Sunset and the Kecak dance at Uluwatu

Uluwatu Temple, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, stands on the edge of a 70 m cliff at the south-western tip of the Bukit peninsula. The Javanese sage Mpu Kuturan enlarged it in the 11th century and the sage Dang Hyang Nirartha added shrines in the 16th; it is one of the island's directional temples, among its most important.

We arrive about an hour before sunset so you can walk the path along the cliff and look down on the ocean. The temple's long-tailed macaques are known for taking sunglasses and phones, so keep things in your bag; your guide stays with you throughout.

The Kecak

At sunset the Kecak begins in the open amphitheatre above the sea. Created in the 1930s from an older ritual, it is performed by a large circle of men chanting cak in unison and moving their arms, while dancers tell the Ramayana and Prince Rama's victory with the help of Hanuman. It lasts about an hour.

We reserve your seats and choose a place with a view of both the performance and the sunset, then arrange dinner afterwards in Jimbaran or at your resort. It works well for families, as the performance is early and theatrical.