Activities, Accommodations, And The Top Dining Establishments In Sidemen Valley

Gaia Bali
Mar 29, 2023
5 min read

For a glimpse of the "genuine Bali," travel east to Sidemen Valley, where you'll see volcanoes, rice paddies, and no sign of a beach club.

A far way from the bustle of South Bali's beach clubs and nightclubs, Sidemen Valley in East Bali is a beautiful, undiscovered environment of emerald green rice terraces, rising volcanoes, ancient towns and working farms - a nostalgic throwback to the Bali of yesteryear.

The weather in this lush valley is slightly cooler than Bali's sunny coast, making it the ideal temperature for exploring mountaintop temples, trekking through rice fields bordered by jungle, and climbing to the top of active volcanoes. You can also relax in a warm bubble bath at one of Sidemen's five-star resorts during this time.

Oh certainly, despite its remote location, Sidemen Valley is home to some of the most stunning resorts in the world. You won't find any high-rise hotels or noisy beach clubs here, but what you will discover is a humble selection of boutique resorts, consciously built using all-natural materials.

The ideal Sidemen schedule includes this along with a few cultural outings, some farm-to-table dining opportunities, and lots of outdoor adventures. Here are our top recommendations for places to stay, eat, and have fun in this tranquil area of East Bali.

Where to stay

1. Villa Kropak

Villa Kropak is a lovely inn with private suites by the pool. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. We spent the most of our days on the outside dining terrace, taking in the views of the nearby hillside, the sparkling infinity pool, and the villa's own organic gardens and rice fields. There is even a poolside spa for those days when only a delightful Balinese massage will do. The rooms are light and airy for those lazy days indoors.

2. Hideout

Hideout, an Insta-famous collection of bamboo homes that are as eco-friendly as they are stunning, is located a little ways outside of Sidemen Valley. These open-air eco-lodges on Bali allow you to fully immerse in the island's great outdoors. They were created as a place to unplug, kick off your shoes, and listen to the sounds of nature. We adore the stone bathtubs, huge hammocks, and bamboo swings, but don't forget to pack a good book.

3. Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa

The adults-only boutique Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa is located in the lush green valley of Sidemen and focuses on blending Balinese culture and nature. The "Lumbung" villas are constructed entirely of organically grown local materials, such as the beautiful bamboo buildings and traditional thatched roofs, and the upscale services and excursions here are especially chosen to highlight Sidemen's unique beauty. Learn about Bali's rites and traditions, visit sacred temples, interact with local families, and experience village life while luxuriating in the resort's various amenities.

4. Camaya

Another environmentally friendly Instagram and Netflix phenomenon. Camaya, a collection of five exquisite bamboo homes, is the stuff of off-the-grid jungle-luxe fantasies. Here you'll find open-air snuggle spots packed with cozy pillows, suspended couches with views of Mount Agung, and outdoor bathrooms for soaking under the stars.

5. Patal Kikian Villas

Patal Kikian Villas, a modest Balinese resort in the heart of Sidemen Valley, has what is undoubtedly the greatest view of Mount Agung. It's truly a wonderful experience to wake up here, with its magnificent infinity pool offering a view of Bali's towering volcano. Moreover, the sunsets seen from the deck are magnificent.

Where to eat

1. Amrita Villa & Cafe

This tiny and adorable cafe may be identified by its shabby-chic exteriors and roadside sign, which tempts you inside with the promise of delicious coffee. My fellow caffeine addicts, I can vouch for the local Amrita Cafe's ability to fulfill this promise. They also offer fantastic light meals, including vegan cake, and awesome views of Mount Agung, not to mention wonderful chats with the cafe's owner, Nyoman. For breakfast, try the delicious granola. Inquire of him about his favorite Sidemen hangouts; he is an expert on the area.

2. Asri Dining

The signature restaurant of this top-rated Sidemen hotel is Asri Dining, which is located inside the magnificent grounds of Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa. The menu at this stunning open-air restaurant follows a paddock-to-plate philosophy, with many of the seasonal, regional ingredients originating right from the resort's very own garden. It is bordered by tropical gardens and shrouded in lush foliage. Enjoy delicious small bites while taking in the breathtaking views of the rice fields, or go all out with a multi-course dinner complete with wine and beverages. A wine and a view while eating a Balinese curry? Of course.

3. Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge

Visit the outdoor restaurant at Sidemen's five-star resort, Wapa Di Ume, for an opulent dining experience. The Sidemen's Unda river's natural noises may be heard as you eat at the restaurant as you take in the expansive views of the hillside. The emphasis is on high-quality food, which includes both traditional Indonesian fare and popular western meals, as well as some very unique specialty dishes.

Things to do

1. Go white-water rafting

Every Sidemen itinerary should include a white-water rafting adventure because one of the best rafting rivers flows directly through the valley. You can ride up to 14 km of wild rapids from the raft expedition's starting point, which is just outside of Sidemen. If you're not up for such an adrenaline-pumping adventure, choose a tour along the banks instead, where you'll be surrounded by stunning mountains and rice fields. The rapids range in difficulty from grade 3 to 4 depending on the season.

2. Bike around the valley

A fresh, breath-taking view appears around each bend in the valley roadways. There are rivers to your right, volcanoes to your left, and quaint Balinese towns all around. To really appreciate Sidemen's relaxed pace of life, go slowly...

3. Scale Sidemen’s rice terraces

Bali's rice fields can be explored in Sidemen in a variety of ways. They practically surround the settlement, but the Sidemen Rice Terraces are undoubtedly the most well-known (and the most accessible). How should these emerald-green icons be scaled? Take a walking trip to see the area by hiking through the jungle, across rivers, and up to the top terraces. The views across the lush green valley and out to the horizon of the volcano are really breathtaking. Dreamy!

4. Visit the traditional weaving workshops

Bali's traditions have placed textiles and ceremonial clothing at the forefront for thousands of years; you may visit some of the island's oldest weaving workshops in Sidemen. The most well-known is the Pelangi workshop, where you can see the Balinese "Endek" cloth being woven. This cloth is native to Sidemen and was originally only made for Balinese nobility. Watch as vegetable-dyed threads are weaved length after length on handlooms to create Endek's stunningly distinctive geometric designs. The best part? After that, you can purchase these clothes to bring them home with you.

5. Hike Mount Batur

The sacred Mount Agung is the volcano nearest to Sidemen, however climbing to its summit is not recommended for those who are easily alarmed. Instead, go to Mount Batur for the well-known sunrise walk, which is a little further away. In as little as an hour, almost anyone with average athleticism can hike to the summit of Mount Batur. About three in the morning, you'll set off for Sidemen, reaching the summit just before dawn. Believe us when we say that the early wake-up call is totally worthwhile.

Our best advice? Enjoy a tour that includes breakfast at the summit, round-trip transportation, and park admission. There are plenty fantastic online solutions accessible if you want to see Bali that include scenic beaches, sunset, waterfall, clubs and iconic locations. For a full day of driving and touring in Bali (up to 10 hours), the cost start from $60 USD for 1 to 5 guests. That is the total cost of the car, the driver, and the gas! It's a great deal. Also, we provide reasonable hotel transfers from the airport. Please Check Our Service