North Bali: Where traveling away from mass tourism is particularly worthwhile

One or the other may roll their eyes when they think of the travel destination Bali.

For many, Bali not only stands for colorful ceremonies, good surfing conditions, and lush rice terraces, but also for mass tourism in the south.

Whenever friends have visited me in Bali, I have made sure that they spend at least half of their time in the north of the island.

North Bali still offers untouched nature, authentic villages, and a lot of tranquility that you won’t find in Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu.

Below you will find my recommendations for a trip through the North of Bali.

One activity that tops every Bali traveler’s to-do list is visiting the rice terraces. Most go to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, which are in close proximity to Ubud.

As impressive as the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are, you usually have to share them with countless other tourists, which will have a rather negative impact on your experience. A much better alternative is the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

You are away from the tourist strongholds. Lush green, at the foot of Gunung Batukaru and only visited by a few people, you will find peace and time here to take a closer look at this masterpiece.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site invites you to four different hikes, the longest of which can even be ridden by bike. If you’re fit, combine a visit to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces with a climb of Mount Batukaru.

Bali is home to various active and inactive volcanoes. This makes Bali a popular hiking destination.

The best known, but also the most crowded of these volcanoes is Mount Batur. Every day, countless tourists struggle to the summit with an overpriced guide to catch the sunrise and a spectacular view of Bali’s volcanoes, jungle, and neighboring islands.

Those who prefer a lonely summit ascent can choose the inactive volcano Gunung Batukaru as an alternative to Batur.

Gunung Batukaru is the second-highest peak in Bali. The eight-hour ascent (ascent and descent) takes you through a magnificent rainforest.

 Jungle trekking – Helpful tips for your first jungle tour

You need to be at the top before 8 am for the spectacular view, which definitely rivals Mount Batur. So either you go at night or you camp at the top.

If you want fabulous views of Mount Agung and don’t want to be overwhelmed by the 1,900 stairs through the jungle to one of Bali’s holiest temples, then don’t miss a climb up Pura Luhur Lempuyang.

For an unforgettable sunrise, you can climb Gunung Lempuyang in the early morning. Platforms with spectacular views await you.

Altogether you will pass five temples during the ascent, with the first temple, the Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang, being the most beautiful and well-known.

There you will find the famous gate with the Gunung Agung in the background. Countless tourists lurk here after sunrise to take the coveted photo in front of the gate.

All in all, this excursion is done in about two hours. In the early morning, you are alone here except for a few macaques.

It is wonderful to drive to nearby Amed after the ascent.

Admittedly, Amed is not an unknown destination in Bali, but it is far less touristy than Kuta, Seminyak, and Co.

In Amed, you can go snorkeling or diving and watch the sun go down behind the Agung with a coconut in the evening.

Boats also depart from Amed to the Gilis, which belong to the neighboring island of Lombok and are also worth a visit.

Munduk is a great destination for your Bali trip. The mountain village is surrounded by rice fields, coffee plantations, mountains, and jungle. Not only is it quieter, but it’s also a lot cooler than the rest of the island due to its high altitude.

In Munduk you can not only visit coffee plantations and taste the best coffee on the island. There are also some hiking options, including a relatively easy jungle trek to an impressive waterfall.

You will also pass large mountain lakes on your way to Munduk. At one of these lakes, Tamblingan Lake, you can visit one of Bali’s most famous temples, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.

Finally, a few quick tips for your stay in Bali.

Our tour tips for Bali

The sunrise tour of Mount Batur is very popular. The strenuous climb is rewarded with incredible panoramic views from the crater rim. The day tour to the most beautiful Instagram motifs in Bali is less physically demanding. If you don’t have much time, you can tick off the most important hotspots in one day here.
A true snorkeling adventure awaits as you swim with manta rays from Nusa Penida. You dive very close to the up to 5-meter large animals and also get to know beautiful bays like Manta Bay. Lunch on the beach and a mangrove excursion are also included in the program.

Also, the tour to Ubud Rice Terraces was gladly booked. On the way, you will also visit other sights such as the royal palace, a traditional market, or a coffee plantation. The small group excursion to the Unesco World Heritage Sites also focuses on the cultural highlights of the island. In addition to the Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun, you will also get to know one of the oldest rice terraces in Bali. The final point is the magnificent view of the sunset from Tanah Lot Temple.

On a very special Night Tour, you will experience an impressive performance of the Kecak fire dance after dusk at the Uluwatu Temple overlooking the Indian Ocean. Afterward, a delicious barbecue awaits in a seafood restaurant in Jimbaran Bay.