Countryside Touring

Some of the most unforgettable moments in Bali happen on the open road, and Ubud sits at the perfect starting point for a day of countryside exploration. Head north through the Bangli regency and the landscape transforms: the air cools, the road climbs, and suddenly you are standing on the rim of the Kintamani caldera, gazing across at the smoking cone of Mount Batur and the vast, still lake that fills the ancient crater below. It is one of those views that stops conversation entirely — a reminder of the immense volcanic forces that created this island.

Beyond Kintamani, the highlands hold quieter treasures. Penglipuran, consistently ranked among the most beautiful traditional villages in Bali, is a living example of Balinese community planning — its neat bamboo-walled compounds, immaculate stone-paved main street, and lush bamboo forest have been maintained for generations according to strict customary law. Further east, the Sidemen Valley offers a gentler, greener alternative to the tourist trail: a patchwork of rice terraces, weaving villages, and small family-run warungs set against the towering backdrop of Mount Agung.

The real magic of a countryside day trip lies in the spaces between the well-known stops — a roadside temple ceremony you stumble upon, a coffee plantation where the owner insists you try every variety, a ridge road with views that no guidebook has bothered to mention. This is why we always recommend our own trusted drivers, who know every scenic back road, every quiet lunch spot, and every shortcut that avoids the tour-bus routes. Tell us what interests you and we will design a day that feels less like a tour and more like a private discovery.