Inspirations for Your Stay in Sidemen
Rice terraces, river adventures, village crafts, and sunrise treks. A guide to a slow, real Bali in East Bali’s hidden valley.
A quiet valley between Ubud and Candidasa
Sidemen is a quiet agricultural valley in Karangasem, East Bali, about 1 hour 40 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport. It is cooler and misty compared with South Bali, with rice terraces, rivers, small villages, and a real village feel. Here is how to spend your days.
Walk the rice terraces and cross the yellow bridge
Sidemen is known for jungle trails, river crossings, and rice terraces. A wooden yellow bridge links both sides of the valley and is a favourite photo spot.
- Rice terrace walks around Tabola village
- The Sidemen yellow bridge
- Gembleng Waterfall and its natural rock pools
Rafting on the Telaga Waja river
For a more active day, try white-water rafting on the Telaga Waja river, with grade 3 to 4 rapids and mountain scenery. Back at The River Island, two rivers meet right at the property.
- Telaga Waja white-water rafting
- Quiet river and garden surroundings
- Cooler, misty air compared with South Bali
Weaving, silver, and cooking
Family-run workshops in Sidemen weave endek and songket cloth by hand, and you can watch the process. Silver studios offer classes where you design and make your own jewellery, and some places offer Balinese cooking classes.
- Endek and songket weaving workshops
- Silver making classes
- Balinese cooking classes
Catch the sunrise on Mount Batur
A pre-dawn Mount Batur sunrise hike is a popular trip from Sidemen, often with breakfast at the summit. Mount Agung, the closest volcano, is sacred and not recommended for casual hikers.
- Mount Batur sunrise trek
- Mount Agung as a backdrop to the valley
- A private driver can handle early starts
Explore East Bali from Sidemen
Sidemen sits between Ubud and Candidasa, about one hour from Ubud. From here you can reach several of East Bali’s best-known places in a day.
- Tirta Gangga and Besakih Temple
- Goa Lawah and Tukad Cepung
- Candidasa and Amed on the coast
Stay beside the river at The River Island
The River Island offers six Joglo rooms and three cabins, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi 24 hours, breakfast, a sauna, spa, restaurant, and pool. Book one room, or rent the whole property.
- Joglo rooms with garden view
- Cabins with river view
- Extra bed available for every room
A perfect 3 days in Sidemen
A relaxed plan for your first stay. Ask us to arrange transfers, a private driver, or bicycles.
Arrive and slow down
Airport pick-up to Sidemen, check in, rest by the river, and enjoy dinner at the villa restaurant.
Terraces and crafts
Walk the rice terraces and cross the yellow bridge in the morning. Visit a weaving or silver workshop in the afternoon, then unwind in the sauna or spa.
River day, then onward
Go rafting on the Telaga Waja river, or join a Balinese cooking class. Then check out and transfer to the airport or your next stop.
We help you reach and explore Sidemen
Airport Transfer
Airport pick-up and drop-off. Sidemen is about 1 hour 40 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport.
Private Driver
Book a private driver for day trips, sunrise treks, and early starts.
Motorbike & Bicycle
Motorbike rental, and bicycles for guests to use, subject to availability and condition.
Plan your stay in Sidemen
Check availability on Booking.com, or message us for direct rates, transfers, and rentals.