Bali: Secret and Untouristic Tour North West Bali.

Northwest Bali trades beach crowds for quiet rice fields, mountain views, and village roads. This private 10-hour trip takes you to Belimbing Rice Terrace, Siwa Pujungan Temple, and Blahmantung Waterfall, with local fruit, plantations, and working farms along the way. I like the gentle pace and the chance to see a less-visited side of Bali.

I also like that you travel privately, so your driver can adjust the day. Made stopped at a local shop for one couple, while Adi gave another group time to try local fruit. The main caution is physical: the waterfall path is 800 meters from the road, and Siwa Pujungan Temple requires a walk of about 3 kilometers from the parking area.

Key points at a glance

• Belimbing’s rice terraces: Walk through working paddies with Mount Batukaru behind you.
• A private, flexible day: Hotel pickup, car, driver, fuel, parking, entrance fees, and mineral water are included.
• Siwa Pujungan Temple: See a 10.5-meter bronze Shiva statue on the western slope of Mount Batukaru.
• Blahmantung Waterfall: Reach a quiet waterfall through a local garden and branching paths.
• Real exercise involved: The temple approach and waterfall walk require comfortable footwear and steady legs.

Why this northwest Bali route feels different

Many Bali day trips keep you near the island’s best-known sights. This one heads toward Tabanan and Pupuan, where farms, village roads, and mountain country replace the usual concentration of visitors.

Belimbing Village sits about 600 meters above sea level in Tabanan Regency. It is around 30 kilometers from Denpasar, with a drive of roughly two hours by car. That travel time matters. You are not popping out of a resort and stepping straight into a monument. You are spending much of the day reaching quieter places.

That is also the point. The route gives you a look at a working part of Bali, not just a row of photo stops. The village grows durian, coffee, clove, rambutan, mangosteen, and other tropical crops. Depending on the season, you might see these plants along the route or have the chance to sample local fruit.

The private format improves the experience. You are not tied to a large group moving at one speed. Drivers named in the feedback include Made, Adi, and Kadek, and their role goes beyond driving. Made adjusted the program for a stop at a local shop, while Adi explained what you were seeing and allowed time for fruit tasting.

Still, be realistic about the word untouristic. These are attractions with access routes, not untouched wilderness. The reward is that they receive fewer foreign visitors than Bali’s headline sights, not that you will have every place entirely to yourself.

Walking the Belimbing Rice Terrace

Belimbing is the softest start to the day. The terrace sits with Mount Batukaru as a backdrop, giving you the classic Bali combination of stepped rice fields, highland air, and a broad mountain view.

The area is known for its peaceful setting and cooler temperature. That can be welcome after the hotter coastal parts of the island, although a walk under the sun can still feel warm. Bring sunscreen, water, and clothes that let you move easily.

The rice-paddy walk is the useful part here. You are not only stopping at an overlook for a quick photograph. You follow paths through the fields and see farmers working the paddies. That gives the visit more meaning, since the terraces are part of village life rather than a decorative backdrop built for tourism.

Walk carefully. Rice-field paths can be uneven, and sandals may be less secure than walking shoes. The supplied packing advice recommends comfortable clothes and sandals, but for the longer parts of this day I would choose shoes with a firm sole and use sandals for the waterfall or changing afterward.

Belimbing also introduces the agricultural side of the journey. The fertile ground supports coffee, clove, durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and other crops. If your driver points out plants or offers a taste of local fruit, take the time. Small moments like that often tell you more about northwest Bali than another polished viewpoint.

Allow yourself to slow down here. The appeal is not a single object or dramatic structure. It is the combination of the fields, the mountain, the village setting, and the chance to watch ordinary work continue around you.

Reaching Siwa Pujungan Temple and its Shiva statue

The next stop adds a religious and artistic focus. Siwa Pujungan Temple is in Pujungan Village, in Pupuan District, Tabanan Regency, on the western slope of Mount Batukaru.

The temple’s story is closely tied to its large Shiva statue. In 1993, Jero Mangku Sutarjana found a bronze statue of Lord Shiva measuring 10.5 meters high. After receiving what he understood as a revelation, he built the temple at the site using his own money.

That background helps explain why this is not simply another Balinese temple on a sightseeing circuit. The temple grew from a local religious vision and personal commitment. Its name refers to the Shiva figure, shown seated upright on the mountainside.

There is a practical catch. The vehicle cannot take you all the way to the temple. The distance from the parking area is about 3 kilometers, so you should expect a substantial walk before you reach the main site.

This is one of the most important details to understand before booking. If you want a day of easy stops beside the car, this route may feel demanding. If you enjoy walking through a quiet rural setting, the approach adds to the experience. Wear footwear you trust, carry sunscreen, and save some energy for the waterfall later.

The temple is also a place to slow down and behave respectfully. Dress comfortably but appropriately, follow any local instructions, and let your driver explain what is suitable. The details provided do not specify a dress code, so ask your guide before entering any sacred area.

The drive itself is part of the value. From Denpasar, the temple takes about 90 minutes by car, while Tabanan is about 47 kilometers away. You will spend time on the road, but that is what connects the temple with the farms and small settlements of the area.

Finding Blahmantung Waterfall through the garden

Blahmantung Waterfall is the most adventurous stop. It lies in a garden owned by local residents, and the route lacks a signboard and formal parking area.

