Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite… we will organise a tour to any of these destinations, it will be tailor-made to your requirements and budget and enable you the enjoy the best of the best in north Bali
Waterfalls – drench yourself under a waterfall in Munduk , you have many to choose from. Only 25 km away. With any luck you will have the place entirely to yourselves. Or you can visit some of the largest falls in North Bali at Sekumpul or Git Git near Singaraja. There are many more waterfalls in this area, among them Aling-Aling, Kroya (where you can jump into the water from a great height). More information when you arrive here.
Nearby Temple and Hot Springs – visit the ancient Brahma Vihara Arama, the largest Buddhist temple in Bali, more affectionately known as the Borobudur of Bali, and afterwards take a dip in the nearby Hot Springs (“Air Panas”) at Banjar (10 km) , whose warm mineral-rich waters (40 deg) will soothe your aches and pains.
Go South, Get High – Visit Bedugul, only 45 km away in the Lake District. At 1,000m altitude, it is the vegetable garden of Bali. Sample the local produce, pick up a bargain in the farmers’ market, visit organic vegetable farms, wander around the Kebun Raya, the famed botanic gardens, 155 hectares and home to nearly 1,200 plant types, and among the largest of its kind in SE Asia. The Kebun raya is also the located of the Treetop Adventure Park , a perfect destination for children of all ages (and their parents too). Or you can marvel at Ulun Danau temple, on the shores of Lake Bratan one of the great icons of Bali tourism, and take a boat ride on the lake. Kids will enjoy the Bali Bike Park at Lake Buyan. In the dry season, from April to November, you can trek to the temples around Lake Tamblingan, and paddle a canoe on the lake.
Go Southwest – head towards Pupuan and visit the rice fields of Belimbing and Sanda, admire the traditional rice barns or “lumbung”. Mount Batukaru will be in the backdrop for much of the way. This is the “real Bali”, and very beautiful it is too. Bring your camera.
Go further Southwest – take the right fork at Pupuan, head towards Negara, capital of Jembrana Regency. Make sure you take the road that passes through (under) the Bunut Bolong an oversize fig tree that was deemed too sacred to make way for the road, it will remind you of Sequoia National Park in California. Jembrana is an area known for its bull races, surfing beaches and cliffside temples. Continue west beyond Negara and you will end up in the port town of Gilimanuk. Through our relationship with the charity NGO Five Pillar Foundation who are based in Jembrana, we offer a range of tours to that will give you a fascinating insight to the sights and communities of this under-rated and unknown corner of Bali.
Go West – to Pulaki Temple (one of Bali’s most important centres of prayer and meditation), Pemuteran (the diving centre of the north west and an attractive resort with an abundance of beachfront bars and eateries). Then move onwards to the West Bali “Bali Barat” National Park and Menjangan Island where another world awaits you – from mountain hiking and horse riding to white sandy beaches, and yet more diving and snorkeling. Drive a further 15km and you will arrive in Gilimanuk, gateway to Java
Go East for City Life, History & Culture – head to Lovina (13km) for restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping, to Singaraja (25 km) , the former capital of Bali, and the home of many Dutch colonial houses, and bustling street markets. Visit the Royal Palace “Puri Agung Buleleng” and the lontar (ancient scrolls) library ‘Gedong Kirtya’, the temple of Ling Gwan Kiong.
Go Further East for More Temples and Music Instruments – another 10km beyond Singaraja, visit Pura Beji one of the most ornate temples in Bali, but small and intimate, and the neighbouring Pura Dalem Mudawe or the Temple of the Dead, noted for its erotic carvings. Drive uphill to see Pura Jagaraga, also adorned with carvings. A few km further will enter the town Sawan, home of the Gamelan musical instrument, there are several producers you can visit.
Go Even Further East for More of the Best of Bali – the majestic Mount Agung, Amed, Tirta Gangga palace and gardens,Pura Lempunyan our favourite temple of all, perched on the side of Mount Seraya and facing Mount Agung). When you reach the small town of Tejakula, do drop into the Art Zoo, home of some of the craziest art in Bali, and if not crazy then grotesque and erotic. Art Zoo is the studio and gallery of an American artist called Symon, a long-time resident of Bali who recently relocated from Ubud.
Volcanoes – explore the wonders and take in the legends of Mount Batur (1,770m, it is an easy 2.5 hour climb) and catch the views the Crater Lake (caldera) at sunrise. Take a dip at one of several newly-opened spa resorts on the shore. Or take a boat across the caldera and visit Trunyan, an ancient Aga village that is well-preserved in its traditions as it is accessible only by boat – and is noted for its unique funeral rites. Be sure also to visit the temples at Kinta Mani, Ulun Danu Batur one of the largest in Bali and certainly with some of the best views, and nearby the highest temple in Bali Pura Penilusan. Finally we must mention Mount Agung. At 3,031m it is Bali’s highest mountain and makes for great climb. However, as long as it continues to grumble, it is best seen from a distance, Pura Lempunyan is the perfect vantage point.
Agri-tourism – wander around vineyards, coffee, cocoa, clove and exotic fruit and spice plantations and organic vegetable farms, visit processing facilities and of course sample the products and enjoy the fruits of the crop. There are many options; let’s discuss when you arrive here.
