The route to the north is two days: Bedugul, Munduk, Banyumala waterfall

In Bali, there are regions that deserve special attention. One of them is the wonderfully mysterious highland north of the island. Here, the main part of the territory is occupied by plantations: coffee, strawberries, hydrangeas, velvet, oranges, and everything that grows in the garden. These places are located high in the mountains, where the temperature is significantly lower than on the coast, and the altitude reaches over 1000 meters above sea level. For coolness and new experiences this time, let's go to two districts: Bedugul and Munduk.  

Our journey started in Canggu, as from there you can immediately hit the road leading up to Munduk. For such a trip, it's best to rent a car - it's a comfortable and relatively inexpensive option, and the roads are good and very picturesque. It will likely be physically challenging to cover such a distance on a scooter. We recommend the tried-and-tested scooter and car rental service Balimotion, which has been used by thousands of tourists.

On the road, it's essential to take warm clothing: sports pants, a hoodie or sweater, wear closed shoes, and bring warm pajamas. The peculiarity of staying overnight is that the rooms are not heated, and the temperature at night is much lower than on the tourist coast. A swimsuit and cash will also come in handy.

A delicious and hearty breakfast is key to starting the journey off right. The best place for breakfast in Canggu without spending time on the road to the venue is the Brunch Club in Pererenan. They serve very tasty and, most importantly, large breakfasts with fast service. The average bill per person is 150,000 IDR.

Having replenished ourselves, stocked up on water, refueled, and prepared a music playlist, we're ready to set off. It will take approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the first point of our route, depending on the traffic.

on the map

The sacred tree of Javanese cotton of unprecedented size. An easily accessible and magical place with amazingly calm and friendly energy. Moreover, this location is attractive for various kinds of filming.

It is worth reminding that this place is sacred, and engaging in explicit filming or any other acts that go beyond commonly accepted norms is prohibited here, and violators will be held accountable.  

The area is not fenced and is located right next to the road. To enter, it is necessary to leave a donation of any amount.

Here you can take photos, but climbing up and crawling inside the tree is not allowed.

If you look closely, you can see that the tree contains a whole micro-world of vegetation and insects. The surface has many hollows and pathways inside, resembling small caves for shelter.

It's understandable that you couldn't just drive by without stopping to capture such sights.  

on the map

The coffee from the movie "The Bucket List" and the most expensive in the world is served in many places, but we chose this location for a reason.  

In addition to the beautiful garden with bushes and trees of various coffee, cinnamon, and lemongrass varieties, young civets also live and interact with guests here. Tourists often refer to these animals as luwaks, while the more scientific name is the Asian palm civet. Let's not delve into the details; an article about "kopi luwak" describes all the intricacies and subtleties of the production and consumption of this type of coffee.  

Upon arrival at the parking lot, a guide greets visitors and conducts a tour of the garden. Then you can climb upstairs and choose a cozy table overlooking the forest. There are several areas with suspended bridges connecting each part of the café.  

While waiting for the tasting set and the famous civet coffee, the guide brings a young musang for interaction. He is completely tame, accustomed to humans, and very energetic, so capturing a good shot with the creature will require some skill and timing. It's important to understand that the animals living near these establishments do not participate in coffee production. The coffee beans are sourced from farmers, who only collect them after they have been excreted by the musangs during the season from April to November. Everything else is a show for tourists.  

The authenticity of civet coffee here is a big question for experts and enthusiasts. It's hard to say definitively. Prices at the café's store are lower than the market average but much higher than regular good-quality Balinese coffee. Additionally, they offer oils, cinnamon, vanilla, and cigars with various flavors.  

However, getting to know and play with the little civet was a great pleasure. The guide is always nearby and escorts guests right to their car. Don't forget to wash your hands and sanitize on the way out. Moving on, the next stop is about 40 minutes away.  

What Bali trip would be complete without visiting a temple? Ulun Danu Beratan is a Hindu temple located on the water of Lake Beratan.

The entrance fee of 75,000 IDR for adults and 50,000 IDR for children might have initially seemed a bit expensive. However, my opinion changed literally within a few seconds after entering.  

A large, green, and well-maintained park with flowers, walking paths, and sculptures of various birds and animals. Walking enthusiasts would be willing to pay simply for spending time there, considering the lack of parks and green areas for relaxation on the island. Taking a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, you'll definitely find great spots for photos.  

There's also an interesting platform on the water, which you can access for an additional fee.  

In the farthest part of the park, there's an almost hands-on zoo. Owls of different colors and sizes immediately catch your eye, and as you approach them, you might be startled by the flying fox hanging freely on a perch, which sometimes makes a grab for tourists' belongings if they get too close. You can observe the birds for free, but there's a donation box if you wish to contribute.  

Anyone interested can take a photo with an owl for a fee of 30,000 IDR. Oh, and there are musangs here too, not just one, but already an adult. If the animal is sleeping or resting, you can pet it, but it's best to ask the owner just in case – sometimes they might not be in the mood. After another stroll around the park, admiring the various colors and plants, we head back to the parking lot.

By this time, thoughts of a good late lunch are already creeping in, and for our meal, we chose an extraordinary Instagram-worthy cafe.  