You leave the vehicle by the roadside and walk about 800 meters toward the waterfall. There are several branching paths, so asking local people for directions is a smart move. This is exactly the kind of place where a local driver can save time and prevent a wrong turn.

The setting is described as quiet, with the waterfall surrounded by a garden. Do not expect a developed park with clear signs, changing rooms, or a large entrance area. The limited infrastructure is part of its appeal, but it also means you need to arrive prepared.

The walk can be harder than the distance suggests. One account describes a substantial descent followed by a substantial climb back up. Take that seriously, especially after the rice-field walk and the temple approach. The day combines sightseeing with a real amount of walking.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to get wet. Sandals can be useful near water, but use secure footwear on the approach. Sunscreen belongs in your day bag, and mineral water is provided, though you should not rely on one bottle for a long, active day.

Blahmantung works best for people who value atmosphere over convenience. You may find the route rough around the edges, but that is precisely why the place feels separate from Bali’s more managed attractions. The waterfall is a quiet finish to a day spent among farms and village paths.

What the private car adds to a long day

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, parking fees, entrance fees, and mineral water. You wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

A private vehicle is especially useful here because the sites are spread out. Belimbing is about two hours from Denpasar, Siwa Pujungan takes around 90 minutes from Denpasar, and the waterfall requires a roadside drop-off followed by a walk. Public transport would make this route far less practical.

The private group setup also gives you control over the day’s rhythm. You can spend longer at the rice fields, take a proper break after the temple walk, or ask for a brief local stop. The program is not completely open-ended, since the day is built around three main sites, but it has more flexibility than a large coach outing.

Driver quality matters on a route like this. The feedback names Made, Adi, and Kadek, with particular praise for patient pacing, explanations, and careful driving. One couple found Kadek especially good at giving them the time and space they needed. That is useful on a day where rushing would spoil the best parts.

Do not confuse a private car with a private walking guide at every moment. The information says you receive an English-speaking driver, not a specialist historian or mountain guide. Your driver can help with the route and local context, but you should ask questions if you want more explanation at a temple or farm.

Is $36 good value for this Bali day trip?

At $36 per person, the price is attractive if you use the included services. Hotel transport, a private vehicle, an English-speaking driver, fuel, parking, entrance fees, and water are bundled into the cost.

The value improves with two or more people sharing the private vehicle, since the price is listed per person. You are paying for a full 10-hour day rather than a short transfer and single attraction. The long driving distances would also make a self-arranged taxi more complicated.

Lunch and dinner are not included. Neither are extra drinks or personal expenses. Plan to buy food during the day or bring something suitable, but do not assume a meal stop is part of the package.

Extra hours cost IDR 50,000 per hour. Keep an eye on the clock if you want to linger at the waterfall or add a stop. A relaxed pace is worthwhile, but the route already contains long drives and walks.

I see the price as strong value for someone who wants rural scenery and private transport without paying for a high-end custom tour. It is less compelling if you want a polished sightseeing day with included meals, easy access, and little walking.

Who should book, and who should think twice?

I would choose this trip if you have already seen some of Bali’s main sights and want a quieter day in the west. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage uneven paths and long walks.

It also fits you if local agriculture interests you. Belimbing offers rice fields and tropical crops, while the temple and waterfall add culture and nature without packing the day with famous photo stops.

You should think twice if mobility is limited. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the 3-kilometer temple walk plus the waterfall route can be tiring. Large luggage and bags are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the day.

This is not the best choice for a beach-focused holiday or a short Bali visit when every hour matters. The trip takes 10 hours, and the road time is substantial. You need to enjoy the journey between places, not just the stops themselves.

The route is also weather-sensitive in a practical way. The provided information does not give a rainy-season policy, so check conditions before setting out and ask the provider about changes if heavy rain is expected. Wet paths would likely make the walks more difficult, though that possibility is not specified by the operator.

What to bring for the rice fields and waterfall

Pack lightly, since large bags are not allowed. A small day bag is enough for the essentials.

• Sunscreen and comfortable clothes
• A towel and change of clothes
• Secure sandals or walking shoes
• Drinking water beyond the included mineral water, if needed
• A small amount of money for meals, drinks, or personal purchases

You do not need to bring equipment for the walks. The main preparation is physical and practical: wear shoes you can trust, keep your hands free, and save energy for the uphill return from Blahmantung.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to hold a date while checking your plans, but confirm the exact start time when you check availability.

The final call on this quiet Bali route

Book this tour if you want mountain villages, working rice fields, and a waterfall reached on foot, with a private driver handling the long connections. Its strongest points are the low-crowd setting, flexible car service, and the mix of farming, religious culture, and nature.

Skip it if you need easy access, a meal included, or a compact itinerary with minimal driving. The temple walk and waterfall climb are not minor details.

For the right person, this is one of the better-value ways to see a less-visited corner of Bali. Ask for a driver who can explain the local sights, start with realistic expectations about the walking, and leave room in your day for the route itself.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 10 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

What does the $36 price include?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private car, an English-speaking driver, petrol, parking fees, entrance fees, and mineral water.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch, dinner, drinks, and meals are not included. Personal expenses are also separate.

How far do I walk to Blahmantung Waterfall?

From the roadside, you walk about 800 meters to the waterfall. The route has branching paths, so ask local people or your driver for directions.

How long is the walk to Siwa Pujungan Temple?

The distance from the vehicle parking area to the temple is about 3 kilometers.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, a change of clothes, and sandals. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and pets are not permitted.