Excursions and side trips

Bali is not only world-famous for its enchanting underwater world but also for its beautiful scenery and culture.

Following the day’s diving there is often enough time for a short tour. Some people even take a break from diving and go on a day tour. Bali is breathtakingly beautiful. For a cultural experience, we are happy to organise a traditional dance performance for birthdays or other special occasions. And all our guests are always welcome to attend the resort's frequent religious ceremonies.

Melanting

This temple, located high above our neighboring village of Banyupoh, is a hidden treasure. Since the stairway up the mountain (almost up to heaven) is quite a stretch, you need to be reasonably fit. However, the view of the coast, the ocean and the island of Java in the distance are a just reward for all the sweating and panting.

The footpath up to Batu Kursi temple is much shorter and easier to manage than the one described above. We start the hike behind the Air Panas Temple in Pemuteran and climb one of the many hills visible from our dive sites. It only takes 20-30 minutes walking before we can rest under a shady roof, have a drink and enjoy the magnificent view across our reefs (often visible from high up) and all the way to Menjangan.

It takes at least 2 hours to visit from three to five of the most important temples in the area. This can be done comfortably after your return from the day’s diving. We start with Pura Melanting, a large complex in the forest where dragon motifs dominate the architecture. This temple attracts businessmen from all over Bali to pray for good fortune. From Melanting we continue to the famous Pura Pulaki, built into the steep face of a mountain and inhabited by countless (cheaky!) monkeys. The neighboring Pabean temple located on a hill by the sea is the end of our excursion. From up here we have a romantic view of the ocean with a clear view to the volcano on Java. If 3 temples are not enough, we are happy to start the tour at Pura Kerta Kawat and drive to Air Panas temple in Pemuteran before continuing to Pulaki. The 5 temples are all part of the spiritual pilgrimage known in Bali as Tirta Yatra. Many Hindus perform it every year. The temple tour is very flexible and additional short walks can be included. For example, a leisurely trail from Melanting to Kerta Kawat leads through vineyards, mango gardens and past a goat farm. Visits to the two mountain temples Batu Kursi and Puncak Manik can also be included.

This excursion is a great add-on after diving in Puri Jati. It only takes a 15 minute drive from Puri Jati to reach and visit the only Buddhist monastery in North Bali. From there we continue to the nearby hot springs of Banjar. In the middle of a lush garden there is a large and two small swimming pools. Bath-tub-warm sulphurous water pours continuously from two massive stone dragon heads just right for a soothing back massage. Any self-confessed cultural philistine is of course invited to forego visiting the monastery and stay in the water for a bit longer ?.

The waterfall tour takes us across particularly beautiful scenery away from the main tourist routes. The views of the jungle and numerous waterfalls are spectacular. After breakfast we drive along the ocean for almost an hour. Close to the old capital of Singaraja, we turn onto a small road leading south into the mountains. After about 20 minutes we reach the village of Sambangan, where we leave the car. From here we follow a partly steep and slippery path surrounded by jungle and rice terraces. We see clove and cacao trees and, depending on the season, villagers may offer us young coconuts, durian or mangoes along the way. Finally, we get to a canyon with waterfalls and pools where you can swim and frolick in the water to your heart’s content! It is advisable to wear runners (they may get wet) and to bring a change of dry clothes.

Die Nord Bali Tour ist ein wirklicher Klassiker. Wir beginnen um 9:00 und sehen einige der bekanntesten Attraktionen von Bali. Dabei kann die Tour jederzeit um einige Punkte verkürzt oder erweitert werden. Wir fahren über die alte Hauptstadt Singaraja hinauf zu den Gitgit Wasserfällen. Von dort geht weiter in die Berge zum Tempel Ulun Danu am Bratan See. Anschliessend fahren wir zum Obst-, Gewürz- und Gemüsemarkt von Bedugul. Hier zeigt sich, wer gut zu handeln versteht. Auf der Rückfahrt über Munduk besichtigen wir noch eine Kaffeeplantage.

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To enjoy the wonderful sunrise on top of Mount Batur near Kintamani requires a very early start to the day. At 2:00 am we leave North Bali to drive to the base of Mount Batur followed by a one hour walk up to the top. That will see us reach the viewpoint well before the morning sun appears in the East. We can then either descend directly or, alternatively, hike around the crater with spectacular views of the caldera.

Wir treffen uns um 03:45 zu Kaffee- und Keksfrühstück und fahren vor Sonnenaufgang zum Hafen in Gilimanuk. Dort lassen wir das Auto stehen und gehen zu Fuß an Bord der Fähre. Jawa erreichen wir nach etwa einstündiger Fahrt im Morgengrauen. Im Hafen von Ketapang erwartet uns ein einheimischer Fahrer aus einem Bergdorf unterhalb des Vulkans mit seinem Jeep. Die Fahrt führt uns zunächst durch die Hafenstadt Banyuwangi. Dann folgen wir der kleinen Bergstrasse und passieren den Markt im Dorf Licin. Von dort aus geht es stetig ansteigend durch Reisfelder, Nelken- und Kaffeeplantagen mit viel Bienenzucht. Schliesslich führt der Weg steil durch den Urwald bis zur Rangerstation auf 1.850m. Von hier geht es zu Fuß weiter. Der Weg ist bequem, aber steil. Nach ca. 1 Stunde erreichen wir die Berghütte auf 2.100m. Spätestens dort begegnen wir den Lastenträgern, die am Kratersee Schwefel abbauen und bei der Berghütte ihre Ausbeute wiegen. Im Schnitt schleppen die Jungs 80kg. Jetzt sind es noch ca. 30min bis zum Kraterrand. Es lohnt sich, die 200 Höhenmeter zum Kratersee abzusteigen und die Schwefelgewinnung aus der Nähe zu betrachten. Gleichzeitig können wir mit Hochachtung die Träger beobachten, die glänzend gelaunt ihrem Knochenjob nachgehen. Manche singen sogar, während sie bepackt wie die Esel den steilen Steig hinauf klettern. Auf dem Rückweg machen wir an der Berghütte ordentliche Pause, bevor wir wieder den Abstieg antreten. Auf der Rückreise halten wir an einem traditionellen jawanesischen „Wirtshaus“ zum Essen. Wir sind gegen 16:00 wieder am Fährhafen. Vor Sonnenuntergang hat uns Bali wieder. Festes Schuhwerk ist und gute Kondition sind erforderlich. Achtung: Dies ist ein Abenteuertrip in eine Gegend mit schwacher Infrastruktur und nicht-westlichen Gegebenheiten! Die Tour kann nicht bei jedem Wetter durchgeführt werden und muss unter Umständen bei starkem Regen in Banyuwangi abgebrochen werden.

Steep mountains, jungle, spectacular wild gorges and rice fields that extend to the horizon. This is the scenery you will encounter from your raft – views you cannot get from the highway. We came here on a company tip in December 2010, and we immediately realised we had to offer this gem of an adventure to our guests. The itinerary is as follows: we depart in the morning, white water rafting takes place from about 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (you may get soaked) followed by a lunch buffet. We are back at the resort in time for a remedial massage if required ?

Although a part of Indonesia, Bali has unique customs, colorful traditional costumes, profoundly intricate dances and a plethora of spiritual ceremonies. All guests of the community in Penyabangan are expected to respect the local traditions and ancient rituals. We regularly celebrate our temple's birthday and perform all prescribed blessings on cars, boats, and buildings. On special occasions we organise dance or musical performances for you to enjou during dinner.