Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest in Bali

The sacred Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

The monkey forest’s name comes from alas (forest), and kedaton (kingdom). The Pura Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple serves as its centerpiece, with pathways surrounding the mossy temple walls that provide a pleasant walk. The temple’s gates are usually closed when there’s no ceremony going on, but you can easily look over the shoulder-high walls for a peek into the temple grounds.

The temple holds its piodalan temple anniversary every Anggara Kasih Tuesday as marked on the Balinese Pawukon calendar – roughly 20 days after Bali’s major Galungan holidays. The heights of festivities take place for a full day and conclude before sundown.

Like the temple, the whole forest is considered sacred and so are its residents – these include the hordes of long-tailed macaques as well as the flying foxes that you can often see zooming through the misty forest canopies. As for the monkeys, the village locals, shopkeepers, guides and visitors are prohibited from harming them, no matter how impish they may be.

Good to know about Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

The monkey forest is usually an included itinerary on temple-sightseeing tours to Bali’s west, which also include Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi and Bali’s most iconic sea temple, Tanah Lot.

We don’t advise purchasing peanuts and bananas that are sold here for feeding the animals. These monkeys are wild animals and dependence upon hand-outs disrupts their natural feeding cycle. A good rule of thumb with any wild animal encounter is ‘don’t feed the animals’ and ‘look but don't touch’.

If you’re willing to take a selfie with a monkey, be very still and let the animals approach you in the first place, and always remember to stay calm.

Besides having the animal encounters, you can stroll past designated souvenir shops, stop for a drink or select one of the eateries outside the gate for a meal. Check if there are menu prices or items bear tags. Otherwise, be ready to hone your bargaining skills!