Guide to Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) in Bali
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Did we go to Goa Gajah? Yes! Can I prove it with photos? Nope!
I have a gravitational pull for ceremonies at sacred sites but feel like I am intruding if I take photos of people performing, or participating in these ceremonies.
Don’t get me wrong, I love taking photos, but I also love smelling the incense wafting through the air, listening to the chanting, songs and prayers. Allowing the kaleidoscope of colours from ceremonial outfits, offerings and decorations to be etched into my memories forever.
Also, my tolerance level for waiting to take photos is negative-a-bzillion. Hence, no tourist-worthy photo at the entrance to the Elephant Cave. If you don’t want to queue then get there early, it really does make a gorgeous photo!
What to expect at Goa Gajah
The main drawcard is the cave which is entered through the cavernous mouth of a demon. Once inside the cave there are small areas with offerings, lots of incense and a feeling of mystery.
So why is it called Elephant Cave if the cave opening is actually a demon, and elephants are not native to Bali? According to Lonely Planet the name could come from the nearby Sungai Petanu (Petanu River) which was known as the Elephant River. Or maybe people thought the face at the cave resembled an elephant? Who knows.
But Goa Gajah isn’t just the famous cave, there are ceremonial spaces, stone carvings and a pool featuring statues of Hindu angels.
The site is surrounded by lush greenery and rice fields. You can also walk down to the Sungai Petanu (Petanu River) which has stone carvings and shrines along the way.
EXPLORE | I can’t provide any first-hand knowledge, but you can walk between Goa Gajah and Yeh Pulu carving along the river. The walk is around 1.8km but ask some local guides first in case this option no longer exists.
Cost
Adult 15,000 Rp (~AUD$1.50)
Child 7,500 Rp (~AUD $0.75)
Costs were correct in 2019 but I believe they have increased to 50,000 Rp.
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Getting there
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is around 15 minutes drive Ubud, or 90 minutes from Kuta area.
Cost for a half day trip from Ubud with driver was 350,000 Rp (~AUD$35) and visited:
Otherwise, check out some organised tours such as those below.
Travel Tip | If you organise a private driver you are charged by vehicle, not person. So if you are travelling with several people it will be cheaper to hirer a driver than pay for tours.
How long to stay
As mentioned above we easily visited Goa Gajah on a half day trip with other attractions. However, I would have liked to stay a bit longer. If you are going purely for the cave then 1 hour is enough, but if you want to take time to explore then allow 2 hours.
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Tips for visiting and being a respectful traveller
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds and heat
- Wear long pants (sarong are available to hire) and try and cover to elbows
- Be aware that the caves are filled with incense. This makes them dark and unpleasant for people with respiratory conditions
- Accept that Goa Gajah is a very popular tourist attraction and it gets busy quickly, especially when tour buses arrive
- If travelling with children consider whether the dark cave will be a bit too scary (or maybe super fun!)
- Respect that Goa Gajah is still a spiritual place and locals will be using the area.
- Don’t hog the main cave entrance taking a million photos
Where to stay
Goa Gajah is a 15 minute drive from Ubud, making Ubud the easiest accommodation option. We fell in love with Nyuh Kuning Village in Ubud which is close to the Sacred Monkey Forest and a short walk into the main Ubud centre.
We stayed at Chili Ubud Cottages and enjoyed a spacious villa with gorgeous gardens and swimming pool. The staff were prefect too!
More information
There are lots of photos on the Bali Bible website or head to Trip Advisor to see current reviews.
Is Goa Gajah worth visiting?
Goa Gajah is worth a visit, but try and avoid the peak times so you can enjoy the peace that the area offers. Make sure you venture away from the main cave to really appreciate the site.
As mentioned above, Goa Gajah is very close to Yeh Pulu which makes it super easy to combine the two locations as part of a half-day or full-day trip.
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