The incredible Tirta Gangga Water Palace in East Bali
Tirta Gangga Water Palace has been made insta famous thanks to the picturesque water garden and giant koi fish. It is known for its stunning Balinese sculptures, luscious and unusual water gardens, and sacred pools. Water Palace Tirta Gangga actually means “Water of the Ganges” and was home to the royal family of Karangasem built in the early 20th century. It features a number of different ponds and pools connected through small channels, and of course, has become fairly insta famous.
As far as Royal Palaces go, this place is pretty unique. There are a tonne of fountains and sculptures to walk around and admire and the entire palace is surrounded by some of the most beautiful rice terraces. Make sure you bring some change so you can buy some fish food and feed the Koi fish – it’s one of the most popular things to do!
Bring a swimsuit, you can actually swim in one of the pools.
If you’re looking for things to do in Ubud, have a look at my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Best tours in Ubud:
| Don’t miss some of the best tours in Ubud, whether you’re after some adventure or a serene escape, there’s something for you. Ubud waterfall tours – for insta famous waterfalls or serene retreats, have a look here! Quad biking in Ubud – if you’re after adrenaline adventure, this is for you! Ubud Hot Air balloons – for scenic, stunning views, have a look at this experience White water rafting – a lot of fun for thrill seekers! Rice Terraces tour – for a serene escape, have a look at this tour. |
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Bali
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is known for being an insta famous hotspot in Eastern Bali thanks to all the incredibly bright koi fish that swim in the waters that are humungous! It has beautifully picturesque statues, softly tinkling fountains and stepping stones around the temple that make it exceptionally photogenic.
It’s a popular feeding spot, where tourists and locals come to feed the koi fish, but they end up being larger than any koi fish I’ve ever seen. The largest koi fish almost don’t bother with the fish food that tourists sprinkle into the waters because that’s small fish, so to speak. They are huge.
But it’s not just a popular tourist attraction but actually a place of religious and historical importance. Tirta Gangga is an unusual temple that was constructed in 1946 by the late King Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, the king of Karangasem.
The Natural Springs of Bali tirtagangga water palace
The water from the natural springs here is sacred, blessed and the holy water is often used in traditional Balinese religious ceremonies and purification rituals. It’s definitely worth seeing and, if you’re brave you can actually swim in one of the water pools with some fish! I opted to view the koi from the fish ponds. Bring a swimsuit for a dip in a unique swimming pool!n
A lot of Balinese waterfalls and water palaces (like Tirta Gangga Water Palace) are sacred sites, for various reasons. Sometimes this is because the water has the divine blessing of a sovereign ruler, or for the tradition of Melukat, which is about the sacred act of cleansing and purifying yourself. You can read more about Melukat below.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Dress Code
There is no official dress code for the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, and you can go swimming in the pools here in swimsuits, bikinis, board shorts. Everyone should feel free and comfortable in one’s own choice. However, it’s probably best to remember that it is a spiritual place, so best to wear something you feel comfortable in & that you feel is respectful.
Don’t miss nearby…
Most of your tours will take you to some of the following spots:
- Lahangan Sweet: The epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
- Heavens gate Bali
- Gembleng Waterfall complete with epic natural pools
- Telaga Waja Waterfall
Have a look at my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
If you’re driving, you might also want to consider popping across to Leke Leke Waterfall which is just over 20 minutes away.
TIP: If you want to stay in a hotel nearby, have a look at the Best Eco Lodges in Bali.
Heavens Gate Bali
Just bear in mind that Heavens gate Bali is not what it used to be. I’ve heard that people queue for 4+ hours just to get a photo. People start queueing from 4/5am which in my opinion, is a bit nuts. Instead, head towards Lahangan Sweet: The epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung, which was virtually empty when we went, and you get just as beautiful views of the place.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Price
Tirta Gangga Water Palace tickets & entrance fee
There is no entrance fee, but the suggested donation is IDR 50,000 per person (£2.60 or $3.20 USD).
The admission fees for the Tirta Gangga Water Palace help keep the place running smoothly. The staff work to maintain the site and they help keep the walkways clear, and supports the locals. It’s the least we can do to help keep the site clear, clean and safe!
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit! Popular waterfalls include Kanto Lamo Waterfall, Leke Leke Waterfall, Suwat Waterfall & Sumampan Waterfall.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Opening Hours
Tirtagangga Water Palace is open from 6am – 7pm. For this reason, I have included sunrise and sunset time in the ‘Weather’ section below. But be wary of the slippery pathways during the rainy season or monsoon season. The dry season in Indonesia is usually from May to October.
Looking for the best waterfalls Ubud? Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit! If you do go hiking further in the distance, don’t hike back in the dark after the sun has set as it can get a little slippery if it’s been raining and there is a little stream next to the pathway – don’t fall in!
