Bali: Secret and Untouristic Tour North West Bali.

Crowds can be fun, but they also drain the day. This north west Bali route is built for quieter moments, starting with Belimbing Rice Terrace and finishing at Blahmantung Waterfall. You get a private car, an English speaking driver, and a pacing that leaves room to look, walk, and reset.

What I like most is how you move from working farmland to a temple story tied to Mount Batukaru, then to a waterfall set inside local gardens. In my book, that mix is hard to beat, especially when drivers like Adi, Made, or Kadek take time to explain and help you navigate small detours.

The main thing to consider is walking time. You will cover a 3 km walk from parking to Siwa Pujungan Temple, then an about 800 m walk to Blahmantung Waterfall, plus the trek down and back up around the falls.

Key moments that make this North West Bali tour worth it

• Belimbing Rice Terrace views with Batukaru Mountain as your backdrop
• Rice paddy trekking that takes you past working fields and local farmers
• Siwa Pujungan Temple with a founder story linked to a large bronze Shiva statue
• Blahmantung Waterfall access through paths with no big tourist signage
• Private driver flexibility, including extra time and small stop-offs when your day needs it

A north west Bali day that trades crowds for real rhythm

This tour is designed around a simple idea: if you choose the right corners of Bali, you can still hit big nature and temple moments without feeling stuck in a nonstop stream of selfies. The route starts in the Tabanan area and works its way through rice terraces, a mountain-slope temple, and a quieter waterfall tucked into gardens.

You’re also not just chauffeured from one photo stop to another. The rice field walk and the temple approach both make you slow down, notice details, and move at a human pace. That matters in Bali, where the best moments are often the ones you can’t get from a bus window.

Belimbing Rice Terrace and the rice paddy walk in Belimbing Village

Your day begins in Belimbing Village, a traditional Balinese area around 600 meters above sea level in Tabanan Regency, west Bali. The setting is one of the reasons this stop works: you get a wide view toward Batukaru Mountain, and the rice terrace sits in a calmer, more everyday farming world than many beachfront-adjacent routes.

Here’s what to expect once you’re on the ground. The terrace area is known for its peaceful atmosphere and good temperatures for walking, so it’s not just a pretty background. Belimbing Village also has fertile land with tropical plantations such as durian, coffee, clove, rambutan, and mangosteen, which helps explain why the scenery feels lived-in, not staged.

The rice paddy trekking is a key part of the experience. You’re walking through active rice fields and seeing local farmers working in the fields, not just standing at the edge for a photo. I like this because you get context for what you’re seeing. Rice terraces look simple until you learn how hard and time-sensitive farm work is.

A practical note: rice field paths can be uneven and sometimes slippery, depending on the season and recent water flow. Wear sandals you can trust, and bring a change of clothes if you think you might get wet or dusty.

Siwa Pujungan Temple: the bronze Shiva origin story and a long approach walk

After the rice fields, you’ll head toward Siwa Pujungan Temple in Pujungan Village, Pupuan District, Tabanan Regency. This temple has a more specific backstory than many, and that adds meaning when you arrive.

The temple was founded by Jero Mangku Sutarjana. The story goes back to 1993, when he found a bronze statue of Lord Shiva, about 10.5 meters tall, on the western slope of Mount Barukaru. Later, he received a revelation to build the temple at that spot, and he built Siwa Pujungan Temple using his own budget. The temple name ties to the statue itself, which shows Shiva seated cross-legged upright on a mountainside.

Location matters here too. From Denpasar, the drive is about 90 minutes. From the city of Tabanan, it’s about 47 kilometers. Then comes the part you should plan for: the distance between the parking lot and the temple is quite far, around 3 kilometers. That means this is not a quick stroll.

When you arrive, don’t treat it like a rushed viewpoint. The long walk is part of the temple experience, and it gives you time to clear your head before you get into the spiritual atmosphere. The area can feel quiet, which makes the temple details stand out more.

If you’re the type who enjoys history, this place rewards you. You have a real person, a specific find in 1993, and a sculpture size that’s easy to remember. If you’re less into stories, the main payoff still lands the same way: it’s a temple on a slope where the setting supports quiet focus.

Blahmantung Waterfall: quiet garden setting, no big signs, and path-finding

The final big nature stop is Blahmantung Waterfall, set in the middle of a garden owned by local residents. This is where the tour earns its low-crowd feel, because the waterfall is not built for crowds and you won’t find the usual big tourist setup.

There’s no signboard and no parking lot right at the falls. If you bring a vehicle, you can park only on the roadside toward the waterfall. From the edge of the highway, you walk about 800 meters to reach it. The tour guide will help with navigation, but the location still matters, because there are many branching paths and getting lost is easy if it’s your first time there. Asking locals is a smart move.

