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Gianyar Regency
Ubud
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Elephant Cave
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Elephant Cave

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See all things to do
Elephant Cave
3.5
5,082
#20 of 97 things to do in Ubud
Caverns & Caves
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
This 11th-century cave is entered through the carved mouth of a demon.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
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Best nearby
Restaurants
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
5,082 reviews
Excellent
1,192
Very good
1,911
Average
1,502
Poor
355
Terrible
122
llshan
10 contributions
Small temple. Be aware of the scam
Solo
There is a Hindu and Buddhist temple inside. It is quite a small temple and there is nothing much of the info on what I had visited. The price of IDR50,000 is also a bit pricy consider the size of the temple.

There is some guide who offer to tour around at a fee. Be aware of some people here who offered to help you take a picture and followed you during your visit. I was skeptical at the first place and thought that I might be over cautious. However, the person actually followed us and passionly explained some of the history of the temple and in the end ask for money of IDR150,000 for me and my parents which is ridiculous. I paid him but I feel it is not really ethical as he should have mentioned that and asked if we need his service.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fussyhunk
59 contributions
If you love artifacts...
Couples
A very old temple that's been partially demolished by earthquakes. There is also a Buddhist temple nearby, so if you are already there, make sure you see both. Some steps to walk up and down, but its purely with good environment. There is also a large portion of shops outside of the temple. Some people will offer for guide service for 150K/100K, but I think it's not really necessary.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
quinni_224
Cowra, Australia2,757 contributions
So intricate.
This was the second stop for us on a private day tour with a Bali Res Centre driver.

Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave Temple, was formed in the 9th century. The exact origins of the cave are uncertain, however, it is believed to have been built as a sanctuary for spiritual meditation.

Both my brother and I were taken aback by the site, not only by the intricacies of the carvings, but the wonder at how the site was carved by hand, and how serene the environment was.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bec
Birmingham, UK490 contributions
Find the underwater temple and cave!
We got dropped off here by our driver to take a look around. The elephant cave was really amazing with all of the intricate carvings on it, the inside was also very interesting to see where people meditate.
We walked around and met a lady and her son who then took us to the most amazing place. It was quite slippery downhill so make sure you're wearing good shoes, and she took us down to the gorge and where the cave temple and underwater temple is.
We gave them a tip to thank them - it was the highlight for us and one of our main highlights of the trip.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SteveyMac
Secret Harbour, Australia237 contributions
Beware of the guides
Small temple with overpriced entrance fee although this does include the loan of a tatty sarong that you must wear before being allowed in. Women are not allowed in if they are menstruating! This is the 21st Century isn’t it? Anyway once you are in you need to be aware of the dodgy guides that follow you like a bad smell until you don’t even realise they are guiding you! Once they have you they then demand $20 for their services – that’s four times as much as the entrance fee. Unfortunately for the guide who latched onto me I only had $2 in cash on me. To say he wasn’t happy is an understatement and put a whole negative vibe on the experience. I just wanted to get out of the place! It may have been a whole lot better experience without the guides but unfortunately I was only left with a sour taste. My advice would be not to bother at all with this place but if you do bother just make sure you tell the guides to where to go when they try to accost you (unless you are happy to pay the $10-$10 fee they demand of course)
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CKF
CT2,196 contributions
What a Let Down!
The Elephant Cave is on every list of "must sees" in Ubud. For us, a complete let down.

Your 50 IRB entry fee will come with a sarong, which must be worn by both men and women at Balinese Hindu temples. We approached the cave and admired the truly wonderful and intricately carved stone entrance. Definitely a highlight, even though I could not see any resemblance to an elephant.

We entered the cave and inside. You'll see a narrow room, maybe 12 feet to the left and 12 feet to the right, with a small shrine at each end. That's it. I can't imagine what this must be like in high season.

We wandered the grounds for a while, thinking we must have missed it. We crossed a lovely stream with a waterfall and came upon a tour guide. We asked him were the temple was. He pointed to where we had been!

For us, this was a complete miss and totally skippable. Spend your extra time at the Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets nearby.
Written March 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jakub S
Prague, Czech Republic21 contributions
No!
Couples
1st scam, directly on parking. Woman sad, that everyone needs a sarong. I had my own and my wife haf skirt long to the ground. Its enough.
2nd scam:Guys with bone or wood items. Its not from bones and they are mistificating you about price.
3th scam: Guid told us, that everyone must have a guide inside. Dont believe him, just ignore him, if you are not interested in.
4th scam: There is a exchange with higher rate then usual in Ubud. So I change 200 Eur, which was 2 940 000 IDR. Guy first give me 2M in 50 000IDR notes and 4x 10 000 notes. I note him, that he is wrong - dont pick up the money, just count it - and he put to table missing 900k, again in 50k bank notes. And take back that 40k in 10k notes and put there 2x 2000k notes. He tried to cheat me twice in one minute! I dont touch that 2000k bank notes and ask him to give me right amount. He give me back that 4x 10k notes and was really pissed off...
The temple is almost about nothing and all there is turist trap at all. Waste of time, all locals there are really anoying.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Radu B
Cluj-Napoca, Romania450 contributions
Goa Gajah temple, a great stop from DPS to Ubud
A great stop from DPS to Ubud trip. It contains both Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, lingam & yoni,symbol of Shiva, and image of Ganesha, while by the river there are carved images of stupas and chattra imagery of Buddhism. Rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923, but fountains & bathing pool in 1954. Access fee 50k IDR with Free sarong included!
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Raffy
Cardiff, UK56 contributions
Nice rainy day out
Couples
The sellers outside ruined this place for me. Hounding you the minute you pull up on the bike, telling you that you need to purchase a sarong to visit, which I saw a couple of people do begrudgingly. They give you them for free inside!
The actual elephant cave and attraction was a fun little trip, with lots of pretty sites and lots of history.
Enjoyed even in the rain.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tntsullivan
Davidson, NC173 contributions
Small temple
Family
Our family stopped for a short visit at the Temple, as we were told it was the oldest (11th century) in Bali.

The cost was $50,000 IDR for our family of four, and a sarong was provided at no additional cost. We did not find the temple to be crowded and were finished with our tour within an hour. A waterfall was also a short walk away from the site in
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Elephant Cave (Ubud) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Elephant Cave
Elephant Cave is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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We recommend booking Elephant Cave tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 290 Elephant Cave tours on Tripadvisor