Temple and Hiking (Paddy Fields and Waterfalls)

Gede lives in his native village in Northern Bali. He spent several years working on American ferries discovering numerous different landscapes and cultures despite an exhausting work environment.

Yearning to be closer to his loved-ones, he returned to live in Bali with an idea in mind: to help others discover the beauty and authenticity of his region, while improving his family’s daily quality of life.

Polite and enthusiastic, Gede will make your day an unforgettable one.

Vehicle and on-board services: Toyota Avanza or Innova with air conditioning, fresh water bottles, fresh towels and sarongs for the visits.

Built 1,200 metres above sea level, this hindu-buddhist temple is of great significance for the Balinese. It is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the water goddess, admired by all the inhabitants who come to implore her in order to beneficiate from optimal irrigation. It is one of the 9 temples that aim at protecting the island from evil spirits.

You will be amazed by its spectacular environment: the temple was erected on the banks of a lake that lies on Bratan volcano’s crater, with a misty mountains background. Spectacular, the site will please photographers, especially when the lake’s water level is sufficiently high so that the temple seems to be floating on water.

Recommended visit duration: 45 minutes.

Follow your guide Gede, who knows the region perfectly, in an incredible exploration of Grombong’s terraced paddy fields where you will have the opportunity to learn about the finer details of Balinese rice cultivation thanks to the information provided by your host.

At the whim of wide and at times narrow paths you will gaze at breathtaking panoramas in the midst of lush nature where colours are ceaselessly changing (from deep green to pale yellow).

Among other things, you will discover the ingenious irrigation system, the various stages of rice production and the astonishing tricks used by the Balinese to scare off the birds.

After a breathtaking walk through Grombong’s terraced paddy fields you will take a restorative lunch break, to gather your strength, with an array of local produce: coconut and other tropical fruits, palm sugar cakes, rice crackers, coffee produced in the surrounding area, etc. The locals will be keen for you to taste their organic and artisanal produce.

You can also relax whilst taking in the view, in the shade of one of the wooden huts built on the edge of the paddy fields. Basking in the peace and quiet will enable you to recharge your batteries before starting the descent towards the waterfalls of Sekumpul.

During the descent towards Sekumpul waterfalls, you may (if you wish) take a refreshing dip and slide into the naturally formed rock pools dug out by water from a river.

You will then cross a few little shallow streams to finally discover the monumental waterfalls and their beautiful verdant surroundings. Guaranteed to thrill!

Will you dare to swim at the base of these waterfalls or will you prefer to simply watch the spectacle?

For the return journey, you will need to climb back up a path with 350 steps. You can catch your breath whilst admiring the magnificent views over the valley.