The very place that every girl imagines from a fairy-tale wedding. The abundance of bohemian-floral interior decorations and the building itself with its surroundings captivate you at first sight.  

Now for a more down-to-earth moment: as soon as you arrive at the parking lot, you'll be greeted by a hostess who will ask for a deposit in advance. It's 100,000 IDR per person. This is a standard procedure and helps prevent casual tourists who just want to take a few photos from entering.

The food here is more than worthy, with mainly Asian cuisine options: Vietnamese, Indian, Indonesian. From European dishes, there's pasta, soups, and Caesar salad. The wine list offers a wide selection of white and red wines from various countries.

You can have a real picnic right in the establishment. On the first floor, there are no regular tables, only blankets, cozily surrounded by green and floral compositions.

The atmosphere is very romantic and peaceful, especially complemented by the music. Oh, and the view from the second floor is enchanting as well. With the sunset, soft, diffused lighting comes on, and you just want to freeze in this beautiful warm moment.

Everything we ordered turned out to be delicious and fresh. Among the dishes were mushroom soup with truffle, Vietnamese salad, laksa, and chicken curry - everything lived up to expectations.

And now the evening has arrived. If there's still some light left and a couple of hours to spare, visiting the botanical garden could be a great idea.

We headed to the hotel for an overnight stay by the lake to enjoy the view in the morning.

In this area, there aren't many hotels along the lake road. Our choice landed on a fairly budget-friendly yet quality option - The Garuda Villa & Restaurant.

The price per night starts from 300,000 IDR. It turned out to be more expensive on Agoda and other websites by 150,000 - 200,000 IDR. There were plenty of available rooms without prior booking on weekends, so we opted for the deluxe room with a single bed. Everything was clean, without any unpleasant odors, and the bathroom provided shower gel along with toothbrushes and toothpaste kits.

In the morning, take a stroll around the charming grounds and peek behind the fence at the fountain with fish - there's a field of hydrangeas there.  

The breakfast was also good. Pancakes - a large fluffy pancake with fruit inside of your choice, honey, and jam - cost 35,000 IDR. The omelet was also good - 35,000 IDR. Of course, Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng are also on the menu.

For the first impressions of the new day, you won't have to go far. The lake viewpoints start right across from the hotel.

Here are a few viewpoints in Tamblingan and Buyan: a viewpoint overlooking the two lakes, a

larger platform with iguanas and a pedestal for photos.

Next, our journey will take us to Munduk, a small town nestled on the slopes of mountains with various plantations and surrounded by waterfalls and trekking trails.

The climate here is similar to Ubud, so you won't need to bundle up. Tank tops, shorts, and sneakers will be perfect.

After finding the hydrangea field and a good parking spot, it's best to take a stroll to another secluded spot, less known to tourists - a visit to a Balinese local named Kori.

The road is smooth, and there are clusters of blue hydrangeas on both sides, interspersed with coffee bushes and views of green hills, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle—a true retreat for the soul and body.

The location on the map is called Munduk Escape. It's an area with a cottage perched on a hill where a Balinese man named Kori lives and hosts guests. He brews strong black coffee for 15,000 IDR and takes excellent photos for free. As it turns out, the owner of this stunning place is a professional photographer, so be sure to ask him to take a couple of shots for you—these moments are ones you'll definitely want to remember and have captured in a photo.  

  One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. Getting there is very easy by car, and then a path lined with tropical plants on both sides will lead to steps and a tent for payment. The entrance fee is 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person, and parking is available for a fee.

The descent is quite easy and quick compared to the ascent. But beauty demands sacrifice, so save your strength for the return to the parking lot. Otherwise, you can cover half the distance by bike, but first, you'll need to climb up the massive stone steps. Like an oasis hidden within the cliffs, a clearing is nestled, with waterfalls on both sides.  

On the left, the waterfall is more picturesque and mesmerizing. The water in the pool is of moderate temperature, not as cold as expected. Swimming here is pleasant, and access to the water is straightforward.

On the right, there are fewer people and also a clean, deep pool suitable for swimming.

Having been captivated by the power and might of the water element and the endless beauty of Balinese nature, we move on to the next equally interesting place.

The stunning beauty of the places is not over yet. If you drive through one of the most photographed gates in Bali, the road will lead you to the evergreen golf courses, where you can also take a stroll.  

Here is a large convenient parking lot and free entry. There are two restaurants on the premises and excellent views of what seems to be endless meadows and trails.

You can choose to sit indoors, but why miss the opportunity to sit at a table on the terrace and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, watching as clouds cover the treetops in the mountains.  

At Handara, you'll find a diverse crowd: tourists from other Indonesian islands, Russian-speaking visitors, and golf players. The place is suitable for family visits (there's a children's playground and a covered play area), as well as for groups of friends and couples.  

Due to the large number of Russian-speaking tourists, the menu now includes a section with Slavic dishes.

The food is decent, edible, but that's about it. Our expectations were not met, considering the high prices and the 21% tax.

However, it's still suitable for lunch in such a place. After the meal, take a walk; there are paved paths running through the fields.  

On the way back, if you wish, you can stop by a strawberry farm and have some juice or smoothie. Also, along the road, you'll come across the Leke Leke waterfall and the Taman Satwa Tabanan zoo.