Handara Gate: What You Need To Know | Bali’s Enchanted Portal

Located in the charming village of Pancasari, Sukasada, Buleleng, Bali, Handara Gate has become an iconic symbol of Bali’s captivating allure. As you approach Handara Gate, the first thing that strikes you is the remarkable backdrop – a lush, verdant forest that exudes a sense of ancient mystique. It’s not just any ordinary gate; it’s a breath-taking portal to a world where timeless Balinese architecture blends seamlessly with the pristine beauty of nature. This is where the magic begins.

What is Handara Gate?

Handara Gate is a famous landmark located at the Handara Golf & Resort Bali, a mountain golf course and resort in Bali, Indonesia. This gate is situated within the resort’s premises and is known for its picturesque and iconic appearance. It is often featured in photographs and has gained recognition as a popular Instagram spot. The resort itself offers a world-class golf course, comfortable hotel and cottage accommodation, and a delightful dining experience.

Handara Gate is an impressive stone entrance with traditional Balinese architecture, set against the backdrop of the lush tropical gardens, cool mountain weather, and breathtaking mountain scenery of the resort.

The gate’s prominent location within the resort makes it a key attraction for visitors who want to capture the natural wonderland and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Where is Handara Gate?

Handara Gate is located in the village of Desa Pancasari, in the highlands of Bali, Indonesia. Specifically, it can be found at the entrance of the Handara Golf & Resort Bali, which is situated in the northern part of the island.

The gate is a notable and iconic landmark in this region, known for its picturesque setting and Balinese architecture. Visitors often come to the Handara Gate to take photographs and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby lakes and mountains.

The driving time to Handara Gate can vary depending on traffic conditions and your location. If you’re travelling from Ubud, you can expect the journey to take at around 1:30 hours, or around 2 hours if you’re coming from Kuta. Click here to get directions to Handara Gate.

Given that this iconic destination is situated at a considerable distance from most accommodations, we recommend combining this excursion with a visit to a nearby spot, such as the Wanagiri viewpoint or Ulun Danu Beratan Temple to maximize the value of your trip.

It’s important to factor in additional time for your journey if you’re traveling during peak traffic hours or if there are road closures or detours. Bali’s roads can get congested, especially during busy tourist seasons, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip accordingly.

How do I get to Handara Gate?

There are plenty of ways to get to Handara Gate in Bali, Indonesia. Depending on where you are commuting from, the distance and time may vary. Among the popular modes of transport are:-

1. Using a Ride-Sharing Service

• Make sure to download apps such as Grab and Gojek as these 2 are the most popular ride-sharing service in Bali, Indonesia.

2. By Private Transportation

• If you’re staying at a hotel or villa in Bali, you can arrange for private transportation through your accommodation. Many hotels offer shuttle services or can help you hire a private car and driver for the day.
• We used Galih Bali car rental during our trip in Bali. The duration of the car rental is for 10 – 11 hours, inclusive of petrol and an English speaking driver. By taking this option, you can customise your own itinerary without the hassle of driving to places. Prices for the private car rental starts from 650k Rupiah.

3. Joining a Tour

• Many tour operators in Bali offer day tours that include a visit to Handara Gate as part of their itinerary. This can be a convenient option if you prefer to have transportation and a guide arranged for you.
• During our trip to Bali, Indonesia, we joined a private tour by Galih Bali which handled all our transportation needs. We’d highly recommend this option, especially if you are travelling in larger groups, so that you can relax and leave all the itinerary planning to the tour operator.

4. By Renting a Scooter or Car

• Another option is to rent a scooter or car, which is cheaper option and gives you more flexibility in your schedule. However, please note that Bali traffic can be chaotic, so driving may be challenging for some travellers.

5. By Public Bus or Shuttle

• While Bali does have public transportation options, it might not be the most convenient way to reach Handara Gate, as public transport routes are limited, and schedules can be irregular. The best way to get there is to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both of these can be booked online).

When is the best time to visit Handara Gate?

You can visit Handara Gate all year round, depending on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and the experience you seek. Generally, the best season to visit Bali, Indonesia is during the dry season (April to October) where you can expect much more sunnier days and minimal rainfall.

What time is Handara Gate open?

The Handara Gate parking area and ticketing booth opens daily from 6am – 7pm. You can actually visit the gate even outside the opening hours as it is just located at the side of the main road. We recommend arriving here early, preferably before the majority of tour vans and buses, to minimize the waiting time.

How much is the entrance fees to visit Handara Gate?

The entrance fee to visit Handara Gate, at the present moment is IDR 50,000 per person. However, due to its high popularity among tourists, it is common for ticket prices to increase annually.

What to expect at Handara Gate?

Similar to most attractions in Bali, you should anticipate significant crowds, particularly on weekends. On our visit, even though it was a weekday, the line was quite lengthy, and we had to wait for at least one and a half hours before it was our turn to have our pictures captured by a professional photographer.

Since we didn’t want to wait that long, we decided to visit the Wanagiri area first which is located just 10 minutes away. After making a detour, we came back and lucky for us the queue had subsided and we ended up waiting for half an hour.

You have the option to have your photo taken by someone you’re traveling with or engage the services of the on-site professional photographer. The photography fees are not fixed, and the amount you choose to contribute is at your discretion.

Please note that each person is allotted a 5-minute window for their photo session, so ensure you’re ready when your turn arrives. While there weren’t any official monitors during our visit, it’s essential to be considerate of fellow visitors in the queue as overstaying at the gate may cause discomfort.

Useful tips

• Obviously don’t forget your camera!
• For that iconic Handara Gate photo featuring the captivating water reflection effect, we recommend entrusting the task to the skilled on-site professional photographers who excel in creating this mesmerizing illusion.
• Bring cash as they don’t accept cards here.
• Carry along a hat, shades and sunscreen as it can get pretty hot whilst waiting in line for your turn.

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