Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ROADS LESS TRAVELLED
It's 40km from Kintamani down through the foothills to Kubutambahan on the north
coast (see Around Singaraja ), from where Singaraja is 7km west and Air Sanih is 6km east.
This road is one of Bali's main north-south routes, busy with trucks, cars and tourist buses,
but it takes you through some pretty scenery.
If you have time to spare, an attractive quieter alternative route runs via the back road
to Bondalem , a north coast village that's 15km east of Air Sanih and 4km west of Tejak-
ula. The narrow, twisting, very steep and very scenic 16km road is signed off the main
Kubutambahan road at Lateng , 13km from the market at Kintamani, and 500m after the
end of the village of Dausa. The main road swings left on a sharp bend and there's a row of
shops on the right at the start of your turning; this back road is known locally as the Tejak-
ula road. It initially descends through vegetable gardens and stands of cloves, cocoa, coffee
and avocado with great views of neighbouring ridges and west towards Gunung Batukaru.
After about 10km the temperature rises significantly, and coconut plantations stretch all the
way to the north coast.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: GUNUNG BATUR AND AROUND
By bus or bemo The crater rim road is a main route between the north and south coasts, so
public transport is frequent. Perama tourist shuttle buses run to and from Ubud, Kuta and Sa-
nur, but not in the opposite direction. Occasional public bemos from Penelokan go as far as
Songan on the western side of the lake and Abang on the eastern side; the tourist fare to any
of the lakeside accommodation is about Rp10,000; several times that if you charter.
Destinations from Penelokan (add/subtract 20min for Kintimani to the north) Bangli
(45min); Buahan (30min); Denpasar (Batubulan; 2hr 30min); Gianyar (50min); Singaraja
(Penarukan; 1hr 30min); Songan (45min); Toya Bungkah (30min).
ACTIVITIES
Mountain-biking Sobek ( balisobek.com ; $79) and Bali Adventure Tours ( baliadven-
turetours.com ; $75) run downhill cycling trips in the Batur area - usually down slopes and
through rice paddies - including transport from tourist centres in south Bali.
Hot springs Just south of Toya Bungkah, Batur Natural Hot Spring (signposted at west end of
village; daily 7am-7pm; Rp120,000 including towel; baturhotspring.com ) is a rather tatty
public baths beside a temple, seemingly built of laval stone - it has three pools filled with
spring water up to 35°C, one almost of swimming-pool size. For spa style, however, head to
the garden pools in Toya Devasya (daily 8am-7pm; Rp150,000;
toyadevasya.com ) in the
village centre.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search