Interested in visiting some other sites? Have a look at my other Bali Indonesia travel guides on rice terraces: Ceking Rice Terrace Ubud and Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking.
Visiting Tirta Gangga Water Palace location
Tirta Gangga Karangasem
Make sure you save the location to your google maps so you know where to go!
Tirta Gangga Water Palace to Ubud: 1 hour 44 minutes driven
The drive to Tirta Gangga Water Palace from Ubud is not that far but it does depend on traffic, so bear this in mind. Still, either way, it’s less than an hour’s drive!
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Map:
Tirta Gangga Water Palace to Ubud Bali
Ubud to Tirta Gangga Water Palace: 1 hour 44 minutes drive
You can either rent a scooter, hire a private car or book onto one of the famous rice terrace tours on a day trip to the best Rice Paddy Terrace Bali (have a look below).
Make sure you have insurance for the moped (ensure your rental company covers this), and make sure you have general travel insurance well. Better safe than sorry!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Tirta Gangga Royal Water Palace Restaurant & Bar
We stopped by Warung Devassa, which is a local eatery just around the corner that has views for days – literally a 1 minute walk from the entrance of Tirta Gangga. The food here is cheap and cheerful and serves typical Indonesian dishes – it was fresh and delicious. It also overlooks an excellent rice paddy.
There are plenty of Warungs around. A “warung” is a small, often family-owned, traditional Indonesian restaurant or small food stall. Warungs serve local Balinese dishes that are usually cheap and cheerful. The most common dishes are nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles – yum), chicken sate (skewers), and whatever you do, don’t miss the peanut sauce, it’s the best thing ever!
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Villas & Hotels
The closest hotel is the hotel is the Tirtagangga Water Palace Villas with the most incredible decor.
Looking for unique and interesting hotels? Have a look at my posts on Best hotels & lodges in Bali, there are plenty in East bali near the Tirta Gangga Water Palace!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide and booked ours to the Tirta Gangga Water Palace.
Sacred Cleansing: Melukat
Melukat, in Bahasa Indonesian is known as “melukat” or “melukatan,” is a traditional cleansing ritual that our local tour guide told us about when exploring these stunning Balinese waterfalls. Apparently it helps the local Balinese achieve physical, mental, and spiritual purity. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Bali, is how spiritual the locals are, with their daily blessings and incense sticks, it’s very lovely to see and watch little old ladies on the street prepare blessings for others to buy by folding banana leaves and adding flowers. The word “melukat” is broken down into “lukat” meaning “to cleanse” or “to purify.”
Have a look at my other Bali Indonesia travel guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Tours
There are plenty of companies that will take you on a tour to Tirta Gangga Water Palace and maybe some other Ubud Waterfall Tours, or a Waterfall Tour in East Bali. A lot of the waterfalls tours will take you to other destinations and activities in the area on a full day tour, such as Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint, and Mount Agung, although often trips can be customised, especially if it’s a personalised tour.
There are a tonne of attractions you could visit and things to see. You might want to visit local villages & national parks, or spots such as Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, Nungnung Waterfall, Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk (also known as Ceking Rice Terrace) or water rafting. Don’t forget to watch (or get on) some of the famous Bali swings for a fun afternoon out in Bali. There are also tours a little further out, like Nusa Penida if you’re interested, it is highly recommended!
Keep an eye out, you’ll likely spot tonnes of rice terraces, endless rice fields, and luscious palm trees. It’s a great ride through the less touristy, and perhaps more authentic, Balinese countryside, an experience you should do at least once when you’re in Bali.
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Have a look at my other Bali Indonesia travel guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Have a look at my full guide on the 21 other waterfalls near Ubud you must visit: If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
When to visit Bali?
Bali is always a good idea. Have a look below to see when the best time to visit is for you.
Weather in East Bali
If you’re looking for other places to visit than the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, check out the Insta famous waterfalls, have a look at Kanto Lampo Waterfall; is the one known for its Insta famous guides that take great photos and videos whilst the water falls gently around you. Pictures below are from Kanto Lampo Waterfall for inspiration, and yes, the guides did take the photos for us and directed us!
East Bali Weather in January:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
East Bali Weather in February:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
East Bali Weather in March:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 13
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
East Bali Weather in April:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
East Bali Weather in May:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
East Bali Weather in June:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
East Bali Weather in July:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 3
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
East Bali Weather in August:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
East Bali Weather in September:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
East Bali Weather in October:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 11
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
East Bali Weather in November:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
East Bali Weather in December:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 18
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Have a look at my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Travel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
That’s it on Tirta Gangga Water Palace! I hope you found it useful and let me know how you get on! If you want to see more video content, have a look at my post on Instagram.
Have a look at my other Bali Indonesia travel guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
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