Where to stay and what to do in Bali’s Sidemen Valley

Sidemen Valley is a 90-minute drive east of Seminyak and is relatively undiscovered compared to Bali’s busier, commercial areas. With its collection of small farming communities and craft villages, it is often compared to its ever-popular neighbour, Ubud, just 33 kilometres to the west.

For those who yearn to slow down and experience a slice of authentic Balinese life, Sidemen is your answer. Expect a bohemian hotspot of green rice fields, serene Hindu temples, lush jungles and waterfalls. Not to mention delicious food and beautiful accommodations.

Stay

In recent years, a growing number of budget-friendly homestays have sprung up, but Sidemen Village is also home to a handful of luxury, eco-friendly boutique hotels and Airbnbs, including the five-star Wapa di Ume Hotel, the striking bamboo houses of Camaya and Veluvana Bali, and the stunning ‘Castles in the Sky’ called Laputa Villas.

For a stay that truly embodies the spirit of Sidemen, Samanvaya Luxury Resort and Spa is the place to stay. Founded in 2017 by New Zealand couple Tracey and Rob Rackliff, it features 17 sustainably built suites and traditional lumpung villas set in a series of rice terraces. Guests must be 14 years or older to stay.

Expect private pools and hot tubs, generous multi-level living spaces, semi-open tropical bathrooms with rain showers and soaking tubs, plus handcrafted furnishings by local artisans. And while the resort’s yoga studio and Ananda Spa form an indoor sanctuary, Samanvaya’s alfresco dining and twin infinity pools offer uninterrupted views of distant Mount Agung.

The Rackliffs’ commitment to sustainable tourism includes projects like Kolektif & Co, a gallery that provides work and support to Sidemen’s artisans, and Support Sidemen, an initiative that encourages the collection of recyclable waste in exchange for rice. The initiative also offers workshops and training opportunities in one of Bali’s poorest regencies.

To dine

While you won’t find any big chains, boutique breweries or specialty coffee roasters here (yet), you will find a good selection of warungs (eateries) serving traditional dishes. Warung Dapur Kapulaga, Lihat Sawah and Warung Tirta Unda are some of the best places to eat.

For more upscale dining, luxury resort Wapa di Ume’s Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge is one of Sidemen’s top-rated spots within earshot of the Unda River, while Samanvaya’s restaurant, Asri Dining, serves Indonesian classics and international favorites. Reserve a spot overlooking the rice terraces during happy hour to enjoy cocktails like a ginger basil margarita or lychee lime fizz.

Doing

A guided tour through the rice fields is a great way to experience village life. However, the Sidemen waterfalls are spectacular and a walk to Gembleng or Jagasatru waterfalls will ensure you can enjoy a refreshing swim at the end of the trip.

As Sidemen is home to some of Bali’s most talented artisans, it’s worth taking a tour of one of the traditional weaving villages or taking a silver jewellery making class at Sidemen Silver, which is located next to another major attraction, the Yellow Bridge (which is exactly as advertised).

Finally, you might be tempted to hike up Mount Agung in the distance, but if you’re not an experienced hiker, nearby Mount Batur may be less daunting at just 1,700 meters above sea level. The two-hour trek to the summit from Batur Village at sunrise is an incredible view.

While you can reach these attractions on your own, Samanvaya Resort also offers guided tours, such as The Best of Sidemen from a Scooter.

There come

While Indonesian app-based transportation providers Grab or Gojek are your cheapest options, you can expect to pay around IDR 500,000 ($50) for a private car from Denpasar, Kuta or Seminyak. Note that you will need to book a local driver for your return journey, as third-party drivers and transportation apps are not allowed in the area.

www.samanvaya-bali.com