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East Bali
A quiet valley of rice terraces in east Bali with Mount Agung rising behind. Here is what to do and why it is worth slowing down for.
Sidemen is a string of villages in a green valley in Karangasem, east Bali, where terraced rice fields step down the hillsides beneath Mount Agung, the island's highest and most sacred volcano. It feels much as Ubud's surroundings must once have done: farmers in the fields, temple ceremonies in the villages and hardly any traffic.
There are no big sights here, which is the point. Days are for walking between villages, watching women weave traditional cloth on wooden looms, and sitting with a view. It is also a good base for east Bali's temples and water palaces. For many of our travellers, two or three nights in Sidemen ends up as the highlight of their trip.
Our Sidemen journeys are private and tailor-made, usually adding two or three quiet nights between Ubud and the coast.
We tailor every trip. Want more time in Sidemen, a different pace or a mix of places? Design my trip →
The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
Follow paths and irrigation channels between villages with a local guide, who can explain how the subak water system shares water between farmers.
Visit village workshops where women weave patterned cloth by hand, some with gold or silver thread, for ceremonies and temple dress.
Bali's Mother Temple on the slopes of Mount Agung is within reach for a morning visit. Go with a guide and early, before the clouds roll in.
Two former royal water gardens further east, with pools, fountains and stepping stones. Pleasant and photogenic.
The old court pavilion in Semarapura, its ceiling covered in traditional Kamasan-style paintings, on the way to or from Sidemen.
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Customise My TripMost travellers come by private car from Ubud or the south. The last part of the road winds up through the valley; it is narrow but in reasonable condition.
Places that pair well with Sidemen, with approximate travel times.
April to October is best, with clearer mornings for Mount Agung views and dry paths for walking. The wet season makes the terraces greener but brings cloud and slippery tracks in the afternoon.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, if you want quiet countryside, rice terraces and village life without crowds. There are no big attractions, so it suits travellers who enjoy walking, views and slowing down.
Two or three nights is ideal. That allows a long walk through the valley, a weaving visit and a trip to Besakih or the water palaces, with plenty of time to rest.
Ubud has more sights, food and culture. Sidemen is quieter, greener and more traditional. Many of our travellers stay in both: Ubud first, then Sidemen to unwind.
Tell us what you have in mind and a local travel specialist will design a private itinerary around you. Free, with no obligation.
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