What about the waterfall itself? Expect a beautiful, quiet setting. The best part is the sense that you’re stepping into a local space rather than a theme park. One useful detail from real experience: the waterfall walk can involve a noticeable trek down and then back up. That means you should treat this as moderate walking, not just a gentle stop for a quick splash.

Bring a towel, even if you think you won’t get wet. Also, consider the timing. This tour is 10 hours total, and the final stretch of the day can be more tiring than you expect once you factor in the earlier 3 km temple approach.

The 10-hour flow: private car, pickup timing, and how the day stays manageable

This is a 10-hour day trip with hotel pickup and drop-off. You meet your driver in the hotel lobby and wait about 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. From there, you’re on a private car charter with an English speaking driver, petrol included, plus parking fees and entrance fees.

In plain terms, this means you spend less energy solving logistics and more energy actually enjoying the stops. If Bali has taught you anything, it’s that getting across the island can eat time. Here, the routing is set so you can pack meaningful sights into one day without turning the trip into a constant sprint.

Because it’s a private group, your driver can adjust pacing. In practice, that showed up as giving more time at places that needed it and handling small detours smoothly. One driver approach, described as excellent, included adapting the day to your wishes and even adding a stop in a local shop. That’s the kind of flexibility that turns a scheduled tour into a day you can actually breathe in.

One drawback: lunch and meals are not included. If you skip food, you’ll feel it on the walks. Plan to buy something simple on your own, or ask your driver for a good option during the day if that’s possible.

Price and value: what $36 actually buys you in Bali

At about $36 per person for a full 10-hour experience, this tour is strong value compared with the cost of a private car plus entrance fees plus a driver for a day. You also get mineral water included, plus the everyday costs most people forget until they see the invoice: parking fees and entrance fees.

What’s not included is equally important. Lunch or dinner, drink and meals, and any personal expenses are on you. You also may be charged for extra hours, listed as Idr 50 K per hour. That matters if you’re running late due to traffic, or if you want to extend the day for a longer shop stop or extra walking time.

For me, the value comes down to this: you’re paying for a full day of transport and access, but the real product is the order of experiences. Rice terrace walking, a temple on the Mount Batukaru slope with a story behind it, then a quieter waterfall walk. You’re not just paying to get from A to B.

What to bring (and what to skip) for an easier walking day

The tour is practical about packing. You cannot bring luggage or large bags, and pets are not allowed. That’s good for the day, because it keeps the vehicle space under control and makes it easier to move quickly between stops.

Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• Change of clothes
• Sandals

A small suggestion: pack your towel and sunscreen where you can reach them fast. Once you hit the waterfall area, you will want them without digging around.

Also, this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The temple approach includes a 3 km walk from parking, and the waterfall access requires walking along paths.

Who this tour fits best, and who should pick something else

This is a great match if you like quieter Bali and you want nature and temples, not just a shopping run. If you enjoy rice terraces, farm-side walking, and temple settings with enough distance to feel like you’re actually going somewhere, you’ll feel at home here.

It also suits couples and small groups who want privacy and a flexible driver. The private setup matters if you want to move slower, stop for photos without feeling rushed, or ask for pacing changes when the day feels hot or tiring.

If you have low tolerance for walking, you might want to reconsider. The temple requires around 3 km on foot from parking, and Blahmantung involves about 800 meters walking plus the down and back up around the falls. It can be doable, but it’s not a sit-and-go itinerary.

Final take: should you book this north west Bali tour?

If you want Bali with breathing room, book it. This route makes sense for a one-day plan because it connects rice terraces, temple storytelling, and a quiet waterfall without piling you into the most crowded corridors.

I’d skip it only if your priority is minimal walking or if you cannot handle uneven paths. Otherwise, the day hits a nice balance of culture and nature, with drivers who tend to explain, provide time, and help you navigate the less signposted parts of the itinerary.

If you do book, message yourself a simple checklist: sandals you trust, a towel, and a change of clothes. Then let the day be a day, not a race.

FAQ

How long is the Bali North West Bali Secret and Untouristic Tour?

The tour lasts 10 hours.

What is the pickup and drop-off setup like?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You should wait in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

What does the tour price include?

Included items are hotel pickup and drop-off, private car charter, English speaking driver, petrol, parking fees, entrance fees, and mineral water.

Is lunch or dinner included?

No. Lunch or dinner and any drinks and meals are not included.

How much extra time would cost if we want to extend the day?

Extra hours are charged at Idr 50 K per hour.

What should I bring, and what restrictions apply?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, a change of clothes, and sandals. Luggage or large bags are not allowed, pets are not allowed, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Is the cancellation flexible?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.