bisma.
For something more active, Sobek Bali Adventures, founded in 1989, pioneered white-water rafting on the Ayung River and also runs cycling trips around Ubud and Batur. Bali Bird Walk, founded in 1992 by the late Victor Mason, leads leisurely walks through the rice fields behind Penestanan four days a week, finishing with lunch at Murni's Warung. Threads of Life, which works with weavers across Indonesia, teaches natural dye batik and indigo classes at its studio in Petulu. Book cooking classes and the bird walk a day or two ahead, and check whether transfers from your hotel are included.
5 places · Updated October 27, 2026
Our top 3 tours & activities in Ubud
Tour operator
A Balinese cooking class in a family compound in Laplapan village, combining a market visit, a walk through the rice fields and a hands-on lesson in Balinese spice pastes.
View details — Paon Bali Cooking ClassTour operator
Janet DeNeefe's cooking school, founded in 1992 as Ubud's original, teaching hands-on Balinese classes in the gardens of Honeymoon Guesthouse on Jalan Bisma.
View details — Casa Luna Cooking SchoolTour operator
Bali's first professional adventure company, founded in 1989, which pioneered rafting on the Ayung River at Kedewatan and also runs cycling tours around Ubud and Batur.
View details — Sobek Bali AdventuresTour operator
A leisurely guided walk of about 5 km through the rice fields behind Penestanan, founded in 1992 by the late Victor Mason and led by Wayan Sumadi.
View details — Bali Bird WalkTour operator
The natural dye studio of Threads of Life, a fair-trade textile project working with weavers across Indonesia, offering half-day and multi-day dye classes near Ubud.
View details — Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio